Democrats want to use the slowdown as an excuse to do what their special interests are always begging for: higher taxes, bigger government and less trade with other nations.

Voters want conflicting things. They want a lot of government spending, but they don't want higher taxes.

Higher taxes kill jobs. Regulations kill jobs.

And a special thank you to the citizens of Massachusetts: You are paying all the taxes, creating all the jobs, raising all the children. This government is yours. Thank you for letting me serve you. I love this job.

It's time to acknowledge that more government and higher taxes is not the answer to our problem.

Whoever is for higher taxes, feel free to pay higher taxes.