Towers of Innovation and the Governor

The Libertarian Party reacts to public awareness no one is in charge of the business that creates jobs; or, “but I thought Walker took credit-he must know how he did it?”

Given the recent news of purported mismanagement at the Bureau of Economic Development and questionable results (we are sure there are details to emerge), it was felt that in light of the worsening economic environment a broader perspective was needed on the subject.

In a release on March 31st, 2013 entitled, “Libertarian Party of Wisconsin Response to Governor Walker Budget” we said the following:  “We assure you, Governor Walker knows less about which new business has a valid product or service than the free market,” which is now self admitted as reported by Allison Bauter of the Journal Times on May 7th, “Gov. Scott Walker took his Cabinet “on the road” Monday, kicking off a series of statewide economic listening sessions at Modine Manufacturing Co. to learn how the state can best help create jobs.”

The state does not create jobs, it only hinders job creation or hinders it less.  Whatever "answers" are found on the governors road trip they will likely be beneficial to a specific business or industry but may actually be devastating to another.  Actions by our governor should be broad and good for all businesses.  More dollars to retraining projects will have less effect on employment than rolling back regulations and simplifying the over-all tax system.  Freeing the capital expended to track and file personal income taxes would be an immediate shot into the economic arm of our state with lasting benefit.

It is also critical that we stop visiting the business closure and layoff locations for political gain.  Rather than traveling the state someone at the DOR might want to pay attention to what Libertarians have been saying for a few years now about the direction of the economy.  Our economy is beginning to realize that much of our lifestyle has been built around excessive and unsustainable federal government spending and debt.  What we are seeing now are the ripples from the first of many painful cuts to the federal budget by the "Sequester." 

Let’s review just a few ripples: Oshkosh Corp – 900 laid off when the military budget was cut.  Caterpillar, Decatur, Il, has laid off 460 workers whose families will be spending much less at the Dells this summer.  C&D Technologies of Milwaukee is laying off 90 and moving to Mexico, which can’t possibly have anything to do with environmental regulation.  Finally, we feel confident that the last thing Governor Walker wants anyone talking about is the closure of Thelma’s in Merrill.  Surely today our shopping choices are more prosperous and diverse than when the largest women’s specialty store in the state opened 40 years ago.  Perhaps they are losing to online retailers?  Nope, online merchants are showing signs of weakness including costume company Buyseasons who announced cut’s of 90 jobs in New Berlin.

We suggest the people of Wisconsin finish by rereading our summary from March 1, 2013:

“Furthermore, nothing in this budget appears ready to address either the eventuality of cuts in federal spending or the need to free our markets to prepare… The governor’s priorities to direct the economy and construct towers of innovation are meddlesome, dangerous, and distort the real solutions a free market will create.”

Perspective is key.