[Vision2020] Leadership

[Jeff Harkins]

BL,

Thank you for the tongue and cheek slam.  I did not accuse BJ of 
hating free enterprise.  She said what she said, maybe you missed it:

"It seems that Jeff Harkins and the conservative candidates continue 
to advocate an economic model that no longer works B. J. Swanson, Oct 30, 2007)

And I did read what BJ said.  And she could not be more wrong in her 
assessment of my stated positions on economic development.

Here is a direct quote from a recent posting, wherein I respond to a 
request to identify what would and would not be appropriate for 
economic development for Moscow:

"After considerable thought, and given the constraints in real estate 
that exist in Moscow (no need to preclude businesses that couldn't 
locate in Moscow because there is no room for them or they require 
infrastructure that we don't have), heavy manufacturing (large heavy 
equipment, aircraft, large-scale auto) would probably not be a good 
fit.  That said, a custom manufacturer - say manufacturing small 
hybrid cars, wind turbines, solar energy systems, ATV's, bicycles, 
garden power tools, farm implements to serve Palouse farming 
specifically could fit very nicely.  Also, I have long advocated wood 
manufacturing - furniture, etc."

I trust that is an adequate redress to your claim.

And feel free to continue to ridicule my patriotism and my faith in 
the unfettered market based sysem.

Thanks for the input.

At 11:10 AM 10/31/2007, you wrote:
>J-
>I certainly appreciate that you are wrapping yourself in the flag, 
>accusing BJ of hating free enterprise, and standing up proudly for 
>goodness. How bold and courageous of you.
>
>However, perhaps you should actually have read what BJ 
>wrote.  Perhaps you could then acknowledge that she is right.  The 
>old way of assuming retail and housing is the way to grow a town 
>does not make sense since it results in sprawl and increased taxes 
>to pay for extended infrastructure.
>
>BL
>
>
>
>----- Original Message ----- From: "Jeff Harkins" <jeffh at moscow.com>
>To: <bjswan at moscow.com>; <vision2020 at moscow.com>
>Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2007 11:34 PM
>Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Leadership
>
>
>>B. J.
>>
>>At last you are out of the closet on your economic stand.  The
>>"totally free market" is an academic model.  I advocate the
>>relatively unfettered market, which if you had read my last 100 posts
>>or so, you would acknowledge.  So I am not going to rise to the bait
>>on your request to cite an example.  Read Milton Friedman - his Nobel
>>work will give you ample examples of how the model works.  If you are
>>so confident you are right, you should write up a position paper,
>>send it to one of the many economics journal and give yourself a
>>chance at world recognition as a Nobel laureate.
>>
>>I think many of us will revel in your declaration that you believe a
>>free enterprise economy is an obsolete idea - it explains a lot.
>>
>>Yes indeed, the world is changing - the Soviet Union has collapsed -
>>and the former soviet states are developing (or already have
>>developed) market based economies.  China is emerging as a market
>>based player.  Look at the transformation of the world since WW2.
>>
>>The world economy has set new milestones for productivity,
>>efficiency, stewardship and quality of life standards.  And while
>>many countries still lag in prosperity, there is now hope that the
>>free nations can help those countries launch their own economic
>>development efforts.  There is a lot of work to be done and we have
>>an economic model capable of the task.
>>
>>And you want to challenge the leadership of conservative
>>candidates?  Local entrepreneurs and business people like Wayne
>>Krauss who has managed his business and met his payroll obligations
>>for decades?  You want to challenge the leadership of a man who
>>volunteers his time as an EMT - willing to accept the responsibility
>>of making decisions that could mean life or death for one of our
>>citizens.  You want to challenge the leadership of a man like Walter
>>Steed who shares his knowledge and skills of the marketplace to bring
>>investment to our community?
>>
>>Here's a news flash - you want to have the best chance for prosperity
>>in Moscow?  Elect Wayne Krauss, Walter Steed and Dan Carscallen to
>>City Council.  Ms. Swanson has brought us to a defining
>>moment.  Voters can be sure that these three men value the free
>>enterprise market-based system which rewards service and sacrifice.
>>You can be sure that you will be electing council members committed
>>to American ideals and American values.  Most of our citizens know
>>that the American dream is alive and well.  They will make the proper
>>choices on election day.
>>
>>The free enterprise market system is " ... an economic model that no
>>longer works - B.J. Swanson, Oct. 30, 2007"  Shameful.
>>
>>I wonder if the four candidates she is supporting agree with her?
>>
>>How about it Ms. Pall?
>>What do you think Mr. Lamar?
>>Where do you stand on the free enterprise system Mr Ament?
>>What's your view Mr. Holmes?
>>
>>It will be interesting to follow the responses (or lack thereof).
>>
>>At 09:31 PM 10/30/2007, you wrote:
>>>It seems that Jeff Harkins and the conservative candidates continue to
>>>advocate an economic model that no longer works.  Please give an example of
>>>a totally "Free" market that has survived over time and has not fallen
>>>victim to collusion, corruption or theft.
>>>
>>>The world is rapidly changing.  Clinging to obsolete ideas puts us further
>>>behind.  The conservative candidates seem to want a Moscow of 10-20 years
>>>ago; lamenting over green grass, supporting a strip mine, development at all
>>>costs, thinking we're going to attract a bunch of manufacturing jobs,
>>>thinking that recycled dollars build the economy.  When housing and retail
>>>took a downturn nationwide, instead of figuring out how to change and adapt,
>>>the GMA pointed fingers at the City Council and charged "No Growth and
>>>Anti-Business." This is not a good example of leadership skills.  What about
>>>a positive plan on how to move Moscow forward?  How about some intelligent
>>>thinking and planning instead of negative slogans.  Vote for listeners and
>>>leaders.  Vote for Ament, Lamar, Pall and Holmes.
>>>
>>>B. J. Swanson
>>>
>>>
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>>
>>=======================================================
>>List services made available by First Step Internet,
>>serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.
>>               http://www.fsr.net
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>>=======================================================