Opinion Editorial
Our country has long been predicated on and flourished under the belief that a good, honest day's work brings success. As many families continue to struggle under one of the slowest economic recoveries in decades, we are reminded daily that America can't work if enough Americans aren't working.
The U.S. contains more oil, coal and natural gas resources than any other nation in the world, yet hardworking families across Michigan are still struggling to pay the price at the pump. With these abundant resources and a workforce yearning for new opportunities, Americans shouldn't be forced to choose between filling the gas tank or putting food on the table.
For many Americans, the dream of a comfortable middle-class existence seems increasingly out of reach. I've heard from many people at my town hall meetings and coffee hours who are disappointed with the inability of a big federal government to help bring the dream back.
Nearly 2 million students graduated from college or a university last year yet, in spite of reaching a major milestone, many of these college graduates are struggling to find work that reflects their skill set. In the latest jobs report, the unemployment rate for 20- to 24-year-olds totaled 11.9 percent — almost double the national average.
Each year, millions of men, women and children as young as 12 years old are trafficked around the world and even here in the U.S. Because combatting this issue is so important to me I recently held a human trafficking forum with local officials to discuss what we're doing to end these heinous crimes, and by the sheer number of you who attended can tell it's important to you too.
Our hard work in the House to help Americans attain skills for 21st century jobs is making headway, and last month, the House and Senate announced a bipartisan, bicameral agreement to reform the federal workforce development system.
Memorial Day is a time when we commemorate the ultimate sacrifice made by the men and women who died in military service. As we reflect on the tremendous sacrifices that members of our armed forces and their families make when they serve our country, we must also remember our responsibility to assist those returning from the battlefield.
On April 18, President Obama once again delayed the approval of the Keystone XL pipeline – an astonishing decision considering public support for this project is at an all-time high. According to a recent Rasmussen poll, more than 60-percent of Americans are in favor of the pipeline, and that figure continues to climb.
In my office sits a "U.S. debt clock" which tracks each dollar added to our debt. The debt clock has only ticked upwards in large part due to wasteful spending and harmful government regulations. By pushing back against Washington's excess and promoting commonsense rules, I believe we can reverse this trend, increase opportunity and enable more take-home pay for all hardworking taxpayers.
Balancing the needs of work and family can be tough. A job is necessary to provide for the needs of your household while families also require your time and attention.
While there will never be a perfect formula for the work/life balance, one key lies in giving workers the flexibility to make the right choice for themselves, and their families.