 Our
Congress is entrusted with a profound responsibility: making the laws
that ensure the security, economic prosperity and social welfare of this
Nation's citizens, today and into the future. Sadly, since Ric Keller
was elected in 2000, he and other career politicians in Washington have
failed to address our Nation's challenges, putting us and our children
at risk. Instead, their preoccupation seems to be their own re-election
as they have used pet projects funded by earmarks (over 15,000 earmarks
costing taxpayers over $40 billion in 2006) as favors to lobbyists and
special interest groups.
Download the Video (27 Mb .wmv) Largely due to a dysfunctional
Congress, our country's welfare is being undermined. For example, our
national debt has risen from $5.4 trillion to almost $9 trillion in the
last six years, despite a good economy. Without an effective energy policy,
we have paid hostile Hugo Chavez of Venezuela almost $70 billion in the
last two years because of our dependence on foreign oil. America's economic
future is increasingly linked to the interests of OPEC countries and foreign
governments that are unstable and sometimes overtly hostile to us. Congress
has also failed to effectively address our immigration crisis and approximately
two million illegal immigrants have crossed our borders illegally in the
last six years.
Despite these challenges and our War on Terror, the work ethic in Congress
from 2004 to 2006 (approximately 100 days in session in 2006 compared
to an average of 161 days in the 1960's) is the worst in the last fifty
years and deteriorating. District eight deserves a hardworking, fiscally
conservative statesman who is prepared to aggressively pursue the critical
challenges this nation faces today and into the future.
I will pursue the responsibilities of this office with vigor, integrity
and deep commitment. I will offer specific solutions to the challenges
our Nation faces in foreign policy, healthcare, fiscal policy, energy
policy and immigration. In so doing, I will engage the citizens of this
district in dialogue, be open to your ideas and concerns, and keep you
fully apprised of my efforts in Congress.
It is time for a change in Washington -- a return to fundamental Republican
values. Together, we can improve the lives of all our citizens, and deliver
a more secure and prosperous America to our children.
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