Fema Employment

Would you agree with me that libs will destroy our economy?

Politicians Set Their Prices The Democratic Congress seems intent on reviving the worst ideas of our past. By Carrie Lukas Apparently some lessons we must relearn. One might assume our disastrous economic flirtation with socialism in the 1970s — never mind the sorry record of command-and-control economics in the former Soviet bloc — would have buried the concept of government wage- and price-controls for at least a generation. Yet this Congress appears intent on resurrecting the worst policies of the past. Price controls have superficial appeal. The average gas-price rose more than 10 percent last month, allowing pandering politicians to promise relief. They don’t say that consumers will suffer worse consequences if the government begins dictating how much oil companies and refiners can charge. And they ignore that government regulations and taxes already are largely responsible for high fuel prices. Instead they offer fantasy. Take Rep. Bart Stupak’s (D., Mich.) “Federal Price Gouging Prevention Act.” This legislation would empower the Federal Trade Commission to crack down on anyone in the energy supply and distribution chain who “artificially inflates the price of energy.” Those found guilty would be subject to multi-million dollar fines and possible jail time. Overlooking the distasteful Stalinist flavor of this bill — locking up people for trying to sell at the best possible prices — this is economic ignorance on steroids. Harsh penalties might discourage companies from raising prices, but also would convince many not to do business at all, particularly in times of crisis. In dire circumstances it costs more to deliver products, and companies have to charge more. Business owners who fear that raising prices will expose them to criminal penalties may simply close up shop. This would have been a disaster, for example, during Hurricane Katrina. Suppliers would have been reluctant to ship fuel into devastated areas, and fuel would become even scarcer there. According to a study by the American Council for Capital Formation, if this legislation had been in effect during that tragic 2005 hurricane season, it would have imposed $1.9 billion in economic costs. Thoughtful consumers understand the role prices play in the marketplace. We’ve all faced the dilemma of either paying more at the conveniently located gas station or going out of the way to someplace cheaper. Forcing both establishments to charge the same means the better-located store would have trouble keeping up with demand, perhaps running out of gas, while the less convenient store would fold. Prices play an equally important role on the national level. If they rise significantly, individuals change their behavior. We can’t eliminate all driving, but we may rethink a long, summer road-trip or explore the possibility of carpooling. Some may forego a gas-guzzling SUV for smaller, more efficient vehicles or hybrids. And if a business “artificially” inflates prices, people turn to other sellers. Competition, not Congress, is the only effective way to keep prices down. Prices also signal to the rest of the world that the United States needs fuel and is willing to pay for it. If prices aren’t allowed to rise, exporters will take their supplies elsewhere. While price controls in the energy sector would create big problems, they’re nothing compared to the potential nightmare of the government meddling in setting wages. Yet that’s the direction many Democrats are heading. Senator Tom Harkin (D., Iowa) has revived the 1970s idea of “comparable worth” in his “Fair Pay Act,” which he claims will “address the historic pattern of undervaluing and underpaying so-called ‘women’s’ jobs.” Senator Harkin thinks he and likeminded politicos have a better understanding of the value created by a given job. For example, the male-dominated profession of probation officers and the female-dominated field of social workers are rough equivalent in terms of level of skill and responsibility, according to Harkin, and therefore deserve the same pay. Such hubris is astounding, even by Washington standards. Individuals consider countless factors when evaluating jobs: co-workers, clients, level of danger, dress code, commute, hours, flexibility, and opportunities for advancement, to name but a few. Wages are one factor that allows employers to attract enough qualified employees. If they offer too little, they won’t get sufficient help. They’ll have to increase the salary or do something else to make the job more attractive. Outlaw this flexibility and there will be over-supply of labor in some professions and shortages in others. Imagine the political maneuvering that would determine the respective value of each job. Who’s more valuable: an elementary school teacher, nurse practitioner, sanitation worker, prison guard, public defender, or computer programmer? Who should we trust to make that determination: “experts” in Washington or the cumulative judgments of millions of free individuals? The answer should be obvious. If it’s not, then America faces grim days ahead.

Public Comments

1. No, creative industries (such as leading edge and innovative design, literature, arts) only ever thrive in liberal societies. And in the long run an economy can only be effective if it is innovative and leading edge. Plus we are human beings in a society, not worker bees in a hive.
2. Grim days? Dude, there is a 50/50 chance that we are totally screwed.
3. Sorry, if I wanted to read War & Peace I would not be here. Just ask the question and save the copy and paste!
4. Wow ! Im not going to read that! lol
5. Get used to grim days. The GOP has neutered itself and has given up on the principles that they adopted during the Clinton years. They have followed the dumbocrats lemming-like rush to the left and sold out the country. People are looking for a STRONG right-wing stalwart to support and, sadly, there don't appear to be any willing to take up the sword.
6. Your all alone on this one-- Step down off the soapbox and give the talking points a rest.
7. Google the name "Carrie Lukas". She works for another Republican Rag- "The Independant Woman's Forum" It's like the way big tobacco funds their own "cancer research". Is it your Job to spread propaganda around, or are you stupid enough to believe all this?
8. its allready gone and the world will see that clearly as soon as we get bushco out....they have cooked the books for 6 years all the while bush sold the deed to america to china and japan.....the nation will have to go into a deep deep recession or even depression before we will recover from bushs spending and borrowing.....the only chance of him getting away with it is if tony blair takes wolfys position at the world bank and that has been in the works through shady dealings and behind closed door meetings for a couple of years now.
9. Blah Blah Blah, Liberals are bad people, conservatives are great......There is too many generalizations about cons and libs.........P.S. America Has been facing those dark days since 2000..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
10. Creative industries do not thrive solely under leftist governments, Havlavavar. Standard Oil was one of the most creative organizations in human history -- it pioneered applying the scientific method in a business setting, is the basis for the operating structure of the modern domestic corporation, and quite single-handedly invented the oil industry -- all under the aegis of conservative administrations. It is a similar story with Carnegie and the steel industry and Vanderbilt and the railroad industry, as well as Morgan and the legions of *haute banc* devotees that followed. And though we may take them for granted today and perhaps think of them as outmoded, the oil and steel industries and the railroads were the cutting edge industries of their time -- the biotech and nanotech equivalents of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. And the world of high finance has continued to represent one of the highest concentrations of intelligent, innovative and creative minds anywhere in society. The captains of finance and industry who were enriched through those industries were then able to establish the magnificent grants and endowments and patronages that made it possible for the artists and ponderers and other less-productive characters to sit around and come up with the "fluff" that occupies us during our non-productive leisure time. ... All because some conservative administrations were wise enough to foster an environment where pioneers were able to create hugely innovative and overwhelmingly productive and enormously enriching enterprises and industries.
11. NO.
12. I disagree with you that libs whoever they may be will destroy our economy. Greed for more than a fair profit will bring economic hardship to the lives of many hard working AMERICANS. Go to women, no matter what political party, and ask if they believe in "comparable worth."
13. NO! I would agree that the socialists in congress (aka democrats), the communists, the environmentalists, lets see humanists and so forth are, their intent is to take control of this country and its wealth for their personal benefit. "Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." – C.S. Lewis