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 The
initial thought of “change” often brings firm resistance and a round of
likely excuses for why that particular change will be just too much of a
burden to see it through – it’s too expensive, we don’t have the time,
it’s too much work, we don’t have the resources, we’ll have to create a
whole new process… unfortunately, this resistance to change often
stifles the very ideas that are the most innovative, the most valuable,
and the most solution-centered. We create an environment where new ideas
are choked, rather than grown, and we become “reactors” rather than
“innovators.” When we become reactors, we begin a cyclical process that
only guarantees one thing: a lack of real solutions-based change.
I challenge you to take a look at our local, state, and federal
governments and see just how many new ideas you come across on a daily
basis. It is likely you won’t find that many. Our news media reacts to
political stories that are sensational in nature, rather than focusing
on legislative proposals or ideas. Likewise, the ideas coming out of
Congress are more-often-than-not political reactions to fluctuating
market or societal changes, rather than real solutions that produce real
change. In fact, when you finally do hear a new idea, it is probable
that it will be followed with a resounding “no, because…” rather than
“good idea…now how do we make that happen?” Americans are frustrated
because they feel that their ideas don’t go anywhere.
Our nation was born of leaders who were dreamers, and from their dreams
and perseverance sprang a nation that has tackled monumental challenges
through hard work and great innovation. There is no reason why we
shouldn’t carry on this tradition today in creating solutions to some of
our biggest challenges in health care, energy, the environment,
immigration, education, and taxes. It is possible to create an efficient
government and find effective ways to approach these important issues –
and it is individual Americans who hold the keys to these solutions.
While Washington and our governmental leaders are stuck in a political
rut of gridlocked partisanship with a poor track record of producing
real solutions, individuals across America hold ideas that would improve
or even solve some of our nation’s biggest challenges. Each week, I
receive hundreds of emails from constituents. Every now and then, a few
of these emails include ideas about how we can do things better in
government. Often, I receive responses to my weekly email newsletters
with additional ideas and suggestions to consider on the topics I am
writing about. I am encouraged by this exchange of information and ideas
and value the input I receive from my constituents.
This week, I launched an effort to harness your ideas on how we can do
things better in government and how we can make progress on some of our
nation’s challenges. This new outlet is called a Solutions Lab. The
purpose of the Solutions Lab is to provide a platform for constituents
in Virginia’s Fourth District to share ideas and possibilities for
solutions to problems we face in the federal government. It may be an
idea on something that impacts you as a small business owner, a parent,
a student, or a veteran. Some of the best ideas come from those whose
lives are personally impacted by an issue. And sometimes the best ideas
are simple and straightforward things individuals have seen modeled in
the private sector or in another state. Constituents can email their
ideas directly to the Solutions Lab, and my staff and I will share some
of the best, most innovative ideas on our Solutions Lab Web page and use
them in crafting future legislation.
The function of the Solutions Lab is to elevate new ideas and to partner
with you in exploring ways we can do things better to ensure that your
ideas do go somewhere. While my email address on my Web site is still
available for general comments or questions by going to
randyforbes.house.gov, the
Solutions Lab is available to you as an outlet to send your innovative
ideas to help solve our nation’s biggest challenges. I encourage you and
your family to participate. To share your ideas, simply send an email
with your idea to
forbessolutionslab@mail.house.gov. To check out new ideas that
others are sharing, go to
randyforbes.house.gov/solutionslab. Oftentimes, the sharing of ideas
sparks even more ideas. I am convinced that by sharing ideas and working
together to find real solutions that work, we will continue to make an
innovative, successful nation out of a nation of dreamers.
Forbes Opposes Budget Resolution
 This
week, Congress voted on the Democrat majority's federal budget proposal
for FY 2009. Congressman Forbes voted against the majority's budget
proposal because of the strain it would place on American taxpayers. The
American people have charged Congress to pass a budget that eliminates
waste, fraud, and abuse, and that places our economy on a course of
stronger growth and restrained spending. Congressman Forbes could not
support a budget that fell short of that charge.
According to the Joint
Tax Committee, the following tax increases will occur as a result of the
FY 2009 Budget Resolution that Congressman Forbes opposed.
▪ 31 million families
with children will see an average tax increase of $1,025 because of the
reduction in value of the child tax credit.
▪ Close to 30 million
married couples will face an average tax increase of $686 resulting from
the return of the marriage penalty.
▪ 91 million
taxpayers will pay an average of $498 more because of the loss of the
10% tax bracket.
▪ 5.5 million taxpayers
who were benefiting from the deduction for student loan interest and
employer educational benefits will pay an average of $286 more in taxes.
▪ 2 million families who
adopt a child will pay an average of $156 more in taxes.
▪ 28 million savers and
investors will pay an average of $1,885 more in taxes because of the end
of lower tax rates on long-term capital gains and dividends. The burden
will be especially high on the 8 million seniors whose average tax
burden will increase by $2,540 as a result.
In a statement on the budget
resolution, Congressman Forbes said, "With the strain we are currently
seeing on our economy - declining home values, slowing job growth, and
rising energy and health care prices - the last thing we should do is
raise taxes on our working families. Unfortunately, that is exactly what
the majority’s budget resolution does by imposing the largest tax
increase in history on American taxpayers. In fact, the Majority’s
budget would place the burden of paying $2,915 more each year in federal
taxes on the average taxpayer in the Fourth District, more than double
the so-called household ‘economic stimulus’ package that just recently
passed." |
