Change, YES! Big Government, no.

I've got to hand it to Barak Obama. He performed well last night and his speech was very good. And I agree with him that America needs to change. The elected 'leaders' in Washington care more about their team than they do about the country. God forbid that they actually work together on an initiative for the benefit of the country over having an edge over their political opponent. I'm actually for eliminating party politics because they're counter poductive and legally not mentioned in the US Constitution.

So a resounding YES to change from what we see now in Washington. But what about the change that Barak Obama spoke to last night. He gave us a Clintonian litany of big government concepts and solutions to our problems. Yet, dispite the all of the stories about Obama's difficult past he succeeded without big government. So, why, other than for political reasons, are big government solutions necessary.

What change should we expect this election cycle. Well, few if anyone is talking about how we're being challenged in the world. China and India have cost advantages over US workers. The Arab states are milking us of our dollars because of worldwide demand for energy. Russia, now a wealthy capitalist country with a flat tax, is reasserting itself in the world. The change we need is in our mindset. This is now a global world so US centric thinking will not work.

I don't mean that we should make a beeline for the UN and place an emphasis on world government. We need to keep our sovergnty but need to be prepared to live, work and compete in a multi-power world. We need to get energy independent, export oriented and thinking bigger than what our government can do for us. We need to stop attacking our companies who will provide the jobs and export capability that will create an economy with fewer dips. Don't believe me? Look at recent GDP numbers. Our economy grew by 3.3% - a number far larger than expected. Not exactly the stuff of depression or even recession. Why? Because we grew through importing less (mostly because of a slowing domestic economy) and an increase in exports. Those jobs that Barak Obama says are going overseas may actually be remaining here in the US and helping us to grow.

So, over the next 3 months when people talk of change tell them you agree. When they tell you that Big Government is the answer tell them to revisit their premise.