Monthly Archive for May, 2010

Jobs 101: RED is best!

Published on May 25, 2010 in Stir It Up!. 2 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , .

As we look forward to the November mid-term elections (both locally and nationally), we should review “JOBS 101″ and what we may/may not know about employment both here in Pennsylvania and nationwide.  Why aren’t we seeing “RED,” folks?!

I ask this question with two different thoughts in mind:

    1. With our economy in grave condition and unemployment so high, why aren’t we “seeing red” (acknowledging the signs) and demanding Washington REALLY start paying attention to this very real “at home” crisis?  Regardless of our political affiliations, why aren’t we mad as hell that the Obama administration seems to be incredibly apathetic?  Continuing to extend unemployment benefits and government-run programs with no regard to our already out-of-control national debt is NOT a viable solution!

    2. Why don’t we take an educated look at our traditional “red” (Republican) states and thoughtfully compare employment and opportunity for growth with our “blue” (Democratic-run) states?  The facts are there.  We just need to take a deliberate look at the information available to us and start making SMART decisions based upon this information.  The livelihood of our children and grandchildren depends on our ability to discern the facts and apply the knowledge in a responsible way.

With our national debt sky high (and multiplying by the minute) and our unemployment rate right behind it, I find it appalling that the Obama administration doesn’t make jobs and job growth our number one priority right now.  If you want to bring politics down to a local level, this is about as local as you can get!   Many of us are unemployed/under-employed and the job prospects are very slim right now (This, too, depends on your location, unfortunately.).  Location is key, as well as the political makeup of the area/state you reside in (as I hope you will see…)  Let’s talk some facts and statistics, shall we?  Let’s put down our political guns for a moment and try to really look at these very unbiased facts with logic and truth.  Won’t you join me?  Okay, here we go…

Traditionally, our “red” (Republican) states have done very well in the job sector, and these red states tend to be in the southern and western parts of our great United States (These states are known as “Right to Work” states which do not require union membership as a condition for employment.).  So, let’s talk about these red states and their approach to business and job growth.  What do the red states offer both employees and employers/businesses?  Red states are business-friendly.  They understand that small business enterprises are the backbone of a successful capitalist society, and job growth is generally created and sustained (long-term) by businesses in the private sector.  Because red states are business-friendly, they support tax breaks for businesses (so businesses can keep more of their revenue TO CREATE MORE JOBS) and this in turn, provides more opportunity and growth for employees and job seekers.  Red states tend to discourage government regulation — not because they don’t want to be environmentally conscience or compliant (they do) — but because government regulation can be obsessively overbearing and restricting.  As witnessed all over the United States and here in western Pennsylvania, our cap and trade policies continue to hinder our ability to access and use the energy resources available right here for us, thus tightening our reliance on other countries and prohibiting job growth in our already job-challenged areas (like western Pennsylvania).  Here, in western Pennsylvania, we have both the natural resources AND a ready-to-go workforce able to harvest these resources, but our cap and trade policies have sadly paralyzed us.

For too long, Republicans have been lumped together into this seemingly apathetic group of selfish, money-hungry businessman who back big, Corporate America and the injustices we’ve recently experienced on Wall Street.  Nothing is further from the truth!  We are angry and we demand accountability, too; however we don’t believe accountability should come in a way which will completely snuff out entrepreneurship and our system of capitalism, here, in America.

Traditionally, our “blue” (Democrat) states have higher unemployment rates, lower wages, and they support labor/trade union memberships (as part of employment).  Unions, in the past, were once very respectable “for the blue-collar, working man” type entities which helped to identify and correct mishaps and inequalities in the workplace; however, I think most would agree some unions have evolved into unrecognizable “political monsters” which now are directly involved in our elections (much alike the special interest groups the Republicans are almost always accused of bedding with).  Unions are a big factor in the inability of blue states to bring new businesses to their areas and create jobs.  The threat of lawsuits and the difficulties associated with working with unions often prevent businesses from moving forth in a positive and productive way (and many employees face harsh repercussions if they do not back unions and their agendas).  Lastly, blue states generally favor higher taxes, government funding, and lots of regulation and oversight.  All of these factors are proven job killers.

