FREE ENTERPRISE TO THE RESCUE
For almost 20 years in this space, this writer has been championing the cause of free enterprise, noting that almost all good things in the world have come from the victory of free enterprise over Communism and Socialism. As they say, "the proof of the pudding is in the eating," and with almost the entire world's citizens (with the exception of Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Cuba and Syria) marching under the free enterprise banner, it is, as we say, voting affirmation of the free enterprise system with their wallets.
In the meantime, free enterprise may now be coming to the rescue to make our world a bit safer. Members of a U.S. congressional delegation, just back from Russia, note that Russian defense scientists are warming to the idea of using their expertise in the private sector, rather than selling it to rogue states seeking to build weapons of mass destruction.
Representative Alan Tauscher of California led a delegation to the closed city of Snezhinsk in the Euro mountains, as it was working on a government project aimed at bringing high-tech jobs to Russia's struggling scientific centers, so scientists aren't lured away. The Nuclear Cities Program according to Mr. Tauscher, "will not only help us with national security, but is clearly moving Russians towards the new economy, towards stability, towards self-sustaining long-term gainful employment."
Here's the real deal: scientists and other workers at Russia's defense centers have seen their high wage and high benefits jobs disappear with the collapse of the Soviet Union. They now earn as little $150 a month. Our country, in turn, fears that rogue countries like Iran, Iraq, Libya and North Korea will try to hire those scientists to help build weapons of mass destruction. Many scientists have been hesitant to leave their fields of expertise for other jobs. Observers on the scene say its unclear exactly how large the threat of Russian scientists going abroad actually is, but according to U.S. intelligence estimates, at least 3000 underpaid scientists with expertise and weapons of mass destruction have already left the former Soviet Union over the past 8 years.
But, here is a constructive combination of free enterprise and a government program that may actually help save our world. This Nuclear Cities Program has tried to match the scientists with high-tech U.S. companies that could use their expertise to create a high-tech commercial sector in Russia similar to our Silicon Valley. Though no deals have been signed, and the project only began a year ago, computer chip makers like Intel and software maker Oracle, are reported interested. Officials believe medical technology and telecommunications firms could also invest in this project.
The biggest fly in the ointment right now may actually be that because of all the recently reported Russian financial scandals, there is a fear that for every 10 dollars we send to Russia, regardless of the reason, 8 or 9 of them are stolen by the Russian Mafia. You'd like to think that eventually Russia would clean up its act. Julie and I have been there three times since the Berlin wall came down, most recently just last year, and to this observer, it still looked like a casino, and that may be Russia's, and in turn the rest of the world's, biggest problem to solve.
Currently, banking investigators from all over the world, are trying to check to see if billions, perhaps hundreds of billions, of dollars have been literally stolen by the Russian underground and then laundered through American and other banks around the world. Amid those allegations, the administration has come up with its so-called sweeping strategy to fight money-laundering in this country. Officials say the initiative, mandated by congress last fall, is a broad-based international and domestic program, not a response to the recent Russian money laundering scheme-- but don't you believe it.
The bill would make bulk-cash smuggling in amounts greater than $10,000, a crime (as if that will stop them). Currently, government authorities are looking into charges that up to 7½ billion dollars was illegally channeled through nine accounts at the Bank of New York. Some of these funds have been linked to organized crime, and to foreign aid to Russia.
Right now, without a doubt, Russia is its own worst enemy. The problem remains that because of its nuclear capability, Russia, which in reality is nothing more than a Third World country, still always can claim the world's attention because of its bombs. It is a problem that is not going to go away.
(Tom Butenhoff is a First Vice President with J. E. Liss & Company in Milwaukee. The views are his and not necessarily those of Liss Financial Services or the Job Connection/Hiring Network.)