http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2010/06/setting_a_competitiveness_agen.htmlOur latest bag of right wing PD dog droppings comes from Alexander Cutler, recently ranked
96th in CEO pay by Forbes.com. Speaking at the City Club on June 11th, Alex laid down some science as to what America needs to do to foster an environment of "competitiveness". Needless to say, it sounds like the same old right wing claptrap:
(snip)
Let's start with the basics: We need to create and sustain good jobs in the private sector -- not simply grow the number of government jobs. In an ever more global-connected world, American companies and Americans must be able to compete effectively not only in the United States but also in international trade, which now makes up 30 percent of global trade. While growth in the developed nations of the world has slowed, the emerging nations of the world hold the promise of fast-growing markets fueled by growing populations of consumers.
(snip)
First, we must create and maintain the best framework for doing business in the United States. Comprehensive financial regulatory reform is necessary -- but our aim should be to stabilize, not paralyze, our banking system. In corporate governance, populism shouldn't replace thoughtful, fact-based analysis of corporate principles and regulations. So many of the current governance proposals will further fuel short-term thinking; instead, we need increased focus on long-term U.S. investment.
Second, we must ensure international competitiveness for U.S-based companies. Many of the current tax proposals circulating in Washington will significantly hinder America's competitiveness. Our patchwork international tax system has produced the second-highest corporate tax rate among major nations. Many of the current proposals are founded upon the misconception that free trade negatively impacts domestic employment. This concept belongs back in the 1930s. The world has changed, dramatically, and we need thoughtful, balanced trade agreements to ensure U.S. access to the world's fastest-growing economies. Every day of delay allows jobs to be created in other regions of the world at the expense of U.S. jobs.
Third, we must strengthen our educational system because every child deserves at least an adequate education. We are not delivering that. More importantly, we must provide outstanding educations to ensure our global competitiveness. We must build on best practices from here in Cleveland and other cities to ensure our children can compete at the highest levels. Fast-growing economies -- and companies -- face constant transitions within business and requisite skills. We need a contemporary local retraining capability to ensure Americans meet the requirements of the next job.
Fourth, we must deal with the impending debt bomb. In the United States, deficit and debt implications of the proposed federal budget are staggering. Instead of 20 percent of GDP to pay for our federal government, we're headed for 24 to 25 percent. These revenues will come from consumers and businesses -- reducing savings and investment, competitiveness and U.S. jobs.
What I find most intriguing about these screeds is that these leaders, when rattling off the laundry list of America's economic problems, seem to blame everyone and everything except
themselves.
Exorbitant executive pay never comes into play (Alex "earned" over 6 million last year). Their fire-a-thons for the sake of firing never comes into play (Eaton cut 15% of it's 83,000 workers in the last recession and ordered the workers who remained—including top managers—to take a week off without pay each quarter). Job offshoring never comes into play. The obvious failure of Laissez-Faire economics (ironic he should talk about debt since it ballooned under mostly Republican rule) never comes into play.
It's always Washington's fault. I'd hire here, but those mean ol' Democrats TAX us to death. Incidentally, how many times are they going to continue milking this "second highest corporate tax rate in the world" garbage? Businesses aren't taxed as individuals are and the TMTR is the lowest it's been in 75 YEARS, so that Cato talking point is nonsensical.
Or it's the workers. American workers MAKE too much. American workers are dumb and not prepared. Job offshoring and globalization are a fact of life, and if you get left behind because I fire you for cheaper workers . . . that's not MY fault . . . it's YOUR fault.
Is anyone going to make these unfeeling sons of bitches own up that maybe, just
maybe . .. this recession and zero job growth in ten years . . . IS their fault?