Decisions, decisions

The 2008 election cycle has begun already. I can't really think of a more depressing statement than that, but there it is. We have now almost two full years to judge people who are putting on a show and trying their best to be anyone but themselves. I think Hillary is a great example of that. When asked what her favorite movie is, she replied that her people would think about it and get back on that one.

So in the next nearly two years we need to consider and choose a candidate we think will represent our values while in office. This means we need to determine what our values are. The politicians will tell you there are many issues that distinguish them from eachother.

They look for people who aren't "single issue" voters. This is supposed to be some sort of insult, as if to say that having a favorite issue makes one "low brow" or ignorant. I for one am a single issue voter, and I'm not afraid to say what that issue is. It's the economy.

The economy weighs heavily on my mind, and I fear what the wrong person will do. At the turn of the century our economy was slowing down. In 2001 our economic center was attacked and our economy suffered because of it.

In 2003 tax cuts were enacted and they had the desired effect. Right now tax receipts significantly exceed expectations. We are at what economists consider full employment. The stock market continues to surge and reach new highs. The news outlets don't talk about that very much, but it is all true and can be checked.

So what I want is someone who won't screw it up. The Leffer curve works. When tax rates were lowered, tax receipts increased because we were too far to the right of the curve. So while I need to care for my family I want someone that isn't going to push us back to the right side of that curve. That will increase tax rates, lower tax receipts and increase unemployment. All things I'd like to avoid.

For those that espouse the domestic agenda of wealth redistribution (aka Robinhood syndrome of taking from the rich and giving to the poor) I offer the following observation. If unemployment is low, wages will necessarily rise and the poor will gain a greater amount of income. Wealth in our global economy doesn't need to be a zero sum effort. We can all win, with the right strategy.

The second item of concern to me relates to health care. But rather than demanding govenment regulations and price impositions, I'd rather see something done about tort law. Law suit abuse is one of the largest causes of rapidly escalating health care costs, and such abuses place America in as much danger as unions have as late. Unions had their place served America well back in the day. Today, I believe they are sucking American business dry. Lawyers are doing the same through lawsuits for hangnails misdiagnosed, etc. So tort reform is the second issue.

Sure, there are other issues; abortion, stem cell research, global warming. Those are all things I don't really care too much about. Yes, I have personal feelings, but the resolution of any or all of those items won't put a single scrap of food on my families table. If you can think of a solid reason I should move those items up on my list, please feel free to write me a note. Good luck, and may you choose something that doesn't screw things up for me and mine.