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The Business Times Contributors THE BUSINESS TIMES OctOber 13-26, 2022JANUARY 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.

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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 © 2022 — All rights reserved. or publisher@thebusinesstimes.com. F ✦

If I could rid the country of one saying that would bring us back together more than any other, I would toss this in the dustbin of history: There ought to be a law.

And before the local lefties, commies and right wing nuts go all “Craig Hall is calling for anarchy!” on me (even though some will because, well, they will) please note, I’m not talking about criminal laws here. Even though some of those could well be addressed. The fact is, government, people in government, and those who elect and bankroll people and laws are really who this column is about.

Why? Simple. They want government to force at the barrel of a gun how people live and what they think, say and do. As for me it’s just as simple. I don’t. I won’t even get into the irony — disconnect, insanity, stupidity— of how everything government touches it pretty much ruins. History is riddled with examples.

Yet, we’re doing it again this election cycle.

We’re asked to re-elect the person (whew, that was close, almost said …) who closed our businesses, told folks they were or weren’t essential and destroyed lives, livelihoods and our economy through — you guessed it — emergency powers granted by others in government we elected who thought emergency powers were a good idea when a crisis hits.

Two things are guaranteed when this occurs. First and most obvious, there will always be an emergency. Second, and much more to the party out of power’s dismay, they only meant if when their party was in power. See, government forcing a way of life or thinking is only good for the one in power, never for the ones not in power or the vast majority of us who simply want freedom and to be left alone.

Yet in every election, people vote for those they desire to wield power over those who think, believe and act differently. And once re-elected (ironically because so-called freedom-loving Republicans didn’t nominate someone who thinks and acts like a small percentage of the party demands, splitting the vote once again to snare defeat from the jaws of victory), Gov. Polis will continue to rule as he has. I’m betting he’ll be worse because re-election does that to tyrants.

It’s the same for our incumbent congressional candidate. TV ads are running all over hysterically screaming how Lauren Boebert will “outlaw abortion if re-elected.” A couple of points to make here. First, Boebert has made it no secret since her first campaign she is anti-abortion. You know she is because

What’s the big idea? What happens next? Democrats spread lies she had an abortion — making her a hypocrite when those Quit giving government power, it will take it all too gladly

Where do ideas come from? It’s a question as likely to evoke answers as pregnant ads should have declared her a hero, but I with possibilities as that other question children sometimes ask about babies. digress. Second, it’s just her belief. Third, Do ideas spring forth in our dreams? Are they more likely no one voted “for” abortion as federal law. to emerge while we’re taking a shower? Or are ideas the It was done via court cases. And a court result of the connections our minds complete even between case overturned it. Just the Supreme Court disparate things? doing what it does on things not the federal I’m no expert. But I suspect it’s all of the above. government’s business. And then some. On this third point, if you open your eyes, I can tell you from experience ideas invariably show you’ll see the problem. No one on the left had up when they’re least expected and your brain is seemingly a problem with SCOTUS abortion decisions occupied with another task. That’s why the well-worn when it suited their desire for unfettered advice to keep a pencil and slip of paper handy is actually abortions for anyone at any time. Hell, it even Phil Castle sound. You swear you won’t forget. Then you do. Almost immediately. Craig Hall made those elected learn some Latin. “Stare decisis” anyone? But when a SCOTUS ruling I wish my eureka moments involved computer technology removes this “law of the land,” all of the or stock market strategies or something more lucrative. What I most often realize is sudden marriage rights, LGBTQ rights and there’s a better word to choose or a better way to write a sentence. It’s useful. every and all minority rights are going to be I’m grateful. Don’t get me wrong. But it’s less likely to make me rich. abolished. Many folks predicted the ruling

It’s been my good fortune over the past 20 years to observe the origin and in Roe v. Wade would turn America into an subsequent development of lots of ideas. Great ideas. Not my own, mind you. abortion-as-birth-control state. It did, and the I’m writing, of course, about businesses. numbers prove it. Now that Roe has been

Every business — and business owner, for that matter — is as unique as a overturned, other than some designed press snowflake. But they also share some things in common. For example: releases and “stories” at the outset which were Many businesses are born from the identification of a problem or need and the reported on, leftist concerns haven’t come into realization there’s a better way to solve that problem or fill that need. Perhaps fruition. On one the hand, predictions came it’s a brand new product or service. Perhaps it’s a method to supply an existing true. On the other hand, not so much. product or service cheaper or more efficiently. And don’t jump on the “anti-

