Fran on the Issues
1. REDUCE SPENDING to free up capital markets for private sector borrowing.This will create jobs and create an environment of economic growth and innovation. Start by eliminating so-called “stimulus programs” that create nothing sustainable.
2. CUT TAXES FOR NEW BUSINESSES 2-5 years-old. Cuts will be given as a refundable credit equal to the FICA tax on the first $50,000 of wages for all non-owner employees. This creates additional capital for survival, growth and expansion, fueling the nation’s engine of economic growth.
3.EXTEND TAX CUTS SET TO EXPIRE DECEMBER 31, 2010 to keep the tax burden on our economy from increasing in this time of recession. If Congress fails to extend these cuts, we will face the largest tax increase in history.
4. REPEAL OBAMACARE TAX INCREASES on insurance companies, businesses and individuals. Businesses will not hire new employees if forced to pay additional taxes on each new hire.
5.FREE US FROM FOREIGN ENERGY DEPENDENCE by adopting an “all of the above” energy policy. By increasing our production of domestic energy sources, we will create productive jobs that will stimulate other sectors of our economy.
Competent Leadership...Fiscal Responsibility...National Debt
At a time when we look to Washington, our Capital, for leadership—we get none. President Obama, Carolyn McCarthy and Nancy Pelosi spent $1 TRILLION on a stimulus package which failed to create a single job. They bailed out car companies, they bailed out Wall Street—but they forgot about the families losing homes, losing jobs and losing hope. They passed a Government Health Care Plan against the will of the People that will ultimately bankrupt this nation. They are spending this generation and generations to come into bankruptcy. The National Debt has risen to $13 TRILLION because of the fiscal mismanagement and incompetence of leaders like President Obama, Nancy Pelosi and Carolyn McCarthy. By Election Day, this number is expected to climb to $14 TRILLION. For the first time in our history, the debt of our nation is nearly equivalent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Obama has increased the debt $2.4 TRILLION in the first 16 months of his presidency.
The sky-rocketing National Debt has become one of our Country’s major concerns. To put it simply, the only way to reduce debt is to stop a budget's expenditures from exceeding revenues. New, wasteful federal spending must be stopped and existing spending must be reformed and streamlined. Failing to practice “pay as you go” legislation and continuing “emergency” tax and spend relief measures that negate pay-as-you-go measures will continue to bankrupt our Country and leave this generation, our children, and our grandchildren an America that is bankrupt and unrecognizable. The only solution that the existing Democrat leadership has for the National Debt is to increase taxes yet again. They plan on letting the Tax Cuts of 2001 and 2003 expire, unleashing a new wave of taxes onto the public and a struggling economy. Blinded by incompetence, they do not see the fact that raising taxes does not ultimately reduce the debt burden because tax increases will reduce long-term economic growth. Pro-growth tax policies will enable America to afford its debt.
The administration’s response, or lack thereof, to the Gulf Oil spill is just another example of incompetence. President Obama appears to be exploiting the Gulf oil disaster to strong-arm through the disastrous Cap and Trade tax. The president’s intent was evident in his prime-time speech on June 15th, 2010 when he stated, “The tragedy unfolding on our coast is the most painful and powerful reminder yet that the time to embrace a clean energy future is now.” If the administration is able to push through Cap and Trade like they have pushed through other unwanted legislation, our fragile economy will be further weakened. The president himself stated if Cap and Trade were to pass, “electricity rates would necessarily skyrocket.” The tax policies of this administration will stifle economic growth and decrease the chances of the economy rebounding.
Our current leaders either can’t — or won’t —solve the problems we face as a nation. I can and I will.
Small businesses are the lifeblood of the U.S. economy, just as they are the lifeblood of Nassau County and Long Island. The growth of our economy depends upon the growth of small businesses and the creation of new ones—they are the primary source of job creation in the United States. The U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy stated the following in their March 3rd, 2010 press release: “Over a recent 15-year period, small businesses created some 65 percent of the net new jobs in the private sector, according to conservative estimates cited in a new report from the SBA Office of Advocacy. In An Analysis of Small Business and Jobs, Advocacy economist Brian Headd notes that many of the new jobs are in new business startups, but an even larger share are in expanding firms of all sizes—particularly mid-sized firms with 20-499 employees.” Small businesses, if given the support they need, will lead us out of this recession like they did in both the recessions in the early 1980s and the early 1990s.
