Government helps keep consumers safe
Even after years of a lassez faire ideology that allowed businesses to pillage the economy, the idea of government intervention makes a lot of Americans nervous. In a recent Gallup poll, a majority of respondents agreed with the statement that the government currently is “trying to do too many things that should be left to individuals and businesses.”
That response is partly due to essential elements of the American character, which celebrates independence, self-reliance and the pioneering spirit. It reveals a healthy strain that encourages creativity and overcome-the-odds resilience.
But the distrust of government is also due to a less healthy phenomenon — thirty years of government-bashing by conservative politicians and media personalities. Ronald Reagan’s mantra — government is the problem, not the answer — has become an all-serving ideology in certain precincts on the right.
Happily, none of that has interfered with a logical and long-needed restoration of government regulation in consumer products. While the controversies over major domestic policy initiatives — health care reform, regulation of Wall Street, an energy bill — have dominated headlines and airwaves, a small platoon of President Obama’s appointees have been quietly getting back in the business of regulating toys, swimming pool drains and herbal supplements, among many other items. Agencies such as the Consumer Product Safety Commission — which made placating industry its focus during the Bush years— are back in business.
The restoration of consumer protections didn’t come soon enough to save Americans victimized by tainted peanut butter, dangerous toys or pharmaceuticals pushed to market too soon. In recent months, hundreds of people were sickened — and several died — after they ate contaminated peanut butter produced in plants owned by Peanut Corp of America.
The peanut butter fiasco, like the Wall Street meltdown, was the result of an ideology which allowed corporate America to do pretty much as it pleased. Businesses were allowed to police themselves, a laughable concept that suggests business executives are exempt from the human foibles, like greed, that plague the rest of us.
The awakening of the federal regulatory apparatus comes after a tsunami of recalls of defective products, from cars to bunk beds. While a fiery August car crash that may have been caused by faulty floor boards has focused attention on Toyota’s massive recall of 3.8 million vehicles, many of the recalls have been aimed at children’s products. Unfortunately, recalls usually occur after users have been hurt, the classic case of closing the barn door too late.
Stricter federal regulations wouldn’t stop all defective products from reaching the market, of course, especially if the manufacturer is unaware of any danger. And even with a White House that favors regulation, consumer-safety agencies will find it tough to keep up with all the imports made in countries such as China, which have few safety laws. But tough standards and more inspections would probably make manufacturers more cautious, serving as insurance against those who break the rules intentionally.
That was the case with the now-defunct Peanut Corp. of America. According to the Food and Drug administration, plant officials knew that some of their peanut butter was contaminated with salmonella but sold it anyway. They had a financial incentive to do so, but fear of getting caught may have caused them to re-run the cost-benefit analysis.
Conservatives would argue that officials of the company will pay a price anyway since they have been targeted in criminal investigations and civil lawsuits. But wouldn’t it have been better to try to prevent the illnesses and deaths that followed salmonella poisoning?
Most Americans would, I think, answer “yes” to that. The reflexive distrust of government doesn’t hold up when Americans are asked about government programs from which they benefit. How many seniors upset about “socialized” medicine would give up Medicare?
What kind of response would a pollster get if he/she posed the following question: Should the government impose regulations to protect you from defective products? I’d bet on overwhelming support for that proposition.
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© 2009 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
136 comments Add your comment
Huckabee The Next POTUS 2012
October 23rd, 2009
5:15 pm
Yeah, cindy loo who but who’s gonna save us from obozo? While I have the floor, when is the gov’t going to send me some replacement eyes. Mine were ruined the last time that u–gly meeshell obozo was on tv. That thing as first lady make rosy-lynn carter look like Jackie O. Ohhh the pain.
Bicycles
October 23rd, 2009
5:29 pm
I don’t understand your references. Wasn’t the FDA in place when peanuts became contaminated? If it was a private entity certifying the quality of a product that the market drove, we would all be better off. It would provide real results (no tainted peanut butter) and the purchasers of the end product would be paying for the certification, not the tax payers.
Jack
October 23rd, 2009
5:38 pm
Most liberals would bet on overwhelming support for anything the government regulates.
jt
October 23rd, 2009
6:14 pm
I would rather the federal government leave my peanut butter alone and pay attention to one of the FEW things that they are supposed to do.
Control our borders.
For every 1 tainted peanut victim, there is probably 10,000 victims of gangs, drugs, and DUIs caused by illegal aliens.
Woodrow
October 23rd, 2009
6:55 pm
I’m sorry Cynthia, I must have missed it. Where exactly in the constitution of the United States are the FDA, CPSC and all those other lovely items referenced? Nowhere? Gee, color me surprised.
godless heathen
October 23rd, 2009
8:09 pm
The trouble is that most consumers (and liberal journalists) have little knowledge about how things are made or done in the real world. Anyone who has ever dealt with Federal Regulators knows that when you regulate from the Federal level, protection of the citizens and workers soon becomes secondary to enforcing weird rules.
I agree regulation is a legitimate function of government, it is after all, law enforcement, but it is more effectively done on lower levels than the Feds.
E.J. Jones
October 23rd, 2009
8:14 pm
It appears that this is just another jab at conservatives. Do a simple search on her name and one of the first things that comes up is “news busters” in which MISS Cyth states that not everyone can agree on the facts when publishing.
Well, I guess she omitted a few facts here, knowing her personality and hate for old people whom she stated as being greedy.
Kamchak
October 23rd, 2009
8:36 pm
What kind of response would a pollster get if he/she posed the following question: Should the government impose regulations to protect you from defective products? I’d bet on overwhelming support for that proposition.
It’s not just food products. The same point could be made concerning the financial products constructed from sub-prime mortgages and sold as AAA rated investments.
Glass-Steagall was enacted in 1933 to protect the financial industry from themselves. It was repealed in 1999 and since then the banking industry took ever greater risks chasing higher profits.
Hard Right Hook
October 23rd, 2009
9:25 pm
“Even after years of a lassez faire ideology that allowed businesses to pillage the economy……”
“Pillage:” The act of looting or plundering, especially in war.”
So if I go into any store, and exchange money for a good or service, I’ve been pillaged?
How absolutley absurd. Only chronic opiate abuse can cause dysfunctional thinking like this.
Pablo
October 23rd, 2009
10:43 pm
Cynthia:
Please tell me you are joking…
If you take a good look at the whole situation, you will realize that over the years there are a myriad of things the Federal Government under both Republican and Democratic administrations has decided that it must do to protect us folk from ourselves, and make us dependent upon government more and more. That is, in all practicality, a very stealthy form of tiranny.
