Serious Questions: US Government, Big Business, Economy

I am going to paste your comments and my answers in a Q/A format. It's easier that way.

1) Why is the government blamed for big business deciding to take their companies overseas or to South American countries?
A) because they play a significant role in how commerce takes place in the country.

2) Could those same companies stay here and pay a bit more to help out Americans and the American economy?
A) Business is not about 'helping' out anyone but the business in question. The whole point of business is to make money...legally.

3) Isn’t pure greed a major factor in their decisions to go ‘elsewhere’ with their companies?
A) It can't be pure greed. It's business. And that is different. Business seems to be cold and impersonal, but that is the nature of the beast.


4) Why is ANY current administration blamed for laws that have been in effect for years before said admin was in place?
A) Because the voters do not control politicians, there is no motivation to break this method of operating. Lou Dobbs on CNN yesterday pointed out there are 77 lobby groups for each congressman or senator in Washington. It was a massive number. And total spending on lobbying was a huge number. What do you suppose these lobby groups are doing with this money? Put your hand out and turn your head. If you are a politician, you don't have to wait long before someone is greasing your palm.

5) Can our government immediately stop these businesses from going ‘elsewhere’?
A) Only by changing the rules of commerce in the country. But then you will be branded socialist. No big deal. But the US is the largest net consumer of goods in the world. Business will do whatever they have to to penetrate the US market.

6) We, as a people, have a responsibility to better ourselves and our situations in our own little area of being. a) How do you feel about that statement?
A)I agree.

b) How would you rephrase that statement?
A) I wouldn't.

7) What power does a President have, in his own right, beyond his veto power? By that I mean what can a Pres really do, on his own, without the governing BODY behind him?
A) NOTHING! That's why Obama's claim of change is totally conditional on congress and the senate backing him.

THAT is the reason that the American people need to form a party which is determined to strip politicians of their power to abuse citizens. You need that party to be elected state by state until the movement can be elected nation wide as a block. THEN and only THEN can you elect your president. But even that is unnecessary with the 2/3 majority rule which overrides a presidential veto.

Wow Irish! Are YOU writing a book? This is a lot to toss out all at once. You're actually causing me to THINK.

1) Why is the government blamed for big business deciding to take their companies overseas or to South American countries? The government and big business work hand-in-hand in many areas. We blame big business for outsourcing. If the government gave specific tax breaks/incentives to BB we could curtail some of the outsourcing.

2) Could those same companies stay here and pay a bit more to help out Americans and the American economy? As I found out personally, big business (AOL) owes me NOTHING. They are IN business for a healthy bottom line and will do whatever they must to get that line. Again, tax breaks or other incentives MIGHT help to keep such companies stateside.

3) Isn’t pure greed a major factor in their decisions to go ‘elsewhere’ with their companies? Greed, profit, bottom line: Call it what you will, greed has to enter it to a degree. If a business leaves the United States because its bottom line will improve dramatically on foreign soil, I certainly would think "corporate greed" is in there somewhere.

4) Why is ANY current administration blamed for laws that have been in effect for years before said admin was in place? The administration has the POWER to change laws that are in effect ... (example: increasing the retirement age for Social Security) ... but unless there's something "in it" for the government and unless the government thinks something is "broken" chances are we'll be stuck with the status quo. This is a good question to pose to our candidates for president.

5) Can our government immediately stop these businesses from going ‘elsewhere’? I'm sure it can be done, but will it be? I seriously doubt it. Again, think tax breaks/incentives to stay. They have to be attractive enough to trump any profits that could be realized by relocating.

6) We, as a people, have a responsibility to better ourselves and our situations in our own little area of being. Absolutely agree: And to go one better we have a responsibility to those who follow us to make things easier, not more difficult for them to effect change.

a) How do you feel about that statement? I agree with it, Irish.

b) How would you rephrase that statement? As citizens, we have the right and obligation, with the assistance of our government, to constantly improve our standard of living in our own little corner of the world not only for ourselves, but for generations not yet born.