I challenge you to do some research on your own and “google” employment and business information for both our red states and blue states.  Regardless of your party affiliation, I think you will find some valuable truths out there for your careful contemplation.  The Debt Weight Scorecard from Forbes.com provides some interesting facts about how unfiscally responsible our blue states are compared to our red states (This, too, plays into how well we create and sustain jobs over the long run.).  Of course there will be anomalies with some blue states fairing better than some red states, but the general rule of thumb will show that red states promote more opportunity overall.  The United States Department of Labor has a revised list of unemployment rates, by state, available for your review, as well (last modified May 21, 2010).

*Regarding the labor statistics — We don’t truly know how many are unemployed (or in my case, under-employed), or who have simply given up on finding employment because our labor statistics are based upon criteria the White House deems important and relevant.  I’m not confident that the numbers available are truly accurate (and we don’t know how these numbers are calculated).  I tend to think the actual unemployment rates are much more grim!

As we prepare to vote this fall, keep in mind where you reside.  Are you living in a “red” or “blue” state?  If you’re living in a blue state (like me), take a hard look at your state’s leadership and political environment.  Is your leadership supporting job-killing policies?  The facts are the facts.  It’s time we take this information to the polls with us in November and select the candidate(s) who can best help us to CREATE JOBS and reignite the American dream once again.  We need to carefully study our red states and their strategies and plans… and apply THEIR successful business and job-creating approaches (both on a state and national level)!

For us in the 12th congressional district, our “best” candidate is Tim Burns (Republican).  I’m liking RED!  What about YOU?!

“He isn’t one of us” (Tim Burns)… You’re right!

Published on May 24, 2010 in Fresh Brew. 5 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , .

I’m absolutely mystified I’m hearing that some (who didn’t vote for Tim Burns on May 18th) chose to NOT vote for him because he IS a successful businessman.  What?!  This doesn’t make a bit of sense to me; however, this seems to be the overall theme today — If you’ve worked hard and made something of yourself, you’ll be penalized and condemned for it.  It’s as plain and simple as that.

We all know that the Democrats target and seemingly advocate for the “regular working man,” but why have we allowed the media and Washington to continually portray Republicans as the money-hungry, “all for special interests” type?   As I’ve said before, we’re wrongly generalizing an entire group of people based on a few bad apples, and let’s face it — there are “bad apples” on both sides of the political fence, friends.  I, for one, prefer to have a leader who will challenge me and encourage me to be more than I am — not just prolong our government-funded contracts or “life support” here.  But see that’s the difference.  When you’re challenged and encouraged, something is expected in return (on our part)… and that’s why it’s just so much easier to pick the candidate who will deliver FOR US and TO US (not EQUIP US to do for ourselves).  I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to just exist here on “life support” any longer; I want TO LIVE and PROSPER!  The Democratic way seems to be more of the same “We’ll take care of you” attitude, while Tim Burns and the Republican idea is “We’ll help to equip you for better days.”  Do you just want to exist (more of the same here)?  Or do you want a more promising future for you and your family?  It’s time we face the truth, friends, and it’s time we admit that our apathy and conformance to the political “establishment” here has put us in this dire position.  Enough!

We have become a nation who regularly puts down and condemns those who work hard (from the ground up) to get where they are today.  Somehow, we’ve been led to believe these hardworking people have somehow “cheated the system” or have had things “handed to them.”  Yes, this may be true for some — but not all.

The Obama administration is determined to “spread the wealth” which may sound great to some, but what does it really mean?!  This radical, socialist concept will negatively level the playing field for us on so many immeasurable levels.  In regards to a worldly view, we’re already not fairing well for many reasons and just recently, President Obama wrongly implied we are no more great than the other countries of this world.  What?!  More disturbing yet — this week, a leader of another country stood on the floor of Congress and put down our governing policies (and our country) with a standing ovation from our own elected officials.  Very disturbing indeed!

For us locally here in the States, leveling the playing field or “spreading the wealth” will provide little to NO INCENTIVE for our future generations to work hard and make something of themselves.  If we’re going to completely level the playing fields for all, we really don’t have to do anything on OUR END, do we?  We just have to simply exist.  That’s it.  For some who already rely on welfare and the government, this is like another guaranteed paid vacation, but for the rest of us, it will be another slap in the face for our hard work and dedication.  It promises even more deductions from our already overly-taxed paychecks.  I don’t know about you, but I want to keep the money I make AND EARN!  I’m trying to raise a family, too.  As someone who regularly participates in community service opportunities and donates my time and money, I feel I already do what I need to do (as a responsible citizen).  What (and how much) I choose to donate and give is between myself and God — not the government.

