Straight Talk with Sam Graves for June 30th to July 21st, 2008

Remembering the Founders
Two hundred and thirty-two years ago, our Founding Fathers declared their independence from King George and the British Empire. As we celebrate the 4th of July with family and friends we should all take a moment to remember the price paid for the freedoms that we enjoy today.
We live in the greatest country on earth. It is up to us to live up to the ideals of freedom and democracy for which our founding fathers pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor. We must continue their work and strive to make our nation "a more perfect union."
Although our country is facing challenges today, it is nothing that we cannot overcome. Out of control energy prices, a slowing economy, and the threat of radical terrorism can all be conquered through American commonsense, hard work and commitment to freedom.
When our founding fathers faced unimaginable hardships back in 1776 they stood up to the challenge and gave the world its first democracy. While the challenges we face today are different, it is still required of us as Americans to stand up to the challenges of our time and make our nation more prosperous and peaceful.
By committing our selves to ending our dependence on foreign oil, making it easier for small businesses to keep their doors open and by standing resolute against the forces of tyranny, we can continue to keep the promise of our great nation alive for future generations.

Strengthen our Economy by Ending Dependence on Foreign Oil
With Missourians facing $4 gas, Congress needs to get its act together and address energy prices. Not only are high gas prices affecting every family who has to drive to work or get their kids to school, it is harming our economy.
Just a few weeks ago I was at a small business in Liberty. Because of out-of-control gas prices, they are now spending more on fuel than they are on wages and benefits for their employees. Something is seriously wrong when a small business is spending more on gas than they are on their employees.
This is not the only business that is threatened by high gas prices. Employees and small businesses across Missouri, from the local pizza shop to the local factory, are feeling the pinch.
Unless we address the problem now, and end our dependence on foreign oil, we face the potential of an even bigger energy crisis. If there is one terrorist attack or one country decides to turn off the spigot we could face an energy crisis as bad as or worse than the 1970s.
When OPEC shut off oil to our country in the 1970s, it devastated the U.S. economy. There were lines at gas stations, rationing of fuel, and runaway inflation. Our dependence on foreign oil has left our country virtually defenseless in the event we are cut off from foreign oil.
We must act now to end our dependence on foreign oil. Opening up American drilling and investing in alternative fuels will increase our domestic supply and ensure that our economy is never again at the mercy of foreign oil.

Fighting Inflation
Count inflation as another problem that Washington is ignoring. Washington bureaucrats will tell you that inflation is low and our economy is in good shape. But all you have to do is go the grocery story or fill up your car with gas to see that Washington bureaucrats are out of touch.
While there may not be inflation in the 17 square miles of Washington D.C., if you talk to anyone living out in the real world they will tell you that the cost for everything is going up. We need to get inflation under control and that starts with getting our energy prices under control.
Everything in this country is dependent on energy to move. Workers depends on energy to get to their jobs, farmers depend on energy to get their goods to the market, and small businesses depend on energy to keep the lights on in their stores. Like it or not, we need to face the fact that out-of-control fuel prices are causing the price of everything to rise. We need to get serious and Americanize our energy supply to preserve the purchasing power of Missouri's families.
We also need to get tough on countries who manipulate their currency at the expense of the American dollar. China is manipulating their currency to make their exports artificially cheap, which is undermining our exports and devaluing the dollar. It is putting Americans out of work, threatening American industry and inflating the cost of food and fuel.
I have introduced legislation to get tough on China and impose retaliatory tariffs if they continue to manipulate their currency. This is a common sense approach to strengthen the dollar and fight inflation.

Getting our Economy Back on Track
With out of control gas pricing hurting our economy, it is more important than ever to help families make ends meet and small businesses keep their doors open. We need to make it easier for families and small businesses by lowering taxes, reducing burdensome regulations, and ending frivolous litigation.
Missourians are not overtaxed, but you would not know that if you look at the actions of Congressional Leadership. In this Congress alone, House Leadership has pushed for tax increases on small business, energy production, married couples, and families with children. At this rate, they are going to run out of people to foot the bill for their out-of-control spending.
This is the wrong thing to be doing at a time when our economy is struggling. By keeping taxes low we make it easier for families to save for retirement, their children's college education or pursue the dream of home-ownership. By keeping taxes low on small businesses we encourage investment in our economy, promote entrepreneurship, and help create jobs.
We also need to make it easier for small businesses to stay in business and that means cutting excessive red tape and federal bureaucracy. Excessive regulations cost American businesses an estimated $1.1 trillion a year, making it more expensive for small businesses to do business. We need to cut the red tape. Our small businesses need an environment where they are creating jobs, not more federally required paperwork.
Lastly, frivolous lawsuits are making it more expensive for small businesses to operate. We need to end the jackpot justice mentality of the trial lawyers. We need to stop abusive and frivolous lawsuits that drive up costs for small businesses.