Iowa Defense Alliance

The three Republican Candidates hoping to challenge Dave Loesback for the U.S. House of Representatives in Iowa’s 2^nd Congressional District gathered at Mt. Mercy College on Saturday to take part in a well-run, civil, and very informative forum sponsored by the Linn Area Pro-Life United and the Mt. Mercy College Political Science Student Group.  All were given two minutes to answer a question or two from several different topics and then were allowed a five-minute conclusion at the end.  Questions were not seen in advance and none were allowed from the audience.

As would be expected, Marriannette Miller-Meeks, Steve Rathje, and Christopher Reed all seemed to agree on popular conservative point of views such as less government, tax cuts, and taking care of our veterans.  A central theme seemed to be to get the federal government out of the way, and let individuals, businesses and families have control.

Below is a list of some of the topics that were discussed and a few of the key points that were made.

Agriculture

-          Rathje:  Farming is the same as any other business.  Taxes need to be cut.  A member of his staff, Mark Stutsman, and he have been working on this area.  The government needs to get out of the way.

-          Miller-Meeks: Need fair and free trade.  Cap and Trade and Pure Water Act will have a direct impact.

-          Reed:  The federal government has ballooned out of control.  We need to get farmers back in control of their businesses.  There is no better steward of the land then the farmer himself – they don’t need the government telling them how to be good stewards.  We need people negotiating not just for free trade, but for fair trade.  “Iowa can feed the world if we untie their hands.”

Economy

-          Miller-Meeks:  Holiday on payroll taxes.   We have the second highest corporate income tax in the world. Trade agreements.

-          Reed:   The role of the government is to protect the citizens, then get out of the way.  Our tax policies penalize success.

-          Rathje:  Has a 3-tier plan which would include a 60-day income tax holiday, a 2-year federal income tax holiday for new businesses, and allow college graduates to not have to pay federal income tax for 3 full years after graduating to help them get started in life and pay off their student loans.

Education

-          Reed:  Tax incentives – but should be state incentives.

-          Rathje:  The federal government is not responsible for educating our kids.  “I don’t want the federal government educating my children in any way, shape or form.”  Agreed with Chris Reed on lower taxes.  The federal government’s role is infrastructure and defense, not education.

-          Miller-Meeks:  More state control over education and state dollars.  Federal government doesn’t belong.

Health Care Bill

-          Rathje:  Should be allowed to buy health insurance from anywhere, any state.  More education regarding best deal – deductibles/premiums, etc.  Government is NOT responsible for our personal health.  Government needs to get out of moral values.  Need people in Washington with the NERVE and GUTS to do the right thing.

-          Miller Meeks:  Allow purchase of health insurance to cross state lines.  Tax deductions.  Personal responsibility for healthy lifestyle.  Government role should be to enforce transparency, insure the needy are cared for, and take care of fraud.  Have to have conscience clause where doctors and medical personnel can opt out if they feel a procedure is immoral.

-          Reed:  The current bill has nothing to do with healthcare.  The federal government doesn’t belong in healthcare.  Should be up to the states at the state level.  States will come up with the best programs.

Control  (which programs should be scaled back?)

-          Miller-Meeks:  Department of Energy (dependence on foreign oil).  Homeland Security, No Child Left Behind

-          Reed:  “Like a buffet-so much to choose from.”  National Education Association – no one in Washington knows what‘s happening in Iowa schools.  The local school board should be in control of the local school.  He is an advocate of homeschooling.  Parents know what is best for their children.

-          Rathje:  Education – wants control back in the states and with the families and the churches.  Referred us to Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution.

Abortion

-          Reed:  Unapologetically pro-life.  Roe vs. Wade overturned.  Should be left to the state.

-          Rathje:  Am a born-again Christian saved by grace through faith.  Pro-life from conception to natural death.  Has a moral compass that he lives by daily.  Will not accept abortion in any circumstance.  It is between the mother, God, and the doctor…period.

-          Meeks:  Parental Consent.  Valid concern for Rape and Incest.  Roe vs. Wade should be overturned and sent back to the states.  No federal funded abortions…period.  Taxpayers should not have to pay – goes back to freedom of religion.

Human Rights

-          Rathje:  Right to life is God given.  “The issue of human rights has to be at the forefront of our negotiations with every single country.”

-          Meeks:  Since we are in debt, we will have problems negotiating human rights with other countries.   Example:  Obama would not meet with Dalai Lama for fear of offending China.

