This Contract from the American People is a work in progress draft. We have already received feedback from many of you, and would appreciate feedback from others. Let us know if you have any comments or concerns. For example, are there items in the contract that you would exclude or other items that you would include?

I spent the recent weeks traveling the country from coast to coast to talk with policy experts and lawmakers about the national debt. Let me say that I’m encouraged to know that we have some smart people who are looking to tackle the problem, but there is so much more that can be done. I’ve said before there is still time to take decisive action before the train goes off the tracks, and I still believe that. As we are in the holiday season, I’m mindful of the effect that rapid inflation driven by government spending is having on families across the country. I know from personal experience how hard it is to try to stretch a dime into a dollar.

I’m not a politician. I’m not a celebrity. I’m a hard working, God fearing, family man from Texas that loves America. I cannot sit idly by and watch politicians spend recklessly, destroy our great nation, then refuse to fix the problems they themselves created.

Every day, it becomes more clear that the fiscal future of America is in dire straits. Americans continue to be crushed by the effects of terrible fiscal policies. Folks are paying more at the grocery store, gas station, and pharmacy. Meanwhile, Washington is spending like there is no tomorrow with money they don’t even have.

This month, our nation continues to face challenges as the government refuses to be responsible with the money it gets from our pockets. The national debt has been growing at an alarming rate, causing concern among all Americans. As elected officials in Washington bicker back and forth, the debt hit $33 trillion and continues to rise. This affects every single American taxpayer, and future generations are likely to bear the brunt of this debt for years to come.

I frequently hear from people who have seen my videos or read something that I have written, and they ask about my background. I am Joe Penland, Sr. and I am from Beaumont, Texas. I have been blessed to run my own successful business (which is now in its 50th year), serve on my local school board, sit on bank boards, and donate money to important causes in my community and across the country. Although I have been blessed, I had to deal with adversity early in life like millions of others.

Fast forward to today, and we continue to cherish the values established by those great men. Freedom, liberty, and the pursuit of prosperity are still at the heart of what America stands for. However, we face challenges that threaten our nation's prosperity; most importantly the national debt that has now exceeded $32 trillion. The train hasn’t gone off the rails yet, but we must act now to address this growing problem.

I frequently hear from people who have seen my videos or read something that I have written, and they ask about my background. I am Joe Penland, Sr. and I am from Beaumont, Texas. I have been blessed to run my own successful business (which is now in its 50th year), serve on my local school board, sit on bank boards, and donate money to important causes in my community and across the country. Although I have been blessed, I had to deal with adversity early in life like millions of others.

Like most Americans, I feel blessed to call the United States home. I truly believe that the U.S. is the land of opportunity. This has certainly proven to be true for me and my family. I grew up in Texas in a family with limited financial means but lots of love.