Stop Passing the Buck

After Senator Mary Landrieu’s “Louisiana Purchase” and Senator Ben Nelson’s “Omaha Steaks” buy-offs during the health care debate, the American people are once again getting a not  so savory view into how Washington “works.” 
 
However, equally if not even more alarming than the trading of votes for handouts, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson recently issued an endangerment finding on carbon dioxide and announced her intent to regulate it with or without Congress’ approval. 
 
In a recent letter to eight Democratic Senators (including Missouri’s Senator Claire McCaskill) representing states that would be hit the hardest by the endangerment finding, EPA Administrator Jackson said her intent is to phase in the regulations. 
 
The intent in Jackson’s letter is unambiguous. Jackson will use her position to threaten regulations as a way to force Congress to act on pending cap-and-trade legislation.  Hopefully, Senator McCaskill and the other Democratic senators will stand up for their constituents and tell Ms. Jackson exactly what she can do with her Don Corleone “an offer you can’t refuse” negotiating tactic.
 
Article I, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution is very clear that all legislative powers reside in the Congress. This principle is fundamental to the Founding Father’s intent to maintain a separation of powers. Unfortunately, all too often, administrative agencies issue regulations that usurp the legislative powers reserved for Congress. In fact, the Federal Register now runs nearly 80,000 pages and runs into every nook and cranny of American life. 
 
By delegating their authority to enact laws, Members of Congress claim credit for enacting them and avoid blame for nefarious regulations. In the words of former EPA deputy administrator John Quarles, this provides “a handy set of mirrors—so useful in Washington—by which a politician can appear to kiss both sides of the apple.” As law professor David Schoenbrod puts it, “Instead of taking positions on real disputes, legislators are free to talk about ‘values’ and ‘goals,’ which helps to explain why elections revolve around false ideological choices.”  Let’s hope Claire McCaskill and the other Democratic Senators are not just trying to kiss both sides of the apple. 
 
The solution is clear: The Class of 2010 Compact which I recently introduced with fellow Republican challenger Phil Troyer of Indiana addresses this very issue by pledging to introduce legislation to prohibit any regulation from going in to effect until Congress has approved it by recorded vote. The American people deserve to know where their elected representatives stand on each and every requirement placed upon them by our government.  A letter of “concern” doesn’t satisfy Congress’ legislative responsibilities to the Constitution.  Stop passing the buck.

Mr. Farr vs. Washington, DC

Local Emerson Electric CEO David Farr recently made headlines when he criticized the current Washington, DC environment saying, “Washington is doing everything in their manpower, capability, to destroy U.S. manufacturing.”  I commend Mr. Farr for speaking out and telling the truth.  I am sure he is not making any friends in our nation’s capitol.  Unlike other business leaders who are rolling over in the hope of future visibility versus the uncertainty that has paralyzed our nation’s businesses as government attempts to change the rules on them yet again, Mr. Farr realizes our nation is at an important crossroads and compromise is no answer.
 
Like I stated in my Gateway Renaissance economic platform, Mr. Farr realizes that manufacturing is key to any economic recovery.  Due to its capital-intensive nature, it is estimated that marginal tax rates for manufacturing companies can reach nearly 52% compared to 43% for services companies.  And as KPMG recently pointed out in their annual survey of corporate tax systems, the United States remains the country with the second-highest corporate tax rate.  The average corporate tax dropped to 25.5% worldwide.  The European Union has a 23.2% tax rate and China has a 25% rate.  Meanwhile, back in the good old U.S. we remain stuck at about 40%.  With the national unemployment rate at 10.2%, one would think that the federal government would be working to create an environment that fosters growth in the real economy.  The path to economic recovery is less government, less bureaucratic intrusion and the promotion of a friendlier business environment.  Instead we are getting the exact opposite from Washington.  As Mr. Farr notes, “What do you think I’m going to do?  I’m not going to hire anyone in the United States.  I’m moving.”  The unemployment rate continues to rise while our leaders in Washington are whistling past the graveyard.
 
After the health care debate is resolved one way or another, cap-and-trade legislation is next on the agenda.  And if you think the prospect of government-run health care has businesses running for cover, you ain’t seen anything yet.  On the global stage, American manufacturers compete on three main dimensions: quality of workmanship/innovation, labor costs, and our relatively low energy costs.  American workers are the most productive on the planet and we score high on workmanship on most products.  However, there is no way we can compete with China, India, and other emerging markets on labor costs.  Nor should we–the U.S. should move up the value chain and allow American workers the opportunity to find good-paying manufacturing jobs.  The third leg of the puzzle is our energy costs.  Currently, America benefits from relatively low energy and electricity costs, the lifeblood of manufacturing goods.  However, if Washington takes away this competitive advantage away with cap-and-trade and the mandated use of unacceptably expensive alternative energy sources instead of a gradual adoption over time, our international competitiveness will suffer and more jobs loses will ensue.  Just ask Mr. Farr.  Unlike the current crew in Washington, DC who create nothing, Mr. Farr and Emerson Electric employ 125,000 people worldwide and create world-class manufacturing goods.  I know who I am listening to.

WHAT REPUBLICANS VOTERS ARE THINKING

A recent Rasmussen poll shows that just 15% of Republicans who plan to vote in the upcoming primaries think the Republicans in Congress have done a good job representing Republican values.  On the other hand, 73% think “Republicans in Congress have lost touch with GOP voters.”  12% are undecided.  The same poll shows that among likely GOP primary voters, the key issues are as follows: economic issues (31%), national security (25%), fiscal issues (15%), domestic issues (12%), and cultural issues (7%).  

