Typically, Steve writes his blog posts, but the campaign team wanted to make sure all the Chabot supporters out there heard the good news - Congressman Chabot won the Cincinnati Enquirer endorsement!
Citing his “ability to find common ground with Democrats on initiatives that may not make big news, but do make a difference,” and how he demonstrates leadership “through consistent example, honorable actions and hard work,” the Enquirer asked its readers to send the “effective, knowledgeable player” back to Washington.
We hope you will agree on November 4th.
Seven years have passed since we watched a blue September sky turn gray as terrorists changed the world we knew.
We have a responsibility to ensure that a tragedy like this never happens again. When Congress discusses national security, it’s often in technical, detached terminology: appropriations, border fences, airport regulations. But when you see the families read the names of 2,751 victims today, you realize there is nothing detached about protecting our country.
Above all, September 11 was and is about people. There are those who were lost, those who were left behind, those who rose to the occasion with the rarest kind of courage, those who survived. Today, we are all survivors, profoundly affected by a single day that changed our American story.
When a family loses its home to foreclosure, it loses more than just bricks and mortar. In addition to the homeowner’s personal pain, foreclosure affects the value of the neighborhood and the safety of the community.
I have been an advocate for a meaningful bill to keep families in their homes, not just to bail out irresponsible lenders. I firmly believe there is a way to prevent foreclosures and help struggling homeowners that doesn’t involve putting taxpayer on the hook.
I introduced legislation to curb foreclosures and, last December, I reached across the aisle to forge a bipartisan compromise with Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers. Our agreement, approved by the Judiciary Committee, would help homeowners who file for bankruptcy as a result of a predatory or non-traditional loan. The bill would give bankruptcy judges the discretion to modify the value of a mortgage to the true market price and to adjust the interest rate – all at no cost to the taxpayer.
Labor Day has passed and with it goes the summer, with the apparent exception of those 90 degree days. You have probably noticed yellow buses back on the streets and new backpacks being sported all over town. That’s right – school’s back in session!
As a former teacher, I always loved the first day of school. There was always so much promise for what the year had in store for everyone – a winning football season, a chance to explore alongside Amerigo Vespucci, or a scholarship that makes a college education possible. For parents sending their children off to school, they wonder if their child will make new friends, if the teachers will be good this year, and if they will have a say in their child’s education.
Decisions about our children’s education should be made at the local level by people who have the greatest contact with them. Simply spending more money is not the answer to improving America’s schools. High standards, resourceful teachers, and increased parent involvement are essential to our children’s – and our country’s – future.
All the best for a wonderful school year!
John McCain made an excellent choice in Governor Sarah Palin. Sarah will bring a fresh perspective to Washington and I have great respect for her efforts to reform government, eliminate wasteful spending and protect the unborn. I look forward to working with her and Senator McCain to keep taxes low and move America toward real energy independence.
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf’s resignation on Monday opened up a new brand of political uncertainty that left many Pakistanis jubilant, but also confused as to how the country will progress following almost nine years of military rule.
Pakistan has an opportunity now. An opportunity that just ten months ago seemed impossible. It was last November that Musharraf declared a state of emergency, suspended the constitution and put severe restrictions on the media. Musharraf defended his actions as necessary to combat militants, but many critics, myself included, called on him to protect human rights, end the media restrictions and ensure free and open elections.
As news of his resignation swept through Pakistan some celebrated with cakes and sweets, others with gunfire. But when the excitement fades, let’s hope the Pakinstani politicians choose freedom and democracy over a return to regressive policies that contributed to so much discontent.
Last week, Democrats in Congress voted to adjourn for summer vacation, choosing to ignore the energy crisis. Perhaps the marginal drop in gas prices - to a bargain $3.83 per gallon - gave Democrats the green light to head home, but the rest of America doesn’t see that as a bargain.
The American people have made it clear they want to allow drilling in areas like ANWR and the Outer Continental Shelf. And there are countless bills in Congress to increase domestic energy production, including several that I have sponsored or co-sponsored, but even when Congress was in session, Speaker Pelosi wouldn’t allow so much as a vote.
So, until we can get the Democrats to consider some real solutions, keep those tires inflated, Cincinnati!