Stutzman Cites "Lack Of Leadership" In D.C.
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Daniel [email protected]
Stutzman, who celebrated part of his 35th birthday at the social club on Buffalo Street in Warsaw, said he didn’t realize the hole the United States was in until he got to Washington.
Stutzman was sworn into office in November after winning a special election to take over the third district seat left vacated by Mark Souder.
“The crisis we’re in, and it’s not coming from the White House, will give someone a chance to lead,” said Stutzman.
The Republican congressman said President Barack Obama is “good at the social part of politics” but “doesn’t understand what creates jobs. He believes the government can push the economy forward. It doesn’t match up with American capitalism and a free market society.”
Obama was also criticized for growing the size and scope of agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration.
Stutzman joked that he and his colleagues call the EPA the “Employment Prevention Agency.”
“There’s a lot of frustration within those bureaucracies,” said Stutzman.
Dr. Cheryl Blanchard, chief scientific officer with Zimmer and member of OrthoWorx, asked Stutzman if it was common knowledge on Capitol Hill that companies like Zimmer and other have taken to launching products overseas before they launch in the United States.
“Yes, and it bothers me greatly,” said Stutzman. “Not that I’m advocating anything the Chinese government does but they do move.”
Stutzman recalled a story he was told by a farmer who was thinking of locating a hog barn in China. When shown a possible location, the farmer told Chinese officials he, if he moved one there, would need a building, with a paved road to it and broadband Internet service.
Stutzman said when the farmer came back three months later, a building was up, a road was paved and broadband was in even though the farmer had not asked for it or reached an agreement.
Blanchard noted the reason for overseas product launches was cumbersome regulations from agencies like the FDA.
Blanchard said that a lot of rules from agencies like the FDA don’t “benefit public safety or health with their actions.”
Biomet founder Dr. Dane Miller echoed Blanchard’s sentiments.
“There are some products we release overseas that will never appear in America,” said Miller.
Miller said his company’s Oxford knee brand became available in the U.S. less than a decade ago but has been on the market in the rest of the world for 30 years. Miller also said that the amount of litigation in the U.S. is a big factor for companies like his.
“The cost of government is a major cost in doing business,” said Stutzman. “That’s something we’re trying to fix. People blame NAFTA and free trade agreements. We’re tying our own hands.”
Stutzman criticized Obama for going past congress and putting power into the hands of agencies like the FDA and EPA.
“This administration has taken it over a cliff in terms of rules and regulations,” said Stutzman.
He noted that 600 new rules were put on the books last month.
And as for the EPA, he called Lisa Jackson, head of the EPA, arrogant and “someone with their own agenda.”
Stutzman also touched on the GOP’s energy policy and said the U.S. needs to look at things like nuclear power or hydraulic fracturing, often called fracking, to help solve the country’s energy needs while also building the private sector.
“Our energy policy is going to meet consumer demands rather than environmental demands,” said Stutzman.
On a recent trip to Israel, Stutzman said he saw a model of growing business.
“Their economy is moving so fast,” said Stutzman. “It was more of a socialist mentality that started Israel with Russian Jews coming from the Soviet Union. But then they started watching us and started to pattern their values after American values.”
Stutzman said that shift has led to more start-up companies in Israel than China, India and Great Britain combined.
“Our founding fathers looked to Israel, looked to the Old Testament,” said Stutzman.
Stutzman also took Obama to task for suggesting the country move back to its 1967 borders. Stutzman said it was hard enough for Israel to defend itself with the small amount of land it has currently.
Despite what he called a lack of leadership and understanding of job creation by the current president, Stutzman said that people still want to come here for opportunity noting illegal immigration.
“It’s time to put our trust back in the American people,” said Stutzman.
He said those opportunities are hurt by Obama’s plan to tax wealthier Americans and corporations.
“Our debt exceeds our Gross Domestic Product. We cannot tax our way out of this problem,” said Stutzman.
He said he believes Social Security can remain sustainable but that a decision on how to reform Medicare needs to come much sooner.
“In terms of Medicare we’re taking out three dollars for every one we put in,” said Stutzman.
Stutzman said he’d also like to see some sort of tax reform but didn’t leave much hope for that happening in the upcoming session set to start after Labor Day.
