The latest media assault on President Bush has been on the current value of the U.S. dollar. Even the leaders of other countries have joined the chorus as they lament the higher costs of their goods to the American economy.
Gone are last year’s media efforts to attack high gas prices and budget deficits just before the 2006 Congressional elections since the Dems have obviously done little to resolve those issues since they took control of Congress.
The good news is that the budget deficit continues to drop notably thanks to record tax revenues from the Bush economy despite the Dems failing to curtail their government spending and getting ready to abandon their “pay as you go” rules which require cuts in one government program or higher taxes before increases are allowed in another program. And I am still waiting for the Dems to decrease the federal excise tax at the pump.
Despite my instinct to defend the President because of what I believe are partisan attacks on the value of the dollar, I will not defend him. Leading economists on both the left and right are very concerned about the falling value of the dollar and so should you.
Although the weak dollar is a boon to South Florida’s travel economy and may be a key ingredient in the turnaround of our area’s weak real estate market as Europeans and Canadians take advantage of bargain prices given the strength of their euros and Canadian dollars, the long term impact on the US economy will not be so beneficial.
In decades past, a weak dollar has provided tremendous boosts to our manufacturing industries. But as the world economy has become more integrated and many of our core manufacturing operations have moved to China, Latin America, and Eastern Europe, there are less U.S. manufactured goods to be sold to generate that windfall of revenues and income tax revenues from an increase in such exports.
Most concerning is that since we now import so many of our goods and raw materials – and a growing number of services – the cost of such items increase when our dollar becomes weaker. The end result is inflation. Part of the reason for our current high gas prices is because the cost of oil has increased to reflect the lower value of the dollar. Unfortunately, this process can quickly spiral out of control causing high levels of inflation with the resulting negative impact on the cost and quality of life in the United States.
Our federal government budget deficits are also, in part, being funded by borrowing money from foreign investors. Like any other investment, our treasury notes and bonds must offer attractive yields and values. When their interest rates are low and the underlying value of those instruments decrease in step with the value of the dollar, most international investors simply look elsewhere. And without those foreign dollars to fund our deficits, our economy could be halted in its tracks.
As I mentioned earlier, I will not defend President Bush for the current declining value of the dollar. But I also blame the current crop of Democrats and those Republicans who formerly controlled Congress. They have all allowed our federal government spending to grow out of control. They have increased entitlement programs without guaranteed funding mechanisms to pay for them. And they have allowed the Iraqi war to be funded by debt rather than by reducing other expenditures accordingly. The end result being unnecessary budget deficits and greater pressure on our dollar from reliance on foreign investment.
In order to strengthen the dollar, our country needs to prove to the world that our economy continues to be strong. But I am concerned about those prospects now that the economic contributions of the real estate industry and its multiplier effect on durable goods, home furnishings, and related goods have come crashing down.
I am extremely concerned and disheartened that the numerous economic benefits of the real estate boom of the past years may have been based, in part, on questionable loans to people who should not have been qualified to obtain them. The resulting non-performing loans have been the cause of the recent banking fiasco in which billions of dollars of such loans are being written off as losses. And as a result, banks are now tightening their lending standards for all loans further damaging the prospects for our overall economy.
So where do we go from here? I wish I could realistically hope that the Democrats in control of Congress and President Bush could sit down and map out a sustainable economic plan for our country which would provide confidence to the word that we have a financial plan that will bring back strength to the dollar.
Unfortunately, the Dems keep proposing expansions of those entitlement programs as well as partisan proposals to defund the war in Iraq. I hope that Senate President Reid and House Speaker Pelosi will finally present the President with a realistic budget for the next fiscal year. But with control of the White House to be decided next year, I doubt either side will be focused on the good of the country instead of the good of their party.
And so it will be up to the American people to ensure that they vote for Presidential and Congressional candidates next year who will get the job done. Are you ready?
Saturday, December 01, 2007
Thursday, November 01, 2007
What Happened To My Party? - November 2007
The old adage “has my political party left me or have I left my political party” has been a cause for much personal thought as I have watched the Republicans in Congress and in the White House disappoint me for their lack of spending restraint, their desire to keep power at all costs, and their corruption and sex scandals.
Of course if I was a Democrat, I would be facing the same choice as they have blown their chance to lead Congress, have Presidential candidates trying to out promisr each other on how much money they will spend on their socialist dreams, and have Congressman getting caught in their own corruptions, lies, and other indiscretions.
Even the Wall Street Journal recently conducted a poll in which registered Republicans were starting to lose their patience with the failure of the Republicans to implement standard party economic policies including controlling the growth of government and defending the benefits of free trade policies.
At the state level, our Republican Governor has failed to deliver on his promise to lower our property taxes “like a rock”. He is finally starting to show some leadership on other important issues including using his powers to ensure that property insurance companies reduce their policy costs as promised when the state decided to get into the reinsurance business for their benefit.
I am proud to see that the Republican controlled Town Council of Davie has met its obligation to lower the Town’s budget by 9% as was mandated by the state legislature during their previous attempts to lower our property tax bills. Many of our other local governments have voted to bypass those reductions and, thus, are sticking their residents with ever higher property taxes.
So where do I go from here? I have been a proud Republican for more than 20 years. I still remember with pride being one of only a handful of similar voters in a Baltimore, Maryland, precinct in which I lived in the 80’s. To this day, I still enjoy spreading the good words and ideals of Goldwater and Reagan to my extended family members and friends. But that task is getting harder as the current day Republican elected officials continue to embarrass me with their votes.
I am in search of a Republican Presidential candidate who offers me the promise of fighting for my kind of economic conservatism, for a secure border with a more orderly process for allowing new citizens into our country, and for social policies which are not dictated by his or her religious beliefs. As I wrote in a previous column, only Fred Thompson has captured my interest but his campaign has yet to make the sale.
Rest assured that I will either vote for whoever becomes the Republican Presidential candidate or I will not vote at all. As many times as I have tried to get comfortable with the possibility of a Hillary Clinton presidency, the more she shows her true socialist colors with plans to give a $ 5,000 bond to every baby born for their future college education or her pledge of $ 1,000 for each American to help them start their own retirement plans. As often as she tries to show moderate views on Iraq, she also spouts her belief in government’s key role in our everyday lives.
2008 will be a challenging year for my Republican loyalties. Considering that only a few years ago I was awarded the “Republican of the Year” trophy by the Broward County Republican party, I am hoping that something or somebody will reignite my passion for the national and local parties. Unfortunately, at this point, I believe I will resort to being a Monday morning quarterback about what could have been.
Of course if I was a Democrat, I would be facing the same choice as they have blown their chance to lead Congress, have Presidential candidates trying to out promisr each other on how much money they will spend on their socialist dreams, and have Congressman getting caught in their own corruptions, lies, and other indiscretions.
Even the Wall Street Journal recently conducted a poll in which registered Republicans were starting to lose their patience with the failure of the Republicans to implement standard party economic policies including controlling the growth of government and defending the benefits of free trade policies.
At the state level, our Republican Governor has failed to deliver on his promise to lower our property taxes “like a rock”. He is finally starting to show some leadership on other important issues including using his powers to ensure that property insurance companies reduce their policy costs as promised when the state decided to get into the reinsurance business for their benefit.
