E-Newsletters
Energy prices continue to climb having a major impact on family budgets in Missouri. Meanwhile, our nation's unemployment rate continues to hover around double digits. In Washington, those problems are seen as two separate issues. They shouldn't be. We can create a win-win situation for Missourians if we find solutions that tackle both problems simultaneously.
In our world today, we strive to do things quicker. Jules Verne wrote the classic novel, "Around the world in eighty days" in 1873. In 1929, it took the Graf Zeppelin 21 days to circle the globe. In 2006, Steve Fossett set the world record for the fastest trip around the world at 67 hours and one minute.
A big part of weaning ourselves off of foreign energy is to change the typed of energy we use. I disagree with those who believe we should do that by imposing an energy tax on businesses, seniors and individuals. A better way it so increase our use of renewable fuels.
The Sixth Congressional District is home to many noteworthy figures of American history. Walt Disney developed his love of drawing in Marceline. J.C. Penney got his start in Hamilton. Last week, the last remaining "doughboy" from the First World War passed away. He was one of many soldiers who hailed from our area.
Recent events in the Middle East are good for the prospects of liberty in the region. However, they also demonstrate the perils of being dependent on foreign sources of oil. The turmoil in Libya and Egypt has an effect on the world market: higher gas prices.
Former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill said that "democracy was the worst form of government except for all the others that have been tried." It's true that democracy is often times messy and full of unexpected turns.
"Above all, we must realize that no arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women. It is a weapon our adversaries in today's world do not have." President Ronald Reagan said that two decades ago about the power of those who are free.
The month of February is home to the birthdays of two Presidents whose likeness is on Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. This year, we observe President's Day on February 21st, which is one day before George Washington's birthday and nine days after Abraham Lincoln's.
The first thing you ought to do when you find yourself in a hole is to stop digging. In his State of the Union speech, the President proposed that the government freeze spending for the next five years. I'm glad that the President finally agrees that we ought to stop digging, but that won't get us out of the hole.
The Constitution says that the President shall "from time to time give to the Congress information of the State of the Union…" That time comes this week as the President will report on the condition of our country and outline his legislative goals for the year.