I was at Hampden-Sydney College today for the Dedication of the Wilson Center for Leadership in the Public Interest! General Sam Wilson is an icon and it is fitting to have this center named in his honor. Also a great opportunity for me to see our son, Forrest!
The Wilson Center for Leadership in the Public Interest Dedication Ceremony
Aug 31, 2011 By Leave a Comment
ICYMI: Job growth: Restoring American dream means rekindling entrepreneurial spirit (From The Washington Times)
Aug 31, 2011 By Leave a Comment
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 31, 2011
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
Job growth:
Restoring American dream means rekindling entrepreneurial spirit
From The Washington Times
By George Allen
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
”God gave us this great and good land, but it’s up to us to make it flourish – to preserve its freedom, to see it grow and become a nation of greatness.”
Ronald Reagan expressed these words of responsibility in 1986. Twenty-five years later, how is our nation doing?
Not well at all, according to the Congressional Budget Office. The CBO just released its latest Budget and Economic Outlook, and the picture it paints is very different from the one President Reagan envisioned. Instead of economic growth, our nation is burdened by government growth – with an adverse impact that millions of American families and working people know only too well.
Job numbers are down, the stock market is down, economic outlook is down, and confidence in the future is down. And for the first time in American history, our nation’s credit rating is down – an unprecedented development that further strains our economy and confidence in the future.
No wonder the CBO warns that America is facing “profound budgetary and economic challenges.”
Meanwhile, the federal government and its burden on our economy continue to grow. Since 2009, federal spending has jumped more than 30 percent, the nation’s debt has risen from $10 trillion to nearly $15 trillion, the cost of complying with Washington’s slew of regulations has reached nearly $2 trillion per year, and the nation’s unemployment rate has risen to and remained above 8 percent for a record 30 straight months.
That’s not the growth Reagan had in mind, and it certainly isn’t the recipe for greatness for Americans.
I am advocating and persuading people to support my Blueprint for America’s Comeback. It is a pro-growth plan of action that will make our nation once again an engine of job creation, unleash our plentiful energy resources and rein in what has become an overreaching, overspending government. Here are three common-sense, proven solutions and reforms to help America soar.
1.We must grow jobs in America. Let’s send a message to the world: America is open for business again. America’s job-creating businesses are burdened by one of the world’s highest tax rates at 35 percent. Reducing the tax on job creators to a competitively advantageous 20 percent would create 500,000 new jobs per year. Beyond that, we need to rein in the unaccountable, unelected bureaucracies that are imposing job-strangling regulations, make the tax code fairer and simpler, and work with the states to achieve world-class education that will make good-paying jobs a reality for millions of Americans. We must be the world capital of innovation.
2. We must unleash America’s energy and creativity. The world’s most plentiful resources are right here in America, but they’re kept out of reach by counterproductive, punitive energy policies that raise our energy costs, slow our economy and make our nation vulnerable to outside forces. Unleashing American energy will put us on a path toward energy freedom, help create hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs, increase our supply of affordable energy and keep our money here in the United States.
3.We must ensure that government serves the people and not the other way around. As recent events have made abundantly clear, taking control of our financial destiny is an urgent priority. A balanced-budget amendment, line-item veto, enforceable spending caps and other long-overdue reforms will force Washington – finally – to serve the people and operate with fiscal discipline…
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Job growth: Restoring American dream means rekindling entrepreneurial spirit (Op-Ed from the Washington Times)
Aug 31, 2011 By Leave a Comment
By George Allen
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
”God gave us this great and good land, but it’s up to us to make it flourish – to preserve its freedom, to see it grow and become a nation of greatness.”
Ronald Reagan expressed these words of responsibility in 1986. Twenty-five years later, how is our nation doing?
Not well at all, according to the Congressional Budget Office. The CBO just released its latest Budget and Economic Outlook, and the picture it paints is very different from the one President Reagan envisioned. Instead of economic growth, our nation is burdened by government growth – with an adverse impact that millions of American families and working people know only too well.
Job numbers are down, the stock market is down, economic outlook is down, and confidence in the future is down. And for the first time in American history, our nation’s credit rating is down – an unprecedented development that further strains our economy and confidence in the future.
No wonder the CBO warns that America is facing “profound budgetary and economic challenges.”
