'Nobody gives a damn': Home Depot's co-founder says the rise of 'socialism' is m...

As the largest home improvement retailer in the U.S., Home Depot has been quite the success story. But according to the company’s co-founder Bernie Marcus, that kind of success couldn’t be replicated in today’s economic and political environment.

“We would end up with 15, 16 stores,” the 93-year-old tells the Financial Times. “I don’t know that we could go further.”

The problem, according to Marcus, is the rise of socialism.

“Nobody works. Nobody gives a damn. ‘Just give it to me. Send me money. I don’t want to work — I’m too lazy, I’m too fat, I’m too stupid,’” he says.

To be sure, America isn’t known for being a socialist country. And Marcus’ comments come as the U.S. unemployment rate sits near a historic low of 3.7%.

But a recent poll from the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation showed that 70% of millennials say they are either “somewhat likely” or “extremely likely” to vote for a socialist candidate.

“I’m worried about capitalism,” Marcus says. “Capitalism is the basis of Home Depot (and) millions of people have earned this success and had success.”

To be sure, Marcus’ observations don’t necessarily mean the end of capitalism. Some businesses even thrive as folks become increasingly “lazy,” “fat,” and “stupid” in Marcus’ words.

Here’s a look at four of them.

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