Local citizens’ group hosts State Attorney General, candidates for Congress
by Lois Perry and Sue Forde
Citizen Review Online
May 24, 2010
Sequim, WA – The Concerned Citizens of Clallam County (FourC) hosted Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna and two Congressional candidates vying for the position currently held by Representative Norm Dicks (D- 6th Congressional District). Approximately 350 people were present at the meeting.
The evening began with a video of Representative Tom McClintock’ speech to Congress about immigration and his objection to Mexico’s President Calderon’s statements.
FourC co-founder Jack Tenhulzen introduced Rob McKenna, and shared some of his background as reflected on Wikipedia. Tenhulsen shared that McKenna had, on March 27, 2010, joined in the lawsuit regarding repeal of certain parts of the recently passed federal healthcare bill.
McKenna spoke about the U.S. Constitution and its original intent. “We will choose who leads us,” he said. “We will not rely on – or let someone else decide who leads us.” He spoke about how, historically, men and women of good character have stepped forward to fill the needs of the communities in elected positions. It all starts on that Constitution precept, he stressed. “The Constitution still matters.” Regarding the 10th amendment, he shared that our framers, particularly Madison, crafted that amendment to confirm the limited nature of the federal government, and proceeded to give some history of what has happened since then.
McKenna told the audience that the healthcare lawsuit will be in front of the Supreme Court in 2-3 years; he filed the final amendment 2-3 weeks ago, and urged folks to go read it for themselves (it’s online at his website). “It really speaks to common sense,” he stated. There are two basic issues covered in the lawsuit, one being the issue over a possible takeover by the federal government of state agencies and resources. “How will we ever pay for all this?” he queried. “How on earth will we ever make good on $120-125 trillion? There is to be a “temporary” 3-year match by the federal government, after which time the states will bear full responsibility for the cost. “Federal government will commandeer state budgets, state offices,” and more, he said.
The second issue deals with the requirement that an individual “must” comply with what the federal government dictates in terms of what kind of healthcare one carries. One of the reasons healthcare is so expensive even today is that there are approximately 1,700 separate requirements across all state for current insurance, he explained. In our coutry’s history, our government has never forced us to buy anything. As an example, automobile insurance is a required imposed by the states, as are the helmet laws, etc. “If we lose this, it may be the end of federalism as we know it,” he said.
He turned his discussion to the illegal immigration issue. He had spoken to an individual in Arizona who said they had detained 700,000 illegals in 2007 – and those were the ones that were caught. “Walk a mile in their shoes” before judging what they should do, he urged. This is about the rule of law – we need to keep track of people who come here – no other country fails to control its borders the way we do. What worries him is the message it sends, he said – lack of respect for the “rule of law.” There will be consequences when people violate the rule of law, he said.
McKenna then fielded several questions from the audience. Ways to cut the cost of health insurance include allowing for purchase across state lines like auto insurance, and getting rid of state mandates for comprehensive coverage. The rate of inflation for health insurance is higher (16% on its way to 20%) than general inflation, he said. Compare it to grocery shopping without cost labels on the products. We need to move to a system where the individual is paying their own money and can pick from a field of choices.
In response to a question by Dick Pilling, he said it is important to have tort reform in place. Many healthcare providers have a natural incentive to push tests such as MRIs to avoid the possibility of lawsuits. He said the answer is to keep it out of court unless as a final resort; use mediation resolution and other methods to resolve problems.
Responding to a question by Shelly Taylor, McKenna stated that the word “shall” appears over one thousand times in the healthcare bill. He went on to say that the lawsuit he has brought will “not” take down the prevailing law – they won’t remove the law – just the provisions being contested.
McKenna received a standing ovation as he ended his speech.
Citizens offer problems/solutions
There was a period when Pete Church-Smith called for ideas from the audience – “state the problem and a solution”, he requested.
Kaj Ahlburg brought up the problem of the deficit. The solution could be a balanced budget amendment, and to remove any and all functions other than the 17 delegated by the Constitution.
One citizen brought up the fact that Congress passes laws without reading them; there are unintended consequences, and the bills should not go into effect until a report of the economic costs are known. Another said that Senators and Congressmen/women are staying in office too long – a possible solution would be to do away with their retirement plans and healthcare benefits after they leave office. Yet another stated that not enough individuals know about the Constitution, with a possible solution of making sure each of us teach others about the Constitution and what it means.