Our Founding Fathers would be very dismayed and disappointed to see what their experiment of Freedom has become. I tend to believe that when people behave in stupid ways, they end up hurt, and hopefully they learn from the experience and do not behave in the same manner again. I have done it myself before, and I have decided not to do the same mistakes again. It also goes without saying that when career politicians force sectors of our Nation to do things that are completely absurd under the threat of force from the government, bad things happen. Does the mortgage industry meltdown rings any bells? Ask the career politicians who forced the completely irresponsible lending upon banks how can they sleep at night (but that would require a conscience, wouldn’t it?).
But returning to the “protection” the intrusive type of government you seem to favor, it has forced things in the products we buy that pretty much are absurd. “Remove product from packaging and wrapper before consuming” is an example that comes to mind. Compliance with some of the asinine regulations imposed by government is also an indirect tax on all consumers, who end up paying for the costs of products and services produced in an environment that is at best, difficult.
Truth is that behind all of the push for “protection” of the public from evil products, or the push for “health reform” or “greater stability and security” career politicians are trying to shove down the throats of the citizens of this Nation, is their insatiable desire for power.
Yes, Cynthia, government IS the problem. Had the career politicians stuck with the Constitution, we would not have the type of problems we are having today.
TnGelding
October 23rd, 2009
11:28 pm
It’s a shame that regulation is needed. Where is our integrity? Why would anyone knowingly put a defective product on the market? Is money the only thing that matters to us?
clyde
October 24th, 2009
5:19 am
It is the government’s job to protect us against all enemies,both foreign and domestic,and anyone knowingly selling salmonella laced peanut butter is an enemy.The government of China has executed people that knowingly sold contaminated milk to the public.The people in charge of Peanut Corp are still living.
Madison
October 24th, 2009
5:54 am
Remember, this president is trying to protect us from Fox news.
Eddy
October 24th, 2009
7:25 am
The Securities and Exchange Commission, a gov’t agency, was in place with Madoff plus the bank meltdown. Is this an example you’d like to cite as the gov’t protecting us?
I have a dream
October 24th, 2009
7:28 am
CT, you’re a government junkie! You can’t walk, talk, think, take care of yourself and your family without the governments help. You are a suckling on the tit of government rules and regulations. In your mind, all of the worlds ill’s can be resolved by a government program. Not so, and until you and the rest of the government junkies understand that your health and well being is not based on the government and how well they take care of you, but instead personal accountability and sensibility then you will continue to look at Obama, Bush, Clinton, Reagan etc. as your savior or lack of a savior.
Michael
October 24th, 2009
7:51 am
In the case of the PCA and tainted peanut butter, the FDA is shielding this CEO from being prosecuted by the states. He should have been in a state prison by now awaiting trial for manslaughter. But no the FDA will most likely charge him with some lame civil crime with no jail time.
MAC
October 24th, 2009
8:21 am
The government provides some essential services but they are being grossly overpaid for it. Where is that pay czar? A 90 percent cut seems warranted for lousy performance and incentives that create systemic risk for the enrichment of a few.
MikeB
October 24th, 2009
8:53 am
You are wrong (no surprise there) Ms. Tucker. Ronald Reagan was correct (mostly) Government need not be the enemy, but the public it serves needs to have some degree of faith that the endevors it undertakes will have success and conclude at some point.
Government need not be the all things to all people oligarchy that Mr. Obama, and his administration are attempting to turn it into.
He needs to pay attention to the people in this country that pay taxes, and support them, while developing programs and expectations for those who are not so that they will………. Pay taxes? Get to vote……… Don’t pay taxes? No vote for you (unless you are a senior citizen over 65 jmho)
Lastly trust……… has Mr. Obama and his adminstration proven that they can be trusted?
- I don’t remember any prior administration having so many appointee’s with tax trouble…… The audacity this adminstration has to promote people like this to those positions and expect American taxpayers to look the other way.
-What about the way Obama has NBC CNN, and other news outlets in his pocket, but yet he spins that we should be outraged that FOX has a more conservative slant on news and events? I have never seen a President spend as much time trying to cancel out opposing views (and get so much support from the media to accomplish it). Not an activity that instills a whole lot of confidence that he will be successful accomplishing anything but tit for tat bs.
- How about acting presedential………… Sure he has ideas( I would not call them policies as the verbage has not turned into action for the most part), that I don’t care for. Fine. But this every other month on David Letterman? Please………. We have more important things to do in this country than spending $300k so that Obama and his staff can fly up to NYC bow to a cheat of another kind, and have a night on the town. The ego stroke he gets from shutting down Manhattan should be exposed for what it is…….
The onething I am thankful for is, if President Obama had real, credible private sector experience before taking office, he
MikeB
October 24th, 2009
8:55 am
may have accomplished more of his warped agenda then ha has to date……… I guess you could say……………Thank God for inexperience. This one time at least….
Jessica
October 24th, 2009
9:49 am
The problem is that if you give any government too much power, you will eventually find that you need protection from that government. You may be protected from everyone and everything else, but you will have traded your rights for that sense of security.
As our founding fathers were well aware, government is a necessary evil; we can’t do without it, but too much of it is toxic to our whole society. If you are willing to blindly trust your leaders, you are not living up to your responsibility as a citizen.
Our elected officials and the bureaucrats they put in place are imperfect people, just like the ones who run all those companies you don’t trust, and they need to be watched just as closely. On second thought, they need to be watched MORE closely, because their decisions and actions have the weight of the law behind them.
Atlanta Native
October 24th, 2009
9:58 am
“What kind of response would a pollster get if he/she posed the following question: Should the government impose regulations to protect you from defective products? I’d bet on overwhelming support for that proposition.”
I am all for government regulating that’s its job!
Who will regulate the government when it becomes the primary supplier of health care? How will they fire the incompetent, since their jobs are a property right?
Government as regulator is always preferable to government as supplier.
therese persaud
October 24th, 2009
10:16 am
WISH YOU POSTERS COULD EXPERIENCE THE BENEFITS OF GOVT HEALTH CARE PROVIDED BY ENGLAND , FRANCE , CANADA AND OTHER PEOPLE ORIENTED NATIONS !!!! OH BUT YOU WOULD DAMN THE EXPERIENCE ANYWAY AS THE ‘LAZY BUMS ‘ SEEM TO BE GETTING WHAT THEY DON’T DESERVE , DON’T THEY?? GOOD OL’ AMERICAN SELFISH VALUES AT WORK I’SAY!!
dewstarpath
October 24th, 2009
10:49 am
- It’s interesting to note on this forum that the conservative
posters on this forum don’t realize that the very medium
they are voicing their opinions on would not exist BUT FOR
the US government. The modern internet came about as a
result of an “experiment” (as Pablo calls it, referring to the
Declaration of Independence (!)) conducted at the behest
of ARPA, a government agency. Many of the microchip
fabrication companies of the 1970s were also defense
contractors. Most of those chipsets went into the products
that were the precursors of the modern PC – in other words,
the very device you are typing on.
