Congressman Bill Johnson - 6th District

Jackson County Republican Party Headquarters

7 July 2012

Congressman Bill Johnson spoke with members of the Jackson County Republican Party at their party headquarters this morning in Jackson, 7 July 2012.   Johnson represents the 6th congressional district which includes 17 counties in East Central, North East and South East, Ohio, an area hard hit by the general economic downturn since 2008.

Johnson favors a bill that would cut off pay to members of congress if they do not pass a budget, but he seemed most concerned with the state of the American economy, jobs - jobs - jobs, and the direction of our military preparedness.   He is at odds with the current administration that seems determined to move away from the 2 and a half wars strategy that has been the centerpiece of our defense doctrine since the Second World War.  This administration wants to reduce our ability to respond to one war only, "I think that is a mistake and will only invite those who want to fight us to open a second front."

Johnson spoke of the need for America to not fall into a strategic materials shortfall, and the crippling effect that certain EPA regulations can have on our steel industry.  "Do we want to be dependent on countries who hate us for materials that are vital to our industry and to our security," he asked?  [ see: China flexes its rare earth muscles - http://www.theoxfordscientist.com/china.html ]

I can see the day when we, America, will approach our energy needs the way we did the idea of putting a man on the moon, "We announced a ten year plan, and got there in seven years."  So many of the things that we find useful and take for granted today came from our space program; cell phones, arthroscopic surgery techniques, even the flat screen TV.  When, if, we put that kind of manpower and American enthuasism and know-how into exploiting the full range of our enery resources, in a way that does not harm the environment, we will be energy independent.  Yes, solar and wind have a part to play in the overall mix, but we can use our coal, and take advantage of new approaches like horizantal drilling (fracking) to meet all of our needs well into the future." 

We need leadership with the vision to get out of the American peoples' way.  The American people know how to work, and will work, and our economy will grow again and we will prosper. 

Congressman Johnson spoke of being in the Chamber to hear a visibly moved Austrailian Prime Minister Julia Gillard remind us that, "Americans can do anything."

http://www.theoxfordscientist.com/can-romney-win.html