Opinion

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The Business Times Contributors THE BUSINESS TIMES JanuaryJANUARY 12-25, 2023 15-28, 2015 Opinion Opinion Business BriefsA new year affords Business Peoplea new opportunity to meet local needs Almanac

A new year almost always brings an opportunity for a fresh start and renewed ambition to do things better.

In business, that usually boils down to providing customers better products and services faster and at lower cost than competitors. Part of the process must include listening to customers to determine what they actually need and then meeting that need. After all, it does little good to offer the latest and greatest if nobody actually wants what you’re selling.

Just like the businesses that belong to the group, the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce invariably starts out the new year with a reassessment of the services and resources it provides and how well they match with members needs. Jeff Franklin, the new chairman of the chamber board of directors, personifies this approach in describing what he considers his role for the coming year: listen to members, determine their needs and then meet those needs. It’s a role with which Franklin is familiar as market president of Bank of Colorado.

The process will take on a more structured approach in what the chamber plans as the resumption of a program aptly called Listening to Business. Under the program, business owners participate in in-depth interviews to identify barriers to growth and other problems they encounter.

The new year offers a good time to join the proverbial club.

As an advertiser or reader, what do you need from the Business Times?

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Is there additional news coverage that would help keep you informed about local business developments? Are there features that would be interesting or useful? Is there advice that would make your jobs a little easier?

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It’s a new year. Please help us to do so. ✦ THE BUSINESSTIMES 609 North Ave., Suite 2, Grand Junction, CO 81501

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Publisher/Owner: Craig R. Hall Editor: Phil Castle Reach advertising at: publisher@thebusinesstimes.com Reach the editor at: phil@thebusinesstimes.com.

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The Grand Valley Business Times, a subsidiary of Hall Media Group LLC, is published twice monthly and distributed throughout Grand Junction, Fruita and Palisade. Advertising rates and deadlines are available upon request. Opinions expressed in this publication are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, editor, staff or advertisers.

Copyright © 2015 — All rights reserved.

It’s that time of year when resolutions and prognostications abound. My favorite saying applied to New Year’s resolutions is in saying they’re basically a bunch of promises to break the first week of January. And while I won’t predict a whole lot, I can pretty much accurately nail a few things that without question will make the news. You will see these are pretty, well, predictable: ■ Prediction one: There will be some sort of weather event, natural disaster or heinous occurrence where someone will be interviewed and say the following: “I’ve never seen anything like that in my lifetime.” It’s as if this person is a required attendee at every news reporting event. While I understand most people’s perspective can indeed be limited by, or contained within, their own personal experiences, it is too much to ask to consult some historical perspective before saying such a thing? Yes, this response can apply to some events. But when it comes to weather and natural disasters, I’m pretty sure this is simply history repeating itself. Same as it has for millions and millions of years. More important, the planet made it! What didn’t were certain species. How’s that for perspective? ■ Prediction two: When it comes to a crime or something that occurs between humans, the other required attendee at all news reporting events is the person who says this: “They we’re just the nicest people, and in no way did I see something like this coming.” Exactly. No one does most of the time when it comes to neighbors and acquaintances. People should be surprised at what goes on from time to time in their neighborhoods, towns and with people they know because people are good. And for the times that they shouldn’t be shocked — like with politicians, repeat offenders and terrorists — where’s the interview that says, “This doesn’t surprise me in the least.” ■ Prediction three: Something good will happen economically, and the government will take credit for it. The most recent example is gas prices, where people ask me why I won’t credit the president for low gas prices. My answer is simple: Government never makes the price of something go down and simply takes credit for good news. Gas pricing is subject to many global factors. Now there are government answers to addressing some of them to keep prices stable for Americans, but our government has none of them in place. The only things it has in place in the

