I Remember Jack Kemp

The Jack Kemp I was Fortunate to Know

In 1979 I started getting interested in politics. I had every intention to cast my first vote, at the age of 18 in November of 1980. My interest in the ideas of free enterprise and the importance of a free society flourished when I stumbled on a recently released book entitled An American Renaissance. The book, by a former professional football player turned politician named Jack Kemp, plotted the future of the Republican party for years to come and described with prophetic clarity what would become know later as "Reaganomics."

After that book I moved from "interested" to "committed" and found myself an outsider in a family which had a FDR dad and a socialist (right off the boat from England) mom. My life has never been the same. I knew of Kemp from his book and the news, I received the privilege of actually knowing him shortly thereafter.

In 1980 I found myself in the role as a regional coordinator in the Students for Reagan campaign in Texas. It was "heady" times for an 18 year old because our efforts (including our region) were enjoying national media attention. Unfortunately for me, it also drew attention from Abilene Christian University where I was a student. As a group we decided to have a demonstration at a Jimmy Carter rally coming soon and we told the media, which in turn asked questions at my school.

During class one day someone walked in and handed my professor a note from Dean Beauchamp, who was the Vice President of Student Affairs. The professor was a friend of mine as well as my teacher and he turned slightly pale and looked at me. "Kevin, Dean Beauchamp would like to see you immediately after class." If he was slightly pale, I turned white as a sheet. Mr. Beauchamp was the enforcer on campus, the equivalent of the assistant principal in a middle school. Visits with him often preceded departures from the school.

I said, "May I go now?" He shook his head yes and said, "See me after your meeting" with genuine concern or morbid curiosity. When I got to his office there was little wait (thank God) and was quickly in his office. He cut straight to the chase, "Kevin, this is a Christian university and we expect our students to not embarrass us, we don't like the idea of you protesting our President." I said, "Oh no Dean Beauchamp, we are having a pro-Reagan rally." He stared at me and didn't smile. He said, "It is a free country, I can't stop you, and although I like Reagan, I will not tolerate this school being embarrassed, understand?" I understood.

On the day of the event we had media coverage from TV, radio, and newspapers and the local Republican Party publicly criticized my efforts because they were independent and drew far more attention than the establishment party received. Congressman Jack Kemp came the day after that event and got his hands on one of those newspapers. At a party for Reagan that night which included Kemp, I got an invitation from the Congressman to attend. When I got there, it was awkward. The party regulars had wished I chose to not attend. Kemp arrived fashionably late and he immediately asked "who is Kevin Price?" I sheepishly looked up and he motioned me to come over to him where he patted me on the back and shook my hand. He turned to the GOP county chair and said "we need more heroes like this to save the future of this country. If anyone is not happy with his efforts, they need to answer to me. Any questions?" Now the poor county chair turned white and was completely silent. Kemp turned and whispered to me, "I heard you were having problems at school too, do you need me to make a call?" I pulled my jaw up and whispered "no." I think he may have made a call because Dean Beauchamp later grabbed me in the hall and told me how proud he was of what I was doing for our country.

That was the kind of person Kemp was. I grew to disagree with him on some issues, but he entirely changed the debate in Washington and we went from a country that saw high taxes as "patriotic" to one in which individuals should fight for lower rates. In fact, I think he was the most influential American in the 20th Century to never get elected President. But as in the case of his conversation with me, Kemp was very real and interested in every day people, like me.

Football player, Congressman, Secretary of HUD, Vice President nominee of the GOP. He was a great American. He will be missed.

Kevin Price is Host of the Price of Business, the longest running show on CNN 650 (M-F at 11 am), AOL Radio, and CBS Radio. Eric Bolling of Fox News and Fox Business says that Price’s Blog “is very influential and moves the blogosphere.” Steve Moore of the Wall Street Journal calls Price the “best business talk show host in the country.” Find out why and visit his blog at www.BizPlusBlog.com and his show site at www.PriceofBusiness.com. You can also find Price on Strategy Room at FoxNews.com.

