The turbulence in Tunisia and Egypt's incipient regime change are effective reminders that our constitutional system works – not because America's constitutions are written on very old paper, but because the concept of government established by “We The People” is voluntarily accepted by federal, state, and local government leaders who temporarily occupy leadership positions of trust.
America's leaders derive their just powers from the consent of the governed. When they fail to earn continued consent, they are summarily removed by impeachment, resign before impeachment, or are voted out of office by citizens (the “governed”). We learned the hard way that our union must be preserved based upon these concepts of freedom and responsibility, and that we cannot shirk our responsibility as citizens to monitor the actions of government, and to insist that government support and not interfere with our efforts to identify and achieve our best aspirations.
Words such as those from The Declaration of Independence — “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” — are the foundation that Americans accept as part of the contract by which consent of the governed is freely given.
Anarchy lurks whenever fear, and its fellow travelers, anger, hatred, suspicion, greed, and deceit, grip an electorate and its leaders.
As California legislators and local government legislative bodies grapple with budget worries, it is not in a public square where pelting rocks and shouting voices sort out budget choices. The crisis in other parts of the world where decisions cannot be made without force and threats of force is a good reminder for all of us to acknowledge that America and its political subdivisions are guided by written constitutions. Those leaders at the helms of the ships of state (federal, state and local) should be encouraged through informed, open and public dialogue to proceed with the peoples' business without fear of mobs or violence.
As to the state of our federal, state and local governments: budgetary compromises will be found, business will continue to recover, jobs will be created, new products will be invented and produced, the schools will stay open, and our children will blossom and develop into responsible citizens.
Our best advice, from the business community represented by the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, to those who captain our ships of state during these trying economic times — “steady as she goes.”
The economy will be the continuing focus during 2011. Cuts in the state budget will bring further stress to local governments that have already begun the delicate task of downsizing and reducing costs. There will be pressure to increase taxes (look for bond measures or voter-approved “fees” or limited term taxes). There will be pressure to increase fees of every sort. With one foot trying to find the gas pedal to speed up spending and jump-start the economy, government will forget that business provides the economic engine that drives taxes, and government will be tempted to slam on the taxes brakes. Revenues to the government only happen when revenues to business happens.
Taking more from business only throws a damper on the economic engine. The administration is calling on business leaders to stop hoarding capital and to start spending. That only happens when responsible business leaders feel that government will be supportive of business, not regulate or tax it out of business. Congressman Issa has asked business leaders to advise his office on government regulations or policies that are choking growth. He has also suggested that a tax cut on repatriating funds parked offshore if used to invest in new manufacturing and business infrastructure could prompt the flow of capital into the United States. His efforts in both respects should be applauded and supported.
America's leaders derive their just powers from the consent of the governed. When they fail to earn continued consent, they are summarily removed by impeachment, resign before impeachment, or are voted out of office by citizens (the “governed”). We learned the hard way that our union must be preserved based upon these concepts of freedom and responsibility, and that we cannot shirk our responsibility as citizens to monitor the actions of government, and to insist that government support and not interfere with our efforts to identify and achieve our best aspirations.
Words such as those from The Declaration of Independence — “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” — are the foundation that Americans accept as part of the contract by which consent of the governed is freely given.
Anarchy lurks whenever fear, and its fellow travelers, anger, hatred, suspicion, greed, and deceit, grip an electorate and its leaders.
As California legislators and local government legislative bodies grapple with budget worries, it is not in a public square where pelting rocks and shouting voices sort out budget choices. The crisis in other parts of the world where decisions cannot be made without force and threats of force is a good reminder for all of us to acknowledge that America and its political subdivisions are guided by written constitutions. Those leaders at the helms of the ships of state (federal, state and local) should be encouraged through informed, open and public dialogue to proceed with the peoples' business without fear of mobs or violence.
As to the state of our federal, state and local governments: budgetary compromises will be found, business will continue to recover, jobs will be created, new products will be invented and produced, the schools will stay open, and our children will blossom and develop into responsible citizens.
Our best advice, from the business community represented by the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, to those who captain our ships of state during these trying economic times — “steady as she goes.”
The economy will be the continuing focus during 2011. Cuts in the state budget will bring further stress to local governments that have already begun the delicate task of downsizing and reducing costs. There will be pressure to increase taxes (look for bond measures or voter-approved “fees” or limited term taxes). There will be pressure to increase fees of every sort. With one foot trying to find the gas pedal to speed up spending and jump-start the economy, government will forget that business provides the economic engine that drives taxes, and government will be tempted to slam on the taxes brakes. Revenues to the government only happen when revenues to business happens.
Taking more from business only throws a damper on the economic engine. The administration is calling on business leaders to stop hoarding capital and to start spending. That only happens when responsible business leaders feel that government will be supportive of business, not regulate or tax it out of business. Congressman Issa has asked business leaders to advise his office on government regulations or policies that are choking growth. He has also suggested that a tax cut on repatriating funds parked offshore if used to invest in new manufacturing and business infrastructure could prompt the flow of capital into the United States. His efforts in both respects should be applauded and supported.