The Fiscal Conservative

S.O.S. - SAVE OUR STATE!

2011-09-20T11:47:00.000-07:00

Jaime Rojas, Jr.

Last Friday, the national unemployment figures were released and California did not look great once again. The "golden" state came up short to having the worst unemployment rate in the nation at 12.1%, second only to Nevada at 13.4%.

Why is the state of California, home to silicon valley, Hollywood, and the largest ports in the nation, to name a few good assets, having difficulty creating jobs and maintaining businesses in the not so "golden" state? We have heard so called "experts" say America is out of the recession. But not we are told that we are still in it and it just might get worse before it gets any better!

President Obama spoke to the joint session of Congress and to the American people on national television. The President told us much about the same of what we already know....we are economically in trouble. He also unveiled his job plan for America. Both parties immediately took aim at shooting it down to some capacity. Not shocking to see democrats and republicans continuing their partisan politics and moving their personal agendas of "business as usual" tactics at the expense of the American people!

On Sunday's "Meet The Press", the ex-governor of Michigan, Jennifer Granholm, was an invited guest. The Governor spoke about her eight years at the helm of a state facing many of the same issues as California. Interestingly enough, Granholm is a California native who grew up and went to college in the San Francisco - Bay area. She is familiar with the issues and differences facing her home state of California.

The funny thing about her responses is that I agree with many of her answers. She seems to think like a fiscal conservative. California, like most states in the union, are starving for tax revenue. The recent housing melt down, for example, did nothing in bringing new or even maintaining property tax revenue to state coffers....on the contrary it has gone down to record lows. Previous voter approved and "anti-tax" philosophy behind the passing of Proposition 13 in 1978, not only limited property tax but also required a two-thirds majority vote to raise other taxes. In the Granholm's recent book, "A Governor's Story, the Fight for Jobs and America's Economic Future", she states, "These restrictions have crippled the efforts of lawmakers to bring fiscal stability to California and have driven the state to the brink of bankruptcy repeatedly."

Spending cuts are a must and tax breaks can help, but they are only part of the overall solution. Here are some necessities needed by the states' elected officials to pump economic life back to California:

1.) Pick & invest in winning industries
2.) Develop public-private partnerships
3.) Invest more money in educating our current workforce (i.e. via the community college system)
4.) Renegotiate on public salaries and pensions that are more realistic

Tax cuts for corporation has to be tied to job creation or it does not make any sense to offer them. If not, all we will see is job creation being taken overseas. In addition, tax rates play a small role in bringing back jobs, profits, and prosperity back to California. For example, Granholm states, "For teh kinds of advanced-manufacturing, high-tech businesses we were recruiting, (worker) talent is what matters, (along with) quality of life, culture, and sheer 'coolness' factor of host cities.

With all that the great state of California has to offer, the golden state (or not so golden) should be the fastest in the nation in job creation. But unfortunately, the state government has been awfully slow or even unresponsive in today's polarized politics to solve its problems....S.O.S.....please SAVE OUR STATE!!!

It's Labor Day...but where are all the American jobs?

2011-09-05T15:55:00.000-07:00

Jaime Rojas, Jr.

I will start today's blog with a quote from President Reagan back in 1981, "...government isn't the solution, government is the problem!"

As America waits for the President to give his long awaited jobs plan speech this Thursday, we got to think for a moment and say is this really America? The August employment report came out and the number of new jobs created: ZERO. The unemployment rate, as of today, remains at 9.1%. The number of fellow Americans who are unemployed today is officially 14 million people. A CNN poll that just came out last week, stated that 8 out 10 Americans think we are still in a recession. The situation is dire.

In a recent interview with Ken Rogoff, a professor at Harvard University said, "Well, clearly we're stagnating. I mean, the employment numbers have been getting weaker and weaker for a while. I think what it really underscores is that the recession never ended. We have not got back to where we started on output. We're not close on employment. We're still very much crawling our way out of the recession. And right now...nothing."

