With that in mind, every American should ask several important questions. Will Democrats raise taxes in their proposed budget? Will they put forth a credible plan to reform entitlement programs for future generations? Will their policies jeopardize our strong economy and continued job creation? Republicans want to work with Democrats on the budget, but every family has the right to be concerned about the answers to those questions.
To encourage more economic growth as opposed to government growth, Republicans believe the budget can be balanced in five years, without raising taxes. Congress has a clear choice: use the increasing revenue from a thriving economy to balance the budget and address the long-term fiscal challenge of runaway entitlement spending that threatens our children's future. Or, blow it on pork, unnecessary and duplicative new programs, and bigger government.
In his book, "An Empire of Wealth," John Steel Gordon notes that while America is only 6 percent of the world population, we are 30 percent of the world's gross domestic product. The reason is our dynamic, innovative economy. "In virtually every field of economic endeavor, from mining, to telecommunications, and by almost every measure, from agricultural production per capita to annual number of books published to number of Nobel Prizes (more than 42 percent of them), the United States leads the world," he writes.
Congress' new budget season promises to show the American people there are two distinct visions on Capitol Hill. One says keep taxes low, restrain government and encourage greater freedom. The other vision says raise taxes and grow government. But I remain convinced Americans will ultimately reject that vision. What Americans want, and what Republicans are working toward, is to protect America's strong economy, keep taxes low and ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely.