After eight years, and a seemingly endless election, the nation will soon
be
headed in new directions. Many have speculated that the Republican Party
has no clear mandate and should govern in a type of "coalition" since there
appears to be no fast majority from any given quarter. Others feel that
this is the opportunity the far Right has been seeking and the next four
years must be used to completely dominate those who would lean even to the
center.
I believe there is a better way and I want to believe the President-elect
has already espoused it. I believe that conservatism yes, compassionate
conservatism-has a challenge. I believe that challenge is to show that
conservative economic and political philosophy can be more effective in
improving the quality of life for those at the bottom than the failed
programs of the last 40 years. I also believe the Mississippi Delta is the
place to prove it!
Consider the Delta and the "war on poverty." Countless hundreds of millions
of federal dollars have been poured into the region for housing programs,
entrepreneurial training, nutrition and health programs, etc. And we are
still the poorest region of the poorest state in the richest nation in the
world. Why? Was it just not enough money? Are we too far gone to
improve? Or is it more likely that the war on poverty somehow became the
industry of poverty? The simple truth is that these programs, well-
intended though they may be, generally do little or nothing to lessen
dependence. Instead, they act like the proverbial Band-aid on a gash with
more never being enough.
I have a proposition for the new Administration that could set the tone for
cooperation, trust and, most importantly, success. Of course, the Delta
would be the proving ground and I am confident we can succeed.
Specifically:
1. Define the Delta formally and make it matter. Right now, we have a Delta
Regional Authority that includes Jackson, Tennessee and Little Rock,
Arkansas. How in the world can you fix a problem if you can't even define
it?
2. Keep funding for existing poverty programs at the same level as previous
Administrations. While it may or may not do much to actually solve
anything, we have the money to do this and it will keep the loyal opposition
from painting you with the radical Gingrich brush.
3. Follow the recent example of Trent Lott and Ronnie Musgrove as they
worked together to make the Nissan plant happen for Mississippi. They found
it easy to reach across philosophical and party barriers to do something
that is good for everyone.
4. Utilize the federal tax code to radically encourage investment in the
Delta. Propose an across-the-board federal tax credit for every business in
the Delta. Credits should be implemented both for employment and new
investment. For example, like the moderately successful Empowerment Zone
credits, give every employer a $3,000 per employee tax credit for ten years.
Don't exclude agriculture! It is our lifeblood. And, for every $1,000 in
new capital investment, give a $250 credit over five years.
5. Give every individual living in the Delta a $2,000 credit per year for
ten years. This alone should encourage population growth while attracting
skilled professionals, such as doctors, to move here.
It would be easy to go further but I want to leave something for the new
President to do! The steps above would do something unprecedented in
American history. They would create a river of money and talent flowing into
our region. They would free up personal income to raise the standard of
living. Retail sales would soar. The local tax base would mushroom.
And both sides could take credit.