JOBS: Here's the bottom line

Jobs. More jobs. Many more jobs. Many more good paying jobs. Every politician must say something about good paying jobs if he hopes to get elected.

One candidate recently said everyone ought to be earning between $90,000 and $100,000. Sounds like a great idea, doesn't it?

But think for a moment: What would be the result if everyone who is now earning say $45,000 were to start earning $90,000? In a closed economy would we all be better off?

We would not be, and the reason is that we often confuse money with wealth. Wealth does not consist in the money we have in the bank, but in the things we own and the things we can purchase. If everyone got a raise then the cost of everything would go up and we would be no better off.

One of the reasons that there is so much unemployment during a recession is the inflexibility of the labor market. Union contracts do not usually permit the reduction of wages, employees generally expect to earn more each year. So, when things slow down rather than reducing wages businesses close or reduce employment.

Most people who are out of work could find work if their price were lowered.

One of the reasons that wages are lower here is simply the fact that people want to live here and will take less in wages just to be able to live in this great place.

Another thought concerns LCDC and tax increment financing. Even the mayor seems to be confused for she said: "Also, ensuring that the McEuen Field project is paid for without a dollar of taxpayers' money." Since no private funding is mentioned your taxes are the only place from which this funding can come.

Personally I see no need for Urban Renewal in Idaho. I have seen no area that is "Blighted." Some places have lots of clutter, but that is just rural Idaho. Poverty is not having the things that are needed: Clutter is having a lot of things that have no value.

Let's face it folks: LCDC is just a neat way for the city government to fund projects that you and I would never vote to fund. (To understand more about how urban renewal districts are funded go to: http://opencda.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/lcdc-web.pdf)

Coeur d'Alene is a great place to live, but we are rapidly losing that because of a City Council that is not responsive to the needs of the people. Comments: [email protected]

JIM HOLLINGSWORTH

Coeur d'Alene