[Vision2020] What is the meaning of Free?

[B. J. Swanson]

My post regarding Moscow¹s economy was meant to point out the declining
housing and retail market and how we can adjust to something different and
positive instead of just crying out ³No Growth and Anti-Business.²

My suggestion for a stronger more diverse economy in Moscow was to encourage
new businesses created from research or other ideas originating from the
University of Idaho.  The U-I is our biggest asset and biggest employer.
The U-I and Latah Economic Development Council are working on a plan to
allow professors sabbatical leave to establish new businesses.  We¹ve
already seen the benefits of former U-I and WSU students establishing
businesses such as Anatek Labs, Alturas Analytics, EcoAnalysts, etc. These
businesses bring new money into the community, employ other graduates, pay
high wages and benefits.  Employees can afford to buy houses and retail
goods.  Employer and employee all contribute a lot of taxes back to the
community.

This does not mean that housing and retail are unimportant.  But instead of
focusing on housing and retail like we have done for the last 20+ years, why
not try focusing on diversifying our economy using our well established
biggest asset?

What the Mayor and City Council can do about this is to encourage partnering
with the U-I, better land use planning, visionary thinking, etc.  It would
be interesting to compare how much City Staff, Council and Commission time
is spent on housing subdivisions vs. commercial projects that provide good
paying jobs.

I¹ve discussed this plan with all of the City Council candidates.  Aaron
Ament, Evan Holmes, Tom Lamar and Linda Pall listened and seemed very
excited about this plan.  Wayne Krauss told me this made him feel like a
second class citizen. Walter Steed seemed to not understand quality of life.
I¹m not sure of Dan Carscallen¹s position.  Therefore, my support of
candidates who are willing to listen to new ideas.

I am not a spokesman for any candidate.  I doubt this could be considered a
socialist plan as some have charged.  It¹s not a ³Free² market plan either,
but then what is the meaning of ³Free?²  See below....

B. J. Swanson

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Jeff Harkins wrote:
* Am I a free market advocate?  Yes.
* I advocate the relatively unfettered market.
* The "totally free market" is an academic model.
* Voters can be sure that these three men value the free enterprise
market-based system which rewards service and sacrifice.
* the totally free market (a perfect knowledge, perfect competition model) -
which neither the candidates nor I advocate.
* If you examine my numerous posts on the free market system for the past
several years, you will find absolute consistency.








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