Small businesses are truly the bedrock of our economy, and I know that they will lead the way to recovery if Washington just gives them the chance.
The district work period has continued with a number of great opportunities to meet with folks in Virginia’s First District and to hear about the policies they’d like to see coming out of Washington. I believe that the best ideas for addressing the challenges facing our nation will come from main streets in places like my hometown of Montross, and I truly value the conversations I get to have with folks who are experiencing firsthand the struggles and challenges of a real world that most in Congress seem to have forgotten.
The looming Fiscal Cliff and unrelenting lack of fiscal growth continue to plague our nation’s economy, and on Tuesday I met with the First District Small Business Advisory Council to discuss the impact that Washington’s policies and economic uncertainty are having on their businesses and their ability to hire new workers. Our discussion was very informative, and these folks reiterated much of what I’ve been hearing from small business owners, namely, that Washington simply needs to get out of the way so that our private sector can innovate, expand, and grow.
I also enjoyed attending the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce’s Enterprising Women Luncheon last week. The discussion included many great ideas and suggestions about the sorts of policies necessary in Washington to cultivate economic growth among small businesses. Small businesses are truly the bedrock of our economy, and I know that they will lead the way to recovery if Washington just gives them the chance.
On Friday, I was reminded of the rich history of Virginia’s First District as I attended a ceremony in Yorktown to honor the memories of several German men who were wounded or killed while fighting for the American colonists in 1781. These men were truly selfless, fighting for a cause that they believed in, and I believe that our nation’s leaders can learn a great deal from the example set by these men and the American colonists they fought alongside. These unselfish individuals possessed ideals like determination, honor, and vision - qualities that are incredibly important now as our country faces such burdensome challenges. Our nation’s history has been full of difficult periods, but Americans are resilient, and I know that we can overcome these challenging times.
