As a Member of Congress, I often hear complaints about every issue you can imagine - from healthcare to local sewers, from violence in movies to immigration. People often ask why Congress doesn't pass a law to fix this problem or regulate that industry.  In a free enterprise system it isn't that easy, nor should it be.  Consumers have a more powerful tool - their pocketbooks.

For example, people tell me how upset they are that China is expanding its manufacturing base and that our retailers are importing so many overseas products. This costs American workers jobs and leads to a gross trade imbalance for the U.S.A.  Foreign governments even subsidize their manufacturers, manipulate global monetary rates and put the United States at a competitive disadvantage. These complaints are certainly justified.

However, some of the very people who are worried about trade imbalances do their shopping at the large discount stores that sell cheaper Chinese-made products at lower prices.   We all need to remember that as a nation we hold great economic power when we look for the "Made in the USA" label.

Other people let me know how ridiculous it is that school teachers and policemen make so little money while professional athletes and movie stars are paid outrageous sums.  Yet many of us will drive all day and spend hundreds of dollars to attend professional sporting events. We stand in long lines and spend $7.50 to see the latest Hollywood blockbuster.  Unfortunately, few parents expend that much effort to support their child?s school. Obviously, the more money and attention we spend on entertainment, the more the industry will pay people who turn us out for these events.    

Another example could be seen during the halftime show of this year's Super Bowl.  People were "shocked" and disturbed when Justin Timberlake pulled back Janet Jackson's top to expose her breast on prime-time television.  Within hours, the head of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) opened an investigation and thousands of people rightly filed complaints to the television network and the producers of the Super Bowl. 

Thankfully, the overall response from the public has been disgust and dissatisfaction with both Timberlake and Jackson.  But let's face it, unless people decide NOT to buy her new CD or attend his next concert, we can expect this type of "entertainment."

Without question, the government needs to address the trade issue to create a more level playing field.  Teachers and other local public servants need to be more fairly compensated.  Prime-time television needs to be free from nudity, excessive violence and unacceptable language.  However, the reality of the free enterprise system is that we cannot regulate all aspects of society and there IS great power of persuasion in consumer choices.  If we want things to change, we have to "hit 'em where it hurts" - in the pocketbook!