3.14-15.09 - Intelligent Responses to Tough Economic Times Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In these tough economic and political times, many people are increasingly frustrated with the Obama administration.  Contrary to some media reports, this past week Obama suffered his lowest approval ratings to date (according to Rasmussen).  Many of you are asking me, “I am very concerned about the direction our country is heading in, but what can I do?”  The first thing you can do is register to vote (click here for a Voter Registration Application) and then vote for conservative reform candidates who want to move our state and country forward.  Second, educate your children and others about how the world really works and why free-market capitalism encourages all individuals to be the best that they can be.  I try to facilitate this learning process each weekend on my radio program, so encourage others to “tune in.”  Third, let President Obama and Congress know that you are frustrated with their “borrow, tax, and spend” policies by sending a tea bag to the White House on April 1, 2009— the address is 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington D.C. 20500.  You can recycle by making yourself a cup of tea first, drying out the tea bag, and then sending the used tea bag to Washington.  (You see I am a conservative and a conservationist!)  All over America, people have accepted CNBC commentator, Rick Santelli’s call to organize new American tea parties.  There will be one in Pittsburgh soon and I will try to speak at it.  I’ll keep you posted.

This week, I interview two wonderful guests.  First, Sara Mohsin, co-owner and co-founder of Mohsin Mortgage Corporation, joins me in the studio.  Sara and I discuss what it takes to be successful in the mortgage industry today.  Rather than simply trying to “close the deal,” she strives to provide her customers with a service that encourages referrals and repeat business.  As a result, Mohsin Mortgage has experienced steady growth, even in this current economic and housing crisis.  Whether you want to buy a new house, a piece of commercial real estate, or even an airplane, give Sara a call at 1-800-662-9550.

Born in China to parents from Bangladesh, Sara has traveled extensively and lived in many different countries around the world.  Her father, a diplomat from Bangladesh, was posted in Canada for an extensive period of time while Sara was growing up.  She eventually became a Canadian citizen and spent her college and early career years in Canada.  She has experienced the Canadian healthcare system first hand and speaks about its many flaws.  Under the Canadian health system, many people wait many months even for critical cancer treatments.  Other people, having reached certain ages, are denied care all together.  As an immigrant to the United States who loves and respects liberty and freedom, she can not understand why President Obama and the Democrats in Congress would want to implement a similar and inferior healthcare system here in the U.S.

Next, I interview Scott Walker, County Executive of Milwaukee, about his decision to reject Stimulus funds from the Federal Government.  Scott writes about his decision in a recent opinion piece published in the Wall Street Journal, “Why I’m Not Lining Up for Stimulus Handouts” (February 28, 2009).  Scott cites three key reasons for his decision.  First, free money from Washington is never free.  Once States accept these funds to build new roads and increase social services, they will have to increase taxes to maintain these roads and services.  Second, Wisconsin (under Democrat Governor Doyle) has borrowed vast sums of money and avoided making tough budget decisions while expanding government programs such as welfare, public school union contracts, and government led economic development programs.  Accepting federal money will only prolong the inevitable need to make budget cuts in the future.  And third, if we grow government rather than private-sector jobs, we will not help the economy.  Public sector jobs are funded by taxes and borrowing against future taxes.  They do not create new economic growth or tax base.  What happens when taxes are higher, government debt has mushroomed and the stimulus money is gone?  There will be a lot less in the private sector to tax and we will be a poorer nation.

I hope you enjoy these two terrific guests.