Issues

Issues: Real Economic Solutions
August 3rd, 2010 9:39 AM

No issue is on the voters’ minds this year more often and more importantly than our economic future. Last week, we learned that our economy grew by only 2.4% in the spring, casting greater doubt on long term prospects for recovery and employment.

The numbers of American who have been out of work for more than six months are alarming. In this “summer of recovery,” as President Obama calls it, many Americans are looking at the Obama economy and wondering when the recovery will come to their house. In the 18 months since President Obama’s “stimulus” was passed and signed into law, we’ve seen little evidence of its impact on the critical sector of job creation. What we have seen are exploding deficits, skyrocketing debt and little to show for it when it’s time to pay the mortgage or the rent and put food on the table.

In order to get our economy moving again, we need fundamental changes in the attitude of the government toward the free market traditions of America. For decades, we have thought of New York’s Wall Street as the financial center of America. But under Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi, the financial center of our nation now runs along Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC.

With a real change in attitude and leadership we can begin to turn our economy around.

We can eliminate estate or “death” taxes and force many small business owners and family farms to sell their dream because they cannot afford to meet the tax burden if they want to pass their life’s work on to their children.

To spur growth, we should eliminate the capital gains tax. Today communist China has a less regressive capital gains tax rate than the United States. By eliminating the tax, businesses will have more revenue to reinvest in their workers, their equipment and can expand to create more jobs.

Government should not just change its policies toward us, but how it does business for itself as well. I have been the only candidate in the race for Congress to call for elimination of all earmarks. Spending money should be a process that is transparent and based on merit.  Under the original rules of Congress, the authorization and appropriations committees exists to make it difficult to spend taxpayer money.  Through the use of earmarks, the merit of a project or for funding is of no regard.  Pork projects and nest-feathering must end immediately.

We must freeze discretionary spending for a minimum of 12 months with an audit of each agency to find redundancies, obsolete programs and waste.  Each business has to do the same to meet a budget.  Any audit findings must be fully addressed to have consideration of full agency funding. 

Any pay raises of federal employees should be driven by efficiency and results in each agency.  No "across-the-board" rises; including those for Congressional Members. We must end automatic raises for members that require a vote to stop. An example of merit should be rewarding agency employees who reduce their operating costs or improve results by a minimum of 10% with pay raises.

 Our Constitution should be amended to include a requirement for a balanced budget as many states have. If members of Congress cannot act responsibly on their own, then we must force them to live within their means. We should also move to a process of basing annual budgets on projected revenues not last year's budget as we do currently. By making Congress work with money we have, instead of money they print, we can restore fiscal responsibility and sanity to our budget.

With the right leadership, I am confident we can get our economy moving again. But that recovery won’t come from running up debt, bailing out companies or posting “recovery.gov” signs by the side of the road to convince you the money wasted under Obama and Pelosi is making a true impact on our economic future. I am proud that my campaign has been endorsed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Club for Growth because they agree with me that a return to limited government that stays out of the way of business is the right solution to long term prosperity for America.

 

Posted by Robin Smith   |  0 Comment(s)

Issues: Making Illegal Immigration A Priority
August 2nd, 2010 7:11 AM

While other candidates have wasted your time on personal attacks and lies about me, I have kept my campaign focused on the issues. This last week of the campaign will be no different. Today I want to share my thoughts with you on the issue of illegal immigration.

As we watch the events unfolding in Arizona, it’s difficult for many to understand the mentality of a federal government that stubbornly refuses to address the issue of border security, preferring instead to use our tax dollars to file suit against a state that is making a small effort to deal with the growing problem of illegal immigration.

We hear a lot of talk about this issue. Talk about walls, fences and surveillance. But, for the most part, it really is just talk. Tennesseans understand that the federal government has no true interest in securing our border. The only interest liberals show in immigration reform is tied to providing amnesty for illegal immigrants. We can and must separate the Constitutional duty of protecting our nation from the idea that performing that duty must include rewarding those who have broken our laws.

I have been consistent in this campaign on the need to change the way we handle this issue. I have called for a new look at the interpretation of the 14th Amendment that improperly grants the children of illegals born in the United States automatic citizenship.  I support restrictions on benefits given to illegals who are not contributing to the community, only taking from it. I believe we must have a full accounting of the methods and procedures of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency that is charged with enforcement of our immigration laws and the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services that oversees processing of applications for legal immigrants as well as other services such as the process of foreign adoptions.  Neither is performing their duties with efficiency. And I will never support the idea of attacking one of our states for doing what the federal government refuses to do.

But before we look at any other issue, we must secure our border.

