A conservative’s take on the Ex-Im Bank
As a rock-ribbed conservative, I support the entrepreneurial dynamism of free markets. I believe entrepreneurs are more likely than government bureaucrats to build successful businesses and provide stable, good-paying jobs. I oppose government interference in the marketplace. I want government to spend less, interfere less, do less, and tax less.
So when a few fellow conservatives criticize plans to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank on grounds that it is just another costly government corporate welfare program, why do I strongly disagree? The answer is simple – the Ex-Im Bank is none of the things some of my fellow conservatives claim.
The Ex-Im Bank assists U.S. manufacturers – small and large – to export their goods to foreign buyers. Typically it facilitates loan guarantees for foreign buyers who want to buy U.S. goods. Whether it is big names like General Electric, Caterpillar and Boeing, or small companies (which comprise 87% of the bank’s transactions), the Ex-Im Bank helps their foreign buyers obtain financing so that American goods are sold and shipped abroad. This means more American employment and more exports. Read more
Another Day, Another Obama Plan
Op-Ed from Boston Herald 9/20/11
President Obama is ignoring the first rule of holes — when you’re in one, stop digging.
But no, after putting forth a $447 billion so-called jobs plan (which was really just a jobs plan for public employees and construction workers), he has now doubled down on tax hikes as his way of not only paying for that plan, but tackling the deficit it would increase.
So yesterday he unveiled a $1.5 trillion tax hike as the way of tackling $3 trillion of the deficit over the next 10 years. It came with the usual Obama it’s-my-way-or-the-highway threats. Read more
The Bogus Blame Game
Shortly after a crazed gunman opened fire on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and almost two dozen others in the immediate area, the mainstream media and the professional Left began to blame conservatives for creating a climate of anger and hatred. We did not even know the gunman’s name or even if there were co-conspirators, but the Left went into full spin mode to blame, not the gunman, but conservatives. Politico reported that a “veteran Democratic operative” advised President Obama “to deftly pin this on the tea partiers.” This blame game is stunningly dishonest and shockingly opportunistic and cynical. Read more
America Belongs in Space
NASA has been in the news for all the wrong reasons the past twelve months. First, the White House reportedly directed NASA to concentrate on Earth-based projects like researching climate change rather than returning to the moon, reestablishing U.S. space dominance, or exploring Mars. Second, Obama’s NASA administrator Charles Bolden revealed that one of President Obama’s primary missions for NASA was to “reach out to the Muslim world” to help Islamic nations “feel good” about their contributions and accomplishments in the scientific arena. In other words, NASA will become an international feel-good organization.
Some might argue that in financially tight times, it is necessary to cut spending and thus kill planned missions to the moon and to Mars. But NASA’s budget hasn’t been cut – only its mission has but gutted and its vision clouded. That is a HUGE mistake. Read more
Will Obama Outsource US Airlift to Russia or France?
With the headlines dominated by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, a controversial recess appointment, and Cold-war-era spy swaps, it is easy to lose sight of some very important national security issues. How the government spends money is often the real policy more than press secretary statements. With Congress considering defense appropriations, an important question is whether Congress and the President will provide our military with the equipment that they need to do their job and whether the Administration will attempt to balance the budget on the backs of our troops.
There is strong bipartisan support on Capitol Hill for maintaining and purchasing the widely versatile and highly capable C-17 airlifter. It is the only U.S. made military wide-body airlifter and it is the most flexible and most capable airlifter in the world. The C-17 can perform strategic and tactical missions, and serve military and humanitarian functions. It can land on standard runways and austere remote dirt airfields anywhere around the world. It can airlift troops, equipment, and supplies on a moment’s notice, as well as perform medical evacuations. Read more
PodCast: Conversations with George Landrith
Heather Bachman discusses the issues with George Landrith, the president of Frontiers of Freedom Institute.
Click here to listen to: Conversations with George Landrith
FedEx and Mr. Smith, tear down this website
I’ve been on record as opposing federal bailouts of failing businesses because they waste taxpayer money, reward businesses that are poorly run, and because they are well outside the proper role of our constitutionally limited federal government. So when FedEx claimed that UPS was seeking a government bailout, I was prepared to jump all over another wasteful government program. But after I looked into FedEx’s claims, I realized that FedEx was not telling the truth. UPS was not seeking even one dime of taxpayer funds – only modest regulatory reform that would insure equal treatment of both companies. Read more
Obama’s Wasteful Spending Trumps National Security
The Obama Administration has already slashed missile defense in Eastern Europe that would neutralize Iran’s growing missile threat. The Obama Administration has already slashed the Airborne Laser, which is a powerful defensive tool against potential hot spots like Iran and North Korea.
The Obama Administration’s has killed a “next generation” bomber, the Air Force’s F-22, is on the verge of ending the Marine Corps Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle, and appears ready to prematurely end production of the most advanced carrier-based fighter in the world, the Navy’s F-18.
Meanwhile, these Obama “budget cutters” are intent on running record-setting trillion-dollar annual deficits for the next ten years, with no limits on government growth whatsoever—except on our national defense. Does this make sense to you? Read more
Mr. Smith (FedEx), tear down this website …
I’ve been on record as opposing federal bailouts of failing businesses because they waste taxpayer money, reward businesses that are poorly run, and because they are well outside the proper role of our constitutionally limited government. So when FedEx claimed that UPS was seeking a government bailout, I was prepared to jump all over another wasteful government program. But after I looked into FedEx’s claims, I realized that FedEx was not telling the truth. UPS was not seeking any taxpayer funds — only modest regulatory reform that would insure equal treatment of both companies.
Interestingly, I also learned that FedEx lobbied hard for federal assistance funds after 9-11, something UPS did not do. So in addition to being dishonest, FedEx is also hypocritical. Read more