7) What power does a President have, in his own right, beyond his veto power? By that I mean what can a Pres really do, on his own, without the governing BODY behind him? A president by himself has no real power. Without our state Congressmen and Senators (lawmakers) ... the president is little more than a figurehead ... the real power is in the hands of those who are UNDER the president in the pecking order. Think of the Congress and Senate as a wedding cake. The current blushing bride on that cake is George W. Bush ... and his only real value is as a decoration -- guess what? The marriage is almost over!

P.S. Maybe there IS something the president can do without his advisors: go potty.

Memo to self: Walk softly down the aisle, but carry a big stick, 'cause without the stick you're nothing. (C) 2008 RJScott

Ok I am going to bite on this one. Makes it harder that I don't have the ability to cut and paste yet, but here goes using the same format that others have thus far. I may re-phrase some of your questions slightly:

1) Why is the government blamed for big business deciding to take their companies off-shore or near-shore?

Organizations have found significant cost savings in the off-shore/near-shore model particularly in labor. The run to the borders is not a new phenomenoun, but became more pronounced in the 90's with the shift from manufacturing to services, particularly IT. The government is blamed because they have no taken into account the affect of NAFT on the American Worker. Further to this there continues to be a significant imbalance in tarriffs and tax laws that "pays" businesses that shift their services and manufacturing to lower cost countries such as Mexico, Philiphines, India, and China.

2) Could these companies stay in the US and pay a bit more to help Americans and the US economy?

It is the responsibility of business to earn revenues and profits for their shareholders not "help" Americans. Sounds a bit cold on the surface. Realistically, it makes good business sense to stay in country and ensure that the US economy is healthy, however it is not a "bit" more that they are paying it is frequently a lot more. In the manufacturing sector there remains a stranglehold of the Unions that demand pay and benefits that have brought many industries to their knees. If I can shift the cost of a single resource from $75 per hour to $15 per hour I am going to do it, that is good business.

3) Isn't pure greed a major factor in their decision to go "elsewhere?

Yes, however it is appropriate greed as it is their responsibility to increase shareholder value.

4) Why is any current administration blamed for laws that have been in place for years?

Because current administration along with legislative branches of the government have the authority to address those laws that are not working for the people and the economy. Things such as trade imbalance, H1B Visa Administration, Off-Shore/Near-Shore Imbalance, Tarrif Imbalance. These are all things that can and should be addressed by the current administration when it is proven that they are negatively affecting the economy of the country.

5) Can our government stop businesses from off-shoring/ near-shoring labor?

Not in the "right now" but in the long-term they can certainly make changes to the tax laws to make it less attractive. However, there would have to be changes elsewhere in our economy as well. Such as changes to the unions and their power over labor, changes to the H1B Visa, changes to education and retraining availability to ensure resources.

6) We, as a people, have a responsibility to better ourselves and our situations in our own little area of being. A) How do you feel about that statement? B) How would you rephrase that statement?)

Yes individually first each of us is responsible for our own betterment. We are responsible individually first. We are then responsible to and for the improvement of our communities through our individual efforts. It is contingent upon us to "give back" as we are able to do so. Finally, we have the responsibility to be involved in the greater good by being informed and casting our votes.

7) What power does the President have, in his own right, beyond his veto power?

He has the power to influence. He has the power to nominate the Justices to the Supreme Court. He has the power to negotiate, although he requires agreement of the legislature. On his own, until this President that is, he really has very little independent power.

Evening Irish I saw this movie over a year ago. After I watched it I started researching on my own. Every thing Arron Russo says here is the truth and things you can dig on your own and find. It angered me and changed my position on many levels.

You need some time to sit and watch it, it is about an hour and half long. You will not regret having seen it.

Now Alan Greenspan is not associated with our federal reserve and has backed up the information that Arron Russo put out here. There is another movie I will find for you but for the life of me right now I can not get the spelling of the title right enough to find a copy on lne for you but I will.

Let me know what you think


http://video.google.com/v...

here is the other one.... I think every american needs to see thses to movies... Although with this second one some of the religious indications I find hard to swallow. But that is the brainwashed child in me.


http://video.google.com/v...