Why try to encourage our children to do well and be the best they can be?  If we cease to reward individuals for their hard work (with promotions, wage/salary increases, and just the joy of knowing you’ve reached your personal, professional, and financial goals), the average and perhaps lazy “Joe Smoe” can virtually DO NOTHING and get the same as the rest of us.  In that case, why would the hardworking citizens continue to work hard and give THEIR BEST?!  Our hard work ethic will simply become extinct.  Without some kind of drive, goal(s), or the simple joys associated with rewarded accomplishments, we will fail (on so many levels).  If you don’t believe me, you need to study the history of the Soviet Union, friends.

When I hear people from this area tell me they didn’t vote for Tim Burns because they feel he “wasn’t one of us” and “he’s a snobby millionaire,” I get extremely frustrated (and alarmed).  I DO AGREE that “Tim isn’t one of us” from the standpoint he’s a very hardworking individual with courage and a fire in his heart which MANY OF US, unfortunately, LACK.  Tim Burns started his own business in the basement of his home, persevered, and he hired 400 employees for a very successful venture.  Tim represents the true American dream, and to hold his success against him is just plain inexcusable.  Tim had the drive and the courage to do something many of the rest of us could not (or would not).  He took a chance, worked hard, and succeeded.  To twist it into something else is completely inappropriate and it shows how sad we’ve become as a people and nation when we bitterly put down someone (like Tim) because WE simply just didn’t have what it takes to “get it done” (like him).  Shame on us.

Western Pennsylvania was once driven by a hardworking middle class of blue-collar, industrial workers and immigrants who gave their blood, sweat, and tears to make this area great.  At one time, we were one of the most successful steel production areas of the country and the world!  Somehow, we’ve exchanged our hardworking history and mentality for the “gimme” attitude and we’ve allowed the spirit of the American Dream to die within our hearts here.  Somehow, we’ve been led to believe that WE CAN’T do better (and this is from the very Democratic officials who have “ruled” this area for so long).  We’ve built our own brick walls separating us from success, and we’ve become almost completely dependent on government-funded contracts for our primary existence.  Now, we are at the mercy of Washington and other citizen’s tax monies (and the people of western Pennsylvania are looked down upon because of this, and so we’ve become known as the area of “pork privilege”).  Shame on us.  I often wonder what our hard-working ancestors and immigrants would say if they could see us now…?!   Somehow I just don’t believe they would be pleased to know they worked so hard for us so we would become so dependent on someone else — the government.

Thank God Tim Burns “isn’t one of us” in regards to how we think and respond to life’s circumstances.  Thank God Tim Burns has demonstrated what WE CAN DO with the right attitude, hard work, and perseverance.  We have the power to make this area great again, and we have a proven leader, Tim Burns, who can help us to realize our best here.  But we have to be willing to take a chance, work hard, and stop this “What can he (the government) do FOR ME?” attitude.  Rather, we need to ask ourselves what WE CAN DO for western Pennsylvania, friends!  Perhaps WE HAVE become an area which is comfortable taking hand-outs… I hope and pray not, but time will tell.  For those who insist May 18th’s election was about local issues and not national, that may be true — for you.  If that’s the case, I challenge you to take a step back and look at the bigger picture because it truly is bigger than just western Pennsylvania, friends.  The upcoming mid-term elections are important BOTH locally and nationally; it’s about stopping this extremely liberal government from destroying the essential foundations of our country:  faith, freedom, and the American Dream.

Don’t forget: The Obama administration is now in hot water for reportedly offering Representative Joe Sestak (Democrat, PA) a fancy job had he dropped out of the Democratic primary (Joe Sestak declined and recently bumped out long-time Senator and White House favorite, Arlen Specter.).  Is this “politics as usual” stuff something you want “more of the same” of?!  The corruption continues on, folks!  The Democratic party will continue to “eat their own” to preserve their power and influence.  How can they be “looking out for us” or “the working man” when they’re clearly looking out for themselves FIRST?!  Wake up, dear friends!

Help us to turn things around this November (It’s not too late)… Vote for someone who has proven his leadership and business sense.  Vote for someone who believes the American Dream still lives here and WE CAN do it without the government’s assistance.  Vote for INTEGRITY and HONESTY (It truly starts here, friends.).  Vote for Tim Burns in November.