There is a way out of the recession, says U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick.

It's increasing foreign trade.

"In this environment, shouldn't we talk about things that don't involve taxes, bailouts or running up the national debt?" Minnick said this morning at a Chamber of Commerce presentation on foreign trade.

Local businesses should explore picking up more customers abroad, he said, especially in a time when domestic business is dragging.

The federal government can pitch in by pursuing more free trade agreements with foreign governments, he added.

"If we do this, we will have faster economic recovery, higher paying manufacturing jobs and it will raise everyone's living standards," he said. - Alecia Warren