Bold predictions for 2015 more like not-so-bold repeats long run always hurt consumers. Another fact is that unemployment reaches a certain level based on the economy. And while the government might brag the number is low, it’s more than likely the government did something to cause that number being low — and not in a good way. Conversely, when business picks up, it’s because the people who need to buy widgets who were not buying widgets because the economy was contracting due to natural (or unnatural, government caused) reasons, decided we better buy some widgets. The government had nothing to do with this. ■ Prediction four: In keeping with things the government does, I predict the government will manipulate the numbers to make the claim the economy is getting better because of how hard it is working to help all of us “working Americans.” Now Craig Hall you might say, “Craig, you always say this about President Obama because you don’t like him.” You’re right in a sense. I don’t know the man, but what I know of him and his thinking, I don’t like it or him one iota. Before you go off, however, I didn’t like President Bush and his bailouts, stimulus and his abandoning the free market to save the free market. And I don’t know him either. What the government does, and the only thing it can do, is hurt the economy. Unless it does nothing or put criminals in jail instead of partnering with them, nothing the government does will help. Always look at it this way, whatever the government says it is doing, whatever the name of the law it is passing, or whatever the name or goal of the bureaucracy it is presenting to the people, expect the polar opposite to occur. I guess what I’m saying is that perhaps it’s time to get out of our own perspective. There’s plenty of history books and historical research out there to begin to understand that all of this has happened before. And it will again, whether the topic is people or government. The best recommendation is to find some books or try that whole Google thing. There’s a lot of information on the Great Depression. The truth is it wasn’t even a good one until the government got involved. There’s also plenty of research on the medieval warm period when the planet was much warmer than today with a whole lot less people (and warmer well before man was here at all). And yep, people have been killing other surprised people since history was first written. Maybe some research will help stop all of these trends. Otherwise, we’ll be saying we’ve never seen anything like it in our lives. And not in a good way. Craig Hall is owner and publisher of the Business Times. Reach him at 424-5133 Copyright © 2023 — All rights reserved. or publisher@thebusinesstimes.com. F ✦

Just in case you never thought you’d be more frightened than reading the nine words Ronald Reagan made famous — “I’m from the government, and I’m here to help” — have no fear. Government continues to make things worse. Who needs Jesus when government can save you? So, let’s look at one way our lords and saviors are gonna make 2023 worse. As of Jan. 1, we’re being rescued from the plastic abyss with new regulations banning plastic bags in our stores. Well, not banning them and not all stores. Only big stores and chain stores — where we can still buy them if we want. And not small stores, so not all stores. But yes, we’ll finally be rid of plastic bags once and for all. Except we won’t.

Try to follow. If you wanted to save the planet by eliminating plastic bags, then make providing them criminal. And before you think that’s a ridiculous point of view, stop and think about just how many folks you know who’d be fine with that. Look how it worked for drugs.

And don’t tell me it’s about plastics, either. Nearly everything in the store you shop at is wrapped in plastic, displayed in plastic or has some form of plastic involved in getting that item from production to the store to your home. Sam Wainwright was right in that plastics were the future. He just didn’t see that government would take over the industry. Then again, Sam was doing business with the government when he said it. Hee haw indeed.

Let me ask you this. Do you think Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and the Democrats get this nonsense passed without the blessing of big business? It’s a partnership with big business. And it’s about as simple as a Mafia protection scheme. You see, government doesn’t collect taxes. Businesses do. Businesses take your money under the guise of tax dollars and pay tribute to the government to stay in business, which funds more government schemes like free range eggs to make more money for big businesses. And since the company already confiscates your money and funnels it to government every couple of weeks, each month or every quarter, who better to collect the plastic bag tribute? See? Now you get it.

Don’t feel sorry for your favorite store having larger government burdens placed upon it. The government covered that. It just needed to find the sweet spot your favorite store would like to make off the mandated sale of bags it used to give away or pay for in the cost of goods sold. For the sake of these bags, it’s 4 of every

New year expectations While it might be another new year, government resolutions the samefraught with uncertainty 10 cents they charge you. It’s just another sin tax, but this time the stores get some

It’s only natural at the beginning of a year to wonder what lies ahead, what of the juice as well. the next trip around the sun will bring. That takes many forms — from the dread Think about everything government of imminent disaster to the eager anticipation of newfound success and everything has banned. First off, government can only on the sliding scale in between. ban what it’s already approved. But if all the Depending on circumstance and mood, I’m as adept at stuff government approves is eventually bad making mountains out of molehills as I am dismissing the for us, why is government approving it at prospect of grim news with Pollyanna naivety. all? I’ll tell you why. Money. When it comes That’s why I have so much respect for the business owners to big business, no one is bigger than the and managers who have to peer into the new year ahead to set government. It’s trillions ahead nationally realistic expectations for sales and profits as well as staffing, and billions ahead at the state level. And inventories and capital investments. And they have to do so as to make things worse for us, government if their ventures depend on it. Because they often do. has the power to make you a consumer no Their task is made all the more difficult because of the matter what with armies and bureaucracies uncertainty that seems to shroud nearly everything. In fact, to enforce its will. Try to think of any Phil Castle about the only certainty these days is uncertainty. When will inflation — along with the higher interest rates imposed to business you know not operating under some set of government rules, mandates curb it — abate? What’s in store for the labor market? And or control. You can’t. We’re all business will the economy slip into recession in 2023 or not? As the editor of a business journal, I wish I could offer some guidance as well Craig Hall partners with government in some way. But not all of us are strategic partners. as some answers. Unfortunately, I can only call only call ’em as I see ’em. Or rather, That’s reserved for businesses with big report the information I receive. And that information has been uncertain, if not bank rolls. When government comes up paradoxical. Consider what’s reported elsewhere in this very issue: with life-saving schemes, what does it do? n The latest results of a quarterly survey of Colorado business leaders reflects First off, it makes them planet saving, so more pessimism than confidence heading into the first quarter of 2023. While they’re way bigger than your little slice of there was slight improvement in the outlook for the state and national economies, heaven. Then, it brings in the experts — expectations for capital expenditures, hiring, sales and profits all decreased. big business. Why? Because big business n A measure of optimism among small business owners was no more and government have already written the encouraging, declining in December on less upbeat expectations for the economy, laws to put into place. sales and earnings. Who do you think put small n An index forecasting economic conditions in the United States decreased for businesses out of business during the a ninth consecutive month, signaling a recession that could start early this year. Great Depression? Big business and n Real estate activity declined on a year-over-year basis in Mesa County for government because together they can December and 2022 as a combination of higher interest rates and prices curtailed sales. eliminate the competition like no one else.

