George Allen led a town-hall-style meet-and-greet in the open air outside the entrance of Luray Caverns in Luray Saturday afternoon. His main topic of discussion revolved around how rising gasoline prices are adversely impacting the people of the Shenandoah Valley.
“I am running for the Senate because I don’t like where things are going,” said Allen. “This is the worst job market since World War II for young people,” he continued. “Unemployment is high but more disturbing and discouraging is the underemployment.”
Allen pointed out that some that have found jobs, both recent grauduates and middle aged Americans, find themselves not fully utilizing their talents, skills and capabilities.
“Kids today are told that their expectations are too high,” Allen pointed out. “My goodness, people, this is America.” Allen went on to say that people are only limited by their imagination, their ingenuity and their hard work.
The first of two points that Allen shared came from his campaign-centered Blueprint for America’s Comeback, where he expalined that as of April 1, America was the highest taxing country in the world on job creating businesses with a rate of 35%. The global average being 25%, Allen added. “America should be better than average, and should be 20%.” Allen went on to share that such a decrease in business tax, according to independant analysis, would create 500,000 new jobs per year – 5 million over 10 years.
“It is time for an American comeback,” declared Allen, whose campaign blueprint was released last spring. “We could have an industrial renaissance in America that would make us more competitive for investment and jobs.” As governor of the Commonwealth, Allen declared that Virginia was “open for business.” “It is now time to send the message to the rest of the world,” stated Allen, “that America is open for business.”
The second point shared by Allen was the fact that the U.S. led the world in energy resources. He continued his recent discussions about last week’s launch of www.TooMuchAtThePump.com, which highlights how gasoline prices have more than doubled since President Obama took office.
“In January 2009 a gallon of gasoline cost $1.85,” Allen explained. “Today the national average is $3.92.” The increase forces families and businesses to pay nearly $40 more every time they fill up a 20-gallon tank.
“That is going to effect tourism. It will effect restaurants,” Allen said. He then vowed that if elected to the Senate he would introduce legislation on Day 1 that would allow for the production of oil and natural gas off Virginia’s coast with the royalties going towards roads and transportation.
“I am going to be like a dog on a bone on this energy issue,” declared Allen. If the energy resources were unleashed, acccording to Allen, the U.S. would create hundreds of thousands of jobs, reduce fuel bills, and create a safer more stable America.
When asked about health care in America, Allen was quick to answer. “I want to be the deciding vote to repeal Obamacare.” Allen went on to say that he wanted more individuals and doctors in charge and less of the federal government. In doing so he advocated Health Savings Accounts and went on to divulge that his family practiced that and urged Congress to live by the rules that they force Americans to struggle with.
When asked about which GOP candidate had the best chance to unseat President Obama, Allen shied away from supporting any particular Republican candidate. “That is for the primaries to decide,” Allen explained. “I hope that whoever the candidate is that they would have a platform similiar to our Blueprint for America’s Comeback.” Allen did however, discuss his displeasure in how the candidates went against the 11th Commandment of former President Ronald Reagan of not speaking ill of fellow Republicans.
Allen envisions a better future for our children, our grandchildren and all of us. “It doesn’t have to be this way,” exclaimed the Senate candidate. Maintaining expectations of the job force. Lowering taxes on on creating business. Unleashing our energy resources. Overhauling health care. Allen seemed ready to go to work. “If you hire me on to be your U.S. Senator,” he said.
Reprinted from www.LurayPageFreePress.com.
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