Congressional candidates tackle health care, jobs during debate
BY KATHLEEN GRAY
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER
One of the hottest congressional races in the state got even hotter this afternoon as candidates for the 9th Congressional seat, which covers most of Oakland County, gathered for their final debate to try to make a final impact before the Nov. 2 general election.
U.S. Rep. Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Township, took most of the heat from the other candidates and the crowd for his support for health care reform.
Three of the candidates – Republican Andrew (Rocky) Raczkowski, Green Party candidate Douglas Campbell and Independent Bob Gray – said they would repeal the health care reform bill passed earlier this year. But Campbell said he would replace it with a socialized medicine system, such as what Canada offers.
“It was a power grab by our government,” Raczkowski said. “I pledge to repeal it.”
But Peters defended his vote, saying he still feels it’s critical to provide affordable, accessible health care for all Americans, noting that it does a variety of important things, like prohibit insurance companies from rescinding coverage for people who get sick and allow children to stay on their parents’ insurance until the age of 26.
For most people it was a day to rake the lawn, watch a rare Lions victory or take in some fall colors. But for about 200 politically engaged people, it was a day to support their favorite candidate as they debated issues ranging from health care to the deficit to the economy. The debate, sponsored by the League of Women Voters Oakland Area, was held at Oakland University in Auburn Hills.
The candidates also tackled the thorny issue of creating jobs. Peters, Raczkowski and Gray said it wasn’t up to the government to create jobs while Independent Matthew Kuofie said it was up to government, academia and the private sector to create jobs, while Green said it’s been an appropriate role of government over they years to create jobs.
“The real creator of growth is going to be small business and there is a real inability to get loans for basic working capital,” Peters said. “That’s why I worked very aggressively on a small business lending bill.”
Most of the candidate supported extending the Bush tax cuts, although Green said he would vote against the extension and Peters said he would make the tax cuts permanent for people making $250,000 or less and for a few years for people making more than $250,000 while the economy continues to recover.
“We’re taxing too much already,” Raczkowski said.
The biggest applause line of the day, though, was when an audience member announced the score of the Detroit Lions football game, 34-6, in the fourth quarter over the Rams.
The debate will be available to watch online in about three days at www.civiccentertv.com.
Read more: Congressional candidates tackle health care, jobs during debate | freep.com | Detroit Free Press http://www.freep.com/article/20101010/NEWS15/101010029/1322/Congressional-candidates-tackle-health-care-jobs-during-debate?GID=vDGHqVDmxneGYYUTw3CvbfhHqjwL4F9Z/7GJUPEaJ94%3D#ixzz120bfjQrK
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Detroit News Covers Rocky vs. Peters Debate: Rocky's Less Spending, Less Government Vision Wins Crowd, Peters Falters Pushing Pro-Pelosi Votes
Peters, Raczkowski find little common ground in debate over health care, jobs
Marisa Schultz / The Detroit News
Rochester Hills — Candidates for the 9th Congressional District seat sparred over health care, jobs and government intervention during the debate for one of the most hotly contested races in Michigan.
Incumbent Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Township, is fighting to retain his seat in the face of anti-incumbent and anti-Democratic sentiment here and around the country. Republican Andrew “Rocky” Raczkowski, former state representative and Tea Party-backed candidate, is hoping to take the seat back for the GOP.
Peters defended his support of the federal health care bill, saying it will protect consumers from insurance being rescinded and bolster health care options for pre-existing conditions.
“I believe every American should have access to affordable health care — the same health care that a member of Congress has — and that’s what we have in this bill,” Peters said during the debate at Oakland University.
Raczkowski called the bill “dangerous,” saying women under 50 would not have coverage for mammograms because it’s not considered cost effective. He vowed to repeal and replace it.
“This bill is garbage. It will ration health care,” he said.
