PatrickMcHenry

Do something to create jobs that does not cost money. If it was required for all government supplies to be "Made in America" this economy would explode!

I totally agree with your comments about over-regulating business and our entire society. The present level of federal regulations coming out of government is stifling our ability to generate jobs and to be competitive with foreign manufactures. The red-tape load by the SEC, OSHA, EPA, Transportation & Labor departments, etc., is completely out of control. The EPA's rule on CO² is absurd! Back last February, I read that the House voted to require committees "to inventory and review existing, pending, and proposed regulations" and the rules' effect on jobs and economic growth. I supported this vote but I have never heard that it was actually acted upon. Was It?

Dear Patrick, Of course, as a small businessman, I completely agree with your assessment of the current administration. What I really do not understand is that, despite the President legislating via fiat, I fail to hear the righteous indignation of Congress. You, in the House and Senate, can not be happy with how Obama is bypassing you to dictate law either directly, or by way of his departments (EPA, NLRB, etc.). This must stop. Congress must take steps to reverse these regulations. Congress must complain long and loud at every opportunity, to disavow this dictatorial behavior. In fact, our representatives should be declaring the unconstitutional nature of the administrations' actions, and urging us to ignore them. They are, in fact, NOT VALID LAW. So, Patrick, you have in the past, and will continue to have our full support. But to be blunt, when we, the people, listen for the outrage from the Congress we hear crickets. It's time to get loud! At the next opportunity, give John Boehner a swift kick for us and tell him to stop being such a wuss. God Bless You, Lorenzo

I'm now retired but when I ran a company with 1,100 to 1,200 employees we would have gone broke with all the new regulations. It was bad enough ten years ago. Keep up the good fight -- I for one am behind you 100%

Over regulation does hurt small business. Under-regulation of Big Corporations has destroyed our economy. It has allowed Big Corps to continue to move off-shore, taking our jobs with them. This continues to erode our working class buying power that supports small business. And as they enjoy the Government subsidies and slave wages of those "other" Countries, more and more of our small businesses are losing business to foreign competition. Pretty sad that oceans away can compete with our own small business! So its nice that Gallup would poll small business. But they haven't even touched on the real problem. And that is how our Government kowtows to the big Corporations And allows them to run our Country as they see fit. I say...If I have to choose whether to allow my life to be run by Big Government or by Big Corporations, I'll choose Government. Because, (at least for now), If I don't like how my life is being run, I can vote those "elected" officials out and vote new ones in! Scott Thomas

I totally agree with you and I am glad you speak out honestly. So many of our congressmen and women are afraid to speack out about the wrong doing of Obama. We must remember he does not qualifiy the position he holds, Having no experience or knowledge of operating a business all he has done is throw billions of dollars away thinking it will create business. And his terrible proformance as an administrator reflects the reason he blames congress for his own short comings. And that sets the public to beleive that congress in not doing it's job. It is time he is voted out of office and the trash he brought with him. Everyone has a bad track record and are not qualified to hold any public office. Until the congress and the adminastration set themselves on an equal base with the citizens who are paying their wages there will always be mistrust against politicans. Are you willing to those terms?

By cutting the private sector jobs with Goverment regulations and having to raise taxes to pay for unemployment we keep sliding backwards. This is where we are at now. When the goverment allowed the economeny to get to the point that it took the goverment to bail it out we should of let it restructure and come back from bankrupsey then. The goverment is wasting money that we should not be burdened with having to repay. We do not need to be giving foreign countries that want nothing to do with us any money or aid. I think we should allow each worker to choose wheather they want to belong to a union or not, no one should be forced to join a union and forced to pay union dues if they don't want too.There is a lot of resistance from a lot of people about health care and goverment financed failed private enterprise. The goverment is not enforcing the constitution or the law that this addministration does not want to. This has to stop. The biggest gripe I have is that all of our elected repisentivies are allowing a few groups to dictate there agendas and we the people are being ignored. This is still a GOD fearing Nation and we ARE GOD FEARING PEOPLE we feel that we are being sold out. Thanks for listning to a old mans gripes and thankyou for all you are doin to help our state.

