RUSS CARNAHAN: “A few weeks ago, I proposed a simple challenge to my constituents back home in St. Louis. I said: Tell me your ideas for…”

“A few weeks ago, I proposed a simple challenge to my constituents back home in St. Louis. I said: Tell me your ideas for creating more jobs and economic opportunity in 2012, and I'll compile them and not only take them back to Washington but work to turn your ideas into action. I want to thank the over 600 Missourians I heard from, each offering many of their own commonsense solutions to help our economy continue to grow. I want to share their message on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives today. Their message was a clear consensus that we need to invest in our infrastructure, make things here in the U.S., bring manufacturing jobs back from overseas, educate and train our workforce for 21st century opportunities, and work together for the good of the country instead of pulling our country apart at the seams. My constituents in St. Louis are deeply concerned that our communities will be left behind in this new global economy if we don't act now, right now, without delay. As Joseph C. expressed best: Missouri is a great State, but I'm afraid it will be left behind, and manufacturing jobs will go elsewhere. Chris K., from St. Louis, sent me an email saying: What would help my personal economic situation and those of many others would be a greater investment in our Nation's infrastructure. Joseph P., from St.…”