Historians to Bush: the Worst President?

One of the things I learned in the pursuit of my history degree is that the subject requires a long term perspective. There should be some time between the person and his or her impact on society before historians size them up. Many of my professors at Abilene Christian University -- conservative or liberal -- would say that if they are sizing up a President's impact before his time is done, they are political scientists, not historians. Many of those same professors would say "and, after all, political science isn't a real discipline."

Seriously though, these words of wisdom are being largely ignored by historians today. According to a recent US News & World Reports, "President Bush often argues that history will vindicate him. So he can't be pleased with an informal survey of 109 professional historians conducted by the History News Network. It found that 98 percent of them believe that Bush's presidency has been a failure, while only about 2 percent see it as a success. Not only that, more than 61 percent of the historians say the current presidency is the worst in American history."

The worst ever? I'm sorry, but I was just talking to someone today about applying for a cashier job at a grocery store and stood in a line that went all the way around the corner. There were two openings at that store. During that time when President Carter was in charge, 13 countries fell to Communism, we had hyperinflation by US historical perspectives, and we were a laughing stock around the world. During that time, we were told by Carter that it was America's fault for being in such a sorry state. We no longer believed in ourselves, we were told.

We didn't stop believing in America, just the politicians running this country. It lead to a mandate going to Ronald Reagan and an American Renaissance. I come from a multi-generational family of Democrats and Carter single handily changed that view. With that, I'm not even sure if Carter was the worst (although he was certainly on the short list of such), but he makes Bush look absolutely brilliant.

In a recent blog post I discussed how the media has altered our perceptions of the economy. We have been fed recession garbage for years and are starting to believe it. Economist John Lott, Jr pointed out that our economic numbers are generally better than a decade ago when Clinton was President -- a period described as economically prosperous. I expect some of the average news consumers to buy into this media propaganda, but not serious historians.

George Bush will not be one of my favorite Presidents, I am sure. His failure to promote free enterprise and its success in the 2006 Congressional races haunts us today (and likely will in 2008), his expansion of government in several areas has been damaging, his inability to articulate the case for the war, and his haphazard and often liberal answers to our current credit crisis leaves much to be desired. But this is a man who presided over the country on September 11th, 2001 and helped restore confidence in this country that lead to a 17 percent growth of the economy under his tenure and remarkably low unemployment. The best President? No. The worst President? Give me a break.

Historians should know better and give history time to judge Bush and leave, what appears to be political agendas to political scientists. After all, they don't know any better.

Kevin Price is Host of the Houston Business Show (M-F at 11 AM on CNN 650) and Publisher of the Houston Business Review. Hear the show live and online at HoustonBusinessShow.com. Visit the archive of past shows here.

William F. Buckley, 1925-2008

I met William F. Buckley only one time in the early 1980s . I was Chairman of Young Conervatives of Texas at Abilene Chrisitan University and was a young college student on the quest to change the world. Before I met Buckley I had been exposed to some of his excellent works. He was a brilliant writer whose nonfiction meant more to me than his fiction (of which he was famous).

When I met him, I was young and arrogant and felt I had so much more to offer the world than my actual worth. I believe people needed to know me and my opinions were vast and my knowledge was limited. What impressed me was how Buckley was a gentleman. He listened, politely as I pontificated about the way the world was and should be. He actually encouraged me in my enthusiasm and wish me well in my endeavors. He actually gave me the contact information of one of his assitants if he could ever be of assistance.

The funny thing was, I wasn't very impressed by the fine treatment I received. I expected no less. It was after many years and reflecting back that I realized how honored I was to meet the person that many call the intellectual godfather of the modern Conservative movement.

Kevin Price is Host of the Houston Business Show (M-F at 11 AM on CNN 650) and Publisher of the Houston Business Review. Hear the show live and online at HoustonBusinessShow.com. Visit the archive of past shows here.

