Economy

By Robert Hamilton

To regain our economic strength, we should invest in new technologies leading to foreign oil independence, affordable health care coverage for all, rebuilding the nation's crumbling infrastructure, and making sure our educational system produces the workforce we need to compete globally.

It is imperative that we deal effectively with a national debt of over $9 trillion, which grows over $1.5 billion per day. This tax is being passed on to our children and future generations because our leaders have not had the discipline to insist that we pay for our government's policies today. I will do everything in my power to cut unnecessary spending. I will reach across the aisle to cut earmarks and will pursue a "pay-go" policy that requires that new spending be paid for by other cuts in spending or by new revenue.

Free trade is necessary to keep the United States competitive in the world, but we must demand "fair" free trade, where other countries are required to meet working condition and environmental standards, and currency imbalances are dealt with effectively.