Rule of Thumbs (Photo credit: ronploof)
When making a point with x-ray students, I sometimes liked to write a reminder on a thumb and then show it to the students as a rule of thumb. If there were two or more, they were rules of thumb. A long rule that covered both thumbs was a rule of thumbs. I tried to convey useful information that they could use and remember.
I found this article on a website referring to an article that was printed/re-printed in the Houston Chronicle. I recommend it. Barack should run on his record.
English: Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco at sunset (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California opened 75 years ago today. Construction began in the final months of the Hoover administration and the bridge was completed in record time, 4 years and 4 months later. Imagine the GOP supporting the construction of a project of similar magnitude today. No, I can’t imagine it either. We can’t afford it or government should not compete with private business or put ferries out of business.
What we can look out for is an effort by government, any government, to sell or lease an entity like the Golden Gate to private enterprise, which in turn would levy high tolls for the public use of what we bought and paid for years ago. Beware of creeping privatization in your locality like the parking meters in Los Angeles and Chicago.
English: La Jolla Photo: G Larson Category:Images of San Diego (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
We now have environmental impact statements that are required in some states, like California, that add to the cost of business and add a delay in starting new construction. I am sure that Mitt can talk at length about how hard it was to gain approval from the California Coastal commission to rebuild his La Jolla mansion. He can certainly afford the cost, but the delay probably was an irritant. As a former California resident, I can assure you that protection of the coastline from a 800 mile long wall of mansions was what the people wanted.
In addition to an environmental impact statement, I favor an economic impact statement for any layoffs or plant closings above a certain level. A company has a responsibility to the people it employs and to the society in which it lives. Without a healthy economic environment, no company can thrive. An employer needs a functioning infrastructure, educated employees and a safe and healthful working environment. Without these benefits normally provided by government from tax revenues, many companies will move to locations that do provide those benefits. Every American is entitled to those benefits. Companies that force states to compete for plant sites by offering concessions should be ostracized.
P. S. With further thought, I think that the best way to force companies to be more socially and economically responsible would be to amend their corporate charters. Now, earning a profit is their sole goal; earning a profit and caring for their human resources should be twin goals in the future.
The Barack Obama Truth Team has a site that I recommend for those seeking the facts: www.attackwatch.com