Also participating in the debate were Green Party candidate Douglas Campbell and Bob Gray and Matthew Kuofie, who are not affiliated with a party. Campbell said he would have voted against the health insurance measure because it isn’t health reform, but says he supports socialized medicine. Kuofie supports some parts of the bill, such as offering insurance to those with pre-existing conditions, but has concerns over how the bill will be funded. Gray doesn’t believe in national health care. “You don’t want the health care you shouldn’t have to take it,” Gray said.
Asked about the role of the federal government in job creation, Peters said the government does not create jobs, but private businesses do. However, small businesses have had trouble getting loans so while in Washington he’s worked to help them, he said.
“I’ve worked very aggressively on a small business lending bill that just recently was signed into law that will put money in the hands of our job creators, which are small businesses,” Peters said.
Raczkowski said the government creates problems for job creation when it gets involved in business.
“We need less regulation — less harmful regulation — less taxes and allow the entrepreneur spirit to create more of the enterprise in the United States,” Raczkowski said. “It’s the individual that actually hires and creates. It’s the individual that develops. There is no government in history that’s ever created a job.”
Peters and Raczkowski found common ground in immigration, with both favoring an E-Verify Internet-based system to allow business owners to easily check whether potential employees are documented. Peters doesn’t believe in amnesty for illegal immigrants and supports tougher border security and tougher penalties for employers who hire undocumented workers. Raczkowski doesn’t support a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants and wants English to be the official language.
The 9th District includes most of Oakland County, including Farmington Hills, Pontiac, Rochester Hills and Troy. The district is about 80 percent white, 11 percent black and 8 percent Asian. Twenty-six percent of residents have a college degree or higher, according to the 2009 American Community Survey. The winner of the election will land a 2-year term and salary of $174,000.
The debate comes as Peters and Raczkowski have been on the attack in ads and as well in the courtroom. Peters’ television ad that debuted in September highlights a lawsuit filed against Raczkowski, former chairman and CEO of Star Tickets, accusing him of a “concert ticket scheme that bilked his partners out of $6 million.”
In response, Raczkowski, a Farmington Hills resident, filed a defamation lawsuit in Oakland Circuit Court against Peters and Mark Brewer, chairman of the Michigan Democratic Party.
On the issues, Raczkowski believes in reducing government, extending tax cuts for all and less government regulation to promote the growth of private businesses. Peters defends his votes for the auto bailout and stimulus funding. He said he’d vote to extend the Bush-era tax cuts for those making $250,000 or less, and a temporary extension for those making more than $250,000.
The debate, lasting nearly 1.5 hours, was sponsored by the League of Women Voters Oakland Area and Oakland University. It was moderated by Free Press Columnist Brian Dickerson. Also on the panel of questioners were Nolan Finley, editorial page editor of the Detroit News, Stephen Henderson from the Free Press and Roger Larocca, an assistant professor at Oakland University.
mschultz@detnews.com
(313) 222-2310
From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20101010/METRO/10100315/Peters--Raczkowski-find-little-common-ground-in-debate-over-health-care--jobs#ixzz120YfvjLj
Marisa Schultz / The Detroit News
Rochester Hills — Candidates for the 9th Congressional District seat sparred over health care, jobs and government intervention during the debate for one of the most hotly contested races in Michigan.
Incumbent Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Township, is fighting to retain his seat in the face of anti-incumbent and anti-Democratic sentiment here and around the country. Republican Andrew “Rocky” Raczkowski, former state representative and Tea Party-backed candidate, is hoping to take the seat back for the GOP.
Peters defended his support of the federal health care bill, saying it will protect consumers from insurance being rescinded and bolster health care options for pre-existing conditions.
“I believe every American should have access to affordable health care — the same health care that a member of Congress has — and that’s what we have in this bill,” Peters said during the debate at Oakland University.
Raczkowski called the bill “dangerous,” saying women under 50 would not have coverage for mammograms because it’s not considered cost effective. He vowed to repeal and replace it.
“This bill is garbage. It will ration health care,” he said.
