My seven priorities for Wisconsin’s 7th District

We’ve seen soaring deficits, gridlock and little action on job creation. Washington isn’t listening, and Congressman Sean Duffy has been part of the problem. To get our economy moving, we need a new approach focused on job creation, balancing the budget, and giving the middle class a fair shake.

First, we need to balance the budget the right way, not on the backs of seniors and the middle class. We won’t be confident in this economy until we can control spending and our debt. We need to cut wasteful spending and make government more efficient. The Ryan budget would make seniors pay $6,000 more for Medicare benefits and give more tax cuts to the wealthy and special interests. That doesn’t work as an economic policy and it is unfair to people who have paid for Medicare all their lives. We need to strengthen Medicare, focusing on quality of care over quantity, allowing negotiation of prescription drug prices and getting costs under control.

Second, we can’t keep piling on the middle class. Congressman Duffy voted to give millionaires a $250,000 tax break while raising taxes on middle class families. I’ll make sure tax cuts are focused on the middle class, not millionaires and special interests.

Third, we need to invest in our future to create jobs. We need to support our ports, invest in medical and high tech research and target tax relief to help grow our small businesses. We need to focus on education, especially technical colleges and job training so that our workforce can continue to compete in the global economy.

Fourth, we are putting workers at a huge disadvantage with unfair trade deals, a tax code that encourages companies to send jobs overseas and by ignoring countries that manipulate their currencies and violate trade agreements. I will work to close loopholes that reward corporations for sending jobs overseas and create a fair playing field for American workers.

Fifth, we need to stand up to Wall Street. After taking more than $600,000 from the financial and insurance industries, Duffy voted to roll back Wall Street reform laws so big banks could once again make billions by gambling with our retirement savings. I’ll focus on preventing the type of behavior that got us into this mess and work to ensure accountability.

Sixth, we need to make sure our lakes and rivers are protected. Much of our economy is dependent on how we use our natural resources. We can and should streamline regulation, but in a balanced way that doesn’t hurt this valuable contributor to our economy.

Finally, we need to stand up to both parties on the issues facing our rural communities. Congressman Duffy hasn’t been a voice for rural communities. Both parties were silent when Congress failed to pass the Farm Bill, legislation critical to Wisconsin families. I won’t be silent.

These priorities are about creating jobs making sure that everyone has a fair chance to succeed. We need new leadership that truly represents all of us and is focused on growing our economy.

Pat Kreitlow, a former former news anchor and reporter, is the Democratic challenger for the Wisconsin 7th District seat in the U.S. House of representatives.

Tags: opinion, money, politics