Another Example of How Government is Not the Solution

President Obama has once again came up with a government solution to the problems that are hurting our economy.  This new plan is being called a "Jobs Bill".  President Obama is vowing to not give up on getting this bill passed through Congress.  The President and his administration is once again arguing how crucial this piece of legislation is to getting the economy rolling.  This legislation will do almost nothing to get job creation and get the economy back on track.
  There are a two good things coming out of this bill.  First it is predicted that the bill can decrease unemployment by 1%.  Granted the United States stands at 9.1% unemployment and one percent will do almost nothing to help the economy.  The other plus about this bill is it cuts payroll taxes.  This is a step in the right direction to economic growth but that’s all it is a step.  A one year cut in payroll taxes would do almost nothing.  No successful or smart business plans for just one year.  A one year cut leaves many unknowns.  Businesses will not know how to plan for the future because they do not know how much they will have to pay in taxes.  If pay roll taxes were decreased with no timetable then you would see job creation.
    Other than those two pluses President Obama’s plan is another government intrusion that will harm the American people.  The plan is pure and simple an increase in government oversight of the economy.  President Obama refuses to address the real problems plaguing the economy.  What needs to be included in a jobs bill is tax reform, less regulation, entitlement reform, and a path towards energy independence.   By tax reform I recommend tax decreases across the board and to broaden the tax base.  Lowering taxes would leave more money to be spent by business and people which will get money circulating throughout the economy and will lead to growth.  Income taxes, capital gains, and payroll taxes are some of the taxes that need to be decreased.  Raising taxes in tough economic times will only make things worse.  Less regulation will help allow business to conduct business.  For example, the EPA is hindering jobs through many of their policies that aim to help the environment but in the end just hurt job growth.  Another example is permit to drill approvals have decreased 37% since 2006.  Millions of jobs would be created if drilling was approved because people would have to man the drilling area, refineries would be created, more truckers to transport the oil, etc.
     Entitlements are the biggest portions of the federal budget and will only get larger unless these programs are reformed.  These programs have no real budgets or budget controls Social Security and Medicare and bankrupt and yet no one is addressing the problem.  By reforming entitlements by slowly aging them out, billions of dollars can be saved and that money can be given back to the people by getting rid of social security and Medicare taxes.  What I mean by aging out the program is allow those who are already depending on the system to continue to use it but those who are fifteen years away or more from using the program should be taken out.
      Next the U.S needs to become more energy independent.  Energy Consultant Wood Mackenzie found that if the U.S allows access to domestic resources and imports of Canadian oil would generate more than 1 million jobs by 2018.  The U.S is the Saudi Arabia of coal and natural gas and yet those resources are essentially going untouched due to undue EPA regulations.  A prime example of how taping into energy sources can help the economy is the Marcellus Shale formation which has created 57,000 jobs and has yielded $4.8 billion.
      Getting the economy back on track is not through more government programs.  Ever since the government got started in trying to fix the economy it has only gotten worse.  The government needs to create policies that promote free enterprise and help reduce the burden of government on business.

Michael Lesko 
SUR Contributor

Personal Attacks: Not Part of the Shepherd University Republican's Mission

In Ecclesiastes 3 of the Bible it states "There's a time for everything...a time to be silent and a time to speak." In politics, it is important to know when to accept differenes and remain silent, and when to debate or argue. However, it is the opinion of this writer that personal attacks have no place in politics. One can argue or disagree with an idea or principle but name-calling and defamation of character are unncessary.
Now my reason for writing this artcle. Recently, comments were made on "The Sex," a radio show on Shepherd University's radio station, attacking the President of the Shepherd University Democrats. The President of the Shepherd University Democrats, Charles Corra, had declined a request to be on the show. The host of "The Sex" had mocked and attacked Mr. Corra prior to extending this request and, quite understandably, Mr. Corra declined to come on the show to debate the President of the Shepherd University Republicans. The host of "The Sex" continued his assault on Mr. Corra during his radio show. His comments were rude, taseteless, and had nothing to do with politics. These personal attacks accomplished nothing except to make "The Sex's," Ben Leighty, appear foolish.
First, I would like to clarify that I am the President of the Shepherd University Republicans. I do not agree with many of Charles Corra's ideals but I will not stand idly by while he is wrongfully mocked. Second, the viewpoints expressed by Ben Leighty on "The Sex" in no way represent the views of the Shepherd University Republicans. We do not condone personal attacks on the leader of the opposition group on campus. The Shepherd University Republicans are more than happy to debate the issues with the Shepherd University Democrats, but we will never resort to public mocking or name-calling. Finally, I believe the Shepherd University Republicans and Democrats serve an important purpose on campus. These two groups have the unique opportunity to provide the entire student body with the different sides to issues within our community, state, and nation. Attacks on an individual's character only hurts that cause and hurts out campus.