Hypocrisy towards the role of government in the lives of
Americans or bias towards a particular party is NOT the
actions of a patriot. Improving the system of government
to work for all americans is. If the fringe right were REALLY
as independent or self-sufficient as they would have all of
us believe, WHY WOULD THEY BE WHINING ABOUT
“HEALTHCARE” ? WHY WOULD THE CARE WHO THE
PRESIDENT IS ? AND WHY WOULD THEY EVEN BE
ON THIS FORUM, OR THE INTERNET IN GENERAL ?
booger
October 24th, 2009
10:49 am
Same song over and over again….Cynthia should be charged with bait and switch. An interesting sounding headlines deteriorates into a conservative bashing rant within the first few lines.
Tommy Msddox
October 24th, 2009
11:05 am
Same old bologna – it’s Regan’s and those white Republicans’ fault.
Ric Spratlin
October 24th, 2009
11:18 am
Still waiting on Cynthia to tell us all the answer to one simple question. Please name one Government run agency the makes a profit?
chris broe
October 24th, 2009
11:26 am
Reagan did have a great line about government being the problem. That line appeals to our collective sense of liberty. Off the man! F big brother! Yeah!
chris broe
October 24th, 2009
11:28 am
The peanut butter scandal proves that Americans cant trust their inner Peter Pan.
Spartann
October 24th, 2009
11:31 am
Dear Ms. Cindy-Lou… True you are an acquired taste, but being POed at you is far better than taking a swig of Geritol……
I’m sure you’re not through hurling mud down Midland, Texas way… but you need to get off the mound for a while.. I’m up now, and I’m gonna fire off some spit balls at Lil Rock, Harlem, or Chappaqua. I’ll find him, where ever the hell he is. Ain’t no secret, Bubba is hard to keep tabs on … Go ask Hillary if you don’t believe me.
Brooksley E. Born and 1998, does that name and date ring a bell??? I’d think loud and clear if you truly merit the Pulitzer you were given….. Now Ms. Born, you will recall, was the head of the CFTC. Given the task to police the derivatives market, she discovered corruption back in 1997 and blew the whistle before Congress in 1998. Her efforts fell on deaf ears. You can thank the testimony of Rubin, Summers, Greenspan and Geithner for that royal bush wacking . Imagine that, members of the Clinton Administration sacrificing Brooksley so the money train wouldn’t crash. Eight years of your boy Bill & Co. wasn’t the road to nirvana the Left would have us believe.
Pablo
October 24th, 2009
12:06 pm
Dewstarpath:
Please re-read my post. You will notice that I hold BOTH Republicans and Democrats in the same level of contempt. Also, I do recognize that there are some functions that are best left to the government (i.e., National Defense), but the truth of the matter is that the government has stopped doing the things that it should do (well) to get into areas that free people behaving responsibly accomplish best.
Also, please note that career politicians are the ones that at some point start believing that since they have been for some time warming a chair in a government office somewhere they know all the answers and they hold all the keys, and therefore, they feel they are also above being accountable for their actions. I really doubt many of those politicians could survive a day in the private sector. Actually, we should vote them all out in next year’s elections, to watch and laugh as they try to survive in the real world where free people work for a living. I would bring my camcorder out for that.
And, yes, there are many things like the Internet, LASERs, Hummers, computers, jet engines and many other great products that were created or developed under some level or other of government action, but as you correctly point out, they were developed primarily by PRIVATE contractors. Furthermore, private sector forces ultimately made these products widely available to the general population. Remember: an elephant is a mouse made to government specifications.
The point you raise is valid insofar that there is some level of government that is necessary for the good of society. The problem arises when the government decides it must do and be everything for everyone, and the lazy and ignorant amongst us welcome that tyranny with open arms.
Finally, there are many things that can and should be done to improve the way government does things. Raising questions about how the government operates is patriotic. In truly free societies, the government is afraid of its citizens, not the other way around. And it is sad that a part of our population joins the chorus of the career politicians in seeing more government as the only solution to all the problems there are.
And, after all, whining about anything is a purely for the lazy and the ignorant. Truly free people will note the problem, asses it, see possible alternatives and implement the alternative that best address the issue without infringing upon the individual’s rights and liberties. Had the Republicans followed this simple principle instead of doing what they did the last 8 years, they would still be in power.
Have a great weekend.
Ward
October 24th, 2009
12:26 pm
More regulation means nothing if it isn’t enforced. We have laws upon laws upon laws piled up that aren’t enforced because of incompetence, confusion, favoritism and outright corruption. Every instance you cite has an agency already in place to deal with it. Further regulations only serve as handy campaign points and photo ops.
booger
October 24th, 2009
12:30 pm
Spartaan,
Not to mention the new improved “community reinvestment act” signed by Clinton. This provided the fodder, with taxpayer money, for all the wall street games Cynthia so decries. It’s also worth a reminder that if people who bought houses had paid their bills, There would not be a problem.
MikeB
October 24th, 2009
12:33 pm
Dew……. Ideas and experimentation is one thing… I will agree that the U.S. Govt. and their entities has had many of both………… Turning those ideas into viable, successful innovative entities that are beneficial to all citizens vs. the small group of original users, is no way the U.S. Govt. strong suit.
Private commercial enterprise is the only place consistent innovation occurs. After all the Governments around the world have been struggling with corruption and influence peddling since the dawn of time, and they still have not been able to develop methods to beat it.
If companies don’t defeat their demons they are supposed to die (Its what AIG Chrysler and GM should have done, but lets not go their now) When Govt’s don’t succeed, they just get in the habit of raising taxes………… A method of “passing the buck”.
Govt. may start the dance with an idea, but they are rarely able to see that idea through to successful fruition without the private sector stepping in and taking over. That is the truth.
Sam
October 24th, 2009
12:34 pm
Why do black folks type in ALL CAPS. Can that be regulated somehow?
Patrick
October 24th, 2009
12:42 pm
The only people who comment on editorials are people that are incapable of forming their own opinions. This person’s entire job is to be “controversial” so you people will read her column and argue and fight. This so called “journalist” doesn’t care if you agree or disagree. She only cares that you read her column so she can keep her job. You people are really a very sad group.
And to clarify, I am commenting on the pathetic losers that comment on editorials, not the editorial itself. There is a difference.
Mark
October 24th, 2009
1:36 pm
Tucker simply proves the ignorance of the liberal left.
TnGelding
October 24th, 2009
1:49 pm
Ric Spratlin
October 24th, 2009
11:18 am
The IRS!
The FDIC. There are probably other smaller ones as well that operate off of fees.
