Daniel Sutter: Why do liberals think I’m stupid?
Perhaps because they read my columns. My Dad used to say that it’s better to keep quiet and let people think that you are stupid than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. Sorry, Dad, I didn’t follow your advice. This question may have a more subtle answer, one that perhaps provides insight on the tenor of discourse in America today. And Thomas Jefferson, America’s third president and author of the Declaration of Independence, helps illustrate the problem. Disagreement on values and ideas can be emotionally stressful. Life is about choices, and we have no text book with answers in the back. People rely on faith, reason, and elders, among other sources, for guidance. No one can ever be one hundred percent certain, creating scope for doubt. Agreement boosts our confidence. After a math test, it is reassuring if other students got the same answer. Agreement suggests that you were doing the problem right and eases self-doubt. And if everyone got the problem wrong, there may be a curve. The expression of dissent can additionally destabilize institutions. Many people might share doubts in silence; voicing a shared desire for change can spark change. It is no accident that churches and governments have long silenced opponents and heretics. You might think that professors would relish debate with colleagues holding fundamentally different views on society or how to study our subjects. Yet we also find disagreement discomforting, and the most useful research discussions are often with colleagues who think similarly. Intellectual disagreement poses another challenge, which is where Mr. Jefferson comes in. The Declaration of Independence states, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Jefferson’s words inspired America’s fight for independence, and millions of people across the globe since. Mr. Jefferson contends that these truths are self-evident, which means obvious or not needing explanation. Yet in 1776 kings ruled most countries, the Declaration did not recognize equal rights for women, and Mr. Jefferson held slaves. It seems like the principle of political equality needed some explaining. We still often consider our ideologies and beliefs to not only be true, but obvious to any thinking person. For instance, I think that voluntary exchange obviously makes all parties better off. Yet this can’t be self-evident because many professors believe that businesses exploit their workers and customers. If our ideology is self-evidently true, how do we interpret professors who disagree? One possibility is to dismiss them as not bright, to answer my opening question. Professors’ test scores and grades prove we are all intelligent otherwise. A professor’s stupidity here is like being unable to recognize a simple arithmetic mistake at the start of a long math problem. Liberals probably wonder why free market economists like me can’t understand that advertising manipulates consumers into buying things they do not want or need. Alternatively, a dissenting professor may be insincere, arguing something he or she does not truly believe. Some people (especially professors) enjoy being contrarians, while others might deny the obvious out of self-interest. Insincere professors are often seen as apologists or possibly even shills?Professors have enough points of sincere disagreement that we do not need to waste time debunking arguments which no one truly believes. Surveys routinely document that liberals far outnumber conservatives on the faculty in many university departments. Liberal dominance increases the value of disparaging dissenters. Disparaging the handful of faculty conservatives as stupid or shills, allows unanimous support among all who matter for liberal proposals like universal government-guaranteed basic income. Incivility is a hallmark of discourse in America today. I believe that the belief that views about the organization of human society can be self-evident contributes in in some meaningful way. If we recognize that reasonable people will disagree over complicated issues, perhaps liberals, conservatives and libertarians will again talk and listen to each other. ••• Daniel Sutter is the Charles G. Koch Professor of Economics with the Manuel H. Johnson Center for Political Economy at Troy University and host of Econversations on TrojanVision. The opinions expressed in this column are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the views of Troy University.
White House admits error for false claim on African-American employment
The White House has acknowledged error in its false claim that President Donald Trump created three times as many jobs for African-Americans than President Barack Obama. It was a rare admission of fault for an administration that frequently skews data and overstates economic gains. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said on Twitter late Tuesday that she had been wrong earlier that day when she told reporters that Obama created only 195,000 jobs for African-Americans during his tenure compared with Trump’s 700,000 new jobs in just two years. The U.S. economy actually added about 3 million jobs for black workers during Obama’s tenure, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. “President Trump in his first year and a half has already tripled what President Obama did in eight years,” she told reporters during a Tuesday press briefing. But that assertion is false. Official statistics show black jobs went from 15.5 million when Obama took office in January 2008 to 18.4 million when he left in January 2017. In fact, the most dramatic drop in black unemployment came during the Obama administration as the nation climbed out of a crippling recession. Unemployment of black workers fell from 16.8 percent in March 2010 to 7.8 percent in January 2017. It is true that black workers under Trump have continued to see gains, reaching a record low of 5.9 percent in May. Still, black unemployment rate is now nearly double that of whites, which is 3.4 percent. Sanders tweeted Tuesday: “Jobs numbers for Pres Trump and Pres Obama were correct, but the time frame for Pres Obama wasn’t. I’m sorry for the mistake, but no apologies for the 700,000 jobs for African-Americans created under President Trump.” Sanders linked to a tweet by the White House Council of Economic Advisers, which claimed responsibility for the “miscommunication.” Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Robert Bentley discusses relationship, investigation in deposition
Former Gov. Robert Bentley provided new details in a deposition about his view of the scandal that helped topple his administration. The June deposition was filed this week in an ongoing civil lawsuit. Bentley resigned last year as he faced an ethics investigation and impeachment push in the wake of an alleged affair with a top aide. The former governor described the relationship as an “affectionate friendship” and said it involved touching and kissing but not sex. Bentley also said he was pressured by politically prominent individuals to intervene in a corruption investigation against then-Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard. Bentley said they wanted him to help get a prosecutor removed from the case. Hubbard was later convicted on ethics charges. Republished with permission from the Associated Press.
