In a harsh profile of the political environment surrounding the gargantuan federal deficit, this article from The Economist says what we already knew: neither political party looks willing to do the heavy lifting it requires to balance the budget and reduce the debt. The article belittles both parties’ budget plans for the coming year, and the negligible impact that those plans would have on the country's budget.
Democrats won’t discuss the necessary spending cuts and Republican won’t discuss raising the necessary revenue. Both will have to be a part of the solution, but no one looks willing to meet in the middle, yet. Surprised?
Read THE UNION’S TROUBLED STATE, here.
27 January 2011
Old Hickory: All Things To All People in 1861
I've always perked-up a little when people invoke President Andrew Jackson. He was such a contradictory and controverial figure that you can place him on almost any side of any situation. Last year, my wife bought me John Meacham's American Lion which is a pretty short biography of Jackson - which, like most of Meacham's books, is an easy read if you like history.
I saw the article called OLD HICKORY'S GHOST this morning in a special series that the NY TIMES is running to commemorate the 150th year of the beginning of the Civil War. Hope you find it informative.
I saw the article called OLD HICKORY'S GHOST this morning in a special series that the NY TIMES is running to commemorate the 150th year of the beginning of the Civil War. Hope you find it informative.
25 January 2011
How Would You Fix South Carolina's Budget?
Below is a link to THE STATE which, several weeks ago, put together an interactive site for people to try to find the $830 million in cuts/revenue it will require to balance South Carolina's budget this coming year.
It doesn't give the detail you might need to make all of your choices, but it is a good exercise to see just how big the problems are that we face this year.
When there's no money to spend, and no one is willing to tackle how the Statehouse has decimated the tax structure in the past two decades, then State programs will have to change dramatically or be eliminated all together.
If no one is willing to meet in the middle, I can only suggest that you hold on, it will be a long year.
To try it out, click here: How would you fix South Carolina’s Budget?
It doesn't give the detail you might need to make all of your choices, but it is a good exercise to see just how big the problems are that we face this year.
When there's no money to spend, and no one is willing to tackle how the Statehouse has decimated the tax structure in the past two decades, then State programs will have to change dramatically or be eliminated all together.
If no one is willing to meet in the middle, I can only suggest that you hold on, it will be a long year.
To try it out, click here: How would you fix South Carolina’s Budget?
The Administration of the New Economy
David Brooks continues his arguements for the role of government in the economy of the 21st century. Read THE TALENT MAGNET from today's NY Times.
24 January 2011
Revisiting Ike's Farewell
While America is focusing on the 50th Anniversary of President Kennedy's inauguration, Dr. Bacevich reminds us of one of the most important farewell speeches of the 20th century. Here is a reflection on Dwight D. Eisenhower’s farewell speech as president, and how some of his predictions have fared in the past fifty years.
Read The Tyranny of Defense, Inc., here.
Read The Tyranny of Defense, Inc., here.
State Bankruptcy is a Bad Idea
On Saturday, a couple of days after the news broke that leaders in Washington were looking into allowing states to file for bankruptcy, this piece was published in the Wall Street Journal: State Bankruptcy is a Bad Idea.
21 January 2011
Planned for Your Retirement?
So, if you’ve been hiding your head in the sand and still believe that somehow you’ll receive Social Security or state retirement benefits (for those of you under 45) new proof is here that you might want to begin planning for an alternative.
It appears that Congress is working on another bailout, but this time instead of spending money, they are looking for ways to wave a magic wand and make states’ debt disappear. How? Looks like Congressional leaders want states to be able to declare bankruptcy and allow them to be protected from paying the pensions they’ve promised their government employees.
Welcome to the new world of making bad choices and then just having the consequences vacated by the Federal Government. Banks got bailed out by President Bush. Car companies got bailed out by President Obama.
Now, will states get to abdicate their responsibility for bad choices, not making difficult decisions, and will these state employees unions (in other states) get caught by their unwillingness to work with their governments to help fix the problem?
South Carolina is not nearly in the dire straits of some of these states, but the warning signs are there. Keep an eye on your pocketbook, their promises, and our future.
Very good article on these new bailout machinations behind the scenes, here.
It appears that Congress is working on another bailout, but this time instead of spending money, they are looking for ways to wave a magic wand and make states’ debt disappear. How? Looks like Congressional leaders want states to be able to declare bankruptcy and allow them to be protected from paying the pensions they’ve promised their government employees.
Welcome to the new world of making bad choices and then just having the consequences vacated by the Federal Government. Banks got bailed out by President Bush. Car companies got bailed out by President Obama.
