Quote from James A.Hart on July 15, 2025, 1:41 pm

A lot of people believe that if you have money, you can do anything. That money equals power.
But reality proves otherwise.

Let me explain.

For a while, two Chinese e-commerce giants — Temu and Shein — were taking over the U.S. market.
They poured billions into advertising.
They sold products so cheap, it almost felt illegal.
Even Amazon, the titan of online retail, felt the heat.

Temu was willing to lose $30 per customer just to gain market share.
They used money as their ultimate weapon.

And yet, with a single decision from the U.S. President, it all came crashing down.

When Policy Beats Capital

Temu and Shein were taking advantage of a legal loophole called the de minimis rule —
which allowed packages under $800 to enter the U.S. tax-free.
That loophole was the foundation of their business model.
It let them ship products directly from China to U.S. customers, skipping warehouses, import duties, and delays.

Then, in May 2025, the U.S. government closed the loophole.
Suddenly, everything changed: user numbers plummeted, ad budgets disappeared,
and the billion-dollar growth machine started to fall apart.

They still had money — lots of it.
But it didn’t matter.
Because money can’t win against policy.

Power Belongs to the Rule-Makers

Temu and Shein are a perfect case study:
Success built on capital can disappear overnight if the rules change —
and you’re not the one writing them.

A minor policy shift, completely outside their control, wiped out years of effort in marketing,
logistics, and product development.

Even Jeff Bezos — one of the richest men on Earth —
still has to lobby policymakers, negotiate with governments, and play within political boundaries.
Because he knows: one regulatory move can disrupt Amazon’s entire business model.

Money Buys Access, But Not Authority

Money can buy you lawyers, ads, and influence.
But it can’t rewrite the law — unless you’re sitting at the table where laws are made.

Temu and Shein spent billions breaking into the American market.
But they couldn’t stop a single press conference from the White House.

And that’s the truth:
In a world run by borders, governments, and legislation,
it’s not the richest who win — it’s those who control the rules.