Why I am running for public office

Posted on December 15, 2011 by Josh

There are many reasons why one would consider running for public office.  My personal journey starts with a conviction to create a positive impact to our community.  One area of impact that is a major concern of mine is the economy.  The economy affects everyone one of us.  After seeing friends and families experience job loss in our economy, I felt the need to understand how our government can create a favorable business environment to promote commerce.  Unfortunately, the various attempts by the government to help stimulate the economy have been a failure.  The different ideologies of the two party system and an ineffective congress have been a major stumbling block in moving our economy forward and putting people back to work.  Congress needs to understand that people are hurting, and they want jobs.  The political posturing and lack of political courage to serve their constituents are not providing solutions.  Long term politicians have lost touch with the people they serve.  We need solutions and not partisan bickering.   I believe solutions in deregulation, lower business taxes, energy solutions and tax reform can provide a starting point for a framework in economic job growth.   We need to let the free enterprise market system run, and the government should get out of the way.  In the end, people want solutions that can provide for a greater quality of life and unlimited opportunities to better their livelihood for themselves and their family.

The beauty of our election process is the fact that almost any American citizen can run for public office.  You don’t have to be a lawyer, businessman, or an American war hero.  You can be an ordinary citizen that has love of country and are concerned about where our nation is headed.   It is the passionate heart that wants to make a positive difference to our community and country as a servant leader.

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What are the Occupy Wall Street demonstrations about?

Posted on October 9, 2011 by Josh

What is the basic narrative of the Occupy Wall Street movement? Is it Main Street vs. Wall Street?  Is it the bailing out those financial institutions that are too big to fail?  Is it exposing corruption in capitalism when powerful Wall Street lobbyists exert their influence into the political system?  Do the Occupiers have a legitimate argument, or is it leftist propaganda?

After nearly four weeks of demonstrations and a growing grass roots movement, the Occupy Wall Street movement has yet to clearly define their agenda in terms of policy.  However, the movement does exhibit the growing frustrations of most Americans with respect to corporate greed by Wall Street financial institutions and the lack of an effective economic policy by our government to fix the unemployment problem.  These two issues alone have been the basis for these demonstrations, and I can fully understand the feelings of frustration by the Wall Street occupiers.

We are a nation that is hurting economically.  The pains of such an economy are demonstrated by the Wall Street occupiers.  For the past three years our economy has not grown.  We have experienced a lackluster job growth.  With 14 million people unemployed and a 9.1 percent unemployment rate, people are hurting.  Don’t forget to take into account those 8.8 million part-timers (who want full-time work) and the 2.6 million who stopped looking are also feeling the pain.  The Wall Street occupiers understand this and want something done to help get people back to work.  We need governmental leadership that has a clear economic plan for job growth and not rhetoric or political posturing.  We need political courage from both sides of the aisle to do what is best for our country.  Our country needs to get back on the path to economic prosperity.

Our financial system plays a major role in the economy of business in America.  As the finance industry has become a larger part of the economy over the last decades, the banking institution has grown bigger and bigger.  Credit and debt now takes the task of eliminating the exchange of cash, thus creating a greater dependency on our financial institutions.  Through commerce, the economy runs and thrives on these monetary means of exchange.  So, what happens when the financial institutions become too big to fail?  As experienced back in 2008, the government panicked because they were fearful of the economic ramifications of a failed banking intuition.  With that fear, our hard-earned tax dollars were provided in the form of a bailout (TARP) to rescue the banks from failure.  I believe that the government should not bail out any businesses.   In order for capitalism to thrive, a business should be held accountable for their own success or failure based on their operations and business strategic decisions.  This is the beauty of the free market enterprise system and capitalism.  Do the Wall Street occupiers have a legitimate argument about the banks?  Look at what Thomas Jefferson said in 1816 about banks:  “And I sincerely believe, with you, that banking establishments are more dangerous than standing armies; and that the principle of spending money to be paid by posterity, under the name of funding, is but swindling futurity on a large scale.”

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Happy Labor Day!