The editorial writer for the Wall Street Journal, Stephen Moore says, "There is a BIG difference between the two parties and it may lead to gridlock." I think that train has unfortunately already passed us. "But I don't think either party has anything that they've proposed that will get us out of this because I think they're missing the fundamental point. And that this economy does not appear to be capable anymore of creating enough jobs to put enough decent jobs on the table."

Richard Trumka, president of the AFL-CIO and a member of the President's Council of Jobs and Competitiveness, also has some interesting things to say about America's current economic situation. Trumka states, "We have bad trade laws, we have tax laws that reward people for moving jobs overseas. If we'd focus on manufacturing here and all of us coming together, labor, government and business, and business and labor all working together, we can compete with anybody in the world. Because if you don't compete, if you don't manufacture things, you can't compete in the global economy!"

So where do we turn? Who has our best interest? What are some solutions?Here are some possible solutions being put on the table from both the business and labor sectors:

1) Eliminate the number of government regulations that are killing job creation.

2) Lower taxes on individuals and corporations (maybe even a possible flat tax?)

3) Target specific communities throughout America for job creation.

4) Regulate Wall Street.

We must remember economics 101....demand drives up business and hiring. From CNN's Your Money show, the host Ali Velshi says to the President:

"And finally, go big Mr. President. Americans are not spending money because they're frightened about their economic prospects....you have to tell America how it can be great again. Extract yourself from the embarrassing quagmire that Washington has become. America has reason to be proud and hopeful. This is a tall order, but lay out the road map on Thursday. Tell us how you think we'll get there. Maybe you will be right, maybe you won't be, but we'll have something to talk about other than politics as usual."

Local Government FINALLY Takes A FISCAL Stand!

2011-08-25T17:40:00.000-07:00

Jaime Rojas, Jr.

The City of Los Angeles, like many other cities across our great nation, is facing fiscal chaos. Many government agencies are dealing with slashed budgets, cut revenue streams, and lack of strong political leadership.

On Wednesday, City of L.A. officials from the public works commission, denied the permits to Sunset Junction, a 30 year old street festival and one of the city's oldest & most popular music festivals. This event first started as a two day grassroots event to sooth tensions between the area's Latino and gay residents. It has now become known as the "Coachella of the City". It has transformed itself from a street festival that brings tens of thousands of visitors and has a lineup of more than 80 acts, including K.D. Lang, Three Degrees and Ozomatli to name a few.

The ISSUE: A dispute of $260,000 in unpaid fees from the organizers, and not including this year's fees of $140,000.

The city has lost millions of dollars in uncollected debts which include community groups and unpaid parking tickets. Its estimated that the City of Los Angeles last year only collected 53% of money owed to them! In addition, many local residents have complained. A member of the local neighborhood council stated, "The use of the public property for private profit is what really upsets people. That's our streets, our neighborhood, our stores, our coffee shops we can't get to..."

The City of Los Angeles gave the organizing group 48 hours to come up with a $141,000 check to at least cover this year's cost. The group was able to raise $100,000 but could only prove the amount through a fax from a bank account, and not even bring an actual check. L.A. City Public works board president, Andrea Alarcon said, "Fail me once, shame on you. Fail me twice, shame on me. This organization has failed the city time and time again."

The SOLUTION: The City of Los Angeles finally grabbed the bull by the horns and said enough is enough! The city owes it to its taxpayers to put its foot down and protect the coffers of its residents and taxpayers.

The spokesman for L.A. City Councilman Eric Garcetti, whose district includes the music festival, said it best:
"...the festival organizers tried to flimflam $400,000 from the taxpayers. The fact thaty they came up with a large sum...in just 36 hours, shreds their credibility even more. They should have spent the last 12 months coming up with the full amount."

Taxing Warren Buffett

2011-08-18T08:06:00.000-07:00

In today's Los Angeles Times, a great editorial piece was written titled "Taxing Warren Buffet" which discusses how Republican critics are seemingly oblivious that, in many ways, Buffett's tax ideas mirror those of Ronald Reagan.

Believe it or not it has been a quarter of a century since the last comprehensive overhaul of the U.S. tax code. President Reagan signed the Tax Reform Act of 1986 in which:

* the number of tax brackets was reduced
* loopholes here closed
* the top tax rate was lowered
* capital gains were taxed at the same rate as ordinary income

Unfortunately Congress has slowly reinstated loopholes back into the tax code while lowering the tax burden for wealthy people who make money through investments rather than labor. THIS was the basis for Buffett's complaint.

