Introduction
Politicians like to run on a mantra of “creating jobs,” but in reality jobs and prosperity are created by the private sector. I believe America is just as capable of providing opportunity and prosperity as it was in years and decades past, but bad policies and an overly intrusive government restrain the ability of the American private sector to perform at its potential. That is exactly what we are experiencing today.
Government’s responsibility is to create an environment that is conducive to success and competition. The inevitable consequence of heavy-handed government – whether through taxation that distorts the economy, crony capitalism, or an onerous regulatory environment – is chronically high unemployment, rising indebtedness, and a slow but steady march toward stagnation and decline. Our country is not Europe. Our national values of free enterprise and individual liberty set us apart. But current policy has us squandering this inheritance and following in Europe’s footsteps.
I want to demolish the notion that Uncle Sam knows best. I believe American individuals and families make better decisions for themselves than the government, that government should be limited, that the Constitution is our owners’ manual, and liberty is our guidepost.
As a first generation American whose father came to America in search of freedom, I have a deep appreciation for legal immigration. I want the Republican Party to be the party of legal immigration and to welcome new citizens. I also believe we need to support a
non-immigrant guest worker program (that doesn’t include a path to citizenship).
$4 million – that's how much will be added to our national debt in the two minutes it takes to read this message. $3 billion is being added each day. Federal spending is 25% of GDP and climbing. By comparison, in the post World War II era, federal spending has averaged only 20 percent of GDP. The predictable but devastating result of this over-spending is massive deficits and debt. Debt has reached truly alarming levels. Something must done quickly to cap federal spending and cut wasteful programs that serve the needs of politicians in Washington rather than the constituents they represent.
America’s debt and soaring government spending pose a grave threat to our national security, our economic prosperity, and our children’s future. The nation is running trillion dollar plus budget deficits year in and year out. This level of spending is simply unsustainable. But instead of offering solutions, President Obama and Jared Polis have chosen to try and score political points against those who offer serious solutions.
The U.S. Constitution was designed to limit the powers of the federal government, but increasingly politicians and judges try and use the Constitution to legitimize an ever bigger and more intrusive federal government. A more modest Washington, D.C. that is deferential to the rights of states and individuals should be our goal.
Washington politicians, particularly the Obama Administration, have it backward: they believe that government spending creates jobs and unfettered regulation actually helps the economy. They treat private-sector job producers like the enemy.
We are failing our kids. Too often, federal laws – perhaps well-intentioned -- stymie innovation and change, locking our kids in mediocre or underperforming schools. America’s schools are not preparing kids to compete in the 21st Century world economy. We simply must do better.
American troops are the best in the world, but they have been spread thin by extended deployment. We must focus our efforts and resources on areas where our national interests are at greatest stake and modernize our military to respond to today's current threats.
In 2006, then-House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi decried mounting scandals in Congress and promised a new emphasis on ethics in Congress by “draining the swamp.” Things haven’t improved. Members of Congress of both parties have had to resign in disgrace in the years since. The American people should expect more from their elected representatives.
The Government should not be in the business of picking winners and losers when it comes to American jobs. Earlier this year, Jared Polis voted to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank (H.R. 2072) and increase its lending limit by $40 billion. I would have voted against it. The Export-Import Bank now has the authority to provide $140 billion in loans to foreign corporations who receive exports from American companies, essentially picking winners and losers from corporate America and putting the American taxpayer at risk.
Immigration
Time to Cap and Cut
End Deficit Spending
Promote a Limited Federal Government
Promote Private Sector Job Growth
Unleash Innovation and Competition in our Schools
Maintain a Strong National Defense
Character Counts: Drain the Swamp and Insist on an Ethical Congress
Government Still Picking Corporate Winners and Losers
