Rep. Aderhot Op-Ed:  We Have Much For Which To Be Thankful, Even In Days Like These

This Thanksgiving, I can’t help but be thankful for so many things about our great country. You may be asking, “Isn’t our country facing its worst economic recession in decades? How can you be so thankful?”

Well, the answer may be “yes” to this question, but I can’t help but remain positive on this Thanksgiving because of how blessed America really is.

There is no question that we are all being impacted by the state of our economy, but I remain pleased that the state of Alabama has not been as negatively impacted in comparison to the rest of the country.

Earlier this fall, an FDIC manager told a group of realtors and bankers during a Coastal Economy Outlook conference in Mobile that Alabama's financial and real-estate markets were doing better than most of the country, even adding 3,300 jobs.

No doubt we have problems in our state on the economic front, as all states do.  However, when I talk to my fellow Representatives from other states, I am reminded that we do have much to be thankful for.

My heart goes out to employees of the “Big 3” U.S. automakers and the entire automobile industry because of the uncertainty we hear about in the news. General Motors, Ford and Chrysler may be in a tough situation but I’m confident that the United States of America can rebound from this economic downturn with the same ingenuity, work ethic and innovation that jumpstarted the technology burst of the 1980’s and 90’s.

I was pleased with the response from Congress by not promising anything to the “The Big 3” executives who flew in to Washington to ask for a bailout last week. I fear that without real changes at these companies, we would be delaying the inevitable. These automakers must come to Congress with a specific plan on how they will do things differently if they expect any help from Congress.

In relation to possible legislation that would provide aid to U.S. automakers, I hope that we take our time and consider all possible alternatives to protect hard-working taxpayers’ money, while not just providing a multi-billion dollar band-aid to a problem that more money simply cannot fix.

I voted in opposition to the first financial industry bailout in October because it became increasingly clear to me that there were other ways to address the instability in the markets, not to mention that the American people thought it outrageous for Congress to support a bailout at the taxpayers’ expense.

Many of us were disappointed at the result of that vote because of a foundational governing belief of limited government, but I remain positive that Alabamians still have many reasons to be thankful for as our economy experiences some growth and stability amid national downturn.

As E.P. Powell once said, “Thanksgiving Day is a jewel, to set in the hearts of honest men; but be careful that you do not take the day, and leave out the gratitude.”

In the midst of all the negative that surrounds us, let us take a moment to consider our many blessings.  Happy Thanksgiving!

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For release on November 26th, 2008. For more information, please contact  Darrell “DJ” Jordan at (202) 226-7602.