Paper, Pencils, Fish and Chips

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Yesterday, we made a short trip south along the Central Oregon Coast to a harbor city much like the one where we live. We stopped for lunch at a floating fish market in the marina. The waiter informed us that his fish and chips were prepared from only the finest cod from Chile, so that was what we ordered. As we waited for our meal, I looked over the waters and realized about 80% of the slips were vacant, not because everyone was out fishing, but because there was no fishing to be had. What once was a bustling fishing community 20 years ago, was now little more than a ghost town because of the over regulating of the industry by our government, and an invitation to foreign countries to provide our food staples.

As we ate, a group of ducks formed near our dockside table. Someone tossed a few french fries to them, and after a bit, they had their fill and left. I thought, although they looked like ducks, they weren't realyy ducks any more. They have been so acustomed to being fed, that they have lost their survival skills, and will no longer make any effort to support themselves. And, their offspring will be taught to do the same. Much the same has happened to good Americans, spoiled by the entitlements offered bu our government.

On the return trip home, we passed several lumber mills, paper, and plywood processing plants. All were closed. No one worked there any more, which has been the case for the past 20 years. All were closed due to the over regulation of the forrest industry by our government following demands from the far left ecologists. What once was a booming industry, pumping out paper, pencils, and construction lumber, is no more. The 34 cent two-by-four of the 1980 era is now nearly $3.00 and imported from abroad.

Now, I am sure many of you have seen the impact of government over regulation in the areas where you live. Perhaps you've seen the abandoned wheat fields, cotton farms, and mineral mines across America that have been replaced by government subsidised programs. The farmers have become like the ducks in the harbor, and the rest of us are paying for it.

Hundreds of thousands of jobs could be returned to America if the government releases it's grip on over regulation. Jobs in oild drilling. Jobs in the lumber, farming and fishing industries. And the thousands of other jobs that would be created from the trickle down effect. Boat builders, heavy equiptment operators, machine manufacturers, fish processing, and transportation.

America could be America again when our paper and pencils are affordable to every child that wants to attend school. Iron ore would be mined here and made into steel locally. Our food would be grown in America, and exported like it once was. 2x4's would be produced here making homes more affordable, and I could get a decent Pacific Halibut fish and chip dinner.

Enjoy your Labor Day, but think about labor.
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