Among national issues like health care and budget deficits, U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers worries about the Clarkston News.
“I’m worried that you all are a dying breed, that’s what worries me more than anything,” said Rogers, in a visit Monday to the News office before meeting with Clarkston Area Chamber of Commerce. “Nothing makes you believe in journalism more than an anonymous blogger ? I don’t read blogs anymore.”
Still, the alternative media serves its purpose. Roger’s opening congressional statement during the health care debate is a hit on YouTube, with almost 4 million views.
“Americans are really interested in weighing in ? they want to be a part of it,” he said. “We (Republicans) can’t stop anything. Millions of Americans stood up and literally slowed health care debate down until we could get a handle on it. That’s really an amazing thing.”
Awakening political activism is growing even in Clarkston, said Don Rush, assistant publisher, attending the meeting with publisher Jim Sherman, Jr.
“People are paying attention to their elected officials, school board, township, and local,” Rush said. “They’re complaining, sending letters to the editor. I think that’s a carry over of what we’re seeing at a national level.”
Democrats and media pundits make a mistake when they marginalize TEA parties and other demonstrations, Rogers said.
“A lot of people have never done this before ? they don’t belong to any groups,” he said. “This is America. We respect people’s right to do that.”
As the minority party, Rogers said his role is to present an alternative to policy proposals of the Democratic majority.
“Every day I’m here, I’m just going to do what I have to do, point out alternatives and problems I have with these things, and hopefully we can come to a better place,” he said. “We can compromise, without blowing up the whole system.”
The recent “Cash for Clunkers” program does not inspire confidence, he said.
“There are dealers out there who still don’t have their money,” he said. “They can’t handle 750,000 transactions, and they’re going to handle several million every day?”
One compromise would be more competition, such as allowing people to buy health insurance across state lines, he said.
“Make insurance companies compete and make policies more transparent, so people know what’s covered,” he said. “Make it fair and free, so people can make their own decisions.”
House leadership wants a vote on its current health care bill within two weeks, he said.
“It has 54 new programs, boards, and commissions, brand new ones to deal with health care,” he said. “They’re determined try get something, anything, ram it through, then see if they can salvage something from it.”
Federal deficit spending, about $1.8 trillion, is also a problem, one of staggering proportions, he said.
“They’re printing up money that doesn’t exist to pay off some of the debt,” he said. “The budget has 20 percent increases. We can’t do that. Who has 20 percent revenue increases? Not Main Street America.”