The unemployment rate in America is tragically high, and government stimulus packages have not only failed to create jobs, they have taken money from tax payers and businesses in the process. One of the primary causes of the high unemployment in Michigan and across America is too much government intervention in the private business sector. Our representatives in Washington claim such intervention creates jobs when, in fact just the opposite occurs. Government cannot create jobs. Government can only create an environment for job growth by limiting taxation and regulation.

Current elected officials in Washington have steadily and swiftly increased spending, raising our national debt to over $15 trillion, and setting record highs for our annual national deficit. Corrupt corporate officials and market managers lost over 70 billion dollars of your money, and yet are bailed out by Congress, with the money that comes from the same people they defrauded. Retirement accounts, investments, and the value of the dollar sinks as Congressional spending goes unchecked, and the taxpaying citizen bears the burden of it. Government money is spent keeping bankrupt companies floating.

We need representatives in Washington who stand firm not just against some big budgets, but all out-of-control spending. It is not enough to fight against corruption or excessive spending only some of the time. We need a Congress committed to consistent restraint of spending. Consistent, unwavering commitment to government responsibility and fiscal conservatism is absolutely essential. Every time Congress votes for unnecessary spending, it hurts businesses and employees.

To fund excessive government programs, earmarks, and special interest money, Congress continually passes legislation that raises the tax burden on individuals and businesses. At the same time, extending their influence and reach, usurping individual liberties and increasing dependence on government programs. In less than 50 years, Congress has managed to increase government dependence 13 fold.

High taxes and excessive government regulation and control places an incredible burden on citizens and business owners. Every dollar Congress spends is a dollar an employer no longer has to hire workers, or maintain his business. Every dollar Congress spends is a dollar a citizen no longer has to invest, care for loved ones, or spend and inject back into the economy.

A simpler, less bureaucratic system such as the Fair Tax would greatly decrease the tax burden on businesses and citizens, significantly reduce the cost of compliance, and encourage more investment and the creation of new jobs.

Life is a fundamental right. The Declaration of Independence enumerated it as such, and our Constitution clearly states that human life should be protected. Science and medicine have proven that life begins at conception. Therefore, the government should not sanction or fund abortion, embryonic stem cell, or fetal tissue research. I will always vote to protect life.

The Founding Fathers knew that the best protection against violations of our liberty was the right of the people to keep and bear arms. Nothing has changed since the Second Amendment was added to our Constitution. As it is a vital safeguard to our liberty, the Second Amendment must be defended as vehemently as the rest of the constitution. Congress must put a stop to the restriction of an individual’s ability to lawfully purchase, transport, store, or possess arms on personal property or public lands. This regulation, which is taking place under the ruse of regulating interstate commerce, is unconstitutional and must be stopped.

The right to property is fundamental, and is the underpinning of a prosperous society. Yet today, many in Washington would prefer to see your property resdistributed through high taxes designed to support excessive government programs and special interest groups. But those who own their own property are much more likely to protect and care for it. Indeed, from an environmental perspective, ownership is key to caring for and protecting the world around us. Laws to protect the environment should be observed, and those who violate them should be punished. But at the same time, government must refrain from efforts to affect behavior through excessive regulation or economic incentives. These efforts slow economic development and hinder technological advancement.