Posted on September 5, 2011 by Josh

I would like to wish everyone a happy Labor Day!  I hope that you are able to enjoy this time off to spend with your family and friends.  As we celebrate this Labor Day, I am certainly reminded and can empathize with those Americans who are not able to find work.  This includes 14 million unemployed workers at an unemployment rate of 9.1 percent in August.  It is high time we do something about it! 

As the election season starts, job creation is at the top of everyone’s agenda.  This renewed interest in job creation should have started when we entered the recessionary period three years ago.  Our current administration has not delivered on their ability to create jobs.  As a matter of fact, the administration will make another effort this week to pitch more ideas for job creation.  Their promises of continued government spending and various stimulus packages to jump start the economy has not worked.  Promises of an unemployment rate of less than 8% have yet to be realized.  All the rhetoric of creating a business environment in which there is certainty for investment and business friendly policies are mere platitudes.  We need aggressive and decisive actions to tackle this stagnant economy.  We need leadership that will provide positive results in job creation for every American!

I talked to a small business owner this past week about how his business is doing.  He just shook his head and was disgusted with the amount of regulations and taxes imposed by the federal government.  He said he has the ability to hire a worker, but the regulations and taxes have kept him snowed under and from hiring.  Historically, small businesses have been at the center of job growth.  We cannot squander any opportunities for the small business owner from hiring workers.  Small businesses should be encouraged to hire workers. They pay more per employee in compliance than big businesses.  Compliance to regulations costs companies (both big and small) money and time that could be used for other purposes resulting in fiscally value added benefits.  Basically, we need our government to reduce the red tape and cost of compliance to small businesses.  In terms of taxes, why not reduce the corporate income tax from 35% to 19% percent?  The reduced tax rate will provide less of a tax burden to the business owner with immediate returns of potential job growth.  These two fundamental key points of focus in reduced regulations and taxes will prove to be a worthwhile effort in creating a business environment with potential job growth.

As your congressman, I pledge to listen to your concerns and be your voice in Congress.  I will work hard to facilitate the necessary tools for the business owner to be more efficient, competitive and productive to reap the rewards of their hard work.  I look forward to serving you and leading the effort for job creation.  Have a safe and happy Labor Day!

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Debt Ceiling Crisis

Posted on August 8, 2011 by Josh

The debt ceiling bill that was passed last Tuesday (August 2) provides for the debt ceiling to be increased by $2.4 trillion dollars in total, calls for cuts of more than $2.1 trillion over ten years in spending (with $900 billion immediate cuts across the board), and creates a 12 person House and Senate special committee to identify these spending cuts.  This is essentially what the lawmakers approved.

While I praise the lawmakers for averting a governmental default by approving the bill and not raising our taxes, there is an underlying theme or process that seems to be occurring in Washington these days.  As a concerned taxpayer, I have to ask myself, why is our government, seemingly, operating in a crisis mode on hard line issues and having to resolve matters in the final hour.  Is this the future of Congress’s modus oprandi? Haven’t we seen this kind of crisis management before with a threat of government shutdown earlier in April or how about the handling of the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) to address the subprime mortgage crisis?  As a taxpayer, I believe we deserve representation that addresses issues from a proactive position and resolves issues in a timely manner.  Last minute rushed decisions may provide for unintended consequences.  These actions by Congress have been further accounted for and validated by Standard & Poor’s (S&P) downgrade of the U.S. credit rating.  While S&P’s credibility is debatable, it does shed some light on a dysfunctional Washington.  Washington cannot continue to operate in a crisis mode.  We need lawmakers that will take courage and put the interests of the country first, rather than their own interest in getting re-elected.  We need a better Washington!

So, how has your congressman represented you during this debt ceiling crisis?  Have they shown true leadership by listening to their constituents?  Offered any explanations for their voting record?  As your congressman in District 3, I will be committed to listening to your thoughts and ideas, your concerns, and keep an open line of communication about my voting record in Congress, because I want to serve you!

