James V. Zedak – 2/27/05

This page was last updated on February 27, 2005.

Politics put ahead of progress; James V. Zedak; Beaver County Times; February 27, 2005.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“A recent article (‘State official says manufacturing remains crucial’) pointed out some very disturbing facts.

“Pennsylvania ranks 47th out of the 50 states in job growth, 49th out of 50 in population growth and it leads the nation in the 25-to-34 age group leaving the state.

“This situation did not occur overnight, and it would seem our legislative body, through quite a few years of powerhouse politics and lack of a strong bipartisan effort, has permitted this situation to begin and grow.”

[RWC] This is Mr. Zedak’s first error. Pennsylvania’s economic plight is the result of bipartisan socialism. When you look at their record as a group, PA elected Republicans aren’t much different than Democrats. There are exceptions, but they aren’t the leaders.

The socialism comes in the form of high so-called business taxes, government spending on “economic development,” anti-business labor laws, a backward approach to civil lawsuits, et cetera.

“Gov. Ed Rendell is planning for $7 billion dollars over several years to be funneled through programs into the state’s economy to try to improve this problem.

“However, these programs will fail without strong bipartisan support.”

[RWC] This is Mr. Zedak’s second error. He apparently believes a government-directed economy works. How many times does it take to learn the lesson that command economies don’t work? Remember the David Lawrence Convention Center, Heinz Field, PNC Park, Lord & Taylor, Lazarus, and on and on? Let’s not forget the concept of a command economy is what made communist countries economic failures. Remember the $255 million spent on Toll Route 60 [James E. Ross (D) Highway] in the early 1990s that was to spur economic development?

“It would seem Pennsylvania needs a new direction, and it has to begin with our legislative body.

“Changes such as reduction in the size of the legislative body to save millions of taxpayer dollars, term limits to reduce the complacency of legislative officials and a campaign fund reform act with strict enforcement to try to level out the playing field so that talented and viable newcomers may have a chance to represent us would seem to be a necessary and beneficial move.

“Unfortunately, the citizens of Pennsylvania can’t put a referendum on the ballot to force these changes.

“Only our legislative body has that authority, and we all know that protection of the good old boys and girls club is paramount over Pennsylvania progress and growth.”

[RWC] I agree with reducing the size of the General Assembly, but it won’t stop the GA’s socialist tendencies. When we predominantly elect socialists, we get socialist policies. I disagree with term limits because I believe we should be able to vote for whomever we want. Term limits won’t stop people from voting for socialists. Finally, I tend to disagree with campaign funding laws other than those that require full disclosure of contributors and their contributions. Most campaign “reform” laws merely tend to infringe on free speech.