I am proud to see that the Republican controlled Town Council of Davie has met its obligation to lower the Town’s budget by 9% as was mandated by the state legislature during their previous attempts to lower our property tax bills. Many of our other local governments have voted to bypass those reductions and, thus, are sticking their residents with ever higher property taxes.
So where do I go from here? I have been a proud Republican for more than 20 years. I still remember with pride being one of only a handful of similar voters in a Baltimore, Maryland, precinct in which I lived in the 80’s. To this day, I still enjoy spreading the good words and ideals of Goldwater and Reagan to my extended family members and friends. But that task is getting harder as the current day Republican elected officials continue to embarrass me with their votes.
I am in search of a Republican Presidential candidate who offers me the promise of fighting for my kind of economic conservatism, for a secure border with a more orderly process for allowing new citizens into our country, and for social policies which are not dictated by his or her religious beliefs. As I wrote in a previous column, only Fred Thompson has captured my interest but his campaign has yet to make the sale.
Rest assured that I will either vote for whoever becomes the Republican Presidential candidate or I will not vote at all. As many times as I have tried to get comfortable with the possibility of a Hillary Clinton presidency, the more she shows her true socialist colors with plans to give a $ 5,000 bond to every baby born for their future college education or her pledge of $ 1,000 for each American to help them start their own retirement plans. As often as she tries to show moderate views on Iraq, she also spouts her belief in government’s key role in our everyday lives.
2008 will be a challenging year for my Republican loyalties. Considering that only a few years ago I was awarded the “Republican of the Year” trophy by the Broward County Republican party, I am hoping that something or somebody will reignite my passion for the national and local parties. Unfortunately, at this point, I believe I will resort to being a Monday morning quarterback about what could have been.
Monday, October 01, 2007
Protecting Our Country - October 2007
Did the General betray us? That’s what the left wants us to think of a highly decorated four star war hero. Even the liberal New York Time was in on the action by running that disrespectful MoveOn.Org full page ad on the day General Petraeus testified before Congress.
The left just does not take the global war on terror seriously. Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards considers that war nothing but a bumper sticker statement. The left wants us to pull our troops out of Iraq just when the Sunni leaders are joining our troops and the Shiites in battling the terrorist organization Al Qaeda which considers Iraq their proving ground for future expansion.
For those on the left who believe our problem with Islamic extremists will end if we leave Iraq, they either have forgotten the past or never paid attention in their history classes. And I am not talking about the horrific attack on the World Trade Center six years ago.
Osama bin Laden summed it up in one of his recent videos in which he warned that all westerners should convert to Islam. In fact the battle for religious and geopolitical superiority goes back hundreds of years before the battles of the Crusades.
Fortunately, the vast majority of Christians, Jews, and Muslims have moderated in their hatred for each other in the last few centuries but Islamic extremists have continued to take their battle around the world to such places as Russia, Chechnya, Indonesia, Sudan, Australia, England, France, Spain, Germany, and of course the United States. And Israel has been a constant battle site since its creation in 1948.
Today’s left thinks that peace talks, and a better understanding of, and respect for, extremists will make the world a safer place. Tell that to the British who followed the advice of Neville Chamberlain during World War II. Or tell that to a friend of mine who barely escaped with his life from southern Vietnam as the communist north took over after many rounds of peace talks and our ultimate troop withdrawal.
More concerning is the left’s obsession with limiting or gutting the successful new intelligence efforts which have been implemented in the United States and other countries since 9/11. In the past few months planned attacks have been stopped in Germany, England, and the United States because communications between terrorists were intercepted.
My fear is the next attack by Islamic terrorists on our country may not be a large explosive attack but, rather, will be a coordinated series of gruesome psychological attacks similar to that which occurred at a Russian school several years ago during which terrorists tried to break the spirit of the Russian people by killing and maiming their young. Last year, several suspected terrorists were arrested riding a Tampa school bus. And recently 9 postcards with the words “Jihad boom” were sent to public schools in the Ocala and Gainesville areas.
The bottom line is that the Islamic extremist war on our western civilization did not start on 9/11 and will not end if MoveOn.Org and the rest of the left are successful in pulling our troops out of Iraq. Hopefully the Democratic presidential candidates will step up to the plate and distance themselves from the loony left and declare their intention to finish the battle in Iraq and go wherever else a similar challenge exists around the world.
The left just does not take the global war on terror seriously. Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards considers that war nothing but a bumper sticker statement. The left wants us to pull our troops out of Iraq just when the Sunni leaders are joining our troops and the Shiites in battling the terrorist organization Al Qaeda which considers Iraq their proving ground for future expansion.
For those on the left who believe our problem with Islamic extremists will end if we leave Iraq, they either have forgotten the past or never paid attention in their history classes. And I am not talking about the horrific attack on the World Trade Center six years ago.
Osama bin Laden summed it up in one of his recent videos in which he warned that all westerners should convert to Islam. In fact the battle for religious and geopolitical superiority goes back hundreds of years before the battles of the Crusades.
Fortunately, the vast majority of Christians, Jews, and Muslims have moderated in their hatred for each other in the last few centuries but Islamic extremists have continued to take their battle around the world to such places as Russia, Chechnya, Indonesia, Sudan, Australia, England, France, Spain, Germany, and of course the United States. And Israel has been a constant battle site since its creation in 1948.
Today’s left thinks that peace talks, and a better understanding of, and respect for, extremists will make the world a safer place. Tell that to the British who followed the advice of Neville Chamberlain during World War II. Or tell that to a friend of mine who barely escaped with his life from southern Vietnam as the communist north took over after many rounds of peace talks and our ultimate troop withdrawal.
More concerning is the left’s obsession with limiting or gutting the successful new intelligence efforts which have been implemented in the United States and other countries since 9/11. In the past few months planned attacks have been stopped in Germany, England, and the United States because communications between terrorists were intercepted.
My fear is the next attack by Islamic terrorists on our country may not be a large explosive attack but, rather, will be a coordinated series of gruesome psychological attacks similar to that which occurred at a Russian school several years ago during which terrorists tried to break the spirit of the Russian people by killing and maiming their young. Last year, several suspected terrorists were arrested riding a Tampa school bus. And recently 9 postcards with the words “Jihad boom” were sent to public schools in the Ocala and Gainesville areas.
The bottom line is that the Islamic extremist war on our western civilization did not start on 9/11 and will not end if MoveOn.Org and the rest of the left are successful in pulling our troops out of Iraq. Hopefully the Democratic presidential candidates will step up to the plate and distance themselves from the loony left and declare their intention to finish the battle in Iraq and go wherever else a similar challenge exists around the world.
Saturday, September 01, 2007
The Democratic Economy - September 2007
Am I imagining it or has the US economy suffered since the Democrats took control of Congress this past January?
Could it be that their constant talk of killing the 15% capital gains tax, which I believe had reinvigorated our economy, has investors nervous? Or is it their talk of increasing the income tax rate for that segment of the population that already pays the most taxes?
Or perhaps it is the Democratic Congress’s failure to continue the free trade path of the Bush administration which had allowed developing countries around the world to grow themselves out of poverty rather than rely on foreign handouts including those from our taxpayers?
Some are even hinting that the Democratic leaders are purposely sabotaging our economy to stoke up fear and anger at the Bush administration and, thus, all Republicans in the upcoming 2008 election cycle.
In my opinion, it is all of the above.
