Again, the President gives us reason to believe that he is out of touch with reality. Even the Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill have come to understand that a climate bill would devastate job creation in our current fragile economy, but the President says he’ll keep pushing for a climate bill. Potential climate legislation only adds to the uncertainty currently in the market place – it is this uncertainty that paralyses economic growth and job creation. Businesses are not going to grow, expand and hire new employees if they aren’t sure what the rules and regulations of their industry will be.
Archive for the ‘Blog’ Category
Still out of touch
Wednesday, July 28th, 2010“Dealergate”
Wednesday, July 21st, 2010The Obama administration has repeatedly inserted itself into the management of private companies. Earlier this week, the inspector general’s office released a report on the handling of dealer closures by the “car czar” – no surprise the IG report illustrates an incompetence and failure of the government to understand the full impact of these closures. In fact, according to the IG, “Treasury made a series of decisions that may have substantially contributed to the accelerated shuttering of thousands of small businesses and thereby potentially adding tens of thousands of workers to the already lengthy unemployment rolls.” Their own policies are contributing to the economic downturn.
China becomes world’s biggest energy consumer
Tuesday, July 20th, 2010China views economic growth (and therefore energy consumption) as a regime stability issue. It’s no surprise that they are the number one consumer of power. Now, consider this in terms of US economic growth. Why are leaders in Congress considering cap and trade proposals that would ultimately kill American jobs?
Competition in health care
Thursday, July 15th, 2010On Tuesday, 475 seniors packed into Orlando’s in South County to discuss the impact of the new health law on their coverage. One point that emerged was that the new law will be administered by Dr. Donald Berwick – a recess appointment by President Obama to head the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. You should take the time to read a few of his quotes included in this WSJ editorial. I’ll warn you, if you support competition in health care, these quotes are frightening.
Tax Cuts and the Deficit Myth
Wednesday, July 14th, 2010The current leaders in Washington are not capable of grasping reality. Face the facts: increased government spending has created the current catastrophic debt. Heritage Foundation’s Brian Reidl makes a great case in the Wall Street Journal.
Seniors Health Forum, Tuesday, July 13
Monday, July 12th, 2010The American Freedom and Enterprise Foundation will partner with Washington, D.C. based Heritage Foundation to host a forum for seniors on the new federal health care law entitled: “Where do we go from here?” at Orlando Gardens on Tuesday, July 13th at 10:00 am. This forum will provide St. Louis seniors an opportunity to ask important questions about changes to Medicare and other government and private health care programs. This is a free event.
Who: Former Sen. Jim Talent, Honorary Co-Chair of American Freedom and Enterprise Foundation
Dr. Bob Moffit, Leading health policy expert at Heritage Foundation
Dr. Charles Willey, local physician and entrepreneur
Ed Martin, attorney, bioethicist and former chief of staff to Governor Matt Blunt
What: Health Care Forum for Seniors: Where do we go from here?
When: Tuesday, July 13 at 10:00 a.m. – Noon
Where: Orlando Gardens Banquet and Conference Center, 4300 Hoffmeister Avenue, St. Louis MO
RVSP: INFO@FREEDOMSOLUTIONS.ORG
Why: Health policy experts will answer questions on the impacts of the new federal health care legislation.
Unemployment Emergency
Tuesday, July 6th, 2010Good governance is rooted in common sense. Here is a common sense truth: Everyone’s agenda depends on a prosperous economy. The Great Generation knew the human cost when bad times last for a long time. They grew up in the Depression. They knew that without prosperity we can not nurture and educate our children, protect our communities, or care for the poor. Whether you are a liberal or conservative, your agenda depends on America’s ability to produce jobs, create wealth, and expand opportunity. And that depends on a vibrant free market economy.
We are currently governed by a set of people who have no respect for the genius of the private sector. Their first instinct is to tax, regulate, and intimidate free enterprise. And as long as that is the case, the policies they enact will continue to suppress economic growth. That is the fundamental reason the recession went on so long, and the “recovery” continues to look and feel a lot like a recession.
President’s policies cost U.S. jobs
Monday, June 28th, 2010This is another example of the triumph of ideology over reality.
Let me put it very simply, so that even a child could understand it. Stopping the sale of equipment for a coal fired power plant in India will not stop the project. It will not prevent the emission of carbon in any respect. The Indian company will buy the equipment somewhere else. The only thing that will change as a result of the decision is that 984 Americans will lose their jobs – 984 families will be closer to the wall, not because of anything they did, not because America can’t compete, but because the Obama Administration has hardened itself against the persuasions of reality. So now these people must beg the President for permission to support themselves and their communities.
Why manufacturing is in trouble in the United States? Well, this is the reason. Our government regularly kicks manufacturing in the teeth, with high taxes, extreme regulations, out of control liability, poor transportation systems, and bureaucratic tyranny. Then the politicians wring their hands in front of assembly lines that have closed and try to distract voters into blaming someone else.
Side effect: limited options for Medicare patients
Monday, June 21st, 2010Remember when the President said that the health care bill was “paid for”? One of the big ways he was “paying for it” was by cutting Medicare.
American health care systems are shifting from one good but financially troubled health program (Medicare) to two poor quality, financially unsound programs. You can thank the health care “reform” bill for that.
He Doesn’t Know What To Do
Wednesday, June 16th, 2010After his speech from the Oval Office last night, it is clear that President Obama doesn’t know what to do.
Here’s what the President should have done according to many private sector executives:
1) Go to the scene as soon as the extent of the problem became clear,
2) Assess the situation by collecting data,
3) Assess the credibility of the people involved,
4) Choose a representative to leave in control. Establish a chain of command. Direct the representative to develop and submit options for dealing with the crisis.
5) Supervise and support the representative. Use Presidential power to exhort, support, and inspire the chain of command. If necessary, fire anyone who is failing.
Mr. Obama has reacted like a politician. When politicians are faced with a huge problem that they don’t know how to solve, they first ignore it, hoping not to be associated with it. If that fails, they focus most of their energy on blaming someone else. It’s an instinctive self defense mechanism for someone who is out of his depth. I’ve seen it a hundred times before, and we are seeing it now.