Candidates for 6th Congressional District speak
U.S Congress GOP candidates, for the 6th District, shared their vision for the office. Jesse Young of Gig Harbor (R), praised the attendees for being involved, in the issues of today. “I plan to beat the ‘unbeatable’ Norm Dicks,” he announced.
As one of his five children hollered, “Hi, Daddy’, from the back of the packed gymnasium, Young said, “That is why I am running!” He said he is concerned for the future of his children. The candidate said he was born 33 years ago; the same year Dicks took office. Young believes if someone is in office and does not get the job done in his first term, he should let someone else do the job, one who is more qualified.
Fiscal responsibility is important to the 1999 Notre Dame graduate. He graduated with a business degree in software engineer information technology and has been doing consulting since the year 2000. “I want to have a methodological approach to address the budget and every issue,” announced Young.
As a consultant at Boeing, Nike, and Russell, he believes he understand the business world. Having also worked for Blue Shield Insurance, he wants to help small businesses have jobs and enjoy free market principles.
Repeal and replacing health care and fiscal responsibility is paramount with Young. A big proponent of tort reform, he recently stated that its lack is killing Tacoma, where he graduated from high school as valedictorian of his class.
Peace through strength is also important to him. When questioned by one of the approximately 30 young homeschoolers attending the meeting, who asked, “ Do you believe in absolute truth - and what is the source of it?’ he answered, “It is the foundation where people turn to their moral compass---the Constitution. For me- a Christian- it starts with the Bible. The Constitution gives others the right to leverage their beliefs,” affirmed Young. Young's website is at located at www.jesseyoungforcongress.com.
Doug Cloud of Gig Harbor (R), stated that there would be a return to America’s roots and a return to our ‘beautiful Constitution’. He said a recent poll showed that one out of three people believe old policies are not working. He wants to change policies and change people. Cloud said Congress is not doing its job and is also corrupted by ‘special interests’.
“As an attorney, I have fought for justice. We are in a fight for our future,” he announced. The University of Washington economics major said, “We have a government with no understanding of economics and human nature.” We need to audit and control the Federal Reserve, he stated. We also need a stable structure, he added.
“We have to cut taxes and keep the current Bush tax cuts in affect,” said Cloud. He declared that he would work to repeal the recently enacted health care legislation. He is concerned about water issues in this area, as well as shoreline issues in Jefferson County. “I want to be a leader in conservative issues,” he said. He also wants to work with all groups in making decisions for the people. Cloud wants to control the courts, and start with the House of Representatives.
His answer to the home-school student’s question, “do you believe in absolute truth and what is the source of it?” He stated that unalienable rights, that we all hold so dear such as Judeo-Christian society and the more secular--- believe in freedoms, such as freedom of speech, etc.
Doug talked about the deficit, and that we cannot afford a new $3 trillion plan that takes $500 million from Medicare, puts our privacy at risk, forces people to buy insurance, and creates a new bureaucracy.
He also discussed the federal reserve and said he would back the "Audit the Fed" bill, along with ending bailouts for Wall Street. "We must restrain the federal government to its Constitutional role," he says. Doug Cloud's website is located at www.dougcloud.com
FourC grows from its grassroots
The meeting ended at approximately 9 p.m., with Jack Tenhulzen thanking the speakers and commenting on the fact that the organization had grown tremendously from its first meeting less than a year ago when there were only 13 people present.
Co-founder Pat Tenhulzen said it is a “movement” and they are a part of a movement, but have no membership and are not connected to any formal group. She said she was surprised when they started getting so much interest in their venture, because when they started with a small group, it is growing so swiftly. “It is grassroots. A conservative movement that includes all facets and walks of life,” she said. She continued with, “People are concerned about the way their country is going and they want to restore the Constitution, upon which the country was founded.” She stated that there are children in this country that are not being taught the Constitution. “Young people are our foundation,” she asserted.
Pat described her biggest frustration: how to motivate people to realize how critical what we are doing is to restore this country to the Constitution. “We have totally lost our way,” she said.
She expressed encouragement, however, that people are beginning to step up to the plate and are physically doing something. FourC meets on the 4th Monday of each month at 7 p.m., at the Boys and Girls Club in Sequim, WA. Interested citizens are welcome and encouraged to attend. FourC's website is at www.NewSocialContract.com.