Say what you will about the Bush administrations efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan but the record is clear that, prior to the Democratic takeover of Congress earlier this year, the Bush economic record included creating more than 8 million jobs which was more than were created in all of the European countries and Japan combined. GNP growth continued at a brisk pace. And consumer confidence was high.
Tax receipts to the federal government are higher than they have ever been. The problem continues to be that Congress – be it under Republican or Democratic control – keeps spending more and more. Just look at the Democrats recent about face on wasteful pork barrel spending – also known as “earmarks”.
The Chairman of the Appropriations Committee Democrat David Obey, who at the start of the year promised an open and transparent earmarking process, has now come out and said he will not allow a debate on earmarks to go forward until it is too late for public and Congressional scrutiny. Get ready for more bridges to nowhere and libraries named after Congressmen.
With the US and world stock markets whip sawing higher and lower for the past month, the Democrats are even trying to minimize any possible blame for spooking investors by saying that their constituents are not big investors in the market so it is not their concern. That demagoguery fails to take into account that the pension funds of their union buddies, government workers, and academic elite are very active investors.
Certainly normal seven year business cycles are also at play here. And a good cleansing of the speculative investments in high yield mortgage funds and securities backed by risky adjustable rate mortgages which are becoming unaffordable for many consumers. If the Democratic Congress really wants to do something useful, they should introduce tough legislation to better regulate the mortgage industry which is more concerned with loan placement fees than qualifying customers for their riskiest products.
With the real estate market still in the doldrums, the stock market in the midst of a correction, and businesses concerned about the cost of capital due to tighter financing options and increased federal taxes, let’s hope that the Democratic leaders will look beyond partisan politics and will renew all of the Bush tax cuts which will give a renewed boost of confidence and activity to the country’s economy.
Could it be that their constant talk of killing the 15% capital gains tax, which I believe had reinvigorated our economy, has investors nervous? Or is it their talk of increasing the income tax rate for that segment of the population that already pays the most taxes?
Or perhaps it is the Democratic Congress’s failure to continue the free trade path of the Bush administration which had allowed developing countries around the world to grow themselves out of poverty rather than rely on foreign handouts including those from our taxpayers?
Some are even hinting that the Democratic leaders are purposely sabotaging our economy to stoke up fear and anger at the Bush administration and, thus, all Republicans in the upcoming 2008 election cycle.
In my opinion, it is all of the above.
Say what you will about the Bush administrations efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan but the record is clear that, prior to the Democratic takeover of Congress earlier this year, the Bush economic record included creating more than 8 million jobs which was more than were created in all of the European countries and Japan combined. GNP growth continued at a brisk pace. And consumer confidence was high.
Tax receipts to the federal government are higher than they have ever been. The problem continues to be that Congress – be it under Republican or Democratic control – keeps spending more and more. Just look at the Democrats recent about face on wasteful pork barrel spending – also known as “earmarks”.
The Chairman of the Appropriations Committee Democrat David Obey, who at the start of the year promised an open and transparent earmarking process, has now come out and said he will not allow a debate on earmarks to go forward until it is too late for public and Congressional scrutiny. Get ready for more bridges to nowhere and libraries named after Congressmen.
With the US and world stock markets whip sawing higher and lower for the past month, the Democrats are even trying to minimize any possible blame for spooking investors by saying that their constituents are not big investors in the market so it is not their concern. That demagoguery fails to take into account that the pension funds of their union buddies, government workers, and academic elite are very active investors.
Certainly normal seven year business cycles are also at play here. And a good cleansing of the speculative investments in high yield mortgage funds and securities backed by risky adjustable rate mortgages which are becoming unaffordable for many consumers. If the Democratic Congress really wants to do something useful, they should introduce tough legislation to better regulate the mortgage industry which is more concerned with loan placement fees than qualifying customers for their riskiest products.
With the real estate market still in the doldrums, the stock market in the midst of a correction, and businesses concerned about the cost of capital due to tighter financing options and increased federal taxes, let’s hope that the Democratic leaders will look beyond partisan politics and will renew all of the Bush tax cuts which will give a renewed boost of confidence and activity to the country’s economy.
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
My Political Party - August 2007
I am not sure if it was the Republicans in the Florida Legislature passing that lousy proposed property tax amendment; or Republican Governor Crist issuing executive orders that will substantially increase the cost of gas to comply with his strict new vehicle emissions standards; or that male Republican House member getting arrested for soliciting to perform a sexual act on a male police officer. What is going on with the elected Republicans in Florida?
Not that the national Democrats are perfect role models of late either as they pandered for the Hispanic vote with the stalled immigration bill; are trying to force our soldiers out of Iraq while they are serving our country proudly battling Islamic extremists; and as the Democratic Congress is getting nothing done in Washington as evidenced by a lower approval rating than President Bush.
I find myself moving closer to becoming an Independent voter except that I can’t stand the platform of the Democratic Party and want to ensure that they lose the Presidential race in November 2008 and perhaps Congress as well. So I will carefully choose a Republican candidate for the January primary and will offer my services to help him win the nomination.
My only problem is that none of the Republican presidential candidates appeal to me. Having attended the Broward County Republican Party Lincoln Day fundraiser some weeks ago, it is apparent that the county party elites are lining up behind former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Of course these are they same folks that helped elect Charlie Crist as our Governor. All I can say to them is “I told you so” about Crist not sharing our Republican beliefs as he has become a populist in his efforts to position himself for his own White House run in the years ahead.
As for Giuliani, I will give him credit for being tough on crime and for being a fiscal conservative but I’ve met him and I just don’t get good vibes from him. And then there are his poor decisions in choosing clients and employees for his security consulting firm and for his frequent grandstanding regarding the horror of the World Trade Center attack. The only other thing going for him is the support of Steve Forbes who I hold in high regard for his international and economic insights.
John McCain may have already dropped out of the presidential race by the time this column is published but he is not my choice either. His love fest with Democratic Senator Ted Kennedy on the behalf of the amnesty immigration bill ended his chances of winning the Republican nomination along with his name sponsorship of that lousy campaign reform act which primarily helps incumbents such as him.
If only former Massachusetts Governor Mit Romney did not come across as a too slick salesman, had not flip-flopped on so many issues, and had not signed that socialist state healthcare law while Governor. Then maybe I would have supported him out of respect for his great business acumen including having saved the Salt Lake City Olympic Games some years ago.
And that leaves former Tennessee Senator, and famed TV actor, Fred Thompson as the only other possible Republican candidate with national potential. I like his plain talking, optimistic, conservatism which reminds me of Ronald Reagan. If only he was not a trial lawyer who has also lobbied on behalf of some questionable clients and who fought tort reform laws in Congress.
If only Jeb did not have the same last name as our current President, he would be my candidate. With that not being a possibility, Fred is my guy for now.
Not that the national Democrats are perfect role models of late either as they pandered for the Hispanic vote with the stalled immigration bill; are trying to force our soldiers out of Iraq while they are serving our country proudly battling Islamic extremists; and as the Democratic Congress is getting nothing done in Washington as evidenced by a lower approval rating than President Bush.
I find myself moving closer to becoming an Independent voter except that I can’t stand the platform of the Democratic Party and want to ensure that they lose the Presidential race in November 2008 and perhaps Congress as well. So I will carefully choose a Republican candidate for the January primary and will offer my services to help him win the nomination.
