WASHINGTON — Earlier this week I spent a day in Talladega touring several local industries.

These visits come on the heels of the release of our most recent unemployment numbers – 11 percent for the state, which is almost double what it was this time last year at 6.5 percent.

That’s a lot of pain. I saw it in the business owners trying to make a living.

And I saw it, as I have all over East Alabama this past year, in the faces of those who have lost their jobs and are struggling to make ends meet.

According to a new survey by the Pew Research Center, the three top concerns for Americans are the economy at 83 percent, jobs at 81 percent and terrorism at 80 percent.

Healthcare reform came in at 57 percent.

The American people and the people of Alabama are speaking loud and clear.

The number one issue is jobs and strengthening our economy.

When it comes to healthcare, the House Democratic leadership should realize Americans don’t want their current plan.

Making our healthcare system simpler and more affordable, yes.

But not the bill currently before Congress, which I strongly oppose.

Could Congress pass some common sense healthcare reform solutions like tort reform and association health plans?

Yes.

But the current bill will hurt small businesses which are the backbone of our economy and could possibly force some small businesses to shut their doors.

That is not the “American Dream.”

Talk with our business community – the very people who help create the jobs we need – and you hear a deep seated concern about the direction that Congress is headed.

They see tax increases in the healthcare reform bill.

They see employer mandates. They see the Cap and Trade bill, which would raise costs for our manufacturers already struggling to compete with countries like China.

Small business owners tell me: why should we risk expanding our businesses if Congress is just going to penalize us? Good question. So much for new jobs.

During these tough economic times, I think Congress is going in the wrong direction. Instead of trying to pass jobs-threatening proposals like the climate change bill, for example, which I opposed, how about passing seemingly more jobs-friendly solutions like increased energy exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Let’s use American resources we already have to help increase our energy supplies and lower costs for working families, instead of taxing jobs-creating Alabama industries.

It’s all about jobs and our economy.

I hope Congress gets that message in 2010.  As always, contact me at www.house.gov/mike-rogers or friend me at www.facebook.com.