Reed answers tough questions

BRANCHPORT—More than 75 people turned out for Congressman Tom Reed’s first town meeting in Yates County Saturday, Jan. 29. Reed said he plans to hold 75 town meetings and tele calls this year. Most of the time at was spent answering questions from the audience. State Sen. Tom O’Mara also attended, telling the audience, “I’m here to listen. The focus should be on Federal issues.”
Prior to answering questions, Reed told the audience, “The fundamental issue is all about spending, debt and getting our house in order. Long term it is to get debt under control.” The issues related to money were defense, Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. Some questions Reed answered were on:
Marcellus Shale Drilling—“I am a proponent of developing. We need to do it safely and reliably.”
Medicaid—“One reason I oppose ‘Obamacare’ is maintenance of level of services. Medicaid is a tax burden forcing people out of New York State. We definitely want to repeal the health care program.”
Earmarks—“We have banned earmarks. People are OK with earmarks if it goes to infrastructure. Have projects reviewed on their merits; what and why.”
Omnibus tax cut plan—“Hardest vote I had to take. I believe we are taxed too much. Spending needs to reflect revenue.” “If we don’t change these spending behaviors, we don’t get to the problem. There is a lot of cutting I don’t agree with. We’re all going to suffer the pain. As long as it’s equal, people can deal with it.”
Jobs—“We’re trying to bring efforts to lower debt to the private sector. Why are jobs going overseas? Regulations, insurance, taxes, utility costs. They all come together. Have to change those factors and lower the burden to the private sector.”
War—“Glad Iraq is coming to a conclusion. A timetable needs to be based on what the military can do. Our forces are spread thin now. We need a rapid response.”
Reed said, “My message is that America is serious about getting its house in order. If the deficit is under control the private sector will come back. When the economy comes back, we had better fundamentally change the way we spend money.”