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Political Courage

Posted on July 10, 2011 by Josh

Where is the political courage in our governmental leaders?  In the midst of a looming deadline (Aug. 2) to increase the debt ceiling, the Republican leadership has abandoned an opportunity to reduce the deficit by $4 trillion or more over 10 years.  Instead, House Speaker John Boehner has announced that he would be working towards a deal that would roughly save $2.4 trillion over a 10 year period.  This less ambitious compromised plan was the result of an impasse between the two parties in which there was strong opposition by the GOP not to raise taxes and pursue cutting entitlements, while the Democrats want to pursue raising more revenue through tax increases and protect any reduction in entitlements.  I have to ask whether our government leaders on both sides of the aisle are exhibiting political courage to serve what is in the best interest for our country, or are they looking to protect their political position in Congress for the next election? What is more important? A politician’s career or our country’s future?

Do I want to increase the debt ceiling?  No.  I would not support continued spending.  We need to establish a balanced-budget amendment that will help us to control our spending and have greater accountability to the people.  In order to do this, it would require sacrifice and political courage from both parties. 

With the current negotiations to raise the debt ceiling, I certainly would not support any form of a tax increase.  Our economy is in a critical stage in which we need greater job growth.  Increasing the tax rate would stifle the soft economy and reduce any opportunities for companies to hire more people.

If we are to seriously look at reducing our deficit spending and national debt, I believe we need to address the problem through a collective effort by analyzing ways to reform our tax code to create greater revenues through reduced taxes, reduce government programs, enact a balanced-budget amendment, and explore areas for reduction in our entitlement programs.  These types of efforts are not easy to initiate and implement, but they would require real political courage!

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Happy Birthday America!

Posted on July 3, 2011 by Josh

Happy Birthday America!  As we celebrate our Independence Day on the Fourth of July, I can’t help but to reflect on how blessed we are to live in such a great country! 

Consider yourself rich compared to the rest of the world.  Over three billion people (close to half the world population) live on less than $2.50 a day.  This fact alone says that as a nation, we are financially blessed.  The financial blessing does not come for free and does require work.  The opportunity to attain wealth in America is equally available for everyone who chooses to do the work and pay the price.  I like what James Truslow Adams had to say about opportunities in America.  He said, “The American Dream is that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement.  It is a difficult dream for the European upper classes to interpret adequately, and too many of us ourselves have grown weary and mistrustful of it.  It is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position.”  I believe our great land does provide us with this opportunity, and we are richly blessed.

Regardless of our current economic situation, we are blessed with the largest economy in the world with a gross domestic product (GDP represents the total dollar value of all goods and services produced over a specific time period.) of $14.62 trillion in 2010.  This is still bigger than China’s GDP (the second largest economy) at $5.88 trillion and Japan’s $5.47 trillion.  The experience in economic growth and sustainment can be attributed to the hardworking men and women of our country.  Without their positive contributions and perseverance to make this land the greatest in the world, we would not be where we are today.  Let us not lose heart and give into our current economic circumstances, but be bold and persistent in working through the situation knowing that with the right leadership our economy will expand, and we will be rewarded for our hard work.

Throughout the years, my interests in cultures and languages have taken me to over 13 different countries in the world.  These personal life experiences have helped me to not only gain a greater understanding of people, but proved to me how fortunate we are in America to have the freedoms and economic prosperity we have today.  Based on what I have seen and experienced, this is truly the greatest country on earth, we are blessed!  I love this great country of ours, and I am thankful we have the opportunity to move our country forward together!

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Defense Spending

Posted on June 18, 2011 by Josh

As part of the effort to reduce our $1.4 trillion deficit spending and $14 trillion national debt, the defense spending budget is one piece of the pie that needs to be scrutinized for opportunities to reduce cost.  The budgetary and spending problems cannot be blamed on defense spending alone.  However, it is one component of the U.S. budget that could play a vital role in restoring fiscal conservativeness and still maintain adequate funding for the military.

According to the Congressional Budget Office, defense spending grew 9% annually on average from fiscal year 2000–2009.  The defense spending for 2010 was $694 billion, which was 5.4 percent of gross domestic product (still remaining less than the 7 percent average) and 20 percent of the overall budget. Comparatively speaking, defense spending is the second largest expense after entitlements (entitlements will be addressed in a later blog entry).

