Dr. Miriam and Mr. Sheldon Edelson at the 2011 AIPAC "Better Together" policy Conference. Photo: Maxine Dovere.

All that America should say to Sheldon Adelson, a self-made billionaire who grew up poor and today gives hundreds of millions of dollars a year to charity, is “thank you”. This great patriot, whose family foundation dispenses hundreds of millions annually and offers tens of thousands of people a chance to prosper, truly is the epitome of a great American. Rather than being attacked by the President, as he was recently, Mr. Adelson should be celebrated as a true American hero.

President Obama’s campaign issued a fundraising email attacking Mr Adelson, claiming the man is only supporting Romney because he wants tax breaks. The email from David Axelrod, Obama’s campaign manager, says: “We know it’s not out of love for Mitt Romney, so why part with so much money? As
President Clinton reminded us last week, sometimes the answer is as simple as arithmetic. So let’s do the math: According to a new report from the Center for American Progress Action Fund, Adelson could see up to $2 billion in savings under Mitt Romney’s tax plan versus the President’s plan.”

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has already apologized to Mr Adelson this election cycle for libeling him in press statements; and one can imagine the Obama campaign soon following suit. Claiming that this 79-year old billionaire is singularly focused on one issue is absurd, as a simple look at his record would show. Should business executives who oppose the President’s policies expect to be attacked for that opposition? Is this presidential? Is it what a private person can expect if he dares to oppose the most powerful man in the world?

America would be a better country if it were made up of more people like Sheldon Adelson, who reached the list of wealthiest men in the world after growing up sleeping in the same room as his whole family. Adelson has said he is “not a rags to riches story – because we couldn’t afford to buy rags.” In a great country like America, Sheldon Adelson is the ideal who should be propped up as a role model – not someone who should be attacked. (Of course, Adelson didn’t build his business – as Obama believes: “You didn’t build that.”)

Adelson is condemned and attacked – yet George Soros, who has donated millions to the American President who said: “The main obstacle to a stable and just world order is the United States” is ignored. There were no attacks on Soros, Warren Buffett, Haim Saban or other billionaires who donated to Obama.

There are few individuals like Adelson in the world today, who have shown what great wealth can accomplish. As the owner of a PR Agency, I know that many philanthropists want everyone to know what they give – yet Adelson quietly helps so many vital causes, from melanoma research to healing drug addicts, from helping American veterans to educating children. As Adelson asked Politico: “In this economy is it really appropriate to demonize people who have a long history of helping others in times of need?”

“We don’t have Sheldon Adelson, and with all due respect, we don’t want him” – these are the words of Obama’s campaign. Nothing could be more wrong. America needs Adelson – and his 40,000 employees, the dozens of charities he helps, and many who believe America is a great Republic would agree.
Sheldon Adelson is an American hero who should be celebrated for all he does. The man built himself up on his own, and is a tremendous philanthropist, humanitarian and executive. Sheldon Adelson – and all Americans – shouldn’t be attacked by the most powerful man in the world because they oppose certain policies.

All Americans should stand up and say it loudly and clearly: Thank You, Sheldon Adelson!