We’ve all seen the pictures from our southern border. Walls easily scaled and fences half finished while President Obama claims we have more enforcement on the border than we ever have. He wants you to believe him, not your own eyes. Americans are smart enough to know political doubletalk when they hear it, and it’s all we are getting from Obama. Just this week, a Department of Homeland Security memo emerged that lays the groundwork for providing amnesty to illegals without a vote of the Congress. Clearly this president is more interested in the political rewards he thinks he will receive from granting amnesty than he is in enforcing our laws. I will oppose with conviction any effort to subvert our laws by this or any other president. This issue is too important to be a made a tool of political power.

As your member of Congress, I will work toward true reform that makes our immigration agencies accountable. I will fight amnesty every step of the way and I will fight for the resources we need to close our border to dangerous illegal elements. If our government cannot handle this fundamental issue, then we need no more proof of the critical necessity for a new direction in Washington. This issue is not difficult. It can be solved with leaders who have the courage to deal with the issue and the will to act.

 

Posted by Robin Smith   |  1 Comment(s)

Issues: Keep America Beautiful, but Keep America First
July 9th, 2010 4:35 PM

Liberal members of Congress continue to push their "Cap and Trade" energy tax proposal. This tax will send energy costs skyrocketing, kill jobs and destroy family farms. I commit to you that I will fight for a balance between protecting the environment and protecting jobs.

Posted by Robin Smith   |  0 Comment(s)

Issues: $166,000,000,000 In One Day
July 8th, 2010 9:35 AM

This is an almost unimaginable number. Last Wednesday our nation’s debt rose by $166 billion in ONE DAY.

According to the Washington Times, “The one-day increase for June 30 totaled $165,931,038,264.30 - bigger than the entire annual deficit for fiscal year 2007 and larger than the $140 billion in savings the new health care bill will produce over its first 10 years. The figure works out to nearly $1,500 for every U.S. household, or more than 10 times the median daily household income.”

It seems impossible that our government could treat your money and the money of your children and grandchildren in such an irresponsible manner. But that’s what we have in Washington today. Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi have no regard for the long term prosperity of Americans. Until we change the leadership and the attitude in Washington, this problem will get worse.

When you hear politicians waiver or reject fundamental changes in the way government spends your money, send them packing. I have been clear from day one where I stand on the budget. Earmarks have got to go. Some in this race say keep them and some decide how they feel based on polls. I say eliminate them now. The Congress must take responsibility for spending our money prudently. Handing over the issue to Obama’s budget commission is a fraud that will lead to a push for higher taxes. The people elect the Congress to do a job. They need to get serious about that job and stop charging the future of our children on bad credit.

 

Posted by Robin Smith   |  0 Comment(s)

Issues: A Victory for the Second Amendment
June 28th, 2010 1:24 PM

Today’s ruling by the Supreme Court that the fundamental rights granted to us under the 2^nd Amendment was a victory for all Americans. It reaffirms the Constitution’s protections of gun ownership as an unshakable pillar of American life.

In handing down the opinion that gives federal judges the authority to strike down local and state actions that improperly restrict gun ownership, Justice Samuel Alito wrote, "Self defense is a basic right, recognized by many legal systems from ancient times to the present day."

The ruling today reaffirmed what we already know; our rights under the 2^nd Amendment are not subject to the whims of Congress, the President or local and state officials who would seek to limit them. It is a great development and further strengthens our Constitutional rights.

While we note today’s ruling as a positive event, it is just the latest battle in the ongoing struggle with liberals who wish to use government to limit our rights. Few doubt this ruling will end their efforts to undermine the 2^nd Amendment through legislation and through the courts. That’s why we need people in government who will hold to the Constitution and not waiver in the face of continued liberal attacks. Politicians who give lip service to these rights without real action to support their stance will falter when the time comes to defend those rights.

As the confirmation hearings for Elena Kagan’s nomination to the Supreme Court open today, this ruling serves as a reminder that our liberties are always in need of defending and a reminder that the men and women who serve in federal courts should always put the Constitution first.

Tennesseans have my assurance, through my history more than just my words, that I will always work as a member of Congress to defend and strengthen our right to keep and bear arms.

 

Posted by Robin Smith   |  1 Comment(s)

Issues: Still Waiting on the Jobs
June 18th, 2010 4:37 PM

The latest figures released today by the Department of Labor continue to demonstrate the failure of President Obama’s “Stimulus” bill to have a real impact on jobs in Tennessee.

When the bill was signed in February of 2009, the White House predicted Tennessee would see an increase of 70,000 jobs by December of 2010.

If President Obama intends to hit that mark, he better get busy. As of today, Tennessee has lost more than 50,000 jobs.

For more than a year, I have been calling for unspent portions of the stimulus to be redirected to tax cuts to spur growth, deductions for purchase of new equipment by small businesses or returned to the treasury with the understanding this is money we don’t have and shouldn’t take from our kids.

