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10 Years Later: 9/11, Never Forget…
It is hard to believe 10 years have passed since those towers fell. It’s surreal to me still today. I was sitting in my car at 8th and Walnut in Rogers listening to the radio when a news report said that a plane had hit the World Trade Center. The thought of terrorists never entered my mind. It had to be an accident.
But it wasn’t. Our country was under attack.
We lost thousands of Americans that day. We will never forget the friends and family taken from us. And, from that day forward, our country would never be the same.
It would be stronger.
On September 11, 2001, the United States was attacked by a faceless enemy whose objective was to devastate a country. They failed. They underestimated the spirit of America. On that tragic Tuesday morning, our country was shaken—but not broken.
America, though wounded, rose to the occasion as a nation of heroes.
From the first responders, fire fighters and police officers who gave their lives to save others’, to United Flight 93 and its heroic passengers who, with the simple war cry of “let’s roll,” saved a countless number of lives by giving up their own.
Those are some of America’s greatest heroes.
10 years later, as we look back and remember, may we vow to never forget.
(Video Tribute)
Jobs Speech…
Last night’s jobs speech from the president was not terribly surprising. It was long on rhetoric and short on details as to just how we pay for nearly a half-trillion dollars in new spending. He said it was ‘paid for,’ but I am still not sure how.
The speech came across as a lecture to Congress, and I felt as though he was framing the discussion in such a way as to ensure any blame that comes from a failure to create jobs goes directly to the legislative branch. It was more of the same from President Obama—just words absent from action.
My guess, without seeing the details of his plan, is a major tax increase on the very people we’re asking to create jobs. That’s a mixed message and only serves to add to the uncertainty plaguing our economic climate where our unemployment rate is already at 9.1 percent—meaning approximately 14 million Americans want a job but cannot find one.
What’s more, our nation’s unemployment rate has been above 8 percent for 31 straight months, and to make matters worse, there wasn’t a single job created in the month of August. Americans desire a long-term plan, not another multi-billion dollar stimulus package which has, and never will, work.
This crisis is too important to our country and economy to become a partisan issue, but sadly—in a bid for re-election—that’s exactly what this has turned into for the president. The House has sent 10 job creating bills to the Senate. Not one has been acted on. President Obama said that Americans can’t afford to wait 14 months for relief. I agree, which is why my Republican colleagues and I have had a jobs plan ready to go for months--Plan for America’s Job Creators.
If we want to create jobs in this country, the recipe is simple. Instead of buying jobs as the president alluded to, we should be ridding small businesses of the overly burdensome and, quite frankly, irrational regulations which are stifling job creation. Not spending enough isn’t the problem. Over regulation is the PROBLEM. We should be rewarding small businesses and entrepreneurs—not hindering them. After all, we are a nation built on ideas and innovations.
Can you imagine if Sam Walton, Don Tyson or J.B. Hunt had to face these obstacles when starting out? The economic makeup of Arkansas might look a little different today if that was the case.
Deregulation is just the start.
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American companies are taxed at 35 percent, which is the highest corporate tax rate in the world. Companies incorporated in the United States and doing business abroad are required to pay taxes on the money they bring back to the United States. This encourages those companies to keep their money in foreign markets instead of bringing it home and investing it in the United States. If we expect American companies to compete with their international counterparts—both at home and abroad—and create jobs in the United States, we must address this issue by reforming the corporate tax code. This can be done by lowering the corporate tax rate and eliminating special-interest loopholes.
We have options, but I whole-heartedly believe that it will take all parties coming together to find the solution to America’s jobs crisis. I know we can because we must. American families and businesses are hurting and it’s time for Congress and the president to act. We have ideas and it’s time we bring them to the table, find common ground and get this great country back to work.
Energy Independence…
Energy independence goes hand-in-hand with job creation. Yes, burdensome regulations are crippling small businesses, but the lack of any SERIOUS energy policy by the current administration is stifling job creation among many companies, as well as constricting economic growth in many regions.
Most of the time we hear these arguments from politicians, analysts or news outlets -- but you never hear from the individuals or companies it directly affects.
Over the course of a few days this summer, we traveled the Third District of Arkansas and met with local farmers, regional directors, business leaders, restaurant owners, etc. and asked questions.
What are you struggling with? What is your company struggling with? What's the biggest problem you are facing? What changes have you seen in the last few years? How can we fix this problem?
We asked for their ideas...and we got them. Click HERE for the video documentary.
Israel…
During the month of August, I had the incredible privilege—through AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee)—of joining some of my fellow House Republicans, including Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA), on a trip to Israel for an educational seminar.
There is no substitute for hearing directly from Israeli leaders regarding the difficulties facing their country on a daily basis. From meetings with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres, to tours of the Old City of Jerusalem—it was truly an enlightening and awe-inspiring experience.
There were several extraordinary moments while on the trip, but one stood out from the rest. Before my fellow members of Congress, I had the tremendous honor of introducing Lieutenant-General Benny Gantz, the Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Gen. Gantz is Israel’s equivalent to the Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Gen. Gantz devoted his entire adult life to serving in the IDF. In 2007, Gen. Gantz became the IDF Military Attache in the United States, and upon his return from the U.S., he became Deputy Chief of Staff. Gen. Gantz is truly one Israel’s great heroes. I cherished the experience.
As members of Congress, I believe it is our responsibility to know and to understand our country’s strongest ally relationships with Israel certainly being one. The United States has been considered Israel's most powerful and supportive ally, and this trip only amplified the importance of maintaining that relationship. Our policy in the Middle East must continue to encourage a well defined and extremely friendly rapport with the Israeli state.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend, and we'll talk again next week.
From the Front…
Steve Womack
U.S. Congressman
AR3
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