Martha's Blog

New Year’s Resolutions for Washington

As 2009 draws to a close, we pause and reflect on the past year and think about our goals for the next twelve months.  Most of us will make resolutions for 2010 – to eat healthier, to volunteer for charity, to spend more time with friends and family.

This past year has been one none of us will soon forget, even if we would prefer to.  It was a year of stimulus and bailouts, cap and trade, General Motors and Bernie Madoff. We’ve seen the government take over banks and car companies, and watched as the Democrats forced a flawed and expensive health care bill through both houses of Congress.  Had enough? So have I.

In the spirit of the New Year, I would like to offer a few resolutions to President Obama, Speaker Pelosi, and our representatives in Washington.

1.  Stop the Tax, Spend, and Borrow Agenda

Washington is on an irresponsible tax, spend and borrow spree. We must rein in wasteful spending and reckless borrowing by any and all means possible. We cannot stand by idly while Congress mortgages our children’s future.

Americans are overtaxed and the federal tax system is too complicated and lacks fairness. It requires us to work harder for our money, but take home less and less of it in our paychecks. In Congress, I will fight for lower taxes, just like I have for six years on the Montgomery City Council.

2.  Stop the Expansion of Government

One of the main factors in my decision to run for Congress was the out-of-control expansion of the federal government. From reckless borrowing that puts our future at risk to government takeover of the auto industry, it is clear the Administration and Congress used the economic crisis to overstep the boundary between the public and private sectors.

Attempts to increase government power through bailouts, stimulus packages and new regulations will only stifle economic prosperity. Reforms that empower the free market, not government, will allow individuals and businesses to grow and prosper.

3.  Work Toward Real Health Reform

Health care reform is one of the most pressing issues facing our country today, and a better way to achieve more affordable, portable and accessible health care is to empower people, not government. The plans passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate expand government, increase taxes on hard-working Americans, and cut Medicaid spending —but don’t address the fundamental problems that exist in our health care system.

We know what real reform looks like, but Congress clearly does not.

4.    Put Americans Back to Work

After countless corporate bailouts and two enormous stimulus packages, unemployment remains at a staggering level, and American families are still feeling the pinch.  Alabama’s unemployment rate remains over 10 percent.  Ask anyone on the street what Washington is doing to fix this, and you get a blank stare.

Congress must implement solutions to incentivize job creation in the private sector. These solutions begin and end with putting money back in taxpayer pockets.  The majority of American workers are employed by small businesses, and the federal government must not pass regulations or taxes that place an unfair burden on employers. 

5.  End America’s Dependence on Foreign Oil, Without Killing Jobs

Increasing our energy independence is not only an economic imperative, but impacts our national security and environment as well. We need to take a holistic approach to weaning ourselves off foreign oil – through domestic oil exploration and production, both off-shore and in Alaska, and increased use of other energy sources such as natural gas, nuclear power, clean coal, and alternative sources like wind, solar, geothermal, and biofuels.

The Democrats’ answer to this problem is a national energy tax, the cap and trade bill. This approach will kill American jobs, while costing consumers each time they turn on a light switch. We should encourage conservation and energy efficiency, but in ways that create jobs rather than kill jobs and are not onerous to consumers.

6.   Keep America Safe

The failed attack that occurred during the Christmas holidays serves as a sobering reminder that America’s enemies will try anything to destroy our country and our freedom. While there are always people who want to do the United States harm, we must limit their reach and effectiveness of terrorists and prevent another attack on American soil, as we have done for the past eight years.
We can achieve this by shutting down the networks that finance terrorism, maintaining a robust intelligence network, and preventing failed states from becoming breeding grounds and safe havens for terrorists. Making sure we finish the job in Iraq and Afghanistan will move us towards that goal.

7.   Washington is Broken, Let’s Fix It

After campaign promises of bipartisanship, transparency, and reform, the Democrats immediately returned to their old habits—cutting back room deals and rushing through 1000-page bills in the dead of night.  Conservative voices were excluded from the debate while Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Reid rammed bills through Congress at the behest of the White House. 

Americans are tired of the petty, childish bickering and the arrogant partisan maneuvering that has become a trademark of this Congress. Our challenges as a country are too big to be playing games. Our leaders and representatives must be given the opportunity to represent their constituents—at the bargaining table and on the House and Senate floors.

We need new leadership in Washington to avoid another year like 2009. That’s why I’m running for Congress. With your help we can win this fight.

Best wishes for a Happy New Year to you and your family.