-          Reed:  America is the most compassionate country in the world.  U.S. has always been at the forefront insuring human rights are there.

Energy Consumption

-          Meeks:  Off shore drilling allowed immediately.  Promote nuclear energy.  Allow technology to aid us.  Tremendous avenues and sources.  Gave example of individual conservation:  turn off computers at night, unplug cell phone chargers.

-          Reed:  Would rescind Cap and Trade if passed.  Drill offshore and in Alaska.  His responsibility in Congress:  “Anything that will free us from the bondage of foreign dependency.”

-          Rathje:  Need the government out of our way allowing us to drill, develop solar/clean coal.  Take our country back – get Government out!

Illegal Immigration

-          Reed:  Nation of laws – can’t decide which we will enforce and which we won’t.  Need to come here the right way and assimilate to our way of life.  A number should be determined of how many we need for each category of employment – farmers, computer techs, etc., then cap that amount.  Our sovereignty is at stake.  Need a clear picture of what it takes to come and become a legal U.S. Citizen – remove the ambiguity.

-          Rathje:  Control our border!  Need to have something to offer-what can they bring?  – science, medicine, technology, etc.  Has their government threatened them?  No wide open gates.  Those who hire illegals should be punished.  Fence on southern border.  Bring in only those we can control while they are here.

-          Miller-Meeks:  Revamp immigration.  Takes too long to become a legal citizen.  Emphasized there are FOUR borders that illegals come through that need to be controlled.  E-Verify needs to be put back in.  Penalize businesses if they hire illegals.  Immigrants are needed. We’re stronger because of our diversity.

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Military  (what can Congress do to honor and help when they come home?)

-          Rathje:  How dare this current administration deny 40,000 troops when asked for and said needed. Vietnam Vets need to be taken care of.  Any healthcare bill should have Veteran’s care in it.

-          Miller-Meeks:  50 years of service between her and her husband.  Vets should be able to receive care from any medical facility – not just Veteran’s facilities.  More flexibility for generals on the ground.  Look at the military bases we have overseas.  Look at families of those who have been deployed over and over.  Thank them for their service whenever you see them.

-          Reed:  Is a Navy Vet.  Dedicated to the cause of tending all to the needs of all soldiers returning.  Need people in Congress who understand their needs.

Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

-          Miller-Meeks:  Decision should be left to the military.  Allowing openly gay soldiers to serve may be uncomfortable for some, however if someone is willing, they should be allowed to serve as long as that’s the decision of the military, not the Feds or the Supreme Court.

-          Reed:  Another example of the Feds trying to fix something until it is broken.  They are already there.

-          Rathje:  Supports Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.  Morality issue.  If the generals in the field tell me it’s an issue, I have to believe them.

Retirement Alternatives for Senior Citizens

-          Reed:  People should be free to invest for their own retirement.  Youth today should be allowed to opt out of Social Security.  Country of freedom – should be allowed to be in charge of their own retirement.

-          Rathje:  Gave example of U.S. Postal Service – turned in $600 million loss even after a postal rate increase vs. UPS who had earnings of $10.9 billion.  Should tell us that the government needs to get out.  Personal responsibility – taking care of ourselves.

-          Meeks:  Unfair to end Social Security to those who have put in the $ all of these years.  Privatize 2%.

Federal Reserve

-          Rathje:  Abolish Federal Reserve.  Biggest joke on American people – used to hide behind whenever they want to spend money.  Nothing but a game used to manipulate our economy, world economics, etc.

-          Miller-Meeks:  Mentioned Ron Paul’s bill to audit.  Should be independent to regulate percentage rates – neutral, nonpartisan.

-          Reed:  It is a private entity – not part of government.  We have a right to know.  Should open books up.

Their closing remarks included the following:

-          Miller Meeks:  Mother of 2 –her greatest achievement.   Married 27 years.  She didn’t fill out any surveys the last time she ran – was busy with working and being a mother doing all the things mothers do.  That allowed people to misrepresent her.  Wants to move people from apathy to action.

-          Rathje:  Must elect someone who can articulate a message.  Mentioned 3-tier Plan again.  Founded two successful corporations – understands and experience in international trade.  Will bring the jobs back to eastern Iowa.  Need to elect a representative that will be there for them.  We can turn this around, but it will take a lot of work.

Reed:  Any of us here will be better than what we have in D.C. now.  Believe in founding principals of this country.  We need a representative with honor and principle – someone who will put principle before party in Congress.  He will fight for us.  Every dollar spent will be spent fiscally responsibly.