CULLMAN —
The outlook for the Cullman area’s economy has generally been positive this year. Industrial expansion is under way and new retail businesses are opening.
Such news usually is the sign of a robust economy. While few people are prepared to say robust economy, Cullman continues to weather an otherwise troubling economy across the nation.
In fact, the worst news about the economy has largely been attributed to the federal government. The Army, with no interference from Congress, stripped Cullman County of numerous jobs because it decided to use a Canadian company to make certain products under new contract guidelines.
And of course there is President Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney. While retail sales were declining for the third straight month, these two have engaged in a childish battle of accusations. Which one of the candidates will actually wise-up and take the economy seriously before November is anyone’s guess.
Cullman County is one of those rare communities that has forged ahead despite the party-line blabbering of the nation’s leading political parties. If government does little to support your ambition, making success through hard work and dedication is certainly an option.
But how long can efforts such as Cullman County’s hold up without some support from government? Would-be investors and existing business owners reportedly have dollars to spend through expansion and the hiring of new employees, but fear that the government will not ease up on taxes and regulations is keeping too much potential on hold.
Having to wait on the outcome of a presidential race hardly seems the way to inspire economic growth. The nation has been on hold long enough while the political parties argue about big government and little government. The truth is that the only way government will shrink is if it goes broke. That’s truly possible. Some public servants think Americans want a wide range of programs and services to keep them happy. What the vast majority really wants is an economy that offers jobs and prosperity. If big government wants taxes for all the grand programs, it will have to make an environment that is primed for job growth. When that happens we can all better afford the taxes and the programs.
Editorials
Growth, jobs and taxes
- Editorials
-
-
Taking the lead in education
The once-heralded ‘No Child Left Behind” education initiative from the federal level has just about run out of gas.
-
Moving into the future
Hundreds of local high school seniors are accepting their diplomas and preparing to turn the page in the next chapter of their lives.
-
Editorial: Seizure of AP phone records insult to independent press
This amounts to spying on an American news organization -- common practice in dictatorships but scary conduct in a democratic system that prizes the public value of an independent watchdog press.
-
EDITORIAL: The IRS' Turn to Answer Questions
Washington is now sinking its teeth into a real scandal: the Internal Revenue Service using ideological criteria to choose the targets of its attention.
-
Editorial: The house of death
The grisly details emerging from the murder trial of a Philadelphia abortion doctor place a glaring spotlight on a national disgrace.
-
Editorial: Murder, insanity and guns
James Holmes, the accused movie theater shooter in Colorado, would like for the public to believe he killed a dozen people because he was insane.
-
Lasting partnerships
Economic development officials have long noted the importance of expansions by existing industries and businesses in a community to lead growth.
-
COMMENTARY: Why does young adult fiction keep giving its heroines makeovers?
Over at This Ain't Living, s.e. smith (who, full disclosure, has guest-blogged for me at ThinkProgress) has an excellent post about one of the most pernicious trends in young adult fiction.
-
A spirit for moving forward
This weekend marked the two-year anniversary of a deadly day of tornadoes that streaked across Alabama, claiming lives and property and changing the landscape of many communities.
-
Faith and bombs
The investigation of the Boston Marathon bombing is pointing to the all-too-familiar theme of religious faith playing a major role in violence.
- More Editorials Headlines
-
Taking the lead in education
Raw: Train Derails After Overpass Collapse
Raw: Rescues From San Antonio Flooding
Raw: French Soldier Stabbed in Throat Near Paris
Mayor: Person Killed in San Antonio Flooding
Raw: Apple 1 Computer Sells for More Than $650k
Hagel Urges Cadets to End Scourge of Sex Assault
Raw: Gay Rights Activists March in Ukraine
Bus Fire Kills 16 Children, Teacher in Pakistan
Raw: Pakistan Election Results Protested
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
