Ortonville- Conflict in the Middle East, healthcare and alternative fuels.
These were among the topics U.S. Representative Mike Rogers (R-MI) discussed during a meeting at 10:30 a.m., Aug. 1 with local officials in the community room of the Brandon Township Library, 304 South St.
When Brandon Township Supervisor Ron Lapp questioned Rogers on why the U.S. had pledged $30 million in humanitarian aid to Lebanon, Rogers responded that the action was an investment in good will. Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon and Israeli forces have been in combat since July 12, resulting in bombing and attacks on both countries.
‘Hopefully, we’ll get to a cease-fire that means something,? continued Rogers. ‘It’s the hardest problem to put your arms around. We have to untangle these guys to get them to stop shooting at each other… We’ve got to have friends in the Mid-East.?
Rogers, who visited Iraq last month, also discussed the U.S. military presence in that country. He described northern Iraq as like a different country. Fallujah and Baghdad have presented the biggest problems.
‘If we get control of Baghdad, it will change the whole equation,? said Rogers. ‘We could scale back as many as 30,000 troops by the end of the year. A long fight? You bet. Are we making progress? I think we are. The Iraq parliament told us, ‘If you leave us now, there never will be democracy, the terrorists will win.? I believe they’re right.?
Rogers also addressed health care, including Health Savings Accounts which give citizens tax incentives to put money in a health care fund and are being used by more than three million Americans; and also the new Medicare prescription drug plan, in which, Rogers says, 38 million seniors are saving more than 50-percent on prescription drugs.
Near the end of the meeting, Rogers discussed oil prices, calling the purchase of overseas oil a national security issue as well as an economic issue. He cited the need for alternative fuels, including ethanol.
Rogers also acknowledged the problem of jobs leaving the state, saying, ‘We’ve lost more manufacturing jobs than any other state,? and suggesting that unions need to change work rule mentality.
‘Unions have an important role, but need to understand their place in a broader context,? he said.
Rogers is up for election to his fourth term this fall.