You stated the problems well, Congressman. I don't disagree with a thing you said. My question is, what are you going to do about it? You were sent to DC to fix the problems, not to preach to the choir. Raise hell! Challenge the Democrat authority! Impeach the criminals (Holder, Obama, Pelosi, Reed, et al). Expose the corruption and demand real "transparency". This is not the time for politics as usual...our Nation and way of life is at emminant risk! God speed... Gerald Janssen

Thank you so much for keeping us imformed we must get Obama out of office but to do this we must inform the public and the only ones that can do this are the ones that have the truth and the truth is not being told by the media. Please we must stand firm and change our direction.

we need private sector jobs, not govnorment leaches

I have sent you many petitions asking for support to stop illegal immigration. This would certainally help the job situation and some of the tax payer expenses in this country. I don't hear you speaking on illegal immigration, why not?

I would like for you to answer a few questions since I voted for you. Why after the NAFTA destroyed the majority of our jobs and I have lost 3 jobs because of NAFTA did you vote for more free trade with other foreign countries? Haven't we lost enough jobs already. Why did you vote for a pay raise last year and we on social security have not had one in 3 years. I think that all government workers should be on the same insurance that the people that voted for are on.(Medicare) I also think that government workers should be on the same retirement plan that we are on. I also think that you should not be able to retire with your present salary after 4 years of service. If we work at a job for 4 years we get no retirement and no insurance. Thank you, James Cannpn jmcan8@bellsouth.net

As a small business owner myself, I completely agree with the comments in the video. I own a small independent trucking company "Albert Transport, Incorporated" and there are so many government regulations coming down the pike this year that it's almost impossible to even keep up with all of them. However, I want to let you know that the future is bright... please see the video of my son done recently for the news. I think you will agree as it's the children of today who will make the future of tomorrow. Let me know what you think. http://www.wcnc.com/charlotte-today/Meet-Austin-from--131871088.html

YES ! all you said and way more. This country is in SHAMBLES from the mess started in 2006. Prices on everything I need to live have gone sky high. Obviously, "we the people" are waking up to the things I have seen for years, but.. what can we do about it. The Washington bureaucracy perpetuates itself and the lawyers are sucking the life from us all with absurd regularity. AMERICA doesn't produce much anymore or use the resources we have (example: natural gas). It is all so obvious to me but some don't get it or don't care. hopefully, Don Benson Sr

You are spot-on with your comments. I have worked for the federal government, but I never will even ask to do so again. Federal salaries are too high. Everyone learns how to "work" the system. When my boss would pay $250 a night for a room for me in the Hilton in Arlington, VA, and then refuse to buy me a new mouse for my computer, you know something is wrong. Some points: 1) The EPA should be limited ESPECIALLY in its grab for Green House Gas regulations (biomass) 2) The Endangered Species Act should just be allowed to die from lack of funding and lack of re-authorization. 3) The federal control of local schools and curricula for those schools should be limited. 4) Affirmative action should be replaced by merit hire and promotion. 5) The tax code should be scraped, and a new, simpler system put in place.

The Republicans only plan for creating jobs seems to be to give tax breaks to the rich instead of rewarding those who actually create jobs here in the US. Republicans keep saying ad nauseum that giving tax breaks to the rich creates jobs, yet from my research there seems to be absolutely no correlation historically between low tax rates for the rich and low unemployment. In fact, if it were true that low tax rates for the rich create jobs, we should have really low unemployment now since George Bush gave huge tax breaks to the rich. I WOULD LIKE TO GET FROM YOU SOME ACTUAL SOURCES OF NON-BIASED INFORMATION (NOT BOUGHT AND PAID FOR BY THE KOCH BROTHERS OR THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION) SUPPORTING THE REPUBLICANS' CONTINUAL CLAIMS THAT GIVING TAX BREAKS TO THE RICH CREATES JOBS. LET'S SEE SOME PROOF FOR A CHANGE. SAYING SOMETHING OVER AND OVER DOES NOT MAKE IT TRUE, ANY MORE THAN SAYING THE EARTH IS FLAT MAKES IT FLAT. . NO MORE BS TALKING POINTS. LET'S HAVE SOME EVIDENCE BACKED UP BY VERIFIABLE SOURCES FOR A CHANGE!

