E-Newsletter

Good luck Team U.S.A!

Margaret Thatcher once said, “I do not know anyone who has got to the top without hard work. That is the recipe. It will not always get you to the top, but should get you pretty near.”  Over the next two weeks, my family and I will join the world in watching dozens of the most elite athletes on the planet compete.  Of the 26 different sports, my family is likely to be most mesmerized by the swimming competitions.  Like in 2008, I think much of the world will be watching Michael Phelps to see if he can become the world’s most decorated Olympian.  With more than 10,000 athletes competing in the games, as Thatcher pointed out, not all of them will reach the gold, but congratulations to each one of them. 

The fact that the U.S. Olympic Team is privately funded reflects some of the strengths of our fine country.  Our athletes – hundreds of the best from all walks of life and all parts of America – bring home gold medals every Games, honoring themselves and their country.  Other Olympic teams are funded by the governments of their respective countries.  Americans’ private enterprise can beat them all.  Our athletes’ discipline, persistent hard work, and competitive spirit reflect the best of American individual initiative.  Self-discipline, self-motivation, self-improvement – these are among the values that have made America great for generations, and our Olympic athletes embody these values for all Americans and all the world to see. 

Though our economy is struggling and many of our elected officials continue to advocate for policies which weaken our ability to compete, it is my profound hope that these Olympic Games will serve as just the next testament to American exceptionalism. 

U.S. Economy Grows 1.5% in Second Quarter

As I’ve written in the past, in an effort to balance spending so much time in D.C. and on the road, I bring my kids up to Washington with me for some one-on-one dad time.  Abby and Starke have already come up this summer, so last week my son, Davis, made the trip.  His visit, like Starke and Abby’s, served as a valuable reminder of why I came to Washington.  I want to ensure that my children and all children of the Ninth district have the best possible opportunities to make as much of their lives as they desire.  With that in mind, we are facing some serious challenges as a nation.

Last week’s report of economic growth at just 1.5 percent in the second quarter is disquieting. Despite the constant reminder from the White House that this is the “worst recession since the Great Depression” and “we’re still pulling ourselves out,” the statistics aren’t supporting the rhetoric.  The recession ended three years ago.  Barack Obama’s “recovery” has left us standing still.  Americans need to ask themselves, is this the kind of future we want to leave our children?  I know I want more for Abby, Davis, and Starke – I want them to grow up in an America where opportunity is expanding, not standing still; I want them to grow up in a vibrant economy that allows them to pursue their ambitions, use their individual talents, gain experiences, and keep what they earn.  I want them to be inspired by opportunity, not burdened with the increasing expenses of taxes, expanding regulations, and imperious government directives.  I came to Congress because I want my children – and yours – to be able to pursue what inspires them, like our Olympic athletes do.

As always, if you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office.  You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671.  To reach my office via email, please visit my website at www.morgangriffith.house.gov.

###