BCA announces new governance structure, companies return
The Business Council of Alabama (BCA) on Wednesday announced a new plan to strengthen and improve the association’s governance structure. Several major corporations including Alabama Power, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, and Regions Bank left the organization this summer siting problems with BCA’s leader Billy Canary. The BCA has stated in June that they would be replacing Canary. “The wholesale governance and leadership changes made today show what is possible when businesses come together with a common goal,” said CEO of Alabama Power Company, Mark Crosswhite in a press release. “While the hard work of moving this organization forward remains, I am pleased with this progress and look forward to working with businesses across our state for a stronger BCA and a better Alabama.” The BCA’s new structure consists of an executive committee made up of 11 individuals. According to the BCA, five committee members represent larger businesses, five represent smaller businesses, and one trustee represents the Alabama Self-Insured Worker’s Compensation Fund. The new executive committee elected today includes: Rey Almodovar, CEO, Intuitive Research and Technology Mark Crosswhite, CEO, Alabama Power Co. Perry Hand, Chairman, Volkert Inc. Denson Henry, Owner/Vice President, Henry Brick Co. Carl Jamison, Shareholder, JamisonMoneyFarmer PC Johnny Johns, Executive Chairman, Protective Life Corp. John Mazyck, Principal, The Frazer Lanier Co. Gary Smith, CEO, PowerSouth Energy Cooperative John Turner, CEO, Regions Bank Bobby Vaughan, Chairman of the Board, Alabama Self-Insured Worker’s Compensation Fund Tim Vines, CEO, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama “We are fortunate in Alabama to have a business community that understands the importance of providing strong leadership on matters that affect our state’s economic success,” Heather Brothers New, chairwoman of the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama said in a press release. “Individuals, families and communities can’t thrive if our state doesn’t provide an environment where businesses can thrive. Everyone in Alabama benefits from this effort to ensure a unified and effective BCA.”
Doug Jones joins Randall Woodfin’s fight to add Birmingham site to EPA priority list
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last week insisting that they add the North Birmingham 35th Avenue Superfund Site to their National Priorities list. Now, U.S. Senator Doug Jones has joined Woodfin in the fight, sending his own letter to the EPA’s new acting chief Andrew Wheeler on Monday. “While the EPA’s decision not to place the North Birmingham Alabama 35th Avenue Superfund site on the NPL was disappointing to many in the community, it was perhaps understandable given the strong vocal opposition with the state,” Jones wrote in his letter. “However, it is now abundantly clear, as evidenced by the July 19, 2018 convictions of a former state legislator, a business executive and attorney on a number of federal charges including conspiracy, wire fraud and bribery, that the EPA’s initial public review process was undermined by an illegal misinformation scheme to prevent the North Birmingham site from being added to the NPL.” At a community forum last week Woodfin spoke out against the actions of the several Birmingham professionals tied to the site who were convicted of bribery, wire fraud and money laundering; and announced he was sending a letter to the EPA. “In light of the recent revelations concerning public corruption, we believe the environmental injustices in North Birmingham must be addressed and prioritized by the Environmental Protection Agency,” the Birmingham City website reads. “A site may be included on the EPA National Priorities List if it has scored greater than a 28.5 on the Hazard Ranking System. The North Birmingham 35th Avenue Superfund Site scored a 50, almost twice the minimum requirements.” According to The Gadsden Times, the EPA released a statment in response to Woodfin last week saying; “EPA received numerous comments on the proposed listing. At this time the Agency has not made a decision to finalize the site on the NPL. The site will remain on the proposed list until a decision has been made to go final or until the site has been cleaned up by the removal program.” Read Jones full letter here: U.S. Sen. Doug Jones’ letter to EPA by Erin Edgemon on Scribd
Update on puppy mill rescues by Greater Birmingham Humane Society and how you can help
Last month, the Greater Birmingham Humane Society took in a whopping 83 puppies and dogs from a suspected puppy mill in Trussville, Ala. That same week, in a less reported bust a boxer puppy mill breeder relinquished 18 additional dogs to the GBHS. The Trussville bust included over a dozen pregnant dogs so the 83 number is climbing has climbed those dogs have given birth. Since the dogs were rescued, 24 additional puppies have been born. “Many of the animals, some of which are in the late stages of pregnancy, were crammed two to three in a wire cage. Dogs were together in stacked inadequate, wire-bottom cages and crates caked in excrement and filth. Most of the dogs are suffering from abscessed teeth and gum infections, along with other illnesses,” GBHS shared in statement about the Trussville rescue. Sadly, it’s not all good news. One of the dogs taken in passed away. Likely due to the extreme conditions they endured at the