Rep. Mia Love's (R-Utah) parents came to America from Haiti with $10 in their pocket in the 1970s. After holding down several jobs, they eventually earned their own way to success. Their daughter, however, said that could probably not happen today, thanks to an overbearing federal government. Love shared her personal story with attendees today at the Conservative Political Action Conference to demonstrate how important it is to take advantage of opportunities just like her parents did and work to achieve the American Dream on their own individual efforts, before it's threatened by Washington.
Love has an impressive resume. She is the first black female Republican elected to Congress, as well as the first black Republican ever elected from Utah. More impressively, she did it without relying on the nanny state. Her own personal story is why she rejects the notion that government should run our lives.
"Too many in Washington don't trust the American people. They don't want us to have opportunities to rise to the occasion."
Love has a better vision for America.
"I think it's time we need to look within. I think it's time for Washington to trust the American people."
The Utah representative can now say that the same principles that propelled her parents' success have also offered her a way forward.
"Conservative policies work. I've seen them work as a mother, as a mayor, and I use them now as a member of Congress...The American people deserve the opportunity to rise to the occasion."
Speaking of rising, Rep. Love shared a poignant and relevant story about a hot air balloon ride she took last year. As she was getting ready to board the balloon, she asked her son to join. He declined, so her daughter jumped in instead. High in the air, they enjoyed the beauty of Utah's landscape. Then, the weather changed, and the wind took them into the backyard of a neighbor. After witnessing the exciting spectacle, Love's son felt a hint of jealousy.
"Peyton watched the excitement from the ground. He runs over and says, 'I'm ready, it's my turn! But, the opportunity for him to soar and rise to the sky had come and gone. I said, 'remember this experience, remember today...If you do not take opportunities that come today, you'll never know if they'll come back."
This is especially true, she said, thanks to a ballooning federal government."
"The federal government has made it impossible for people to save. It's difficult for someone to start their own lives - we've got to change that."
Even just 52 days in Congress, Love recognizes how harmful the government's nanny programs can be.
"I see all these programs that are meant to help the poor, hurt those they vow to protect."
Love said that government has its own interests in mind, not those of the American people. Her solutions? We have to trust ourselves and hit government agencies where they hurt.
"Independent people are the ones that give back. Washington can't do that. Washington needs to get smaller so people are bigger...Their job is to keep their job. We have to cut the bloodline to these bureaucracies, which is the funding."
It is this positive belief in America that encouraged Love's consituents to give her a seat in Washinton to try and change the selfish status quo.
"I was elected because of the policies and the principles that belive in American exceptionalism. I believe in this country."
Preserve your right to make your own decisions, she added.
"Unlike Washington, I believe you're capable of doing that."
I had the opportunity to interview Rep. Love Thursday morning. She expanded on how Big Government has made it extremely difficult for immigrants to legally enter and succeed in America. Below is our full conversation: