Economy is very broad and includes a myriad of other topics.
US government spending has caused significant inflation and resulted in the highest interest rates in 22 years. Inflation has weakened the US dollar and its buying power has diminished. As a result, people are struggling.
The cost of living goes up when spending goes up and interest rates are high. Policies that bring down the cost of living should be focused on, and include controlled spending of taxpayer dollars, energy independence, and domestic manufacturing.
With energy prices going up and our senior population also on the rise, Rhode Island needs responsible policies that balance going green with the well-being of the average Rhode Islander. Rhode Island has a proud history of economic prosperity from manufacturing: Electric Boat in North Kingstown, Hasbro in Pawtucket, boat building in Newport, Converse sneakers in Bristol, and American Tourister in Warren, for example.
Two of the top three “Top 10 Manufacturing Companies” in Rhode Island are in Congressional District 1: Raytheon and Hasbro (According to www.indsutryselect.com). The US has lost its dominance due to outsourcing and Rhode Island needs jobs and year-round industries. Re-energizing Rhode Island’s rich history of manufacturing would provide employment opportunities at all levels. If the people in the communities in CD-1 see these issues as priorities, I will work across the aisle on policies to benefit them.
Conversations should definitely be held to completely overhaul the federal US tax code in the interest of taxpayers nationwide. One way to address the tax issue is with good tax policy. Good tax policy is simple and predictable. Taxpayers should be able to understand it and be able to predict a long-term budget with it.
A simple example might be a flat tax that would be weighted at the lowest and highest ends. Simplifying the actual application of the tax code would reduce the burden of managing the tax code. Instead of hiring more IRS agents, the number of IRS agents could be severely reduced; Not fired, adding to the unemployment rolls, but use the agents’ auditing skills to audit government departments to identify efficiencies and redundancies. Revenue can only be created by increasing taxes or cutting costs. This would be an effort in cutting costs.
Creating a dedicated fund, perhaps an Enterprise Fund, would track revenue generated, and surpluses could be used to either pay into Social Security or pay down the national debt.
If the people in the communities in Congressional District 1 see tax reform as a priority, I am happy to work on it.
Social Security must be saved and overhauled without risk to seniors. It currently takes nearly 3 taxpayers to fill 1 Social Security recipient’s coffer. We need to generate more revenue and find more funding sources to make sure the system is secured for generations. If you have paid in, you should get the full amount out. This is a time-critical issue. The saying that applies here is, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” I will work across the aisle to ensure Social Security is not taken away or devalued.
It is no secret that there are challenges with new energy technology. It is becoming common knowledge that there is no way to dispose of wind turbine blades. The blade material can chip off, causing additional debris to spread. Planned wind farms are being abandoned because the numbers don’t work in the current economy, a much different one than when the contracts were negotiated. These high tech energy companies go out of business and leave their customers with systems that have no one to maintain and service them.
That being said, the increase in greenhouse gas emissions is warming up our oceans. That’s indisputable. Energy policies have to have a balance: good stewardship to the environment, but not to the detriment of cost of living and the economy.
With energy prices going up and our senior population also on the rise, Rhode Island needs responsible policies that balance going green with the well-being of the average Rhode Islander.
Going forward, the US needs to consider all forms of energy.
The US does need a strong domestic energy production policy. Attaining energy independence will lower the cost of living – something everyone could use right now.
If the people in the communities in Congressional District 1 see this as a priority, I will work on a win-win solution.
Education is mostly a state/local issue. Currently, the federal government funds “gaps” in education where there are what are termed “critical needs,” and where the investment will have a high return on investment.
Education, in general, is changing and COVID has certainly accelerated that. We know now, more than ever, that Students learn very differently from one another & have a wide range of learning tools & platforms available: public/private/charter/home schooling, remote learning, hybrid learning, Career Pathways, business & college partnerships, RI’s All Course Network and who knows what else will evolve.
To optimize student learning, and tap into the most effective learning method for each student, the educational system should embrace all educational options and consider learning platform choice be inherently available to students. That is the best way to our best future.
On parents' rights, my husband and I have always believed that the educational team was parent-teacher- student. Each part of that team is an equal part and should be upfront and collaborating with each other. More than 20 years ago, before it was even popular, we brought our first born to the Parent-Teacher-Conferences with us.
Education is not just “Reading, Writing and Arithmetic,” anymore. Because education has changed so much, it is more up to parents than ever before to proactively find out about classes and curriculum, and be an active collaborator in their children’s education.
With RI’s high senior population, health care is a top priority One issue that has come to my attention is how insurance companies charge high premiums based on lawsuits that might arise. The increasing costs for malpractice insurance are simply passed on to patients. Advocating for lawsuit reform in the medical industry may increase services which would lower prices. I would also work across the aisle to make HMOs accessible across state lines and would support initiatives making it easier for small independent
The Bill of Rights makes it illegal to take firearms from law-abiding citizens. This is enshrined in the Constitution. There is a right to self-defense. Therefore, The Second Amendment issue is strictly a matter of law. Voting on legislation at the federal level on this issue at this time would be inappropriate since any legislation on this issue would need to be preceded by an amendment of the Bill of Rights.
Increasing safety in firearm ownership should not be a burden to those seeking to own firearms legally and should include focusing on those populations most likely to attain firearms illegally: criminals and those easily influenced, or encouraged, by violence in the media. The approaches should include non-regulatory interventions that have already been successful, such as community non-violence programs, gun buy-back programs, and especially, increased mental health support.
All are welcome, who immigrate here legally. That being said, immigration enforcement is critical for the economy. In 2022, almost 5.5 million people came to the United States illegally. That is roughly 5 times the population of Rhode Island.
There are many negative effects. Illegal immigrants are not vetted and we don’t know their backgrounds or their agenda; they come here from different parts of the world that mayn’t be friendly to the United States and that becomes a national security issue. Many illegal drugs originate from illegal border crossings. Illegal workers do take jobs from residents, but worse, they subject themselves to be taken advantage of and mistreated. Illegal immigrants cause a drain on housing and health services because they are using those services and not paying into those services; that ripple effect is felt in police, fire and education services, as well.
The United States needs comprehensive solutions for legal immigration. That would be a win-win for for residents and immigrants. In the meantime, the federal government should be approached to share the burden of the drain on the local communities' services that are used by illegal immigrants.
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