Columns
America’s economy is stagnant and showing few signs of growth. The private sector is being strangled by government regulation, an overly-complex and uncompetitive tax code, and uncertainty generated by the threat of tax increases, an onerous health care law, and the ever expanding national debt.
As our economy struggles, the lack of bipartisan solutions from Congress only adds to our frustration.
The U.S. economy added just 80,000 jobs in June and the national unemployment rate remained above 8 percent for the 41st consecutive month.
In the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold most of the President’s health care law, Nebraskans deserve to know what the decision means and what steps Congress will take to repeal the law in full to lower health care costs while increasing access to care.
Earlier this month, President Obama announced he was changing deportation and work rules for some illegal immigrants who came to the United States as children. However, this change in policy was not the result of legislation, but rather a unilateral decision by the President without the approval of Congress.
Questions regarding the role of government in our lives and concerns for our privacy were recently renewed when the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revealed it was using aerial surveillance over Nebraska farms and ranches in search of Clean Water Act violations.
The looming expiration of critical tax provisions on January 1, 2013 is part of what many analysts are calling the “fiscal cliff.” Others have dubbed this economic doomsday scenario “Taxmageddon.” Recently, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) found failing to prevent scheduled tax increases at the end of the year likely would contribute to a recession in early 2013.
Later this month, the Supreme Court is expected to rule on the constitutionality of President Obama’s health care law, formally known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Make no mistake, this will be a landmark decision with profound implications for the future of our country.
This summer, a travelling memorial called “Remembering Our Fallen” will make its trek across Nebraska. This 60-foot long tribute to Heartland soldiers who have been killed in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is a poignant reminder of the high cost of freedom.
While Nebraska continues to see a strong job market, the national economy remains weak with unemployment above 8 percent for 39 consecutive months. The tepid pace of growth is due in large part to the overregulation coming out of Washington, paralyzing employers with uncertainty. And just as a rising tide lifts all boats, the opposite is also true.