AMERICA NEEDS SOME RISKTAKERS- APPLY ANYWHERE THERE IS A HELP WANTED SIGN!

Weekly Opinion Editorial 

CAPITALISM REQUIRES PARTICIPATION!

by Steve Fair

 

    The Wall Street Journal reports American companies are on pace to return nearly 350,000 jobs to the U.S. in 2022.  If that happens, it would be highest number on record since 2010.  Taking manufacturing and production out of the country had been a trend for over thirty years until President Trump took office in 2016.  Trump made keeping domestic manufacturing and production here a priority.  About 450,000 new manufacturing jobs were added during Trump’s term in office.  During President Obama’s eight years in the White House, the U.S. lost 192,000 manufacturing jobs.

     When COVID hit, American companies had to rethink their ‘out of the country’ strategy as labor shortages in foreign countries coupled with high commodity prices and logistics challenges made price a secondary issue. Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine disrupted grain markets and the conflict between  China and Taiwan has disturbed the microchip market.  That has resulted in three major microchip manufacturers announcing they are bringing their production back to the U.S.  A constant, reliable, and dependable source of supply has become more important than price to American manufacturers and processors. That should be the goal for the American consumer. Three observations:

     First, a buy American policy is not just patriotic- it’s sensible.  When companies made the decision to have their products or components made out of the country, American consumers eagerly accepted the products because they were cheaper. 

     50% of American consumers acknowledge price is the main decision factor when they buy something.  Bottom line- if they can save money, they will buy the lower priced item.  Two thirds of Americans polled last year claim they will pay more for products made in America, but they don’t follow up by doing it.  Imported products often have higher market share than their domestic competition.

     Second, globalization contributed to the disruption in the supply chain.  Since COVID-19, labor issues, raw material shortages, and high fuel costs are not just in the U.S., they are across the globe.  Every country is facing historic price increases and inflation.  Manufacturers across the world have high demand and lower productivity than pre-pandemic.  Consumers are adjusting to the new normal- delays in getting consumer goods, and service in a timely way. 

     How did this happen?  Short sighted companies, greedy labor unions, and clueless politicians contributed to the expansion of globalization.  Those who called for an America First policy were attacked as isolationists and called  non-progressive and too traditional.   

     Third, capitalism requires participation and less are choosing to engage.  In the capitalist economic system, individual initiative is rewarded.  Unlike socialism or communism, where individuality is downplayed, capitalism rewards those who work harder than their counterparts.  In capitalism, when fewer workers choose to participate in the workforce, the demand for those who will work increases and wages go up.  America has a shortage of people who will work.  Help wanted signs are in every business.  Anyone who really wants a job can get one and many older Americans are delaying retirement and continue to work. 

     The number of Americans over age 55 who are in the labor force is projected to be over 42 million by 2026- over one quarter of all those working.  Younger Americans are not entering the workforce.  The reason? The government will pay them more to sit on their duff than to work.  Who can blame them?  It’s human nature to take the path of least resistance. 

     If trends continue, America’s capitalism economic system will fail.  The risktakers that built the U.S., who lived the American Dream and made their fortunes must have modern day counterparts to step up and roll the dice.   America needs young passionate, hardworking, adventure seekers.  Apply anywhere there is a help wanted sign.

AMERICANS SHOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT DIRECTION OF COUNTRY!

Weekly Opinion Editorial

OVERPLAYED HAND!

by Steve Fair

 

           In 1978, the Presidential Records Act (PRA) was enacted.  The PRA requires any memos, letters, emails, and other documents related to the president or vice president’s duties be preserved and given to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) at the end of an administration.  It was enacted after President Nixon tried to destroy records relating to his presidential tenure. 

     Since its’ implementation, every POTUS has tried to circumvent the PRA.  President Reagan tried to shield email records about the Iran-Contra arms deals.  President George H.W. Bush was accused of destroying telephone logs and emails records about the State Department’s investigation into Bill Clinton’s passport records.  President Clinton had many people in his administration that used private email accounts to conduct government business to avoid the PRA.  President George W. Bush challenged the National Archives to review and determine how documents were to be classified.  President Obama was accused of moving presidential documents from the White House to Chicago for his presidential library. 

      After President Trump left office in January 2021, the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) said they had received some of Trump’s presidential records, but accused him of tearing up some records.  On February 8^th of this year, the NARA confirmed they had gotten 15 boxes of presidential records from Trump that had been at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida.  They said some of the returned documents were classified. 

