Smart folk in Washington are busily staring into their crystal balls (or perhaps Magic 8-Balls) trying to figure out why unemployment is so “unexpectedly” high. Perhaps if they stopped playing with their balls and listened to some real employers, they might get a clue.
David McElroy shares the story of one Ronnie Bryant who operates coal mines in Alabama. Bryant went to a public hearing in an innercity Birmingham neighborhood for various government officials to get public input on local environmental issues. After listening to two hours of business bashing by environmentalists and other activists, he finally had his say:
I got a permit to open up an underground coal mine that would employ probably 125 people. They’d be paid wages from $50,000 to $150,000 a year. We would consume probably $50 million to $60 million in consumables a year, putting more men to work. And my only idea today is to go home. What’s the use? I don’t know. I mean, I see these guys — I see them with tears in their eyes — looking for work. And if there’s so much opposition to these guys making a living, I feel like there’s no need in me putting out the effort to provide work for them. So as I stood against the wall here today, basically what I’ve decided is not to open the mine. I’m just quitting. Thank you.
Memo to President Obama: Words matter and your words matter more than most. Businesses aren’t stupid. Keep bashing them and they’ll take the hint and go away.
Think about that between holes.
– Written by Bonfire of the Absurdities
Source: David McElroy
This post was last modified on August 11, 2011
View Comments (24)
Why should producers (of good fruit) continue to produce (good fruit) when they are being crucified for producing (good fruit)? How many of you want to bet that he is going to be accused of being selfish and evil now for not opening the mine? Gaia worshippers are disgusting.
Considering how many businesses have already left this country, due to unions, corporate taxes, minimum wage, WHY should they be surprised. I pray every day that I will still have my job tomorrow - and I was supposed to retire 13 years ago.
I don't think you folks get it. The politicians understand everything they need to. They aren't dumb, just corrupt. They don't care if there are businesses and tax revenue and jobs. They sell your future labor and that of your children to people for stuff. Its really that simple. The less jobs there are the more dependent people are on the welfare state machine and those people are easy to control (see unions and dems ) which feeds back into more power and more future labor sales which feeds into fewer jobs etc.
End game is welfare state machine drivers and its network (lobbyists, powerbrokers, political favorites etc) own your ass outright and you are a slave. I'd dare say we've already hit that point some time ago.
Now get off the internet and get back on your hamster wheels, chumps...eerr... I mean fellow Americans (home of the free and all that shit).
I'm sure that when all the energy economy jobs are gone, we'll be getting our power, heat, and light by rubbing two sticks together or by stricking flint against steel. If we want a hot meal, we can wait until noon and fight the buzzards for the occasional road kill on the the baking surface of the road and we will get our water from the same ponds the farm animals use to get their water. Won't that be GREEN?
I hope the enviro-nazi's are proud of themselves. I wonder how many more jobs they'll kill this year.
Another item people forget," the rich get richer providing jobs and services". However its very easy for them to not do those things and still be VERY wealthy. Wealth is easily moved, and they can take their toys and go home. Soaking the rich in taxes only drives them out to another state, or country. Yes I'm looking at you New york.
This is exactly correct. Wasn't it on Rush where he said that most millionaires are first generation? These are people who sit on their asses, snapping for the servant to bring them another wine. These are people with good ideas that make the country successful. This class-envy crap from politicians is causing people to bite the hand that feeds them. How can they be such simpletons?
These people spend so much time worrying about the snail-darter , the pink nut micro stink worm (wink) and every other imaginary concern , but care nothing about working people , unless they are members of the PLANTATION .
Stress on Snail-darter , BAD , BAD , BAD . Radical left policies causing stress on local economics , GOOD , GOOD , GOOD. Gopher turtle not having the best of times , BAD , BAD , BAD. Ripping a human baby to pieces , to make life easier for the women , GREAT , GREAT , GREAT.
Plantation life and all its benifits versus people trying to make an honest living.
Evil people make their choices . Good people make their choices.
Just what Obama wants. Coal/oil-bad, green jobs that kill the economy-good.
Will those in the United Mine Workers who support Dems blindly understand why they will be extinct?
They will blame Republicans.
"We're in trouble when those that work for a living are out numbered by those that vote for a living." I heard that on TV earlier today. I believe there are smart folk in Washington doing a bang up job of getting us there. They have no intention of listening to real employers, they just want to raise their taxes and give it to those that vote for a living. Using the words of RIM. their motives are highly suspicious and IMO, just evil.
On that note, I'm currently re-reading "State of Fear" by Michael Crichton. Funny, THAT one never got made into a movie...