NORTH JEFFERSON — Where do you get your information? 

How do you stay up-to-date on information and change that drives your community, school and business? Social networks such as Facebook, which boasts more than 400 million users, have become popular ways of communicating.

This is not news, but the struggle to stay current on accurate information remains a challenge. It would seem that the more there is to know, the more there is to know. 

At the end of the day, it is refreshing to see that our rich access of information still takes time to pull from the good old fashioned face-to-face, “lets get some coffee and talk” communication. 

To that end, Hayden recently welcomed Sen. Jeff Sessions to discuss current affairs. The content of his discussion centered on issues that are held in common concern and included jobs, taxes, security and what that means for tomorrow.

It was a good old-fashioned coffee klatsch, and it seemed as if I was there. I downloaded the audio of the presentation from http://townofhayden.com/audio_recording and listened to a rich discussion of Sessions’ opinions and efforts.

Now that is just cool. Making the technology work for me, I am really now able to be two places at one time. Remember this type of resource as we move into the next election cycle and garner your information first hand to make the best decision on your candidate. 

While I am not an advocate of “Big Brother,” distributing such conversations via the internet shows accountability, honesty and integrity. This takes accountability and responsibility on the part of our leaders to a new level, and we need to respect the boldness of those who reach out to their constituents in this fashion. 

Take a moment to find the listed link and listen in to the Senator’s comments in full if you like. Make your own decisions, but here is a brief summary.

Sessions said future growth will be attained in the same fashion that it has always been attained, with hard work.  Weak values and a “something for nothing” mentality is a failed strategy. It may work for a bit, but it is not sustainable.

With respect to the stimulus package, most money went to welfare or social spending, not true job creation. In fact, only 3 percent went to highway improvement, with no real measurable impact on new jobs. There will be additional funding to come, but he suggests that it should have been in the first bill and focused on true job creation, not sustained social spending.

What did we get for the spending? More debt, according to Sessions. We are on track for $5.7 trillion debt and in 5 years, it will be $11 trillion. Interest alone is $170 billion for a single year. He said this is the biggest threat to the future of our country, and I agree.

I would add it is also a threat to state, regional and local growth.  You just can’t keep borrowing into a hole. Are there any Tea Partiers out there? You know this and you are doing a great job on holding leadership accountable. Bottom line, stimulus dollars are good, but there are consequences. 

In his comments on terrorism, Sessions reminded listeners that we have a group that is at war with us. “These are not common criminals,” he said. “Civilian court is not appropriate, because these people violate the rules of war.” A quick reminder, the “rules of war” are clear. If you enter our country surreptitiously, with the intent to harm non-combatants, then you have broken the rules of war. 

This premise dates back to George Washington, and has been utilized by Roosevelt and others to protect our people and borders.

On the topic of healthcare, Sessions said a government takeover is too big, too much and not wanted. It passed the Senate on Christmas Eve, with no Republican support. Deals were brokered with states all over the place to get the needed 60 votes, in spite of clear public opposition. 

One good thing did come from this pushed through agenda though — a vote in Massachusetts for a Republican Senate candidate, Scott Brown. 

Take some time this week to seek out information as it pertains to your national, state and local political decisions. It will impact your business sooner or later, so jump in there now and get involved.   

And remember, take care of your customers, or someone else will. You can find additional readings on my blog at http://businessadvise4u.blogspot.com