McCain offers fixes for economy

DENVER, July 7 (UPI) -- Sen. John McCain, the likely Republican nominee, pledged to create jobs and reduce taxes to help jump-start the U.S. economy.

Speaking during a town hall meeting in Denver, scene of the Democratic nominating convention, McCain said he would institute government reform, achieve energy security, and "ensure that healthcare and a quality education are affordable and available for all."

"I believe the role of government is to unleash the creativity, ingenuity and hard work of the American people, and make it easier to create jobs," he told the audience.

The economy isn't about "bewildering statistics," he said, but "about where Americans work, how they live, how they pay their bills today and save for tomorrow."

McCain said he would make it easier for small businesses to grow and create more jobs, drawing comparisons to likely Democratic nominee Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois "who wants to make it harder by imposing a 'pay or play' health mandate on small business." McCain said Obama's proposal would add $12,000 to the cost of employing "anyone with a family."

McCain also said he would cut taxes "where I can. Jobs are the most important thing our economy creates. When you raise taxes in a bad economy you eliminate jobs. I'm not going to let that happen."