Earlier this week, the President signed a deal to prevent America from defaulting on its national debt.  Like all Americans, I am relieved that we will not face a default and a likely return to recession.  Yet I was deeply troubled by the bargain that was struck and by the precedent it set.  You can read more about my views on my website.

Now that this manufactured crisis behind us, Congress must finally turn its attention to the real problem facing America:  the jobs crisis.  Our economy is creating jobs at an anemic pace – too slow even to keep up with population growth.

Some people would have us believe that the jobs crisis is like a hurricane:  something beyond our control.  But Congress could act in dozens of ways to help to create jobs.  Not only can we improve the environment for small business job creation, but also we can create jobs more directly.  For example, many of our nation’s roads and tunnels and bridges are crumbling, and everyone agrees that they must be repaired.  According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, our infrastructure needs $2 trillion in repairs and upgrades.  If we fail to start this work today, we will simply have to do the job tomorrow, when our infrastructure will have crumbled further and repairs will be even more expensive.  So let’s start today.

It’s easy to be cynical about Congress’s ability to help put our economy back on track.  But the jobs crisis can’t be fixed by easy cynicism – only by hard work.  Let’s do that hard work.

Budget Cuts Force Reduction in Social Security Office Hours

I firmly believe that the federal government must pursue every opportunity to eliminate wasteful spending.  Yet it is troubling that Congress, in its zeal to pare back government, is forcing cuts in services to America’s seniors.

The Social Security Administration has announced that, due to budget cuts, they will begin closing Social Security field offices to the public 30 minutes early each day.  Further, all offices will be closed all day on Friday, November 25, 2011.
 
Given these reduced hours, you may find it more convenient to handle your Social Security business online or over the phone.  You can visit www.socialsecurity.gov or call toll-free at 1-800-772-1213.

I am also happy to help you with any specific problems or concerns that you may have with your Social Security benefits.  Please call me at 1-87-RUSH-HOLT (1-877-874-4658).

Summer Gas Savings Tips

With gas prices on the rise this summer, I have posted to my website a number of simple steps you can take to lower your driving expenses:

• Because aggressive driving (speeding over 60 mph or jack rabbit accelerating) wastes gas, driving sensibly and at the speed limit can significantly increase your mileage.  Using cruise control can help.

Read more tips...