Hello everyone, Bob Sutton here. I want to start by extending my heartfelt thanks to Mary Sturm and the entire Americans for Prosperity (AFP) Broward team for inviting me to speak on January 29, 2025. The hospitality was top-notch, and let me tell you—that apple pie was absolutely delicious!
A Warm Welcome and a Timely Topic
When I walked into the room, I could feel the positive energy and eagerness to learn. As many of you know, I’ve dedicated a good part of my life to teaching financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and small business development—both in the classroom and throughout our community. So, any time I have the opportunity to connect with fellow patriots who share a vision of prosperity and limited government, I jump at the chance.
The timing couldn’t have been better. With so much riding on the renewal of President Trump’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), AFP’s mission to Protect Prosperity is more critical than ever. If those tax cuts expire, each American family could be paying an average of $1,500 more next year. And in some states, that number runs even higher. It’s a real threat to everyday folks who are already battling the highest living costs we’ve seen in decades.
“Investing in America”: A Quick Look
Before diving into the nitty-gritty of taxes and inflation, I kicked off my presentation by sharing a brief sizzle reel of a project I worked on called “Investing in America.” In that short video, we travel the nation to talk with experts in fields like real estate, design, logistics, and even politics—all to showcase the best (and sometimes the riskiest!) ways to invest in the United States.
Why show a flashy video at an AFP event about taxes and prosperity? Because it illustrates something we sometimes forget: America is still one of the most lucrative places on Earth to invest. When our tax policies are structured to encourage growth, innovation follows—and that’s good for everybody.
Financial Literacy: More Important Than Ever
I’ve spent over 25 years teaching financial literacy in Broward County schools, so I can’t help but bring a bit of “classroom energy” wherever I go. During the presentation, I highlighted a few key points:
Inflation is Real—and It’s Worse Than You Think.While Washington might say inflation is 3%, the numbers don’t lie. Housing prices in Broward have jumped over 60% in just a few years, and gas prices have nearly doubled. That discrepancy hurts middle-class families the most.
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Retirement PlansI can’t stress enough how powerful these tools can be for saving and investing, especially in a time of uncertainty. They’re some of the best “legal” ways to hold on to more of your money.
Pay Yourself First.My students hear me say this all the time. If the government takes its cut of your paycheck before you even see it, make sure you’re setting aside funds for your own future—through smart saving, investing, and tax-deferred accounts.
Education: The Gift That Keeps on Giving.Whether it’s your children, your neighbors, or your church group, sharing practical tips on budgeting, inflation, and investing can be transformative. This is one reason I’m so proud Florida schools have embraced financial literacy curricula.
Why AFP’s “Protect Prosperity” Campaign Matters
After laying out how inflation and taxes can chip away at our bottom line, we turned to AFP’s Protect Prosperity campaign. With a $20 million nationwide effort, AFP is leveraging its grassroots army to ensure Congress doesn’t let the TCJA expire. If they do, we could see a crippling tax hike at the worst possible time. And let’s be honest—this runaway spending in Washington has already saddled us with a mind-boggling national debt that’s fast approaching $37 trillion.
AFP’s approach is holistic and people-powered:
Grassroots outreach by phone banks and door-to-door advocacy
Meetings with lawmakers on Capitol Hill and around the country
Events and forums, just like this one, to educate Americans on what’s truly at stake
We need to remind our elected officials that raising taxes during high inflation is the quickest way to kneecap working families and small businesses. And if there’s one thing we all agree on, it’s that we can’t afford to be complacent.
Looking Ahead
As the meeting wrapped up, I reflected on just how special gatherings like this are. We came together not just to talk policy, but to build relationships and share personal stories. This is the kind of grassroots engagement that can really move the needle in Washington.
So, to everyone who showed up—thank you. To Mary Sturm, thank you for the invitation, the warm welcome, and yes, that scrumptious apple pie. I left inspired, full of ideas, and—if I’m being honest—maybe one slice of pie heavier.
Let’s continue to stand firm in our commitment to protect prosperity. Whether it’s teaching the next generation about money management, knocking on doors to educate neighbors about the impending tax crisis, or simply sharing an inspiring video clip of people investing in America—all of it matters.
We can’t sit back and let the tax cuts expire, and we can’t let inflation run wild without speaking up. This is our home. Our families. Our future. We owe it to ourselves and the next generation to make our voices heard. Together, with AFP at the helm, we can ensure that freedom and opportunity remain the bedrock of this great nation.
Until next time—this is Bob Sutton, signing off and thanking you for all you do to keep our American Dream alive.