“You’re not going to see much happen unless its a debt ceiling vote or a deficit vote,” said Stutzman.
Stutzman also took time to go inside baseball with politics and talked about who he would support from the Republican party in the 2012 presidential election.
“A lot of times incumbents lose races more than challengers win races,” said Stutzman.”We don’t have that (leadership) in Washington, D.C.”
Stutzman said the reason Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan passed up a senate or presidential run is because he’s “more concerned about the budget than anyone else out there.”
Ryan chairs the House Committee on the Budget.
He said a Mitch Daniels/Paul Ryan ticket on the 2012 ballot would “knock it out of the park.”
Daniels has also declined a run for president.
Stutzman offered less insight on who in the current field he would support.
“We’re going to find a strong presidential candidate,” said Stutzman.
Though he did have some kind words for Texas Governor and presidential hopeful Rick Perry, he was asked if he would support a Perry/Marco Rubio ticket.
“Yes. (Perry) is all in,” said Stutzman. “He says what a lot of us are thinking.”
Talk eventually turned back to the economy.
“We’ve developed a society of givers and takers,” said Stutzman. “(Obama) is paying people not to work. He’s buying these high unemployment numbers.”
The U.S. unemployment rate dropped to 9.1 percent in July, lower than previous months but still higher than it was in January 2009 when the number hovered just above 7.5 percent.
In terms of foreign affairs, Stutzman said he was glad to see young people rise up in countries like Libya, but also said that there is a faction of the Muslim Brotherhood also looking to seize power in Middle Eastern countries where regimes are being overthrown.
Stutzman said the U.S. needs to get its own financial house in order before it can be of help to others.
The congressman, who noted he voted against all bills where money would be used in the situation in Libya, said he fears the U.S.' ability to be economically strong around the world has weakened.
“We need to be healthy here so we can help those around the world,” said Stutzman.
The Saint Regis Club in Warsaw is a non-partisan social club that invites guest speakers from different venues to speak.
The club also hosts other small clubs of varied interests and in September will play host to a film festival.
For more information on the club, visit www.saintregisclub.com[[In-content Ad]]
Stutzman, who celebrated part of his 35th birthday at the social club on Buffalo Street in Warsaw, said he didn’t realize the hole the United States was in until he got to Washington.
Stutzman was sworn into office in November after winning a special election to take over the third district seat left vacated by Mark Souder.
“The crisis we’re in, and it’s not coming from the White House, will give someone a chance to lead,” said Stutzman.
The Republican congressman said President Barack Obama is “good at the social part of politics” but “doesn’t understand what creates jobs. He believes the government can push the economy forward. It doesn’t match up with American capitalism and a free market society.”
Obama was also criticized for growing the size and scope of agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration.
Stutzman joked that he and his colleagues call the EPA the “Employment Prevention Agency.”
“There’s a lot of frustration within those bureaucracies,” said Stutzman.
Dr. Cheryl Blanchard, chief scientific officer with Zimmer and member of OrthoWorx, asked Stutzman if it was common knowledge on Capitol Hill that companies like Zimmer and other have taken to launching products overseas before they launch in the United States.
“Yes, and it bothers me greatly,” said Stutzman. “Not that I’m advocating anything the Chinese government does but they do move.”
Stutzman recalled a story he was told by a farmer who was thinking of locating a hog barn in China. When shown a possible location, the farmer told Chinese officials he, if he moved one there, would need a building, with a paved road to it and broadband Internet service.
Stutzman said when the farmer came back three months later, a building was up, a road was paved and broadband was in even though the farmer had not asked for it or reached an agreement.
Blanchard noted the reason for overseas product launches was cumbersome regulations from agencies like the FDA.
Blanchard said that a lot of rules from agencies like the FDA don’t “benefit public safety or health with their actions.”
Biomet founder Dr. Dane Miller echoed Blanchard’s sentiments.
“There are some products we release overseas that will never appear in America,” said Miller.
Miller said his company’s Oxford knee brand became available in the U.S. less than a decade ago but has been on the market in the rest of the world for 30 years. Miller also said that the amount of litigation in the U.S. is a big factor for companies like his.
