Coming Soon
I suppose it's a dangerous thing to express strong opinions on such a new venture such as this website. (Admittedly, not real new, but just now getting rolling). That being said, I do have a couple of strong opinions.
The Texas state legislature is trying to figure out how to get more money out of our pockets. Increased taxes on tobacco products and additional gambling games with additional taxes are in consideration. If it's wrong for tobacco companies or gambling companies to make money with their products, why is it okay for the state? And, why is it illegal until the state needs to make some more money?
Why does the state need to make so much money? The average taxpayer in Texas pays $2,800 to the state. Did you get your money's worth?
It just seems that all levels of government continue to find ways to increase spending, as a method of maintaining job security. As each department head in every department of every level of government sets forward budget requests each year, you can count on a requested increase. This overall expansion of government spending is creating a tax burden and will almost certainly lead to a reduction in standard of living.
That being said, I think the greater problem lie in our approach to our manufacturing businesses. Imagine for a moment that you are the owner of a large manufacturing concern. You have seen multiple government inspectors enter your plant over the course of the last year. Almost certainly, they have levied some form of a fine. No matter how hard you try there are enough rules in place that you are almost certainly in violation of one or two. You pay taxes in a system where the regulators are tested annually and 20% of them cannot correctly calculate the proper tax burden. (and were legislators cannot possibly do their own taxes). As an owner of this manufacturing business you spend a fortune on worker's compensation insurance, unemployment insurance, liability insurance, and a healthy chunk of your employees social security benefit. As a society we have now put enough burden on our manufacturing plants that it's becoming more and more rare to see a manufacturing business start. Now look around for solutions. You can move your plant overseas and reduce all burdens. Your regulatory burden is considerably less. Your tax burden is considerably less. And, your cost of employees is FAR less. Do you move your plant? At the end of the day; the environment is important, worker's rights are important, and the government must protect the interests of society at large. That being said, the environment isn't as important as eating, worker's rights don't mean much if there isn't any work for them to do, and the government had better find a way to feed a nation without industry if we wipe out our manufacturing sector. Because at the end of the day, production is what drives our economy. Doctors, lawyers, teachers, and service providers are all important, but the foundation that pays them is some form of production.