TMFarr2000
October 24th, 2009
2:13 pm
The comment by Huckabee the next POTUS in 20012 was just another indicator of the right wing’s inability to deal with reality as it exists. And to insult the First Lady on the basis of looks is beyond the pale of rational behavior. You guy’s LOST, deal with it! The American public was, and IS, tired of your divisive, mean-spirited, scurrilous attacks that have more to do with your own lack of intelligence than with any shortcoming of the attackee! Get a life, you dimwit. If Huckabee is the next POTUS, the Secret Service will be looking for me!
Mark
October 24th, 2009
2:17 pm
TMFarr2000 is another example of the illiterate left. Keep drinking the koolaid, mindless fool.
Shananeeeeee Fananeeeeeeee
October 24th, 2009
3:05 pm
The First Lady was on Leno last night and I was wondering if she gets a list of the questions being asked in advance like the President does?
Joan
October 24th, 2009
3:18 pm
Well, I have read the comments and certainly agree with most of them. Cyn, you are losing in the polls–big time. And about government regulating–well, it sure makes a lot of rules, but if it were capable of actually enforcing them I might agree with you on some things. But, when the rules are bent so that people like Barney Frank, and Dodd can line their pockets–well, so much for rules. You said it yourself: “The awakening of the federal regulatory apparatus comes after a tsunami of recalls”–why wasn’t it awake before????
Linda
October 24th, 2009
3:37 pm
It was NOT “lassez faire ideology that allowed businesses to pillage the economy.” The Wall St. meltdown was NOT “the result of an ideology which allowed Corp. America to do pretty much as it pleased” & businesses were NOT “allowed to police themselves.”
The world-wide economic recession was CAUSED by our government regulation!!!!!
The US had the best real estate financial market in the world. All a buyer had to do was have a job, save & sacrifice for a down payment & pay his or her bills on time. The government decided that was not fair, that home ownership was a right, not a privilege & regulated the banks & mortgage companies to grant loans to anyone who breathed. Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac were mandated by our govt & given quotas for Affordable Housing. Loans made to buyers with no income, no money, bad credit & initial teaser rates were bundled with prime loans & sold on Wall St. & all over the world. Only an idiot or a politician would have not seen disaster on the horizon.
old91A10
October 24th, 2009
3:46 pm
Cynthia serves up another Obama special:
2 Crap Sandwiches on steamy buns with extra Mao
Side order of Flies
Large Sour Pickle
ky-Jelly Roll
Tall glass of Kewl-aid
Being a Recovering Demoholic, I’ll have to pass.
Pogo
October 24th, 2009
3:48 pm
Cynthia is full of………. She says years of Republican’s critsizing the government resulted in “distrust”. No, years and years of government mis-management of everything that comes into their hands is the reason Americans don’t like the government. Even the much touted “successes” like Medicare, Social Security and the Military are fiscal failures on a very large scale because of mis-management. Government bureaucracy is a cancer. Cytnthia, do you take pills to make you so deluded or are you just so damn bitter you can’t function outside of your self-imposed political paranoia?
Badger
October 24th, 2009
4:29 pm
Sadly Ms. Tucker you should and your socialist ilk are the cause of whats happening to this country.. Remember a line from the movie V for Vendetta….”The Government should be afraid of the People, The People should not be afraid of the Government” Sadly that truism has faded recently but with the idiocy of Obama that same truism is beginning to glow again.
I have a dream
October 24th, 2009
5:15 pm
I revise my previous comment, not only is CT a big government junkie, so are most of the posters on the thread.
Defend and protect against foreign enemies, not Peanut Butter and Wall Street Cronies.
Codependency is treatable!!
Ray
October 24th, 2009
5:29 pm
Collectivist Tucker keeps talking about seniors unhappy with socialized medicine, but not willing to
give up their medicare. The truth is that the money was extorted from seniors for years and most seniors feel they paid for it, so of course they don’t won’t to give it up. Also, If Tucker thinks government regulations and power are so wonderful what does she think of racial segregation laws that were enforced by government. Why doesn’t Tucker find a country where everything is controlled by the government. She can move there and be happy.
John
October 24th, 2009
7:19 pm
Cynthia, I’d love to write an witty analysis of your column that would steal you away from your misguided liberal ways. But, alas, I fear it’s too late for you. You’ve drank the Kool-Aid, and now you must spend your days in a morass of self-loathing and liberal guilt. Too bad.
ldogg
October 24th, 2009
7:32 pm
WOW, you have ONE example for your arguement??? How about the postal service, they constantly have to raise their stamp prices to compete with; UPS, FED EX, e-mail and fax!!!! Okay, how bout that health care you libs want sooo much, just look at any VA hospital and that should scare the hell out of you!!!
clyde
October 24th, 2009
7:45 pm
Patrick @12:42,
We happily welcome you,our newest member,to the “unable to form an opinion group”.Want to be our leader?????
TnGelding
October 24th, 2009
8:04 pm
Linda
October 24th, 2009
3:37 pm
That’s simply not true. It wasn’t the governmnet, but the loan originators, that accepted any and all.
From the FDIC:
SEC. 802. (a) The Congress finds that–
(1) regulated financial institutions are required by law to demonstrate that their deposit facilities serve the convenience and needs of the communities in which they are chartered to do business;
(2) the convenience and needs of communities include the need for credit services as well as deposit services; and
(3) regulated financial institutions have continuing and affirmative obligation to help meet the credit needs of the local communities in which they are chartered.
(b) It is the purpose of this title to require each appropriate Federal financial supervisory agency to use its authority when examining financial institutions, to encourage such institutions to help meet the credit needs of the local communities in which they are chartered consistent with the safe and sound operation of such institutions.
TnGelding
October 24th, 2009
8:06 pm
Pogo
October 24th, 2009
3:48 pm
The Pentagon is the best and biggest example of that bureaucracy.
TnGelding
October 24th, 2009
8:13 pm
Badger
October 24th, 2009
4:29 pm
Just exactly what do you fear? That your neighbor might be able to go to the hospital without fear of bankruptcy? That we’re reengaged in the world and admired once again? That we’re not afraid to talk to our enemies? That GDP is growing again? That conservation and clean energy are in vogue? That we’ve refocused on eliminating the threat from al Qaeda? That an attempt was made to save GM and Chrysler from filing bankruptcy and save American jobs? That yuor unemployed neighbor is receiving extended benefits?
TnGelding
October 24th, 2009
8:17 pm
ldogg
October 24th, 2009
7:32 pm
Ever heard of inflation?
Eliiminate junk mail and the USPS is history. It served the country well during its heyday.
Kamchak
October 24th, 2009
8:47 pm
The government decided that was not fair, that home ownership was a right, not a privilege & regulated the banks & mortgage companies to grant loans to anyone who breathed. Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac were mandated by our govt & given quotas for Affordable Housing. Loans made to buyers with no income, no money, bad credit & initial teaser rates were bundled with prime loans & sold on Wall St. & all over the world.
