News tagline: S.D. Sen. Tim Johnson in critical condition - which may put Dems' Senate control at risk.

A cold reality of life is whether Senator Johnson survives or passes on life goes on. In fact, business or politics the system demands loyalty and commitment from you regardless what happens in the system. The system can falter, make mistakes, or simply be ineffectual, but you have to remain loyal and committed. On the other hand, you, who are loyal and committee are replaceable. The theory being the system must go on.

The business of business is not about people.

Government and business are identical. They are meant to be for the people and about the people, but they are not. They are about control, the accumulation of power, and money. In ideal, they are set up to serve the people and make life better. In reality control, money and power becomes the object. There are few exceptions. The Philippines former first lady Imelda Marcos is said to have been in it for the shoes. In the end it all comes out the same the people are forgotten. It is all about the system.

The Walmart Mentality has been around a long time.

Sam Walton is a hero and a god in business and marketing. His concept, known as "The Walmart Mentality" is a model hailed as a great success. The truth is this concept has been around as long as there has been the idea of doing business to make money. One of the features is to induce sales with low prices by keeping cost down. Part of those cost are employee wages. Walmart has been unfairly cited for doing things like making workers work off the clock for free. It does not matter that the employee is on his or her own time. It matters that the jobs are done no matter how big so that the company can keep cost down.

Why do I say "Walmart has been unfairly cited?"

It is a common practice. Upper management puts pressure on salaried middle management to perform a job. The salary justifies the pressure to do and work whatever it takes to get the job done. It does not matter how much time the middle management person puts in. Workforces are cut to the bone. The hourly wageworker dollars are kept at the minimum. The business must thrive. I have witnessed a company executive get out of his new company paid Jaguar walk into the place of business and rail of the manager the company about how he was ineffectual. The business was on the brink of bankruptcy, he just replaced a year old company car with company money, and he would be going on his fourth vacation in as many months. As he lived his life hourly paid workers were asked to tighten their belts and work hard. Many gave of their own time. This company Grand Union eventually went under. This man sidestepped to another job. The hourly worker did the Walmart thing willingly and lost.

Where does that leave us?

We are where we are. Senator Tim Johnson is in the grave situation he is in. Congress will break soon for holidays. Would it be too much to ask to take a few days, hold off on the balance of power talk, and give his family the comfort and support they need at this time? Save the political fallout for later, after all it is supposed to be about the people.