Meanwhile, the federal government and its burden on our economy continue to grow. Since 2009, federal spending has jumped more than 30 percent, the nation’s debt has risen from $10 trillion to nearly $15 trillion, the cost of complying with Washington’s slew of regulations has reached nearly $2 trillion per year, and the nation’s unemployment rate has risen to and remained above 8 percent for a record 30 straight months.
That’s not the growth Reagan had in mind, and it certainly isn’t the recipe for greatness for Americans.
I am advocating and persuading people to support my Blueprint for America’s Comeback. It is a pro-growth plan of action that will make our nation once again an engine of job creation, unleash our plentiful energy resources and rein in what has become an overreaching, overspending government. Here are three common-sense, proven solutions and reforms to help America soar.
1.We must grow jobs in America. Let’s send a message to the world: America is open for business again. America’s job-creating businesses are burdened by one of the world’s highest tax rates at 35 percent. Reducing the tax on job creators to a competitively advantageous 20 percent would create 500,000 new jobs per year. Beyond that, we need to rein in the unaccountable, unelected bureaucracies that are imposing job-strangling regulations, make the tax code fairer and simpler, and work with the states to achieve world-class education that will make good-paying jobs a reality for millions of Americans. We must be the world capital of innovation.
2. We must unleash America’s energy and creativity. The world’s most plentiful resources are right here in America, but they’re kept out of reach by counterproductive, punitive energy policies that raise our energy costs, slow our economy and make our nation vulnerable to outside forces. Unleashing American energy will put us on a path toward energy freedom, help create hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs, increase our supply of affordable energy and keep our money here in the United States.
Click here to read more
The Roanoke Times: Manufacturing in the valleys: Getting back on track
Aug 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment
As I say in many speeches, Virginia coal helps create good paying jobs from Southwest Virginia to Roanoke to our Virginia Ports. This increase in manufacturing jobs in Roanoke is a big plus. These jobs would not be available if the federal government imposed energy tax schemes, which attack America’s energy resources.
Manufacturing in the valleys: Getting back on track
The Roanoke Times
By Jeff Sturgeon
August 28, 2011
Finally, after staggering losses in the manufacturing trades, a company that builds things is hiring. FreightCar America, at its Roanoke factory, this past week announced a big order and plans to hire about 200 people. Officials want to nearly double the work force by late this year.
At a trackside news conference, the head of Norfolk Southern Corp. smacked a new rail car with a bottle of champagne, cracking it open.
Roanoke Mayor David Bowers heralded the pending arrival of “good-paying jobs.”
However, the good economic news could be tempered by a number of variables. Pay levels at the plant fall below area norms for manufacturing. And the lingering possibility of another recession could put the brakes on plans, one analyst said.
To be sure, though, there is cause for celebration.
One in three manufacturing jobs in the Roanoke metro area in 1990 has since disappeared, according to federal labor data. Experts say two factors drove most of the domestic manufacturing job losses: higher productivity, resulting in a lower need for workers, and foreign competition, which took jobs away.
But things are turning around. Manufacturing employment is growing modestly again and one expanding sector is rail cars, the multi-ton vehicles that ferry everything from coal and automobiles to grain and chemicals. Rail car makers delivered more than three times as many units during the second quarter of 2011 as they did in the second quarter of 2010, according to the Railway Supply Institute.
In Roanoke, for the second time this year, NS ordered 1,500 rail cars to replace older units in its fleet. For each 1,500 cars, it will pay FreightCar about $100 million. Employment at the FreightCar shops on Campbell Avenue Southeast could rise close to the factory’s pre-recession peak of 430 employees.
Reuters: Small business hiring slows in August, wages dip
Aug 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Small businesses are the backbone of America’s economy. We need to revive our entrepreneurial spirit with pro-growth policies that encourage small businesses to invest, innovate and expand. Reducing the tax rate on job-creating businesses from 35% – the second highest in the world – to a competitive 20% would create 500,000 new jobs a year.
Small business hiring slows in August, wages dip
Reuters.com
August 29, 2011
By Lucia Mutikani
Hiring by small businesses slowed in August and employers reduced hours, an independent survey showed on Sunday, suggesting the recent stock market turmoil may have dampened job creation.
Intuit, a payrolls processing company, said small businesses added 35,000 jobs after increasing employment by 40,000 in July.
The survey is based on responses from about 66,000 employers at businesses with fewer than 20 employees that use the Intuit Online Payroll system and covered the period from July 24 to August 23.