“The cost of government is a major cost in doing business,” said Stutzman. “That’s something we’re trying to fix. People blame NAFTA and free trade agreements. We’re tying our own hands.”
Stutzman criticized Obama for going past congress and putting power into the hands of agencies like the FDA and EPA.
“This administration has taken it over a cliff in terms of rules and regulations,” said Stutzman.
He noted that 600 new rules were put on the books last month.
And as for the EPA, he called Lisa Jackson, head of the EPA, arrogant and “someone with their own agenda.”
Stutzman also touched on the GOP’s energy policy and said the U.S. needs to look at things like nuclear power or hydraulic fracturing, often called fracking, to help solve the country’s energy needs while also building the private sector.
“Our energy policy is going to meet consumer demands rather than environmental demands,” said Stutzman.
On a recent trip to Israel, Stutzman said he saw a model of growing business.
“Their economy is moving so fast,” said Stutzman. “It was more of a socialist mentality that started Israel with Russian Jews coming from the Soviet Union. But then they started watching us and started to pattern their values after American values.”
Stutzman said that shift has led to more start-up companies in Israel than China, India and Great Britain combined.
“Our founding fathers looked to Israel, looked to the Old Testament,” said Stutzman.
Stutzman also took Obama to task for suggesting the country move back to its 1967 borders. Stutzman said it was hard enough for Israel to defend itself with the small amount of land it has currently.
Despite what he called a lack of leadership and understanding of job creation by the current president, Stutzman said that people still want to come here for opportunity noting illegal immigration.
“It’s time to put our trust back in the American people,” said Stutzman.
He said those opportunities are hurt by Obama’s plan to tax wealthier Americans and corporations.
“Our debt exceeds our Gross Domestic Product. We cannot tax our way out of this problem,” said Stutzman.
He said he believes Social Security can remain sustainable but that a decision on how to reform Medicare needs to come much sooner.
“In terms of Medicare we’re taking out three dollars for every one we put in,” said Stutzman.
Stutzman said he’d also like to see some sort of tax reform but didn’t leave much hope for that happening in the upcoming session set to start after Labor Day.
“You’re not going to see much happen unless its a debt ceiling vote or a deficit vote,” said Stutzman.
Stutzman also took time to go inside baseball with politics and talked about who he would support from the Republican party in the 2012 presidential election.
“A lot of times incumbents lose races more than challengers win races,” said Stutzman.”We don’t have that (leadership) in Washington, D.C.”
Stutzman said the reason Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan passed up a senate or presidential run is because he’s “more concerned about the budget than anyone else out there.”
Ryan chairs the House Committee on the Budget.
He said a Mitch Daniels/Paul Ryan ticket on the 2012 ballot would “knock it out of the park.”
Daniels has also declined a run for president.
Stutzman offered less insight on who in the current field he would support.
“We’re going to find a strong presidential candidate,” said Stutzman.
Though he did have some kind words for Texas Governor and presidential hopeful Rick Perry, he was asked if he would support a Perry/Marco Rubio ticket.
“Yes. (Perry) is all in,” said Stutzman. “He says what a lot of us are thinking.”
Talk eventually turned back to the economy.
“We’ve developed a society of givers and takers,” said Stutzman. “(Obama) is paying people not to work. He’s buying these high unemployment numbers.”
The U.S. unemployment rate dropped to 9.1 percent in July, lower than previous months but still higher than it was in January 2009 when the number hovered just above 7.5 percent.
In terms of foreign affairs, Stutzman said he was glad to see young people rise up in countries like Libya, but also said that there is a faction of the Muslim Brotherhood also looking to seize power in Middle Eastern countries where regimes are being overthrown.
Stutzman said the U.S. needs to get its own financial house in order before it can be of help to others.
The congressman, who noted he voted against all bills where money would be used in the situation in Libya, said he fears the U.S.' ability to be economically strong around the world has weakened.
“We need to be healthy here so we can help those around the world,” said Stutzman.
The Saint Regis Club in Warsaw is a non-partisan social club that invites guest speakers from different venues to speak.
The club also hosts other small clubs of varied interests and in September will play host to a film festival.
For more information on the club, visit www.saintregisclub.com[[In-content Ad]]
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