Jessica Fancher
SUR Contributor                                                

President Obama Could Learn From Scott Walker's Leadership

Governor Scott Walker from Wisconsin has a budget crisis on his hands due to his predecessor spending large amounts of money on wasteful projects and giving public sector union members many benefits.  Wisconsin has $137 million shortfall in the current budget and a $3.6 billion in two years.  In an attempt to balance Wisconsin’s budget Governor Walker proposed legislation that would make public union employees pay 5.8% of their salaries towards pensions and 12.6% towards health care.  The normal private sector employ spend about 25% of their salary on retirement and healthcare. 

            A large proportion of those protesting in Wisconsin are teachers.  Many teachers are claiming that this law will force them to find part-time jobs and will hurt their families.  You could be thinking as well that teachers do not get paid enough and Governor Walker’s bill will hurt them.  Well Wisconsin teachers have higher wages and better benefits than almost any other state.  The average Wisconsin teacher makes about $50,000 a year and gets about another $40,000 in benefits.  As of right now teachers as well as public sector employees contribute only .2% of their wage to pensions.  Everyone knows how important teachers are and how valuable a good education is.  This bill Governor Walker proposed is not an attempt to demonize teachers and public sector employees.  What the bill is trying to do is balance a budget that is producing an un-sustainable debt that will move on to kids and grandkids in Wisconsin if not dealt with now.

This is the same story line that Republicans all the across the country are discussing.  We are all worried about an un-sustainable debt that will be passed on to our kids and grandkids.  Governor Walker as well as Governor Christie, Kasich, and many others are tackling the issue of the debt.  President Obama could learn a lot from these men, especially Governor Walker.  Governor Walker is doing what he believes will help balance the budget, he is not worried about public opinion or what others say about him.  President Obama take notes and see how a true leader acts by taking the issues head on, using sensible reasoning to solve problems, and not worrying about your own image.

            Michael Lesko
            SUR Contributor
       

Egypt the Next Iran?

In recent days protests have broken out in Egypt.  Initially this was a pro-democratic movement; however it is in the process of being hijacked by radical groups such as the Muslim Brotherhood.  The Muslim brotherhood does not want to make Egypt not a democracy but a theocracy and one that looks very similar to Iran.  Of course we as Americans want democracy to spread to other nations especially the Middle East but this movement does not look friendly to democracy.  If the Muslims Brotherhood takes control and creates a theocracy this will de-stabilize the Middle East and will pose a threat to Europe and the United States. 

            The United States needs to back our ally, President Mubarak.  Yes he is a dictator and yes he has limited speech and shut down the internet but the U.S. has made a pledge to him that we will support him in good times and more importantly tough times.  What will U.S allies think if we suddenly abandon President Mubarak and support the protesters?  The answer is simple, they will not trust the U.S to be there when times get tough.  Normally nations look towards the U.S. for help but if we start betraying our allies then they will look to other nations for help.  Jordan, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia are all allies of the U.S.  What will these three vital Middle East allies think once we have turned our back on Egypt?  They could possibly look towards Iran for help or look towards terrorist organizations.  We cannot afford to have our Middle Eastern allies turn towards Iran for help.  This will further de-stabilize the region and terrorist organizations will have safe havens to plan for attacks against our allies in Europe and ourselves.

            The best course of action to take right now is to wholeheartedly support President Mubarak and assist and advise him on how to maintain control.  Once President Mubarak has regained control, then we need to advise him and convince him to implement democratic reforms slowly.  The U.S always wants democracy to spread to other nations but this “pro-democratic” movement is starting to look and feel more like that of a pro-theocracy and pro-sharia law movement.  Supporting President Mubarak in these troubled times and then convincing him to bring democracy to Egypt is a win-win situation.  The U.S continues to have a strong ally in Egypt and a democracy could be created in the Middle East. 

Michael Lesko

SUR Contributor

             

Betty Ireland Campaigns For WV Governorship In Eastern Panhandle

Betty Ireland Campaigns For WV Governorship In Eastern Panhandle
See SUR president Jessica Fancher on NBC 25's report covering Betty Ireland in Martinsburg, WV.

Unapologetically Conservative

I am a Woman. I am Educated. I am Conservative.