On the other hand — as economists like to say — a measure of consumer While banning plastic bags might confidence rebounded to its highest level in eight months on more upbeat seem like child’s play in comparison to assessments of business and labor conditions. By the way, consumer spending the COVID or global warming schemes, accounts for more than two-thirds of economi activity. it’s the same principle.

And Colorado continues to fare better than other areas of the United States, C. S. Lewis put it best: “Of all ranking among the top states for growth in personal income and gross domestic tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised product. While job growth is expected to slow in 2023, Colorado payrolls are still for the good of its victims may be the most forecast to increase — 57,000, in fact. oppressive. It would be better to live under

It’s been my experience problems are never quite as bad as feared and success robber barons than under omnipotent moral sometimes occurs when it’s least expected. What I know for certain is my hope the busybodies. The robber baron’s cruelty may year ahead is a good one for businesses, readers and advertisers. sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us Phil Castle is editor of the Business Times. Reach him at 424-5133 or for our own good will torment us without phil@thebusinesstimes.com. end for they do so with the approval of their F own conscience. They may be more likely to go to heaven, yet at the same time likelier to make a hell of earth. This very kindness stings with intolerable insult. To be ‘cured’ against one’s will and cured of states which we may not regard as disease is to be put on a level of those who have not yet reached the age of reason or those who never will; to be classed with infants, imbeciles and domestic animals.” You can deal with robber barons. You can deal with government. But as partners, tyranny can be the only result. The plastic bag ban is merely less harsh. Craig Hall is owner and publisher of the Business Times. Reach him at 424-5133 or publisher@thebusinesstimes.com.

New year, old problem: Ruinous fiscal policies result in higher prices

Once the gifts have been opened and often exchanged, the Christmas decorations packed up and stored, the last of the holiday goodies consumed and a new year welcomed with celebrations, financial reality sets in. Despite government spokespersons telling them the economy is fine, people know with every purchase the economy isn’t fine. Stacey Vanek Smith, cohost of the Planet Money podcast on National Public Radio, put it this way in late November: “The most recent numbers show prices up 7.7 percent over 2021. But for items

Phyllis like eggs, health insurance and gasoline,

Hunsinger prices have been rising much faster than that.”

Businesses are often blamed for higher prices. But as Smith pointed out, the cost of raw materials is up more than 8 percent and businesses are simply passing on the higher costs of production to consumers.

Other economic news isn’t good, either. Bloomberg contributor Naureen S. Malik wrote about U.S. power prices rising the most in 41 years. Miguel Otarola, a climate and environment reporter at Colorado Public Radio, reported the latest energy bills from Xcel Energy, Colorado’s largest public utility, are almost double the amount from November. Xcel attributed the increase to higher natural gas prices. Since there is a shortage of coal, more natural gas is necessary to make up the difference.

Why is there a shortage of coal? Why is there a shortage of natural gas? Why is inflation stealing our wealth? The answer is ruinous fiscal policy at the federal and state levels.

Policies matter. The United States has a debt-to-Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio of 125 percent. According to Epoch Times contributor Michael Washburn, government debt exceeds the entire value of goods and services produced by the country in a year. The debt-to-GDP ratio has more than doubled over the last 20 years. The government continues to spend money it doesn’t have and prints money, devaluing the dollar and causing runaway inflation.

