Economy.  This is why you were elected.  Experts say the country’s economy is on the rebound, but most working-class Americans don’t see any improvements in their lives over the last eight years.  More people are out of the work force than at any time in the nation’s history, and the number of people who are under-employed continues to rise.

And it’s not because of illegal immigrants taking the jobs from Americans, it’s because the manufacturing sector has fled the country and there are no jobs to be had.  Free college and additional education spending isn’t the answer, because there are no jobs for the current level of graduates, and adding more to the mix will simply add to the problem of under-employment.

Couple that with current governmental policies that incentivize not working, and finding work can leave many in worse shape financially that being unemployed.  The government has to wean people off of welfare, with return-to-work programs that limit benefits, but we can’t do that until we provide some place for those people to find a job.

Most Americans just want to build their lives for themselves by getting a good job, buying a home in a safe neighborhood, and raising their families in the way they see fit.  It is not the responsibility of the government to provide these things to its citizens, but instead to provide an opportunity for its citizens to achieve these things on their own.  To do this, we need fair trade polices with the rest of the world to allow for companies to keep their manufacturing located in the US, fair tax rates for the nation’s workers, truly affordable health care that does not simply shift the cost from consumer payment to extra taxation, and adequate police protection for all citizens.

I know you can’t do this in four or even eight years, but you have the opportunity to lay a foundation that the next administration can build on to continue the process.  I plead with you to seize this opportunity.

After all, it’s not me for which I am asking this.  I am asking that my grandchildren be allowed to grow up in a world where they can be happy, safe and successful.  We at least owe them the chance.