Last week, I , Congressman Peter Roskam, to meet me for a series of town hall-style debates in the eleven weeks we have left until the election. I am very much looking forward to an exchange of views in front of the voters for one simple reason: Mr. Roskam and I disagree on how to solve most of the problems that face our country. For that reason, I believe that voters deserve to hear from both of us so that their choice for Representative is clear.
That is not to say that we don’t agree on some things. We both agree that the economy needs to be strengthened so that businesses can create more jobs. Congressman Roskam has voted for bills that he says would do this by eliminating regulations and retaining tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. He has also twice voted for the Paul Ryan budget that would cut the taxes of the wealthiest people even further and turn Medicare into a voucher program.
On the other hand, I believe that continued weakness in the economy is the result of too little demand for the products of our businesses. If more people had good jobs, more people would be able to afford to buy the things they both want and need. They’d be able to buy a new car, which would strengthen the auto industry, or purchase a new home, which would help put the housing market back on its feet. For that reason, I believe we must focus on economic growth through initiatives like investing in our infrastructure – repairing crumbling roads, bridges and schools – in order to put more people back to work and get more money circulating in the economy.
Unless Mr. Roskam and I debate, though, this and other differences in our outlooks may not become clear. Our paid advertising, frankly, will tell you one point of view, either his or mine. The voters deserve to know how we would each propose to:
- Preserve Medicare (or turn it into a voucher program)
- Protect our environment (or reduce environmental regulations)
- Reform our tax code (make it fairer? or more beneficial for the richest Americans?) and
- Determine the priorities for our nation.
I am a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) so I am trained to delve into the numbers to understand the facts and develop solutions. I hope that Congressman Roskam accepts my invitation to debate so that we can discuss the problems facing our nation and what Congress should be doing to solve them.
Government (both parties) needs to get out of our lives and return to boundaries established by our constitution. To trade you for Roskum would be equivalent to jumping out of the pan into the fire.
You guys apparently never read the papers or watch news to see on a daily bases how we are being robbed by these clowns. These guys aren’t immoral they are amoral and the debt being loaded on our kids and grandkids is nothing short of disgraceful. Business of any kind except the ones supported by government (crony capitalist like GE, GM, Salendra, et al) survive and thrive if they are not stamped out by over taxation and regulation. The reason there are no jobs is because there is no affordable energy to run them and government would prefer that you collect welfare verses having the dignity and personal responsibility of doing something for yourself. Angry! your darn right I am. These political parasites who exclude themselves from the laws that enslave us, give themselves outrageous salaries, benefits and pensions, buy support and votes by bribing the non-producers, union supporters and companies who kickback monies to them are destroying this country.
I have an idea...how about cutting spending and telling the truth. The Obama stimulus, over 700 billion worth, has been incorporated into the annual spending by the federal government. I cannot even say budget because as of today, the US Senate has not fulfilled its obligation to pass an annual budget in 1215 days and counting. Obama's budget have been defeated by the Democratically controlled senate with out even one vote (look it up - its true) and the Republican budgets have been defeated by the Senate without any attempt to modify them and get them passed. Try running your household or business without a budget and see what happens. Its time that we all wake up an realize that we cant tax and spend our way to prosperity. The Federal government accounts for about 25% of GDP. That money comes from tax payers, is borrowed or printed. Anyway you look at it, uncontrolled spending is taking money from the private sector - where jobs are created, stolen from our children and their children (when borrowed) and/or devalues our currency when they print money. I would think that a CPA would understand these simple concepts. I hope Roskam does debate you so we can all see how the failed policies of the last 100 years is destroying our country. Either way, I cant wait for November!
"Please schedule a debate, town hall meeting style". My simple question is why won't MY congressman debate? I am a tax paying, job creating human, running a company here in Illinois - and I would like to see an honest debate to help our electorate choose their new representative. Is that too much to ask?
My recommendation is to schedule the debate at a convenient time, invite the media and when he fails to show up, it will simply be proof of Mr. Roskam's utter contempt for this district and the constituents he is ethically and legally obligated to serve.
The Democrats have bankrupted Illinois and destroyed the state pension system. Why would I want them involved at a Federal level?
So , yeah, you are right....Republicans are good for this country as long as you are a rich, white, Christian male. (which I happen to be and, therefore, I will be voting against my financial self-interest so I don't morally bankrupt myself for the almighty dollar.) But ultimately, what I have noticed from the comments, and with all apologies mine included, the issue raised by this article is not which party is better or who should be in power, but the basic premise that Mr. Roskam should debate. This is a democracy which civil discourse is required. The fact that Mr. Roskam will not debate demonstrates his contempt for democracy as a fascist as if he is "above" being questioned or challenged on his positions. I find it sad john, that you and other republicans, are so focused on "what it would cost me." Jesus took fishes and loaves from the few and gave to the many, Jesus told the rich man on the road to Capernum to give his money to the poor. Jesus said when you cloth the naked, feed the hungry, help the poor and give aid to the sick, you are doing this to Me. Republicans don't believe this. Democrats do.
The bush tax cuts did not expand the economy but pushed down and already downtrodden middle class. Trickle down has never and will never work. That is why David stockman left reagan . Rich do not use TAx breaks to innovate or create new jobs, instead they only create new and aditional wealth for themselves. The republicans are the pigs in orwell's animal farm
1. I'm not a Republican. Some of my political beliefs are republican. Some of those are democratic as well. Your assumption is false. 2. If you believe in what you write, use your real name. It is a hallmark of earnest conversation and "debate". I have no fear about repurcussions from my writing because I keep it factual and impersonal. 3. It was most interesting that you completely ignored the failed stewardship of the Democratic Party over the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois, choosing instead to cite questionable facts (You do know about Clinton and the Glass Steagal Act I hope) about the past, which have no bearing about the present. 4. The article was about the debate, but many of the posts clearly were not. Roskam has a huge advantage in this election, and would be foolish to allow another candidate any kind of chance for elevated exposure in the media. He is smart enough to know this, and would be a fool to do so. While I would prefer debates be a "legally required" part of the election process, I cant fault a candidate for acting intelligently. Intelligence is something I look for in a candidate. 4. A fascist? Seriously. I cant even come up with an answer for this one its so absurd. Does he goosestep too? So again, what do you think of the job Democrats have done with this state and the City of Chicago? Please answer the question first, you can call me names later.