Congressman denounces violence for political change

Republican Congressman Wally Herger spoke on illegal immigration, health care, Social Security and his perceived need for change during a Siskiyou Tea Party meeting Aug. 12 at Lalo’s Restaurant in Mount Shasta.

Herger is up for election in November for the Second District House seat that includes Siskiyou County. He is being opposed by Democrat Jim Reed.

Herger took numerous questions from the audience, including responding forcefully in the negative to a few attendees who suggested that force might have to be used to change the government.

Herger was greeted by loud applause from the nearly 70 attendees as he entered the room.

“Wow,” Herger responded with a smile.

“This is a pivotal time in our nation’s history,” Herger said of the Obama administration. He compared what he sees as a current American historical crisis to  “World War II, the Civil War and the Revolutionary War.”

On the recently passed health care plan Herger said, “We need to repeal the entire health care bill.” He did not, however, offer alternatives to the rising costs of health care.
On illegal immigration, Herger spoke forcefully on sealing the borders.

“We need to enforce our laws. We have the greatest military the world has ever known,” Herger said. “Shouldn’t we be able to seal the borders?”

An audience member asked Herger if he would be willing to stand up in Congress and call for deporting all illegal immigrants.

Herger did not directly address the question, but again called for sealing the borders.

“We have to seal the borders first or they will be right back over here before the buses get back,” Herger said.

Herger said he is in favor of changing the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, which guarantees citizenship for children born in the United States.

Several questioners made veiled references to using force to change the government, with one audience member suggesting that it may be time to “lock and load.” Herger was quick to state violence is not a solution.

“We don’t do it that way. We are a nation of laws and we can turn this thing around,” Herger said. “The proper way to do it is by gaining support of the masses. We need to keep fighting, but do it within the law.”

On Social Security, Herger said that the program has enough money to cover the current generation of retirees, but that the next generation will find that the fund is short. He suggested that a bill called the “locked box” should be passed. It would prohibit the government from using Social Security money for any other purpose than the retirement program.

In response to an audience question, Herger praised Congressman Paul Ryan’s Road Map for America.

“He is one of our brightest stars,” Herger said.

The Roadmap for America can be found at www.roadmap.republicans.budget.house.gov.
New York Times columnist Paul Krugman, however, has an alternative view of the “Roadmap.” His column can be found at www.nytimes.com/2010/08/06/
opinion/06krugman.html.

On the environment, Herger said “environmental extremists want to run everything.”
“It’s their religion, literally,” Herger said.

Noting that his wife is normally a “shy person,” Herger announced that because of her concern for the county she would be attending a Glen Beck rally in Washington DC in the fall.

Herger also spoke on the soon-to-be extinct Forest Reserve money that has helped fund county schools and roads. He said, “There is always hope.” He said he wants to “get the mills going again.”

For more information on the Siskiyou Tea Party, visit the website at www.siskiyouteaparty.com.