suspected puppy mill. The story was covered nationally including in a feature by People which quoted Courtney Underwood the Director of Marketing and Outreach at GBHS saying, “I’m no longer going to mourn the life that they have missed, I’m going to be proud to be a part of what’s next.” Here’s a look at what’s happening with the dogs from the Trussville puppy mill: Total taken in on day police contacted GBHS: 83 Total born since original intake in shelter: 24 (22 up until Friday of last week and two last night Tue. Aug. 14, 2018.) Total died in shelter/care: 1 Any euthanized and reason: 1 Behavior (Aggressive/Dangerous/ Evaluated – Bites, Animal Aggressive, Food Aggressive) Number of animals made available to public for adoption: 30 ( +1 who went to Transport) Number of new fosters that came in when this story ran: more than 100 individuals applied to be a foster home. Number of animals currently in foster: 72 (including all of the new puppies who have been born since their mothers were placed into foster). Legislation to stop puppy mills Now, that the GBHS has it hands full will an overflow of pups and it’s motivated more than ever to support the passing of a bill to protect against puppy mills. First introduced in 2017, the Alabama puppy mill bill, better known as “Atti’s Bill,” or HB45 and SB17 in their respective chambers, requires commercial breeders of dogs and cats to be licensed and inspected annually in hopes to put an end to inhumane practices like puppy mills. While neither bill directly refers to “puppy mills” they would apply to cat and dog breeders who have more than 10 female animals. They’d have to be licensed and inspected by the Alabama Dog and Cat Breeders Commission, which the legislation also creates. The state Department of Agriculture and Industries would have jurisdiction over the commission and funding would be covered through breeders’ licensing fees. To find more information on this piece of legislation and how you can stop puppy mills like the one featured here: visit the Alabama Puppy Mill Project’s website. To give to a tax-deductible donation to help not just the puppy mill animals but also the regular intake and pet surrenders at the Greater Birmingham Humane Society visit their website here.
Omarosa Magingault-Newman is the poster child for demonstrating why Donald Trump needs professional staff
It’s no secret Donald Trump’s campaign and original White House staff was made up of what can best be described as a hodgepodge of questionable talent in staff and leadership. Clearly those on the front line from the beginning were relentless in their efforts, which combined with the right candidate at the right time in history made all the difference in the world but enough already with amateur hour. We need professionals not reality t.v. stars and want to be celebrities working in the White House. The challenge however was that many lacked the professionalism or experience that would generally be required in a national election and the fallout from their flying by the seat of their pants has continued to be felt on a regular basis. Unforced errors that experienced campaign and policy experts would have prevented, or altogether seen coming, have haunted the administration since its earliest days. The problem: The republican primary had so many talented and well known candidates that most A-list, experienced, well known and well respected campaign staff went to others before Trump got into the race. Very few people, including myself, took Trump’s candidacy seriously and most people around the process heaped on the criticism of Trump’s unorthodox and unconventional style and messaging. So when the dust settled and Trump won the primary there were few people untainted with on the record comments or public declarations publicly speaking out about Trump. This left few people with the ability to integrate into his and his leaderships circle of trust for the general election or more importantly to move into critical positions within the White House. Multiple candidates for jobs within both the White House and at federal agencies found themselves having offers receded once Trump loyalists found disparaging remarks critical of him months and even years old. That brings me to today, where the issue of Trump’s staff is back at the center of conversation due to Omarosa Manigault-Newman’s wild claims about the White House and the president while out promoting her upcoming book. She’s been on a tear about the goings on at 1600 Penn. Not that a week has gone by without something in the press about White House staff or members of the president’s cabinet. The media coverage has been relentless as incredibly high staff turnover, as reported by the Associated Press, has given them a lot to run with. Manigault-Newman’s not just stirring the pot with her outlandish claims and the bad guy persona that everyone is used to seeing from her in her reality t.v. appearances — she’s breached one of the most fundamental staff qualities found in politics: loyalty. People within the political process know that trust is so critical to the job that even when you work with or for people you lose trust in, you recognize that you need to respect the office and the institution you’re working for and when your time is up you bow out gracefully. There is no higher honor than to be able to work in the West Wing of the White House. Though to even to be in the EEOB or in an executive position at an agency and to be able to influence