(The Root) — Wouldn't it be awesome if your boss threatened your job based on a presidential election? What if your boss told you to be prepared that if a certain candidate didn't win, your life could be irrevocably damaged?
Welcome to America 2012.
According to MSNBC's Up With Chris Hayes, Arthur Allen of ASG Software sent out this email to his employees:
Many of you have been with ASG for over 5, 10, 15, and even 20 years. As you know, together, we have been able to keep ASG an independent company while still growing our revenues and customers. But I can tell you, if the US re-elects President Obama, our chances of staying independent are slim to none. I am already heavily involved in considering options that make our independence go away, and with that all of our lives would change forever. I believe that a new President and administration would give US citizens and the world the renewed confidence and optimism we all need to get the global economies started again, and give ASG a chance to stay independent. If we fail as a nation to make the right choice on November 6th, and we lose our independence as a company, I don't want to hear any complaints regarding the fallout that will most likely come.
This is real life, people. This isn't even an anomaly.
Then Gawker dropped this jewel last week concerning David Siegel, the founder and CEO of Westgate Resorts:
There is no question that the economy has changed for the worse and we have not seen any improvement over the past four years. In spite of all of the challenges we have faced, the good news is this: The economy doesn't currently pose a threat to your job. What does threaten your job however, is another 4 years of the same Presidential administration. Of course, as your employer, I can't tell you whom to vote for, and I certainly wouldn't interfere with your right to vote for whomever you choose. In fact, I encourage you to vote for whomever you think will serve your interests the best.
See? He can't tell you who to vote for, but if the Negro wins, be prepared for your job to be at risk. Such a lovely boss this guy is! But wait! There's more! This one from the Koch Brothers via InTheseTimes.com:
While we are typically told before each Presidential election that it is important and historic, I believe the upcoming election will determine what kind of America future generations will inherit.
If we elect candidates who want to spend hundreds of billions in borrowed money on costly new subsidies for a few favored cronies, put unprecedented regulatory burdens on businesses, prevent or delay important new construction projects, and excessively hinder free trade, then many of our more than 50,000 U.S. employees and contractors may suffer the consequences, including higher gasoline prices, runaway inflation, and other ills.
You know how you hear folks talking about how none of this matters? How the two candidates are the same, so we're screwed if we do, screwed if we don't? Well, apparently some folks don't believe they're the same. Some folks are actively trying to unjustly influence people who simply want to work.
In these hard economic times, there are employers who are willing to tell their workers, "Vote for Obama and suffer the consequences." These members of the 1 percent have a clear agenda and are willing to flex their might to make sure it happens.
Maybe this election is more important than a lot of folks think it is.
Elon James White is a writer and satirist and host of the award-winning video and radio series This Week in Blackness. Listen Monday to Thursday at 1:30 p.m. EST at TWIB.FM and watch at TV.TWIB.ME/LIVE. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and Tumblr.