weekly response

On Tastefully Silencing Narratives

We Are Not Alone
By Leo Brown
[President Obama's Weekly Address]

About a month ago, the traffic on this blog doubled. I couldn't figure it out. Had I become more insightful? Maybe some post had gone viral?

As it turned out, all of the new visitors were from Siberia, where I now live. Because many of my Russian friends and acquaintances want to read what I have to say. In Novosibirsk, direct communication with an American is a rare opportunity. Some people may be less interested in my ideas and simply want to practice their English. Whatever the explanation, my audience has swelled and continues to grow at a quicker rate than before.

This is an opportunity for growth that had not occurred to me, and many American businesses operate with the same narrow perspective. As President Obama mentions in his weekly address, 95% of the world's consumers live beyond our borders. But according to this Washington Post article, 99% of American businesses do not export their product.

Of course, some businesses, due to their size or industry, should not export. But 99%? This couldn't be optimal.

Existing trade laws and tariffs are less then ideal, but President Obama is working to fix this. The trade deals he announced during his Asia Pacific tour will help.  The President has repeatedly signalled, through both words and action, his commitment to uphold the campaign promise of doubling American exports by 2014. Based on these facts, we can reasonably expect the government to support an economic climate conducive to exports.

But for all the government can do, American businesses need to open their minds. Because consumers are consumers, whether they hail from Westchester or Tajikistan. Americans may not be buying like they used to, but this needn't destroy our economy. By investing in international market research, businesses might realize opportunities far beyond what a healthy American economy could ever provide. We need to aggressively court the international consumer base rather than treating it like a cheap sideshow.

By viewing the global economy with a wide lens, we can continue to grow as a nation. If we repeat the mistakes of the last ten years or the habits of the last century, the world will leave us choking on its fumes.

Plead Ignorant No More
By Leo Brown
[President Obama's Weekly Address]

Senate has passed the Returning Heroes Tax Credit, a part of the American Jobs Act, which will grant tax credit to businesses for hiring returning veterans. The idea is that America should provide for its soldiers, and that no one, after putting his or her life at risk for country, should have to suffer from unemployment. This principle, upholding the legacy of the GI Bill, found bipartisan support in the Senate.

Fiscal conservatives who support this measure have more to explain than their respect for military veterans. Why, now, should the government meddle with the economy and use tax dollars to influence business decisions? This is not consistent with their commitment to austerity and small government.

Presumably, the thought is that veterans deserve particular respect for their unique form of service. This is the sort of sentiment that Democrats and Republicans usually share.

If this is the case, it points squarely to a troubling conclusion. Though fiscal conservatives usually oppose tax credits, they blink when the beneficiaries are veterans. This is a tacit, but hardly subtle, acknowledgment that judicious fiscal stimulus does work to reduce unemployment. This, of course, is why they are supporting it: it will reduce unemployment among veterans.

But while the national unemployment rate sits at 9%, fiscal conservatives only consent to provide veterans with these benefits. As a result, no other demographic will see their unemployment rate budge.  A tax credit incentive to hire recent college graduates, or single mothers, or people with purple hair could reduce their unemployment rate as well. There is now no doubt that Senate Republicans understand this concept.

With such a weak economy, many businesses are reluctant to take on more employees. The Returning Heroes Tax Credit will give some of these businesses an opportunity to safely expand and invest while shielding veterans from unemployment. Hopefully, once Americans see the concrete, indisputable results of this program, they will realize our country's potential and call upon elected officials to act in our best interest.

President Obama delegated his weekly address to Vice President Biden this week while he attended the G20 Summit in Cannes, France. Might the President consider other such substitutions from time to time? This was the first time since the 2008 campaign that I've heard Vice President Biden say so many words. I had forgotten what his voice sounds like!

In their weekly response, the Republican party features a different legislator each week. It keeps things fresh. Why not shift the spotlight around the President's cabinet? We could hear from Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner about his take on the recession, or maybe Labor Secretary Hilda Solis would care to explain the American Jobs Act. No need to keep such smart and influential people under wraps.

President Obama is a fine orator, but does anyone get the sense that he is a bit weary of repeating himself?

As President Obama took a week off from his weekly address, so too will I from this fair blog.  Here is the link to Vice President Biden's address, in which he bemoans the mulish ways of Congress.

[Vice President Biden's Weekly Address]