I was pondering on the happenings in the financial world today. I am also pondering on the fact that Congress has recessed for the remainder of the year without acting on legislation that is so important to Utah. Here is a short list of what is not yet done.
1. No agreement for the development of Oil Shale on Federal Land including the Uintah-Ouray Indian Reservation.
2. No law banning the import of nuclear waste from foreign lands.
3. Nothing new on immigration reform.
4. No new drilling leases, anywhere.
5. No financial marker reform.
As the press focuses on the horse race of the upcoming election, here is a run down of the important issues to me and where I stand.
1. We need a long-term energy solution. More sources of fossil fuels now, better technology so that we are not dependent on foreign sources of energy or fossil fuels in the future. In other words--do something because anything is better than nothing. Everything that both sides of the energy debate that people have proposed will work somewhat. Arguing about it until nothing is done is killing us.
2. Stabilization of our financial markets. Have tax policies that force companies to work on long term stability and research and development. My solution...new tax bracket for anyone earning over 15 million per year unless it is paid in stock options that can not be optioned or sold for at least ten years. The only loopholes for this tax bracket would be if those funds are immediately donated to non-profits charities or to schools. (This would include big-ticket athletes and media moguls like Oprah.) This means that big-money CEOs will be financially obligated to consider the long-term stability of their firms, the greater community around them and the training of the next generation rather than the next quarter's financial statements. You will get that golden parachute...in 10 years if your company is still strong and stable.
3. We need a better education system than we have now. We need a plan to get 50% or more of our working population with a Bachelors degree or higher. (Same solution as above.) A Bachelors degree today provides the same potential that 40 acres and a reliable source of water did 150 years ago. This will help keep good-paying high-tech jobs in the US.
4. A comprehensive foreign policy that addresses the war on terror and addresses immigration reform. We want people to come here and contribute to our society and make it a better place. We want to get along with our neighbors and reduce the likelihood that our sons and daughters will die on the battlefield. If people just want to come here and work and then go home and be good citizens of their homeland, lets work to accommodate that. Let's not force those people into hiding. They can be good neighbors, lets help that happen.
My hope for Mitt, and my request. Move back to Utah. Challenge Mr. Bennett for his senate seat. Mr. Earmark has been a disappointment. He represents everything that is wrong with the Republican party right now. He is fiscally spend-thrifty. We do not need Bennett in Washington spending the tax money that my grandchildren and great-grandchildren will pay. We need Bennett retired. Mitt has the clout in this state to make it happen. If we can retire Bennett, it will send the right message to Hatch. Then I will be able to change the name of this blog.
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