Congress, time to roll up the sleeves

Elections in years past have seemed depressing with electors oftentimes having to choose between the lesser of two evils, candidates with no morals or those who only answer to money. \nBut after witnessing last week's elections, it seems that many of the winning candidates are actually politicians with integrity. Disenchanted voters wanted honest leaders who don't promise handouts for votes, and it seems American people were victorious!\nA conservative majority rules Capitol Hill once again, but if these legislators want to keep their seats, they need to work on seven major problems facing the U.S. today.\nFirst and foremost, legislators need to pass a strong, permanent tax cut. We've seen thousands of businesses ditch the U.S. for other countries that won't tax them to financial death. Along with tax-cuts, legislators need to decrease the unnecessary spending that has inflated our budget and devastated our economy.\nSecond, we need to pass a Homeland Security Department that will protect our country against terrorists. We need to increase defense spending, as a well-functioning military is fundamental to keeping our nation free and safe.\nThird, we need military-patrolled border control to stop the influx of illegal immigrants who don't pay taxes but still enjoy the benefits of a free country. According to the Census Bureau, as many as 13 million illegal immigrants are probably residing unsupervised within our borders, posing a serious national risk. \nFourth, the U.S. needs to place a ban on partial-birth abortion. This is a horrible, cruel procedure and as a civilized, developed country, we should be embarrassed that the ban is not yet in place.\nFifth, the U.S. needs some major education reform. All schools that accept federal money should be subject to federal academic standards. According to Fox News' Bill O'Reilly, "That means school uniforms, not belly-exposing blouses. That means standardized tests, not feel-good self-esteem classes. And that means teachers that teach, not schmooze. Federal monitors in each state would evaluate local schools, and those that failed to impose a rigorous curriculum and intense discipline would lose their federal subsidies (Nov. 9)." In addition, parents should be able to receive tax credits that would allow their child to get the best education possible, regardless of the parents' income.\nSixth, senators need to start confirming judges to fill up 77 empty federal seats the Democrat-controlled Senate left vacant. All confirmed judges need to promote rule of law rather than advance their own leftist agendas. Bush has already nominated many qualified judges and they are just waiting to be confirmed by new senators. \nSeventh, our U.S. economy desperately needs to fix the embarrassing problem of Social Security, which will run out in our lifetime if legislators don't enact decent legislation. Bush has initiated a program that would give young workers the option of controlling a portion of their retirement in an account similar to a 401k plan. This type of financial empowerment will have refreshing economic success, something many Americans need. \nMany of the newly elected candidates seem to have their priorities straight. There are some that ride the fence, accommodating only groups with large, open pocketbooks. But if these elected politicians want to stay in office, they'll need to enact legislation that improves American life. Let's see what Republican-controlled Congress is really made of -- hopefully it's backbone.