My only problem is that none of the Republican presidential candidates appeal to me. Having attended the Broward County Republican Party Lincoln Day fundraiser some weeks ago, it is apparent that the county party elites are lining up behind former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Of course these are they same folks that helped elect Charlie Crist as our Governor. All I can say to them is “I told you so” about Crist not sharing our Republican beliefs as he has become a populist in his efforts to position himself for his own White House run in the years ahead.
As for Giuliani, I will give him credit for being tough on crime and for being a fiscal conservative but I’ve met him and I just don’t get good vibes from him. And then there are his poor decisions in choosing clients and employees for his security consulting firm and for his frequent grandstanding regarding the horror of the World Trade Center attack. The only other thing going for him is the support of Steve Forbes who I hold in high regard for his international and economic insights.
John McCain may have already dropped out of the presidential race by the time this column is published but he is not my choice either. His love fest with Democratic Senator Ted Kennedy on the behalf of the amnesty immigration bill ended his chances of winning the Republican nomination along with his name sponsorship of that lousy campaign reform act which primarily helps incumbents such as him.
If only former Massachusetts Governor Mit Romney did not come across as a too slick salesman, had not flip-flopped on so many issues, and had not signed that socialist state healthcare law while Governor. Then maybe I would have supported him out of respect for his great business acumen including having saved the Salt Lake City Olympic Games some years ago.
And that leaves former Tennessee Senator, and famed TV actor, Fred Thompson as the only other possible Republican candidate with national potential. I like his plain talking, optimistic, conservatism which reminds me of Ronald Reagan. If only he was not a trial lawyer who has also lobbied on behalf of some questionable clients and who fought tort reform laws in Congress.
If only Jeb did not have the same last name as our current President, he would be my candidate. With that not being a possibility, Fred is my guy for now.
Sunday, July 01, 2007
China Syndrome - July 2007
Pet food produced in Canada, and made from mislabeled ingredients sourced in China, caused dozens of unfortunate deaths of dogs and cats in the US. Toothpaste made in China with dangerous ingredients caused a massive product recall in the US. And toy train sets made in China were recalled in the US because of paint containing lead.
In response, China went on the offensive, noting at least four American made products in the past weeks as being unsafe or not meeting Chinese safety standards.
How long will it take for the media and left wing mouthpieces to blame the Bush Administration and the FDA and FTC which they will claim do not adequately test food stuffs and other items being imported to and exported from our country? And when will they start blaming free trade for bringing bad products into our kitchens?
Let’s remember that American firms produce plenty of products which have their own recall problems in case you have not read about the recent situations with peanut butter, spinach, and GE dishwashers to name just a few. And unsafe imports are not limited to those coming from China.
The reality is that there have always been unhealthy and defective products and there always will be. Unfortunately the protectionists and unions in the US are again trying to make a political issue out of foreign manufactured goods. With the Democrats in charge in Washington, we will probably soon see a series of special hearings deploring our foreign trade agreements.
Soon we will again hear others parrot Ross Perot’s famous 1992 words about the “giant sucking sound” from foreign trade deals like the North American Free Trade Act which he claimed would shift our country’s prosperity to Mexico. If that was the case, how come one of the top imports from Mexico continues to be their citizens?
Or perhaps the Democrats will lead us down the path of another Smoot-Hartley act which imposed such high tariffs in the 1920’s on the import of foreign goods that our country’s economy went into a depression. The fact is that we need trade with China and other nations to meet our country’s need for affordable products and services.
I was taught several basic economic principles during my undergraduate studies which continue to guide my thoughts on trade policy. The first is that products and services should always be sourced from the country with the best “comparative advantage” for labor, raw materials, and manufacturing costs. The second is a concept known as “caveat emptor” which means buyer beware.
In other words, buy from the source with the best price but base that purchasing decision on quality as well. In the case of China, our retailers and their suppliers need to test the quality of imported products before releasing them into our retail distribution channels. We consumers certainly cannot be expected to do our own product testing so we should only buy from retailers whose suppliers we believe are doing that testing for us.
Lastly, does the government have a role in making sure our retailers and their suppliers provide safe goods to our economy? Yes it does and if the Bush administration has failed to do its job, it should be held accountable. But let’s not let politics overshadow the need for free and fair trade with the rest of the world.
In response, China went on the offensive, noting at least four American made products in the past weeks as being unsafe or not meeting Chinese safety standards.
How long will it take for the media and left wing mouthpieces to blame the Bush Administration and the FDA and FTC which they will claim do not adequately test food stuffs and other items being imported to and exported from our country? And when will they start blaming free trade for bringing bad products into our kitchens?
Let’s remember that American firms produce plenty of products which have their own recall problems in case you have not read about the recent situations with peanut butter, spinach, and GE dishwashers to name just a few. And unsafe imports are not limited to those coming from China.
The reality is that there have always been unhealthy and defective products and there always will be. Unfortunately the protectionists and unions in the US are again trying to make a political issue out of foreign manufactured goods. With the Democrats in charge in Washington, we will probably soon see a series of special hearings deploring our foreign trade agreements.
Soon we will again hear others parrot Ross Perot’s famous 1992 words about the “giant sucking sound” from foreign trade deals like the North American Free Trade Act which he claimed would shift our country’s prosperity to Mexico. If that was the case, how come one of the top imports from Mexico continues to be their citizens?
Or perhaps the Democrats will lead us down the path of another Smoot-Hartley act which imposed such high tariffs in the 1920’s on the import of foreign goods that our country’s economy went into a depression. The fact is that we need trade with China and other nations to meet our country’s need for affordable products and services.
I was taught several basic economic principles during my undergraduate studies which continue to guide my thoughts on trade policy. The first is that products and services should always be sourced from the country with the best “comparative advantage” for labor, raw materials, and manufacturing costs. The second is a concept known as “caveat emptor” which means buyer beware.
In other words, buy from the source with the best price but base that purchasing decision on quality as well. In the case of China, our retailers and their suppliers need to test the quality of imported products before releasing them into our retail distribution channels. We consumers certainly cannot be expected to do our own product testing so we should only buy from retailers whose suppliers we believe are doing that testing for us.
Lastly, does the government have a role in making sure our retailers and their suppliers provide safe goods to our economy? Yes it does and if the Bush administration has failed to do its job, it should be held accountable. But let’s not let politics overshadow the need for free and fair trade with the rest of the world.
Friday, June 01, 2007
Property Tax Update - June 2007
Two years ago, this column discussed the problem of the broken property tax system in the State of Florida. I detailed how those benefiting from the 1992 Save Our Homes Amendment were the lucky “haves” while those who had purchased their homes in the past few years were the “have nots”.
I suggested that the inequitable property tax system would potentially scare off potential buyers and trap the “haves” in their homes. Unfortunately my prediction was worsened by climbing property insurance rates and by a tighter credit market. Today, the housing market is stagnant. I believe high property taxes continue to be the major problem as buyers wait for reduced taxes before purchasing properties.
The fact that we are again writing about this topic means that our elected officials in Tallahassee failed to do their job. Our new Governor has shown no leadership other than offering such prophetic advice as “taxes should drop like a rock”. We need him to lead and not just offer sound bites. And our county and local government officials have been too busy hiring lobbyists to protect their bloated budgets which they claim serve so many necessary needs.
When I moved in 2004 after having lived in my previous home for more than a decade, my property taxes increased by 400% yet the square footage of my home only doubled. This brings me to my suggestion as to how to revamp our property tax system.
