Sixth District U.S. Congressman Bob Goodlatte held what he called an “America’s Speaking Out Town Hall” last Saturday at Virginia Western Community College. Goodlatte, the nine-term incumbent who will not face a Democratic opponent this November, spent much of the 90 minute session bashing President Obama and the Democratic Congress for passing legislation that has added trillions to the country’s deficit.
Goodlatte said the Republican caucus in the House of Representatives was “working to gather input,” ahead of the November 2 election, where many predict the GOP will take back the majority. “By far the most serious problem [is] out of control government spending,” said Goodlatte, who broke out charts put together by the Republican caucus.
Future projected budget deficits are “the scariest part,” he added, with deficits perhaps four times higher than at any other time in American history. Goodlatte noted that he has introduced balanced budget amendment many times – to no avail so far. He also mentioned the European debt crisis, singling out Greece, where debt is currently about 120% of the country’s gross national product (GDP). “The U.S. debt currently stands at 93% of this country’s GDP,” said Goodlatte.
As for the controversial health care bill, Goodlatte said he voted against it “for many reasons,” earlier this year. One chart displayed a complex jumble of what he claimed were 150 new agencies and programs that the Obama-led health care reform would entail. “Truly stunning … we simply cannot afford it,” he said.
Goodlatte wants to repeal health care reform – which will only happen if Republicans win back a majority in Congress. “We really are headed towards a cliff [otherwise].” He supports more limited reform measures in place of the massive bill. “A full repeal,” said Goodlatte would not be possible “until you have a new President of the United States.”
Attendees were asked for their feedback and questions. One spoke of the “pent up anger,” and the need for more job creation. He also wanted to see the Bush tax cuts that are scheduled to end this year extended.
Goodlatte responded to one query on education by saying it was “really a state and local issue. We try to do too much at the federal level.” That remark drew a round of applause. He’s not a big fan of No Child Left Behind, the program pushed by the Bush administration, calling it “well intentioned – but it did not turn out well at all.” The federal program also conflicts with Virginia’s Standards of Learning according to Goodlatte.
Others in the audience wanted to see more federal accountability for its spending and measures to protect U.S. businesses from unfair foreign competition. Goodlatte wants to see the United States produce more domestic energy of all types, and to lessen its dependence on other countries.
“Social Security reform,” said the congressman was “probably the easiest to fix,” although raising the retirement rate might be part of the solution. Goodlatte also wants to see more fraud investigators hired to go after waste in the Medicare system. Once again, Goodlatte stated his opposition to the 51 million dollar renovation planned for the federal Poff Building in downtown Roanoke.
By Gene Marrano [email protected]