We Need a 'Sensible' Party with Solutions for the Economy, Job Creation

The Democratic and Republican Party of Wisconsin seem to lack any ability to sensibly discuss the current economic crisis, and the persistent lack of jobs and the huge number of under-employed.

Maybe here on the blogosphere, we can engage in constructive dialogue, and think up some sensible ideas that can help.

For a working name, I would suggest the "Sensibles" — a party that holds compromise as a virtue, because that is the sensible way to do things in a democracy.

For starters, I will offer a very simple suggestion for boosting economic activity in Wisconsin, and create more jobs. Now don't expect pie charts and graphs and extensive research on this "simple" idea. It is just something that occurred to me when I was thinking about the economy and how much of it is built around autos.

Until fairly recently, Sunday was a good day to go look at cars to buy. However, the auto dealers lobbied Madison, to make Sunday sales of autos illegal. They could cut their overhead some, and by making it a law, they stifled any potential competition from other auto dealers who would want to be open on Sunday.

Auto purchases, to a great extent, are not usually a "have to" situation. After all, most folks drive to the auto dealer, so they don't really need a new car. And, many folks who are just window shopping, make an impulse purchase with the help of the friendly salesperson.

In this kind of economy, we should not be suppressing any kinds of sales — especially of a product that so many jobs depend upon.

Being open another day in the week will increase a need for salespeople, managers, the finance folks and maybe even some mechanics. And that is just at the dealership level.

With increased auto sales, not only do the assembly lines put more people to work, but the thousands of jobs right here in Milwaukee at small-to-medium-size machine shops, that do work for the auto industry, will see their sales and employment also rise.

Like I said — a simiple idea — but maybe, one worth trying.