     In June, investigators with the U.S. Justice Department met with Trump’s lawyers and served a grand jury subpoena for more documents at Mar-a-Lago.  On August 5^th, U.S. Magistrate Judge in Florida, Bruce Reinhart, an Obama donor, issued a sealed search warrant for Mar-a-Lago.  On Monday, August 8^th, at 9am, thirty plainclothes FBI agents descended on the former president’s home.  They spent 9 hours, concentrating on a bedroom and at a safe.  Reportedly, at one point, the feds scoured former first lady Melania Trump’s closet. 

     President Trump issued a statement: “These are dark times for our nation, as my beautiful home, Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida is currently under siege, raided, and occupied by a large group of FBI agents.  Nothing like this has ever happened to a President of the United States before.”

     U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said that he ‘personally approved’ the decision to seek a warrant for the FBI to search Trump’s residence and that he didn’t take the action lightly.  Three observations:

     First, the goal is not to get documents preserved/returned- it is to remove Donald Trump from the 2024 election.  A conviction of violating the PRA could prevent him from running.  Democrats know that.  Every president since the passage of PRA has dealt with the bureaucrats at NARA after they have left office on document/record preservation, but none have faced the scrutiny Trump has.   

     Second, no one is above the law and that includes Donald Trump.  If he violated the law- including the PRA- he must pay the price.  The United States is a nation of laws, which is the foundation of the country.  But equal enforcement/administration of the law is critical if citizens are to believe they have a country.  

     The raid of a former POTUS’s home is unprecedented.  The incursion into Trump’s home better produce clear evidence of a law being broken.  The FBI, AG Garland, and the Department of Justice should publicly reveal what they found and do it expeditiously.      

     Third, Americans should be concerned about the direction of the country.  Selective enforcement of the law and ignoring the law by leaders with no consequences is commonplace. Disrespect of law enforcement run rapport.  Tolerance is preached, but not practiced.  Traditional values are deemed irrelevant in modern culture.  The fabric of the United States appears to be unraveling.    

     Politically, the raid and attack on Trump could backfire on Democrats.  They likely have ‘overplayed their hand.’  When someone ‘overplays their hand,’ they make the mistake of believing their position is stronger or better than it really is.    Voters may see through the motivation of the attack on Trump and show up in record numbers in November and give Republicans control of both chambers of Congress. 

     

VOTING IS A SACRED DUTY!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

VOTING IS A RESPONSIBILITY!

by Steve Fair

      Less than one third (31.6%) of registered Republicans voted in the June 28^th primary election.  There were races in all but two of the nine statewide offices on the ballot, two U.S. Senate races, Congressional races, and dozens of legislative and local races so it wasn’t like voters didn’t have something to vote on.  But just 360,000 of the Sooner state’s 1,138,947 registered Republicans made the effort to cast a ballot in the primary.  Because the state is very Republican, the victors in the GOP primary are almost assured victory in the General election.  There are 2,252,101 registered voters (all Parties) in Oklahoma.  That means 16% of the people registered made the decision for 100% of the four million residents.

     If social media is any indication of political interest in Oklahoma, turnout should have been around 95%, but it wasn’t.  Why?  Is interest in government and politics waning in Oklahoma?  Are people just turned off by the lack of ethics in politics?  Both could be true.  Three observations:

     First, the average Republican in Oklahoma is fed up with the constant political rhetoric.  All they see  on social media are keyboard warriors debating, insulting and berating fellow Republicans- but they also quote scripture.  The fact is the average butcher, baker and candlestick maker is too busy trying to make a living to engage in political discourse that accomplishes nothing.  The average Joe isn’t interested in style.  They want substance.  The loud and proud don’t impress them.  They want specifics on what gets Oklahoma and America out of this mess.  Because they never get real answers, they wrongly have brought into the premise the cause is lost, so why should they vote.   

     Second, being fed up with inaction doesn’t release a citizen from their responsibility.  Voting is not just a sacred right; it is a responsibility.  Showing up makes a difference.  It may seem like every candidate and elected official is the same and only interested only in self-promotion.  But when only one third of eligible voters show up for a major primary, two thirds shirked their responsibility.  776,000 Oklahomans registered in the Grand Old Party didn’t do their duty June 28^th.  Those Republicans have an opportunity to redeem themselves for that neglect on August 23^rd . 