Now, will states get to abdicate their responsibility for bad choices, not making difficult decisions, and will these state employees unions (in other states) get caught by their unwillingness to work with their governments to help fix the problem?
South Carolina is not nearly in the dire straits of some of these states, but the warning signs are there. Keep an eye on your pocketbook, their promises, and our future.
Very good article on these new bailout machinations behind the scenes, here.
20 January 2011
State of the State Address
Governor Haley’s State of the State speech last night [summarized]:
“I love South Carolina. We have tough days ahead. I won’t talk about any specifics but I will give you pablum for forty minutes (except for a couple of things that don’t really impact the budget at all). But let me leave you with this, you need to make some hard choices in the Legislature and I will support you … maybe. I love South Carolina!”
We need a lot of courage in a leader in the coming year where it looks like nothing but bad choices face us in the Statehouse. There weren’t any answers delivered last night about what we should expect in the coming year.
As a State-of-the-State speech, the effort rates a “C-“. Though there were no specifics, and several contradictions, at least there were many nicely phrased generalities that were delivered well.
We need a lot from this Governor’s Office, so let’s not count her out before she’s started. I will hold out hope that the Governor will be a lot better at governing than she was in this speech.
“I love South Carolina. We have tough days ahead. I won’t talk about any specifics but I will give you pablum for forty minutes (except for a couple of things that don’t really impact the budget at all). But let me leave you with this, you need to make some hard choices in the Legislature and I will support you … maybe. I love South Carolina!”
We need a lot of courage in a leader in the coming year where it looks like nothing but bad choices face us in the Statehouse. There weren’t any answers delivered last night about what we should expect in the coming year.
As a State-of-the-State speech, the effort rates a “C-“. Though there were no specifics, and several contradictions, at least there were many nicely phrased generalities that were delivered well.
We need a lot from this Governor’s Office, so let’s not count her out before she’s started. I will hold out hope that the Governor will be a lot better at governing than she was in this speech.
19 January 2011
Opening Note
I am a proud American – no matter who’s in charge. No matter how much I agree or disagree with what is happening in the world around us, I know that this community and our nation are too good to be compromised by bad people or bad leaders. Collectively, America can always overcome.
America is not a nation of Rush Limbaugh’s, Chris Matthews’, Keith Olbermann’s, Glenn Beck’s, Rachel Maddow’s or Bill O’Reilly’s. We are a nation sitting around kitchen tables, looking at shrinking bank accounts and investments and ‘help wanted ads’ and wondering why government can’t fix that pothole, why they can’t catch that drug dealer, why children are in classrooms with 35 kids, and why we can’t afford a college education or retirement.
Getting things done has become harder and harder as the political parties are being driven farther apart by the media-political establishment. We need new leaders, but new leaders are not enough – we need a new spirit in our leaders – leaders who have the courage to get things done (sometimes) despite their ideology.
Running government successfully is largely a non-partisan endeavor – you either provide enough military security, police and firefighters, teachers, good roads, effective court systems, protect the environment and develop the economy, or you don’t do those things. People who get elected to do anything other than run government efficiently and effectively will not run government efficiently and effectively.
I will try to keep my comments short, and on several specific items that most folks in the middle can agree upon: safety and security, education, environment, and fiscal responsibility. There are basics we should focus on together, things we can fight for and pay for, and I hope that I can stay focused on them with you in the months to come.
America is not a nation of Rush Limbaugh’s, Chris Matthews’, Keith Olbermann’s, Glenn Beck’s, Rachel Maddow’s or Bill O’Reilly’s. We are a nation sitting around kitchen tables, looking at shrinking bank accounts and investments and ‘help wanted ads’ and wondering why government can’t fix that pothole, why they can’t catch that drug dealer, why children are in classrooms with 35 kids, and why we can’t afford a college education or retirement.
Getting things done has become harder and harder as the political parties are being driven farther apart by the media-political establishment. We need new leaders, but new leaders are not enough – we need a new spirit in our leaders – leaders who have the courage to get things done (sometimes) despite their ideology.
Running government successfully is largely a non-partisan endeavor – you either provide enough military security, police and firefighters, teachers, good roads, effective court systems, protect the environment and develop the economy, or you don’t do those things. People who get elected to do anything other than run government efficiently and effectively will not run government efficiently and effectively.
I will try to keep my comments short, and on several specific items that most folks in the middle can agree upon: safety and security, education, environment, and fiscal responsibility. There are basics we should focus on together, things we can fight for and pay for, and I hope that I can stay focused on them with you in the months to come.
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