This is wrong on many levels.
Banks are regulated, mortgage companies–nope.
And mortgage brokers, who also weren’t subject to federal regulation or the CRA, originated most of the subprime loans.
And Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac? They don’t make loans– they are in the secondary market.
Between 2004 and 2006, when subprime lending was exploding, Fannie and Freddie went from holding a high of 48 percent of the subprime loans that were sold into the secondary market to holding about 24 percent, according to data from Inside Mortgage Finance, a specialty publication. One reason is that Fannie and Freddie were subject to tougher standards than many of the unregulated players in the private sector who weakened lending standards, most of whom have gone bankrupt or are now in deep trouble.
During those same explosive three years, private investment banks — not Fannie and Freddie — dominated the mortgage loans that were packaged and sold into the secondary mortgage market. In 2005 and 2006, the private sector securitized almost two thirds of all U.S. mortgages, supplanting Fannie and Freddie, according to a number of specialty publications that track this data.
Even at their highest rate, they only held 48% of these loans. And if you want to bring up the evil Community Reinvestment Act–
What’s more, only commercial banks and thrifts must follow CRA rules. The investment banks don’t, nor did the now-bankrupt non-bank lenders such as New Century Financial Corp. and Ameriquest that underwrote most of the subprime loans.
These private non-bank lenders enjoyed a regulatory gap, allowing them to be regulated by 50 different state banking supervisors instead of the federal government. And mortgage brokers, who also weren’t subject to federal regulation or the CRA, originated most of the subprime loans.
Reason
October 24th, 2009
9:14 pm
TnGelding
If it was possible to “fan” a poster responding to AJC editorials, you would have one here. Your responses and comments are always thoughtful, accurate and substantiated. I imagine the majority of educated Americans would agree with you.
It’s unfortunate that so many here don’t share your rationalism.
Question
October 24th, 2009
9:18 pm
Good to see other networks not accepting the WH attitude that they control the media —
The Washington bureau chiefs of the five TV networks consulted and decided that none of their reporters would interview Feinberg unless Fox News was included. The pool informed Treasury that Fox News, as a member of the network pool, could not be excluded from such interviews under the rules of the pool.
Linda
October 24th, 2009
9:26 pm
Mr. TnGedling, You are misinformed. It wasn’t loan originators who caused the world-wide financial meltdown. Originators are either employees or independent contractors of mortgage companies who have no money, no deposits. 90% of all conventional loans for decades were written according to Fannie Mae guidelines, whether or not Fannie actually bought the loans or not. Fannie set the national trend & standards. Decades ago, the fed. govt. banned lenders from making loans in risky areas & produced redlined maps. The sentences you quoted were just a few from the Community Redevelopment Act of 1977 passed under Carter during a Dem-controlled House & Senate. It was “to amend federal laws pertaining to community development, housing & related programs.” It banned redlining by banks & savings & loan assns. The next time we had a Dem-controlled House & Senate & White House was during Clinton, when additional laws were passed to strengthen the CRA & I personally heard Clinton admit this year that these laws fostered the meltdown. Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac were quasi-govt. institutions, sort of like mistresses to our banking & finance committees. The corruption within & without are unprecedented. Our govt. mandated these institutions to require Affordable Housing Loans to be made with quotas of over 50% of their portfolios in the late 90’s. The Bush Adm. tried to reign them in to no avail. We now own Fannie & Freddie. Read your history. It’s all available on the internet.
Tax payer funded Public Option, NEVER!
October 24th, 2009
9:53 pm
Yeah, the government is a real help. Think about how screwed up the post office is – and they just deliver mail. Can you imagine how government health care will be? The government is IN CHARGE of the H1V1 vaccine distribution, look what kind of job they are doing with that.
Get serious!
Linda
October 24th, 2009
9:57 pm
Dear Mr. Kamchak, Yes, banks & savings & loans are regulated & mortgage companies are not, but mortgage companies have no money, no deposits & must sell their loans on the secondary market. For decades, ALL conventional loans were written according to Fannie Mae guidelines whether or not Fannie Mae bought the loans or not. Yes, most of the subprime loans were originated by mortgage companies but who did so according to Fannie Mae guidelines, regulated & mandated by our govt. Everything in the lending industry was done according to Fannie Mae back in the 80’s & into the late ’90’s when Affordable Housing really came front & center. Fannie was the leader of the pack. Buyers with questionable income, down payment & credit could always apply at questionable lenders, i.e. the Money Store, with high interest rates. When the fed. govt. mandated & set quotas for Fannie to make loans to anyone who breathed, it opened a can of worms that created the world-wide financial meltdown. The same govt. leader in the House is currently calling on Fannie to relax lending regulations for condos as we speak, all in the name of Affordable Housing, not to be confused with Affordable Health Care
b6542
October 24th, 2009
9:59 pm
WTF Cynthia !
TnGelding
October 24th, 2009
10:11 pm
Reason
October 24th, 2009
9:14 pm
Thanks, I needed that. I only wish it were true!
TnGelding
October 24th, 2009
10:17 pm
Since it’s impossible to inspect all the products coming to market. We have to rely on the integrity of the manufacturers and importers. Penalties have to be strong enough to encourage obeyance of regulations. Lack of enforcement creates an atmosphere of anything goes.
TnGelding
October 24th, 2009
10:18 pm
Question
October 24th, 2009
9:18 pm
I understand Fox hadn’t requested an interview and that was the reason it had been excluded.
Sunshine and Thunder
October 24th, 2009
10:22 pm
Cindy.
Don’t you know that a jail cell is the safest place one can be? Who was it, Jefferson who said “do we want to be slaves or sail upon the boisterous sea of liberty?” We can be safe and secure only as far as we allow someone to provide that illusion and, with it, cede our freedom.
As for the peanut fiasco, we will probalbly buy peanuts from that company again because we feel that they would never sell a defective product again due to the wrath of regulators. Whereas, if we had no regulators to fall back on we would simply refuse to ever buy their products again and they would become defunct. Now which is the harsher overlord?
TnGelding
October 24th, 2009
10:30 pm
Linda
October 24th, 2009
9:26 pm
Then why did it explode under Bush AFTER Raines left Fannie? The poor folks couuldn’t have possibly caused it. Even if they had over 50% of the subprime loans the total dollar value would have been less than 10%. It was the rich wannabes that held/hold most of the foreclosures. The large Wall Street investment banks didn’t start competing with Fannie and Freddie until the middle of Bush’s reign. They’re the ones that sold the mortgage backed securities worldwide and created the crisis by leveraging them 30-1. The credit rating agencies also had them rated AAA and should be held accountable.
This is the main thing I wanted you to see:
“consistent with the safe and sound operation of such institutions.”
Also see Kamchak’s 8:47.