     There are five statewide races in just two weeks: August 23^rd .  Former Oklahoma Speaker of the House T.W. Shannon is pitted against Congressman Mark Wayne Mullin for the unexpired U.S. Senate term.  Rep. Todd Russ and former Sen. Clark Jolley are in a runoff for state treasurer.  Ryan Walters and April Grace are opponents in the state school superintendent race.  Former Rep. Todd Thomeson and Sen. Kim David are vying for the corporation commission and current Labor Commissioner Leslie Osborne and Rep. Shawn Roberts are in a runoff for the office currently held by Osborne.  In the next two weeks, some Republican voter mailboxes will be full- the ones who usually show up.  The campaigns won’t waste their money sending a mail piece to an infrequent voter, but if that voter started paying attention, things could get interesting.    

     Third, there is no excuse for not voting.  Oklahoma has in person absentee early voting the Thursday, Friday and Saturday before the Tuesday election.  The polls are open from 7am-7pm on Election Day.  A voter can apply for an absentee ballot.  There is simply no excuse for not voting in the Sooner state.  Unless providentially hindered, a citizen should never neglect their responsibility to cast their vote. 

     President Thomas Jefferson said, “we do not have government by the majority.  We have government by the majority who participates.”  Participate on August 23^rd.  It is your sacred duty and responsibility.  It does make a difference!

 

"KEEP YOUR EYE ON ONE THING- AND ONE THING ONLY: HOW MUCH GOVERNMENT IS SPENDING!"

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

IN THE CENTER RING!

by Steve Fair

 

     A ‘big tent’ is a phrase used in reference to a political Party permitting or encouraging a broad spectrum of views among its members.  Instead of enforcing a determined ideology/platform, those in the ‘big tent’ are tolerant of those they disagree with.  Those who believe in the Republican ‘big tent,’ follow Ronald Reagan’s credo the person who agrees with you 80% of the time is your friend and not a 20% traitor.           

     Today both the Republican and Democratic Party ‘big tents’ look more like a circus tent than a place to gather and unite.  Tolerance of another person’s differing viewpoint is considered weakness.  Respect for an opposing opinion is frailty.  Loud is the name of the game in the tent.  Elected officials and candidates must be roaring, deafening and thunderous or they are considered weak.  Insults, name calling, and slander project strong convictions in the Party tabernacle.   Substance, truth and humility are secondary attributes.  Anger, wrath and fury reign.  Details of how to fix all the issues in America are foggy in both of the major Party tents.  Here are three observations all Americans, no matter what Party affiliation, should agree on:

     First, government spends too much money.  The money government (at all levels) is provided by taxpayers.  Government has no money of its own.  The government does a terrible job living within its means.  The current national debt is 30 trillion dollars.  The U.S. federal debt to GDP ratio in 2000 was 57%.  In 2022, it is 130%.  It seems to matter little which political Party is in power- government spends too much money.  Last year, the federal government took in a record amount of revenue- $4.4 trillion- but spent $6 trillion.   

      Government spending financed by higher taxes reduces personal incentive to start a new business or expand an existing one.  Redistribution of wealth by government fosters a culture of dependency and depresses risk taking. 

     Until true fiscal conservatives are elected to office, the deficit will continue to grow.  Nobel prize winner in Economics, Milton Friedman said, “Keep your eye on one thing and one thing only: how much government is spending.”  American government spends too much money and has no plans to slow down.  Until voters begin to hold elected officials accountable for the out of the control spending, it will be business as usual.  The national debt crisis is real and threatens the very way of life in America.  It is not discussed or addressed in campaigns because it’s not booming enough.  It doesn’t fire up the troops. 

     Second, government isn’t to be trusted.  In a Pew Research Center poll conducted in June, public trust in government is near historic lows.  Only 29% of Democrats trust their government to do what’s right.  Among Republicans it is 9%.  In 1958, 75% of Americans trusted government.  How did government become so untrustworthy?  Reducing of personal liability, increased regulation, unfulfilled campaign promises contributed to the lack of confidence in government. Promises of reduced regulations, taxation are made during campaigns to be quickly forgotten once sworn into office.

     Third, the government is the people.  The U.S. Constitution begins with the words: We the People.  The people are charged with controlling the government.  That is done by being engaged in their government all the time.  Engagement can vary in degrees- from seeking office to infrequent voting.  Until more Americans commit to constant, persistent involvement in their government, the loudest candidate in the tent will prevail.

     Both political Parties have allowed their ‘big tents’ to become entertainment.  Purity tests have been established to ensure those allowed to enter the tent maintain the ideological purity of the Party, but once in the tent, little serious discussion on issues that unite are conducted.  It’s more fun- but less productive- to argue in the tent.  Ladies and Gentlemen, now in the center ring, The Polarizing of America!