　I have been taught over the past four years that these three things do not go together and, for a time, I almost believed the lies. 　As a woman, I am a member of the "minority" and therefore am a victim of circumstance because of big bad men who think I should stay in the kitchen. Because I am educated by Liberal professors, I am expected to believe as they do and take their words as gospel. Yet, because I am Conservative, I view myself as a strong woman who is not a victim of circumstance, who will not be made a casualty of gender, who is strong enough to maintain my own beliefs and values in spite of the constant belittling. As Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher stated, "I owe nothing to Women's Lib”.
　
I believe Sarah Palin best described the reason I am Conservative in her book "Going Rogue".　“I am a conservative because I deal with the world as it is — complicated and beautiful, tragic and hopeful. I am a conservative because I believe in the rights and the responsibilities and the inherent dignity of the individual.” I have great hope for the world. More than anything, I want to see everyone enjoy the rights of "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness"(Notice happiness is not guaranteed, we simply have the right to pursue it). The world is complicated, but there is beauty in the differences. We are an imperfect people, tragedy occurs, but it is　our response to tragedy that gives me hope.
　
I agree with Ronald Reagan, that the best social welfare is a job. Not because I hate poor people and believe they all are lazy, but because I have experienced poverty and know there is nothing more rewarding than earning your own paycheck and living within your means. I believe in a smaller, de-centralized government. Government has over-stepped its bounds in so many arenas; in bailing out banks, mandating healthcare,　increasing taxes, and more. Without a drastic cut in　government,　our country will grow weaker as　our citizens become more dependant on hand-outs.  I am Pro-Guns because I believe our founding fathers did not make a mistake, but truly wanted every American to have the right to bear arms. I am Pro-Life. I　am against abortion　because I have seen the ultrasounds of babies, held my younger siblings in my arms, and never had the chance to know a half-sibling that was aborted. I have educated myself on the facts, statistics, and arguments for and against abortion, and it is from this education that I have decided it is outright murder. Finally, I unapologetically believe America is the greatest nation in the world. There is no other nation in the world in which an individual can rise from poverty to become a CEO, Senator, or Professional Athlete. I know that with hard work, diligence, and prayer, I too can rise from humble beginnings to impact the world.
　
It is an exciting time to be an educated, Conservative woman. All around this nation I can see women worth admiring rising up to take leadership roles where they are desperately needed. No longer is Hillary Clinton the only example of a female involved in politics. I can now look up to women such as Sarah Palin, Nikki Haley, Michele Bachmann, Kristi Noem, Ann Coulter, Michelle Malkin, S.E. Cupp and more. Ever since my love of politics began, I could only dream of one day pursuing a career in politics, changing the world, and impacting lives. Now, I know it is possible. "The woman's mission is not to enhance the masculine spirit, but to express the feminine; hers is not to preserve a man-made world, but to create a human world by the infusion of the feminine element into all of its activities."-Margaret Thatcher

Jessica Fancher
SUR Contributor                                                 http://www.facebook.com/jfanch01?ref=ts
　

Debt Ceiling

     Everyone can agree that the United States’ national debt is completely out of control. The U.S. is about to hit the debt ceiling which now stands at $14.29 trillion. This is a huge opportunity for Republicans in the House to make massive spending cuts. Republicans have a huge bargaining chip with the debt ceiling. I recommend that House Republicans threaten to not raise the debt ceiling unless federal spending is cut back to 2008 levels. This is a very realistic goal. For example, Governor Bob McDonnell in Virginia has cut spending back to near 2006 levels. Governor Chris Christie has cut spending significantly in New Jersey, which is a notoriously blue state. Governor Christie has also had to battle with unions in New Jersey but he has still managed to cut spending. Governors Christie and McDonnell have managed to cut spending without the benefit of a bargaining chip such as the debt ceiling.

(Photo courtesy of Jake Johnson)

Republicans need to inform Democrats that they will not raise the debt ceiling unless spending is taken back to 2008 levels. Also, Republicans should insist that entitlement reforms that would ensure further spending cuts in the future be implemented. If the Democrats do not agree to this then Republicans should stand firm and not raise the debt ceiling. Democrats will argue that if the ceiling is not raised then the U.S. will default on its loans but this is not true. The Heritage Foundation has stated that “keeping the debt ceiling at its current level would not, in and of itself, risk default on the debt.” Also, is it not ironic that our President a couple years ago said “the fact that we are here today to debate raising America’s debt limit is a sign of leadership failure”? That was back in 2006 and President Obama backed up his rhetoric by voting against raising the debt ceiling in 2006.

This is the first true test for the Republican majority in the House; to uphold the promises made in this past election cycle. This is a huge opportunity for the Republicans to set themselves up for sweeping victories in 2012. Republicans may never have another opportunity as good as this to begin reigning in our debt and informing Democrats everywhere that this new breed of politicians mean what they say.

Michael Lesko
SUR Contributor