Lawrenceville Patch- An estimated crowd of 200 showed up to hear and question Rep. Rob Woodall (R-GA) during one of his four town hall meetings. Woodall fielded questions and waylaid concerns about healthcare reform, government spending, energy and the economy.

“You would have been proud to witness what happened last week on the floor of the House (of Representatives). For the first time in quite some time the floor was open to any member to bring forth ideas to get things moving with the economy. Democrats, to their credit had an open floor, but the Republicans did not want to cooperate in order to make the Democrats look bad,” said Woodall. “But last week ideas came from both sides and decisions were being made with people talking and working together.”

Woodall told audience that while the 7^th Congressional District is far more conservative than the rest of the country, the country is a “center right nation.” He said opportunities to turn corner to make things better in the days ahead, will come from the house willingness to work from the middle because that is what the people want.

“If we continue to work together, as the people expect us to, we won’t have to shut down the government. And the House will work the way our founding fathers intended,” said Woodall.

Repealing healthcare reform

After being asked if he would join Republicans in repealing healthcare reform, Woodall asked the audience if they believed cost of health insurance was to high. The majority of audience agreed. When Woodall asked if pre-existing conditions should be done away with, the audience also agreed. And when asked if parents should be allowed to keep 26-year-olds on coverage, the audience signaled being in favor.

“The President identified the right problems with healthcare, but applied the wrong solution,” said Woodall.

When pressed about how insurance companies should be regulated, Woodall said, “States are the proper regulatory authorities. Most states have an elected insurance commissioner. Why not let them do what the people elected them to do? To work with other state regulators to make good decisions. I want healthcare to stay local and not transferred to the Department of Health and Human Services.”

Gas prices and the environment

Asked if growing gas prices would encourage the House to pressure the Department of the Interior to start drilling now, Woodall said “absolutely.”

 “We have an executive that is not willing to expand because options are too carbon intensive. Our dependence on foreign oil is a national security issue. We don’t need to be dependent. The US is the Saudi Arabia of coal. We have natural gas and oil deposits to make us independent. As for solar energy, we weren’t ready, under the (Jimmy) Carter administration, and science wasn’t ready. But today we working to make viable alternatives,” said Woodall.

Robert Thompson, Fleet Manager at Honda Mall of Georgia, attended town hall meeting to ask about the role of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). He cited EPA regulations that are prohibitive to selling Honda GX, its “greenest” manufactured automobile.

“I came because I participate in the process. The EPA is an impediment to economy recovery because they are tasked with making the U.S. energy independent, but they have made us more dependent. And they are costing us more money with little benefits,” said Thompson.

Woodall, whose parents are organic farmers, said as a conservative he will not be afraid to put his environmental record up against anyone. He went on to say that a strong economy, in any country, must include successful green programs.

Bailouts

In response to a question as to why the taxpayers are responsible for defaults of mortgages and student loans, Woodall said it is because we made promises that we can no longer afford to keep.  As a country, Woodall said, we fell asleep at the wheel. Now we need to stop making promises that gets us into these financial situations.

He told the audience that zero down mortgages are being offered again. “This district voted against bailouts. We are a group of risk takers. And we understand that freedom means freedom to fail.”

Taxes

“It is the regulations that run businesses out of this country. The President, in efforts to grow economy, lowered corporate taxes rate by 10 percent. I would like to abolish corporate taxes rates. They are job destroyers,” said Woodall.

Woodall told the audience that conversations will start next week to address tax reform. Woodall, during the campaign, said he will get a fair taxes hearing.  He is also credited with reintroducing fair taxes legislation.

“We elected a new congressman to get some movement on fair taxes issues. I am concerned with the way the middle and low classes are being taxed,” said Jack Shulin, fair taxes community activist.

Entitlements

After an audience member said she believes Obamacare is an entitlement, but that Social Security is not because she paid into social security, Woodall explained. He told the audience that entitlements are government funded programs, but healthcare is individually funded.

“The 1.6 trillion dollar deficit is due, in parts, to one-third of new spending programs, one-third due to lost revenues and one-third due to entitlements.  Social Security is not going away. In 2027 recipients will get 80% instead of 100%.  Medicare is the problem, because we made it a problem. We do these things to ourselves,” said Woodall.

Education

Woodall touted the recent visit by U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, to Gwinnett County as proof of having the best education system in the country. But his comment caused one audience member to shout disagreement. The congressman extended an invitation to discuss their difference in opinion after the meeting.

“I do not like No Child Left Behind. I like the Bill Clinton and Newt Gingrich comprised approach. I believe local control is better. Local control knows how to measure performance better. Locally school systems are better at aggregating data,” said Woodall.

He referenced Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technologyas an example of education excellence.

In concluding this town hall meeting Woodall extended an invitation to the audience to make appointments for one-on-one discussions about issues and concerns. He also encouraged the audience to continue to stay involved and engaged in the political process.

“It was a magical day the day President Obama was sworn in. I was there. People came from all over the country to see this history making event in 2008. Then the Tea Party showed up and caused change in 2010. I can’t wait until 2012 when the Obama supporters and the Tea Party will all come out for what could be the biggest demonstration of democracy this country has ever seen,” said Woodall.    