DO STATES HAVE A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO LEAVE THE UNION?

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

A HOUSE DIVIDED!

by Steve Fair

 

     Is the U.S. headed for a second civil war?  Will America survive or will the country break up?  In a survey taken in the Fall of 2021 by the University of Virginia, 50% of Trump supporters and 40% of Biden supporters believed the country should spilt up along red and blue lines. 

     At their recent state convention, the Texas Republican Party voted to formally endorse a referendum (state question) on Texas seceding from the United States.  The resolution asks the Texas state legislature to put the issue on the 2023 ballot. 

     Texas is the only state in American history to hold a statewide vote on secession.  A vote to secede from the United States happened in 1861, when Texans voted overwhelmingly to join the Confederacy.  Other states that seceded to form the Confederacy relied on their state legislatures to proclaim their departure from the union, but not Texas.  Texas was an independent country when they joined the union and that fact fuels complicated legal debates on whether the Lone Star state can constitutionally break away from the United States.  The late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia believed secession was settled by the Civil War and that no state (including Texas) has a right to secede from the union.  Three observations:

     First, secession is not a new idea.  As early as the 1790s, states were trying to break away from the union.  Kentucky, Virginia and other states attempted to leave the union in 1798.  South Carolina, the first state to secede over the slavery issue, threatened to pull out in 1828 over the issue of tariffs when Andrew Jackson was president.  The Palmetto state also threatened to leave over the issue of California’s statehood.  James Madison, the father of the Constitution, said the document does not allow for a state to pull out of the union- without the approval of the other states.  There is no ‘no fault’ divorce provision in the Constitution.

     Second, secession is not a good idea.  When a state becomes a separate country, it presents a whole new set of challenges.  Founding documents must be drafted and a form of government established.  Dealing with those in the new country who were opposed to secession becomes a major issue.  National defense, currency, and a myriad of other things must be addressed.  It takes more work to start a country than to reform one.    

     Third, the political divide in America is widening.  There are few political issues the two major political Parties agree on.  Positions on abortion and same sex marriage dissect the country.  Fiscal policy is fractured.  Debate over gun rights and the Second Amendment hold sway.  Common ground is crumbling.  Red (conservative) and blue (liberal) states are fractured along ideology lines.   

     The Bible says two can’t walk together unless they be in agreement.  Discord and division reign.  If common ground can’t be found- and quick- dissolution of the union is inevitable, whether it be by secession or a second civil war.    

     Before he was POTUS, in 1858, Abraham Lincoln famously quoted Matthew 12:25 in a speech to the Illinois Republican Party: A house divided against itself cannot stand.  The speech is one of Lincoln’s most well-known speeches and it seems relevant for today.

     Whether a house stands or falls depends on the commitment of the inhabitants in the house.  They must agree on the fundamentals/principles that govern the house.   When half of U.S. believes the country should dissolve, there is clearly a lack of commitment to keep the house intact.  In order for the union to survive, Americans must unite on what America is- indivisible and founded on liberty and justice for all.

 

Absorbing price increases can't happen in a healthy economy!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

SPONGES!

by Steve Fair

     The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is the measure of the average change over time in the prices paid by consumers for consumer goods and services.  In June, the CPI rose 1.3% for the month.  The CPI is up +9.1% in the last 12 months.  That is the highest growth rate since November 1981. Food prices at the shelf have risen even more: +10.4% in the past 52 weeks.  Gas prices are up a whopping +41.6% the past year.

     Inflation has hit hard at the wholesale level as well.  Prices for food processors and producers surged to near record level from a year ago; +11.3%.  Translated, that means consumers will likely see even higher food prices at the shelf in the future.  Stripping out food and gas, the annual inflation rate vs. last year is +5.9%.  Three observations:

     First, this inflation is not transitory or temporary.  In July 2021, President Biden said the increase in prices consumers was seeing was not persistent inflation and would be temporary.  After thirteen consecutive months of price increases, clearly the President was wrong last year.  Inflation is here for at least another year.    Even liberal CNN has said the president shouldn’t have called the inflation transitory. 

     Second, Biden’s failed policies have fueled inflation.  The POTUS continues to pass the buck on the economy, but the $1.9 trillion stimulus bill passed last year heavily contributed to the current inflationary mess.  America’s policy of ‘spending’ its way out of economic downturns finally caught up with the good ole USA.   Couple that with Biden’s ‘war on fossil fuels,’ policies and you have gasoline at record prices.  The first way to solve a problem is to admit one exists.  The Biden administration has failed to acknowledge inflation even exists, so it unlikely they have a plan to get it under control.