Senator McHenry, I agree with your comments so far as they went. Regarding repatriation of overseas profits, as you know this money was made at the expense of American workers who lost their jobs. Yes the money was made in many cases by the export of American jobs to China and Asia among other third world countries. Therefore, repatriation must be tied to the recreation of lost American jobs. Anything else would be a reward for shipping jobs overseas to start with. You well know being from North Carolina that we lost thousands upon thousands of jobs to overseas workers. Therefore let's repatriate the money but tie it to job creation in America. Sincerely, Jd Sigmon

Thank you! I pretty well feel as you do!

I certainly think President Obama and his administration are dead wrong! We definitely need less regulation and less burdensome taxes on individuals and businesses. If much of the waste could be eliminated from the federal government, then many current government jobs could be eliminated instead of adding more government employees.

OSHA, some of their rules maybe sound silly and nuts, I rather be safer.. God bless everyone.

Dear Congressman McHenry, I'm with you all the way. Smaller government, lower taxes, fewer regulations. Candidate Obama showed his colors when he said the Constitution had too many negative liberties and no positive liberties that stated what the government could do "TO" us. As in rearing a child, "few rules-well inforced" Can we hear your and other conservative lawmakers' clarion voices speaking out above the liberal cacophony? D. C. Koobs, Hickory, NC

The real problem is this, the President does get it! BUT, he is so arrogant that he truly believes he is RIGHT and everyone else that doesn't back him is UN-AMERICAN! This guy has to go...and the Republican party has to be get its act together in the minds of the voting public so as to be seen by the electorate as a viable option to oust the Obama administration as well as Pelosi, Reed, Schumer, AND Hillary Clinton. She would bring disaster. Her ego is on par if not higher than Obama's ego. Our Republican contenders need to STOP this bickering among each other. This only makes our party look immature...and does nothing to instill confidence in the electorate. Cain looks good, says good things, but has a total lack of legislative experience and international acumen we need in a president. God bless Cain, but he is a rookie! We don't nee another rookie in the WH! Perry has looked misplaced against the likes of Romney and Gingrich. Newt is too much of an insider. Romney know how to legislate. He is a state CEO. Perry has shown in the debates that he just doesn't have the metal nor the finess to be our President. Yes, Obama and the Democrats do get it, contrary to your opening remarks...and Obama will play his hand off the ridiculous and child-like bantering of the Republican contenders. Obama knows what he is doing...and what he is doing is taking America into the grips of socialism. Ergo, do not underestimate Obama's intentions. I have never felt our country was in such dire conditions as I feel it is today. Obama has to go...for the sake of America, Obama must go!

The company that produced and shipped the listeria contaminated cantalopes would certainly have argued that there were too many government regulations. These are not the days of my grandparents who grew most of what they ate or knew, personally, the producers of what they did not grow. Lumber for their homes was likely sawed on their own property. But, even then, uninspected train boilers exploded and unregulated engineering of bridges and tracks led to disasters. Happily there are now more regulations. Since we live in a society and are in an economy where virtually none of us can directly observe most of the elements of what impacts our lives (food, other vehicles on the highways with us, the design and production of our own vehicles, the maintenance of the aircraft on which we fly... and more... and more...) there is a necessity for government regulation. And, that is just the tip of the iceberg... oops... that is a metaphor that will soon disappear as Climate Change changes our lives because of a failure to regulate carbon emissions.

