Issue Position: Economy and Jobs

Issue Position

We cannot continue believing that prosperity for some must come at the expense of others. This means recognizing that to prosper as a community, we must embrace our differences and work together for future generations.

This will be my duty as a Representative of Michigan's 11th District.

Economy and Jobs

I know Michigan has the talent, expertise and work ethic to compete in today's global market place. Michigan remains home to a vast network of entrepreneurs throughout our state, a second-to-none automotive supply chain, and a fantastic university system that still produces the nation's finest engineers. As a small business owner, I know what it takes for Congress to support both short and long-term growth in our economy.

The 11th District has become the new home of numerous life sciences firms, alternative energy and advanced manufacturing companies, largely because of the quality of life, economic resources and talent that our district, and the Metro-Detroit area, has to offer. My job as a representative of Michigan's 11th District will be to support these growing industries and help create a friendly business and working environment.

Here are some policies I support and will fight for as a member of Congress to benefit the 11th district:

*Increased tax incentives for small businesses to hire new workers.
*An expansion of the State Small Business Credit Initiative, a highly successful and innovative program to facilitate lending to small business and manufacturers.
*Investment in public transportation.
*Lower corporate tax rates while eliminating loopholes for major corporations.
*Lower the costs of higher education by making the reduction in student loan interest rates permanent.
*Fight the predatory mortgage lending practices that led to a devastating rate of foreclosures in our neighborhoods.
*Introduce fair trade legislation to level the playing field internationally, ending the unjust policies that leave our manufacturers at a disadvantage.

Government Debt and Deficit

Congressional gridlock has paralyzed our ability to address our nation's debt crisis. Politicians in Washington have been more interested in the political battles of Red vs Blue than they are in sound public policy that benefits everyone. It's time we put an end to political infighting and address this crisis.

Our nation's financial woes are the result of both revenue and spending problems. The way to the balanced budgets of the late 1990s is to grow our economy, but this is much easier said that done. Laying off teachers, firefighters and police officers at the state and local levels and cutting major public investments at the federal level only compounds our problems through depleted revenues and a shrinking tax base. The solution involves:

*Tax reform.
*A balanced approach to deficit reduction: asking everyone to pay their fair share and trimming government waste and inefficiency.
*Containing Medicare costs other than by reducing benefits.
*Reigning in discretionary and defense spending.
*Eliminating earmarks.
*Improving public transportation development with high-speed rail.
*Investing in a smart grid system.

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