The $1 Trillion dollar ‘Stimulus’ passed by the Obama administration did nothing to help the middle-class private sector—the moms and pops, ‘Main Street USA’- streets like Atlantic Avenue in my hometown of Lynbrook. The ‘Stimulus’ bailed-out Wall Street firms and Big Banks as smaller businesses continued to fail. Without specific legislation aimed at providing tax relief and incentives to small businesses, how could they survive? The small businesses that did survive remain reluctant to hire, paralyzed by fears of recently passed healthcare legislation and the possibility of new energy policies. Will they be able to meet the demands of the new mandates? Since the passage of the ‘Stimulus’ more and more people in the United States find themselves unemployed. Now, our unemployment rate looms in the double digits and many Americans have lost their optimism regarding the overall recovery of the economy. The good People of District 4 were not immune to the recession and as our “Main Streets” suffered, where was Carolyn McCarthy?
Starting a small business has become much more difficult. Due to recent financial reform, new small businesses do not have easy access to the credit they need to start up. As respected economist Milton Ezrati stated, in regards to the financial reform, “Why would a bank want to accumulate assets—that is, make loans—if the system is going to punish it for getting too big?” Smaller banks may not have the resources to meet all the new regulatory guidelines and therefore are reluctant to lend.
But there is one industry that has had job growth--the Federal Government. According to Rep. John Boehner, "Since February 2009, our economy has lost roughly 3 million private sector jobs while the federal government has grown by more than 400,000 jobs." The government continues to get larger and larger and, at times, it appears their goal is to crowd out the wonderful Entrepreneurial Spirit that has made this the greatest Country in the world. I believe that regardless of how hard the Obama administration tries, they cannot legislate away the American Dream.
As a small business owner, I am very familiar with the daily struggles and successes of small businesses. I have had many sleepless nights, not only worried about the well being of my family, but the well being of my employees who depend on the survival of my business just as much as I do. Due to my experience, I know what small businesses need to start and to survive. As a certified financial planner, I help people every day manage their finances and map their futures. When I sit down with a client for the first time, we do a budget and a cash flow analysis. That’s precisely what is needed in Congress. Washington needs a lesson in financial planning. It requires a person like myself who teaches people financial discipline and helps them create for themselves a more secure financial future.
As Ronald Reagan used to say, “The government isn’t the solution, the government is the problem.” We need the government to get out of the way so the free enterprise system can do what it does best: innovate and expand the economy. Based upon these principles, I have created a FIVE POINT PLAN to CREATE JOBS and RESTORE THE AMERICAN DREAM for our generation, and for generations to come. We need to renew the entrepreneurial spirit of this country, which in the past has made us the economic powerhouse of the world, and has created the standard of living we used to enjoy until big government got in the way.
Carolyn McCarthy has failed us when we needed her most. She stopped listening to her People—the argument could be made that she also stopped caring. She continued to vote consistently (97-98% of the time) with the whims of Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama as the “Main Streets” in her district suffered. We need someone in Congress who will only be in service to the People, not to leaders like Nancy Pelosi. I am that man. It’s time to go, Ms. McCarthy.
Healthcare....REPEAL OBAMACARE TAX INCREASES
Healthcare
ObamaCare is imposing taxes on insurance companies, businesses and individuals. I believe it is necessary to REPEAL THE OBAMACARE TAX INCREASES because they will ultimately kill job creation (this is my 4th priority in my FIVE POINT PLAN). Businesses will not hire additional employees if they will have to pay additional taxes for each employee they hire. These new taxes on the insurance companies and businesses will be passed along to consumers by increases in insurance premiums and sales prices of goods and services. Most of the progressives want you to believe that you won’t pay for these hidden tax increases. The truth is that businesses don’t pay taxes; they collect them and remit to the government. Among other tax increases, ObamaCare will reduce the medical expense itemized deduction, so people who deduct their medical expenses will pay higher taxes as a result. There are other hidden costs and tax increases buried in this 2400 page monstrosity and it must be repealed before it has a chance to further cripple a struggling economy.
