Mitch Daniels’ response to Obama’s State of the Union: reality or rhetoric?
I must admit that I did not watch Obama’s speech, nor did I watch the response from Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels. I have heard enough of Obama’s empty rhetoric over the years and had better things to do. Nonetheless, Daniels’ response is worth a read. It represents Republicans at their very very best, at least in terms of rhetoric and it is hard for a fiscal conservative to disagree with much of what it contained. While Daniels is not running for President, these are the sentiments (not social policy, foreign policy, or immigration) that should form the basis of Republicans’ pitch to the American people.
That said, it is worth comparing Daniels’ real track record to his rhetoric. Daniels headed up the Office of Management and Budget under George W. Bush. While not in Obama’s league, Bush was a very big spender as President. Yes, I realize that Congress is in charge of budgets, but Bush didn’t exactly wield an effective veto pen…Also, while Daniels was in office, Bush was promoting his massive Prescription Drug Entitlement and got No Child Left Behind (a massive expansion of the federal role in education) passed. While I can’t blame Daniels entirely for Bush’s policies (and he did resign after just a few years of service), I have no record of Daniels protesting Bush’s big-spending expansions of government, but if a reader has one (or more), please post them in the comments section.
I’m not trying to dismiss Daniels’ track record of public service. He is doing a good job as Gov. of Indiana and I wish he was running for President. I do wish that more Republicans adhered to their rhetoric when it comes to government spending and actually downsizing Washington.
In: Uncategorized
In capitalist countries, post offices make money
As the US Postal Service founders and Congress attempts to reform the system (without breaking up the monopoly), it is worth pointing out that postal operations in most wealthy countries actually MAKE money. The USPS on the other hand, has lost over $25 billion since fiscal year 2006, with deficits of $8.5 billion in 2010 and $5.1 billion in 2011. It forecasts an astonishing $14 billion loss in 2012.
There is no reason, despite competition from the Internet, that delivering packages and the mail could not make money in the United States as well. It is time to abandon socialism in the mail and just privatize it.
In: Uncategorized
Obama’s terrible Keystone decision: continuing the decline in US economic freedom
Robert Samuelson absolutely nails it when it comes to President Obama’s terrible decision not to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline. Our friend Marita Noon adds her arguments to the mix showing that Obama is all show, no substance.
Interestingly enough, given the trends in the Heritage Foundation’s Index of Economic Freedom which measures levels of economic freedom around the world, Canada is 6th while the supposedly “free market” US of A has fallen to 10th. Canada is going to start thinking about the US and our corrupt and incompetent government as we have thought about Mexico and their governments.
Who is taking corporate money?: the futile effort to get money out of politics
The “Occupy” movement is now promoting a pledge to get corporate money out of politics. Of course, what they fail to realize is that money (like life) will always find a way into politics because governments have the power to create or destroy businesses with the stroke of a pen. But that’s a different story.
What is more interesting is that Democrats both in New Mexico and nationally (who often claim to share the goals of the “Occupy” movement) are more dependent on corporate contributions than are Republicans. Check this story and this one from New Mexico Watchdog. And there’s Eric Griego who proudly signed the pledge, but is still planning to take corporate contributions for his campaign for the U.S. House.
Lastly, there is President Obama, supposedly the defender of the poor and downtrodden. According to Tim Carney, author of the book “Obamanomics,” the president received far more from America’s biggest corporations. I have gleaned a few details from the book and posted them below, but the whole book is worth the read (and Carney may be coming to New Mexico later this year).
Goldman Sachs was the source of more campaign contributions in 2008 than any other company. Obama received $997,095 to McCain’s $230,095.
Obama received $19.4 million from the health care industry in 2008. McCain received $7.4 million.
HMO’s gave Obama three times more money than McCain.
Drug companies gave Obama $3.57 for each dollar McCain raised from the industry.
The biggest oil company in America, Exxon gave Obama $117,946 to McCain’s $73,326.
Of course, Obama portrays his policies as being “on behalf of the little guy,” when in reality his policies equate to “crony capitalism” or “corporatism.” This is not to say that Republicans are never guilty of the same thing, but to make it clear that money will ALWAYS play a role in politics if government can use threats of force to take from one group and give to another.