My suggestion is based on a simple premise. Theoretically, larger homes require more government services than smaller homes. So they should pay more based on their square footage. Currently, new homeowners in expensive two bedroom condos on the beach pay more in property taxes than some of the long time homeowners in the large six bedroom custom home developments of Davie and Weston protected by Save Our Homes caps.
So instead of silly plans to completely scrap the property tax and replace it with a higher state sales tax, or just increasing the homestead exemption, I suggest that homes and condos be primarily taxed based on their square footage. But I would also continue to tax their market values on a progressive tiered basis because doing so ensures that those with the highest priced homes still pay an appropriate share of taxes regardless of size. I would also continue to allow homestead exemptions for seniors only.
Thus, your property tax bills would show separate lines items for a square footage tax and for a property value tax. The actual tax rates for each would be dependent on the revenues needed to fund the county, city and town, special taxing districts, and school board. And therein lies the biggest issue. How much money do our governing entities really need? What are necessary services versus those items better funded by user fees?
I agree with the majority of Florida House members that the revenue needed should be rolled back to the early years of this decade before spending got out of control with the added funds from skyrocketing home values. I would suggest 2002 as the base year with adjustments made for inflation and other realistic cost of living increases since then. Thereafter rate increases should be capped based on inflation.
But I believe that the legislature should also allow the county and local governments to empower their voters to bypass the inflationary cap and increase the property tax rates for residential properties in their areas as high as their local voters will allow in special referendums in order to fund services which voters agree are necessary for their areas but cannot be adequately funded by the rolled back or subsequently capped tax revenues.
Property tax reform for commercial properties must also be addressed this year with rolled back bills. Small businesses which own their own buildings are being squeezed by higher property taxes while also dealing with higher employee healthcare costs and skyrocketing commercial property insurance. And larger property owners usually pass along property taxes to their tenants who in turn usually raise prices for their products and services which ends up affecting us all.
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, property taxes for multi-family rental properties need to be slashed if our county and state are going to meet the need for affordable housing. Such tax reduction legislation, however, will have to require that those rental property owners reduce overall rental income dollar for dollar for any reduction in property taxes.
I urge each of you to contact your State Representatives and Senators to let them know that there is no more important issue for them to resolve this year than restructuring our property tax system.
I suggested that the inequitable property tax system would potentially scare off potential buyers and trap the “haves” in their homes. Unfortunately my prediction was worsened by climbing property insurance rates and by a tighter credit market. Today, the housing market is stagnant. I believe high property taxes continue to be the major problem as buyers wait for reduced taxes before purchasing properties.
The fact that we are again writing about this topic means that our elected officials in Tallahassee failed to do their job. Our new Governor has shown no leadership other than offering such prophetic advice as “taxes should drop like a rock”. We need him to lead and not just offer sound bites. And our county and local government officials have been too busy hiring lobbyists to protect their bloated budgets which they claim serve so many necessary needs.
When I moved in 2004 after having lived in my previous home for more than a decade, my property taxes increased by 400% yet the square footage of my home only doubled. This brings me to my suggestion as to how to revamp our property tax system.
My suggestion is based on a simple premise. Theoretically, larger homes require more government services than smaller homes. So they should pay more based on their square footage. Currently, new homeowners in expensive two bedroom condos on the beach pay more in property taxes than some of the long time homeowners in the large six bedroom custom home developments of Davie and Weston protected by Save Our Homes caps.
So instead of silly plans to completely scrap the property tax and replace it with a higher state sales tax, or just increasing the homestead exemption, I suggest that homes and condos be primarily taxed based on their square footage. But I would also continue to tax their market values on a progressive tiered basis because doing so ensures that those with the highest priced homes still pay an appropriate share of taxes regardless of size. I would also continue to allow homestead exemptions for seniors only.
Thus, your property tax bills would show separate lines items for a square footage tax and for a property value tax. The actual tax rates for each would be dependent on the revenues needed to fund the county, city and town, special taxing districts, and school board. And therein lies the biggest issue. How much money do our governing entities really need? What are necessary services versus those items better funded by user fees?
I agree with the majority of Florida House members that the revenue needed should be rolled back to the early years of this decade before spending got out of control with the added funds from skyrocketing home values. I would suggest 2002 as the base year with adjustments made for inflation and other realistic cost of living increases since then. Thereafter rate increases should be capped based on inflation.
But I believe that the legislature should also allow the county and local governments to empower their voters to bypass the inflationary cap and increase the property tax rates for residential properties in their areas as high as their local voters will allow in special referendums in order to fund services which voters agree are necessary for their areas but cannot be adequately funded by the rolled back or subsequently capped tax revenues.
Property tax reform for commercial properties must also be addressed this year with rolled back bills. Small businesses which own their own buildings are being squeezed by higher property taxes while also dealing with higher employee healthcare costs and skyrocketing commercial property insurance. And larger property owners usually pass along property taxes to their tenants who in turn usually raise prices for their products and services which ends up affecting us all.
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, property taxes for multi-family rental properties need to be slashed if our county and state are going to meet the need for affordable housing. Such tax reduction legislation, however, will have to require that those rental property owners reduce overall rental income dollar for dollar for any reduction in property taxes.
I urge each of you to contact your State Representatives and Senators to let them know that there is no more important issue for them to resolve this year than restructuring our property tax system.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Political Correctness - May 2007
It was widely reported – but perhaps not widely read – that Great Britain was no longer going to include discussions of the Holocaust, The Crusades, or slavery in some of its grade levels because doing so could be considered offensive to some of its students who are relatively new residents of that country and who practice what some call a radical faith.
I am sure all of you, however, are familiar with radio and TV host Don Imus being fired for indefensible comments about the Rutgers women’s basketball team after much pressure from Al Sharpton of Tawana Brawley fame and Jesse Jackson of Hymietown fame.
What is going on in the United States and around the world with all of this political correctness? More importantly what has happened to the America in which I grew up and to the Europe of which I read and yearned to visit?
The countries of this world, and the United States specifically, seem to be losing their individual identities to a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-religious mix of nationalities each of which believes their roots are more important than being part of a proud and unified country.
Don’t get me wrong. I believe that individuals should cherish their cultural roots, their ethnicity, and their religions. But I more strongly believe that each of us should first remember that we are part of the United States and that what keeps our country united is our common language and respect for others opinions even if we do not agree with them. Why do I sense that these priorities are changing?
You can now visit most cities of the United States and find areas in which English is not the primary means of communication. In all of these communities, government and social agencies have changed their ways of doing business to reach out to those who have chosen to not immerse themselves in the historic primary and public language of our country. This failure to prioritize learning English and the resulting disrespect towards those wanting a common language is causing much of the rift between illegal immigrants and citizens today.
Similarly, when I visited Western Europe several years ago, my wife and I immediately noticed the large influx of immigrants from North African nations who neither spoke the respective resident languages of French, English, or Italian in public places. Now I read that some of them don’t even want to follow the law of their new homelands as evidenced by a German judge recently allowing the use of Sharian Law concepts in his ruling.
Why does it seem that so many Americans now think the opposite of President Kennedy’s historic saying of “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” Rather we are now supposed to feel guilty towards those that are being held back in society because our tax dollars are not providing them enough support.
