Add the founder of BET to the list of people who don‘t think the ’Buffett Rule’ is such a good idea.
Robert Johnson, who founded the Black Entertainment Television network in 1980, appeared on “Fox News Sunday” and said President Barack Obama needs to adjust his message to one that’s not “attacking” the wealthy for their success.
“I think the president has to recalibrate his message,” Johnson said. “You don’t get people to like you by attacking them or demeaning their success. I grew up in a family of 10 kids, first one to go to college, and I’ve earned my success. I’ve earned my right to fly private if I choose to do so. And by attacking me, is not going to convince me that I should take a bigger hit because I happen to be wealthy.”
Johnson joked that it was like “the old Ethel Merman approach to life — I‘ve been poor and I’ve been rich and I happen to like rich better. It doesn‘t mean I’m a bad guy.”
While not mentioning the Buffett Rule directly, Johnson certainly seemed to imply his distaste for the plan, saying Obama should not be “demagoguing” people who are successful.
“I went in business to create jobs, create value, create opportunity for myself and my investors and that’s what the president should be praising, Johnson said.