E-Newsletters
Not too long ago President Barack Obama said, "I don't care whether you're driving a hybrid or an SUV. If you're headed for a cliff, you have to change direction." This may be one area where I agree with the president.
Our 31st President Herbert Hoover once said, "blessed are the young, for they shall inherit the national debt." I believe that we have a responsibility to leave this country better off for the next generation. Part of that duty should include addressing this debt crisis head on, not leaving it for the next generation to worry about later.
Our founding fathers, the visionaries that they were, knew that to establish national debt would hinder economic growth and opportunities for our nation. In fact, James Madison once said, "I go on the principle that a public debt is a public curse." A lot of folks in Washington don't seem to understand that we are spending money we just don't have.
Great American inventor and businessman Thomas Edison once said, "Show me a thoroughly satisfied man, and I will show you a failure." While recent unemployment news has stolen some headlines, I don't believe we can be satisfied with where we are.
Thomas Jefferson said, "that government is best which governs the least." Unfortunately, Washington sometimes thinks it knows better than people outside the Capitol. Recent changes in our school lunch programs are a prime example of another government overreach.
An old English proverb says "An empty belly hears nobody." While you can probably relate to a similar scenario, the US Department of Agriculture just doesn't seem to get it.
Earlier this month, the United States reached a milestone never before seen in our history. Unfortunately, this event was not something to celebrate. On September 4, our national debt surpassed $16 trillion.
Many noteworthy figures in American history hail from the Sixth Congressional District. Jesse James was notorious throughout Northwest Missouri, and today there are museums in St. Joseph, Kearney and Liberty that remember his exploits. Walt Disney developed his love of drawing in Marceline, and J.C. Penney got his start in Hamilton.
Repaying our military veterans has long been a proud American tradition. During the Revolutionary War, the Second Continental Congress enacted the first legislation providing for the long-term care of America's disabled and elderly warriors. Those hurt defending the United States would receive half pay for the duration of their injuries.