YumaSun.com - Rep. Gosar Discusses Hot Topics in Yuma

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By Mara Knaub

Rep. Paul Gosar visited Yuma Wednesday evening to "listen" to Yumans and let them know he is accessible.

Gosar, a Republican representing Arizona's 4th Congressional District, touched on several hot topics, including the Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare, taxes, immigration and other tissues.

Noting that his recurring theme is the "budget, budget, budget," he pointed to the nation's $17 trillion debt. While China owns 48 percent of the debt, the majority is owned by the U.S. taxpayers, he said.

The debt's interest will eventually surpass the entire Social Security budget, he added.

He also expressed concern with the Social Security disability fund, which he said will be gone in about a year.

"There are a lot of people on that Social Security disability fund that shouldn't be on it," Gosar said.

He criticized the Obama Administration for not operating within the budget.

Gosar proposed $1.2 trillion in spending over several years, noting that the 2013 sequestration showed the majority of citizens didn't see any difference.

He would like to slash $42.7 billion from the defense budget (7 percent); $28.7 billion from the domestic discretionary budget (5.3 percent); $9.9 billion in Medicare (2 percent); and $4 billion in other mandatory spending cuts.

He "challenged the defense industry" for spending billions on bureaucracies and a wasteful procurement process.

What he's proposing is "not a penny in tax increases - only cuts in government spending … We do have the ability to live within our means," he said.

Gosar also attacked Obamacare, calling it a "drain."

"It makes no sense to me. I was in health care for 25 years," Gosar, a dentist, said, adding, "If you want to look at your future, look at tribal health care."

He wants Obamacare "repealed and replaced" with a patient-centered, patient-friendly model that allows citizens to purchase health insurance across state lines and free market competition that allows choice and transparency.

Gosar also wants tax and tort reform and "redefined" public health.

Addressing immigration, Gosar said he supports a "step-by-step approach that ensures reforms are implemented in the proper order and all aspects are executed to their full intent." He wants an "open and transparent process" and "respect for the rule of law," which be believes is currently lacking.

He wants government to be held accountable. "It starts with trust. There is no trust in Washington, D.C.," he noted.

He supports keeping Native American reservations off the health care act; the REINS Act, which requires Congress to approve any rule or regulation with an economic impact of $50 million or more; and the Stop Government Abuse Act, which targets government bureaucrats and officials for abusing their power.

In our district, he supports the Land Exchange bill, which would facilitate development of an underground copper mine in southeast Arizona, creating 3,700 jobs, and helping reduce America's dependence on foreign sources of energy and minerals, he said.

Gosar stressed the need to fight government waste, including about $1.67 billion every year to maintain more than 77,000 vacant or underutilized federal properties.

He noted the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program wastes an estimated 13-15 percent and "probably double that."

The congressman criticized Attorney General Eric Holder for "picking and choosing" the laws he enforces. He opposes NSA's domestic spying program. He will not support a declaration of war or military strike against Syria. He is calling for an expedited investigation of the attack on Benghazi, "a sad day in our history." He wants to cut foreign aid to countries that don't support human rights, such as Egypt.

He advocates a conversation between Democrats and Republicans. "Look at what the Republicans do wrong, but also look at what the Democrats do wrong. We have to have a conversation. Let's start by electing people who can be honest and have a conversation."

He joked that he has plenty of experience talking with people with different perspectives. "I'm the first of 10 children, five Democrats, four Republicans, and one Independent." It makes for lively "conversations" at family dinners, he said.

Gosar will return to Yuma next month to observe agriculture in action.

"I will be coming back periodically. The heat kept us away, but I'll be back the first week in December. I want to see planting, harvesting and packaging."

Mara Knaub can be reached at mknaub@yumasun.com or (928) 539-6856. Find her on Facebook at Facebook.com/YSMaraKnaub or Twitter at @YSMaraKnaub.

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