Economy, summit and solutions
Sen. Max Baucus recently flexed his economic muscle, and showed why having a senator with seniority is a big boost for a small-population state like Montana.
The senator’s two-day economic summit in Butte may or may not accomplish anything for the state in the long-term, but as a pep talk it was unmatched.
About 2,000 people from around the state gathered to share ideas and enthusiasm for building the economy of Montana. Guest speakers included some of the top names in industry such as Steve Ballmer of Microsoft and Jeff Immelt of General Electric, famed investor Warren Buffet, and Energy Secretary Steven Chu.
The ability of Baucus to summon such significant names to Butte, even via video as was often the case, speaks to his considerable clout in Washington. As chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, he is one of D.C.’s most powerful players.
Yet, as Baucus himself acknowledged, the summit is just a steppingstone. The real work takes place when the summit participants spread out across the state and put what they learned into action.
Sen. Baucus also has a role to play in Washington, and he promised to push for legislation that “cuts taxes, rewards entrepreneurs, [and] inspires investment.”
The senator’s heart is in the right place, but we hope his visit to Butte also reminded people that sometimes the best thing the government can do for business and the economy is to get out of the way.
As part of the new mood sweeping across the country, its time for Washington politicians to re-evaluate the way they do business. Handing out government money is a stimulus, but it may not be a solution.
The energy and ideas to restore the national economy are already here, without government encouragement or intervention. It’s time to let the American people solve our own problems, rather than trying to fix everything with a federal Band-Aid.
IT’S HEARTWARMING to see the public respond to a recent call for help from the Flathead County Animal Shelter.
Within two days of an Inter Lake story about an overcrowding crisis at the shelter, 20 dogs had been adopted out. That helped ease a population overload of 80 dogs in a shelter with a maximum capacity of 55.
The dog influx (as well as a similar overflow of cats) has been partly attributed to the economic downturn, as people with job and housing challenges have to part with their pets.
That situation may not be easing very swiftly, so it’s possible the shelter in the future will have to make another emergency call for people to help out with an animal overload.
To view animals at the shelter, go to www.flathead.mt.gov/animal