How do we repair the American Economy?

Follow the Leaders to Prosperity

America’s dynamism is enabled by our economic prowess. Our traditional economic strength was made possible by the exercise of individual freedom in a predominately free market by a highly educated population. The major challenge faced today by America is to create jobs and spur economic growth.

It has always been true that the private sector has produced the majority of the wealth of this country. The major challenge facing America today is that the Progressive ideology practiced by President Obama and the modern Democratic Party focuses primarily on economic re-distribution rather than economic growth. When the Progressives do face the issue of economic growth, they base their approach on the assumption that the Government is primarily responsible for job creation rather than the private sector.

In the name of social justice, the government has played an ever increasing role redistributing wealth from the taxpayers to the designated disadvantaged at the expense of a dynamic and growing economy. President Obama’s economic policy includes such job killing measures such as more government control in health care, increased regulation of the energy sector and more environmental controls, the public sector takeover of the auto industry and Financial Reform legislation.

In addition, the promotion of labor union power increases at the expense of both the private and public sector has had dampening effects upon our economic health. The ever increasing power of the Democratic Party controlled Education and Legal monopolies stymie meaningful reform in these two strategically important sectors of our society. All the increased measures of having the Federal Government play an increased role in our economy has made America less competitive in the global economy. Americans cannot afford these policies any longer.

Our move further to the Left in regard to these economic policies has made the Middle Class increasingly the target of its failure. At the heart of the implementation of progressive economic policies, is the punishment of success. Progressives aim to level the opportunity for outstanding achievement usually by lowering the standards for all but the anointed elite. Progressive economic philosophy depreciates the traditional successful middle class American values of hard work, self reliance and competition.   

If we are to face up to our current economic challenges, we need models of success for America to emulate to lead us out of our economic malaise. As a counter to the prevailing Progressive economic agenda, where can we look for models of positive policies that have produced more successful outcomes? Where are the exceptions to these prevailing rules?

Several State Governors have shown the way. State and local governments possess an inherent advantage when it comes to fiscal responsibility. Unlike our Federal Government, State and Local Governments are mandated by law to balance their budgets every fiscal year. A partial honor role of leaders taking truly opposing and successful approaches to the issue of economic growth and job creation during challenging times are Governors Chris Christie, Scott Walker, Rick Scott, John Kaisch, Rick Perry, Mitch Daniels, Bob McDonnell and Luis Fortuno. What approaches do they have in common and what can this nation learn from their successful efforts? What do such seemingly differing places such as New Jersey, Wisconsin, Florida, Ohio, Texas, Indiana and Puerto Rico have in common?

The Governors of these States and a Commonwealth promote the following policies:

-       Limited government and spending.

-       Reliance on the private sector.

-       Low taxes on individuals and business.

-       Promotion of pro-business climate through a favorable regulatory environment and development incentives.

-       Implementation of programs that make the delivery of services more efficient and less costly that utilize both public and private sector resources.

-       The limiting of the cost of labor by curtailing the power of public sector unions.

-       Reform of education through imposing higher academic standards, school and teacher accountability and increased competition through school choice.

Each State and Puerto Rico have slightly differing approaches to addressing the above listed goals; however, in each case implementing solutions based on Conservative principals have resulted in the creation of more jobs and revenues. Contrast the success of these examples with progressively governed California. By every measurement of economic health, California is a failure. People vote with their feet and move from Progressive States such as California and New York to settle in an oasis of economic freedom such as Texas. How do we turn around our economy on a national basis? Follow the leaders to prosperity and free the American entrepreneurial spirit.    

  

Is America facing an identity crisis?

It is obvious to many that the American political system is in trouble. Many are worried about the future direction of this country. America is facing no less than an identity crisis. How do we start to solve the great issues of the day? Where do we start?

Great leaders have always emerged in our history at the time of crisis to show us the way. However, it is the citizen's duty to learn as much as possible regarding the leading issues and challenges of the day so when it is time to enter the voting booth an informed decision can be made.

