Our U.S. economy is struggling through the longest and worst downturn in nearly 30 years, with continued slow growth and high unemployment. In spite of this, the Obama administration and Congress continue to pursue policies and legislation that will make these problems worse. These include still more pork-barrel stimulus spending using borrowed money, a health care-reform bill — the details of which are opposed by a large majority of the voters, and a cap-and-trade bill that is certain to raise energy prices and the cost of living for every American family.

In the longer term, these policies will also damage the global competitiveness of American companies, placing still more American jobs in jeopardy.

In addition, the Obama administration, impatient with the lack of progress on its legislative agenda in Congress, has served notice that it may next resort to the use of executive orders to achieve many of these same ends. This executive override of our elected representatives in Congress — a body already not listening to its constituents — serves only to circumvent even further the will of the people.

The Mower County Tea Party patriots invite everyone, regardless of party affiliation, to a town hall-style event on Tuesday Feb. 23, at 7 p.m. at the Mower County Senior Center. On the agenda will be presentations, which delivering vital information regarding pending legislation for both health care and cap and trade. This is a way to learn more about these vital issues and a forum to make your voice heard.

Dennis Schminke

Austin