IN THIS ECONOMIC MELTDOWN, WHERE IS STEVE FORBES?

Joel C. Rosenberg

[RED SOUTH]

(Washington, D.C., July 6, 2009) -- As I traveled throughout the U.S. on my recent book tour, I kept running into people who would ask me, "Where is Steve Forbes? The economy is melting down. We need his economic expertise right now."

I couldn't agree more. Steve's message in the 1990s of free market ways to create hope, growth and opportunity at home and abroad may have seemed too bold to the GOP establishment at the time. But it's desperately needed today. His plan to scrap the corrupting federal tax code - "We need to take the tax code and kill it, drive a stake through it's heart, bury it, and hope it never rises again to terrorize the American people" - and replace it with a simple flat tax that's a real tax cut for American families and businesses is the right prescription for the the mess we're now in.

Steve was passionate about eliminating wasteful government spending, and eliminating pork barrel earmarks and ridiculous corporate welfare schemes. He had serious plans to advance market-based health care reforms where individuals and families get to choose their doctors, and market-based education reforms so that parents could choose the right schools for their children. In foreign policy, Steve was a strong proponent of missile defenses, and recognized the threat Russia and Iran were becoming before many others in Washington did.

The problem is that few in Washington today seem to believe in such bold, dynamic reforms, or have the courage to advance them. I certainly don't hear any of the potential 2012 presidential candidates proposing such sweeping reforms to counter the President's plan to rack up another $10 trillion in debt and socialize much of the American economy, notably the health care sector.

As troubling, few are demonstrating Steve's understanding of global trends and threats or insisting on missile defenses or a tougher stance towards Russia and Iran. Indeed, the biggest news the GOP makes these days are by politicians who have marital affairs and should resign but don't, and successful governors who shouldn't resign but do. What's wrong with these people and this party?

Finally off the road from my book tour, I finally called Steve last week to catch up. The good news: he hasn't disappeared. To the contrary, he's spent the last few months working on a fabulous new book, Power, Ambition and Glory: The Stunning Parallels Between Great Leaders of the Ancient World and Today . . . and the Lessons You Can Learn.

Last month, Steve embarked on a national media tour. He's talking about the lessons we can learn from history's most effective and provocative leaders and how we can apply those lessons to the challenges we face today. This week, the book hit the New York Times hardcover non-fiction best-seller list at #30. I hope it climbs much higher.

[Diogenesis]

No RINOs. No Obama supporters.

Forbes and backstabber Romney are OUT.

"A political party cannot be all things to all people.
It must represent certain fundamental beliefs
 which must not be compromised to political expediency
or simply to swell its numbers."
--  President Ronald Reagan

"We don't intend to turn the Republican Party
 over to the traitors in the battle just ended.
We will have no more of those candidates who are pledged
 to the same goals as our opposition and who seek our support.
Turning the Party over to the so-called moderates
wouldn’t make any sense at all.""
--  President Ronald Reagan

"GO AWAY, WILLARD and FORBES"

[GOP_Lady]

A “wonk” that can get capital flowing to grow business and create jobs and hire people. That sounds like what is needed at this time and a wonderful idea. Too many people losing their jobs.

[Sybeck1]

Fred or we are all dead....

[Diogenesis]

You are correct. That rules out Romney.

"As U.S. real output grew 13 percent between 2002 and 2006, Massachusetts trailed at 9 percent.
* Manufacturing employment fell 7 percent nationwide those years, but sank 14 percent under Romney, placing Massachusetts 48th among the states.
* Between fall 2003 and autumn 2006, U.S. job growth averaged 5.4 percent, nearly three times Massachusetts' anemic 1.9 percent pace.
* While 8 million Americans over age 16 found work between 2002 and 2006, the number of employed Massachusetts residents actually declined by 8,500 during those years.
"Massachusetts was the only state to have failed to post any gain in its pool of employed residents," professors Sum and McLaughlin concluded.
In an April 2003 meeting with the Massachusetts congressional delegation in Washington, Romney failed to endorse President Bush's $726 billion tax-cut proposal."
[Cato Institute annual Fiscal Policy Report Card - America's Governors, 2004.]

[fieldmarshaldj]

Post #37 ping. ;-)

[JaguarXKE]

I don’t vote on charisma.

I don't either, but the fact is, without it one doesn't stand a snowball's chance of getting elected. That's just a fact of life. We need a candidate who has the right conservative values and who can connect with people. Or we loose.

[csmusaret]

TARP? We didn’t buy toxic assets. We bought stock.

[MAexile]

After four years of Obama, the Republicans could win with Elmer Fudd.

[ejonesie22]

You mean the guy who spent 44 Million of his own money to come in third behind Mike Huckabee and John McCain...

The guy who created the Health care plan that is draining the coffers of his (once) home state....

You are right, we sure could use such business acumen right now...

[GOP_Lady]

Yes, that was part of the problem. Again, no oversight.

[csmusaret]

Romneycare works so well Kennedy left Mass. and went to NC for his surgery.

[ejonesie22]

LOL!!!

YESSS!!!

Yes indeed...

[EternalVigilance]

From the WSJ Opinion Archives
CAMPAIGN 2008
Rudy's the One
The free-market leader of the GOP field.

by STEVE FORBES
Friday, March 30, 2007 12:01 A.M. EDT

Rudy Giuliani is the real fiscal conservative in the 2008 presidential race. That's why I'm endorsing him for president.

*snip*

[EternalVigilance]

After four years of Obama, the Republicans could win with Elmer Fudd.

The likelihood that they'll try is high.

[GOP_Lady]

Video: Steve Forbes Addressing the Differences Between Democrats & Republicans Regarding Economic Issues

http://www.harrywalker.com/speaker/Steve-Forbes-ovations.cfm?Spea_ID=111

[EternalVigilance]

Ping to number 53.

Forbes was never a true conservative. He just played one on TV in 2000.

[GOP_Lady]

I can understand why Steve Forbes gave Rudy his endorsement.

I don’t hold anything against him on that at all.

[GOP_Lady]

Those look like two very smart and successful men to me.

I’ll take their advice ANY TIME.

[EternalVigilance]

I don’t hold anything against him on that at all.

Of course you don't.

[EternalVigilance]

I’ll take their advice ANY TIME.

Of course you would.