Is this trend just the beginning of the Death Of The West about which a number of columnists have written and spoken in the past few years? These columnists say that all civilizations collapse from their own success or excesses eventually. Are we at that point in our country’s history? Will the growing political clout of those who favor diversity of language and law – and the politicians playing them for votes – cause our country to lose its identity and fade away? Only time will tell.
I am sure all of you, however, are familiar with radio and TV host Don Imus being fired for indefensible comments about the Rutgers women’s basketball team after much pressure from Al Sharpton of Tawana Brawley fame and Jesse Jackson of Hymietown fame.
What is going on in the United States and around the world with all of this political correctness? More importantly what has happened to the America in which I grew up and to the Europe of which I read and yearned to visit?
The countries of this world, and the United States specifically, seem to be losing their individual identities to a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-religious mix of nationalities each of which believes their roots are more important than being part of a proud and unified country.
Don’t get me wrong. I believe that individuals should cherish their cultural roots, their ethnicity, and their religions. But I more strongly believe that each of us should first remember that we are part of the United States and that what keeps our country united is our common language and respect for others opinions even if we do not agree with them. Why do I sense that these priorities are changing?
You can now visit most cities of the United States and find areas in which English is not the primary means of communication. In all of these communities, government and social agencies have changed their ways of doing business to reach out to those who have chosen to not immerse themselves in the historic primary and public language of our country. This failure to prioritize learning English and the resulting disrespect towards those wanting a common language is causing much of the rift between illegal immigrants and citizens today.
Similarly, when I visited Western Europe several years ago, my wife and I immediately noticed the large influx of immigrants from North African nations who neither spoke the respective resident languages of French, English, or Italian in public places. Now I read that some of them don’t even want to follow the law of their new homelands as evidenced by a German judge recently allowing the use of Sharian Law concepts in his ruling.
Why does it seem that so many Americans now think the opposite of President Kennedy’s historic saying of “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” Rather we are now supposed to feel guilty towards those that are being held back in society because our tax dollars are not providing them enough support.
Is this trend just the beginning of the Death Of The West about which a number of columnists have written and spoken in the past few years? These columnists say that all civilizations collapse from their own success or excesses eventually. Are we at that point in our country’s history? Will the growing political clout of those who favor diversity of language and law – and the politicians playing them for votes – cause our country to lose its identity and fade away? Only time will tell.
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Global Warming - April 2007
Global warming. It is interesting to write about this topic as the northeast United States is experiencing its third major snow storm in a few weeks so late into the winter season. Perhaps this column should have been written about the fear of a new ice age as was debated as recently as the late 1970’s.
Much has been written about so-called global warming. Former Vice-President Al Gore even won a few Oscars for his Inconvenient Truth movie. But I’m not going to waste my column debunking his exaggerations and his falsehoods or his hypocrisy as he has positioned himself for nice profits from the potential trading of “carbon credits” or for his heated pool house which is larger than the primary homes of most Americans. The New York Times already did that article for me.
Certainly man has a limited impact on its ecological system. During my college days, I even took a few courses in ecological science to teach me about such common sense. I’m proud to say that I still recycle, that I keep the thermostat high in the summer and low in the winter, and that I minimize the use of lights except for my beloved low voltage fixtures illuminating my landscaping. If mankind followed my examples – and not Al Gore’s since we don’t want everyone flying in gas guzzling private planes and burning oil and electric at the levels he does at his three homes – our atmosphere might not have as high of a concentration of carbon monoxide as it currently does.
But the reality, in my opinion, is that mankind is not primarily responsible for weather trends on earth. In 2006, The National Academy of Sciences issued a report about the existence of a medieval warming period from about 900 AD to 1300 AD and a brief ice age from about 1500 to 1850. Both of these relatively recent periods occurred long before the invention of the SUV or human industrial activity could have possibly impacted the Earth’s climate. I believe they occurred from naturally occurring trends which help to balance out our ecosystem so it can continue providing sustenance for life.
Despite what fear mongering pundits and scientists suffering from group think continue to spew about our lifestyles and our impact on the earth, nature controls more of our ecological future than we do. Why is it that these experts rarely talk about the exponentially larger impact on our environment from volcanoes, earthquakes, forest fires started by lightning, sun spots, and solar flares? Do you remember the eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980 which partially darkened the skies over much of the United States? Even all of the automobiles in the world have not yet caused such an effect.
Perhaps man’s most notable impact on its environment and weather is from the booming population of the Earth’s current inhabitants which has ravished our forests that naturally act as a purifier for air pollutants. Many even believe that the parallel increase in livestock and the resulting methane has had more of an impact on our environment than automobiles. Will Al Gore and the United Nations propose selective reductions in people and livestock to bring down the population to more manageable levels just as they want to ruin the industrialized world by telling it how to manage its energy use?
I suggest you not worry too much about Florida being underwater from the shifting ice fields although we could certainly use some H2O now to rid our water use restrictions. And I predict you will be reading more and more articles about how much of the global warming fear is being promoted by individuals, scientific organizations, academic institutions, and firms best positioned to profit from the government subsidies and economic policies necessary to meet the supposed Global Warming challenge.
Much has been written about so-called global warming. Former Vice-President Al Gore even won a few Oscars for his Inconvenient Truth movie. But I’m not going to waste my column debunking his exaggerations and his falsehoods or his hypocrisy as he has positioned himself for nice profits from the potential trading of “carbon credits” or for his heated pool house which is larger than the primary homes of most Americans. The New York Times already did that article for me.
Certainly man has a limited impact on its ecological system. During my college days, I even took a few courses in ecological science to teach me about such common sense. I’m proud to say that I still recycle, that I keep the thermostat high in the summer and low in the winter, and that I minimize the use of lights except for my beloved low voltage fixtures illuminating my landscaping. If mankind followed my examples – and not Al Gore’s since we don’t want everyone flying in gas guzzling private planes and burning oil and electric at the levels he does at his three homes – our atmosphere might not have as high of a concentration of carbon monoxide as it currently does.
But the reality, in my opinion, is that mankind is not primarily responsible for weather trends on earth. In 2006, The National Academy of Sciences issued a report about the existence of a medieval warming period from about 900 AD to 1300 AD and a brief ice age from about 1500 to 1850. Both of these relatively recent periods occurred long before the invention of the SUV or human industrial activity could have possibly impacted the Earth’s climate. I believe they occurred from naturally occurring trends which help to balance out our ecosystem so it can continue providing sustenance for life.
Despite what fear mongering pundits and scientists suffering from group think continue to spew about our lifestyles and our impact on the earth, nature controls more of our ecological future than we do. Why is it that these experts rarely talk about the exponentially larger impact on our environment from volcanoes, earthquakes, forest fires started by lightning, sun spots, and solar flares? Do you remember the eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980 which partially darkened the skies over much of the United States? Even all of the automobiles in the world have not yet caused such an effect.
Perhaps man’s most notable impact on its environment and weather is from the booming population of the Earth’s current inhabitants which has ravished our forests that naturally act as a purifier for air pollutants. Many even believe that the parallel increase in livestock and the resulting methane has had more of an impact on our environment than automobiles. Will Al Gore and the United Nations propose selective reductions in people and livestock to bring down the population to more manageable levels just as they want to ruin the industrialized world by telling it how to manage its energy use?
