To the editor,
When I returned home the other night the phone was ringing. As is the usual procedure we look to see who is calling. It was an unfamiliar number, and name, but I felt compelled to answer this call.
The voice on the phone started out by identifying himself as from the “Dump Cravaack Campaign” and asked whom I would vote for this November. I immediately said, “I would vote for Chip any old day.” The voice seemed somewhat distraught as he said, “Oh, okay, goodbye.”
You see, I know Chip Cravaack. I’ve met him on several occasions, and talked to him personally. He is a personable man, and conducts himself in a very humble and attentive manner.
When I hear from the opposition, how terrible a congressman he has been; it is the same old worn out “He’s going to get rid of Medicare. He’s in the bag for Big Oil,” and on and on with the same old negative drum beat.
On Medicare Chip, supports bow hunting Congressman Paul Ryan’s bill; which does not push granny over the cliff as portrayed by some, but sets in place the needed steps to fix Medicare so it will be sustainable for future generations. As it stands now, Medicare will be insolvent anywhere from 2016-2024. At least the House has done its part, and awaits Harry Reid’s Senate to bring it up for discussion. The opposition has not put forth their plan, but will not even consider Congressman Ryan’s bill. It’s not a do nothing House. It is however a do nothing Senate.
As far as the special interests goes, if voting to go ahead with the Keystone Pipeline and setting up a process for our country to be energy independent is cow towing to special interests and Big Oil; he is guilty as charged.
Chip has been active in legislation directly affecting Koochiching County:
• Following his belief that small businesses are being squeezed every day and creating and maintain jobs is number one; he supported a bipartisan bill HR 9 the Small Business Tax Cut Act.
• Working with the mayor of International Falls they were able to have the federal government transfer ownership of the used border patrol building to the North Koochiching Sanitary District so local officials can administer and test the sanitary district’s improved sewage treatment operations.
• To further reduce wait times at the border, Chip offered an amendment to the FY12 Homeland Security Authorization Act which would allow that department to receive donated property from municipalities and corporations to construct new port of entry infrastructure. This amendment was passed unanimously in committee and waits a vote in the full House.
You see for these reasons, and many more, I would vote for Congressman Chip Cravaack any old day.
Dick Lorette
International Falls
