Michigan Congressman Thaddeus McCotter Proposes U.S. Needs Taxpayer Triage to Fix Economic Mess
Kicking off his nationally syndicated “Neal Asbury’s Truth for America Show” on WZAB-AM, Neal expressed his skepticism over the Obama Administration’s latest unemployment estimate of 8.9 percent.
“The White House is popping the corks on champagne bottles. But they’re cooking the books. It’s all smoke and mirrors. There are 16 million people who have given up looking for work. If you factor them in, the unemployment rate is over ten percent,” said Asbury.
Asbury attributes the lagging employment figures to fear and uncertainty, the antitheses of growth and confidence. He maintains that employers are postponing hiring because they are uncertain about the economic impact of healthcare, taxes and energy.
“The White House doesn’t talk about this. They’re too busy high-fiving over the flawed unemployment rate. The economy won’t turn around until small business owners and entrepreneurs feel confident enough to begin hiring again,” concluded Asbury.
Joining as a return guest on Truth for America was Congressman Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI) who represents Michigan’s 11th District. Congressman McCotter has focused his efforts on preserving and promoting manufacturing and small businesses. He serves as Chairman of the Republican House Policy Committee, a leadership position once held by Vice President Dick Cheney. Congressman McCotter is also a member of the House Financial Services Committee, where he serves on the Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government Sponsored Enterprises and the Housing and Community Opportunity subcommittees. He recently authored a book entitled “Seize America.”
In discussing the book, which took Congressman McCotter three years to write, the Congressman maintains that it’s time for American citizens to choose their own freedoms, and not turn to the federal government. He wants to see the end of entitlements that the government can’t afford. The move should be toward more self-government. “With today’s new global communications technologies, it’s time to use them so our voice is heard here and around the globe. The government needs to understand and mirror this movement,” said Congressman McCotter.
Like many House Republicans, Congressman McCotter is enthused by the majority the GOP enjoys in the House but is frustrated that the same doesn’t hold true in the Senate. He wants to see both Parties engage with the American public. He thinks most of the younger generation understands that when they retire, there will not be any Social Security money.
“The public is tired of reckless spending. The Democrats don’t seem to understand this. We Republicans have a mandate to reverse this trend. That’s why we’re implementing a taxpayer triage to keep the government running while fulfilling our pledge to cut costs,” said Congressman McCotter.
The Congressman agrees with host Neal Asbury’s contention that the unemployment numbers announced by the government “are merely Washington numbers to appease the Beltway.”
“Look, if everyone looking for a job gives up looking, the unemployment rate will be zero! But that doesn’t give the real picture. Washington is only interested in the appearance,” said Congressman McCotter.
The conversation turned to the Middle East. Congressman McCotter does not think the Democrats fully understand what the unrest in the Middle East will do to U.S. oil prices. It could devastate the economy.
“The Bush doctrine that advocated Democracy in Iraq was undefined. The model was based on the Green Zone. That did not work because it did not involve the rest of the populace. You can not lay down a grid that works in every country. They have to be looked at individually. We have to ask: Can they sustain a republic? There has to be a government in place that won’t be able to punish for seeking freedom,” said Congressman McCotter.
He maintains that the Iran revolution in 1979 was usurped. If the people can overthrow the current regime they have to move toward establishing a republic so that there won’t be lethal repercussions.
In Egypt, Congressman McCotter is disappointed that the people didn’t work with responsible political parties and allowed the military to take over.
Congressman McCotter doesn’t think that the U.S. should put any military on the ground in Libya. Even establishing a no-fly-zone should be controlled by NATO, not by the U.S. He also would like to see Muammar al-Gaddafi tried in The Hague for war crimes and downing the airplane over Lockerbie, Scotland.