Some Comments are Worth Repeating

Over the past couple of issues I've voiced my opinion on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan, the Employee Free Choice Act, Cap and Trade, and a National Health Insurance Plan. From the letters I have received, the vast majority of readers wholeheartedly agree with my position. This tells me that U.S. manufacturing is not ready to be trampled on by overbearing government regulations, or by the threat of foreign competition.

One response I received from a reader contained a quote from Dr. Adrian Pierce Rogers. It read: "You cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is about the end of any nation. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it." Without a doubt, this short profound statement holds many truths, especially when we consider the path the federal government is currently going down. It is interesting to note that Dr. Rogers was Pastor Emeritus of Bellevue Baptist Church, Cordova, TN, and three-time president of the Southern Baptist Convention, which is the world's largest Protestant denomination of 16 million members.

Even more interesting is that Dr. Rogers made this statement a few years prior to his death in 2005. While I don't know what led him to say these things, it's rather obvious that he saw something on the horizon and was making his views known to his followers. His words are worth careful consideration today.

Unfortunately, not all responses to my editorials were positive and I would be remiss not to mention the few letters I received from individuals that strongly opposed my viewpoint. They sent rather scathing notes but still found it in their hearts to compliment me by saying I belong in the same company with Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Ann Coulter. While I'm thankful for those thoughtful expressions of admiration, I have neither a radio nor television talk show. Furthermore, I have no aspirations of ever having one.

I'm quite content being the editorial director of this publication and providing you with the best possible editorial content and, when possible, voicing my opinion on issues that I believe will have either a positive or negative effect on manufacturing.

In fact, this publication's concern for manufacturing goes much further than what you will find on the editorial page. We recently worked with MFG.com on a survey to get feedback about key issues manufacturing companies are facing in today's challenging economy. Nearly 600 manufacturers participated in "What Keeps You Awake at Night." The survey is worth a look and can be found on our website.

Go to OnlineTMD.com/news.cfm?id=2564 to view the entire survey.