The Path to Prosperity

Dear Joe,

This week’s votes are probably the most important in the short three months since I took the oath of office. As you know, our fiscal situation is dire. Since the House passed a 2011 budget over seven weeks ago, the Senate leadership decided they would rather play politics then help solve our spending problem.

Late Friday night, a deal was struck on the budget between President Obama and the leaders of the House and Senate. They agreed to about $38 billion in cuts to this year’s budget. Although this was a step in the right direction (just look at who Speaker Boehner had to deal with), it only amounts to a 1% cut of the entire budget. We need to send a signal to American taxpayers and businesses that we are serious about solving our spending problems. I believe this deal didn’t go far enough – and that’s why I voted NO on this budget plan.

The big item on the agenda in the coming months will be tackling next year’s budget. President Obama has already put forth a plan that would fast track us into an even deeper $20 trillion hole by the end of the decade. Budget Chairman Paul Ryan’s 2012 “Path to Prosperity” proposal would cut deficits by more than $4 trillion. He starts the conversation regarding:

Saving Medicare for our children and grandchildren.
Making government programs more accountable to the taxpayers.
Building an environment for positive job growth.
A simpler tax code that lowers the burden for individuals and businesses.

You know the liberals in Washington are going to pull out all of the stops. Last week Sens. Chuck Schumer, Harry Reid and even former liberal presidential candidate Howard Dean (remember him?) were publicly hoping for a repeat of the 1995 government shutdown so they could blame the Tea Party.  And the demagoguery has already started regarding Paul Ryan’s proposal.

However, we know better – and that’s why we need to make sure our friends, family and neighbors know our clear message: we must reduce government spending to create jobs and get the economy moving again. The job creators of this country – the private sector innovators – cannot be treated like ATM machines. That means we need to cut spending, do away with unnecessary regulations and create an environment where businesses can grow and hire new workers. Please continue to write letters to your local newspapers and call in to your local talk radio shows to spread the message.

Thanks for your support, and as always, the First Congressional District office belongs to the people. If you need to reach me for any reason, please contact me immediately.

Sincerely,

Andy Harris