The Waiting is the Hardest Part
As I watch the general malaise gripping Washington, I find myself thinking about the lyrics of Tom Petty’s hit song: “The waiting is the hardest part.” I know I am not the only one waiting for something to happen to get this nation back on track. Our small businesses, entrepreneurs and 14 million unemployed feel an endless gnawing, the grinding of gears, as America performs like a broken clock. Time stands still. It has become all about the waiting. • The waiting for the Supreme Court to strike down Obamacare so we can get our future healthcare costs under control. The Affordable Healthcare for America Act is anything but affordable. When the majority of states consider it unconstitutional, something is very wrong. It’s just one more thing keeping small business from hiring.... Read More
Obama, Congress Must Create Jobs, or Find New Work Themselves
As the so-called Super Committee failed to reach agreement on $1.2 trillion in deficit reduction, our politicians and their designated flame-throwers frothed in their “I told you so” antics, heaping blame on everyone besides themselves. The real failure, of course, was to demonstrate to the American people that Congress simply cannot work together and this country is totally devoid of leadership. In particular, it continues to reinforce the feeling of uncertainty and hopelessness among small-business owners that deficit spending will not be controlled, which means any sort of hiring will be postponed indefinitely. The losers once again are the 14 million unemployed, who now face a very dire holiday season with little reason for optimism. The latest labor statistics indicate that both the... Read More
There’s More to Asia Than China
Many Americans, including those in Congress, have a myopic view of the Asia-Pacific region. They only see China, but as the recently concluded Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in Honolulu illustrated, we have 21 important trading partners with shores bordering the Pacific Ocean. To concentrate solely on China ignores the robust trading relationships the U.S. has with Asian nations. APEC, besides the United States, consists of Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. For example, during the most recent APEC summit, the United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk and Philippine Secretary of Trade and Industry Gregory... Read More
Obama, Congress Must Create Jobs, or Find New Work Themselves
As the so-called Super Committee failed to reach agreement on $1.2 trillion in deficit reduction, our politicians and their designated flame-throwers frothed in their “I told you so” antics, heaping blame on everyone besides themselves. The real failure, of course, was to demonstrate to the American people that Congress simply cannot work together and this country is totally devoid of leadership. In particular, it continues to reinforce the feeling of uncertainty and hopelessness among small-business owners that deficit spending will not be controlled, which means any sort of hiring will be postponed indefinitely. The losers once again are the 14 million unemployed, who now face a very dire holiday season with little reason for optimism. The latest labor statistics indicate that... Read More
There’s More to Asia Than China
Many Americans, including those in Congress, have a myopic view of the Asia-Pacific region. They only see China, but as the recently concluded Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in Honolulu illustrated, we have 21 important trading partners with shores bordering the Pacific Ocean. To concentrate solely on China ignores the robust trading relationships the U.S. has with Asian nations. APEC, besides the United States, consists of Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. For example, during the most recent APEC summit, the United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk and Philippine Secretary of Trade and Industry... Read More
US Has Its Work Cut Out in Revamping Tax Code
If you spent 6.1 billion hours doing something, you would think you would have created something most ingenious. Ironically, that’s how much time American taxpayers spent this year fumbling through stacks of confusing IRS forms. Americans spend about $300 billion a year in tax-preparation costs traversing a mind-bursting 3.4 million word tax code. The net effect of this archaic tax system is not only its compliance cost, but it ultimately punishes companies for being successful and discourages them from hiring. Taxing our corporations and businesses is a giant hoax. Taxes and tax related costs paid by our companies are simply passed on to the consumer. Those being impacted most from corporate taxes are the poor who have less to spend. The best way to protect the poor (and the middle class)... Read More
US Has Its Work Cut Out in Revamping Tax Code
If you spent 6.1 billion hours doing something, you would think you would have created something most ingenious. Ironically, that’s how much time American taxpayers spent this year fumbling through stacks of confusing IRS forms. Americans spend about $300 billion a year in tax-preparation costs traversing a mind-bursting 3.4 million word tax code. The net effect of this archaic tax system is not only its compliance cost, but it ultimately punishes companies for being successful and discourages them from hiring. Taxing our corporations and businesses is a giant hoax. Taxes and tax related costs paid by our companies are simply passed on to the consumer. Those being impacted most from corporate taxes are the poor who have less to spend. The best way to protect the poor (and the middle... Read More
The Defender of American Entrepreneurialism
The most powerful words in the English language are included in the Declaration of Independence. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” These words clearly define, launch and chart the very foundation of American entrepreneurialism. Our cherished principles of equality, economic freedom and individual liberty are by far our greatest asset. Omnipresent at the birth of our nation and sequestered deep in our souls by our founding fathers, they are inseparable from our exceptionalism. Their very existence predestines the rise of our most potent creation: American entrepreneurialism. We were forged from strong stock which... Read More
The Defender of American Entrepreneurialism
The most powerful words in the English language are included in the Declaration of Independence. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” These words clearly define, launch and chart the very foundation of American entrepreneurialism. Our cherished principles of equality, economic freedom and individual liberty are by far our greatest asset. Omnipresent at the birth of our nation and sequestered deep in our souls by our founding fathers, they are inseparable from our exceptionalism. Their very existence predestines the rise of our most potent creation: American entrepreneurialism. We were forged from strong stock... Read More
The Wrong Debate on Immigration
The immigration debate needs some independent thinking, so it was refreshing when New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg recently visited the U.S. Chamber of Commerce with some recommendations for a new approach to immigration reform. His comments resonated with the very pro-business, pro-growth audience. He advocated that the U.S. should ease visa restrictions on highly skilled workers, business representatives and graduate students. As an entrepreneur investing in American manufacturing companies, I could not agree more. If you visit our company, you will find people of numerous nationalities working together for a common goal. Everyone has been chosen for their abilities. The positive contribution of immigration to our workforce can be found everywhere. This is the beauty of America. No other... Read More
