Job loss abroad
Editor, The Times:
I don’t understand how anyone in the government expects there to be a permanent increase in the number of jobs available without looking outside our country for the work that has escaped our shores [“Focus should be on job creation,” Opinion, Jan. 10].
Current job programs focus on bolstering employment by getting buyers to purchase products and services now available in our country. Without bringing manufacturing back to the United States from overseas, there can be no lasting cure to the jobless dilemma.
Today’s programs are a bit like encouraging me to buy meals from my wife while she is pushed to buy lawn-mowing services from me. Ignoring the obvious sexist tone of this example, there is no net gain to our family. To make a difference to our economic situation, we must add value within our family and sell that added value to someone outside the house.
This is a corollary to the present decline of manufacturing in the U.S. Until our country has an industrial policy that encourages keeping and increasing value-creation activity within the country, markets the value-added products outside the country and imposes penalties on imported value, there is no reason for the capitalistic system to create value here. We can’t fully employ our work force if they are their only customers.
— Mike Anderson, Burien
An economic clarification
Your Jan. 10 article about the growing acceptance of Texas Congressman Ron Paul’s libertarian campaign [“Economy puts Paul’s views in spotlight,” News, Jan. 10], along with its reference to the grievously neglected Austrian School of Economics, was a welcome sight indeed for those of us who have deplored the lack of free-market-oriented coverage in the mainstream media.
However, the article’s description of Austrian economics as one that “emphasized tight controls on credit and money supply” calls for clarification lest some readers be led to believe that it endorses government-administered credit control. Nothing could be more incorrect.
While it is true that Austrian economics maintains that credit must be inextricably linked to savings and that any issuance of credit by banks — that is not covered by savings deposits — is fraudulent as well as unsustainable and destabilizing to the credit markets, this view doesn’t imply the necessity of central control of bank credit.
If banks were subject to the same requirements to honor their obligations as other businesses are, then the ever-present threat of a run on their demand deposits would create a powerful incentive for them to limit loans to saving deposits. Thus, in a free-market environment, with no central bank or compulsory bank deposit insurance, it would be holders of demand deposits who would ultimately keep bank credit in check.
— Mark G. Warner, Bellevue
Fearing for the American dream
I have lived the American dream. I grew up going to public schools, then community college and graduated from state college. I own and operate a small business that has grown over the past two decades to employ up to 18.
However, I fear for the direction that my country is taking and the future my children will inherit. My company has grown and survived the past recessions. I have always been bullish that my company and our country would survive such downturns. We are a country founded on freedom and capitalism. Because of this we have become rich not only in treasure but also in spirit.
This next year we will all get a clearer picture of how the left has changed the direction of the economy. We are near or past the tipping point where the private sector will no longer continue to lead us to the position we have attained.
Taxes will go up to cover the spending free-for-all. When taxes go too high, the behavior of the successful will change. Why would the business community continue to lay the golden eggs needed to finance the spending, if it offers little to no reward?
No policy from Obama’s administration is pro-business. More small businesses will go away, and this time new ones will not be replacing them.
— Mark Peterson, Yakima
Federal government is no deus ex machina
Rep. Ross Hunter’s, D-Medina, euphemism “manna from heaven” when referring to potential budget help from the federal government is indicative of the kind of thinking that got the state in this budget mess to begin with [“$2.6 billion budget gap prompts look at taxes,” page one, Jan. 11].
There is no more manna left in the federal coffers; they merely borrow it or print it — neither very heavenly. A more accurate description would be manna from the Chinese or Saudis, or whoever else may purchase new U.S. government debt. But in the end, the “manna” is actually from our children and unborn grandchildren.
— Donald Villeneuve, Renton
Start an income tax
As mentioned in The Times’ article, Washington state ranks dead last in regressive tax structure.
The more money you have, the less of your income goes to state taxes; The less you have, the more of your income goes to the state. This is not right.
With our state facing a huge budget hole and some type of new tax is needed to preserve essential services, 2010 should be the year our Legislature bucks up and starts a state income tax. Unless you’re very wealthy, this will be far better for you than a sales tax increase.
— Melanie Mayock, Seattle
Here’s a 
