News for the Ninth - 01.01.2010

It is hard to believe that we are once again celebrating the beginning of a new year and embracing the hope and promise that comes with it. And as Congress prepares to return to Washington in just a few days, I believe we should begin focusing on restoring the hope and promise of prosperity for America by putting people back to work and reducing the job-killing national debt.

Government does not create jobs, and in some cases impedes job growth. I am anxious to begin work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to find bi-partisan solutions that will enable America’s employers, workers, small business owners and entrepreneurs to create jobs for our families. Economic freedom gives our nation’s job creators the incentives to create new opportunities for American workers. The heavy hand of government in the form of high taxes, complex bureaucracy, and the continued expansion of the federal bureaucracy can and does stifle the entrepreneurial spirit of our job creators and therefore job growth. Small businesses drive our economy, and we must get government off their backs and out of the way so they can get us back on track.

Another issue important to all of us is getting control of spending and reducing our nation’s deficit. Congress cannot keep writing checks that the American taxpayers cannot cover. We have to begin making the difficult decisions to get our country on solid financial ground. Both parties must work together and not repeat last year’s reckless spending binge. When American employers, workers, small business owners and entrepreneurs see we are serious about controlling spending and tackling our deficit, they will once again be confident to start creating more jobs for our families.

Our country faces many challenges and trials in the year ahead, and I remain committed to working on your behalf both here at home in Missouri and in Washington. There is a lot of potential for 2010 to be a more prosperous year for Americans as long as we understand that people like you, with more of your hard-earned money in your pockets, are the ones who can restore our economy to a healthy state.

But, as you have made clear this past year, you will not tolerate higher taxes and more out-of-control spending. I will not tolerate it and vow to work on your behalf to oppose policies that will be harmful to our way of life and embrace policies that will expand opportunities for all Americans. By working together, we can overcome the many challenges we face so that our children and grandchildren will inherit a solid future. I look forward to working with you all.