Congressman McHenry, Why is my opinion about regulations more valuable than small businesses you referenced in you video. You and your staff have the power to find out what the facts are. Base you actions on the facts, not on how an individual's opinion who has no direct access to the facts. I think it's a ridiculous question and any answer would have little factual basis. You are a Congressman. Be a Leader too. You're supposed to control the purse strings. It's not happening. Why aren't you fulfilling your Constitutional obligations of controlling the purse strings. Out of the last 80 years, 10 of which you have served, about 75%-80% of the time Congress deficit spends. It's clear the body of government you sit in is not doing their job. Why do I not see YOU taking a leadership positon, why are YOU not visible, why are YOU not audible. Take a leadership position on these important mattters, or come home and let someone else fight the battle. Why does Congress have a committee reviewing TARP that occurred two years ago. This seems like waste to me when we're nearly 15 trillion in debt. What is your position on the CFTC's recent 3 to 2 vote to limit speculation on oil and other commodities? Do you support it? And do yo expect oil prices to come down when the CFTC's ruling is implemented? When exactly will the ruling be implemented. A cost savings idea for you. Take 100 Senators, 435 representatives that totals 535 people, break them up into Cost Reduction Teams 107 teams at 5 per team) with each team investigating a unique areas of government that OMB or appropriate bodies assign as high waste potential areas. Each team should come back with recommendations on cost reductions that Congress exercises its Power of Purse. Also: Cancel every subcommittee that is not acting on cost reduction or topics vital to our national security....like TARP...a ridiculuous waste of time on the surface. Thanks. I await your response. Thanks.

First,It is a pleasure to hear any of the government express God in any message. My speculation related to improving jobs encomposses a list of changes.Changes that put the people in a confident state now being distoryed by speculive injection of law, regulations, by those not aquinted with leadership. Discovered in life or simple voiced methods in conferance or debate. "maybe they don't know debates are methods of learning or sharing thought. Either way, The present presentations appear as, "THE WAY." Objecting to possible other methods at reaching satisfactory ways, appearing to be ignored. This depicks an attitude of "ME FIRST." No one in government with this attitude should remain. As you know this country was established "FOR THE PEOPLE BY THE PEOPLE." Those placing self before this concept has no place in our leaders of government. I maintain, it is also the responcibility of those in government and the people to recognize this attitude and search proper ways to defeat their perposal. Not easy, but a must. I hear your question and feel your compashion to defeat objectionable proposals. It is time for you and others, including the public to reject the money changers on the porch.. Dispose of those disacreting this government.Do this by honesty, often presented to the people.Thanks for being intouch. If you see mispelled words in this, my wife isn't available to correct me. Was the vidio of Ombama kicking a door open true. If so, inform him I am part owner of the door and expect no damage caused by him. Regardless of title. .

We agree with you, and want to thank you for continuing to vote against Obama's policies.

In the regular workplace if an employee was doing a lousy job, the would be ffred. I feel that most of the administrators should be fired. You are right! Too many regulations have led to businesses closing depriving people being able to get hired. Locally we hear of more small business people closing their doors because of economic conditions, like ACE Hardware. Problems are the big fat unions corercing many businesses to go union. If I remember correctly, back in the early 20's and 30's didn't the mafia strong arm business owners to buy into their protection plans or else? That was called insurance for a price. Now companies have to buy into all these regulations and don't like it and don't buy it. What's changed? Solution: Throw the bums out and rid us of the regulations. Where is the freedom? NOW: God Bless America and get down on your knees and pray. We are headed for a disaster in more ways than one.

Who are you kidding. The furniture left here for cheap labor just like it use to be back when they started building furniture here. I hope they drown over there in china. You cant find a job as a server in a restaurant because no one in western nc has a job to go out to eat. You must have your eyes closed when you visit your district.

What happened to the falling of the gas price you just spoke this is the right step!

You are right on, We need less government regulations and NO bureaucrats making rule for us. Do you best to get rid of all you can. Thanks for your commitment.