I suggest you not worry too much about Florida being underwater from the shifting ice fields although we could certainly use some H2O now to rid our water use restrictions. And I predict you will be reading more and more articles about how much of the global warming fear is being promoted by individuals, scientific organizations, academic institutions, and firms best positioned to profit from the government subsidies and economic policies necessary to meet the supposed Global Warming challenge.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Party Politics - March 2007
When I first started voting Republican nearly 30 years ago, it was because of the simple and prudent philosophies of Ronald Reagan. He believed that government was rarely the solution – in fact, it was usually the problem because of its unnecessary interference in so many aspects of our life. He also believed that government rarely lacked revenue to fund its operations – rather, government usually had a spending problem that it always tried to solve by taxing more of my hard earned money
I also fondly remember the political philosophy of then Democratic Speaker of the House, Tip O’Neill, who said his secret to success was remembering that all politics is local. I enjoyed watching and listening to Reagan and O’Neill so much that I decided to get involved in local politics and successfully ran for office in the Student Government at the University of Maryland to make sure that the annual student activity fee was not raised and was spent wisely.
And thus began three decades of pride in being a fiscally conservative Republican who also agreed with much – by not all – of the social principles of the Grand Old Party. Today, however, I am embarrassed and ashamed by the Republican Party at all levels from the White House, to Congress, to the Governor’s mansion, to the local city commissions and town councils.
Let me be clear – I still do not believe in the governing philosophy of the Democrats. In fact, I ran for the Florida Senate several years ago against our now Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz whose voting record continues to disappoint me even as I continue to admire her political savvy. And the possibility of a President Gore in 2000 motivated me to get very active in the Broward Republican Party which awarded me its Republican of the Year trophy in 2004 for my efforts.
But today I feel differently. I have yet to hang up a personal thank you note I received from President Bush for my involvement in his last campaign. Governor Crist’s recent populist statement that property insurance companies were making “excess profits” reaffirmed why I reluctantly voted for him. The last Republican Congress spent so many billions on pork barrel earmark spending that they deserved to be defeated last November (not that the Democratic Congress will do any better).
And my local Republican leaning Davie Town Council sold out its residents for want of more tax revenues from a billionaire developer who has already seen land it is buying for The Commons shopping mall increase by nearly $ 20 million dollars in value after getting the Council vote to move forward with its project.
So where do I go from here? I got involved in the political world in the ‘70s because I wanted to be part of the solution rather than just being a part of an electorate which only complained of the problems. I will continue to help specific candidates who support issues important to me. But my days of supporting other candidates just because they belong to my political party are over. Unfortunately for America, the Democrats are not the solution either. Hopefully a new governing philosophy or party will form to again lead America to be that shining city on the hill admired throughout the world.
I also fondly remember the political philosophy of then Democratic Speaker of the House, Tip O’Neill, who said his secret to success was remembering that all politics is local. I enjoyed watching and listening to Reagan and O’Neill so much that I decided to get involved in local politics and successfully ran for office in the Student Government at the University of Maryland to make sure that the annual student activity fee was not raised and was spent wisely.
And thus began three decades of pride in being a fiscally conservative Republican who also agreed with much – by not all – of the social principles of the Grand Old Party. Today, however, I am embarrassed and ashamed by the Republican Party at all levels from the White House, to Congress, to the Governor’s mansion, to the local city commissions and town councils.
Let me be clear – I still do not believe in the governing philosophy of the Democrats. In fact, I ran for the Florida Senate several years ago against our now Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz whose voting record continues to disappoint me even as I continue to admire her political savvy. And the possibility of a President Gore in 2000 motivated me to get very active in the Broward Republican Party which awarded me its Republican of the Year trophy in 2004 for my efforts.
But today I feel differently. I have yet to hang up a personal thank you note I received from President Bush for my involvement in his last campaign. Governor Crist’s recent populist statement that property insurance companies were making “excess profits” reaffirmed why I reluctantly voted for him. The last Republican Congress spent so many billions on pork barrel earmark spending that they deserved to be defeated last November (not that the Democratic Congress will do any better).
And my local Republican leaning Davie Town Council sold out its residents for want of more tax revenues from a billionaire developer who has already seen land it is buying for The Commons shopping mall increase by nearly $ 20 million dollars in value after getting the Council vote to move forward with its project.
So where do I go from here? I got involved in the political world in the ‘70s because I wanted to be part of the solution rather than just being a part of an electorate which only complained of the problems. I will continue to help specific candidates who support issues important to me. But my days of supporting other candidates just because they belong to my political party are over. Unfortunately for America, the Democrats are not the solution either. Hopefully a new governing philosophy or party will form to again lead America to be that shining city on the hill admired throughout the world.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Iraq War Update - February 2007
“We have to consider the need for additional troops to be in Iraq, to take out the militias and stabilize Iraq. I would say 20,000 to 30,000.”
OK, who said that in early December 2006?
In January, President Bush proposed a tactical increase in troops in Iraq to focus on supporting the Iraqi army in their effort to dismantle the insurgents. The Democrats – and many Republicans – have questioned and criticized his intentions.
But it was NOT President Bush who publicly advocated the increase in troops a few months ago. It was Democrat Silvestre Reyes who is now the Chairman of the influential House Select Committee on Intelligence.
The fact is that whatever President Bush recommends for Iraq – or for the economy for that matter – the Democrats and their media allies immediately attack his statements and efforts. Even Representative Reyes has now spun his own words in a Kerry-like “I was for it before being against it” attempt to fall into line with his political party.
Enough with the politics of war. It is time for our elected officials to put down their partisan gloves and work together to complete our mission in Iraq so that we can begin to bring back our troops or deploy them to other areas in the world where they are needed.
So what is that mission? I will be the first to say that the Bush administration has been less than consistent in its public comments. First it was to rid the world of Saddam Hussein’s weapons of mass destruction. Then it was to stop his support and funding of terrorists. Then it was to help form a stable democratic country in that turbulent part of the world. And now it is because Iraq has become the epicenter on the war on terror.
I believe most people would agree that we won the war against Hussein and his brutal government but failed to win the peace. The Bush Administration should be held accountable for its failure to win that peace. His political party certainly paid the price in November. And already the newly empowered Democrats are fighting with each other over what they can do.
Here is what I think we should do. Regardless of whether the Iraqi war should have ever been started - and I think it was a just cause – today’s reality is that the war brought to the surface the depth around the world of anti-western, Islamic fundamentalists who have launched attacks in Spain, France, England, Indonesia, Australia, Russia and many other lands.
I believe our world – that of freedom of religion, of free markets, and freedom to choose one’s path in life – is at much at risk now as it was during Hitler’s attempts to dominate the continent sixty years ago. Our country’s military force proved invaluable then and it must do its duty now to rid the world of those “death to the west” religious fascists.
My father, and his generation fought too hard and paid too heavy of a price, for our country to become appeasers now to the terrorists seeking to destroy our western way of life. We must support our military effort in Iraq and demand that other countries provide their fair share of men and resources. If the terrorists defeat us in Iraq, the entire world will suffer the consequences. Instead of cowering, we must dedicate whatever resources are necessary to kill our enemies before they kill us.
OK, who said that in early December 2006?
In January, President Bush proposed a tactical increase in troops in Iraq to focus on supporting the Iraqi army in their effort to dismantle the insurgents. The Democrats – and many Republicans – have questioned and criticized his intentions.
But it was NOT President Bush who publicly advocated the increase in troops a few months ago. It was Democrat Silvestre Reyes who is now the Chairman of the influential House Select Committee on Intelligence.