national policy one is an honor. When Omarosa recorded her termination by John Kelly, as well as at least one conversation with the president himself, she crossed a line that she can never recover from and she proved that she never respected the people around her or the opportunity she was given. This seems like a good opportunity to point out that what the issue with Omarosa’s presence in the White House was that she and others never seemed to grasp the tremendous opportunity that they were given and used it (or are using it) for selfish reasons. She, like several others before her (anyone remember Anthony Scaramucci?) didn’t take their roles seriously. The infighting of White House staff jockeying for access to Trump or opportunities to hurt personal political foes in the media with damaging leaks are indicative of a greater problem. Her firing and the fallout that is happening around her hiring to start with, is a good reminder that Trump needs more professional staff. Trump and Kelly need to clean house of the problem people, the leakers, the unprofessionals, the backstabbers, the disloyal and those who just don’t see the bigger picture. What’s more they need to bring in stronger more experienced people who can put their heads down and get their jobs done. While the media and Trump opponents seek to vilify those who go to work for for this administration from the first day they walk into their jobs it hasn’t stopped those who know that to fill those positions is to heed a higher calling one of service to our nation. The left says Trump’s staff should be heckled and bullied and belittled. But the fact is that the White House is a hallowed place to work and the work that is done there is critical to every aspect of our nation from national security, to the running the economy, looking for healthcare solutions, addressing our nations failing education system and more. Those who discourage capable, competent people working in this administration are ultimately not doing a disservice to Donald Trump, or the Republican Party, but rather to every individual living on U.S. soil. Trump is our President, much to the dismay of his opponents. Their constant attacks on those who serve in his administration, isn’t going to change the reality that Trump won the election. We as a nation need to take a step back and applaud those who take the jobs that put them on the front lines of criticism and scorn. We need to encourage those who are afraid to take that heat to step up and do so because their service, their wisdom, their professionalism is needed. As hard as it must be to work in such an chaotic environment the costs of having no institutional wisdom and having
Dems pick ‘firsts,’ GOP goes for Donald Trump fave in primaries
In a night of firsts, Democrats in Vermont’s primary chose the nation’s first transgender gubernatorial nominee. In Minnesota, they picked a woman who would be the first Somali-American member of Congress. Connecticut Democrats nominated a candidate who could become the first black woman from the state to serve in Congress. Democrats embraced diversity in Tuesday primaries, while Republicans in Minnesota rejected a familiar face of the GOP old guard in favor of a rising newcomer aligned with President Donald Trump. But Minnesota Democrats also backed a national party leader who is facing accusations of domestic violence. He has denied the allegations, yet they threaten to undercut enthusiasm in his state and beyond. On the other side, Trump tightened his grip on the modern-day Republican Party as the turbulent 2018 primary season lurched toward its finale. A one-time Trump critic, former two-term Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty lost a comeback attempt he was expected to win. Trump fired off a celebratory tweet Wednesday, hailing “Great Republican election results” and adding “Red Wave!” He also endorsed a series of candidates in Wisconsin, including Bryan Steil who won the GOP primary for the House seat held by Speaker Paul Ryan and Leah Vukmir, who will face Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin in November. All but 10 states picked their candidates for November’s general election by the time the day’s final votes were counted. While the full political battlefield isn’t quite set, the stakes are clear: Democrats are working to topple Republican control of Congress and governors’ offices across the nation. Four states held primaries Tuesday: Vermont, Connecticut, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Kansas’ gubernatorial primary, which was held last week, was finalized when Republican Gov. Jeff Colyer conceded defeat. In Minnesota, Republican County Commissioner Jeff Johnson defeated Pawlenty, who once called Trump “unhinged and unfit” and was hoping to regain his old post. In Wisconsin, Gov. Scott Walker, endorsed just this week by Trump, won the right to seek a third term. The president’s pick for Kansas governor, Secretary of State Kris Kobach, scored a delayed victory against Colyer, who became the first incumbent governor to fall this season. In Vermont, Democrat Christine Hallquist won the Democratic nomination in her quest to become the nation’s first transgender governor. The former chief executive of Vermont Electric Cooperative bested a field of four Democrats that included a 14-year-old. While she made history on Tuesday, Hallquist faces a difficult path to winning the governor’s race. Republican incumbent Phil Scott remains more popular with