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For decades, Saddam Hussein ruled Iraq as a ruthless dictator. Over the weekend, a democratically-established judicial system found him guilty of ordering the murder of 148 innocent civilians. For these crimes, the Iraqi court sentenced him to death by hanging.
When compared to the thousands of deaths he has been responsible for, the 148 murders are just the tip of the iceberg. However, Saddam will now have to answer for his actions, an idea unthinkable just four years ago. I want to thank all the brave men and women who played a role in ending the rule of this brutal regime and paving the way for Saddam to be brought to justice.
Bright Economic News
We got some more good news about the economy last week. When taking into account October job growth, the U.S. economy has now created 6.8 million new jobs since 2003. Tax relief measures enacted in 2001 and 2003 have helped a once struggling economy recover and returned money to American workers, families, and small businesses. The stock market is doing well as the Dow recently surpassed 12,000. Other bright spots include income, wages and household wealth growing faster than inflation.
Additionally, the unemployment rate has dropped to 4.4 percent, the lowest in five years. This economic boom is helping Americans of all backgrounds. In particular, the unemployment rate for Hispanics is at an all time low of 4.7 percent.
We have enjoyed economic growth here in the 19th District as well. According to a recent Abilene Reporter-News article, Abilene’s unemployment rate of 3.9 percent is well below the national rate. A similar article in the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal reports that the unemployment rate in Lubbock is also below 4 percent. That article also showed that wages in the South Plains region have risen.
To keep this economy going strong, we need to keep taxes low, rein in spending and create the conditions that allow small businesses to flourish.
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