Rathje wants Congress to get serious about fiscal crisis

First District Republican congressional hopeful Steve Rathje of Cedar Rapids has called on Congress and the president to take swift action to confront the worsening fiscal crisis facing America and to focus on job creation within the manufacturing sector.

"The Dow appears to be on track to have its worst week in 2 ½ years," Rathje said. "Most analysts attribute this massive drop to the threat of a worsening debt crisis in Europe and the downturn in Asian manufacturing. All of this comes as the Federal Reserve here at home once again issues a bleak outlook and suggests more meaningless reactions."

Rathje is a Linn County businessman. His company, International Procurement Services, specializes in bringing manufacturing jobs to America that have previously been outsourced.  Having been in the business since 1992, Rathje considers himself an expert in the manufacturing sector and knows firsthand the impact manufacturing has on a nation's economy.

"I believe the president and Congress need to stop the games and gimmicks," Rathje said. "They need to get to work addressing these serious issues before we find ourselves in the same economic position as Greece. The time for talk is over.  The time for action is now."

Rathje believes the nation needs to strengthen its manufacturing industry immediately to avoid the difficulties facing Asian nations.  He also believes Congress needs to dramatically reduce spending.

He called Congress' failure to approve a short-term funding plan for the federal government "childish" and "disrespectful to the American people."

"As people struggle, Congress plays politics with our jobs, our livelihood, and the future of our children and grandchildren.  Enough is enough," he said. "I call on Congress and the president to pass an FY2012 funding measure with reductions in spending that address the budget crisis.  Then, turn your attention to creating jobs in the manufacturing sector so hard working Iowans can get back to work."