An Update from Rep. Gosar

American Values

Dear Friend,

If you are both concerned and confused about the “fiscal cliff” and looming tax increases on hardworking families, I don’t blame you.

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To read the full op-ed by Congressman Gosar please click above.
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Let me clarify a few things.  The President and Senate Democrats believe that hard work and success should be punished by additional taxes.   Chief Justice John Marshall wrote that ‘the power to tax is the power to destroy.’  About 46% of the people pay no federal income taxes. A staggering number of Americans have no skin in the game.  It cannot rationally be said that those who currently pay federal income taxes are not already paying “their fair share.”

 
Don’t be deceived—the issue before us is not taxes.   The real issue is spending.   

 

President Obama wants to raise taxes (today on one group, tomorrow on another group) because he believes in a federal government that controls every aspect of our lives from cradle to grave. He knows this requires money.  Your money.
 

Middle Class  Tax Cuts
This summer, I voted for the Job Protection and Recession Prevention Act of 2012   (H.R. 8), legislation to protect America’s small businesses and families by extending the current Bush tax cuts for one year. Had the Senate not failed to act,  we could have effectively stopped the tax hike.

 

Congressman Gosar at one of his "Stop the Tax Hike" events from this summer.

I strongly believe that small businesses and families are best at managing their hard-earned money. With that said, it is the federal government's spending problem, and not its revenue problem, that has gotten us into a $16 trillion sinkhole. America can't spend its way to prosperity. I am not afraid to go over the overhyped fiscal cliff, and you should not be either. Let the spending reductions take place.

 

 

We Will Not Be Deterred  

 

Last week, the Social Security office in Casa Grande was bombed . I want to say how thankful I am that no one was injured and that law enforcement was able to 

identify and apprehend the suspect in a timely and safe manner.  

 

The recent bombing in Casa Grande reminds us that we all have a responsibility to be vigilant and to alert authorities of any threats in our communities.

 

No amount of violence will deter the American people from their unshakeable faith in God, our Constitution, and our true American values.
This week, my office wrote a letter to the Department of Homeland Security demanding answers as to how the bombing suspect was allowed to continue  living in our great state after being flagged for "terrorism-related activity" a year ago. I will keep you updated with more information and answers as I receive them. 

Enough Rhetoric: Arizona Needs Results
Please join me in sending your thoughts and prayers to the 400 employees who were affected by the recent layoffs at the Resolution Copper Mines. I will continue fighting to ensure this bill becomes law.

 

My land exchange bill is geared towards revitalizing the economy of Southeast Arizona.

 

I urge members of both parties in the U.S. Senate to come together and work with Senators Kyl and McCain to find a path forward and finish the job we were sent to Congress to do.  Enough rhetoric, Arizonans need results.
To read more please click here .

 

Upholding the Constitution

 

The Obama Administration is again trying to undermine and challenge the United States Constitution. Just last week, Secretary Geithner suggested Congress give up its Constitutionally mandated power of the purse, and allow the President to unilaterally increase the nation's debt limit.

 

Each citizen's share of the debt is $52,052.53 . 

 

The President has proven that his desire to spend our way out of debt is not limited by how far in the red we go, but rather by Congress’ power to “borrow Money on the Credit of the United States”. This week, I joined my colleague from Louisiana, Rep. John Fleming, in introducing a resolution to uphold our Constitution and continue to allow Congress to have power of the purse. 

 

A Date Which Will Live in Infamy: Honoring Those Lost in Pearl Harbor
On December 7, 1941, Japanese fighter planes attacked the U.S. base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, launching one of the deadliest attacks in American history. 

To commemorate the 71st anniversary of this “date which will live in infamy,” as President Franklin D. Roosevelt described it, I joined state officials, the public and our brave veterans to pay homage to those who lost their lives in service to our country.

 

Forever honor those who protect our freedom. 

 

I was honored to speak at the groundbreaking ceremony for a new memorial in downtown Phoenix, and I was even more honored to speak with survivors from World War II. God bless those who lost their lives in the Pearl Harbor attack. God bless and thank you to our military members, and their families, for continuing to serve our country and protect our way of life.  

Speaking with the National Indian Gaming Association 
This week,  I met and spoke with tribal leaders on Capitol Hill. I have strongly maintained the federal government's treaty obligations to Native Americans, and I have been a proponent of true tribal sovereignty.

 

Congressman Gosar with local leaders at the National Indian Gaming Association Tribal Leaders meeting on December 4th.

I was honored to be asked to speak with tribal leaders. I invite you to take a look at more photos from the event in my Flickr photo album .

 

Happy Hanukkah

To everyone celebrating the Festival of Lights with family and friends I wish you a safe and happy Hanukkah.

Happy Hanukkah from Congressman Gosar and his staff.

As always, you can follow everything I am working on in Arizona and Washington, D.C. through my website (http://gosar.house.gov ) on Twitter @repgosar , or through Facebook at Representative Paul Gosar.

 

 

Sincerely,    Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S.    Member of Congress