Last summer, hundreds of CEOs of major US companies sent Congress a list of what was needed in order for them to start hiring and making investments in their company infrastructure and innovation. The head of the Intern’l Money Org. spoke on many occasions of the mistakes Congress was making that was stagnating the economy, not only in the USA, but across the globe.It is time for Congress to put aside their prejudices and tribalism and grab some snow shovels in order to get this nation back to work. It is past time. The President may not be a great leader, but it is Congress that controls the checkbook and passes the bills that gets things done. Respectfully,C.
There are Republicans like John McCain and Peter King who might suggest it is a specific faction within the Republican party that is problematic. While the right arguably owns much of the blame for their pride in blocking legislation, the left, in 2009, was arrogant, even spiteful in victory. What few conservatives might have worked with Pelosi and Reid were insulted and put off by the hubris these two self styled leaders displayed. Mr. Obama’s inexperience and failure to early on become the kind of leader that could actually reach out to both sides only exasperated the problem. I think he thought his historic election would inspire a new sense of cooperation and bipartisanship without any effort on his part.There are legislators who seek the middle ground, but Citizens United, gerrymandering, and attacks on voter rights in the states is making it easier for the politician to pick their voter than it is for voters to pick their voter. I agreed with most of your reply, Mechanic, but it is not treason to be greedy or self interested. I suggest the worst that many of our cannibalistic Congress are guilty of is criminal negligence and violations of their oaths of office, but not treason. They do love America, there are just a number of Americans they wish weren’t here. Dem and Rep alike. But we wouldn’t be America if they weren’t here.Thank you again for your reply, Mechanic. Sincerely,C.
Adrian, my point was that MORE regulations are not going to solve the problems with the economy. Yes, markets need some regulation but not so much that they are crushed or become so oppressive that they bar new entry into that market.All regulations like that do is favor the Rich and Big corporations. Obama is doing both a favor by expanding regulatory control massively.
First, kill all the lawyers. I’m sort of joking, but…..
Does one really need to have a sign on an above-ground swimming pool that’s three feet deep that says “No Diving”? Do we really need to have a note on our coffee cups that says, “This is hot.” ? Of course not. But, thanks to lawyers and the frivolous suits they are all too willing to bring, these are now a part of our society. So it can be with regulations.
My sister was once charged with writing the sexual-harassment guidelines for her employer’s business. After much thought, she provided this: “Don’t do it.”
We’re adults. We understand what sexual harassment is, and the only value of enumerating all the possible examples is to allow some smart-ass attorney to say, “Well, your policy says nothing about this….so even though my client’s behavior was reprehensible, it was not prohibited.”
The other side to this is that we cannot allow our displeasure with stupid, inefficient regulation to cloud our judgment and make us want to eliminate all regulation, as many legislators appear more than ready to do.
As usual, moderation and critical thinking will be far better than extremist knee-jerk reactions.
Since 1980, “regulations” and amendments TO those regulations have 80% or more been written by and for corporate entities, by administrations of BOTH parties. The number of regulations just to “defang” the EPA and regulatory agencies FAR outnumber those intended to strengthen the government’s hand in controlling “excesses” in corporate greed. Even the current Obama administration has worked far harder for industry, than the environment for example.
It’s also interesting how many “regulations” actually force agencies to defy, or do the OPPOSITE of what Congress wrote into law. This was particularly egregious under Reagan and GHW Bush. I read the regs, and the “drafts” subject to public review in the Federal Register, and yes, 1984 really DID happen in 1984!! Newspeak has been the staunchest “conservative” language since. Such “pundits” as Limbaugh, Hannity, Cheney, Rove, Cruz, and Rand Paul are dedicated advocates of that language, and the “con” that IS “conservatism” today. (Please stop calling them Republicans and their opposition “RINOs”, as that too is newspeak.)
“Extending unemployment benefits is the snowdrift.”That’d make a cute little sound byte, but it sounds a little hollow. Perhaps you could explain your metaphor with a little detail.
