Labor Day traditionally means the end of summer and the beginning of football season. It’s also a good time to assess the health of our economy.

Last week, the Department of Labor released its monthly jobs report. Our nation’s unemployment rate has jumped to 9.7 percent, a 26-year high. In the month of August alone, 216,000 Americans lost their job. Since February of 2009, over 2.4 million private-sector jobs have been lost.
 
I have long said that government does not create jobs. I do, however believe that Congress has a role in setting the table for economic growth. I believe that Congress should address litigation, regulation and taxation reforms in order to help our small businesses.

Small businesses have long been the innovators and job creators in our country. Many big businesses started in garages, kitchens or basements as a small business. They are the creators of 7 out of every 10 jobs in this country and it’s vital that we make it easier for entrepreneurs, not harder.

Congress should reduce burdensome regulations and costly litigation. We should also make our tax code simpler and fairer. We need to make this country the best place in the world to do business.

The “economic stimulus” is not working. Its focus on big, slow, bureaucratic spending has failed to revive the economy. We should be focusing on fast-acting tax relief for small businesses and individuals.

Congress returns to Washington this week. Our economy and helping set the table for economic growth should be the top priority.

# # #