TnGelding
October 24th, 2009
10:32 pm
Linda
October 24th, 2009
9:57 pm
Disregard my referral to Kamchak. I see you already addressed that.
Linda
October 24th, 2009
10:38 pm
Mr. TnGelding, You are misinformed again. As I understood it, Fox was banned for all interviews during this administration. If Fox hadn’t requested an interview, why do you think that ABC, CNN, CBS & NBC took a stand for free speech & free press & refused to cooperate with the White House, jeopardizing their own future relationships? They are all commendable for refusing to participate in shady, Chicago-style politics?
2 cents worth
October 24th, 2009
11:03 pm
. . . CT, you say . . . while a fiery August car crash that may have been caused by faulty floor boards has focused attention on Toyota’s massive recall of 3.8 million. . . It wasn’t faulty floor boards . . duh!!! It was “floor mats”!
BTW. . I am not there yet, but when I do become eligible for Medicare . . you can bet you sweet bippy . . I wouldn’t give it up. I’ve paid into Social Security and Medicare for years. Of course, I won’t give it up. I just can’t understand for the life of me . . why you hate seniors so much and hate that they have Medicare (which working people pay into) but yet you are for every give away government program there is. Go figure!
Linda
October 24th, 2009
11:11 pm
Mr. TnGelding, 911 happened during the Bush Adm. EVERYONE knew the terrorists wanted to blow up the World Trade Center because they had ALREADY tried, during the Clinton Adm. Was it any big surprise to ANYONE that they tried again? The world-wide financial meltdown happened during the Bush Adm. The 911 terrorism attacks were no more the fault of the Bush Adm. than was the financial meltdown. I’m not a Republican & do not endorse the Bush Adm. However, no laws were passed during the Bush Adm. to contribute to the meltdown. The worst bills that led to the meltdown were passed during Dem-controlled congress & presidencies of Carter & Clinton. Fannie’s mandates were issued during the late ’90’s & pumped up thru the yrs. The Bush Adm. tried to circumvent the inevitable. Read your history.
2 cents worth
October 24th, 2009
11:12 pm
TnGelding — take a hike!!!
Paul Whiteley Sr.
October 24th, 2009
11:42 pm
We the people are the government. It seems those who are so anti-government really don’t like themselves and others. It is paranoia to believe that the government is out to get us. There is no one in America who is so independent or self-sufficient that they don’t need government assistance. Anti-government citizens should run for public office and make a difference instead of always complaining about how awful government is.
Linda
October 24th, 2009
11:48 pm
Dear 2 Cents Worth, When you do become eligible for Medicare, you WILL give it up. You’ve paid into Social Security & Medicare for yrs., but your money has not gone into a secure account. It’s gone. It’s been spent by the fed. govt. on junk. You need to check debtclock.com & you will see that the fed govt. spent $14 trillion of our social security & $73 trillion of our Medicare which will be bankrupt in what 7 yrs. Good luck when you retire on your personal savings & have to pay for your own health care. The fed. govt. has NO money. It’s been spending tons of money more than it’s been collecting for decades, adding to our debt. They’ve been borrowing money from countries that don’t like us, jeopardizing our national security. We have our own sources of energy, but we spent over $700 B a year buying oil from Canada & Mexico, etc. to “save our planet,” not the same planet Canada & Mexico are on. We’re printing money as fast as we can with no gold to back it up, which will cause massive inflation in terms of all goods & services. I don’t know how old you are, but at least 2 generations of your children are in hock for this spending. You might want to check all this out & come up with a plan of action.
leonard allen
October 25th, 2009
12:38 am
I’ll take common sense over ideology anytime! Keep on keepimg on!
Linda
October 25th, 2009
12:55 am
Dear Mr. Whiteley, We think we are the govt., but the fed. politicians also think they are the govt. Who is right? They think we are stupid & most of us are. They think they know best. I’m 60 yrs. old & I’ve never been so afraid of the fed. govt. than I am right now. I’m not going back in history for time’s sake, but this is what I’ve seen this year. Our govt. spent almost $9 billion 3 wks. after this new president came into office, the single most expensive piece of legislation every passed in our history, more than on numerous wars, on junk, for a bill that was not read, that was promised to curb unemployment but has contributed to it. I’ve seen this adm. finish taking over our financial industry. I’ve seen this adm. take over 2 of our 3 auto manufactures, firing one of its CEOs & dictating the types of cars to be manufactured. I’ve seen this adm take over the largest insurance co. in the world (AIG). I’ve seen the collapse of Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac that led to our world-wide economic collapse with govt. regulations. I’ve seen the House pass the Cap & Trade Tax, based on a hoax that politicians can curb greenhouse emissions that our planet depends on & which even the president said would cause our energy costs to “skyrocket,” a bill that will make politicians & special interests rich & the poor poorer. I’ve seen months & months of debates on health care reform which has nothing to do with health, care or reform. I’ve seen our troops on the battlefield waiting for an answer from this president for 56 days from the request from his military appointee for more troops for this war on terrorism. I’ve seen this president apologize all over the world for our faults. I’ve seen our debt skyrocket, with the govt. spending money we don’t have on stuff we don’t need, burdening our children & grandchildren. I’m seeing the govt. print money that will cause unprecedented inflation that will affect everyone, even the illegal immigrants the govt. is trying to protect. They are trying to regulate salaries, guns, the internet, newspapers, news channels, public service, college tuition, soft drinks, etc.
Do you think I should run for public office since I disagree with big fed govt.?
ck hall
October 25th, 2009
4:12 am
Isn’t it comforting to know how to solve all our problems–More Gov’t regs! How absurd can one be?
C K Hall
clyde
October 25th, 2009
6:23 am
Paul Whiteley Sr. @ 11:42
Anytime you think that you’re the government,trot on down to the local federal building and tell them how you want things done from now on.You’ll find out who the government is,real quick,and it isn’t you.Unless ,of course,you work there,then it is you.
Barky Obummer
October 25th, 2009
8:04 am
Until the middle 80% of the citizens rise up and SHUT DOWN the DNC and the RNC, not much is going to change. America was NEVER meant to be so controlled by a ‘fake’ 2 party system which is a duopoly of CORRUPTION and VILE ‘leadership’ and most people are too timid to speak out. Its killing our country. OUTLAW the demopublicannots and lets move forward! MANDATE that ANY candidate MUST RUN as an UNaffiliated to any organized group.
STRIVE to be SMARTER than the EVIL controlling ‘party’ of SLAVERY wants you to be!
All the way
October 25th, 2009
8:19 am
Cynthia is all for keeping us safe from the market, but not so keen on keeping us safe from Democrats like Frank and Dodd who helped start the sub prime meltdown by pressuring banks to make bad loans. She is not so keen on keeping you and I actually safe from crime and crookery right in our city and neighborhood. For Cynthia, safety is just an emotion charged word..not a real goal.