Now its interesting what the current politicians are saying on both side of the aisles! History is cyclical and in the past few years I keep hearing "isn't that what President Reagan did 25 years ago". Read on this LA Times article....but maybe we should learn from our past.

Taxing Warren Buffett

Jaime Rojas, Jr.

Talking CENTS on Tax Reform

2011-08-17T14:18:00.000-07:00

Jaime Rojas, Jr.

In today's LA Times, staff writer Anthony York writes about LA Mayor Villaraigosa's most recent trip to Sacramento. He discussed the "third-rail" issues that many politicians do not want to touch, including himself according to his political record.

The mayor called

...for changes in Proposition 13, challenging Governor Jerry Brown and state lawmakers to remove business property owners from some provisions of the groundbreaking 1978 law

according to York. The mayor also called on the state's business leaders to "stand up and come forward as coauthors of a long-term solution" to California's ongoing financial problems.

Some of the responses by California's business leaders were not all that positive. The CEO of the CA Chamber of Commerce, Alan Zaremberg called Villaraigosa's speech

...about raising taxes on business. It's exactly the oppposite of what we want to happen to pull California out of recession.

As the LA mayor begins his retoric on "reform and change" for his sites for a possible run for governor, will he actually or anyone for that matter stand up and lead California and the rest of this nation to actual reform? If this interchange of dialogue between the government and business sector is any indication, it unfortunately does not look good! So where is the leadership hiding??

I've Joined Hispano Bloggers

2011-05-04T17:29:00.000-07:00

You can see articles written by other Hispanics in the conservative movement here.

Also, Check out this great article on American Exceptionalism by Richie Matthews and Lucía Matthews.

Jaime Rojas, Jr.

Meet me at my Live Book Signing

2011-05-02T12:37:00.000-07:00

Meet me in person at his live book signing party at USC!

USC book signing on Wednesday, May 18th, 2011
7-9pm (details at www.latrojans.com)

How to Market Yourself In Your Industry

Discussion with Jaime Rojas Jr.

$20 ($10 for Club Patrons)

signed book, appetizers, drinks

Widney Alumni House

Wed, May 18, 7-9 pm

Join author, businessman and USC alumnus, Jaime Rojas, Jr. in a discussion on how to market yourself. Jaime recently published The Conservative’s Pocket Constitution, and will discuss how he uses his expertise in government to market himself. Topics include:

· Why write a book if that is not my business?

· How to market yourself & your business.

· Importance of networking & building relationships.

· The role of government in our business.

Jaime founded The Strategic Group which specializes in community & public relations, communications, government relations and marketing. Clients include California Air Resources Board, City of Las Vegas, GenCorp Aerojet, The White House, China Shipping, Port of Long Beach, A&F. He will be teaching a seminar on government relations & lobbying at USC.

Jaime Rojas, Jr.

My New Book is Now Available in Nook and Kindle Formats!

2011-02-05T13:33:00.000-08:00

My New Book is Now Available in Nook and Kindle Formats!

You can get the paperback, Kindle or Nook version now.

Jaime Rojas, Jr.

Speaking Event for Jaime Rojas, JR.

2011-01-18T12:37:00.000-08:00

Title: Using Your Expertise to Market Yourself in Business: A discussion with author, businessman, and USC alumnus, Jaime Rojas, Jr.

Date: Wednesday, February 16

Time: 7:00-9:00 PM
Location: USC Widney Alumni House
Address: 635 Childs Way, Los Angeles, CA 90089
Price: $20/$10 (Includes book, appetizers, drinks)

Description: Join author, businessman, and USC alumnus, Jaime Rojas, Jr., in a discussion on how to market yourself and your business, whatever your industry is, and use that to showcase yourself. Jaime Rojas, Jr. has recently published his book, The Conservative’s Pocket Constitution, and will discuss how he uses his expertise in government to market himself. Some of the topics will include:

The importance of networking and building relationships.
How to market yourself and your business.
The role of government in our business.
Why write a book if that is not my business?

