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Monday, June 16, 2008
Sen. Isakson chats with local business leaders
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In a far-ranging luncheon chat at the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce today, U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Georgia) urged for more transparency on Wall Street and in the investment banking industry — particularly when it comes to financing for the housing industry.
Calling the U.S. banking industry the “best in the world” because of accountability and transparency, Isakson said the same rules should apply to the investment banking industry.
“Wall Street is not transparent,” Isakson said. “There needs to be some real transparency in investment banking.”
Isakson said he was going to be meeting with a couple of senators in the morning to talk about possible new housing legislation. Isakson also agreed with Richard Dorfman, head of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, who said the problem was in arranging for short-term credit for the housing industry.
Then Isakson, who made his living in real estate at Northside Realty, offered some perspective.
“I went through four real estate recessions,” Isakson said. “All of them ended, and this one will too.”
Isakson also was asked about immigration reform. “The biggest political disaster that I’ve every seen in my life was the immigration bill of two years ago,” Isakson said.
Then he offered a template for reform. First secure the borders between the United States and Mexico. And then permit experts from other countries to work in the United States when no Americans can fill particular jobs. The number of visas could fluctuate with the level of unemployment in the United States. In other words, more visas would be allowed during periods of full employment.
Isakson also said the problem of illegal immigration could be solved if we adopted biometric and secure IDs for everyone. Finger prints or retina scans as part of a national database could go a long way to eliminating forgery.
Isakson also spoke about the value of earmarks, the need for water conservation, the hope to get Democrats and Republicans working together on a national energy plan, No Child Left Behind, his belief in international diplomacy as long as enemies know we’ll eventually “enforce right versus wrong,” and on his close relationship to U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Georgia) with whom he has dinner with at least once a week.
But one of the most personal thoughts he shared were his six lessons for successful lives.
- Learning is a life-long endeavor;
- You don’t get anywhere if you don’t respect everybody;
- Be ethical and leave something on the table for everyone;
- Love everybody;
- Have a deep and abiding faith; and
- Always dream.
Isakson, who celebrated his 40th wedding anniversary on Sunday, skirted around question on any personal dreams he might have to run for governor. Officially, Isakson has said he intends to run for re-election to his Senate seat.
International business leader George Novack asked Isakson if he would be able to vote for the senator as a potential gubernatorial candidate.
“You are going to have a chance to vote for me,” Isakson told Novack. “And I hope to be re-elected to the U.S. Senate.”
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Will Georgians support commuter rail?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Many were surprised, and delighted, when Gov. Sonny Perdue announced his support last week for a pilot commuter rail line between Atlanta and Lovejoy and on to Griffin.
Perdue also announced an investment of another $13 million to buy more coaches to provide additional service to the state’s X-Press bus system.
Georgia, especially metro Atlanta, is in dire need to improve its mobility, be it through buses, trains, light rail, bicycle paths, HOV lanes and road improvements.
What are your thoughts about the governor’s announcement to support more transit in the Atlanta region?
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