Remembering Louie Welch

As most readers of this blog or listeners of my show know, I graduated from Abilene Christian University. ACU is well respected -- a top 3 for Master's level universities in Texas and in the top 25 in the South and West according to US News & World Reports, but it isn't well known. Furthermore, we lack the list of prestigious alumni that universities tend to hunger for.

One of those alumni that made a difference was Louie Welch, former mayor of Houston. Welch served four years on the city council before finally winning mayor. Who wouldn't leave that latter position until he finished an impressive five terms. He took over that spot during the turbulent 1960s and his tenure was filled with defusing the tensions between a white population that wasn't ready for equal rights and the African American population that rightfully demanded such.

In the end, he made significant progress on that front, quietly playing a part in protests on the behalf of minorities and overseeing major changes in attitudes. He was, without question, one of the most progressive Southern mayors in the 1960s.

He tried a political comeback in the 1980s and found himself in trouble over statements on homosexuality. In spite of this controversy, Welch is remembered fondly by the Houston community and is a great ACU alum who has made a difference.

I got the opportunity to meet Mr. Welch while we were both waiting for planes at the airport. He was polite and extremely friendly. He was absolutely thrilled that we both shared ACU in common and that I appreciated his service to the city. He was just that kind of person.

Kevin Price is Host of the Houston Business Show (M-F at 11 AM on CNN 650) and Publisher of the Houston Business Review. Hear the show live and online at HoustonBusinessShow.com. Visit the archive of past shows here.

The Importance of Relationships

On today's Houston Business Show I interviewed some bright minds in business. My subject is the importance of relationships. I believe that relationships are the single most important factor to success in business. I asked each of the panelists -- Robbie Adair of Houston Manufacturers, business attorney Wayne Isaacks and Ralph Fain who is a Merger and Acquisition expert (both found here); and financial expert Blake Barnett.

On my part, the single most important relationship I can point to in business is my friend Mike Richards. I have known Mike for almost 30 years and met him when he was running for statewide office. He did extremely well in the insurance and media businesses (and also hosted a popular radio show for many years in Houston), and is now the President of the International Bible Society.

Mike has always been an inspiration to me. He grew up in poverty in East Texas, often sharing a bed with siblings while growing up. He told me stories of having to hold the door to the car whenever his dad made a turn. He went to college on an athletic scholarship (like me, he went to Abilene Christian University). Early on he recognized his ability to create relationships and leveraged it successfully in the highly profitable insurance field. He went on to become one of the most successful people whom I personally know.

Mike always made observations about individuals that were most perceptive and those played a strategic role in how he conducted business. Today when I negotiate with someone, consider doing business, or just ponder my commerce in general, Mike is something of a "Dicky Fox" character (photo) to me from the movie Jerry Maguire. Maguire would always remember some useful information from Dicky at crucial times through out the movie. In the same way, I will often interact with someone and remember something Mike told me.

"Relationship, relationship, relationship; those are the three most essential elements to business" he would say. I believe he is absolutely correct.

So You Want to Be a Millionaire?

Lotteries are big business and the winners in the Mega Jackpot were a major story in the news today. Lotteries attracts millions of dollars from individuals who are looking for short cuts in their move from rags to riches. One of my favorite professors, Arlie Hoover, back at Abilene Christian University, use to call lottery tickets "a tax on ignorance." The reason for this is the odds are so poor of winning (e.g., 13 million to one in California). But what about the lucky person who wins the occasional 7, 8, or even 9 digits in lottery dollars? Surely they are happy for their big win?

Well, the truth is, often they are not. After being pestered by loved ones and people they barely know for part of their winnings (you didn't earn it, and I need it), many have to move away and start a new life. Others often give the money away or spend it like there is no tomorrow and find themselves bankrupt at a much higher rate than the general population (because although they have a large sum of money, still know nothing about keeping it), the have higher rates of divorce (because spouses will often have different values and didn't realize it until they had a large sum of money), and even suicide rates because they sadly discovered the money doesn't solve all their problems.

