During our history, Americans have risen to face many
challenges. Traveling throughout the Commonwealth listening to the
voices of Virginians, I hear growing concern and frustration that
today’s challenges are being made worse by the federal government
in Washington. It’s difficult for our neighbors and family members
to find work in a sputtering economy. People are worried about
paying their bills due to rising energy and health care costs. And
parents are fearful that Washington’s out-of-control spending and
rising national debt will rob our children of the same future
opportunities our parent’s generation handed to us.
I am respectfully asking that the voters of Virginia hire
me on for six years to fight on behalf Virginia voices and values
which are being ignored by Washington today. The 2012 election will
be pivotal in determining the trajectory of our country: Will our
children and grandchildren know the full blessings of freedom in
the promise of America? Will they see their opportunities to
achieve the American Dream continue to decline or will America’s
best years lie ahead? We can spark an American comeback, but only
by listening to the owners of our government, “We the People,”
adhering to our foundational principles, reining in federal
spending, and creating conditions for more opportunities for
jobs.
While attending hundreds of town halls, rallies and meetings
across Virginia, the message I heard consistently was that the
people of Virginia want a leaner, less burdensome and more
accountable government. Our nation’s budget ought to be executed
with the same discipline that small businesses and families use
across the country. That is why was one of about a dozen other
Senators to vote against funding the Bridge to Nowhere. Washington
needs to show it has the discipline to ensure there is no more
wasteful spending on Bridges to Nowhere, orchid gardens in
Pittsburgh, and indoor rainforests in Iowa. It is past time to rein
in government. And while earmarks may be a small part of the budget
deficit, they need to be stopped until the overall budget is
balanced, and then a two-thirds majority should be required to pass
any earmark.
Congress also needs to enact a real budget reform plan
that includes a balanced budget amendment, line item veto and a
“Paycheck Penalty” that would withhold Members of Congress salaries
if they don’t pass appropriations bills on time. It’s their job,
and it’s what they are paid to do. And, if they do not get this job
done on time, then withhold their pay. The only way to rein in
federal deficit spending is to change the way Washington
operates.
Our leaders in Washington need to be willing to fight to
repeal or defund the unfair, harmful, unconstitutional federal
government takeover of health care. In the Senate I will stand up
for the Virginia voices who oppose the dictates and mandates of
this anti-jobs health care monstrosity and fight to replace it with
reforms that will deliver on the promise to make health care more
affordable and accessible, including personal health savings
accounts, and expand competition and choice by allowing health
insurance to be acquired across state lines.
Virginians are worried that skyrocketing electricity, fuel
and food costs that are diminishing the quality of life and causing
thousands of jobs to be moved overseas. To reduce energy costs for
our families and small businesses, we need a winning American
energy plan that encourages practical conservation and innovation;
utilizes all of our plentiful resources including clean coal
technology, natural gas and oil; and removes outdated regulatory
barriers to the next generation of nuclear power. America is
blessed with more energy resources than any country in the world
and it is time to unleash our resources and creativity, not bury
them under stifling EPA regulations.
Today America and Virginia face many challenges. The
looming tax hikes, spending sprees, and government mandates from
Washington are stifling the source of American innovation — free
people and free enterprise. Virginians are ready for Washington to
stop being part of the problem and start implementing real
solutions to the issues confronting our families and businesses. If
given the honor and responsibility of serving Virginia in the
United States Senate, I pledge to work hard for the voices, values
and prosperous future of all Virginians.