LT
October 25th, 2009
8:28 am
It’s Laissez Faire NOT Lassez Faire. It’s hard to take anything you write seriously when the first sentence is misspelled.
Road Scholar
October 25th, 2009
8:39 am
It is really interesting that most of the bloggers (I didn’t read all the drivel) continue to bad mouth our government. Even after Reagan said that Govm’t is the problem, no one (and the Repubs have been in control for the most of the past 30 years) has attempted to fix or modify government to be more “friendly” to efficiency and the public. Everyone who rails against government though expects it to rescue them from a flood, hurricane, recession…etc.
This is parallel to the conditions of our education system. Complain, complain, complain… and no change is made. Do ya’ll ever get tired of beating your head against the wall? Do you enjoy it or just want something to complain about? How about getting involved and try to change it?
The most unffortunate thing is that our greed and self justification has taken over for well thought out action. If ,all had ethics, than we wouldn’t need government intervention or prisons. If all thought out their plight with long term positive goals and not quick satisfaction that doesn’t last, then we may have an improved society. Everyone seems to be an expert with no responsibility for doing the right thing.
Our government, whether you like it or not, is the only one we have! If you don’t like it, do something, shut up or leave! Research your politicians for what they believe and for their intelligence. Listen to those who have solutions that are needed, not the ones who pander and say only what you want to here. We have deep problems that took a while to get this bad. The solutions are not “cook book”, need thought, and should apply to all.
Wake up! The same old conseve/liberal drivel is easy and meaningless.
Phelan
October 25th, 2009
9:15 am
You are such a joke. No wonder the AJC can’t sell papers.
Mutts R Stupid
October 25th, 2009
9:18 am
Government regulators are enablers of thieves like GoldmanSackers, who make much of their money by front running on stock trades via their 2 second advance notice of pending orders from the nyse, all legally paid for by the crooks. Goldie’s computers get buy/sell orders before the floor, and are able to quickly calculate the buy or sell decision, and jump into the execution que in FRONT of the other orders, thus driving the price up or down before OUR orders hit the floor. Once our orders have hit the floor, Goldie quickly reveres her actions, and pockets a nice profit. Multiply this by a ten thousand Goldie front running acts per day, and it adds up to tens if not hundreds of billions of unearned profits. Front running is illegal, but the worthless SEC allows this to occur because the SEC lives in the stone age, and does not think two seconds advance notice can influence stock prices. Reality says otherwise, but too many Goldie alumni in government are protecting the thieves, imho.
DAVID
October 25th, 2009
9:27 am
Acccording to the AJC & its socialist staff…BIG GOV is the answer to every personal proble,……BIG…BIG GOV’T.
DAVID
October 25th, 2009
9:47 am
DOES ANYONE WONDER WHY THE AJC…..is shrinking to inside ….I-285……THE AJC HAS BECOME IRRELEVANT.
Kamchak
October 25th, 2009
9:50 am
Linda
Every point you have made was debunked be the McClatchy news article. Place your cursor on the blue words and left click.
Greg
October 25th, 2009
10:20 am
In the abstract, the idea that citizens ought to look out for themselves has some appeal. There are many examples of bad individual decisions and regulatory failures. If we correct the bad grammar presented here and all the misstatements, what remains are some interesting examples of how government has failed to function effectively…why not cut the mess back and give taxpayers a rebate? I suggest that those holding that view take a trip to the southwest and contemplate the worlds on either side of the US border, then, for the sake of comparison, head up to our border with Canada. Where would you rather have your car breakdown, Canada or Mexico? I am not suggesting that critics ought to love it or leave it, but how many conservatives actually seek out the relative regulatory freedom of Mexico, Guatemala, Columbia, or other nations where government does not control everyone’s lives? Are their unfettered economies thriving? This is happening where government been successful in establishing order. The places that most envy and admire like Vancouver, Copenhagen, Norway, Germany, France, and the like have governments that are arguably even more intrusive than ours, and these are also places where studies find the happiest people , the longest life expectancies, the lowest infant mortality, the best universities, the highest standards of living and also the highest GDPs.
Business needs a sense of stability to thrive, and it needs the infrastructure of a regulated society, like communications technologies, transportation, and trained and skilled workers. Our government has been providing these things with some level of success for many years now, and the level of this success is quite apparent when you look across countries. Focusing on the errors gets you nowhere when talking about either government or baseball. You learn, you study, and you improve. Imagine drunken fans voting on everything a baseball team decisions; citizens need to raise the bar a bit.
We might learn from these other successful places on how we can improve our regulatory structures, but there are few examples of benefits of hands-off government in the world today. These more troubled places do offer good lives for the relative few who live under armed guards that they pay for themselves, but the rest are not living in relative comfort blogging their random thoughts. If you disagree, what country in the world shows us the way? What country is even on the right track toward enjoying the benefits of minimalist government? If you go looking for one…please do not drink the water!
clyde
October 25th, 2009
10:22 am
Road Scholar,
I research my politicians.Then I get to choose between Bush and Gore,then Bush and Kerry.After that it was McCain and Obama.Intermingled were Huckabee,Clinton,and various others.Bob Barr was in there,along with Cynthia Mc Kinney.Voting becomes a matter of choosing the lesser of the evils.
The last person that I voted for who I actually thought might have made a difference was John Kennedy.It’s been a bit downhill since then.Bill Clinton was a bright spot as was Reagan,until you actually get to think about it.
The country has bee yanked hard left and I like the center.Olympia Snowe type politicians are the ones I favor and now she’s gone spla over this healthcare bill.No one can be trusted.
Michael H. Smith
October 25th, 2009
10:26 am
The reflexive distrust of government doesn’t hold up when Americans are asked about government programs from which they benefit. How many seniors upset about “socialized” medicine would give up Medicare?
Comrade Cynthia, how many seniors upset about “socialized” medicine have any other “reasonable” choice than to accept or desperately hold onto Medicare?
I’ll give you an at-gal on consumer protections, notwithstanding that these government ran protection agencies themselves need extreme public scrutiny, limited powers and restrained by Congressional oversight and approval before any of their policies can become the law.
tonto
October 25th, 2009
11:25 am
Are you really this stupid Cindy?
sherm
October 25th, 2009
11:41 am
The governments (big and small) start intruding on my freedom as soon as I wake up. I turn on a light switch and don’t get a shock or fire because the damn government enforces electrical safety codes . Without that interference my kids could play with live wires, and I could control my overuse of electricity by sniffing for smoke.
Then I brush my teeth in drinking water that is safe because the stinking government controls and regulates our water supplies. If I go to a weak government second or third world country, I have the freedom to get the runs any time I choose.
