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Daily News • Saturday, September 14, 2013
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OUR VIEW
Camp’s genuine approach
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ongressman David Camp, who represents the 4th Congressional District of Michigan, is the kind of politician we need to clone at all levels of government. Actually, the word “politician” doesn’t even really jibe with what most of us probably think of when we hear that word these days. Congressman Camp took time out of a very busy schedule a week or so ago to check in with The Daily News editorial board on a variety of topics claiming headlines — Syria, health care reform, the Michigan vote to expand Medicaid, tax reform … just to name a few. Putting politics and the details of our conversation aside for a minute, what was clear from that update is that there are good people representing us in Washington dedicated to doing what’s right. When you talk with Congressman Camp, it is abundantly clear that he is passionate about making sure he understands what he votes on. He takes the average business owner and person into account when making decisions, gathering as many perspectives as possible. Even more heartening is the realization that Camp is not in Washington for power or to get his name in the paper or to block the other side of the aisle. He is there to make a difference for the good of the people. He’s not afraid to disagree with his peers or even the President when it comes to dealing with global unrest. In fact, he was honest in saying that he doesn’t understand what the country’s current guiding position is on how and if we will respond to issues in other countries. Congressman Camp talked about how complicated and confusing health care reform has shaken out to be. He said he’s talked with individuals and businesses and the consensus is that it’s a poorly planned implementation that has most Americans worried and confused. With regard to the Michigan’s expansion of Medicaid, the congressman said it’s a noble idea to expand coverage, but he has serious concerns about the sustainability of funding that expansion. Because of how approachable, genuine and knowledgeable the congressman is in answering questions, it’s easy to forget exactly how powerful he really is. But as chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, which helps set our nation’s economic, health care and social welfare policies, Camp is up to his eyebrows in tax reform. The Ways and Means Committee has sole jurisdiction over tax policy and they oversee tariff and trade laws, Medicare, Social Security and welfare programs. It is reassuring to hear what a universal approach the congressman is taking when it comes to tax reform, intentionally meeting with businesses of all sizes, as well as citizens. Before he left our meeting, the congressman was asked why he didn’t jump at the chance to run for the senate seat being vacated by Michigan Sen. Carl Levin. He explained that running for any political seat requires an intense focus many months in advance of the actual election. He said he has a lot of critical tasks on his plate as part of the Ways and Means Committee and he said that while he could run for the office, he wouldn’t be able to focus enough attention on either his current job or an election. It’s that dedication to finishing what has been started and making sure it is done right that gives us admiration for Congressman Camp. While many of us still have our doubts as to the overall attitude, outcomes and struggle for power in our nation’s capital, we took heart in knowing we’re represented by one of the best. Editorial opinions are the consensus of The Daily News editorial board.
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Today’s thoughts
e just had visitors from Los Angeles. They wanted to know what to see in Michigan in 48 hours, starting in Grand Rapids. We sent them to Mackinaw Island and to the Marshall Frederic Sculptor On My Museum in Mind Saginaw. We also By Maureen took them to Burns Meijer Gardens and the Gerald Ford Presidential Museum. As they live near Malibu, we didn’t direct them to any beach towns. It was an interesting dilemma — what to show off about our great state given the guidelines of time, etc. What would you have told them? They had thought of Henry Ford and Greenfield Village, but we felt that was too much. What did they rave about? They raved about how great our roads are. Yes, imagine that! We also had guests from New Jersey and they all agreed that our roads are so much better than
the roads in New York, California, New Jersey and Las Vegas. Isn’t that a surprise? After thinking over the Michigan sights to see, might I suggest that if you haven’t taken the time to visit the Gerald Ford Presidential Museum lately, it is so worth your while. It is superbly done and the grounds are lovely. Of course, the Meijer Gardens and Sculptor Park are fabulous and this is a lovely time to enjoy them. Perhaps you can squeeze in quiet visits before Art Prize hits. And then, you can visit Grand Rapids again to take in that glorious phenomenon.
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It is truly love that makes the world go round. Having just had a gathering to celebrate our daughter’s June wedding along with a couple other events of friends and family, it is clear that the world is made up of lots of things, but love is what we really get off on. Love binds us. Love encourages us. Love supports us. Love is all we need. Someone should write a song about it!
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I want to tell you to make
time to go see the film, “Lee Daniel’s The Butler.” (Now playing at NCG Cinemas in Greenville.) As my husband said, “It has been a long time since I have seen a movie that well done.” Oprah Winfrey is in it and is so good you forget she’s Oprah. That’s quite a job! It is well worth your time to see it.
