Sunday, March 29, 2009

Conaway Goes Whacky on Tobaccy Regulation


In response to a Congressional proposal to regulate tobacco, my Congressman weighed in:


"I'm not convinced that FDA is the right agency to provide regulation," said Rep. Mike Conaway, R-Texas, in his first hearing as the senior Republican member of the House subcommittee dealing with specialty crops, rural development and foreign agriculture."They're having problems with food safety and other areas. They have not done a spectacular job."

Point #1-Only producers make quality goods or products. Inspectors can only screen out the bad. Inspection is a notoriously poor process for ensuring quality.

Point #2-Leaders know nothing about producing quality goods. From Wall Street to the Capital, leaders applied bad management theory. Profound knowledge is needed. Dr. W. Edwards Deming taught theory and methods for producing quality. It is widely ignored.

Point #3-Leaders substitute cheaper alternatives to maximize profit and game executive incentive compensation. The first dump was defined benefit pensions to 401(k)'s. CEO's widely cheated by backdating stock option incentive comp over a ten year period. Then came contracting production to low cost areas like China, India and Vietnam. That cost America over 2 million jobs. Over the last decade, many companies shed their R & D function. Secretary of Energy Dr. Chu recently talked about using America's national labs for business R & D. Next on the list is transferring employer sponsored health insurance to the individual.

Rep. Mike Conaway is on this third term in the House. What did the Agriculture Committee member do to improve food safety during his term? Melamine tainted pet food happened on his watch. Poisonous heparin came from China. It killed hospital patients while Conaway served the people. Citizens are at risk every time they take a medication with a Chinese supplied ingredient. Buyer beware came back in spades under President Bush.

America's leaders haven't done a spectacular job, Conaway included. The return to basics starts with quality.

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