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
