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The Big Picture
The Major Problems
There are too many lawyers in Congress. I’m an engineer/pilot by trade. Lawyers love to debate for the sake of debate and there is rarely a satisfactory outcome from their adversarial grandstanding. Engineers solve problems and build or create things. Engineers identify the root cause of a problem, determine solutions to rectify the problem, and chart a course to implement possible solutions. The major problem our country currently faces is the weak economy and lack of job creation.
Root Cause of Economic Problems
What is the root cause of our economic problems? Our trade deficit and an out of control banking sector are the immediate causes. But how did Wall Street and free trade get to the point where they are dragging down our economy? Congress. Congress passed the Gramm-Bliley Act eliminating the Glass-Stegall Act which safeguarded our banks for almost 70 years. Congress also blocked all efforts to regulate risky derivatives trading by our banks via the Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000. Congress passed NAFTA, our membership in the flawed World Trade Organization, and Most Favored Nation trading status for China. Anyone who voted for any of these Acts shouldn’t remain in office. I’ll give you some background information: In 1999 all but four members of Congress voted for the Commodity Futures Modernization Act and the Gramm-Bliley Act was passed without objection by the House. They were stumbling over themselves to help deregulate Wall Street and receive campaign contributions and Wall Street lobbyist favors.
How We Fix the Problems
Since Congress has been identified as the root cause of our problems, how do we fix it? I have offered solutions to reform Congress under the Politics tab below. Such solutions touch on areas of lobbying reform, campaign finance reform, term limits, etc. Now, if we can improve the ability of Congress to enact solutions how do we address free trade, Wall Street, etc. I have outlined my suggested solutions in each subject area in the tabs below. It took 30 years to get America to this tragic point. Two years under President Obama will not turn things around. Just look at the dismal process as a nation we had to take to enact Finance reform and Health Care reform. Neither bill will prove to be effective, but they are good first steps towards the direction we need to go. I ask you please read the tabs below and visit my Blog tab for information on more subjects on a periodic basis. You can search the Blog to find relevant postings by subject matter too.
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North Carolina's 6th Congressional District.
