THOSE OVERSEAS TRADE MISSIONS

Governor has become synonymous with Public Relations Director or Trade Commissioner. The chief executives of several states have recently returned from "trade trips" to Taiwan, Singapore, China, Ireland, and just about anywhere.

Utah's Governor Huntsman is back from China, all agog over prospects of exports from here to there. "More exports will mean more jobs here in Utah." We, the little people, could have figured that out all by ourselves, but that's not all that matters.

When Minnesota's then Governor Ventura made a trade visit to Cuba, he did more to publicize Cuban advantages, goods and services than he did Minnesota's. He even spoke to the graduates of Havana University about how to make it big in life, as he had. A usually reliable source reports that Fidel Castro was bent over, laughing uncontrollably as the tag wrestler spoke. "Useful idiot," Fidel whispered to companions.

Why are governors taking care of business? It's not their job. Do corporations lobby them to get governors to promote and sell? Could it be simply a desire for more tax revenues?

In this Sweet Land of Liberty, the protection of citizens' liberties is the primary function of government. Increasing trade at taxpayer expense is not what the good old boys - Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Franklin - had in mind. Stay home, governors. Let businesses make the calls.

IT'S ALL SO SIMPLE.