So, what can be done to reduce the defense spending without compromising our national security? I believe one significant area of focus for reduction in defense spending is the involvement (operations and personnel) with the wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and the recent development in Libya (as part of NATO support).  These types of expenses are requested as part of the overseas contingency operations (OCO) in the defense budget, along with any supplemental cost (cost that is above the normal baseline defense budget for military operations).  The OCO budget request for fiscal year 2010 was $129.6 billion (already provided) and $33 billion in supplemental funding.  The current OCO request for 2011 is $159.3 billion and a supplemental that is yet to be decided.  These costs continue to grow with more involvement in military operations overseas.

Given the death of Osama Bin Laden and the dismantling of the Taliban, Afghanistan and Iraq have attained a measure of stability and forward progression in the establishment of their governments.  As a result, it is time for us to determine the next course of action for the best use of our troops. Troop reduction in Afghanistan is the next strategic step and presents a real opportunity to reduce OCO and supplemental cost.  Between 2009 and 2011, there was a shift in cost from Iraq to Afghanistan due to the increase in troop levels in Afghanistan.  In the fiscal year 2011, the Afghan war costs accounted for 71 percent of war costs and Iraq 29 percent.  Thus, establishing a priority in the reduction of the 100,000 troops in Afghanistan will prove to be a worthwhile effort towards reducing the overall defense spending.

With the termination of the combat mission in Iraq as of August 2010, reduction in troop levels in Iraq has proven to reduce cost.  Iraq’s current estimated troop level is at 45,000 with further reductions planned (conditions based) till the end of 2011.  I agree with some of the lawmakers who are advocating for a reduced troop presence of 20,000 (if necessary).  Any reduction in troops will be a direct cost saving.

Another new development for the U.S. troops is a third military operation in Libya.  Since the start of U.S. involvement in the Libyan crisis, cost for the operation has totaled more than $664 million by mid-May.  By the end of fiscal year 2011, the cost for the intervention is estimated to reach $800 million with more than 4,000 military personnel and 175 aircraft involved.  In order to continue this effort, we need to clearly define the rationale, level of commitment, and leverage our allies in NATO to play a greater role in stabilizing Libya.

Although troop reduction will help reduce the defense spending, it is critical for our troops, their families and our veterans to receive the support that is needed in equipment, resources and services.  Let’s be clear, our troops well being and effectiveness in the field should never be compromised.  Overall, I believe a reduced military operation in terms of time and personnel will be beneficial for all those involved, as well as, a greater cost benefit to the tax payer in an effort to reduce the deficit spending and national debt.

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For the unemployed

Posted on June 3, 2011 by Josh

There is no doubt that one of the toughest problems to solve in our current economic situation is the ability to create jobs.  It was announced today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics that the unemployment rate rose to 9.1 percent last month, from 9.0 percent.  Economists are predicting a double dip recession as home sales weaken, rising prices in food and commodities continue, and a consumer confidence level that is dropping.  If there are no positive resulting economic policies in place to address the job creation problem, these accumulating macroeconomic factors will snowball into tougher times for everyone.  

For those who are unemployed, I want to encourage you to continue to keep looking for work with perseverance.  Don’t get easily distracted or discouraged with negative economic data, as you strive to be resourceful in your job search.  Stay focused and positive on your task for finding work.  Seek every possible avenue to find work.  This could include networking with family and friends, internet job portals, unemployment agencies, recruiters, social networking sites, job shops and job fairs.  Create opportunities for yourself through the use of technology and social/professional gatherings.  Do not limit yourself with the resources that are available to you.  Use the time to inventory the skills that are needed to meet the current demands of the job market and put together a plan on how to grow your skill set for the future.  Ultimately, realize that this is a temporary situation.

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Tax Reform

Posted on April 22, 2011 by Josh

I think most everyone will agree that the tax code is too complicated. The National Taxpayer Advocate (NTA – an independent office within the IRS) defines the most serious problem facing taxpayers and the IRS is the Internal Revenue Code. NTA has continually impressed upon Congress to simplify the tax code. Their insistence has been met with a demure response.