“There was plenty of bad news this month and the Intuit small business employment figures show this,” said Susan Woodward, the economist who helped to develop the survey. “From this month’s numbers, we don’t see a new recession, but we don’t see a robust recovery either.”
A sharp drop in share prices after Standard & Poor’s stripping the nation of its top AAA credit rating knocked down consumer and business confidence. Sentiment also soured as the sovereign debt crisis in Europe spread.
There are fears the month’s stock market rout could make businesses hesitant to hire new workers.
The government will release its employment report for August on Friday, which will be gleaned for clues on whether the economy is sliding back into recession.
Central Virginia Leaders Announce Support
Aug 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Thank you Del. Kirk Cox, Del. John Cox, Del. Christopher K. Peace, Sen. Ryan McDougle, Sen. John Watkins, Delegate John O’Bannon, Sen. Walter Stosch, Del. Manoli Loupassi, Delegate Jimmie Massie, Del. Roxann Robinson, Senator Steve Martin, Delegate Riley Ingram, & Del. Edward Scott for your words of encouragement & support for our campaign to reinvigorate the economy by implementing pro-growth job initiatives.
Click here to read the release: Central Virginia Leaders Announce Support for George Allen
Central Virginia Leaders Announce Support for George Allen
Aug 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 30, 2011
Central Virginia Leaders Announce Support for George Allen
Henrico, VA –Today, leaders from central Virginia announced their endorsement of George Allen for U.S. Senate, citing his strong record of success cutting taxes, reducing the size of government and implementing pro-growth policies that help spur job creation.
George Allen’s pro-growth plan, a Blueprint for America’s Comeback, will make America more competitive, unleash our energy resources and rein in this over-reaching, over-spending federal government. Unleashing our energy resources will help create hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs, increase our supply of affordable energy, keep our money here in America and generate revenues – without raising taxes.
Senator Stephen Martin, Chesterfield
“I am a proud supporter of George Allen’s campaign for U.S. Senate. George understands the issues important to Virginians and will fight for them as our Senator. He stood for common sense conservatism in the Governor’s office proven by a track record of great success. His pro-growth, pro-business reforms helped to make Virginia one of the most competitive States for business with 300,000 net new private sector jobs added during his tenure. He also reformed Welfare, provided education accountability, ended Virginia’s revolving door justice system and fought for a true parental notification bill. These are the kind of issues Virginians care about. He knows Virginia and will fight effectively for us. That is why we need George Allen to be elected as our Senator.”
Senator Ryan McDougle, Mechanicsville
“George Allen is the strong conservative voice we need in the U.S. Senate. As Governor, George Allen fostered an environment of economic growth that created 300,000 net new jobs. In these tough economic times, Virginians are looking for real leadership to reinvigorate our economy and get people back to work. I support George Allen for U.S. Senate because he will stand up for common sense, conservative solutions and fight for Virginia.”
Senator Walter Stosch, Glen Allen
“We need a Senator who will fight for Virginia. George Allen will be that Senator. Under Governor Allen, we worked together to eliminate state income taxes on social security benefits for our seniors and established the first system of Public Private Partnerships in the nation. He has worked tirelessly throughout his career to preserve and create jobs, empower small business and rein in government spending. These are among the many reasons I endorse George Allen for U.S. Senate.”
Senator John Watkins, Midlothian
“George Allen has the kind of leadership that Congress needs. He led Virginia through tough times and he can lead the country through tough times.”
Delegate John Cox, Ashland
“As a business owner and part-time legislator, I understand what Virginia needs most are jobs for its citizens and George Allen is keenly aware of that as well. I know I can count on his experience and leadership skills to help create good paying jobs for Virginians. With his common sense conservative approach he will fight to keep Washington DC off the backs of small business owners and give them the freedom to prosper and grow our economy. Join me in supporting George Allen for U.S.”
Delegate Kirk Cox, Colonial Heights
“I have worked with George Allen for more than 20 years starting when we were Delegates together in 1990, later when he was the Commonwealth’s Governor and when he was our Senator. George Allen is a man of integrity, good ideas, and a leader with a vision who knows the best way forward is based on our nation’s founding principles. We need him in Washington to be a force for moving our country out of the present morass to the nation we should be with confidence in ourselves as we build a solid future for our children.”
