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4 Opinions
EDITORIAL

Trade beyond the pale

If The New York Times is right, 2009 could go
down as the year that America’s leaders took a
knowing step toward economic suicide. That’s be-
cause a recent Times analysis piece declared that
among Democratic presidential candidates, free
trade had become a “third rail” issue. Support for
trade deals is now considered beyond the pale.
The maligning of the North American Free Trade
Agreement is a perfect example. Its adoption in 1993
helped kick off one of the great periods of sustained
economic health in U.S. history. The resulting
explosion in trade with Canada and Mexico was
crucial to creation of more than 17 million new jobs,
resulting in a five-year stretch in which the jobless
rate was under 5 percent every year for only the
second time since World War II.
Yet, to hear Democrats tell the story, NAFTA has
actually been catastrophic – especially for those
with manufacturing jobs. In fact, economist Daniel
Ikensen reports that in 2006, “the manufacturing
sector achieved record output, record sales, record IN FOCUS RECENT HISTORY
profits, record profit rates and record return on
investment.” One year ago
What’s particularly perverse about America’s Thanks for all the fish For 28 years, George
lurch toward economic know-nothingism is that it Langohr has served the
comes even as the rest of the world comes around to City of Oconomowoc in
the wisdom of the free-market U.S. approach. After
GABE WOLLENBURG two high-profile offices
with his quiet, effective
watching the United States create 10 times as many
Today is my last Monday at ministrator of Oconomowoc leadership.
private-sector jobs in the 1980s and 1990s – 40 million Co-workers say his re-
Lake Country Publications. Lake.
vs. 4 million – Europe now has similar job-creation Wow! Some shoutouts: Here’s to tirement Thursday leaves
numbers, thanks to its moves away from statism. So I started here with little Chris, Donna, Matt, Jonna, a void that goes much
much for rational policy-making. more than a vague idea of Joe, Carla, Jim, Erin, Peter, deeper than just filling his
what a community paper was Kristi, Kelly, Val, Debi, position as Public Works
in October of 1999, fresh on Heather, Chuck, Chris, Tiff, director.
the heels of a fun but short- LMB, Linda, Andrea, Scott, The department, which
lived gig penning for an on- Steve, Joyce, Crystal, Maury,
seems more like an ad hoc
line videogame magazine. Gary, Tom, Bob, Denny, and
What lessons I’ve learned! most of all, Beth. family, is a tight-knit
It’s overwhelming to even I hope that the good people group of people who have
really think about. of Oconomowoc are as good to worked together for de-
OCONOMOWOC FOCUS

(262) 367-3272 or (262) 567-0885 Publisher/General Manager ........Steve Lyles If the people of Oconomo- my successor as they’ve been cades.
News, advertising, classifieds and billing Published Sept. 5, 2006
Editor in Chief.......................Scott Peterson woc take only one thing from to me. Keep sharing your sto-
(800) 759-6397 or (414) 224-2222 News Editor ...........Gabriel D. W. Wollenburg me in my tenure here, I hope ries, Oconomowoc. The Ocon-
New subscriptions, delivery problems that it’s this: Stop taking omowoc Focus is your news-
and vacation holds Production Manager ....................Jim Weber Five years ago
Sales Manager...........................Steve Lyles yourself so seriously! paper, the madman foolhardy
FAX: (262) 567-7869 News There is not as fine a line enough to sit at her helm is With 10 years experi-
Sales Consultants.............Michele Flanders,
FAX: (262) 367-1136 Legals between work and play as you but her steward. The editor ence on the job, lifelong
Laura Groonwald, Paddy Kieckhefer,
FAX: (262) 367-7414 might think. And the best and can’t hope to control Ocono- Oconomowoc resident
Andrew Topp
Advertising, billing and misc. easiest work is play. I’ll be the mowoc, he can only hold fast Steve Foti is seeking re-
108 N. Main St., Oconomowoc, WI 53066 ofocus@jcpgroup.com first to admit here that, over and try to enjoy the ride. election to the 38th Assem-
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Postal number (USPS) 016008 www.oconomowocfocus.com the years, I’ve done a lot of Heaven knows I have. bly District.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2007

playing. For the incumbent, a

THE OCONOMOWOC FOCUS is published every Tuesday and Thursday by Lake Country Publications, 440 Cardinal
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Lake Country Publications, P.O. Box 200, Hartland, WI 53029. woc’s place in the Sept. 11,
he has served, a result of
All advertising is subject to the approval of the Oconomowoc Focus. Publisher reserves the right to reject any ad- 2001, terrorist attacks. I am a
vertisement or news copy for any reason. The inadvertent omission of an advertisement will be adjusted only by full
cancellation of the charge for the advertisement. Errors, not the fault of the advertiser, which clearly lessen the value storied veteran of the “Hospi- the census information
of the advertisement, will be adjusted. However, the Oconomowoc Focus cannot be responsible for more than one
tal Wars.” I enjoyed seven compiled every ten years.
incorrect insertion of an ad. The advertiser agrees to indemnify and holds the publisher harmless for any claims
(including but not limited to libel, invasion of privacy, copyright infringement, plagiarism) arising out of the publication Festival Weeks, three Harry A recent redistricting
of copy submitted by an advertiser. All claims for error adjustment must be made within 30 days. Written permission process left Foti’s resi-
is required to reprint material appearing in the Oconomowoc Focus. Potter release parties, four
Lake Country Publications 2007, © Journal Community Publishing Group, Inc. local elections, three mayors dence outside the district.
and one curmudgeonly ad- Published Sept. 4, 2002