This article can be read at the The Huffington Post

We need to create jobs. In our district* and throughout America we do not produce enough goods for trade, goods that permit us to thrive in the world economy. Many of the surrounding communities and districts have been successful in bringing in high technology businesses that produce goods such as computers, new energy technology and biotechnology products and related services. They have formed partnerships between government, educational institutions and other businesses which invest in people and create new jobs. Only about 6% of the jobs in our district are manufacturing jobs, but all of the surrounding districts, except for Denver (CD 1), have increased their manufacturing employment to between 7-10%. When combining manufacturing with agricultural and extraction employment (exportable products), CD 6 is next to last (just over 7%), with only Denver having less.

Many of the jobs in our district are based on sales and service to governmental entities. If we believe in smaller government the logical conclusion is, in the long run, there will be fewer contracts with the government, and thus fewer businesses and jobs. Many other jobs in CD 6 are in the financial, education and health care sectors. These are good, high paying jobs, but in order for these fields to grow, we must attract more people to live in the area, people who bring in wealth from outside the community. For CD 6 to experience overall job growth in the small business sector, we must, again, attract more people to the area to buy the goods and use the services that our small businesses provide.

I do not believe that more government related jobs, population growth and urbanization of our communities are the answer. But unfortunately for the people of CD 6, it's either that, or minimal to no new job growth in the district. Why is that so, when other districts are experiencing job growth even in these tough times? It is because our current representative has no long term vision for our communities or the district overall.

Mr. Coffman continues to travel to war zones giving unsolicited advice to our commanders. He writes commentary after commentary defending his "no" votes. He should be meeting with the leaders of our community, and then spending his traveling time meeting with leaders around the country and of other nations, representing our interests, attracting business and creating trade opportunities for our district. In order to create new jobs in CD 6, we need leaders who will do what it takes to attract producers to our district, which will in turn create a whole new set of small businesses to supply the new production businesses.

What do our business leaders say will bring new employers to this district? In meeting with them, I hear over and over again that we need a rational tax policy, reliable and economical sources of energy, reliable sources of water, investment in infrastructure, and a high standard of living; meaning safe neighborhoods, good schools, beautiful open spaces and abundant recreational opportunities.

As your representative, I will work with all parties to ensure that this district provides jobs and opportunities far into the future for our children and future generations of Americans. Though it will not be easy or immediate, I will be an unflinching advocate for:

• Tax reforms to attract new business and promote investment and trade in CD 6, including reform of commercial real estate and personal property regulations and tax incentives for small businesses;
• strict enforcement of existing trade policies, currency policy, worker protections, environmental policy, and most importantly, policies that protect the safety of all Americans;
• financing for business and business investment;
• cooperation across the district regarding water issues;
• reforms to improve the education of our children;
• increased higher education throughout the district;
• partnerships and initiatives to bring production jobs to the district;
• clean, American-made energy; and
• reduction of the national debt, which will lower taxes for individuals and businesses.

* Congressional District 6 includes all of Elbert and Douglas Counties, South JeffCo, the most eastern part of Park County and south Arapahoe County (Bennett, Aurora, Greenwood Village, Centennial, and Littleton).