Goldsmith, like most Republicans, denounces traditional urban housing policies and entitlement programs that pump money into inner-city neighborhoods without changing slum conditions. But Goldsmith says the GOP has lost the rhetorical battle because it ends the argument right there, rather than demonstrating how conservative principles offer a better alternative. Goldsmith often has directed his staff to sell a city property in an abandoned neighborhood at an affordable price, then help the business through streamlined zoning and permit processes, and use city money to clean up the site, repair the infrastructure and remove pollutants. The purpose is to see if we can stimulate the economy. . . . Tax rates restrict the economy.
Regulation restricts the economy.
Bad infrastructure restricts the economy. And when you restrict the economy, you restrict job growth, and the people who are first and most harmed are those with the least skills in the worst neighborhoods. Goldsmith built upon his reputation among GOP insiders as a lecturer at Harvard and Columbia, a contributor to the opinion pages of the Wall Street Journal and the Washington Times and an author for publications such as the Harvard Business Review. He is best known nationally for his efforts to privatize dozens of government agencies and functions, including street sweeping, airport operation, trash collection and wastewater treatment. But critics point out that while he was building his national reputation he was losing Indiana's 1996 gubernatorial election to Democrat Frank O'Bannon.