Opinion Editorial
The recently released Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) September employment report certainly wasn't worth the wait. Delayed because of the government shutdown, September's jobs report disappointed as our economy added just 148,000 jobs, fewer than the previous month's and slower than the average pace of growth within the last year. Perhaps more telling, 136,000 fewer Americans participated in the labor force, keeping the labor force participation rate at its lowest level since the 1970's at 63.2%. That's in addition to the 11 million who are unemployed and actively searching for work.
The federal government has now been shut down nearly two weeks and each day we get closer to reaching our debt limit. You're frustrated, and so am I. As your representative I believe one of the chief responsibilities of my job is to advance ideas that make our country stronger, while recognizing there are many different opinions on the issues before us.
By Rep Walberg
As it stands today, our tax code favors big business and special interests; it's confusing for taxpayers and hurts economic growth. However, despite these unpleasant realities that impact all of us we can reverse course with comprehensive tax reform that will make the tax code simpler and fairer for everyone.
A successful education system and local control go hand-in-hand. Likewise, unnecessary interference from the federal government can hurt students' ability to get a great education. If we want to see more students graduating and finding the jobs they need, then we need to get the federal government out of the way, restore local control, empower parents and support effective teachers.
As a regular commuter across Michigan, I share your frustration with high gas and energy prices. Uncertainty about the high cost of these prices makes it harder for families to live within their budget. It also hurts Michigan's ability to regain its place as a competitive manufacturing state at a time when they are already threatened by additional federal mandates and government regulations.
The recent pattern of federal government abuse is very troubling, undermines citizens' trust in their government and we, the American people, deserve an explanation from President Barack Obama as to why his administration used its vast powers to commit these misdeeds.
Every day we hear new reports of challenges surrounding the implementation of the president's health care law. More workers and businesses are coming forward to express frustration with the law.
Under the law's employer mandate, businesses are forced to provide government-approved health insurance or pay a penalty. The president's recent decision to delay the mandate for a year only underscores what many citizens, businesses, and members of Congress have been saying for a long time: The law is a train wreck.
The public's trust in government has been shaken by a string of recent controversies. It's chilling to learn what's happened under this administration's watch and, as seen from the influx of calls and letters to my office every day, I know you are concerned as well. As your representative, I am committed to pursuing accountability and increased transparency for our federal government. Sitting on the House Committee on Oversight & Government Reform (OGR) has provided me the opportunity to address issues including Benghazi, IRS, and the Department of Justice directly.