Letters

Deficit obsession stunts recovery

Your article titled “Belt tightening” by Kevin Hall in the Business section on March 8 was so wide of the mark that it should not stand without rebuttal. The most revealing quote was from Terri Cole, president of the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, asserting that few would disagree that both private business and the federal government “must live within their means.”

The whole article is based on the popular myth that the federal government must live within its means just like a household or private business.

Our unemployment crisis is due largely to the wide acceptance of the government-is-like-a-household myth. Those who adhere to this myth do not understand how the economy works and cause great suffering by unnecessarily permitting prolonged periods of high unemployment.

The federal sector differs from the private sector in that the government creates the money we use.

The only limit to the amount of money government can create is the availability of productive resources that might be for sale.

In an economic downturn such as the one from which we are recovering too slowly, the government can employ unused productive resources without fear of inducing inflation or pushing up interest rates or destroying the stock market.

Our budgeting process obsesses over deficits when we should be concerned with the real economy and how we deploy our immense productive capabilities both for the public good and private enterprise. To endure, our economic system must provide sufficient purchasing power to enable our people to consume all the real economic goods and services that the nation can produce.

Contrary to repetitive remarks about a “spending problem in Washington,” unemployment underlies our current crisis. People taken as a whole are spending much less than their income, as they prefer to save and pay down debt. One person’s spending is another person’s income. When spending plummets so does income and people get laid off. High unemployment is not due to lazy workers; it is due to bad public policy.

The federal government has the capability and responsibility to spend — yes, deficit spend — to put people back to work. The problem with the deficit is that it is too small to support needed recovery toward a healthy economy in which productive capacity is fully utilized.

That productive capacity is the nation’s “means,” which includes both public and private workers and its businesses and equipment. Private businesses, households, state and local governments must live within their means. The federal government must assure that the nation lives up to its means.

Dan Metzger

Santa Fe

Roofing assn. boosts consumer resources

To help protect consumers from unscrupulous and unprofessional contractors, and to provide association members with information on the latest trends and developments in the roofing industry, the New Mexico Roofing Contractors Association (NMRCA) launched a new website, Facebook page and consumer education media campaign this month.

Both the new website and Facebook page will provide consumers current, accurate information on professional, licensed and bonded roofing contractors that are members in good standing in the association. Our members agree to follow a code of ethics and standards that promote honest and accurate bidding, professional work performance, job-site safety, and the highest standards of customer service, repairs and follow-up inspections. These companies are the best in New Mexico and give consumers safe and reliable choices.

In addition to providing relevant information to consumers, the association promotes the training and development of the next generation of professional roofers in New Mexico with its highly acclaimed Apprenticeship Program. Only NMRCA contractors have a DOL-certified apprenticeship program for journeyman roofers.

The association’s media campaign will begin with a short flight of local radio, newspaper and cable-television ads and a promotion to encourage homeowners to visit the website or Facebook page before selecting a roofer.

We’re going to make sure New Mexico homeowners know the difference between a real professional contractor and a fly-by-night operator. We’re a great resource for consumers, members and contractors in New Mexico.

NMRCA welcomes roofing contractors and associates in any related field of support to the roofing industry to join NMRCA.

Contact the New Mexico Roofing Contractors Association at 505-836-4223; or email at markj@nmrca.com; or visit the website at www.nmrca.com.

Mark Carillo

Executive director

N.M. Roofing Contractors Association