Jaime founded the company, The Strategic Group, which specializes in community and public relations, communications, government relations, and marketing. He is also the former president/CEO of the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce, the largest state chamber in the country, where he advocated for business rights. He received his undergraduate and graduate degrees in public administration from USC. Jaime will be also teaching a seminar on government relations and lobbying this semester at USC.

Through years of direct project experience, Jaime has assisted a wide range of business and non-profit clients in reaching their goals. Jaime has business contacts and clients all over the world. Some of the clients Jaime has worked for include:

The California Air Resources Board
The City of Las Vegas
GenCorp Aerojet
The White House
China Shipping
The Port of Long Beach
Abercrombie & Fitch

Attendees will receive a signed copy of Jaime’s book, The Conservative’s Pocket Constitution.

Jaime Rojas, Jr.

My Book Signing At UOP Widney Alumni House

2011-01-12T12:09:00.000-08:00

I have been invited to do a book signing for The Conservative's Pocket Constitution at the UOP Widney Alumni House
. Everone is welcome to attend.

2/16/11 7 p.m. at the Widney Alumni House
University of Southern California
635 Childs Way, Los Angeles, CA 90089

I hope to see you there!

Jaime Rojas, Jr.

The Conservative's Pocket Consitution

2010-11-09T10:05:00.000-08:00

The Conservative's Pocket Consitution is now available for pre-order on Amazon!I'm very pleased and excited that this project is coming together so quickly.

Jaime Rojas, Jr.

False Social Security Numbers and Identity Theft Cost American Taxpayers Over 300 Million Dollars a Year!

2010-11-08T09:02:00.000-08:00

In another egregious example of fraud that affects us all, The Treasury Inspector General (TIGTA) released the figures today for the fraud related to people who use false Social Security Numbers, or duplicate Taxpayer Identification Numbers.

Everyone that files a tax return must use a Social Security Number (or Tax ID number). For the majority of filers, the Tax ID Number is the individual’s Social Security Number. A Social Security Number cannot be used on more than one tax return per year. However, identity thieves, scammers, and fraudsters often file tax returns using other people's Social Security numbers, in order to receive false refunds.

This is a widespread problem, and leads to a huge amount of govenment fraud.

TIGTA estimates that individuals inappropriately received at least $380 million in tax credits in TY 2007 as a result of this fraud. A large portion of this ends up being false refunds, paid out to people that are gaming the system by using other's Social Security Numbers.

TIGTA identified false TINs were used on over 3.2 million tax returns in 2007. Over five years, erroneous exemptions and credits could exceed $1.9 billion. Almost 2 billion dollars!

The solution is simple-- when the IRS discovers that someone is using multiple Social Security Numbers, then a notice should go out immediately. The taxpayer needs to be notified that his or her Social Security Number is being used by others. In addition, the IRS should establish processes to recover the tax refunds that were erroneously paid to fraudsters who used a stolen TIN. Of course, some of these are honest errors, such as someone simply keying in the wrong number. But the majority of these instances are fraudulent, pure and simple.

The IRS response to the TIGTA report was lukewarm, at best. In its response, The IRS did not agree to expand the issuance of notices to individuals involved with multiple TIN uses. In addition, the IRS did not agree to expand its processes to recover erroneous refunds resulting from an ITIN.

Why not? Why isn't the IRS doing more to stop this type of fraud? The amount recovered by simply addressing this problem could save the IRS and individual taxpayers millions of dollars, and also help curb the rampant crime of identity theft.

The IRS needs to work with law enforcement and with taxpayers to help solve this problem, which is growing every single year. Another example of government waste that has an easy solution, if the government would just get off their high horse and fix it!

Jaime Rojas, Jr.

A Conservative Recipe for Fiscal Wellness

2010-11-07T17:23:00.001-08:00

America is the greatest nation on earth. It is a country full of opportunity, promise, and diversity. This is what makes us strong. But many Americans; especially those in government, have forgotten what makes this country great. The modern fiscal Conservative grassroots movement is an indication that Americans are looking to return to a values-based nation and economy.

