Debate: Do you think it is the government's resposibility to create jobs?

[jbooma]

After listening to a lot of you and hearing all of this that the Bush administration hasn't created jobs (even though they have created 2 million this year). Who's job is it anyway to create these jobs? Why do we put it on the government when it isn't like they can go to corporate america and say hey, hire people now.

I believe the fault lies on corporate america not the goverment. Technically the administration has made a lot of government jobs contract positions and created another organization that created many jobs and are still hiring.

Just curious what all of you thought.

As for companies going over seas, we are becoming a global economy so it is opening the door for new challenges all over.

[Burgold]

I believe Presidents get more credit and blame than they deserve for the economy. However, I do believe that to the extent that it is in their power, President's should try to create as postive an economic climate as possible.

[Thiebear]

Its the people that make 200k right? Wasnt it said they make up 70% of the small business?
Its Microsoft/IBM/Walmart/McDonalds
Its Lucent/Lowes/Home Depot
Its the neighborhood grass cutters/newpaper delivery
Its Heinz, Dupont, Disney...
7/11, mobile, shell, amoco, sheetz...
Its Geeks on call

Its that guy/girl with an idea and willing to risk it all to see if they can give up their boss and double their hours...

I appreciate them all...

[Riggo-toni]

It is the gov't's responsibility to create a favorable trade, fiscal and regulatory environment for businesses to prosper to facilitate the creation of jobs from the private sector. The government has never created jobs - anybody it hires has to be paid for through taxes, inflation, or debt.
The first George Bush failed on all counts. W, on the other hand, has a mixed record. Tax cuts softened some of the potential damage caused by the dot com collapse and 9/11, but his mammoth increases in spending have have pushed long term interest rates up, thus increasing the cost of capital. Also, his medicare prescription fiasco led to higher insurance costs, which has hindered new hirings. Also, his ridiculous pandering to the unions for which he passed illegal tariffs on steel cost thousands of manufacturing jobs, and W has done little if anything to promote expansion of NAFTA or other trade promoting agreements.

[ross3909]

What presidents can do is not much. They can create an environment through tax breaks, cuts, and incentives to make US companies keep more of thier profit. This in turn helps companies have more capitol and grow business. When there is more business than there is a need for more employees. As for outscorcing jobs, other companies in other countries do it also. Take the huge BMW plant down in South Carolina. If we want to end outscorcing than that blade cuts both ways.

[jbooma]

Originally posted by ross3909
As for outscorcing jobs, other companies in other countries do it also. Take the huge BMW plant down in South Carolina. If we want to end outscorcing than that blade cuts both ways.

Great point and many here wouldn't want that.

[Burgold]

my only beef is that I am not sure why the government should pay companies to export jobs. I don't think they should necessarily penalize them, but why should they receive extra incentives for moving a job to a foreign country?

[jbooma]

Originally posted by Burgold
my only beef is that I am not sure why the government should pay companies to export jobs. I don't think they should necessarily penalize them, but why should they receive extra incentives for moving a job to a foreign country?

The one good thing it does is help forge relationships with certain countries, look at India right now.

This could be a way to entice companies to do this. It also puts us on a global stage where we can sell our products there just like the Japanese have been doing so long here.

[luckydevil]

The government has never created jobs - anybody it hires has to be paid for through taxes, inflation, or debt.

Bingo

And taxes and inflation destroy jobs.

[SkinsHokieFan]

The government creates no jobs what so ever. I won't repeat Riggo's post but he is dead on.

People like myself have created more jobs then the last 5 presidents combined. This year alone I have hired 23 more workers.

The gov't has very little to do with making the economy better, but it can do a lot to mess it up.

[DjTj]

Originally posted by SkinsHokieFan2

The gov't has very little to do with making the economy better, but it can do a lot to mess it up.

So when we lose jobs, it's the government's fault.

But when we gain jobs, that has nothing to do with the government?

[pr11fan]

It's the governments responsibility to create a favorable economic environment, so that more jobs are necessary in the private sector.

[luckydevil]

So when we lose jobs, it's the government's fault.

No, not necessarily

The business cycle is a prime cause of unemployment.

But when we gain jobs, that has nothing to do with the government?

pretty much

[SkinsHokieFan]

DjTj....... almost.

I should have been a little more clear. Basically I think the gov't can do very little to cause good times besides keeping taxes and inflation and spending low. Thats it.

It is easy though to tax and spend and allow inflation to get out of control. Hence why I think more blame should go to the gov't for bad times then credit for good times

[DjTj]

Originally posted by SkinsHokieFan2
DjTj....... almost.

I should have been a little more clear. Basically I think the gov't can do very little to cause good times besides keeping taxes and inflation and spending low. Thats it.

It is easy though to tax and spend and allow inflation to get out of control. Hence why I think more blame should go to the gov't for bad times then credit for good times

That's fair.

I think it's also reflected in voting generally. When the economy is bad, more people will talk about and vote on the economy. However, when the economy is good people will vote more on social issues and other things.