It is the Economy Stupid
(Article contributed by Mike Walker)
(Cartoon contributed by Michael Ramirez)
My very brief musings on the current troubles in our economy. Here are hard questions that need to be asked in Washington:
A. Increase the velocity of the dollar in the economy. This means getting the cash flowing again in our financial markets. When the "quiz kids" and hat-in-hand bankers show up ask them how they are going to achieve this paramount goal. If they waffle, dissemble, etc send them packing without a dime.
As an aside, it is a national loss that many investment banks have gone away. Investment banks are a great engine for economic growth. Their "velocity" in priming the economy is double that of commercial banks. They are the best.
B. Good Stable Jobs = Support for Private Sector Businesses.
Job #1 is support for Small Business. That is the road to turning the economy around. Every other stimulus goal must be secondary.
When someone opines in Washington that they have the "magic bullet" to cure our ills ask them about small businesses. If it ain't first and foremost then send them packing without a dime.
Job #2 is support for the rest of the private sector. If we want to keep jobs in America we need to make American industry competitive. We have the second highest corporate tax rate in the developed world. Shame on us! We need to be globally competitive and that means keeping big government out of the pockets of the private sector.
Job #3 is infrastructure development. This is an essential but tricky issue. Infrastructure can enhance economic growth but alone it cannot turn an economy around.
When the gurus propose their infrastructure plans, ask how does this help our Country achieve Job #1 and Job #2?
If it looks like they are giving you the "smoke screen" and really arguing infrastructure is Job # 1 then send them packing without a dime.
The purpose of infrastructure development is to create an environment that allows the private sector to thrive. Building a bridge to make it economically efficient for local business to operate is super. Building roads to provide access for new businesses is the ticket.
Job #3 is infrastructure development. This is an essential but tricky issue. Infrastructure can enhance economic growth but alone it cannot turn an economy around.
When the gurus propose their infrastructure plans, ask how does this help our Country achieve Job #1 and Job #2?
If it looks like they are giving you the "smoke screen" and really arguing infrastructure is Job # 1 then send them packing without a dime.
The purpose of infrastructure development is to create an environment that allows the private sector to thrive. Building a bridge to make it economically efficient for local business to operate is super. Building roads to provide access for new businesses is the ticket.
But these projects are never ends in themselves. They take years to get off the ground and it is short-term work. Once the bridge is built the jobs go away for many decades.
Ask how the project stimulates the private sector and how that will create long-term job growth. If the nabobs can't clearly answer that question then send them packing without a dime.
The last Job. Assisting failed/failing industries and State/big city bureaucracies. When these guys come begging ask them to specifically explain how they are going to change.
Ask them to present a fiscally responsible plan for the future. Ask them to explain in detail how the money they want from Washington is a one-time bridge to a responsible future. If they can't provide the answers then send them packing without a dime.
C. Change the business model in Congress. Kill the pork added to the economic actions. Enough is enough. This national economic downturn is a real problem. It is a serious problem. It is time for adult leadership in congress.
Congress needs to put our county first and their pork project/special interest pandering dead last.
Ask your elected representatives if they are going to deal with the task at hand before they go back to politics as usual. If they start to pontificate and ramble, vote them out the first chance you get.
Semper Fi,
Mike
Ask how the project stimulates the private sector and how that will create long-term job growth. If the nabobs can't clearly answer that question then send them packing without a dime.
The last Job. Assisting failed/failing industries and State/big city bureaucracies. When these guys come begging ask them to specifically explain how they are going to change.
Ask them to present a fiscally responsible plan for the future. Ask them to explain in detail how the money they want from Washington is a one-time bridge to a responsible future. If they can't provide the answers then send them packing without a dime.
C. Change the business model in Congress. Kill the pork added to the economic actions. Enough is enough. This national economic downturn is a real problem. It is a serious problem. It is time for adult leadership in congress.
Congress needs to put our county first and their pork project/special interest pandering dead last.
Ask your elected representatives if they are going to deal with the task at hand before they go back to politics as usual. If they start to pontificate and ramble, vote them out the first chance you get.
Semper Fi,
Mike