Complexity in the tax code results in a higher cost for tax compliance in terms of hours and dollars. Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) estimated that in 2008 the cost of compliance for taxpayers and businesses in terms of hours was 6.1 billion hours per year (for just the filing alone). That would be equivalent to employing more than 3 million full time workers (based on a 2,000 hour man year) to achieve tax compliance. That is pretty alarming to think that we could employ that many workers just for tax compliance. The increase in complexity also results in a higher cost to individuals and corporate America. The estimated cost for individual and corporate income tax compliance in 2008 was $163 billion. Because the individual taxpayer finds the tax code complex and time consuming, an estimated 60 percent of them use a tax preparer. Tax preparers and software are not free. The median income taxpayer in 2007 paid an estimate of $258 for tax compliance. The cost for such services continues to go up each year.  Do we really need to pay to do our civic duty?

While many lawmakers talk about tax reform, there has been very little action taken to facilitate such a reform. I believe it is high time for tax reform. Consider that the last reform was 25 years ago when President Ronald Reagan signed the Tax Reform Act of 1986. Can you imagine the tax code being any more complicated than it is today? The following is not meant to be an exhaustive list of the proposed requirements for tax reform, but consider these broad based ideas:

  1. Keep the tax code simple. The tax code needs to be simplified enough that the taxpayer can do it themselves.  The cost of such simplicity will provide exponential benefits in terms of hours and dollars to both the taxpayer and the IRS.  Simplicity will provide better transparency to the taxpayer.  It will build their confidence in the tax system and greater tax compliance.
  2. Eliminate or minimize any changes to the tax code.  It is estimated that in 2010 there were 579 tax code changes.  One way to minimize a major cost for tax compliance to both the IRS and the taxpayer is to employ a tax code that is static.  Focus on minimizing changes to tax exemptions, credits, and deductions. Eliminate any narrow special interest group incentives or benefits.  Constant changes to the tax code do not help the taxpayer to be more compliant or error free, it adds more stress.   It painfully distorts the taxpayer’s decisions, thus creating inefficiencies in the economy. 
  3. Put more money in the pockets of taxpayers.  Why not lower the individual income tax? The long term effect will provide for economic growth and more jobs.  Higher tax rates do little to grow the economy.  Higher taxes on a narrow tax base will not generate sufficient revenues to sustain our government’s deficit spending.
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A Simpler Tax Code

Posted on April 15, 2011 by Josh

Do you get a little anxious when tax time rolls around?  I certainly do.  A little of the anxiety is due to the psychology of a looming deadline.  Just about everyone who has ever dealt with the IRS knows that April 15 is the deadline to send in our tax return for processing.  Luckily, this year the deadline is set for April 18.  So, for those procrastinators, you have a little more time.

 As I reflect on the number of years that I have done taxes for myself, I believe we need to simplify our tax code.  The good old days of the 1040EZ forms are long gone.  Adulthood and greater responsibility has burdened me with the complexity of the 1040 forms.  What used to take thirty minutes has gone up in time to all hours on a weekend.  I can attribute the central focus of most people’s anxiety about taxes (besides paying them) is the complexity of the tax code.  The IRS Tax Commissioner Douglas Shulman uses a tax preparer for his taxes.  He said, “I’ve used one for years.  I find it convenient.  I find the tax code complex so I use a preparer.”  He also noted that 60% of Americans use tax preparers and 20% utilize software to file their returns.  Last year, the IRS.gov website provided assistance to 305 million taxpayers.  The IRS also assisted more than 78 million taxpayers on the telephone or at walk-in sites.  I’m sure my phone calls are included in that statistic.  How much assistance have you had to seek in the last few years?

There are many benefits to a simpler tax code.  Obviously, the anxiety of getting the taxes completed and filed would be lowered.  The tax laws should be simple enough that taxpayers can accurately prepare their own returns, thus reducing the IRS assistance.   Reduction in the IRS assistance will mean savings in governmental expenses.  Any opportunities to simplify the tax code and reduce the size of the IRS Department will benefit the taxpayer.  A simple tax code will also provide for greater tax compliance and reduce the individual’s tax expense for filing.  Most importantly, it will save a lot in time for those who file their own taxes.  Time that I know I would rather use on other activities!

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