Dtroutma over 10 years ago
Yep that crashing stock market is a real indicator.
chazandru over 10 years ago
Last summer, hundreds of CEOs of major US companies sent Congress a list of what was needed in order for them to start hiring and making investments in their company infrastructure and innovation. The head of the Intern’l Money Org. spoke on many occasions of the mistakes Congress was making that was stagnating the economy, not only in the USA, but across the globe.It is time for Congress to put aside their prejudices and tribalism and grab some snow shovels in order to get this nation back to work. It is past time. The President may not be a great leader, but it is Congress that controls the checkbook and passes the bills that gets things done. Respectfully,C.
Enoki over 10 years ago
The Obama administration has proposed new regulations to fix that…
chazandru over 10 years ago
There are Republicans like John McCain and Peter King who might suggest it is a specific faction within the Republican party that is problematic. While the right arguably owns much of the blame for their pride in blocking legislation, the left, in 2009, was arrogant, even spiteful in victory. What few conservatives might have worked with Pelosi and Reid were insulted and put off by the hubris these two self styled leaders displayed. Mr. Obama’s inexperience and failure to early on become the kind of leader that could actually reach out to both sides only exasperated the problem. I think he thought his historic election would inspire a new sense of cooperation and bipartisanship without any effort on his part.There are legislators who seek the middle ground, but Citizens United, gerrymandering, and attacks on voter rights in the states is making it easier for the politician to pick their voter than it is for voters to pick their voter. I agreed with most of your reply, Mechanic, but it is not treason to be greedy or self interested. I suggest the worst that many of our cannibalistic Congress are guilty of is criminal negligence and violations of their oaths of office, but not treason. They do love America, there are just a number of Americans they wish weren’t here. Dem and Rep alike. But we wouldn’t be America if they weren’t here.Thank you again for your reply, Mechanic. Sincerely,C.
Enoki over 10 years ago
Adrian, my point was that MORE regulations are not going to solve the problems with the economy. Yes, markets need some regulation but not so much that they are crushed or become so oppressive that they bar new entry into that market.All regulations like that do is favor the Rich and Big corporations. Obama is doing both a favor by expanding regulatory control massively.
I Play One On TV over 10 years ago
First, kill all the lawyers. I’m sort of joking, but…..
Does one really need to have a sign on an above-ground swimming pool that’s three feet deep that says “No Diving”? Do we really need to have a note on our coffee cups that says, “This is hot.” ? Of course not. But, thanks to lawyers and the frivolous suits they are all too willing to bring, these are now a part of our society. So it can be with regulations.
My sister was once charged with writing the sexual-harassment guidelines for her employer’s business. After much thought, she provided this: “Don’t do it.”
We’re adults. We understand what sexual harassment is, and the only value of enumerating all the possible examples is to allow some smart-ass attorney to say, “Well, your policy says nothing about this….so even though my client’s behavior was reprehensible, it was not prohibited.”
The other side to this is that we cannot allow our displeasure with stupid, inefficient regulation to cloud our judgment and make us want to eliminate all regulation, as many legislators appear more than ready to do.
As usual, moderation and critical thinking will be far better than extremist knee-jerk reactions.
Dtroutma over 10 years ago
Since 1980, “regulations” and amendments TO those regulations have 80% or more been written by and for corporate entities, by administrations of BOTH parties. The number of regulations just to “defang” the EPA and regulatory agencies FAR outnumber those intended to strengthen the government’s hand in controlling “excesses” in corporate greed. Even the current Obama administration has worked far harder for industry, than the environment for example.
It’s also interesting how many “regulations” actually force agencies to defy, or do the OPPOSITE of what Congress wrote into law. This was particularly egregious under Reagan and GHW Bush. I read the regs, and the “drafts” subject to public review in the Federal Register, and yes, 1984 really DID happen in 1984!! Newspeak has been the staunchest “conservative” language since. Such “pundits” as Limbaugh, Hannity, Cheney, Rove, Cruz, and Rand Paul are dedicated advocates of that language, and the “con” that IS “conservatism” today. (Please stop calling them Republicans and their opposition “RINOs”, as that too is newspeak.)
Jason Allen over 10 years ago
“Extending unemployment benefits is the snowdrift.”That’d make a cute little sound byte, but it sounds a little hollow. Perhaps you could explain your metaphor with a little detail.
bernardgarner over 10 years ago
I guess that when the one percent get 90 percent of the post recession gains it looks better if you look at the average instead of the median.