With those words, a nation was born. A nation of God-given rights and responsibilities. A nation of patriots who because of their bravery and honor have bestowed upon us a solemn duty to protect, defend and celebrate those shared values of liberty and freedom that make us all Americans.

For the young, Independence Day means family picnics, swimming at the local pool, a parade through downtown complete with fire engines and floats and spectacular fireworks. There is nothing but fun on the Fourth of July when you’re a child. For adults, we have this fun, but the day is much more. We not only celebrate quality time with family, but we remember how that pivotal day in 1776 brought us the freedom that we defend today both at home and abroad.

Too often, as we struggle to make sense of war and terrorism, we highlight our differences, those things that set us apart, and we forget to celebrate our commonalities. From the French Revolution to the Arab Spring, across the globe, hundreds of millions of people have been inspired by our Declaration of Independence. They have thrown off the yoke of oppression and autocracy and have embraced the freedom and liberty to which you and I were privileged to be born.

The Declaration of Independence has a mere 1,458 words, including the signatures of men like our very own Button Gwinnett and George Walton. Its words are few, but its power is unparalleled in human history.

Wherever you are this 4th of July, whether at a small town parade or a family gathering, my wish for you is to take a few minutes to read this ground-breaking Declaration.

As challenging as events may be in the world today, America is strong. We are firmly rooted in the solid foundation of the Declaration of Independence. In those pages we see the bravery of our cherished past, the honor of our present, and our hope for the future.

I wish you and your family a blessed Independence Day. God bless America.

U.S. Rep. Rob Woodall, R-Lawrenceville, serves on the House Budget Committee and the House Rules Committee.

“I am truly grateful for the trust the voters of the Seventh District of Georgia have bestowed upon me.  Now it’s time to go to work.” Woodall said.

“Americans all over the country are speaking out in the name of freedom,” Woodall continued. “My campaign platform has been by the people, for the people; and my leadership in Congress will reflect that theme. I fully expect those who elected me to hold me accountable over these next two years.”

Woodall’s long road to victory began with an eight-way Republican primary on July 20, and then an August 10 runoff election to secure the Republican nomination.

“We have been working for seven months to get here, but the job has only just begun,” Woodall said.

As Congressman John Linder’s former Chief of Staff, Woodall was instrumental in crafting the FairTax bill.  Woodall plans on re-introducing this legislation the very day he is sworn in and has committed to growing Congressional support for the FairTax to heights never before reached.

Woodall continued, “Our new Congress has daunting problems facing it, and I will not shy away from them. We must begin the difficult task of repealing ObamaCare, TARP and all of the oppressive, freedom killing proposals that we have seen come out of Congress over the past two years.  It is time to move this country back toward the Constitutional foundation on which it was founded, and I cannot wait to get started.”

The Seventh Congressional District includes most of Gwinnett County, parts of Forsyth and Newton Counties, and all of Walton and Barrow County.

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After a weeklong debate and more than 500 amendments, the bill passed the House about 4 a.m. Feb. 19.

“… Let’s be clear, this is only a starting point and there is still real work and tough decisions to be made in Washington. As introduced, HR 1 would cut $100 billion in discretionary spending, the largest reduction in discretionary spending in the history of our nation. That said, $100 billion is only one-fifteenth of the national deficit. As such, I will continue working with my colleagues to push for further fiscal reform.”

http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/304146-3

Where: Dacula City Hall (442 Harbins Road, Dacula, GA 30019)

“It is one of my greatest honors as a member of Congress to nominate the best and brightest to one of our military academies,” said Woodall, R-Lawrenceville. “Sheriff Chapman’s military experience, his status as a leader in the community and his dedication to public service all make him an incredibly valuable asset to my U.S. Military Service Academy Panel. I am proud to have such a strong voice from Walton County and I’m grateful for his willingness to participate in this important role.”

Chapman graduated from Monroe Area High School in 1982 and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. After serving four years of active duty, and two more inactive, he was honorably discharged in 1988 and then enlisted in the Georgia Army National Guard and was camp guard commander at Camp Delta, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. He retired Company 1SG for the 178th Military Police Company after 16 years of service with the National Guard. He has served as sheriff since being elected in 2004.

“I received a call out of the blue from Rep. Woodall’s office asking if I would serve on the committee. I told them I would and then received a call from the congressman himself,” Chapman said. “Of all the things I’ve been asked to do, this is the most honorable. This has real meaning. I am told that it won’t be an easy task. There are only a very few slots available. Sometimes some very talented people have to be told no, and that is difficult.

“I don’t know who brings what to the board, but one thing I will be looking at is whom would I want leading my sons into harm’s way.”

The panel assists the congressman in selecting his nominees to the U.S. Military Service Academies by reviewing applications from  high school students and graduates from the representatives district, eventually conducting interviews of those applicants.  The panelists develop questions to ask the potential nominees, seeking to understand why the applicant wishes to attend the service academy of his or her choice, and what they feel they have to offer to set themselves out from the other applicants. Panelists also review each applicant’s leadership skills, academic performance, appearance, ability to communicate, maturity, motivation and potential to develop in each of these areas.

