Earmarks, spending targeted in Rehberg’s visit
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POLSON — In a 90-minute meeting billed as a listening session at the Lake County Court House, Montana’s only Congressman Denny Rehberg’s main message was accountability.
“If you don’t like the health care plan, blame the people who voted for it,” Rehberg said.
When a constituent brought up crimes against women and children with the perpetrator only getting his or her hands slapped, Rehberg said, “Fire the judges if the laws are in place and not being enforced."
Rehberg, the Republican incumbent, is facing Democrat Dennis McDonald in the general election in November.
“We Republicans are in the penalty box,” Rehberg continued, “and we know it.”
To get back on the ice, Republicans need to lead the way to get congressional spending under control, Rehberg said. Two examples of ways to do that are a balanced budget and no earmarks, congressional dictates that circumvent the normal budgetary procedure.
About 125 Lake County residents showed up to ask Rehberg a question or give a comment.
Before the session began, Paul Doolittle, Polson, was writing down his question. Doolittle said he was very concerned about the federal debt. The congressional budget office says every man, woman and child in the United State of America owes $50,000 to pay off the national debt. Doolittle said this will “take away everything we’ve worked a lifetime to earn.”
Reg Wearly, Big Arm, also was waiting. A big Rehberg supporter, Wearly said, “I’d like Denny’s face up front and center more than in the past — sponsoring bills, making comments.”
Audience members had questions and comments ranging from open primary elections to state officials choosing the senators for Montana to public financing for campaigns to Social Security.
When Social Security was set up, 33 folks were working to support one person on Social Security, Rehberg said, and now there are three people working to support every one.
Rehberg also stressed being informed and getting a candidate’s views. Rehberg had information up on a site called americaspeakingout.com, but he also recommended other web pages, Facebook and Twitter as ways to find out about candidates and issues.
