Tag: politics

Turning the Light Back On

publius911Leave a comment

12.11.24

The best way of securing lasting change is through persuasion. To draw someone to your position, It is far better to convey something they desire than to impose it. Human beings naturally seek comfort and the freedom to pursue that which they desire. Nowhere in the history of the world has that been easier to achieve than in the United States of America. Indeed, it is those attributes that has born the USA moniker, “the shining beacon on the hill”. It is time for the US to turn that light back on.

Rather that foist our way of life on others, we should extol and exhibit our long referenced but rarely articulated, American values. For me, those values are, we derive all our freedom from God; the inalienable right to life, to speak freely, to pursue those things that satisfy one’s desires and the personal responsibility to consider others in that pursuit. These values manifest themselves in a governance system that intrudes lightly and only exists to defend its people and inalienable rights. It bends to the will of the people who are the source of its authority.

Previous attempts to “spread democracy” have failed in most cases because it was forced. Other cultures do not hold the same foundation of inalienable rights contained in our Declaration of Independence that is the basis of our Constitutional Republic. Rather, we should succeed domestically beyond expectations and create the proverbial light to which the moth is attracted. People around the world should see our success in economics and personal freedoms as so attractive that they insist they too realize those same things in their countries.

By showing the world once again of the might of our system through economic prowess and a highly satisfied citizenry, other leaders would be foolish to ignore seeking ways to emulate the USA. The “experiment” started 250 years ago proved to be the most powerful force moving people from bondage and poverty to freedom and prosperity. It is high time to show the world, and not force it, that the capitalistic economic system, girded by strong underlying values, is the brightest path to realizing the dreams of human being everywhere.

Turning the lights back on will require a return to a more responsible governance system. Many ox will need to be gored to shift  the power center from the state back to the people. Growth of the state has undercut both individual and commercial responsibility. Both have become overly dependent on the state for their well-being, if not their very survival, in contravention of our underlying values. We need to instill in our young that they must be responsible for their own well-being. That they have a responsibility to be productive and contribute to the whole of society through their independence. Companies must understand that they too have an obligation to conduct their activities knowing that failure rests on them and no calvary is coming to bail them out if they fail.

The state must see that in the creep in the size and scope of  its reach has exceed well beyond its documented role. Putting the genie back in the bottle will yield a great example of what unleashing the power of people can do for prosperity and happiness. Doing less will actually yield much more and turn the light on brighter than ever.

Unforced Error Number 2?

publius9112 Comments

11/25/24

With the pick of Lori Chavez-DeRemer for Labor Secretary, Trump has made another tactical mistake. Her voting record  speaks volumes to her position as a labor advocate/activist. Most glaring is her support for the “Protecting the Right to Organize Act” in 2023, one of only 3 republicans that did so. This legislation would have outlawed right-to-work legislation in the states, and  provided unions with untoward tools that favor them and handcuff management in organizing efforts. It would have furthered the strength of public unions which counters the stated efforts to curtail the behemoth federal government. Is it going to be resurrected?

How this selection squares with DOGE is lost on me. Both Musk and Ramaswamy anticipate struggles with unions on reductions in force. Their intentions are put against the backdrop of greater numbers of federal employees who increasingly join unions.

 “According to new numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), more federal workers joined unions last year.  Federal density in 2023 was 25.1%, up from 24.4% in 2022.” (https://www.afge.org/article/union-membership-in-federal-sector-went-up-in-2023/)

So why put in place a person who will likely, based on past performance, be a hinderance to Trump’s state objective of “draining the swamp”? Why the nod to Union Leader Sean O’Brien simply for speaking at the RNC convention? History has shown that every time we acquiesce to the left, they simply push for more. Right-to-work laws are at the heart of personal freedom. That they can be taken away by this incoming administration is an affront to those who support a vastly reduced influence of large labor groups on our federal, state and local governments and overall economy.

I suspect that hoards of federal employees will seek to join unions looking to preserve their jobs. They are hoping to hide behind antiquated rules put in place to by those who drink at the union trough. With a swamp subservient Washington DC court now packed with a majority of left wing Democrats, the resistance needs no more help. Certainly, not from someone who has the bully pulpit and power to make significant positive change.

Chavez-DeRemer should follow the route Matt Gaetz took. Take a walk through the Senate offices and gauge the sentiments for her appointment and once done, bow out gracefully saving Trump from yet another embarrassing failed appointment.

A Case for Tariffs

publius911Leave a comment

9/27/24

Tariffs are as old as countries. Every nation has used them to some extent. In some cases, it was punitive to countries selling products they either sold at less than cost or subsidized. In others, it was to protect a domestic industry deemed important to the country. Think, businesses that employ large numbers of workers. The tariffs that seem to find a way to stay in place through both party’s administrations are those that are imposed for “national security” reasons.

Tariffs are being labeled as inflationary because they pass along the cost (tariff) to the consumer. Of course, the collected tariff goes to the state. But wait a minute! What if tariffs are coupled with tax policies that offset the additional cost of the increased prices?

If more goods are produced domestically, even at higher costs (labor primarily), those workers are earning income, paying taxes and contributing to the overall economy. When coupled with tax policies that reward domestic production, the net effect can actually be growth in both per capita income and revenue for the state. Such was the case during Trump’s first term.

When the issue involves a national security item, it is incumbent that we take every action to perform the single most important duty of the federal government, secure our nation. It requires sourcing materials, establishing redundancy and assuring adequate production capabilities. Think WWll mobilization. Determining national security items can be daunting but at the basest level, must include raw materials for materiel and armaments and manufacturing capabilities to produce them.

The final case for protectionist policies like tariffs is we have the most desirable market in the world. Every entrepreneur would love to have access to our  market. Yet, other countries restrict our access to their markets. For example, China was given entre to the world economy through membership in the World Trade Organization in 2001. The thinking was that under then leader Xiao Ping, businesses would have unfettered access to the billions of Chinese consumers. Comparative advantage would find equilibrium where goods and services would flow to the country positioned to offer the best value. That held while Ping was opening up the China market but now under XI, we find how one-sided the trade has become.

Many countries, including some of our allies, have market practices that are similar to those of China while we remain a bountiful basket for them. The use of tariffs, helps to even the playing field and, importantly, when coupled with other fiscal practices, can lead to greater prosperity for our country. It is high time for the USA to treat its market place like the jewel it is and only allow for fair traders to have access. If tariffs are required to get their attention, so be it.