Editorial
Everyone in the modern conservative era knows the earth-changing of Ronald Wilson Reagan: his foreign policy triumphs, victory in the Cold War, and promoting peace through strength and his domestic policy initiatives, cutting taxes, and creating jobs with opportunities. I had the privilege serving in the Reagan Administration as a Deputy Counsel at the Department of Energy, and was honored to meet President and Mrs. Reagan during my service in Washington.
The President’s failed legacy of worldwide instability has led to a dangerous world for American families. We need a strategy of peace through strength—not one of absentee leadership, broken promises, and abandonment of allies.
Throughout October, our state has been tested by the devastating effects of a thousand-year rainfall and tragic flooding. While our citizens have faced adversity before, the unprecedented rain created widespread destruction that affected all corners of the state.
While inspired by our state's resilience, I mourn those who lost their lives in the flooding and keep the families who lost their homes, businesses and vehicles to damage in my thoughts.
Every day I hear from men and women about the harmful effects of Obamacare on their families. The effects of the President’s takeover of the health care system are well-known: destroyed jobs, increased medical costs, denial of services, and higher insurance premiums for families and individuals in South Carolina’s Second Congressional District and across the country.
Recent news about the cyberattack targeting federal employees has gone from bad to worse. Over 21 million federal employee personnel records were affected after the Office of Personnel Management was the target of an extended cyberattack. Personal data, such as social security numbers, financial information, and security clearance documents, was stolen, putting the personal and financial security of our citizens at risk. This attack was hardly unique, and increased reports of cyberattacks against our military websites, government data, and businesses are a common occurrence.
To the Class of 2015: congratulations—you have earned the honor of graduating from high school or college, and this achievement will undoubtedly aid in your future success. No matter your future plans, you are heading into the next phase of your life during a challenging time in our nation's history. I urge you and your peers to stay involved in the political process to ensure your voice is heard in our representative government.
Small businesses are crucial to our economy in South Carolina, as they employ almost half of our state's residents. It must be a top priority to help small businesses expand and create jobs; yet, the President's current policies of overregulation and excessive taxation stifle small business growth and hiring. In the Second Congressional District, I regularly hear from small business owners and their employees about the uncertainty and hardship they continue to experience under the Administration's policies that destroy jobs.
Providing for our national defense is the primary function of our federal government, and I am concerned President Obama's policies are reducing our defense capabilities during a time America is facing significant threats. Our national security provides for the safety of our citizens at home by stopping aggression overseas where safe havens are established to plan terrorist attacks on American families. I support a strengthened defense budget because we cannot afford to shortchange our military.