Also participating in the debate were Green Party candidate Douglas Campbell and Bob Gray and Matthew Kuofie, who are not affiliated with a party. Campbell said he would have voted against the health insurance measure because it isn’t health reform, but says he supports socialized medicine. Kuofie supports some parts of the bill, such as offering insurance to those with pre-existing conditions, but has concerns over how the bill will be funded. Gray doesn’t believe in national health care. “You don’t want the health care you shouldn’t have to take it,” Gray said.
Asked about the role of the federal government in job creation, Peters said the government does not create jobs, but private businesses do. However, small businesses have had trouble getting loans so while in Washington he’s worked to help them, he said.
“I’ve worked very aggressively on a small business lending bill that just recently was signed into law that will put money in the hands of our job creators, which are small businesses,” Peters said.
Raczkowski said the government creates problems for job creation when it gets involved in business.
“We need less regulation — less harmful regulation — less taxes and allow the entrepreneur spirit to create more of the enterprise in the United States,” Raczkowski said. “It’s the individual that actually hires and creates. It’s the individual that develops. There is no government in history that’s ever created a job.”
Peters and Raczkowski found common ground in immigration, with both favoring an E-Verify Internet-based system to allow business owners to easily check whether potential employees are documented. Peters doesn’t believe in amnesty for illegal immigrants and supports tougher border security and tougher penalties for employers who hire undocumented workers. Raczkowski doesn’t support a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants and wants English to be the official language.
The 9th District includes most of Oakland County, including Farmington Hills, Pontiac, Rochester Hills and Troy. The district is about 80 percent white, 11 percent black and 8 percent Asian. Twenty-six percent of residents have a college degree or higher, according to the 2009 American Community Survey. The winner of the election will land a 2-year term and salary of $174,000.
The debate comes as Peters and Raczkowski have been on the attack in ads and as well in the courtroom. Peters’ television ad that debuted in September highlights a lawsuit filed against Raczkowski, former chairman and CEO of Star Tickets, accusing him of a “concert ticket scheme that bilked his partners out of $6 million.”
In response, Raczkowski, a Farmington Hills resident, filed a defamation lawsuit in Oakland Circuit Court against Peters and Mark Brewer, chairman of the Michigan Democratic Party.
On the issues, Raczkowski believes in reducing government, extending tax cuts for all and less government regulation to promote the growth of private businesses. Peters defends his votes for the auto bailout and stimulus funding. He said he’d vote to extend the Bush-era tax cuts for those making $250,000 or less, and a temporary extension for those making more than $250,000.
The debate, lasting nearly 1.5 hours, was sponsored by the League of Women Voters Oakland Area and Oakland University. It was moderated by Free Press Columnist Brian Dickerson. Also on the panel of questioners were Nolan Finley, editorial page editor of the Detroit News, Stephen Henderson from the Free Press and Roger Larocca, an assistant professor at Oakland University.
mschultz@detnews.com
(313) 222-2310
From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20101010/METRO/10100315/Peters--Raczkowski-find-little-common-ground-in-debate-over-health-care--jobs#ixzz120YfvjLj
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Obama/Pelosi/Gary Peters True Unemployment Breaks 17% Again - Rep. Gary Peters' Vote in Favor of the Obama/Pelosi Agenda Kills Economy
True unemployment breaks 17% again - Obama’s jobless recovery continues
Posted by Dan Spencer (Profile)
Saturday, October 9th at 2:28PM EDT
The government unemployment report that the economy lost another 95,000 jobs and that the unemployment rate remained stuck at 9.6 percent in September is a disaster for the Obama/Democrats.
The government’s broader measure of unemployment, sometimes referred to “true unemploytment,” now stands at 17.1 percent. As the Washington Post’s Frank Ahrens puts it, you are not included in the “official” unemployment rate if, a) you would like to have a full-time job but can find only part-time work, and b) if you’ve grown so discouraged at finding work, you’ve simply given up:
If you include all of these people into the number — all of the people who should be working full time but are not — the truer U.S. unemployment rate is a much higher 16.8 percent.
