Shared Work Program - Political Insanity!

How many people have heard of the Shared Work Program?

For those of you, like myself, that have been in the dark on this program, let me give you the quick version.

If a company, because of the economic times, is about to lay off one or more workers, they can instead opt for the Shared Work Program.

This program allows them to cut all of their workers hours and paycheck by at least 20%. The 20% pay loss to the workers will be covered by checks from the state through unemployment.

Yes you heard me right. The employer keeps all of the people working but at reduced cost and the state unemployment fund picks up the tab. How backwards could a plan be. The claim is that it will keep more people working but the reality is that it is tax payer dollars funding misguided socialism.

Let's look at the problems with this idea:

• Most states have already run out of unemployment funds. This is coming from the stimulus package.
• This doesn't create jobs but instead provides funding for businesses that should be contracting and finding better ways to be more cost effective.
• This is being used as a way for companies to lower their payroll, creating an unfair advantage over more successful companies. These successful companies will then use the program, even if they don't need to, just to stay competitive.
• This program reduces the incentive to excel in your job. Instead of over achieving in order to make sure you are a valued employee, all you have to do is be average because good times or bad we'll make sure everyone is equal. That's what I want a team of average employees...not!

I can't believe this has flown under the radar for this long. We need to stop this insanity and let good old fashioned Darwinian Capitalism do its job!

It's always about Jobs!

I keep hearing from the left that the stimulus package will save us, but which stimulus package are they referring? The first one had almost no impact at all. The second one has bailed out State deficits for the moment. Now they are talking about a third one.

The right is saying no more stimulus packages, but they provide no clear direction. They talk about tax cuts, but with the enormous spending that has gone on since the turn of the century we only have so many options before our treasuries become junk bonds.

Why not have some real courage? Jobs are the only thing that will let us catch up to the runaway deficit. That means real jobs, not government jobs. Jobs created and supported by the capitalistic free market. So, you ask me; how can we create jobs in this economy without throwing money at it? The answer is simple - make this the most attractive place in the world to own a company.

0% corporate tax will make all the difference. Currently, corporate tax revenues account for less than 20% of the total taxes collected. That is less than the uncollected personal taxes. It is also far less than the amount of taxes which are illegally avoided. Think of it, the United States will once again be the best place in the world to base a global corporation. It will also bring jobs back to the U.S. in droves as money is repatriated.

Don't underestimate repatriated earnings. More jobs are lost to other countries because multi-national companies are financially forced to spend their profits over there versus bringing it back into the U.S. to be taxed. These numbers are greater than the overused complaint of cheaper wages. 0% corporate tax will repatriate money and bring back jobs. Imagine other countries outsourcing to the U.S....that would surely boost the economy by employing more people who will pay taxes...more than compensating for then lost tax revenue.

College - Is the debt worth it?

It has gotten too darn expensive to get a basic degree anymore. It makes you wonder if the ROI is worth it? Tie that to the lack of jobs and you have a serious question. On the other hand, it isn't the worst of times. So, what is the real problem?

I came out of college in Buffalo, NY in 1982 where unemployment was 14%. Luckily (hard work) I was able to find a job in the computer industry, and made a career there which allowed me to pay off my small student loan. I also worked as a laborer all through high school and college which allowed me to cover all of my expenses.

There are two problems:

First, many college students don't want to do labor jobs. I'm not calling them lazy, but there are always jobs for those who are willing to do the dirty jobs.

Second, colleges aren't training and educating their students to attain real jobs. The cost of the education is far too great compared to the saleable skills learned; leaving students in a boat load of debt, and many times without reasonable employment options.

Possible solution:

What we need is apprenticeship programs to compete with University programs.
Areas such as: Network Engineering, Accounting, Skilled Construction, Education, etc. could easily be apprenticeship programs and in turn reduce the debt required to attain a degree that doesn't really prepare people for careers.

Check out the whole platform position in the book: Political Common Sense for America

Energy Department Debacle

How many times can we see waste and failure before we demand change? The Department of Energy was created in 1977 to lessen our dependence on foreign oil. 32 years later we stand in the same, if not worse place, beholden to foreign interests.

Currently, the budget for this agency is $24.2 billion. No question that this agency does some fine work, but it is clear that it has failed at its primary mandate. Common sense tells us that this agency either needs to be renamed or it needs to revisit its priorities.

Let's have some courage and mandate that no new oil based combustion engine cars can be sold after 2015. This gives the auto manufacturers 6 years to retool and reinvent. Natural Gas can be the transition but eventually fuel cell, battery, or some other power source will dominate. This also gives American automakers an opportunity to start fresh and maybe just get ahead of the foreign competition since eneryone will be starting from the same point.

All it takes is a little courage!

Federal Reserve - The Secret Society

Federal Reserve - The Secret Society

If you believe there is oversight on Federal Reserve activities then watch this unbelievable video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUreWxKGOkY

Where do I apply for her job??

Who's Driving?

I keep hearing how the government is doing this and the government is doing that...those politicians did this and they did that...wait just a second! We elect those people. They are us. If you don't like what they are doing, and they aren't working on your behalf, then vote them out of office next time around.

I can hear you from here...the choices between candidates is bad or worse; so what's the difference? There is a huge difference. If the right people aren't running, then let's get them to run. Let's elect some people who don't want to be there and maybe they'll do a better job since the people who are dying to get in aren't doing the people's bidding.

Perspective is Missing

I had some business up on Capital Hill this past week and decided to add a few days on to the trip to do some tourist stuff. The Smithsonian museums are always fun. I also like to visit Arlington National Cemetery and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial every few years because it keeps things in perspective for me. While listening to partisan banter and watching politicians attempting to change our way of life, it strikes me that we should enact a rule that once a year everyone in Congress should have to read the U.S. Constitution, out loud, in Arlington Cemetery. Maybe, just maybe, with all of the tombstones staring back at them they might just grasp how important our rights are and gain perspective before changing something so many people sacrificed so much for.