Delegate Riley Ingram, Hopewell
“George Allen has achieved significant accomplishments for the people of Virginia and I am proud to support him for the U.S. Senate. He is a strong leader who is ready to restore fiscal responsibility in Washington and put America back on the path to prosperity. Virginians have sent a clear message to Washington that they will no longer stand for business as usual in Washington. George Allen has a long record of making real reforms and changing the way government operates. We need his common sense conservative leadership in Washington.”
Delegate Manoli Loupassi, Richmond
“George Allen is the strong conservative leader we need in the U.S. Senate and I am proud to support his campaign. He has a record of success in Virginia making pro-growth reforms that helped foster the environment that created hundreds of thousands of jobs. We need George Allen’s bold leadership in Washington to unleash our energy resources and get our economy back on track.”
Delegate Jimmie Massie, Richmond
“George Allen has a long and proven track record of standing strong for Virginians. I am proud to endorse him and his campaign for U.S. Senate. As Governor, he made major pro-growth reforms that helped open the doors for hundreds of thousands of new jobs in Virginia. With national unemployment stuck at 9% and chaos in Washington, we desperately need a common sense conservative leader like George Allen to promote pro-growth and job creating public policies.”
Delegate John O’Bannon, Richmond
“George Allen will fight for the conservative values important to Virginians. He has the pro-growth plan of action that we need to help reinvigorate our economy. This election will be crucial to determining the direction of our nation for years to come, and we need strong leaders like George Allen representing our voices in Washington. I’m proud to stand with George Allen and help him become Virginia’s next U.S. Senator.”
Delegate Chris Peace, Mechanicsville
“George Allen is the conservative we need serving in the U.S. Senate. He is resolute in his belief that a smaller government leads to greater freedom and prosperity. In this time of economic uncertainty and global conflict, Virginia needs this kind of steady and capable leader. George Allen is the right man for this important job.”
Delegate Roxann Robinson, Richmond
“I am pleased to announce my support of Governor George Allen in his campaign to win the 2012 Senatorial Republican Primary. Governor Allen is committed to getting America back on the right track. His past experience with Washington politics will allow him to hit the ground running with good old common sense. He is committed to cut government spending and is dedicated to creating jobs in America for Americans.”
Delegate Edward Scott, Culpeper
“I believe that George Allen is exactly the person we need in Washington to put an end to the unbridled growth of government and reckless spending. George Allen knows how to work across party lines to get things done, and his time as Governor was marked by successful government reforms that made Virginia a model for the nation. I know George Allen will never back down from defending Virginia’s values, and I am glad to give him my wholehearted support.”
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As we continue to clean up the damage from Hurricane Irene
Aug 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment
As we continue to clean up the damage from Hurricane Irene and crews are working to restore electricity to the thousands without power across Virginia, please keep those who tragically lost loved ones in your thoughts and prayers. Susan and I are grateful that there was no major damage in our neighborhood and we hope that everyone is safe and recovering from the storm.
Consumer Confidence Sinks to its Lowest Level in Nearly Three Years
Aug 29, 2011 By Leave a Comment
As consumer confidence sinks to its lowest level in nearly three years, Americans are sadly becoming more and more pessimistic about the future. Although, these are tough economic times, the good news is that with the right plan, we can reinvigorate our entrepreneurial spirit and jump-start this economy. My Blueprint for America’s Comeback will create millions of jobs by making us more competitive, unleashing our energy resources and reining in the out-of-control federal government. It’s time to make America and Virginia “Open for Business, Again!”
Consumer confidence sinks amid economic uncertainty
The Hill
By Vicki Needham – 08/26/11
With see-sawing stock markets, a depressed housing sector and a lack of jobs, it’s no surprise that consumer confidence is waning, sagging to its lowest level in nearly three years.
The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan final index of consumer sentiment dropped to 55.7 in August from 63.7 in July, the lowest level since November 2008, according to Thursday’s report.
More than 9 percent unemployment, a housing market that is struggling to recover and a slew of other negative economic indicators are dampening spirits.
The economy needs consumers to spend — purchases make up 70 percent of economic activity — but many households are opting to pay off credit cards and sock away cash instead.
Spending was up by only 0.4 percent in the April-June quarter, the smallest gain since the end of 2009, Commerce Department figures showed Thursday.
Commerce also reported that the economy grew at an anemic 1 percent annual pace in the second quarter, below the first estimate, as the recovery slowed through the spring.
