Scott Cumbie

As I have listened to those who live in the 12th district, it has been made very clear to me that the three most important issues to North Carolinians are:

1. Jobs
2. Jobs
3. Jobs

As an employee myself, I would agree. Nevertheless, we have watched over the past year as Congress has focused its attention on the wrong priorities.

They have:

• Passed an $800 billion stimulus bill which did not work; unemployment has climbed to 10%.
• Passed legislation to bailout large companies that were in trouble while ignoring the economic impact on smaller businesses, especially family businesses.
• Forced through a monstrosity of a healthcare bill that will make healthcare more expensive and more difficult to obtain.

With the official unemployment rate in NC at 11.1% (and the unofficial rate closer to 20%), Congress should be focusing its attention, first and foremost, on job creation. Congress is under the mistaken belief that we can spend our way to prosperity. This mistaken belief has created a $14 trillion debt. This debt has drained our economy of money that could create jobs and prosperity for all of us.