By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Congressman Mike Rogers (R) from Saks said in a written statement to his constituents that he is deeply concerned about the economy and says taxes, unemployment, and debt are economic issues that the nation needs to address.
Rep. Rogers said, “On the economic front, the trends still aren’t good. According to the Alabama Department of Industrial Relations, unemployment in the state of Alabama is up to 8.3 percent.
The national unemployment rate has been at 8 percent or higher for 43 months.” Rogers said, “Too many folks have just given up looking for work altogether. That’s a terrible situation for anyone to be in, and high unemployment is just not something that we as a nation can or should accept.”
Rogers acknowledged that even the economists are sharply divided on how best to deal with this historically weak recovery. Rep. Rogers said, “Many economists say we must increase government spending to pull our economy out of its slump. I disagree.”
Rep. Rogers said that he is concerned about the growing national debt. “Recently, you may have seen on the news that our national debt hit $16 trillion. This unbelievably high price tag breaks down to cost more than $140,000 per American tax payer.”
Representative Rogers warned, “Interest rates may be low now, but when they do go up, the cost of servicing our debt will severely limit our economic growth and our government’s ability to fund its basic functions. And on top of that, in January of next year, if Congress doesn’t act soon, the current tax rates will increase for every working family, making it even tougher on East Alabama families that are already hurting and struggling.”
Congressman Rogers said that it has been over three years since Senate Democrats have passed a budget. “It is time for the tough choices to be made to get our economy back on track. I supported H. Con. Res. 112, the House-passed Budget, which would not only place our spending on a more sustainable path, and help strengthen Medicare for current and future generations, but also save our military from arbitrary and dangerous cuts known as sequestration. But like 30 other job-creation bills passed by the House, H. Con. Res. 112 was placed on the shelf by Senator Reid.”
Rep. Rogers said, “Now is the time for reasoned action – on spending, on jobs and on common sense measures to get our economy moving and our budget under control.”
It seems unlikely at this point that the Republican controlled U.S. House of Representatives is going to be able to convince Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid or President Barack Obama that their plan is the best direction for the country. The Republicans in Congress’s best hope at this point has to be Governor Mitt Romney and Senate Republicans scoring a victory in the November 6th General Election. Failing that it appears that our nation’s leaders are going to be locked in an ideological impasse for at least two more years.
Congressman Mike Rogers represents Alabama’s Third Congressional District in East Alabama stretching from St. Clair County to Anniston and the Georgia Stateline and includes Lee County and Auburn.
