This “Double Dip” Will Have a Sour Taste

A double dip recession is still a definite possibility
This column presents a conservative viewpoint about items of interest in our community and our lives. Focus is on items impacting your pocket book, your personal freedoms, and your rights. I hope you will read the column regularly and it occasionally influences your opinions and actions.


Some of the economic activity indicators which the government uses to monitor what is occurring within the nation’s economy have recently shown signs of improvement. In order to bolster public attitudes and confidence, these have been widely heralded by the media as proof the economy is “turning the corner” towards recovery. I certainly hope so….but do not think so.

I have several reasons for this critical evaluation as to the ‘state of our union’. First, in my opinion what benefits the economy realized from the huge “Stimulus” influx of borrowed future tax dollars was felt among government contractors who were temporarily employed to complete the thousands of “pork” projects the bill contained, (note the word “temporarily”). Also, a major portion of these funds went into the bureaucracy to shore up budget shortfalls in most of the states, thus enabling those states to get through the year without being forced to lay off any of their “crats”. Those jobs they bragged about “saving” with stimulus money were primarily government bureaucrats.

Well, that year is almost past, and another budget year looms ahead. Unless another flush of borrowed monies are given to these states….the day of the lay-off of the sacred “crats” will be at hand, just as it was a reality during last year for private businesses and industries. Also, the current employment statistics are being buoyed by the addition of many government jobs, including census workers.

When the stimulus projects end and those contractors are forced to lay off their construction crews; when the state governments are forced to “bite the bullet” and reduce or discontinue questionable, unessential programs and thus reduce their bureaucracies, and when the census is over….there is a good chance our national unemployment levels will worsen.

Concurrent with this mounting problem, the previously discussed vulnerability of our economy because of the potential impact of sudden increases in the price we pay for gasoline which would occur if any major disruption or armed conflict exploded in the volatile Middle East. Another high potential, economy ruining, danger for the US is the international currency market. If China, Japan, or OPEC decided to discontinue using the U.S. Dollar as the international currency standard, and instead switched to the EURO, the negative impact on our situation would be immense. Also, if our banker, China, decided to discontinue issuing credit to our government, we would suddenly be overdrawn with no where to turn for capital…sound familiar?

Thus the potential for a “Double Dip” recession (or depression, depending on your personal situation) is very real. If this does occur, the resulting impact on all Americans will be severe and long lasting. For these reasons, it is very important that we vote wisely and carefully in elections during the coming decade. If we allow the policies and politicians of the past to determine our future….I fear for our nation. Now is the time to get concerned and react. Do this and you will be “Getting It Right”.

Rudiments: Odds and Ends Worth Mentioning-

● Amendment 4 has become a topic of concern since the ramifications of the proposed legislation was presented to the County commissioners at their last session. Several organizations are working to inform the public of the impact of this proposed amendment. As is often done, the title of the amendment makes it appear it is doing one thing…while it actually is doing something else. This amendment is titled to make you think that if you vote “yes” you will be increasing your ability to impact changes in your local comprehensive plan because all changes must be decided by a referendum. This rule was cleverly derived by environmental activists who want to make it very, very difficult and time consuming for any changes in the comprehensive plan to occur. This will effectively stop all new development, slow the involved processes to a near standstill, and will increase the cost of government by increasing the number and scope of balloting. I agree, We should all vote NO to Amendment 4.

● Another controversial action is the pending legislation which would alter the criteria through which teachers are graded, given step raises, and their level of job protection. Currently, the system follows the traditional union type of administrative program in which seniority is the most important element of criteria. After a very short time the teacher is now granted “tenure” which makes it virtually impossible for administrators to terminate them, no matter how inept they are as teachers or workers. This policy has created a presence of over 170 teachers within the New York City school system who no principal wants on their staff because they are such bad teachers. As a result, they can not be terminated, so they are paid their full salaries and benefits, even though they have no duties. I know there are a few similar examples within the Jackson County School System. The existing system gives 90% of the teachers an “excellent” rating, even though 50% of our state’s children are failing. Something apparently needs to be changed, even if the unions don’t like it.

● (“Say Something Nice New Years Resolution”) Aren’t the azaleas and dogwoods Beautiful! I love the spring, even if the pollen is bad.



Note: The opinions stated in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Hatcher Publications.