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I just took a Facebook class at the Flat River Community Library. I should have had “clueless” stamped on my forehead. Why is it so hard for people like me? Do I not care enough? Am I not technical enough? Have I got the wrong kind of brain? My daughter summed it up, I think. She said, “It is amazing how mom is so dumb about some stuff, but yet knows where every Starbucks is in the state of Michigan, no matter how obscure the directions are.” I guess I need to care more about Facebook. Maybe I should begin to look at it like a latte. Maureen Burns, a Greenville resident, is a professional speaker and author. Her e-mail address is maureenburns@maureenburns.com.
letters@staffordgroup.com
Thanks for support of duck race Dear Editor, he Belding Band Boosters Labor Day Duck Race raised over $3,000 for the Belding Bands. We could never have achieved this without the generosity and support of our dedicated sponsors, ticket sellers and volunteers. This year’s winner of the $500 grand prize was Dr. Matthew Cooper, Arlene Cunningham won the second prize of $250 and the third prize of $125 went to Eileen Hulliberger. The following people won $50: K. Riches, Jane Gleason, Mr. R’s A+ Driving School, Becky Mansfield, Carmen Gee, Moore, and Dr. McNinch generously donated his $50.00 prize back to the Belding Band Boosters. The following businesses helped sponsor this year’s race: American Legion-Belding, Alpine Family Eye Care, Anderson Gravel Co., Belding Tank Technologies, Bella Vista Family Eye Care, Blake Hollenbeck Auto Sales, BlueGrass Lawns, Candlestone Golf & Resort, Cooper Mechanical, Daily News,
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Dr. Charles Barker, Jr., Dr. Matt Cooper, Dr. Daniel Tift, Firstbank, Gerref Industries, Independent Bank, Johnson-Feuerstein Funeral Home, KW Express, Leppinks Food Centers, M-44 Auto Body, Mari-Mar Sales, McFadden Law Office,Melton –McFadden Insurance, Melrose Pyrotechnics, Millie’s Family Restaurant, Mr. R’s A+ Driving School, Nature’s Needs Landscape Design & Construction,North Woods Rustic Furniture, Premier Automotive, Premium Truck & Auto, Ridgeview Golf Club, Scizzor Shak, State Farm Insurance-Wendy Rode, TaDa Salon, Thomas Home Interiors, Verdun Family Funeral Home, Vogue Services, Wesco Gas & Convenience Store, and Wiesen, Inc. The Labor Day Duck Race helps fund transportation, supplies and equipment for the Belding Bands. We appreciate the continued support of our community. Amber Reeves Belding Band Boosters
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We’ve been played “One does not sharpen the axes after the right time; after the time they are needed.” — Russian Proverb
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he late Ukrainian violinist Mischa Elman is considered one of the greatest of all time, but he has nothing on Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has played the Obama administration better than any musician. From the Washington is Right astounded at By Cal what happened Thomas over two days on the Syria front. First, there was a supposed faux pas on Monday in London by Secretary of State John Kerry, who said the only way Syria could avoid a military strike was to give up its chemical weapons. While the State Department was busy walking back his comment, Putin said it was a great idea and offered to facilitate the handover, a proposal to which Walid alMoallem, the Syrian foreign minister, quickly agreed. Then on Tuesday, things accelerated at warp speed. Al-Moallem said Syria was willing to become a party to the Chemical Weapons Convention, the international agreement banning the use of chemical weapons, which was the first admission his country possessed them. While the United Nations was preparing to hold one of its toothless “emergency meetings,” Putin then added a caveat: The United States and its
allies (meaning Israel) would have to agree that in exchange they would pledge not to attack Syria. It was then announced that Secretary Kerry would meet before the end of the week with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Geneva to discuss Syria. Putin seems to have pulled a page from the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis when Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev agreed to withdraw missiles it had placed in Cuba if the United States promised not to attack Fidel Castro’s communist island. President Kennedy agreed and potential nuclear war was averted. Cuba is an island. Syria is in a far different and unstable neighborhood. In his nationally televised address Tuesday night, President Obama said little that was not already known. By my count he used the words “I,” “me” and “my” 30 times in his 15-minute address. He personalizes everything, but delivers little, except uncertainty in his foreign policy. The world is becoming increasingly dangerous because we have a president who either does not know how to lead, or doesn’t want to lead in foreign affairs. That House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi would credit the president with a diplomatic triumph because of a pledge from two men whose promises aren’t worth the paper on which they have yet to be written, is funnier
than the monologues of latenight comedians. Shortly after Putin’s “diplomatic triumph,” which might have been expected given Syria’s puppet status with Russia, ABC News Online reported that Putin plans to meet Friday with Iranian President Hassan Rowhani to renew Russia’s offer of S-300 air defense missiles to Iran. Putin knows how to stir the pot to America’s detriment. Iran, with or without its proxy war in Syria and its arming of Hezbollah, remains the major threat in the region. President Obama, who once said he would consider negotiating with Iran because America had become too “arrogant,” shows that, too, was a meaningless policy proposal. You can’t negotiate with evil. Evil must be defeated. By assuming the role of a bad character on the world stage, Russia is a threat to peace. During last year’s presidential campaign, Mitt Romney said Russia is “our number one geopolitical foe; they fight for every cause for the world’s worst actors.” Who sounds more presidential: a tentative Barack Obama, who speaks loudly and too often, but carries a small stick, or Mitt Romney, who clearly understood that for threats to be diminished or deterred a president must have credibility? It certainly isn’t our president. tcaeditors@tribune.com © 2013, Tribune Content Agency
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