Weekly Columns
With each day, there is something to report about our economic situation. Unfortunately, the news is rarely promising, and we are constantly reminded that we still hold more than $17 trillion in debt. While there are several drivers of our debt, the introduction and enforcement of federal regulations has become one of the costliest to taxpayers and job creators, slowing our economic recovery.
In today’s society, there are numerous possibilities for receiving an education that prepares students for academic success and achievement. While the majority of elementary and secondary students in the United States attend public or private schools, the popularity of home schooling continues to grow and has become a widely accepted and respected alternative.
President Obama is well-practiced at taking credit for economic recovery and job creation. Whether actual progress or improvements exist or not, he claims time and time again that the country is in better shape because of his political initiatives. However, due to the Administration’s flawed policies, closer analysis of the facts reveals that our economy and job market are lackluster at best. In fact, our country is currently suffering from the weakest economic recovery since World War II.
House Republicans have jumped on every opportunity to fully repeal and change or defund the president’s healthcare law. His signature piece of legislation, President Obama’s so-called affordable plan for healthcare is already showing signs of inevitable failure, and it continues to grow less popular with each passing day. Even the Obama Administration has admitted that the law is unworkable by choosing to delay key portions of it.
The safety and security we enjoy each day isn’t without a price. As the greatest military power in the world, our country must continue to preserve our defense capabilities and support those who put their lives on the line daily. Last week, the House passed, with strong bipartisan support, the Defense Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2014 which ensures critical military funding in the coming fiscal year.
There have been several issues at the forefront in Congress this summer, and unfortunately, few have been resolved. We’re continuing to prioritize and work on a number of issues, including the necessary passage of a farm bill, which is very important to our state and nation at large.
In times of economic uncertainty and mounting national security issues, it is critical that each branch of government is allowed to play its constitutional role. We must protect the uniquely-American system of checks and balances set forth by our forefathers, which helps prevent abuse or overreach of power. Stepping outside of the roles intended and defined only leads to unfortunate, harmful decisions that affect the entire country.
More than three years after Obamacare was jammed through Congress and a year after it was upheld by the Supreme Court, support across America for the law is weak and in decline. As we near implementation of the so-called affordable healthcare overhaul, it’s clear that it is anything but affordable. The recent White house decision to postpone requiring businesses to provide insurance to their employees or suffer a fine is yet another sign that even the Administration recognizes its failure.
America’s story is one brimming with patriotism and hope. Independence Day begs us to remember that we were not always free. The freedoms we enjoy today were paid for at a high price by thousands of brave patriots who came before to establish and preserve liberty. Because of their desire and commitment to build a better future for coming generations, our patriotism should ring even truer, resound even louder and beat even harder in our hearts. For we live in truly the greatest nation on earth.
Ours is the land of opportunity. The age-old idea of the “American dream” is who we are. It drives the dreams we have and reassures us that success is attainable through hard work and ambition.
Generation after generation of Americans have pursued and yearned for their part of this dream. The wealth of opportunity available in our country has fueled the pursuit of knowledge in order to attain success. It is this American ambition that has kept dreams alive in our hearts, turning them into reality—century after century.