The higher, more inclusive, unemployment number is buried in the government’s monthly report as “U6 Total unemployed, plus all persons marginally attached to the labor force, plus total employed part time for economic reasons, as a percent of the civilian labor force plus all persons marginally attached to the labor force” in “Table A-15. Alternative measures of labor underutilization.” Unlike the “official” unemployment rate, the U6 number includes both marginal and part-time workers as the “true” or “real” unemployment level.
This is once again a good time to recall President Obama’s promises about his boondoggle stimulus package:
•When pushing for passage of his $800 billion so-called stimulus package, President Obama proposed five different goals over eight weeks for his boondoggle and finally settled on a claim that his bailout would create three to four million jobs.
•Team Obama used scare tactics to get the Democrat-controlled Congress to give him the massive spending bill dressed up as a stimulus. They assured us that without Obama’s bailout the unemployment rate would reach 9 percent, but if Congress passed his boondoggle, unemployment would peak at 8 percent.
The unemployment rate scare tactic was contained in Obama’s “The Job Impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan.” At Innocent Bystanders, Geoff, has plotted the actual unemployment rates on Obama’s prediction chart. Where are the jobs?
As we all unfortunately know, despite Team Obama’s assurances unemployment not only surpassed 8 and 9 percent, it actually broke 10 percent.
When will Obama admit that his misguided tax, spend and borrow policies have not done the job and are epic failures? We may have so far avoided a double dip recession under Obama. But sadly, in less than two years, we have now seen true unemployment rise above 17 percent three times during Obama’s presidency.
http://www.redstate.com/california_yankee/2010/10/09/true-unemployment-breaks-17-again-obamas-jobless-recovery-continues/
Posted by Dan Spencer (Profile)
Saturday, October 9th at 2:28PM EDT
The government unemployment report that the economy lost another 95,000 jobs and that the unemployment rate remained stuck at 9.6 percent in September is a disaster for the Obama/Democrats.
The government’s broader measure of unemployment, sometimes referred to “true unemploytment,” now stands at 17.1 percent. As the Washington Post’s Frank Ahrens puts it, you are not included in the “official” unemployment rate if, a) you would like to have a full-time job but can find only part-time work, and b) if you’ve grown so discouraged at finding work, you’ve simply given up:
If you include all of these people into the number — all of the people who should be working full time but are not — the truer U.S. unemployment rate is a much higher 16.8 percent.
The higher, more inclusive, unemployment number is buried in the government’s monthly report as “U6 Total unemployed, plus all persons marginally attached to the labor force, plus total employed part time for economic reasons, as a percent of the civilian labor force plus all persons marginally attached to the labor force” in “Table A-15. Alternative measures of labor underutilization.” Unlike the “official” unemployment rate, the U6 number includes both marginal and part-time workers as the “true” or “real” unemployment level.
This is once again a good time to recall President Obama’s promises about his boondoggle stimulus package:
•When pushing for passage of his $800 billion so-called stimulus package, President Obama proposed five different goals over eight weeks for his boondoggle and finally settled on a claim that his bailout would create three to four million jobs.
•Team Obama used scare tactics to get the Democrat-controlled Congress to give him the massive spending bill dressed up as a stimulus. They assured us that without Obama’s bailout the unemployment rate would reach 9 percent, but if Congress passed his boondoggle, unemployment would peak at 8 percent.
The unemployment rate scare tactic was contained in Obama’s “The Job Impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan.” At Innocent Bystanders, Geoff, has plotted the actual unemployment rates on Obama’s prediction chart. Where are the jobs?
As we all unfortunately know, despite Team Obama’s assurances unemployment not only surpassed 8 and 9 percent, it actually broke 10 percent.
