Graves' Response to the President's State of the Union Address

(RANGER, GA) - State Rep. Tom Graves, Republican candidate for Congress in Georgia’s 9th District, issued the following statement in response to President Obama’s State of the Union Address this evening:

“While it is noble for the President to call for a freeze on federal spending, it comes only after a year in which the Democrats increased spending by 18 percent or $536 billion, in addition to the $787 billion spent on the failed stimulus bill.  If the President was serious about getting Washington’s spending spree under control, he would not only call for a spending freeze, but cut the rate of federal spending altogether, while also insisting on the repeal of the unused portions of the stimulus package.  Then, in keeping with his campaign promise, he should veto appropriation bills that include wasteful earmarks and stop pushing a trillion dollar health care bill that the American people don’t want.  

“After a year of steady job losses and unemployment reaching double digits, it is necessary for the President to turn his attention to getting America back to work.  Using terminology such as ‘invest in’ is nothing more than code words for ‘more government spending.’  Instead, we must embrace the concepts of free markets and capitalism.  Congress should look at creating, expanding and attracting jobs through tax credits, cuts, and incentives for businesses to hire those looking for work.  Reducing the burden on entrepreneurs, rewarding them for hiring and reducing the penalty for investing will put Americans back to work.  Job creation will occur when Congress reduces spending and encourages job creation by empowering the private sector and small businesses.

“America has a great track record of overcoming difficult and challenging days.  And I am optimistic that we will once again overcome.  But to do so, we must embrace and empower the entrepreneurial spirit and creativity of the American people.  It is in times like these that I’m reminded of the words of a great President, Ronald Reagan, who said, ‘In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem, government is the problem.’”

Graves attended the Americans for Prosperity State of the Union watch party this evening.