Citizens still have the power in this country - the key is for all of us is to exercise it. The issue of greater citizen participation goes beyond merely voting. The rapid growth of the Tea Party movement is a current example of proactive direct citizen action. More importantly it reflects a significant discontent among mainly middle class citizens across the country. Tea Party members represent the full spectrum of Republican, Independent and Democratic voters. They aim to reclaim government from the established elites, the insiders and to change the status quo. It is truly a grass-roots effort dominated by local organizations interconnected by New Media. Their efforts will lead to a government more reflective of middle class or conservative views.

The identity crisis that America faces is due to the ongoing competition between the views of the Progressives and the Conservatives. With the election of President Obama and the sweep of Democrats into office in 2008, our country has taken on an even more European style Progressive/Socialist flavor. The most interesting point is due to the failure and unsustainable nature of the Progressive/Socialist economic and social models in Europe, these nations have been forced to cut the size and scope of their governments.

We live in an era influenced by the ideas of governing that became popular at the turn of the 20th century called the Progressive Era. The progression of the role of government from that time to now has been towards dominant responsibility of societal problem solving being assumed more and more each year by the Federal Government. In order to take on such vast responsibilities, the Federal Government demands an increasingly large amount of funding each year and resorts to borrowing from future generations in order to pay its obligations.

Nothing less than the future identity of America is at stake in the next election in 2012. The conflict lies on the dividing line between the the political philosophies of the Left (Progressives) and the Right (Conservatives).  We are currently operating with an Administration implementing political solutions that has moved this dividing line even further left. The voters in the recent Congressional elections of 2010 have sent a strong message that the government's role in society on both a Federal and State & Local level must be reduced.

President Obama and the Democratic agenda of a society dominated by certain elites operating through the ever increasing powers of the Federal Government has been tried and has dramatically failed in so many ways. The Tea Party movement is gaining increasing momentum and its collective message is that we must move our path back to solutions based on a more conservative and individual based approach. The collective solutions run by big government are both ineffective, inefficient and often fail miserably.

The success or failure of the Tea Party Movement will be the dominant factor in determining America's identity in the years to come. It is the duty of the movement to present its message as clearly as possible and let the people decide. All of our futures are at stake.


  

Campaign 2012- Will Americans voluntarily give up their freedoms?

On April 19, 1775 eight Militia men were killed and ten more were wounded at Lexington, Massachusetts in the first battle in The War for Independence.  It was called the “Shot heard ‘round the world”.  Millions of Americans over the years have worked and fought tirelessly so all of us can live in freedom.

Chris and Ted Stewart, authors of a recent bestselling book titled “The Miracle of Freedom – 7 Tipping Points that Saved the World” make the case that fewer than 5% of human beings that ever lived – lived in freedom.  Americans can count their blessings that they are members of this very select group of individuals.

It is obvious to many that the American political system is in trouble and will be facing a decisive decision point on Tuesday, November 6, 2012. Many issues will be debated during the run-up to the November 2012 elections; however, the essential issue that the voters will determine is how much power shall be allocated to the individual versus the collective.


The great American experiment instituted by The Founding Fathers is based on the premise that man can rule himself. This proposition will be put to a critical test next November and will be decided voluntarily by the voters. The election will be a fundamental test of individual American’s resolve to continue to live in liberty and to exercise the responsibility of such a choice.

Bill Clinton’s Presidential victory over the then incumbent President George H.W. Bush was driven by a campaign focused on the following slogan:

“It’s the Economy - stupid!”

I believe the eventual 2012 Republican Presidential campaign message to every American citizen should be:

“It’s your freedom – stupid!”  

It is time for Americans to reclaim and exercise their freedoms for a better America. Power must flow back once again to reside in the hands of every single American. Government must be made to play a more limited role in all our lives.