In: Uncategorized
New article: Rhode Island shows the way on pension reforms
I recently penned an article for several papers around the state, including the Las Cruces Sun-News, explaining some of the issues surrounding government employee pensions and why New Mexico policymakers should embrace the bi-partisan (or even Democrat-driven) pension reforms enacted in Rhode Island.
I was especially pleased to see that Senate Finance Committee Chair John Arthur Smith had criticized Gov. Martinez for not being aggressive enough in tackling the pension issue in a recent KOB-TV story.
Discussing the 2012 legislative session/State of the S
I recently appeared on KSVP radio in Southeast New Mexico to discuss the important issues being discussed during the legislative session and Gov. Martinez’s State of the State address. Go to this link and click the first podcast.
In: Uncategorized
Education tax credits LTE
I attempted to lend some sanity to the Alibi’s letters section. In the process, I tried to encourage Sen. Jerry Ortiz y Pino to look on the bright side when it comes to education reform (see my tax credits posting).
In: Uncategorized
The Rail Runner’s “Hand Grenades”
As Rob Nikolewski over at Capitol Report points out in a story, the Rail Runner is going to suck up ever larger quantities of taxpayer cash in the years ahead, including two $235 million balloon payments which come due in a bit more than a decade.
We’ve previously outlined the myriad reasons to cut our losses by shutting down the Rail Runner, but these $235 million balloon payments must be paid no matter what.
Moving forward, the Legislature must demand that any major infrastructure project be financed with regular, even payments over the years, not with balloon payments that force future legislators and governors to deal with previous decisions.
Check out these upcoming TV appearances!
Paul Gessing, president of the Rio Grande Foundation, will be discussing the legislative session and what can be done right now to help turn both New Mexico’s economy and its education system around. The following show which lasts 30 minutes and airs on KCHF, a Christian station based in Santa Fe, channel 11, will air at the following times:
Friday, Jan 19 at 10am
Friday Jan 27 at 10:30 a.m.
Sat. Jan 28 at 10 pm
Mon Jan 30 at 6pm
Also, in the Las Cruces area, Gessing will appear on KRWG Channel 22 (the local PBS station) to discuss education issues in NM for 30 minutes on
Thursday, Jan. 26 at 7pm
Saturday, Jan 28 at 5pm
Sunday, Jan 29 at 11am
Tune in or set your DVR’s!
In: Uncategorized
Support education tax credits this session!
The number one legislative priority of the Rio Grande Foundation this session is to get education tax credits for school choice. A letter on this has been posted below. Liberal Sen. Jerry Ortiz y Pino has sponsored one of the bills. Feel free to use parts of this letter to contact your own legislators.
January 18, 2012
To Whom It May Concern:
The Rio Grande Foundation is New Mexico’s only free market think tank working on public policy issues of interest to residents of our state. Our primary research areas include tax, budget, and education reform. The issue of education reform transcends the others because education forms such a large portion of the state’s budget – nearly half of the general fund – and impacts so many areas of the state economy.
The potential for positive impact of the Equal Opportunity Scholarship Act and the Special Needs Student Scholarship Act would be immeasurable.
Here’s why passing these bills is important for New Mexico’s economic vitality and our children’s future:
• More than one-third of our students drop out before graduating from high school.
• This must be turned around in order to attract new businesses and business growth in our state and to give our children the opportunities they need to succeed in school.
• This legislation will help provide scholarships that will enable lower-income and special-needs students to attend schools that will better meet their needs. They will be much more likely to stay in school and to develop a solid educational foundation.
According to recent polling data more than 70 percent of N.M. voters support tax-credit scholarships for children from low-income families. For special-needs students, the support for tax-credit scholarships rose to an astonishing 78 percent in the poll.
While money is still tight, the good news is that these tax credit bills will have a slight, positive impact on New Mexico’s budget. Rather than sucking resources out of the budget, these bills would give greater educational choice to parents and students, all while slightly improving the budget.
Education tax credits are not a partisan issue. Legislators of both parties have supported education tax credits in states that have adopted them including Florida, Iowa, Pennsylvania, Arizona, and Rhode Island.
New Mexico needs serious education reform. That is why the Rio Grande Foundation supports the Equal Opportunity Scholarship Act and the Special Needs Student Scholarship Act.
Sincerely,
Paul J. Gessing
President
