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**Tax Cuts & Jobs Go Hand-In-Hand**

***By U.S. Representative John R. Carter***

***April 1, 2004***

Millions of Americans are currently experiencing the "growing pains" of
an economy that must compete internationally in order to thrive. While
the current unemployment rate is lower than it's been in three decades,
some jobless Americans have thrown their hands up in frustration,
pointing to the politically charged economic phenomenon of "outsourcing"
as the reason for their struggles.

These people deserve answers. They don't want lessons in economics, they
want jobs. They want more than "I feel your pain" promises from
pandering politicians. In short, they want work. They want results --
and they will get them.

In order to put the finishing touches on an already-brightening economic
picture, the Bush Administration has proposed a simple solution. It
essentially says, "If companies are sending jobs overseas because the
cost of doing business in America is too expensive, then let's lower
their costs."

While some in Washington are calling for tax increases, the President
and Congress have sought to create a growth-oriented atmosphere,
allowing business owners to expand their operations here in America
without sending precious jobs abroad.

The first step toward such an environment is to restore common sense to
our legal system. The outrageous price tag for decent legal counsel in a
sue-now-ask-questions-later society is making the cost of doing business
in this country almost prohibitively high. Employers like McDonald's
constantly worry about frivolous lawsuits by customers who claim to have
gained weight eating too many of their cheeseburgers. Maintaining legal
counsel and paying to fight such petty lawsuits keep employers from
hiring more employees. The President's plan would change this
unfortunate reality.

Second, a nation where employers must pay an average of \$7,500 per
employee in health care coverage -- a figure that is on the rise by more
than 10 percent each year -- is not a job creation-friendly nation. Our
plan will help employers lower their health care costs, making it easier
for them to hire at home.

Third, the neon signs that attract customers to the bakeries and the mom
'n' pop eateries must remain lit. But high energy costs and our
dependence on foreign sources of power are putting a tremendous
financial strain on our economic engine. A common-sense energy plan
would have given nearly a million Americans jobs while making America
more energy secure, but its opponents in Congress have repeatedly struck
it down.

Fourth, the piles of paperwork and regulatory ridiculousness must come
to an end. President Bush recently enacted reforms that save 2.6 million
small businesses over 61 million hours of pointless pencil-pushing,
freeing up the resources necessary to expand and create jobs. But more
is needed. We must continue to ensure that government does not shackle
businesses with needless regulations.

Fifth, free trade only helps U.S. workers when it's fair trade. Unjust
practices like isolationist tariffs drive up the prices of American
goods, which keep foreign markets from purchasing our products. Such
policies also keep foreign companies like Samsung and Toyota from
creating millions of jobs here by setting up shop on American soil. When
other countries are prevented from "buying American," another American
must buy a bus ticket to the unemployment line. We must fight those who
abuse international trade standards and countries that erect artificial
barriers to superior American products.

Finally, we must not allow a reversal of policies that have put the
economy back on track, much as you wouldn't kill a horse after it gets
you safely to your destination. Talk of "repealing" the Bush
Administration's tax relief plans is political-speak for tax increases.
Our economy cannot afford increased taxes.

If these Washington big spenders had their way, you would say goodbye to
the child tax credit increase and hello again to the death tax; small
businesses would be forced into higher tax brackets, making hiring more
difficult; and every American would pay higher income taxes, giving them
less money to spend on their family's priorities. If Washington is
serious about putting all Americans who want to work back on the job, we
must guard against increased taxes -- period.

Competitiveness in a worldwide economy requires a new approach and a new
attitude. In a world where a premium is placed on lower prices and job
creation, it is our responsibility to help American businesses, not
hinder them. Employers, burdened by an unreasonable tax code, high
energy and health care costs, unpredictable courts and unfair trade
laws, are feeling increasingly, and reluctantly, compelled to shift jobs
overseas.

If we are going to stop these unfortunate pressures on our economy, then
we have to go to the root of the problem. The President and this
Congress are certain that lowering the cost of doing business will give
every American a chance to find what they need: solid work in the
world's strongest economy.

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