When will Obama admit that his misguided tax, spend and borrow policies have not done the job and are epic failures? We may have so far avoided a double dip recession under Obama. But sadly, in less than two years, we have now seen true unemployment rise above 17 percent three times during Obama’s presidency.
http://www.redstate.com/california_yankee/2010/10/09/true-unemployment-breaks-17-again-obamas-jobless-recovery-continues/
Friday, October 8, 2010
Rep. Gary Peters' Vote for Obamacare Exposed for Bad Public Policy by Leading Democrat - Helps Destroy Medicaid for Seniors
Gubernatorial candidate (Nevada) Rory Reid (D), also son of Majority Leader Harry Reid (D), admitted last night that Obamacare puts “significant pressure on states because Medicaid rates could go up significantly.”
http://blog.heritage.org/2010/10/08/morning-bell-at-the-mercy-of-the-obama-tax-hikes/
http://blog.heritage.org/2010/10/08/morning-bell-at-the-mercy-of-the-obama-tax-hikes/
An Ode to Gary Peters by Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson
An Ode to Gary Peters
If Peters would run on his record
His campaign would be a big dud
That's why he has gone so negative
And has been busily slinging mud
Oakland County voters aren't stupid
We're smarter than the average bear
We still remember Peters voted for
The Stimulus, Cap & Trade and Obamacare
by Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson
If Peters would run on his record
His campaign would be a big dud
That's why he has gone so negative
And has been busily slinging mud
Oakland County voters aren't stupid
We're smarter than the average bear
We still remember Peters voted for
The Stimulus, Cap & Trade and Obamacare
by Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson
Obama/Pelosi/Peters Democrats Make Power Play to Control Every Aspect of Your Life Including While You Drive - Gary Peters Needs to Go!
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood may push total ban on phone use while driving
Jonathan Oosting | MLive.com
AP Photo U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood this week continued his aggressive campaign against distracted driving, suggesting he could push states to ban any use of mobile phones by drivers.
Michigan lawmakers last year passed legislation making it illegal to send text messages while driving in the state, but LaHood said research underway could prove the need to ban all forms of phone use -- including the hands-free variety.
Bloomberg, Oct. 8: LaHood, whose campaign against texting and making calls while driving has led to restrictions in 30 states, says his concerns extend to vehicle information and entertainment systems such as Ford Motor Co.’s Sync and General Motors Co.’s OnStar.
"I don’t want people talking on phones, having them up to their ear or texting while they’re driving," LaHood said in an interview this week. "We need a lot better research on other distractions," including Bluetooth-enabled hands-free calls and the in-car systems, he said.
Those comments came in the wake of a report by the Highway Loss Data Institute report suggesting text messaging bans have had little effect on crash rates and have not dissuaded drivers from sending texts. LaHood called the report "completely misleading" and said "all the reputable research we have says that tough laws, good enforcement and increased public awareness will help put a stop to the deadly epidemic of distracted driving on our roads."
It's unlikely LaHood would or could push for a federal ban. Rather, Bloomberg suggests he could use the governments clout to persuade states to strengthen their distracted driving laws, much like it did when awarding highway aid funds to states that raised the legal drinking age to 21 or required the use of seat belts.
Such a ban could be a blow to Ford and GM, who promote on-board computer systems for their ability to interact with smart phones and facilitate hands-free conversations, which Lahood called a form of "cognitive distraction."
Chrysler, meanwhile, announced Wednesday it is sponsoring a free, hands-free cell phone application developed by Car and Driver magazine intended to "combat the dangers of texting while driving."
When running, the twee-titled "Txt U L8r" automatically responds to incoming texts with a customizable message along the lines of "text you later." At the same time, the application reads the incoming message aloud to the driver, and a paid version allows the driver to respond with voice commands.
http://www.mlive.com/auto/index.ssf/2010/10/us_transportation_secretary_ra.html
Jonathan Oosting | MLive.com
AP Photo U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood this week continued his aggressive campaign against distracted driving, suggesting he could push states to ban any use of mobile phones by drivers.
Michigan lawmakers last year passed legislation making it illegal to send text messages while driving in the state, but LaHood said research underway could prove the need to ban all forms of phone use -- including the hands-free variety.
Bloomberg, Oct. 8: LaHood, whose campaign against texting and making calls while driving has led to restrictions in 30 states, says his concerns extend to vehicle information and entertainment systems such as Ford Motor Co.’s Sync and General Motors Co.’s OnStar.
