Dobbs tells ISM attendees it’s time for business, government to get more responsible
By Paul Teague -- Purchasing, 5/8/2006 2:00:00 AM
CNN business-news anchor Lou Dobbs told attendees at the 91st International Supply Management Conference Monday that despite strong economic numbers the U.S. economy is masking several problems, and he put the onus on business and government to solve them.
“We’re at an inflection point,” he said, and he encouraged the business sector to encourage government to remedy problems such as free trade agreements that result in the U.S. being treated unfairly in such foreign markets as China.
“Free trade means equal access for both parties, but with China it’s not like that,” Dobbs said.
He also encouraged individuals to get more involved in community affairs and in supporting education. Only 60% of voters voted in the last presidential election, and far fewer than that vote in local elections, he said. “How can we turn our backs on democracy?” he asked.
He conceded that the U. S. economy is strong, citing the 4.7% unemployment rate and the creation of five million jobs in the last three years. “But there are disconnects,” he said. “Investor optimism is at a seven-month low and consumer confidence is at a four-month low. And, we have a $400 billion deficit as well as a nearly one-trillion-dollar trade deficit.”
Dobbs said the solution was to move away from partisan politics. “The surest way to destroy capitalism is to ignore the proper role of government and leave the economy un tethered.”
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