The direction cannot come from above. We cannot expect politicians and government leaders to do everything for us. The strength of our Conservative movement begins with the people. Everything must begin at the local level; in our own backyards. We have seen a break from traditional values; the core values that our nation was founded on. When we return to a values-based economy, this will improve all levels of business and government. Most liberals believe that it is impossible to cut government spending without compromising our safety and security. This is simply not true.

We already know that government operates inefficiently. Even worse, we know that this inefficiency leads to waste, fraud, and other abuses. To ensure the success of our economy and our growth, we must:

First; eliminate wasteful government spending, rampant fraud, and abuse.
Second; deliver small business credits, tax cuts for the middle class, and corporate tax reform to encourage more domestic business growth.
Third; enforce strong punishments on those who commit fraud or “cheat the system.”

I will discuss a number of examples of government fraud and waste; that, if addressed, could save American taxpayers billions of dollars a year. In some cases, the government already knows about the fraud, but is doing very little to solve the problem.

The government is doing almost nothing to solve these problems. Very little of our government spending is actually used for combating fraud and waste. Simply put: our government is just not in the business of saving money—they are in the business of spending money. This has affected everything; from business, to government, and finally, the breakdown of our local networks and family. How can we set a good example for our children when politicians and government reward those who abuse the system?

Jaime Rojas, Jr.

(WWRD?) What Would Reagan Do?

2010-11-03T21:30:00.000-07:00

Sadly, Charles Johnson, the writer of the popular conservative blog Little Green Footballs, has announced that he is leaving the movement because of what he sees as "anger and bigotry" from the right. Johnson has some pretty strong words, but the responses and comments on the blog post are very telling. Although he has received a fair share of angry comments, there are also a number of posts that ask for a return to compassionate conservatism.

I think it's a valid point. Here are some of the comments that were particularly striking:

"It used to once be called Conservatism, and we had a few leaders of the movement. We called the Goldwater, Buckley and Reagan. I'm glad they can't see this."

"I consider myself a right-winger however I do not go so far right that would qualify me to be in that group. I am more of a Reagan Republican. Is there a place for me anywhere?"

Perhaps it's the 24-hour news cycle, or the constant one-upmanship of the news media-- always chasing the loudest fanatic or the craziest from either side, that the 99% of "normal" conservatives get forgotten or ignored. What happened to fiscal responsibility? Asking for solutions instead of screaming at one another? Peaceful disagreement, even if forceful, but still, always respectful?

Could anyone imagine Reagan putting up with the type of media circus that we deal with every day? Never.

The time is right for a new, compassionate conservative movement. A smarter movement-- one that cuts spending, government bloat and waste, and gives our American businesses a good reason to invest and employ American workers, rather than moving operations overseas, chasing cheaper labor costs at the expense of American jobs.

Everyone agrees that the bloated spending from both sides has got to stop. But we can do it without screaming at one another. We can all respect one another, and still make things work.

Ask yourselves, (WWRD?) What Would Reagan Do?

Jaime Rojas, Jr.

The New American Conservative

2010-11-03T13:47:00.000-07:00

Conservatives in America today are engaged in an ongoing struggle to preserve the original intent of our Founding Fathers. Our Founders’ greatest fear was the creation of a powerful government that could and would take away our freedom. Is that happening today? Conservatives say yes.

The Constitution was written to ensure that the power to make and enforce laws stays in the hands of we the people: that's you and me. Yet today, more and more, laws are created and enforced by people who were not elected to office by you or me. Federal judges have power to interpret the Constitution in ways that effectively create new laws and fundamentally change the Constitution.

What do you say? Have we moved away from the dream of a just and free nation our Founders created? Are the laws governing us today different than what was originally intended by the Spirit of 1776? Have lawmakers and judges changed the U.S. Constitution? Read the Constitution and the Bill of Rights as they were originally written and decide for yourself.

Who are we as Americans?

What makes America so special?

What laws guarantee your freedom?

You don’t need political pundits on television or politicians or judges to give you the answers to these questions. You just have to look inside yourself for the answers.

Jaime Rojas, Jr.