Obama Shows His Political Savvy

by: Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA
Liberty -vs- Tyranny

One simply must acknowledge President Obama's political savvy. If anything it has gotten better the past few months.

Unless the opposing party gets it's proverbial sh*t together (or a very strong third party candidate emerges) it is quite likely Obama wins 2012 easily.

With Obama putting forward a proposal to consolidate four six government agencies into one with the purpose to streamline, eliminate duplicity, and save money, he is putting himself in a position usually occupied by conservatives.

From the Wall Street Journal.

WASHINGTON—President Barack Obama proposed consolidating six trade and commerce agencies, drawing cautious praise from congressional Republicans and business groups, though business expressed concern that some of their favored advocates in Washington would lose clout.

As part of his proposal, which requires congressional approval, Mr. Obama would merge the Commerce Department's core business-related functions with five smaller agencies: the Small Business Administration, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the Export-Import Bank, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation and the Trade and Development Agency.

Mr. Obama said the consolidation would make it easier for business to navigate the federal bureaucracy, putting several agencies whose primary goal is the promotion of U.S. business, both at home and abroad, under one roof. In this case, "six isn't better than one," Mr. Obama said at the White House.

Congressional GOP leaders said the proposal had potential.

"Eliminating duplicative programs and making the federal government more simple, streamlined and business-friendly is always an idea worth exploring," said Brendan Buck, spokesman for House Speaker John Boehner, an Ohio Republican

But others in Congress and major business groups said they had particular concerns about folding the U.S. trade representative into a larger department, on the grounds that it would lose the clout and freedom that comes with an independent agency. The USTR negotiates trade deals and eases the way for U.S. commerce overseas.

"Taking USTR, one of the most efficient agencies that is a model of how government can and should work, and making it just another corner of a new bureaucratic behemoth would hurt American exports and hinder American job creation," House Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp (R., Mich.) and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D., Mont.) said in a joint written statement.

John Murphy, vice president for international affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, echoed that sentiment, saying the consolidation "makes sense" while questioning whether the USTR should be included in the shuffle. {Read More}

While this may appear to some as just another blatant grab for power it actually makes sense when viewed from a global economic perspective.

Three Billion New Capitalists, a book written by Clyde Prestowitz who served as an adviser to the Secretary of Commerce in the Reagan administration, points out the need  for the United States government and business to develop a partnership to channel the efforts of  our corporations in a direction that will strengthen our ability to compete in the global marketplace and stem the shift of wealth to the east.

His book highlights that we are the only industrialized nation that does not have a government department (Secretary status) to formulates policy and direct efforts in the best economic interests of their country. As Mr. Prestowitz says in his book, perhaps it is time we did.

If republicans are smart they will get the best of the best in their party to negotiate in good faith and iron out differences with the President's proposal. Then they will vote their approval. It is time this nation begin looking out for the economic interests of the entire country.

For anyone who hasn't read the book my suggestion is to spend a few bucks and get it. It covers a wide variety of topics including trade policy and how to become more competitive in the global marketplace. It should be of particular interest to the advocates of the free market. Rather than ending free markets as we know them the book shows ways to preserve the market and insure we still have a place at the table tomorrow and beyond.

Via: Memeorandum