Newsletters
Every day I hear from Kentuckians who are unhappy with the way Washington continues to conduct business and who have become disheartened with the political process. With President Obama, Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Reid at the helm, I share many of your frustrations. The time has come to change Washington by increasing transparency in the legislative process, reining in federal spending, ensuring Congress follows its own rules and making certain elected officials are held to the highest ethical standard.
Someone once said, “Talk is cheap, except when Congress does it.” Taking a look at Uncle Sam’s checkbook reveals this sentiment to be all too true. Our nation’s history of spending beyond our means has led to the largest federal debt ever – nearly $13 trillion. Worse still, experts predict this number will continue to grow under current budget predictions, posing serious threats to our economy, national security and our place as a world leader.
As Kentucky continues to face crippling unemployment rates, we need to be looking inward at industries and resources we can utilize to help turn our economy around. The energy sector has long been a critical part of the Kentucky economy, with coal being the driving force behind it. With that in mind, it is disappointing that President Obama, Majority Leader Reid and Speaker Pelosi are continuing their campaign against the use of coal. From supporting climate change legislation that would send electricity rates sky-rocketing, to committing the United States to meeting unattainable emission reductions in the next ten years, these folks have proven they are no friend of coal.
There are few issues in our nation which draw as much debate and attention as immigration. The United States was founded by immigrants in search of new opportunities and we must continue to welcome those who wish to enter our country legally. However, illegal immigration has become one of the greatest challenges facing our nation. With an estimated 11 million undocumented individuals currently living in the United States, and thousands more crossing the border unlawfully every week, there is little doubt that current efforts to curb illegal immigration are simply not working.
During these tough economic times, we all know the difficult financial situation in which states across the country, including Kentucky, find themselves. State and local budgets are tighter than ever and legislators have been forced to make tough decisions about where to make cuts. The federal government is, unfortunately, just as strapped for cash as state governments, so it would seem difficult for Washington to be able to dole out federal dollars to individual states.
