GOP: 'It's time to change direction. It's time to listen'
Washington (CNN) - In this week's Republican internet and radio address, Rep. Charles Djou, R-Hawaii, speaks out about federal spending, the federal government's debt, and the need for fiscal discipline.
“If we keep spending too much, borrowing too much, and taxing too much – if we keep doing the same things, we’re going to get the same dismal results," Djou says. "It’s time to change direction. It’s time to listen [to the American public]."
(Read Djou's full remarks after the jump)
Republican Weekly Address
August 21, 2010
Delivered by Rep. Charles Djou, R-Hawaii“Aloha. I’m Congressman Charles Djou.
“90 days ago, I earned the privilege of serving the people of Hawaii’s First Congressional District. Of course, it didn’t take me nearly that long to figure out that Washington does a lot more talking than listening – and a lot more spending than saving.
“For every problem facing our nation, the answer from Washington has been to spend and spend, and – if that doesn’t work – spend some more. The current Administration in Washington told us that borrowing and spending billions would create jobs ‘immediately’ and keep unemployment from exceeding eight percent. They were wrong. Instead, we’ve lost millions of jobs and unemployment remains near 10 percent.
“No price tag has been too high for Washington, and now we’re all paying the price. Altogether, we now owe more than $43,000 for each man, woman and child in the United States. That is a frightening number.
“Even more frightening is the fact that the current Administration in Washington intends to use this fiscal crisis to impose job-killing tax hikes on families and small businesses. But we will not fix the deficit until we cut spending and have real economic growth – and we will not have real economic growth if we keep raising taxes on small businesses. According to the non-partisan Joint Tax Committee, Congress’s official tax scorekeeper, half of small business income in America will face higher taxes under the president’s plan.
“If we keep spending too much, borrowing too much, and taxing too much – if we keep doing the same things, we’re going to get the same dismal results. It’s time to change direction. It’s time to listen.
“All throughout this month, Republicans have been meeting with our constituents to hear their concerns. These town hall meetings are part of our America Speaking Out project, which gives Americans a megaphone to make their voices heard and share their solutions for turning things around. To participate in this nationwide effort, all you have to do is log on to AmericaSpeakingOut.com, post an idea of your own, or comment and vote on someone else’s. As we speak, thousands of ideas are percolating on America Speaking Out.
“As part of this national conversation, Republicans have proposed better solutions to provide the fiscal discipline economists say is needed to get Americans working again.
“Led by Congressmen Paul Ryan and Jeb Hensarling, Republicans on the House Budget Committee – a panel on which I serve – have identified more than $1.3 trillion in Washington spending we can cut right now. From canceling unspent ‘stimulus’ funds and TARP bailout money to freezing government pay and government hiring, these common-sense proposals recognize that what our economy needs is more private sector jobs, not more public sector programs.
“Of course, this is just a start. Much more needs to be done to make sure Washington has gone on its last spending spree, but these are steps we can take right now to demonstrate to taxpayers at home and allies abroad that America is serious about getting its fiscal house in order.
“When Congress returns in September, Speaker Pelosi should bring our $1.3 trillion in proposed spending cuts to the floor for immediate consideration. Even if the powers-that-be in Washington do not support less government and less spending, they should at least provide those of us who do with a chance to give the American people the common-sense fiscal discipline they are demanding.
“Visit AmericaSpeakingOut.com to learn more and have your say. May God bless you and may God bless the United States of America. Aloha and Mahalo.”
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The democratic party does not need to listen to the american people, the people don't know what they need. The democrats do
Shut down the Pentagon then, if the deficit is so much of an issue.!!! Are there any republican with any brain left?. Not a single one of them has come up with anything worthwhile, still the same mantra over and over since their god, Reagan took office. We see the result now.
Not that Dems are much better
ok no more spending? Fine. No more SS, Medicare, medicaid, military industrial complex, wars, cut down on military outpost around the world. That 's the bulk of the spending.
Ruty: Right on. Who do these Conservative Republicans think they're kidding? They keep trying out their "Big Lie" theory, apparently believing that if they repeat something often enough, everyone will accept it as truth.
Not in this day of cable news, the Internet, blogs, cars and bikes that get us around, the water cooler at the office....come of it, Djou, McConnell, DeMint, Cantor, Boehner....respect yourselves better than this.
Fiscal discipline during a recession/depression? Really? Then what's the plan when the first plan causes a collapse?
And why is it that suddenly, after 8 years of Bush and 30 years of "trickle down economics" suddenly the GOP has seen the light? Please. Been there, done that, and got "trickled" on. In the infamous words (lies) of Sarah Palin, "thanks, but no thanks."
Listening!!! If Republicans had listened to the American people we never would have fought the Iraq war. If Republicans listened to the American people they would stop their attempts to destroy President Obama and work with him to improve the lives of all Americans. If Republicans were listening they would know that the American people are sick to death of the fear, scare and smear they use to indoctrinate gullible people to vote against their own best interest. Give us a reason to vote for you and it shouldn't be because you have obstructed everything President Obama tries to do. Republicans had eight years to try out their policies and the result of those policies are what we are dealing with now. Republicans should at least work with the President rather than acting like sore, pitiful losers. Republicans wouldn't be stringing along the American people by saying we have ideas but we will let you know later what they are. If they had ideas, the American people would already know what they were and we would be talking about what Republicans are doing to help this country. Instead we know that Republicans are more interested in destroying President Obama and the country just so they can regain power. Not to do anything to benefit the American people but just to regain power and portray President Obama as a bigger failure than George Bush. That is all they want to do
"NOW" is the time to start listening to your constituents, says republican Djou from Hawaii? This guy will soon be out of a job after his constituents vote to remove him after the November elections...Sorry Charlie, but we throw tunas like you back into the sea....
it is important to realize that the Republicans are desperate to try to hold on to this Hawaiian seat that they picked up temporarily when two Democrats split the Democratic votes in the special election earlier this year. It is highly unlikely that Mr. Djou has much of a chance to win the fall election against just one Democrat, but the GOP is pushing him forward with all that they can. This "pushing" will result in all sorts of nonsense of course, and this presentation certainly has plenty of that. It won't sell very well in Hawaii and Mr. Djou will become another one of those short termers that never accomplish much but talk a lot about it anyway.
The comments on here for the most part are laughable. The only check and balance now is 1 vote in the senate and that is only because a blue state with a socialized health care system (enacted by Romney) tried to block passage of the health care monstrosity (Romneycare is also a monstrosity). How then do you fools get on here everyday and act like Republicans are continuing to ruin this country. Try to respond without talking about Bush (I get it he spent a large amount and you are against the war I agree with you) or saying Obama is just getting us back on track and it will take time (the data isnt in your favor) or cherrypicking statistics to try to feel good about the democrats dismal performance.
Simple: If you want to sponge off society, live your life off Government handouts, spend money you don't have, too lazy to work, weak on National defense, anti-Christian, feel you deserve intitlements, elitist, think everyone disaggreeing with you is stupid or a racist, actually believe that free enterprise is evil and blindly trust Obama.... Vote Democrat.
If you're sick and tired of dealing with spineless Liberals like those above, vote Republican! Nuff said.
Republicans can care less about the average american,their only concern is money to regain power,as long as the banks,insurance companies,and oil companies put money in their pockets,they want you misinformed and that insures them your vote