Dear Sir, As a retired division manager for a small oil jobber and gas/convenience store company in Florida, I am in a quandary why our Federal government wants to step in and make things tougher on small businesses to expand and create more jobs. It just doesn't make sense that in these times, as well as ten years ago, Washington has made it more difficult for the owners of small businesses, that is 200 employees or less, to sit down at their planning meetings and to lay on the table a growth plan that will add jobs to this economy, only to have the comptroller quash the plan because of the stack of new regulations placed on the company. Things, as you are aware, have not gotten easier for growth but have stymied the addition of new workers and job creation. I sit here and read about all the BS that the candidates feed us and wonder what the actual agenda for America is coming out of Washington. All of the faith in our leaders is gone and America is falling apart. I served in the Air Force during the Vietnam era and have seen, and watched, the slow evolution of becoming part of the world economy. Watching America changing it's priority from producing great products to allowing the Accounting department take over the decision making process in most companies(the almighty Dollar rules) I've seen us become a second or even a third rate country as far a production goes. It's not fair to the everyday worker that wants to take care of his family and earn a good living! You are correct about what is happening in Washington and we need our pride back. Help us gain that! Make us a proud nation again and speak out against Reid and Obama! We don't want the Socialist way. We all want a free enterprise system out of Washington and a fair and guided way to make a living, safe and with ability to grow and become vibrant again. Thank you for listening to my rantings. I am just fearful of what America will become. Question remain about the Euro, the dollar as a the standard in oil and the lack of America as the leader in the free world. We pray for your guidance and hope you will be a plus for America not one who joins the "crowd" beating America down. Ron Opritza

This may be oversimplfying the situation , but i can't understand why we simply can't stop the outsourcing of our jobs to china and mexico and fund businesses here in the states , unshackle them from all this agency and regulations that strangle the very life out of business , but perhaps the greatest thing that concerns me is that there isn't the person in our party who can be the superstar as reagan was and i never thought i would say this but clinton was 2 to 1 better than the man we have right now. I am privileged to Pastor a congregation in Granite Falls , NC -- I'm hearing every week the one thing people need mor ethan anything else is to work , i don't agree all the entitlements are good , however we can't get people away sfrom this as long as we continue to watch companies take their jobs to other countries. As to infrastruture , the people in our area , frankly your area as our political leader don't know how to build bridges , they are textile and furniture workers , those factory sit empty -- all that to ask the question?????? WHAT WOULDIT TAKE TO GET THESE JOBS BACK?? PASTOR JERRY STINES P.S. I DO THANK YOU FOR I DO BELEIVE YOU DESIRE TO DO RIGHT. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO RANT A BIT!

I am a small business owner in downtown Mooresville NC. Five months ago I opened a my bakery with my own money with no assistants from the federal government. All the talk of Fed money to help startup businesses was just not there, at least for me. So where is the money going if not for small business. Now, since I have opened my doors business has been good. So good in fact I need to hire more people but can't due to the cost of hiring employees. The cost in taxes, due today OCT 31 taxes are due and this will put me in the negative for the month and I will not take a pay check this month so the Fed can get theirs. I feel my small comments here will not make any difference because no one in Washington has any idea what small business has to deal with when it comes to the Fed, State and local governments. I know there will be no relief or help to expand my business by the government, just to take more of my hard earned money so I cannot expand. There has to be a pay back to the small business owner so we can grow. Regard, Eric L. Greenwell Owner of Black Velvet Patisserie 248 North Main St Mooresville NC 28115

I agree with you and your comments, and feel that more time should be spent on the average american survival instead of more government spending. Hard working people could posible lose their home when unimployment stops. Thank you for standing up for the NC American.

This is right-on. I'm a officer for a small business and we practically have to have a full time person to handle the extremely burdensome and numbing Government regulations. As Ronald Reagan put it get the Gov. out of the way and the American people will fix the economy. I have personally heard of people shutting down their small businesses and giving up due to this over regulation. It is mind numbing the hoops we have to jump through totally ridculous. THX for bringing this to light and please encourage our Presedential candidates to beat this drum also. THX Frank

A small business can not make enough money to keep their business afloat and stay in line with the regulations. The Federal Government wanted to control what a business does, when it does it and how it does it. Most control has been gained under the lie of safety. The definition of freedom now is to ( Work, Shutup and Pay the Fines) The American people's Government has failed them.

I am tired of partisan politics and the lack of difinitive action by Congress. Good negotiators cannot take a stand that says, "We will not consider a plan that includes....". It is time that Congress does what it is elected and paid to do.

