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.
We can both create jobs and push us further down the path of energy independence. I would pursue an all-of-the-above solution for energy independence. A part of the solution is nuclear energy.
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.
Americans expect things to happen and we expect them to happen quickly. Unfortunately, there are very few quick fixes for rising gas prices. We are paying the price for being dependent on other nations for our energy.
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.
Here in Missouri's Sixth District, we are helping create American energy. Farmers, and the ethanol they produce, are playing a role in reducing our high energy costs. We also are leading the way in wind production.
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.
Now is the time to act to take advantage of our own natural resources. We need to increase the use of renewable and alternative energy. We need to increase the number of refineries. We need a smart energy conservation plan and we need to keep exploring for energy in America.
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.
This past week, the House debated the continuing resolution to fund our government. It is necessary because the leadership of the last Congress did not pass a budget. We must pass this bill before March 4thto avoid a government shutdown.
"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.
Last week would also have been Ronald Reagan's 100thbirthday. To quote Ronald Reagan, "Thomas Jefferson once said, 'We should never judge a president by his age, only by his works.' And ever since he told me that, I stopped worrying."
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.
Yes, we need to freeze spending, but not at last year's budget-busting levels. Congress has overspent for far too long. As one of my colleagues said, it's like speeding recklessly and then setting the cruise control as you are headed toward a cliff.
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.
The State of the Union speech is full of pomp and circumstance. It was not always this way. Thomas Jefferson thought the speech made us look more like a monarchy, than a democracy. He sent a written address instead. However, in 1913, Woodrow Wilson decided to give his speech in person.