The 2007-08 Farm Bill

According to the Washington Post, the Senate has just passed their version of the Farm Bill--a $10 billion increase in subsidies! How ridiculous is that? Where are they going to come up with the money? And how can we support farm subsidies at all, never mind $10 billion more?

There are three simple facts about the subsidies:
1. They create shortages in crucial areas like wheat, which have become less profitable as the market for ethanol has driven up prices for corn and other crops. This year we may face higher prices because of wheat shortages while we throw out billions of dollars worth of other crops. Makes sense, no?
2. They artificially raise market prices, especially when one of the largest ag producers in the world (the US) pays farmers to let their land sit idle or plant other more profitable crops. Simply put, prices should be determined by supply and demand, without any subsidies or other interference. (Although, admittedly, it is near impossible to eliminate all interference.) If there is demand for wheat there will be supply just the same.
3. The US usually leads by example--we are a great democratic republic--and we would do well to take initiative and eliminate subsidies because other countries would then be pressured to do the same. The US and EU have the largest ag subsidies and reducing them would do wonders for the global economy. There would not be any shortages, prices would be more stable and probably less inflationary.

Wake up people!

The economy IS doing fine

So here are the facts:
3Q GDP = 3.9%
2Q = 3.8%

Jobs report:
October: 166,000 gain
September: 96,000 gain
August: 93,000 gain

Other signs:
Booming tech sector with better than expected earnings for most companies.
Stable inflation (despite what I think were two unnecessary interest rate cuts by the Fed)

There are a lot more positive data as well. You tell me, are we in a recession? Are we headed that way? NO!

Even with the mortgage and credit "crises" the economy is dynamic. Let's be honest, a little correction was needed in those markets anyway, but that hasn't significantly slowed the US or global economies.

Now, if only I could find a job before I graduate.... :)

Republican Debate on CNBC

GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT!! That's really my biggest message to all candidates. I reiterate my point made multiple times on this blog -- let the markets work.

There is so much banter about how Michigan's lost manufacturing jobs is bad for the economy. In fact it is NOT. Manufacturing productivity has grown enormously over the past decade. Employment has fallen, but output has risen.
The problem we are now encountering is a lack of education - if we are to continue to prosper the entire population MUST be better educated. There would no problem whatsoever with employment decreases in manufacturing IF the country was prepared to be employed in the most important industries of today--high tech and others.

On another note: Tom Tancredo is a little off -- TRADE IS GOOD.

There may be more on this debate when I back from class.

Free trade is bad?

First off, no. Free trade is great. The manor in which we approach free trade is somewhat questionable. NAFTA, CAFTA, the WTO, and other agreements certainly have improved the flow of trade. However, they still represent government interference in global free trade - eliminating all tariffs and allowing market forces to truly set prices.
Today, the Wall Street Journal had a 'Page One' article entitled "Republicans Grow Skeptical On Free Trade." In the article were some disturbing figures - 54% of Democrats have called Free Trade Agreements bad. And the Journal continued by saying that 59% of Republicans call 'foreign trade' bad. The problem with trade is the manufacturing and other jobs that are moved overseas. WAKE UP PEOPLE! The reality is that because of new technology and other improvements, manufacturing has seen greater output with fewer employees. That means while there are fewer manufacturing jobs, goods produced are cheaper. Never mind the fact that there are thousands of new service jobs created every month.
In addition, the income gap is a concern among most Americans. If we open our borders to allow more highly skilled workers, we could actually lower the average wage of the highest paid individuals and possibly raise the wage of the lowest paid individuals. How's that for social welfare!

Markets, when unconstrained, will actually resolve many of the problems we think they create.

More Patriot Act good news

The Associated Press reports some good news about the Patriot Act. "Two provisions of the USA Patriot Act are unconstitutional because they allow search warrants to be issued without a showing of probable cause, a federal judge ruled Wednesday," according to the Associated Press.

This is good news. We might be getting some of our rights and liberties back! The Fourth Amendment is back after a Federal judge in Portland ruled that the government does not have the authority to supersede the Constitutional rights of Portland attorney Brandon Mayfield. (Mr. Mayfield was accused of plotting the Madrid train bombings in 2004.)

Fingers crossed for more good news in the future!

Iran ... a bit late

What do we have to fear in allowing him to speak? We know we have a better life here in America. We know we are better off with rights and freedoms. And by not allowing Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to speak, we would have (and maybe have by frankly insulting him in the introduction) furthered his dislike of America. We need a marketplace of ideas and his country needs it more. By allowing him to speak and visit the US, we had a golden opportunity to display what we are. We certainly did by allowing demonstrations and allowing the students and press to ask questions. This is the more skillful approach I think we ought to be using when it comes to diplomacy.
And for the record, I think the man is despicable; however, treating him like dirt, like he treats his people, sends a message that the US is no better than he.