The Republican runaway spending must be stopped. Taxing, Spending, Taxing, Spending!!?? Creating jobs is the single most important issue facing the economic emergency that is our national economy. Adding taxes just doesn't make sense. Reduced government involvement in private industry and reduced government regulations on small businesses is just common sense. Why don't the Democrats get it??? We are headed for a depression this nation has never seen, even worse than 1929! Terry Housr 10th District Leader The Pickens Plan

Patrick, Did you know that the NC Rural Economic Devolepment Association has appox. 46 million dollars that they are having a hard time giving to banks to loan ? They say the red tape and regulations prohibit the banks to loan the monies , so who suffers ? The small businessman . We need to get this money to small businesses as fast as Obama did for the SOLAR GUYS !!!!!!!! Small Businesses have had their lines of credit taken away so the banks look stronger to regulators. Where were these Regulators in 2008 and 2009 when all the bad buddy loans were being made ? We have went from one extreme of anybody gets funding (loans ) to no loans at all !! Please help us !! There are many small businesses just holding on and seems no-one cares !!! Randy German

Thanks for making sense and keeping up to speed on this all important issue. It is uncertainty in the status of pending regulations that are stifling projects in the power sector. I sell/service systems in the fossile fuel power business and many of my customers are holding off on upgrades and important projects to improve their facilities, due to this uncertainty. We need to get serious about REAL spending cuts at the Federal level, and vote seriously against any increases of taxes or needless regulatons.

As you are well aware, Catawba County was hit extremely hard with loss of jobs. Industries that were providing American made products and jobs for thousands of people have been sent overseas resulting in continued joblessness and poor quality of returned products. I find it amazing that even a York peppermint patty is made in China or Mexico, as I discovered in very fine print on the wrapper. Why not bring the products back home and restore the pride of having it "made in America" and put folks back to work to restore the ideals and dreams of past generations? I have never felt such a sense of uncertainty for my grandchildren in thinking they may never enjoy and experience the wonders and blessings that I grew up knowing. I was taught to work for a better tomorrow and to strive to achieve your dreams. It seems those values and dreams are being replaced by those telling us that the government will supply basic needs for you. That is the worst thing that could ever be imagined. Government controll is so wrong but this Administration keeps pushing its agenda in that direction. Please work with your colleagues to bring back the American way of providing for our own citizens and families and to once again be a strong leader in the face of other nations and not one that bows down to our enemies. Thank you for letting me express my concerns and may God bless your endeavors and lead you daily in the challenging days ahead. Linda Travis

Good short video. Congress needs to be very careful now that Obama has determined that executive orders and regulatory bodies can bypass the need for Congressional action. The continuing resolutions that we have instead of a legitimate budget cut almost nothing from Obama's spending from last year - he has entirely too much money to throw around at solar companies, car companies, et al. Please take back the power of the purse and stop this insane spending.

thank you for your efforts i totaly agree it seems like the only support he will give is if it s to support him or pay back to his cronies i always thought the president took an oath to support the people and the country not just his party i have never seen it so bad but keep up the fight we support you thanks TOM

I truly believe that everything is affected by the price of oil (gas). If we can not lower the cost of oil (gas), we will never get the economy back on track again. Please, please, do something about the cost of oil and everything will fix itself. Thank you, William Franklin

I believe you are right, if Gov. would stop telling us what we should or shouldn't do we would all be better off. We are not dumb, we know what is good for us and what isn't. All these rules and regulations scares anyone even thinking about starting up a business.

I believe President Obama's job bill is a different phrase meaning stimulus package. As a small business owner and being in this industry for 38 years this is the absolute worse I have ever seen this economy. We constantly hear promises of help for small business but nothing changes except more government regulations. Let's pray this country can survive until 2012 and Obama will be a one term President. Thank you for your service Congressman McHenry. Cordailly, Glenn Long

Representative McHenry, please help me understand "specifically" how rolling back government regulations coupled with no tax increases will lead to significant job production. Independent analyses does not support this two prong approach to job creation. See The Charlotte Observer, October 31, 2011, page 3A. I asked friends of mine this question at a college gathering (I'm a graduate of UNC-CH) this weekend and no one could answer the question. From your video, you are critical of the Obama plan, but I still am not hearing detailed recommendations from the GOP. Please help me understand the issues beyond generalities. I am a resident of Hickory, NC, and a retired United Methodist pastor. Sincerely, Thomas Griffis 828-446-2057 950 North Center Street Hickory, NC 28601