America has an abundance of energy resources. as Alex Epstein’s research

Whether public policy is through laws, regulations, subsidies or taxes, the ideology of those in power affects the pocketbooks of citizens. The financial well-being of American citizens is in peril because of ruinous fiscal policies.

indicated in his book “Fossil Future,” the U.S. could lead the world in low-cost, reliable and increasingly clean energy. Instead, he wrote, “A root cause of America’s cost and reliability problems is extreme preferences for unreliable solar and wind electricity.” Utilities are coerced into combining intermittent and unreliable sources of wind and solar energy with reliable sources of fossil fuel energy. Because the unreliable energy sources are heavily subsidized by the government, Epstein contends unfair rules make utilities pay the same for unreliable solar and wind as they do for reliable energy sources. Government leaders openly try to destroy fossil fuel production. Higher utility bills are the result of that bad policy.

Fiscal policy is directly influenced by the ideology of its creators. Whether public policy is through laws, regulations, subsidies or taxes, the ideology of those in power affects the pocketbooks of citizens. The financial well-being of American citizens is in peril because of ruinous fiscal policies.

A new year has begun, but will anything we need to live be affordable?

Phyllis Hunsinger is founder of the Freedom & Responsibility Education Enterprise Foundation in Grand Junction. The FREE Foundation provides resources to students and teachers in Western Colorado to promote the understanding of economics, financial literacy and free enterprise. A former teacher, principal and superintendent, Hunsinger wrote “Down and Dirty: A ‘How To’ Math Book.” Reach Hunsinger at phyllis@free-dom.us.com. For more information about the FREE Foundation, log on to the website located at www.free-dom.us.com. F

Chamber collaborations key part of representing Colorado’s businesses

The Colorado Chamber of Commerce is in the solutions business. We believe a strong business environment equals a strong and thriving economy. We advocate for industry growth and pro-business policies to support and improve the cost of doing business; the quantity of educated skilled workers; and Colorado’s critical infrastructure, which include roads, telecommunications, water and energy. We also work across our great state to support and partner with local chambers as they do the same. This includes your local voice of business, the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce. We’ve grown to know Grand Junction’s chamber as a grounded champion and bold leader on emerging issues, which has helped us multiply our voice and impact when policymakers move forward with initiatives that could have unintended and adverse implications for business owners. As we work together today to make sense of complex public policies that have passed, such as the new state-run Loren family and medical leave insurance program (FAMLI), we feel privileged to work with your new president and chief

Furman executive officer, Candace Carnahan. Our rich partnership with the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce has allowed us to work together on numerous issues with your leadership over the years. During the pandemic, we were able to magnify the work being done at the local level with Mesa County’s 5-Star Program to expand that across the state to help navigate the complexities of keeping our communities safe and businesses open. Again, that effort required bold leadership common to the Grand Junction chamber.

Most recently and notably, the Colorado Chamber had the privilege When the Colorado of building a broad and powerful coalition of unique chamber and businesses voices, which included Chamber of Commerce actively works to Grand Junction chamber support, to advocate on policy that replenish the state’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund (UITF). This fund was depleted during the will help Colorado’s business climate or pandemic, leaving employers in a proactively works against vulnerable position with looming increased unemployment insurance state and federal payroll taxes an issue that will hurt it, we’ve always been forecast in the millions. Because of able to reach out to your the broad coalition we convened and countless months of negotiations, we were able to reach a bipartisan chamber for support, trusting that business compromise and infuse $600 million priorities will always be into the state’s drained UITF, saving employers and ensuring they would first. be able to continue to operate within Colorado. We couldn’t have been successful without the numerous voices that weighed in across the state to support us and ensure negotiations were considered.

When the Colorado Chamber of Commerce actively works to advocate on policy that will help Colorado’s business climate or proactively works against an issue that will hurt it, we’ve always been able to reach out to your chamber for support, trusting that business priorities will always come first.

Under Candace Carnahan’s leadership and with the support of her board and local membership, we’re confident the Grand Junction chamber will continue to be a strong, unwavering voice for business interests and a thriving economy.

Bold leadership will be increasingly important as we prepare for emerging issues of tomorrow and champion policy that will support the businesses across Colorado we serve today.

But we couldn’t be successful without partnerships across the state, like the one we have with the Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce.

SHARE YOUR VIEWS

The Business Times welcomes guest columns and letters to the editor on issues affecting businesses in Western Colorado. Submissions should be emailed to phil@thebusinesstimes.com and include names and telephone numbers for verification. Loren Furman is president and chief executive officer of the Colorado Chamber of Commerce. Prior to becoming president, she served as senior vice president of state and federal relations and led chamber engagement on state and federal government issues that affect businesses across Colorado. Learn more about the Colorado Chamber of Commerce at https://cochamber.com. F