One of my favorite business stories — make that series of stories — involved Abortion” laws. Those laws are as crazily an inventive entrepreneur who saw the problem with stacking expensive cookware far right as the insane far left laws passed inside kitchen cabinets. He thought, as many entrepreneurs do, there’s got to be a while Roe was in effect. The problem lies better way. His better way was a sliding wooden rail with hooks from which pots in the fact those on the fringes have no and pans could be hung inside cabinets. He made one as a gift for his wife, but soon problem with either of them being made realized the commercial potential. He secured a patent and started making them law. Once again, government laws for me and selling them online. As his enterprise evolved, he developed other products but not for thee. For me, it’s just another and established relationships with vendors and distributors. His venture attracted thing government shouldn’t touch. But considerable attention in the industry. That inventive entrepreneur and his wife we live in a society in which many use ultimately sold their company. I got to write about it nearly from start to finish. government to force their feelings so,

Not every idea leads to a successful business venture, of course. But I’d naturally, our government sticks its nose in contend every successful business venture starts with an idea. There’s an and then helps itself to power. That’s why important distinction, and that’s what follows realization. The same inventive abortion is in almost all Democrat ads and entrepreneur I wrote so many stories about never considered his experience “life” is in almost every Republican ad. unusual. Lots of people have ideas, he said. Few ever do anything about them. Locally we have initiatives for the City

Perhaps the better question isn’t where ideas come from, but what we’re of Grand Junction to “combat” the affordable willing to do about them. housing crisis by raising rates on taxes passed years ago to do something else. So, we’re Phil Castle is editor of the Business Times. Reach him at phil@thebusinesstimes.com literally trying to pass laws for government or 424-5111. to fix something while knowing it only raises F taxes while giving itself more power to fix nothing. Worse, the folks pushing these “feel good” initiatives are local Democrats. How do I know? The do-gooders (led by an individual who ran for our board of education on an agenda that would make Lenin) press release came from the local Democrat chairman. Betcha didn’t know that. I have no problem helping to fix any of the issues in this column in a respectful, constitutional, private manner. But we’ll never get there giving government more power. We have the power. Why are we giving it away? Craig Hall is owner and publisher of the Business Times. Reach him at 424-5133 or publisher@thebusinesstimes.com.

System isn’t federal, and there’s no reserve

Headlines about the Federal Reserve coming to the economic rescue of the United States have dominated media. Consumers can tell the economy isn’t healthy because they pay increasing amounts for such necessities as fuel, groceries, housing and utilities. Headlines would have people believe the Federal Reserve can solve the problem. That confidence might be misplaced, though, because the Federal Reserve is part of the problem. What is the Federal Reserve? The very name constitutes a contradiction. he Federal Reserve isn’t federal. There’s no reserve. Moreover, it’s not a bank. The story of the Federal Reserve and how it’s gained so much power over the economy has many chapters following an ingenious plan by wealthy financiers. Anthony Sutton — a former research fellow at the Hoover Institution for War, Revolution and Peace — put it this way: “The Federal Reserve System is a legal private monopoly of the money supply operated for the benefit of the few under the guise of

Phyllis protecting and promoting the public interest.” That statement sounds harsh, but history verifies the assertion.

Hunsinger The Federal Reserve dates back to 1910, when seven representatives of wealthy bankers meeting on Jekyll Island in Georgia agreed on a framework much like a banking cartel. As G. Edward Griffin explained in his book, “The Creature from Jekyll Island,” the goal of the group was to maximize profits by minimizing competition between members, make it difficult for new competitors to enter the finance field and use the police power of government to enforce the agreement. This agreement created the blueprint for the Federal Reserve System. This group of bankers was successful in acquiring government support. In 1913, the Federal Reserve Act became law.

By 1913, there was a lot of competition in the finance sector as an outgrowth of free market interest rates. According to Griffin, “Rates were low enough to attract serious borrowers who were confident of the success of their business ventures and of their ability to repay, but they were high enough to discourage loans for frivolous ventures.”

Fixing prices to prevent competition is counter to free markets, but that’s what happened. The Federal Reserve System tipped the free market scales in favor of debt over thrift. This can be observed through the bailouts of bankrupt industries. The money to bail out failed industries was made possible by the Federal Reserve System acting as the “lender of last resort” and creating money on the balance sheet, thus weakening the dollar.

The United States federal government has amassed the biggest debt in the history of the world — debt that continues to grow at a relentless rate. As Nick Giambruno summarized in an article titled “It’s Game Over for the Fed,” “Congress spends trillions more than the federal government takes in from taxes. The Treasury issues debt to cover the difference. The Federal Reserve creates currency out of thin air to buy the debt. In short, this insidious process is nothing more than legalized counterfeiting.”

Every Congress and administration since the early 1900s have recklessly spent more money than was collected in taxes, incurring unsustainable debt. The Federal Reserve isn’t federal and has no reserve. It’s no bank. But the Federal Reserve has contributed to the serious inflation, devalued money and staggering debt of the United States.

The root of the financial problems appears to be irresponsible politicians.

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.

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