The fact is that whatever President Bush recommends for Iraq – or for the economy for that matter – the Democrats and their media allies immediately attack his statements and efforts. Even Representative Reyes has now spun his own words in a Kerry-like “I was for it before being against it” attempt to fall into line with his political party.
Enough with the politics of war. It is time for our elected officials to put down their partisan gloves and work together to complete our mission in Iraq so that we can begin to bring back our troops or deploy them to other areas in the world where they are needed.
So what is that mission? I will be the first to say that the Bush administration has been less than consistent in its public comments. First it was to rid the world of Saddam Hussein’s weapons of mass destruction. Then it was to stop his support and funding of terrorists. Then it was to help form a stable democratic country in that turbulent part of the world. And now it is because Iraq has become the epicenter on the war on terror.
I believe most people would agree that we won the war against Hussein and his brutal government but failed to win the peace. The Bush Administration should be held accountable for its failure to win that peace. His political party certainly paid the price in November. And already the newly empowered Democrats are fighting with each other over what they can do.
Here is what I think we should do. Regardless of whether the Iraqi war should have ever been started - and I think it was a just cause – today’s reality is that the war brought to the surface the depth around the world of anti-western, Islamic fundamentalists who have launched attacks in Spain, France, England, Indonesia, Australia, Russia and many other lands.
I believe our world – that of freedom of religion, of free markets, and freedom to choose one’s path in life – is at much at risk now as it was during Hitler’s attempts to dominate the continent sixty years ago. Our country’s military force proved invaluable then and it must do its duty now to rid the world of those “death to the west” religious fascists.
My father, and his generation fought too hard and paid too heavy of a price, for our country to become appeasers now to the terrorists seeking to destroy our western way of life. We must support our military effort in Iraq and demand that other countries provide their fair share of men and resources. If the terrorists defeat us in Iraq, the entire world will suffer the consequences. Instead of cowering, we must dedicate whatever resources are necessary to kill our enemies before they kill us.
Monday, January 01, 2007
The Year Ahead - January 2007
The year 2007 will be an important year for those of us living in southwest Broward. There will be municipal elections in Davie and Miramar. Cooper City’s elected officials may be shamed or suspended from office for using taxpayer money to buy drinks and food at private dinner meetings that may have been held in violation of Florida’s strict Sunshine Laws. And several controversial developments and issues are expected to come before our Town Councils and City Commissions including several with a great impact on Weston.
This next year will also be contentious on the state and federal government levels as the new Democratic majority in Washington puts it imprint on our country’s governance while our state elected officials seek to do the same in Tallahassee where Republicans still rule. Will the Democrats in both capitols try to seek middle ground or continue their liberal tendencies? And will the Republicans finally listen to their constituents who continue to want smaller and more affordable government.
In my opinion, this coming year will also be monumental in the relationship and cooperation between our local Towns and Cities. Unfortunately, I do not believe the year will end with positive feelings.
Miramar and Pembroke Pines will continue to debate the best location for FPL to meet the growing electrical needs west of I-75. Southwest Ranches and Pembroke Pines will again face off on lighting, traffic, and road closure issues. And Cooper City and Davie will continue to deal with water issues and other frictions which resulted from the residents of United Ranches choosing to be annexed into Davie.
But perhaps no issue will challenge our local governments and residents more than a planned regional mall for west Davie. The mall which may potentially provide significant tax revenues to Davie will solely rely on Weston roads for the millions of cars going to the mall. And the proposed mall will certainly negatively impact Pembroke Lakes mall, Weston’s Town Center, and perhaps even Sunrise’s Sawgrass Mills. And because a great number of west Davie residents oppose the mall, it appears the only entity to benefit will be the mall’s developer. So why approve it?
Meanwhile Weston, in its own act of selfishness, is trying to get the Broward County School Board to possibly use eminent domain to seize part of the Davie mall land for a new high school site to help Weston solve its Cypress Bay High School overcrowding issue caused by poor land planning from years ago. And if the mall site does not work out, Weston may push for its new high school to be built elsewhere in Davie on land near Orange Drive and Shotgun Road originally provided by the builder of a west Davie development for a needed middle school for Davie residents.
There are also rumors that Weston is trying to get the Florida Department of Transportation to consider building a new ramp for I-75 onto SW 26th Street in Davie so that Davie can also deal with the inconvenience of thousands of cars pouring onto its roads daily from the proposed mall traffic. These battles of economics, traffic, and education can only poison the relationship between our local municipal governments and their residents while all should be focused on solving the area’s property insurance, housing affordability, and property tax issues.
Let’s hope 2007 turns out to be a better year for our communities than I predict, and that turf wars do not cause permanent harm between them. In any case, I hope you personally will have a safe, healthy, and prosperous New Year! I look forward to providing you more of my opinions in the months to come. In the meantime, don’t hesitate to email me in care of this publication. I enjoy your comments.
This next year will also be contentious on the state and federal government levels as the new Democratic majority in Washington puts it imprint on our country’s governance while our state elected officials seek to do the same in Tallahassee where Republicans still rule. Will the Democrats in both capitols try to seek middle ground or continue their liberal tendencies? And will the Republicans finally listen to their constituents who continue to want smaller and more affordable government.
In my opinion, this coming year will also be monumental in the relationship and cooperation between our local Towns and Cities. Unfortunately, I do not believe the year will end with positive feelings.
Miramar and Pembroke Pines will continue to debate the best location for FPL to meet the growing electrical needs west of I-75. Southwest Ranches and Pembroke Pines will again face off on lighting, traffic, and road closure issues. And Cooper City and Davie will continue to deal with water issues and other frictions which resulted from the residents of United Ranches choosing to be annexed into Davie.
But perhaps no issue will challenge our local governments and residents more than a planned regional mall for west Davie. The mall which may potentially provide significant tax revenues to Davie will solely rely on Weston roads for the millions of cars going to the mall. And the proposed mall will certainly negatively impact Pembroke Lakes mall, Weston’s Town Center, and perhaps even Sunrise’s Sawgrass Mills. And because a great number of west Davie residents oppose the mall, it appears the only entity to benefit will be the mall’s developer. So why approve it?
Meanwhile Weston, in its own act of selfishness, is trying to get the Broward County School Board to possibly use eminent domain to seize part of the Davie mall land for a new high school site to help Weston solve its Cypress Bay High School overcrowding issue caused by poor land planning from years ago. And if the mall site does not work out, Weston may push for its new high school to be built elsewhere in Davie on land near Orange Drive and Shotgun Road originally provided by the builder of a west Davie development for a needed middle school for Davie residents.
There are also rumors that Weston is trying to get the Florida Department of Transportation to consider building a new ramp for I-75 onto SW 26th Street in Davie so that Davie can also deal with the inconvenience of thousands of cars pouring onto its roads daily from the proposed mall traffic. These battles of economics, traffic, and education can only poison the relationship between our local municipal governments and their residents while all should be focused on solving the area’s property insurance, housing affordability, and property tax issues.
Let’s hope 2007 turns out to be a better year for our communities than I predict, and that turf wars do not cause permanent harm between them. In any case, I hope you personally will have a safe, healthy, and prosperous New Year! I look forward to providing you more of my opinions in the months to come. In the meantime, don’t hesitate to email me in care of this publication. I enjoy your comments.
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