Then I lose some more freedom when I have my bacon, eggs and milk breakfast, because the Problem, er, I mean the government, regulates food safety. Freedom is never knowing when you’ll get food poisoning.
When I do my commute the government really gets into my hair. All that crap about auto safety like seat belts, air bags, DOT spec tires and brakes, safety defect recalls etc. means my car will most like likely get me to work in one piece. Jeeze, if still had my ‘53 Plymouth at least I’d have a crap shoot. And don’t get me started about the big G regulating traffic. Lights, speed limits, rights-of-way rules, reasonably safe roads – who needs it? I remember driving in Istanbul Turkey when there was not a single traffic light in the city. You’d just head into an intersection, close your eyes and pray (if you’re religious) – what a rush. And, just think, if we didn’t have government, we wouldn’t have to bitch about potholes, because fixing them is not on the table.
Finally I get to work and the big G is on my case again. Stupid stuff like workplace safety, air quality, regulated overtime, minimum wage, sexual harassment etc. In the good old days things like black lung disease, asbestosis, losing an arm to a tricky machine were part of the good life. Wages and hours were whatever the big bosses said, and you could pinch a nice butt without getting into trouble.
I could go on and on but there’s one thing about big G that always sticks in my mind – earthquakes.
When a poor country like Iran, Pakistan, or China has an earthquake, thousands, sometimes tens of thousands of people are killed. But when we have one, the toll is in the tens or so. That’s because in those poorer countries you don’t the government nagging about how to build your house,school, or high-rise. Everybody is on their own – freedom you can count on. But here, especially in shake country, guess who’s telling you how to design and build. Yep the nanny state at it again.
Don’t get me wrong, sometimes the government screws up and lets a little sunlight in, like the bad peanut butter, New Orleans levees, occasional collapsing bridge, etc, etc. It doesn’t always get its nannying right. But if all us voters got together and voted in people that really don’t give a damn about how people live and work (except maybe for the rich), we could put a stop to all this freedom robbing government nonsense. I complement Georgia on making a good start.
Truamerican
October 25th, 2009
11:43 am
Cynthia,
You’re right our politicians who are thoroughly swayed by and pander to lobbyist and PACs will protect us – yeah right. If they really wanted to protect us they would work to reform campaign finance laws and give us back our voice
EJ Moosa
October 25th, 2009
2:15 pm
The key word is “helps”. In today’s world, that word has been eliminated allowing government to do whatever it wants, and encouraging the individual to do nothing proactive in keeping themselves safe.
The first line of defense is You.
I have a dream
October 25th, 2009
2:37 pm
Sherm –
You’re hooked…”the big G” has you hook, line and sinker!! Sherm! Don’t go to the light….come back to us….be a free thinker!!!
dewstarpath
October 25th, 2009
2:38 pm
- Pablo – Thank you. I did have a great weekend, and I did
read all of your post.
First, I would like to clarify my response to your reference to
an “experiment” by the founding fathers. The Declaration of
Independence, IMO, was not an experiment, but rather the
end product of a philosophy that was held by the founders.
They were escaping religious persecution under an English
king to establish a government by the people and for the
people. To that end, they established order as Federalists-
in favor of a strong government, largely for the commercial
interests of the northeast.
Today, the government is not out to control or dominate the
economy – they are its largest customer. Defense spending
accounts for a significant portion of the overall US budget,
largely due to the two simultaneous wars it is waging. It
cannot afford to sabotage the economy or enact undue
influence – it would shut ITSELF down.
The assertion that “anything involving government is bad”
by the fringe right is an assumption about the US only.
In fact, every major government in the world assists its
companies in the conduct of global business. Japanese
industries and tech companies have the MITI agency, for
example. Sometimes this “assistance” comes in the form
of espionage, usually from leaks provided by civilians.
In addition, most business leaders have some form of
government service.
We need more opinions like yours that are not swayed by
political bias, but rather ones that can adapt to changing needs
by and for the global economy. That is what government was
set up to do in the first place.
Linda
October 25th, 2009
2:50 pm
Sherm, There’s a huge difference between the fed. & the state & local govts. The Constitution (Article I, Section
limits the fed. govt. to do 21 things. Yet nearly 75% of our fed. taxes go to other things, mostly pet projects. Many of the items you mentioned are governed by the state, counties & cities who almost always do their jobs more efficiently & effectively. What I’ve seen happen in the last 1 1/2 yrs. by the fed. govt. is more drastic than in my 60 yrs. on earth. Almost everything that’s happened since Jan. is unprecedented. The economic stimulus bill, which had nothing to do with the economy or stimulus, was unprecedented. Nationalizing our financial system was unprecedented. Nationalizing 2 of our 3 auto manufacturers & the largest insurance company in the world (AIG) was unprecedented. Nationalizing the best health care insurance in the world (which has nothing to do with health, care or insurance) AND our energy resources (which has nothing to do with changing the climate) will be unprecedented. There’s info all over the internet that a Constitutional Convention is being organized. The pres. has publicly complained about ours for 2 yrs. I am totally convinced that the fed. govt. is already practicing socialism. The philosophy of the current bunch in DC is very simple. It’s a numbers game. They will hold a majority for eternity as long as they get votes from the bottom half of the pyramid. The bottom half of the pyramid will always be larger than the top half. They are making sure that the gimmes, havenots & uninformed will always outnumber the takenots, haves & informed. There’s too many people who don’t mind being slaves to the fed. govt. & living on the plantation. It’s legal extortion. American taxpayers are fed up with the feds. More people are protesting than during the Civil Rights & anti-war movements, but it’s too late.
Willie
October 25th, 2009
3:11 pm
You are right CT! If it were not for the federal government and discriminating laws like affirmative action..YOU WOULD NOT HAVE A JOB!….Not to mention those awards GIVEN TO YOU…Just like the Nobel Peace Prize Obama was awarded for doing nothing. Yep CT the federal government makes sure incompetant people like you get a huge pay day.
dewstarpath
October 25th, 2009
3:15 pm
- MikeB –
Your post is a textbook example of the type of biased
assumption I was warning Pablo about.
Government is supposed to be “used” by the people
and not “feared” like some beast in the forest. Unless
you are a different species of human, you should know
that the people in government are as HUMAN as you.
Try reading the posts of Road Scholar, Greg, and Sherm.
Their opinions are based on self-evident facts that anyone
in the public sector has access to, unlike a lot of other
countries. What the fringe right is afraid of are concepts of
THEIR OWN MAKING. Most normal people in society do
not buy into this self-centered ultrasubjective paranoia.
If they do not have the ability to learn from their own failures,
it is not the fault of government or society.
Dave
October 25th, 2009
5:47 pm
meanwhile, back on planet earth…
butch
October 25th, 2009
6:00 pm
osama bin barack hussien is a mooslum gonna destroy the U.S. as per george soros & the one world govmint freaks have planned