Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA)

I had the opportunity of being part of a conference call today with House Republican Whip Eric Cantor and House Deputy Whip Peter Roskam. Both were joining the call from the Chicago Tribune Tower where they were speaking with people about their concerns the direction our country has been taking since January 20, 2009.

After Mr. Obama was elected the peoples’ hopes for new and wonderful change suddenly made an about-face, and many are now feeling shock and anger; but with resolve to put our country back on a common-sense conservative path. They see many people having a severe lack of confidence with Washington to fix problems, many of which they have created.

Both Representatives are extremely concerned about another of Mr. Obama’s new “projects”, which seem to be unending, of Wall Street Reform. They are seeing this as a possible permanent “bail-out bill” and feel that Wall Street needs “smarter” regulation, not “more” regulation. There is little growth going on at the present time because of uncertainty of the financial markets and peoples’ and companies’ unwillingness to take on more financial risk. In talking with the people in Chicago they see the real problems working people are facing with a myriad of tax increases, despite this Administration’s claims to the contrary, and that America is now at a crossroads facing one of the most important elections in history in November.

Rep. Peter Roskam (R-IL)

Both believe there needs to be an “equal playing field,” that America is the economic engine of the world and should be wanting to attract capitalism; not forcing CEOs to go to China begging for dollars.

When asked about the SEC fraud case against Goldman-Sachs, they tell us that any and all of  Treasury Secretary Geithner’s involvement will be closely scrutinized and the process should be open and transparent with the public kept abreast of the situation.

Rep. Cantor was questioned about the Administration’s posture on Israel and Iran. He stated that the security of our country is dependent upon the security of Israel. Rep. Roskam stated his frustration with H.R. 2194, the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions Accountability and Divestment Act of 2009; which passed both Houses of Congress and is now languishing in conference. He feels the Administration is looking at what it hopes to see, not the clear reality of the Iran nuclear threat.

When asked about the postponement and possible cancellation of the Waxman hearings with many prominent CEO’s who have taken charges in 2010 against loss of Medicaid subsidies in 2013, Rep. Roskam said Congress is sending mixed messages. On one hand they were warned by many of these companies before the Health Care bill was signed into law what financial consequences would befall them. Now when the companies are simply complying with SEC rules and regulations the “leftist ideology is running roughshod over what these companies were telling them beforehand.”

In closing, Rep. Roskam talked about the “generational theft” happening because of the massive deficit increase since the present Administration was elected. He called the present leadership a “sinkhole of self-absorption” and believes many young voters who considered themselves “liberal” have now become conservatives in record time; and that hopes are they will come out in droves in November with votes for the GOP.

Thank you to both Congressman Cantor and Congressman Roskam for taking the time to speak with the group. I’ll leave you with a great picture from one of the Tea Parties last week. Best sign I’ve seen so far:

Best Tea Party Sign