First and foremost, we need to FREE OUR COUNTRY FROM FOREIGN DEPENDENCE ON ENERGY (the fifth priority in my FIVE POINT PLAN) and their monopoly on our entire standard of living. To do this, we must have an “all of the above” energy policy. This means the development of ALL resources of energy. Of course, as I believe we are stewards of our planet, this energy must be produced in an environmentally-safe way, using technology and fact-based science. As we develop these alternate energy sources, we must protect our natural resources for future generations. Wind and Solar energy are nice, clean sources--and we should expand their use--but they are not enough to power our economy. Our great Country has vast quantities of oil, coal, shale and natural gas. The problem is not a lack of resources but the limitations placed on the extraction of these resources. By increasing our production of domestic energy sources, we will create productive JOBS which will stimulate other sectors of our economy. As we’ve seen now for months in the Gulf of Mexico, no one was prepared to stop a leak 5,000 feet below the surface. This environmental catastrophe could have been avoided if drilling was allowed on land in ANWR in the northeast corner of Alaska and in the shallower depths of the continental shelf. We also must look into building safe nuclear plants. Many other countries have been building and running safe nuclear power plants for decades and it is time for our Country to look to their example.
I oppose 'Cap and Trade' and any of its comparably misguided offspring. 'Cap and Trade' is the last bullet in the Liberal arsenal to complete their plan for total control of our Country.
I support LEGAL immigration. Legal immigration is what this Country has been founded upon and I support those that come here legally and contribute as a Legal Citizens. Illegal immigration threatens our National Security, therefore our borders to the North and the South must be secured and the visa and entry process must be reformed. Everyone both to the North and South of our borders must have the opportunity to be “legal” and assimilate into our American heritage and contribute to our values and standards.
I am a Constitutional Conservative. While we must keep guns out of the hands of children and criminals, the Second Amendment clearly states that every law-abiding citizen has the Constitutional right to bear arms for their own safety and protection.
I am a Conservative and I am Pro Life.
Our Brave Men and Women in Uniform
One of the most important calls to action of the Federal Government is to defend America while providing our brave men and women with the tools they need to defeat our terrorist enemies.
We must do everything in our power to protect and honor those who sacrifice everything for our Life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. My commitment and support for our brave service men and women is unwavering as they continue to fight for America and all she stands for. We must make sure that if any of these brave men and women are injured or killed in the line of duty, they and their families are supported appropriately; it is the very least we can do in return for their tremendous sacrifice.
Ronald Reagan said in his first Inaugural address that, “No weapon in the arsenals of the world is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women.” That is the soul of our American Military--to keep America and her core values free and to inspire Freedom where our enemies reign.
In addition, I support the Anti-Defamation League in standing against the planned Mosque and Islamic Community Center being built in the heart of Ground Zero. A Mosque and Islamic Center built just a stone’s throw from the site of the disaster, albeit unnecessary, will seriously impede the fragile healing and rebuilding process of the victims of 9/11 and surrounding community.
I, unlike my opponent Carolyn McCarthy, DO NOT SUPPORT the 9/11 Terror Trials being held in Manhattan. I am shocked and appalled that she would support such a measure. This serves as another sad example of the incompetence and lack of regard for the Will of the People. This is a governmental slap in the face to all our brave, outstanding Policemen, Fireman, and families whose bravery and resiliency helped rebuild our great city. New Yorkers will ever forget September 11th and the mass devastation it caused to all. There is a proper place for these trails such as Guantanamo Bay.
Without question, my support for Israel is unwavering. Israel remains a beacon of freedom, democracy and strength in the Middle East and the United States must continue to show strong support for our Democratic ally.
The future belongs to our children, our grandchildren, and those who still believe in American excellence, American greatness, and the greatness of our Country. I believe this Country will thrive, prosper and shine again. The “tax and spend” agenda is NOT an effective means of reviving an economy but an effective means towards high unemployment, redistribution, low standard of living for all, and looming fiscal crisis—this fact has been proven throughout American history. We know what it is like to have a free-enterprise system that creates capital, jobs, affordable debt, and a higher standard of living for all; an economy that represents all Americans and does not attempt to redistribute. President Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Carolyn McCarthy and other Democrats have penalized good, honest, hard-working Americans for believing in the American Dream. Some of their harshest legislative blows hit small businesses, the primary source of job creation and the solution to our struggling economy. As Americans living in the greatest Country in the world, we must focus our efforts towards the future, address the problems facing us today and fix this broken system. We can do this by keeping informed, staying involved, and only electing/re-electing government officials that will abide by the Constitution as it was written by our forefathers, who will institute pro-growth tax policies and reign in government spending. I, Fran Becker, will do just that. I believe in creating jobs and restoring the American dream for this generation and future generations. I will bring to Washington the experience and ability to restore fiscal sanity, accountability, and end the incompetence.
Let’s dream a new dream and fight day and night to take back our Country!
Enter your email address below to receive regular campaign updates and monthly e-Newsletters from Fran.
PO Box 535, Merrick, New York 11566-0535
Info@BeckerForCongress.com