Georgians Fighting for Freedom
Printed in The Toccoa Record
Toccoa, GA,
Nov 4 -
When Americans’ freedom started to fade as a result of Washington’s overreaching agenda, Georgians fought back. During the 111th Congress, thousands of 10th District constituents participated in more than 50 town hall meetings, tele-town halls, and “Congress on the Square” events to express their concerns and offer ideas and solutions to the tough issues facing our nation. Georgians echoed the cries of their fellow Americans and demanded Congress prioritize job creation, reduce spending, remove regulatory and tax burdens, and stop a government takeover of health care.
Job creation remains the number one concern among 10th District constituents, and it’s easy to see why. Since Speaker Nancy Pelosi took control of the House of Representatives in 2007, unemployment rates have soared from 4.6 percent to over 10 percent. Despite President Barack Obama’s promise that the big-government stimulus package would keep unemployment below 8 percent, Georgia’s unemployment soared to 10.8 percent. And still, nearly two years after the stimulus became law, it remains above the national average at 10 percent. If we continue to create jobs at a sluggish pace, it will take over ten years to return to pre-Pelosi employment numbers. Unfortunately, our President and Congressional Leaders consider these abysmal numbers a recovery. Georgians understand we can do better, and they will not settle for double digit unemployment rates.
In order to turn our economy around, we must first do no more harm. The largest tax increase in American history is poised to kick in at the end of this year. While a bipartisan majority (including President Obama’s former budget director) opposes raising taxes on any individual or business, the liberal leadership in Congress is pushing to raise taxes on the top earners, thus creating the allusion that this tax increase will only affect the rich. The simple truth is this tax increase will hurt small businesses and kill more Georgians’ jobs. According to the non-partisan Joint Committee on Taxation, small business owners will pay more than half of the taxes raised by increasing just the top two tax rates. With nearly 15 million Americans unemployed, it is negligent to raise taxes on small businesses that create over 70 percent of new American jobs.
Instead, Washington should pass common-sense legislation, such as my JOBS Act (H.R. 4100), which provides incentives for job creators. The JOBS Act includes a two year moratorium on capital gains and dividend taxes and reduces payroll and self-employed taxes. Corporate tax rates, which are currently the world’s second highest, would be reduced from 35 percent to 25 percent. It is critical we allow small businesses to keep more of their hard-earned money so they can retain and create jobs.
According to a Washington Post/ABC poll, two-thirds of Americans believe the stimulus was a waste. It is not too late to recover tax dollars. The JOBS Act also rescinds unspent dollars from the failed stimulus plan. The sooner we pass the JOBS Act, the more money we will save.
In addition to providing immediate tax relief to businesses struggling in an economic recession, we must reduce spending. I understand that tax cuts without spending cuts are fiscally irresponsible. With every spending bill Congress authorizes, we are simply mortgaging our children and grandchildren’s future. In order to ensure they receive the same opportunities every generation before them received, we must eliminate wasteful, duplicative, and unconstitutional government programs.
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke recently told the House Budget Committee, “Countries that continually spend beyond their means suffer slower growth in incomes and living standards and are prone to greater economic and financial instability. Conversely, good fiscal management is a cornerstone of sustainable growth and prosperity.” Families and businesses understand that crafting a budget is the first step to ensure one does not “spend beyond their means.” However, for the first time in our nation’s history, this Congress failed to even propose a budget. At nearly every town hall meeting, Georgians demanded Congress work with a balanced budget, so I introduced a Balanced Budget Amendment to ensure Washington does not spend more money than it takes in.
Although our nation still faces a tough road to economic recovery and stability, I am proud of the expectations Georgians have set for their elected officials in Washington. Over the past two years, I have been encouraged by 10th District residents’ participation in the vital issues facing our nation. Congress should work for “we the people,” and as a result, I have worked hard to translate Georgians’ ideas into legislation.
It is an honor and privilege to serve you in our nation’s Capital, and I hope that you will continue to stay engaged as we enter into an exciting new era to restore our nation to the principles upon which it was founded.