Recently I read about 8 people who had financial ruin follow their lottery win. They reminded me how money obtained without work, often leads to personal disaster. Instead of envying those who through dollars into things like lottery and some how win. I suggest you be reminded that the real winners are the ones who make their wealth through hard ward and investment. That is the American way.

Giving Clinton His Due

Most Presidents accomplish very little in the legacy department during their tenure. Policy changes are relatively common and usually changed again by someone else. Presidents are fortune to leave one major legacy and it usually requires two terms. Reagan left a few, which is why he is held in such high regards by others. He changed the debate on taxes from one of the patriotic position paying as much as possible without complaining to holding the government accountable by demanding they tax less. Further, he profoundly convinced people that tax increases not only hurt the economy, but often fail to actually increase revenues. On the foreign policy front, Reagan developed the concept of "peace through strength," convinced the Soviets of the rise of the strategic defense initiative (AKA "Star Wars") and largely ended the Cold War without a shot being fired. Before Reagan, "Mutual Assured Destruction" (MAD) was considered the wise position of strength. Reagan believed and convinced enough Americans that the acronym was a good name for this philosophy.

The first President Bush left virtually no long term legacy. Hampered by a single term (largely, in my opinion, for failing to keep his promise not to raise taxes), Bush was largely lucky to leave with minimal damage reputation wise.

The current President Bush has developed a policy of preemptive defense (e.g., in Iraq), but the jury is out on whether on not that will create a legacy. A legacy is noted by how it effects future policy, not just current governing. Also, he has made an articulate argument for Social Security reform that certainly had the potential of leaving a positive legacy. But right now that is a dream. Bush II, as legacy maker, is in question.

What about President Clinton? Any regular listener of my radio show or anyone who has read my articles or books know how I feel about Clinton. He was an embarrassment on several fronts. There is, however, one area I must give him his due and that is welform reform. A policy for which we are celebrating a 10th anniversary. I believe we can call it a legacy because it is still in tact and Congress is entertaining on how to build on it. When welform reform was pursued in 1996 it had three objectives: to reduce dependency on welfare and foster employment, to slow down and reduce child poverty, and to reduce out of weklock births and promote marriage. It clearly succeeded in all three fronts.

The following are a few facts:

• Following the passage of this bill in 1996, welfare caseloads declined in earnest and has fallen 56 percent since then.
• There has been a hundred percent increase in employment among young single mothers age 18 to 24 since passage of this bill.
• Between 1995 and 2003, overall unwed childbearing has increased very slowly, only 2.4 percentage points, a fourth of the pre-reform rate of increase of 7.7 percent annually (and at over 40 percent when the bill passed into law).

This bill has succeeded and the legacy continues to expand as Congress considers tackling other means tested programs besides AFDC, which was centerpiece in the 1996 act. I encourage everyone to review some of the events and papers surrounding the ten year anniversary of this important law by visiting the Heritage Foundation's site commemorating it. I also encourage people to contact their Member of Congress and encourage them to take further action towards ending welfare as we know it.

For the many cynics out there (I know, I'm often one of them) who believe Clinton was forced to pass this legislation by a Republican Congress, I disagree. In the early 1980s when I was a student at Abilene Christian University, I remember reading about a young governor who offered hope to conservatives who thought the Democratic Party was entirely liberal. This governor actually supported a pro-life position and spoke widely about "ending welfare as we know it" and "replacing welfare with workfare." That governor was Bill Clinton and he wasn't a "Johnny come lately" on the welfare issue. And although he clearly lost his conservative leanings in some (if not most) issues, he didn't on that one, and the results have been nothing short of profound. And what he has left in this one important area is a legacy we should build on.

I also believe it took a Clinton. More than likely if there had been a Republican President, the proposal would have been shot down as cold hearted, even with a Republican majority. It was the right bill, for the right Congress and, most importantly, the right President, at the right time.