     Third, sponges do not exist in an economic system.  Increases must be passed through.  Consumers can’t ‘absorb’ price increases without increases in wages.  A retailer or a producer cannot ‘absorb’ an increase.  They must pass them through.  If increases are bottlenecked anywhere along the supply chain, disfunction occurs.   The answer to high prices is high prices.  When prices reach a level where demand comes down, prices will fall.  It is basic economics.

     Inflation has brought with it two big problems: Wages haven’t kept up with price increases and rising interest rates have decreased investment activity.  President Biden has blamed inflation on Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, but the truth is the US has a significantly worse core (excludes food and gasoline) inflation rate than the rest of the world. Most economists believe it is because the US spent so much on stimulus.  The best thing the government can do to help stop inflation is to stop spending money.  In the 1970s, OPEC’s policies on oil exports created double digit inflation in the U.S.  In 2022, the cause of high prices is not external, it’s internal.  President Biden’s failed economic policy that doesn’t put America first has lowered the average U.S. consumer buying power by 22% in the past 18 months. 

     Instead of pandering to Saudi Arabia to sell the US more oil, perhaps President Biden should meet with domestic energy leaders and ask them what their government could do to help them.  But government is where you find the sponges.  They absorb everything and don’t pass anything on.

 

OKLAHOMA WILL LEAD NATION IN SALE OF JUNK FOOD!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

POT ON THE BALLOT!

by Steve Fair

 

      Four years ago, Oklahoma passed State Question #788 57% to 43% which legalized medical marijuana.  The poorly crafted initiative petition was vague and lacked detail about implementation and oversight.  The state legislature has spent a great deal of time since 2018 putting meat on the 788 bones.  Legislation regulating growing and distribution has resulted in the Sooner state becoming a magnet for grow operations and dispensaries.   Oklahoma has more weed growers (9,000+) than California, a state with ten times the population.  One reason is the cost of $2,500 to get a license in Oklahoma, as opposed to $100,000 in bordering Arkansas.  There is also no cap on the number of dispensaries or grow operations in the state, but that may be changing in the future.  About 12% of Oklahomans have a ‘medical marijuana’ card.  Clearly much of the pot grown in Oklahoma is being shipped out of the state- which is in violation of state and federal law.  If all the weed grown by Oklahoma growers were being consumed by Sooner residents, the dispensaries would be selling it by the bale, not the joint.    

      Last week, proponents of State Question #820 delivered 120 boxes of signed petitions to the Oklahoma Secretary of State’s office.  They claim they got over 164,000 signatures from Oklahoma registered voters asking SQ#820 to be added to the November ballot.  If approved, it would legalize adult-use recreational marijuana.  The number of signatures required for an initiative petition is tied to the last governor’s race in Oklahoma.  The Oklahoma Secretary of State must verify a minimum of 95,000 signatures for the proposal to get on the November ballot.  Three observations:

     First, if SQ#820 makes it to the November ballot, it will likely pass.  Twenty years ago, Oklahomans would not have embraced legal medical pot, but four years ago, they did.  Added by an influx of people from more liberal areas of the U.S. into Oklahoma, and young voters, the measure passed easily.  The Sooner state has changed.  Once staunchly conservative Oklahoma now has more slot machines and weed shops than any place in the world.  Misguided criminal justice reform by well-meaning, but clueless people, has resulted in decriminalizing former crimes and as a result, Oklahoma is a top ten state in growth of crime against property.   In reality, passage of SQ#820 really would not change much of what is actually being currently practiced in the state.  Oklahoma’s ‘medical marijuana’ law is just a wink and nod from recreational pot use now.

     Second, expect the SQ#820 crowd to sell passage of the measure to help education.  Oklahoma voters will probably buy the message.  Through the years, Oklahomans have been told passage of parimutuel betting, a state lottery, casino gambling, and medical marijuana would provide more tax money for education.  For years, Oklahomans have been gambling, drinking, and smoking pot for the kids, yet test scores haven’t dramatically improved.

     Third, Oklahoma could become a top ten state if SQ#820 passes.  The state will lead the nation in relaxation, paranoia, and the sale of junk food. Citizens will lose their inhibitions and their good judgment.  Worker production will decline, but with everybody high on dope, including the boss, no one will care.  Oklahoma will lead the nation in poor motor skills and awareness of time. 

     Conservative Oklahoma has always leaned libertarian, but in recent years has become more antinomian (no law).  That is not progress or improvement.  Vote no on SQ#820 if it makes it to the ballot.