In his speech President Obama said, "People want to come here. So this is what it's all about: telling the world that America is open for business." He went on to add, "The more folks who visit America, the more Americans we get back to work. It's that simple."
Amen, Mr. President, and congratulations for this rare display of sound economic reasoning. You are 100% correct in your view of the role of tourism in our economy.
Now, if I may help you a little more since you did not bother to stop off at my office yesterday for a visit...
Mr. President, you need to ask yourself why so many more Chinese and Brazilians are able to get over here and visit the Magic Kingdom. Afterall, that takes some serious money to afford a vacation in Orlando.
The money has to come from greater economic opportunities in Brazil and China. Greater economic opportunity in Brazil and China has come from rising levels of economic freedom in those nations. Rising levels of economic freedom has been born out of lower taxes, fewer regulations and greater protection of private property rights. Those policies came from a fundamental shift in government's view of its relationship with the people and businesses in Brazil and China.
Mr. President, Americans would like to go to Orlando or the Grand Canyon or New York City too. In order to do that, we need more money. More money means we have more jobs, etc. etc.
All you have to do today is announce that you are going to pursue the same pro-business, pro-taxpayer policies other nations have pursued and you will not only reap the benefits of foreign tourism, but the American people - whom you have the first obligation to - will be able to enjoy more vacations too.
Completely agree with your comments about how the changes in governments like Brazil's have stimulated their economy allowing them to flock here even for just a weekend to spend their money. It used to be exactly the same way little more than a decade ago that people from my country, Venezuela, would do the same thing. As a result of our current extremely intrusive and gigantic government this is no longer the case.
ReplyDeleteRegulations and uncertainty have had a dramatic impact in how we run our lives, to the point that Venezuelans are no longer coming here for tourism, but to try and find new opportunities to stay, live and work here legally.
I have always loved this country and everything it stands for, and find myself extremely worried about the current policies that are, to a lesser extent of course, approaching those of wannabe socialist countries like Venezuela.