Free Up Free Enterprise...

What a start to the year! After reading the final blog entry of 2009, I have had a difficult time deciding how to top the good news in that piece. That December blog, posted by our own Charles Nickerson (VP Economic Development), trumps most of the previous entries because it included the many accolades bestowed upon Texarkana the last several months. Well, I do not have any national press to showcase, but I can talk about how Texarkana is receiving publicity at the state level.

As I am writing this, Mr. Nickerson is currently attending the Arkansas Economic Developers Spring Conference in Little Rock. Governor Mike Beebe just completed his remarks which included a statement highlighting Texarkana’s ‘can-do’ spirit. He noted the community’s work in retaining Cooper Tire, as well as our continued work in growing our community. We are, as some in attendance no doubt thought, a shining example of free enterprise.

You may remember just a few short weeks ago a similar recognition came from the Texas side when Texas Secretary of State Hope Andrade visited Texarkana. After visiting 4 family-owned businesses, Secretary Andrade – herself a former business owner for more than 30 years – applauded these companies for their long-time commitment to Texarkana and the State. The secretary was clear: Texarkana is full of examples of how free enterprise works.

There are those words again: free enterprise.

It is becoming more apparent every day that this country succeeds (or fails) based on how strong the free enterprise system is. Some would say the shackles of government create a daily assault on the proven economic engine of our country, yet society has – for the most part – allowed this to happen. Until now, it seems. People all around are rising up in opposition to unsound policies being bantered about in Washington. It seems neither political party is safe when elections roll around, however I submit that those who support the efforts of free enterprise will have the best chance at returning to D.C. You see, no matter how many American citizens are to be ‘saved’ by new government programs, somebody still must pay a price. What so many in the nation’s capitol forget is that, in the absence of payment from the citizens, payment – and the accompanying mandates – fall on the backs of the business community. Make no mistake, Washington bureaucrats, citizens WILL pay a price.

My solution? Free up free enterprise. Our number one goal in America should be to create jobs, which seems for the moment to be at the bottom of the list for policymakers. The US Chamber of Commerce has a comprehensive plan of action which includes the following points:

1) Create jobs by doubling exports in 5 years.
2) Rebuild America’s infrastructure.
3) Promote major investments and breakthroughs in energy.
4) Expand credit across the economy.
5) Ease the uncertainty over tax increases as well as health, environmental, labor, legal, and fiscal policies.

Ambitious? Yes! Doable? Absolutely! It will take real leadership to get it done. These folks may be in office right now - they just need all of us to remind them who THEY work for in this system of free enterprise.

That’s my view – I would love to hear yours…

Jeff K. Sandford
President & CEO