E-Newsletters

In the President's Inaugural address, he once again mentioned Cap and Trade. I don't believe you can tax your way to energy independence or to a cleaner environment. This cap and tax system would also be devastating for our economy. I believe the best thing to do is increase our supply of American energy.

We all rely on agriculture at least three times a day. From the milk you enjoy in the morning to the dinner you eat at night, agriculture provides our nourishment each and every day. No matter where you live, your grocery store is filled with produce, fruit, meat and dairy products.

I learned a lot from growing up on a farm. I learned about responsibility at an early age by caring for animals and working with my family in the fields. To this day, those lessons I learned about the value of an honest day's work have stuck with me.

Like a cat with nine lives, the Death Tax just will not go away. I believe it's incredibly unfair that after a lifetime of building up your farm or small business, the federal government taxes you one last time when you die.

There is a saying that there is no such thing as a free lunch. If you want to get paid, you have to do your job. A lot of people ask me, why does Congress get paid if they don't do their job and pass a budget? It's a good question.

One of the unique qualities of Americans is our willingness to help our neighbors in need. In North Missouri, we know when our neighbors are having a hard time or need help getting back on their feet. It's a part of our way of life.

As we begin a new year, many small businesses and families are preparing their budgets for the year. Some families are hoping to save a little more this year and others may be trying to figure out how to make ends meet.