The truth about the 2008 election

I just thought it was funny when I read today that Rudy Giuliani's first marriage was with his second cousin. Who'd have thought, but it's on Wikipedia. It must be true, haha.

Anyway, there was a Wall Street Journal column today* that linked to two Web sites aimed at bringing the truth to the many statements made by all of the presidential candidates. Both PolitiFact.com and FactCheck.org offer some useful insight into how politicians twist the truth and flat out lie. Although, they do sometimes tell the truth. FYI: I got the Giuliani info from PolitiFact.com.

*You will need a subscription to view this article. Sorry.

Joy-less Behar?

Neo-cons cover your eyes and ears. Or rather, OPEN THEM. Today, Joy Behar, of The View, commented about how republican presidential candidates conveniently have other engagements when invited to participate in debates focused on hispanic/latin and black issues. Specifically she joked that they must all be attending "Klan" meetings. I think it was a funny quip.
However, WABC Radio Talk Show Host, Curtis Sliwa had a different opinion. Here's what he said on Fox News's Hannity & Colmes:

SLIWA: Let me tell you — excuse me. She was an Italian-American princess, a limousine liberal who lives on the Left bank of the liberal progressive area of Manhattan where there are no black people.

COLMES: What does that have to do with this? What does this have to do with this?

SLIWA: And the neighborhood she grew up in, Alan — this is important.

COLMES: You're way off topic.

SLIWA: They used to run blacks out of the neighborhood with baseball bats!

He had nothing substantive to counter Behar's comment. It just goes to show you that Neo-cons are concerned with restricting personal liberties, seemingly counter to the pre-Reagan republican ideals. Hmm.

Besides the silly uproar, I do question the need for separate hispanic and black debates, but that may be my idealism that politicians should be able to communicate with and care about everyone equally. How could I ever think or want that? Haha.

Too many mosques in the US?

Representative King, from New York's Third District, represents a population of middle class Long Islanders, according to his official website. However, in an interview with the Politico, Rep. King said there are "too many mosques in this country." It would seem like the Representative would have other things to worry about -- ie. the economy, education system, etc. But indeed, when asked to clarify his statement he did not relent, instead insisting that there are radical Islamics in the US and one way to root them out is further investigations of mosques. Pardon me, but wouldn't this infringe on something called the FIRST AMENDMENT?
It seems to me that if we had better immigration laws, some of the fears of terrorist attacks would be abated. Then we could leave law abiding citizens to worship as they please.

Rep. King is one of the many ignorant politicians dominating DC lately. I, for one, am tired of it -- tired of Democrats and Republicans alike.

Sports

I just finished watching the Yankees defeat the Orioles. And with the Red Sox losing to the Blue Jays, the Yankees are only 1.5 games out of first place in the division. That was unthinkable at the onset of the season in April. We don't want to play the Angels, so it is important to grab the division.
Just amazing how well they are playing, and it certainly helps that they've got more consistency in the pitching department. It is almost safe to say that they've got the wild card locked up. Almost. I'll just hold back further comment until next week.

And just across town, the Mets are steadily giving up ground to the Phillies. They won tonight, so they've got a bit of a reprieve, but man they need to do something with the bullpen. It is interesting, when the season started, the Phillies were predicted to be a real contender in the East. No one knew that it would take this long though.

Jumping across the Hudson, I move onto the Giants. Big Blue. The G-men. The only nickname they deserve right now is "No-D" or "Carry us, Manning. Please!" All the while Coughlin tells the media that there are only minor tweaks necessary before Sunday's game. I don't quite think 'minor tweaks' will create even a 25th ranked defense at the rate they are playing. For years the focus was on building the offense, while neglecting the defense. The signs were clear from mid-season last year. It was time for Coughlin to go several months ago. And with the team on tap to have a losing record, the only one left to be replaced is the head coach.
Plus consider how out of touch and unambitious the defense was this past Sunday. Unless there is a magic spark, I don't know how the Giants can win more than 6 games this season. And this is despite the great show the offense put on against Dallas. 'Tis a shame.

No better time than the present ...

There have been some crazy things going on in this world. But why? Hopefully, I will be able to present some thought provoking ideas, comments, or otherwise facilitate discussion.
Let's get a couple of things out of the way immediately.
First, I consider myself to be very open minded, willing to see all points of view.
Second, I am a libertarian. While I do not always trust individuals to make the best decisions, I do believe that individuals have the right to do so.
Third, I currently work for the government, and intend to spend a decent amount of time within the government. There are several ways to approach a problem: ignore it, complain about it, or fix it. Hopefully I can help fix some of the many problems I see today.
Fourth, I fully acknowledge that this blog may not be a good way to get my career in DC started. Nonetheless, there are some things that just cannot be ignored.

So here I go ...