Voters will have a chance to change system in 2000

It is hoped voters will bring a basic change in American government in 2000 that will set the stage for a new century of enhanced opportunities for personal freedom and prosperity for everyone. Because Missouri voters have been a bellwether in the last century of American presidential politics, our state will be watched closely next year as we select a new president and governor. In the meantime, Congress has a lot of work to complete on measures affecting business.

Even the president conceded late in 1999 that the huge non-Social Security surpluses projected at $3 trillion during the next decade would allow reductions in taxes for hard-working American families. Every southwest Missourian knows that money left in Washington vanishes into expanding the size of the federal government. Families, not Washington bureaucrats, should be first to receive the financial benefit from these prosperous economic times. Families pay more than 40 percent of their income in taxes; families should decide how to spend the money they make, not the big spenders in Washington. Americans need a tax cut.

Because of the political makeup of the Congress, it is likely that an increase in the minimum wage will be passed in the first quarter of 2000. It appears there is sufficient support to pass an increase to $6.15 over a three-year period. However, Congress ought to offset the new labor costs with tax savings for businesses.

Reforming the bankruptcy laws should also be completed in the first half of the new year. Closing the loophole that allows up to 40 percent of those who file bankruptcy to avoid repaying half their debts when they are able to do so seems reasonable. The reform legislation would close a $40 billion loophole and hold borrowers more accountable.

Perhaps no greater issue facing American business especially small business is the imposition of sweeping new regulations on ergonomics. The House voted in August to pass the Workplace Preservation Act (HR 987) I sponsored to delay implementation of new workplace rules on ergonomics until a scientific study on the subject is completed in early 2001. The Senate should immediately join the House in striking down these rules.

Independent analysis shows the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has overestimated the benefits and grossly underestimated the costs of the ergonomics rules. It is likely to cost billions for business to comply and put a lot of Americans out of work. It also creates a new entitlement program that gives special treatment to workers who have ergonomics-related injuries.

What is alarming is that the 1,200 pages of new rules are based on "voodoo science" and "witch-doctor logic" and lack scientific evidence. Ergonomics is an inexact science, and these new rules do not guarantee improvement.

Americans are ready for less partisan conflict in Washington. In the last 45 years, voters have tried different strategies a Republican president with a Democrat-controlled Congress and a Democrat president with a Republican-controlled Congress, and a Democrat president with a Democrat-controlled Congress, and, on occasion, the House and Senate led by different parties all of which have had less than satisfactory results. It is hoped in November 2000 voters will try a new combination a Republican president working with a Republican Congress.

That combination will set the stage for lower taxes, protect Social Security and Medicare and produce more control on spending. Imagine a team in Washington committed to fewer strings on federal dollars for education and more freedom for local communities to solve problems.

(Roy Blunt is a Republican member of the U.S. Congress, representing southwest Missouri in the 7th District.)