Recently, my worthy opponent for Missouri’s Republican primary for the second congressional district, Todd Akin, engaged in public discourse about the current “Pink Slip” campaign. This is a campaign for frustrated voters to make their voices heard by sending “pink slips” to members of Congress. My opponent, a current member of Congress, said, “The ‘pink slip campaign’ serves as a good reminder of the unavoidable fact that every member of Congress answers to their constituents and that they ignore their voices at their own peril.” Indeed.  My worthy opponent also said recently, “The Senate is the enemy.” I take it from this that he would “pink slip” the Senate and is warning House members they better snap to it. 
 
My view is we should leave it to the voters to decide who should be “pink slipped,” not seated incumbents.

How Fixing Our Economy Is Pro-Family and Pro-Growth

As a mother myself, I hope that when my daughter graduates college that she will be able to live in the St Louis area if she chooses to do so.  Whether you are a grandmother, grandfather, father, or mother whose relatives live out of town because they cannot find good quality jobs here at home, we deserve better.
 
As I mentioned in my Gateway Renaissance economic platform which I released earlier this week, I hear of too many people from the region who would like to return here and raise their families, but are unable to do so because the jobs just are not here.  While anecdotes are useful, hard numbers are even more revealing.  According to recent data from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, Missouri continues to see a net migration out of the state among those with bachelors degrees and higher.  On a net migration rate basis, Missouri ranks 36th out of 50 among 22-39 year-olds with bachelors degrees or higher.  And for those with graduate or professional degrees, we rank 44th out of 50. 
 
Our universities are doing their job.  Missouri is a state with an educated population.  Indeed, we rank better than average for the percentage of adults aged 25-34 with a bachelors degree or higher.  And for those with a graduate or professional degree in that same age group, we rank 15th among the states. 
 
The missing link is our local economy.  Other states offer more attractive job opportunities for our young adults and as a result we are suffering from “brain drain.”  Our region’s future depends on helping business create high quality jobs that will enable us to keep these future leaders in our area not just for our economy, but also for our families.  I am going to continue to share my Gateway Renaissance economic platforrm with voters in the 2nd Congressional District and incorporate their ideas in the platform.
 
Source of all of the data in this post is http://www.higheredinfo.org/.

ADVANCES IN ENERGY

The private sector isn’t waiting on career politicians and bureaucrats in Washington, D.C. to give Americans an energy policy that many of us don’t want. Over the last year, there has been an explosion in natural gas found right here in the United States.

According to the Colorado School of Mines, the U.S. now has 1,800 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, a third of which was previously trapped in shale. These reserves are the equivalent of 320 billion barrels of oil and are located in Colorado, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, and other states. For comparison, it is estimated that Saudi Arabia has 264 billion barrels of oil.

Was this new discovery the result of a top-down national energy policy in Washington? No, it was the result of a new technique (hydraulic fracturing) developed in the late 1990s by a small company called Mitchell Energy & Development. The private sector will need to resolve how to retrieve the gas without danger to the environment – but solving for this important consideration can be done without the heavy hand of government regulation. Likewise, coal companies like St. Louis-based Peabody Energy are at the forefront of clean coal development. As my old boss Dick Armey is fond of saying, “Freedom Works.”

Let’s unleash the entrepreneurial spirit of Americans to fix our problems, not hamstring businesses with yet another Rube Goldberg-scheme like cap-and-trade. 

What do you think?  Post your comments on the Refresh Button today and let your voice be heard.

The Wall Street Journal Reports Job Cuts Accelerated In September

The Wall Street Journal reports today that job cuts accelerated in September as employers eliminated 263,000 positions, more than expected and higher than August’s revised 201,000 cuts. In a further sign that labor-market pain is unlikely to end soon, a separate survey showed the unemployment rate rose to 9.8%.

Lawmakers are responsible for shaping public policy that will sustain and grow our ailing economy. Have they done their job? Have we had enough? Tell me what you think. Post your comment on the Refresh Button and make your voice heard.

It’s the Economy…Stupid or Not…It’s STILL the Economy…

Voters are waiting for Washington, D.C. lawmakers to tell Mr. and Mrs. America what they are going to do to help get our bad economy going again. And the radio silence is speaking volumes to us here in the 2nd congressional district. Washington has yet to tell us they have a plan to get America working again or to keep our hard-earned money in our wallets. Just saying “no” to the $900 billion Obama health care plan isn’t enough.
 
Meanwhile, outside-the-beltway, consumers are spending less, businesses are closing their doors, and in the 2nd congressional district unemployment rates in St. Louis, St. Charles, and Lincoln Counties have risen to 9.6%, 8.8%, and 12.2% respectively. The Wall Street Journal reports that out of 53 bank loan officers surveyed by the Federal Reserve more than one-third reported tightening terms for small business loans in the prior three months, while only one reported easing terms.  Likewise, venture capital investment in U.S. companies fell 44% in the first half of 2009 from a year earlier. 
 
A recent Gallup poll states that “61% of Americans are worried that an economic crash is still possible, including 20% who are very worried.”  In addition, there is widespread consensus on this (poll), and little difference by political party affiliation — 85% of Republicans, 86% of independents, and 82% of Democrats believe the economy is still in a recession.
 
Lawmakers are responsible for shaping public policy that will sustain and grow our ailing economy. Have they done their job? Have we had enough? Tell me what you think. Post your comment on the Refresh Button and make your voice heard.

What do you think?

Job approval ratings for both Democrats and Republicans in Congress are near their lowest points in a decade — with Democrats, at 37%, faring slightly better than Republicans, at 27%. Republicans are unusually critical of the job their own party is doing.