Congratulations, you’re free! I’m not talking about Independence Day. I am talking about Tax Freedom Day which this year falls on May 5th and is the day that you are free to keep your hard earned money. Every dollar you have earned before today -- from January 1st through May 4th -- is what it takes to pay your federal, state and local taxes. Yes, nearly half a year goes to government taxes, and according to the Tax Foundation, that is longer than any other state in America. Unfortunately this high tax burden still doesn’t cover all our costs at either the federal or state level. The federal government borrows 42% of every dollar it spends and adds that to the future taxpayer bill.
Washington has already run up a $138,269 debt per taxpayer. On top of that, each Connecticut taxpayer owes about $41,200 to get Hartford squared with its current and future debts. Unfortunately, both our federal and state governments are running painfully high deficits with no end in sight, so we don't really know the size of the bill. With debt of almost $200,000 per taxpayer, our nation must figure out how to revive a stagnant economy, fix a failing education system and a crumbling infrastructure. Unfortunately, the current debate in Washington is less about solving problems than how to make the problem look like it's the other party's fault until after the election. Our nation is facing a fiscal crisis, but instead of being good stewards of taxpayer dollars, we have many examples of government inefficiency including the $800,000 GSA Las Vegas party and the inability of the U.S. Senate to pass a budget for over three years! The madness must end.
We need people who have pragmatic experience and leadership ability to manage our way through this crisis. As a U.S. Navy veteran and small business entrepreneur, I have faced many challenges that require disciplined decision making while working with multiple groups to solve critical problems. We are not seeing enough leadership in Washington and we must make real, sensible changes in Congress.
Today, we can control our challenges and chart a better future course as a nation. Or, tomorrow others will apply their own discipline to our problems. This will call into question promises we want to keep to our citizens and pass on debts to our kids. I favor leadership over inaction and political brinkmanship. Now is the time to address these problems challenging our nation and create future opportunity for our district. This November, you have a clear choice for your U.S. Representative in Congress. You can send me, a fiscally pragmatic business leader and military veteran to be your advocate in Washington, or you can re-elect a big government political insider to be Washington’s advocate in our district.
--Steve Obsitnik, Republican Candidate for Congress in the 4th District of Connecticut.
