Healing the U.S. economy

U.S. Sen. Jim Risch touched all the right bases.

Well, almost.

The good senator visited with The Press editorial board on Wednesday and made a number of points on the economy so emphatically that we felt like a rapt audience at a live show.

Sen. Risch, a lawyer who has dedicated most of his adulthood to public service as a state legislator, lieutenant governor, governor and now distinguished member of the U.S. Senate, hit hard on these economic issues:

n As part of the long-term solution, the U.S. must adopt a balanced budget amendment. Sen. Risch noted that the amendment would need to make an exception for times of war.

n Our nation's leaders must change their "cavalier attitude" toward money. Sen. Risch says there's a disconnect between economic theories on Capitol Hill and economic realities in businesses across America.

n One of the biggest enemies of the American people is overzealous, energy- and innovation-killing regulation. "Regulations are strangling this country," he said. One of the big offenders, the Environmental Protection Agency, is the target of some legislation Sen. Risch is co-sponsoring. That bill would require the EPA to fully fund any mandates it places on states, counties and cities. (We're not optimistic the bill has a chance to pass, but it sure would do wonders with the water quality debate now raging on the Spokane River.) He'd like to see a roll-back to regulations from 2006.

n Our nation can be a world leader, but it's spreading itself too thin economically in difficult times. Sen. Risch cited a program that requested funding for abused women and girls outside the U.S. He said there are currently 348 social programs being funded by the American people outside our nation's borders.

n A more equitable, effective federal tax structure is needed. When roughly half the adult American citizenship pays no taxes but constantly demands more funding for welfare and services, the effect is devastating on those who do foot the country's tax bill. Perhaps more significantly, those who pay no taxes have no stake in change.

n Government growth should be the enemy of the people, but instead, citizens demand more and more of it. He's not defending Congress, either. Sen. Risch referred to "the conversation that never takes place:" When members of Congress talk about anything, they don't ask if it's a state or federal issue, or if it's something the government should stay out of altogether.

We won't cast a vote against any of these planks in Sen. Risch's economic platform, but we do have one suggestion. During the half-hour meeting with the editorial board, the senator repeatedly drew strong distinctions between the perspectives and policies of Democrats and Republicans, with President Obama bearing the brunt of much blame. We know election season is upon us, but we would humbly add our own plank to solving the economic woes that ail our great nation:

n Work together. One party can't clean up this massive mess.