"I don’t want people talking on phones, having them up to their ear or texting while they’re driving," LaHood said in an interview this week. "We need a lot better research on other distractions," including Bluetooth-enabled hands-free calls and the in-car systems, he said.
Those comments came in the wake of a report by the Highway Loss Data Institute report suggesting text messaging bans have had little effect on crash rates and have not dissuaded drivers from sending texts. LaHood called the report "completely misleading" and said "all the reputable research we have says that tough laws, good enforcement and increased public awareness will help put a stop to the deadly epidemic of distracted driving on our roads."
It's unlikely LaHood would or could push for a federal ban. Rather, Bloomberg suggests he could use the governments clout to persuade states to strengthen their distracted driving laws, much like it did when awarding highway aid funds to states that raised the legal drinking age to 21 or required the use of seat belts.
Such a ban could be a blow to Ford and GM, who promote on-board computer systems for their ability to interact with smart phones and facilitate hands-free conversations, which Lahood called a form of "cognitive distraction."
Chrysler, meanwhile, announced Wednesday it is sponsoring a free, hands-free cell phone application developed by Car and Driver magazine intended to "combat the dangers of texting while driving."
When running, the twee-titled "Txt U L8r" automatically responds to incoming texts with a customizable message along the lines of "text you later." At the same time, the application reads the incoming message aloud to the driver, and a paid version allows the driver to respond with voice commands.
http://www.mlive.com/auto/index.ssf/2010/10/us_transportation_secretary_ra.html
Signs are in! Get your Snyder/Calley, Schuette & Johnson lawn signs & Rocky for Congress, Senate, Rep. & County Commissioner signs too!
Signs are in! Signs are in! Get yours today!!
The Fix Michigan Centers have received their shipment of:
*Snyder/Calley lawn signs
*Snyder/Calley 4x8 large signs (for major roads)
*Bill Schuette for Attorney General lawn signs
*Ruth Johnson for Secretary of State lawn signs
They also have:
*Rocky for Congress lawn signs
*Numerous State Senate/State Representative/County Commissioner lawn signs
Get yours Monday - Saturday (9:00 AM - 9:00 PM) & Sunday (12:00 - 6:00 PM)
Bloomfield Fix Michigan Center
42651 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills
Director: Bobby Talbot
btalbot@migopvictory.org
517-862-8321
Troy Fix Michigan Center:
671 E. Big Beaver, Suite 101, Troy
Director: Addison Pierce
apierce@migopvictory.org
517-862-8300
Clarkston Fix Michigan Center:
5770 S. Main St., Suite D, Clarkston
Director: Mike Compagnoni
mike@migopvictory.org
517-214-2801
Novi Fix Michigan Center:
41700 Gardenbrook, Suite 202, Novi
Director: Ann-Marie Gostomski
agostomski@migopvictory.org
517-348-9490
The Fix Michigan Centers have received their shipment of:
*Snyder/Calley lawn signs
*Snyder/Calley 4x8 large signs (for major roads)
*Bill Schuette for Attorney General lawn signs
*Ruth Johnson for Secretary of State lawn signs
They also have:
*Rocky for Congress lawn signs
*Numerous State Senate/State Representative/County Commissioner lawn signs
Get yours Monday - Saturday (9:00 AM - 9:00 PM) & Sunday (12:00 - 6:00 PM)
Bloomfield Fix Michigan Center
42651 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills
Director: Bobby Talbot
btalbot@migopvictory.org
517-862-8321
Troy Fix Michigan Center:
671 E. Big Beaver, Suite 101, Troy
Director: Addison Pierce
apierce@migopvictory.org
517-862-8300
Clarkston Fix Michigan Center:
5770 S. Main St., Suite D, Clarkston
Director: Mike Compagnoni
mike@migopvictory.org
517-214-2801
Novi Fix Michigan Center:
41700 Gardenbrook, Suite 202, Novi
Director: Ann-Marie Gostomski
agostomski@migopvictory.org
517-348-9490
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