Each month, we see more evidence that government pork spending was not the answer to our problems. The promise to keep unemployment under 8% is a distant memory. The White House will make job losses worse with their order to halt drilling for oil offshore and Americans’ confidence in the economy continues to fall.

As with every one of these jobs reports, there’s good news for one part of the country. Washington DC gained more than 7,000 jobs.

That’s little comfort to us here in Tennessee.

Posted by Robin Smith   |  0 Comment(s)

Issues: Defending Our 2nd Amendment Rights
June 4th, 2010 8:27 AM

I was the only Third District Candidate to have a booth at the RK Gun Show in Hamilton County this week. My commitment to the 2nd Amendment is absolutely solid. As a member of the NRA and the Tennessee Firearms Association I am determined that the rights of responsible owners will not be weakened. Too many candidates give lip service to our Constitutional rights at election time. My 20 years of work shows I will stand by what I say.

 

 

 

 

Posted by Robin Smith   |  0 Comment(s)

Issues: Pledging to End the Death Tax
June 2nd, 2010 9:28 AM

In town halls and candidate forums, I have gone on record as calling for the repeal of the Estate, or "Death" Tax. The American people are taxed too much and taxed in too many different ways. We must eliminate capital gains and death taxes. We must get rid of the IRS and build a revenue structure that is fair, promotes growth and gets government off your back. Last week I signed the American Family Business Institute pledge to repeal this job and incentive destroying tax. I'm proud to do so.

Here is my pledge to you on repealing the Death Tax.

 

 

Posted by Robin Smith   |  0 Comment(s)

Issues: Speak Out!
May 25th, 2010 2:35 PM

Last week I introduced you to YOUCUT, a new initiative that gives Americans to see some of the wasteful ways the government spend your money. This week, my friend Congressman Kevin McCarthy has launched AmericaSpeakingOut.com. This is a new and innovative way to go beyond giving you examples and brings you into the process by allowing you to present ideas to address the challenges facing America.

I’m very pleased that Congressman McCarthy is one of the bold new generation of leaders in America who have endorsed my campaign. This new generation is taking the lead to listen to Americans rather than tell us what they think we want. Congressman McCarthy and Congressman Eric Cantor as well as the Club for Growth, Eagle Forum, the Family Research Council,Concerned Women for America and Susan B. Anthony list have all recognized me as the partner they want to work with in the task of getting America back on the right path.

Log on today to AmericaSpeakingOut.com, take and look at the ideas Americans are putting forward and propose your own. In these difficult times it’s all hands on deck to get our country moving in the right direction again. As your representative, listening to you and responding to your ideas will always be my top priority.

 

 

Posted by Robin Smith   |  0 Comment(s)

Issues: Building on Past Success to Create Jobs
May 24th, 2010 3:38 PM

This week, I will join economic and community leaders from across the Tennessee Valley at the 2010 Tennessee Valley Corridor National Technology Summit. Each year the men and women who are helping to shape Tennessee’s future through innovation and research gather to discuss the challenges ahead.

Over the past two years, our nation has experienced startling changes in our economy. Unemployment continues to hold at unacceptable levels and many Tennesseans have given up the search for good work at good wages.

As we reshape our economy into one that can compete and win in global competition, progress through innovation will lead the way. In countless fields including:  alternative clean energy sources, improvements in research and development, and advancements in technology, the TVC is providing leadership that will result in better jobs, better education and a better quality of life for Tennesseans.

Established by Congressman Zach Wamp in 1995, the TVC has been instrumental in marshaling the various unique resources throughout the Tennessee Valley and forging them into an economic and research power. The success of the TVC is at the forefront of developments that have made Tennessee a player on the world technology stage. In the labs of Oak Ridge, researchers are performing tasks that range from helping us to better understand our universe to improving the quality of the gas in our cars.

One of the most vital tasks performed in Oak Ridge is the safe and secure disposal of material from nuclear weapons turned over through treaties with the United States before they can fall into the wrong hands. Oak Ridge is not just taking the lead economically, but also moving us toward a safer world.

I am committed to continuing the great work started by the TVC. It is this type of new thinking, building partnerships between the government and private enterprise that I will strive to promote in Congress. By standing on principle and working with my colleagues in Congress to educate them on the national importance of the work performed throughout the Tennessee Valley Corridor, we will continue to move forward, building a better state and a better nation.

I am proud to salute the innovators and job creators of the Oak Ridge National Labs, the Y-12 National Security Complex and the other leaders I will consult this week as we seek to build on successes and confront the challenges ahead. 

Posted by Robin Smith   |  0 Comment(s)