Woodall said he uses a wide variety of criteria in choosing the members of the U.S. Military Service Academy Panel, pointing out military experience, community leadership and recognition, diversity of background and willingness to serve are all taken into account.



On Aug. 3, 1980, in his first public address after being chosen as the Republican nominee for the presidential election, then-governor Ronald Reagan spoke of the importance of limiting the power of our federal government. He said, “I believe we have distorted the balance of our government today by giving powers that were never intended to be given in the Constitution to that federal establishment.” I share his belief, and in fact I would argue that the balance is actually more distorted today than it was in 1980. Restoring proper balance is essential to our Republic’s continued success.

No generation in America has understood how dangerous a centralized government can be more than the framers did. After all, they risked their lives to escape tyranny. Having lived without freedom and struggling to establish our nation, our founding fathers could foresee the pitfalls that would jeopardize freedom as America grew. So, the Bill of Rights to the Constitution was authored to guard against the danger of the ever-growing power of a federal government, and the framers concluded the Bill of Rights with the 10th Amendment and this statement of clarity, “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”

The framers knew what we in the Seventh District know to be true today: decisions affecting our future are best made close to home. The more power flows to Washington, D.C., the more centralized it becomes, and the more difficulty we the people have controlling it. For example, our United States Senate hasn’t passed a budget in over 1,000 days; but our Georgia General Assembly balances Georgia’s budget every year. Georgia elected officials don’t hide far away; they’re your neighbors, your Sunday school classmates, or maybe their children are on the same T-ball team as yours. Therefore, it stands to reason that we have more control when decisions about our future are in their hands rather than the U.S. Senate’s.

In Walton County, we have a wonderful example of constituent-centered public service in retiring state Rep. Len Walker. A neighbor among us, Walker has served us faithfully since 1994. Most likely, you have met him personally and have had the opportunity to share your views with him. Now, as he leaves the legislature to resume his calling in the ministry, Walton County must go to the ballot box and choose another of its neighbors in a special election Tuesday.

Historically, voters don’t turn out for special elections, and Tuesday’s election is no exception. The experts predict turnout will be particularly low. You and I cannot accept that. If you believe as I do that we must reclaim power from the U.S. capital and return it to the Georgia capital, then you must also believe we need the very best candidates to represent us under the Gold Dome.

To be successful in our march together in moving power away from Congress and toward our state, we must remain vigilant in our pursuit of sound candidates and responsible leaders for Georgia. As you watch the many presidential debates and read the national news about the latest in Congress, remember that maintaining strong elected leadership under the Gold Dome is an essential ingredient for our Republic. Please get out and vote for your next state representative for District 107 on Tuesday. Even more, make sure that your friends and family do the same. The experts say Walton County residents won’t turn out to vote. Let’s prove the experts wrong, and let’s take one more step toward restoring Ronald Reagan’s balance of power.

As conservatives, we rarely look to the government for solutions.  We understand that the government has nothing of its own; it has only what we give it or what it takes from us.  The government cannot be benevolent to all; it can only give to some from what it has taken from others.  These words are critically important to reflect upon as we talk about the government’s place in restoring our economy.

Consider this:  the government cannot create jobs; only the private sector can.  The government can destroy jobs, however, and it does so regularly.

As we look to the future and work for solutions to our economic slump, I propose this as the role of government: quit doing…and start undoing.  America has the highest corporate tax rate in the world, and this tax chases jobs out of America.  We can quit throwing money at every sector we can find in an effort to grow jobs, and instead we can eliminate America’s job-killing corporate income tax.  The economic solution for the greatest capitalist nation on the planet does not lie in what we do, but rather in what we undo.

This is a very hard message for politicians to internalize.  Politicians want to “do.”  Their constituents come to them with problems, and their “caretaker instinct” is to solve those problems with a new program or new dollars.  But in solving one set of problems, a new set is always created.  In giving to one group, something is always taken from another.  This is not the proper role of government in a free society, and we must make this message heard.

In an editorial in the Wall Street Journal last week, U.S. News & World Report chairman and editor in chief, Mortimer Zuckerman, made this point quite well. (Click here to read his words.)  He was talking about a topic that we all talk about:  America’s housing market.  He was making the point that government intervention caused the bubble, and government intervention is preventing the market from finding its natural equilibrium.  He makes the point that we as consumers are smart, and we continue to sit on the sidelines as the marketplace continues to be manipulated.  We’re waiting…waiting until the market finds equilibrium, and only then will we reenter with enthusiasm.  The more that government interferes, the further away equilibrium becomes.

We must preach this message to all who will listen.  From the pages of theWall Street Journal to the pages of U.S. News & World Report to the pages of our local papers, we must share the message.  I can tell you that one of the very rewarding parts of this campaign for me has been visiting with local mayors, and they have shared a unified message:  stop helping and get out of the way.

My job is to protect your liberties and freedoms from a federal government tilted toward consuming them.  Beyond that, the message to our federal leaders is clear:  stop helping and get out of way.

Rob