Letters: Layoffs at HP

Re “HP to shed 27,000 workers,” Business, May 24

Hewlett-PackardChief Executive Meg Whitman observes that layoffs “adversely affect people’s lives, but in this case [are] absolutely critical for the long-term health of the company.” The goal of business is to make a profit. If you can make money by hiring people, you hire people. If you can’t, you fire people.

Mitt Romney’s background as a venture capitalist is consistent with this reality. A businessman is not in business to be a “job creator,” and it is dishonest to suggest otherwise. He may need to destroy jobs to earn profits. In contrast, a president must have broad concerns for the well-being of this country.

Marcia Goldstein

Laguna Woods

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