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GOP Rep. Blasts Bush
Virginia’s Tom Davis weighs in on the tough issues
“PEOPLE DON’T LIKE Republicans” because President Bush made “stupid decisions,” Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.) told AFP in an hour-long interview. Congress’s rating “is at an all-time low as an institution” but this is “not reflected in the Democratic polls . . . yet.”
AFP asked: “Mr. Davis, do you see any First Amendment problems with so-called hate crimes bills? Authorities are required to determine if the mugger not only attacked the victim for his money but whether he also ‘hated’ his prey. It also extends federal patrols to local street corners when local laws already punish violent crimes—often more harshly than under federal legislation.
Finally, do you support adding homosexuals to the list of protected species?”
Homosexuals “really are the issue,” Davis replied. “I’ve never liked hate crime laws. Congress does it because it gets headlines. Congress has gone way over the top on hate crimes. They are justified only when they involve voting rights.”
The top issue in the 2008 elections is “energy independence,” said Davis, who is ranking member of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee and member of the Homeland Security panel.
“We’re financing both sides of the war on terror by importing oil.” The goal in 10 years should be, he said, “to no longer rely on imported oil.”
To reach this goal, Davis would allow drilling on the wildlife refuge in Alaska known as ANWR and in more off-shore areas. He would also promote the use of renewable energy sources, such as corn and soybeans.
The second major issue is the Baby Boomers, he said, because as they retire, Social Security and Medicare funds will dry up. Congress should raise the Social Security retirement age from 65 to 68 immediately, he said, but legislators are fearful because “voters will hate you.”
“Mr. Davis, do you agree with Al Gore, also known as Chicken Little, that ‘the sky is falling’?”
“It’s not falling yet,” Davis answered with a laugh. But, he said, Congress could address the “global warming” issue in energy independence legislation. But instead of addressing real issues, Congress “votes on abortion every two weeks,” he said.
(Issue #45, November 5, 2007)
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