Democrats than members of his own party in the solidly liberal state. Vermont Democrats also nominated Sen. Bernie Sanders, who hasn’t ruled out a second presidential run in 2020, for a third term in the Senate. The 76-year-old democratic socialist won the Democratic nomination, but he is expected to turn it down and run as an independent. Democrats appeared particularly motivated in Wisconsin, where eight candidates lined up for the chance to take on Walker. Walker’s strong anti-union policies made him a villain to Democrats long before Trump’s rise. State schools chief Tony Evers, who has clashed with Walker at times, won the Democratic nomination and will take on Walker this fall. Once a target of Trump criticism, Walker gained the president’s endorsement in a tweet Monday night calling him “a tremendous Governor who has done incredible things for that Great State.” Trump also starred, informally at least, in Wisconsin’s Senate primaries as Republicans try to deny Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin a second term. Longtime state lawmaker Leah Vukmir, who was backed by House Speaker Paul Ryan, won the Republican primary, even after struggling to explain footage recently unearthed from 2016 in which she called Trump “offensive to everyone.” Tuesday’s primaries served as a test of Democratic enthusiasm in the upper Midwest, a region that has long been associated with liberal politics but has been trending red. Trump won Wisconsin by less than 1 percentage point in 2016, becoming the first Republican presidential candidate to carry the state since 1984. It was much the same in Minnesota, where Trump lost by less than 3 percentage points in a state that hasn’t backed a Republican presidential contender since 1972. Nearly twice as many Minnesota Democrats as Republicans cast ballots in their parties’ respective gubernatorial primaries. Pawlenty had been considered the heavy favorite in a two-person Republican contest for his old job. But he struggled to adapt to a GOP that had changed drastically since he left office in 2011 and flamed out early in a 2012 presidential bid. The former two-term governor strained to live down his October 2016 comment that Trump was “unhinged and unfit for the presidency,” remarks that incensed many Republican voters in Minnesota and beyond. Johnson, his underfunded opponent, circulated Pawlenty’s critique far and wide, telling voters that he was a steadfast supporter of the president. Johnson will face Democratic Rep. Tim Walz, who won a three-way race for his party’s nomination. Three Minnesota women won Senate nominations, including incumbent Democrats Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith. Smith, who had been appointed to replace Democrat Al Franken, will face Republican state Sen. Karin Housley, ensuring a woman will hold the seat once held by Franken, who left Congress amid allegations of sexual misconduct toward women. Nationwide, a record number of women are running this year for governor and Congress. Meanwhile, a new scandal threatened to dampen Democratic enthusiasm. Rep. Keith Ellison, the Democratic National Committee’s deputy chairman, captured his party’s nomination in the race to become the state’s attorney general. That’s after Ellison’s candidacy was rocked by allegations over the weekend of domestic violence amid a broader national outcry against sexual misconduct by powerful men in business, entertainment and politics. Ellison has denied a former girlfriend’s allegations that he dragged her off a bed while screaming obscenities during a 2016 relationship she said was plagued by “narcissistic abuse.” Also in Minnesota, Democrat Ilhan Omar, the nation’s first Somali-American legislator, won her party’s congressional primary in the race to replace Ellison. In Connecticut, Republican businessman
Alabama’s Energen acquired by Diamondback Energy in $9.2B deal
Diamondback Energy Inc. will will acquire Birmingham-based Energen Corp. in a roughly $8.4 billion all-stock transaction, including Energen’s net debt of $830 million as of June 30. The companies announced the transaction in a statement Tuesday. Energen Chairman and CEO James McManus said he believes “the combination of the two companies’ quality assets, track record of execution, and peer-leading cost structures will form an even stronger, large-cap independent producer uniquely positioned to drive growth and development in the Permian Basin.” “This transaction is the outcome of a comprehensive strategic review by Energen’s Board with the assistance of our outside advisors,” he explained further. Energen shareholders will receive 0.6442 shares of Diamondback common stock in exchange for each share of Energen common stock, representing an implied value to each Energen shareholder of $84.95 per share based on the closing price of Diamondback common stock on August 13. “We look forward to welcoming Energen’s employees as members of the Diamondback team, and applaud them for the hard work and dedication they have put forth to create this opportunity for the two teams to become one,” said Travis Stice, Chief Executive Officer of Diamondback. “The synergies provided in this transaction, as well as the opportunities for capital improvements provided by increased size and scale, create a truly outstanding value proposition. The combined company’s expected production growth, capital productivity and cost structure will enhance our free cash flow profile to grow our long-term capital return program.”
