Questions for the Candidates

At the second Presidential debate tonight, a few suggested questions of interest to the business community that lie at the heart of our ability to grow our economy:

1.) We spend 2% of our Gross Domestic Product on tort costs, which is seven times more than the nearest country -- Germany -- spends. In fact, the amount we spend on tort costs exceeds the entire GDP of a hundred countries or more. This is a huge drag on our economy, a cost that our competitors don't bear. What do you plan to do to fix this?

2.) Trade agreements create jobs by opening new markets to US-made goods. The relatively low value of the dollar (as vs. the Euro, for example) makes US goods even more affordable overseas today. Yet the public sentiment in this country is turning dangerously protectionist. Do you support more trade agreements and if not, why not?

3.) Energy costs continue to burden businesses in this country. Almost 85% of our natural gas supply was under a federal moratorium until last week. Much of our oil supply is also off limits due the US Government action. Our coal reserves exceed in BTU's the world's oil reserves. What will you do to address the energy situation, both in terms of supply and demand?

This oughta be enough to get 'em started.