In its present form, Lynn Jenkins thinks there is “no chance for progress” in Congress.
“It’s so polarized, nothing is going to happen,” she said, noting that the Republican-controlled House had passed a budget and several appropriation bills now languishing in a Democrat-controlled Senate.
Jenkins, 2nd District U.S. representative, was in Iola Wednesday for a forum that drew about two dozen people during the noon hour at the courthouse.
The nation’s spending is unsustainable, Jenkins said, and the path to prosperity is one that would keep debt low and be financed through government securities owned by citizens. The current trend is for unrestrained debt.
“Spending this year (2010) is $3.5 trillion,” Jenkins said. Of that, only 20 percent is discretionary, allowing for an opportunity to make cuts.
Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid make up about $1.5 trillion of spending. The rest is interest on the debt and other mandatory obligations, such as defense.
“These are things that haven’t been talked about because it isn’t politically expedient,” she said. “Before, if you talked about them, you’d lose your job (not be re-elected).”
That is changing, she added.
Discussions now involve putting the national economy on track .
Foreign holdings of debt are a concern, Jenkins said, pointing out that in 1970, 95 percent of money the federal government borrowed was from citizens through savings bonds and other government securities. Today, 50 percent is in the hands of foreign counties, including 30 percent in China.
House Republicans have a plan, she said: Efficient, effective and responsible government; a strong social safety net; fulfillment of health and retirement security for all Americans; and pro-growth tax reform.
Changes are being contemplated for Social Security and Medicare, but not for those now enrolled and those 55 and older who are at an age when it’s a little too late in life for them to reconfigure their retirement plans, which in most cases depend on Social Security.
“It fundamentally would be unfair to change it for them,” Jenkins said.
For the younger crowd, House Republicans want to make income adjustments to Social Security, essentially making it means tested. It would continue to be a refuge for the needy, Jenkins said, but would dwindle for those at the top end who are secure in their income and resources.
Also, with life expectancy continuously increasing and now in the 80-year-old range, the plan would slowly increase the age of eligibility, eventually pushing it ahead two years to 68.
The GOP also intends to develop a guaranteed health benefit plan, “one that best suits each individual,” but did not elaborate on how it would differ from the plan Congress passed in 2009.
Jenkins said elimination of the national debt would best be accomplished by growing the economy and “eliminating loopholes and sweetheart deals in the tax code.” She envisions a “fairer, flatter tax” that would tap the 51 percent of Americans who don’t pay any federal tax.
The bulk of that 51 percent are the poor who don’t make enough income to be taxed.
Also, she said the United States had the highest corporate tax rates in the world and that “anyone would be out of their mind to start a business” with that financial obligation.
A Republican-controlled Congress and presidency would be the best path to prosperity, Jenkins said.
IN A BRIEF interview with the Register prior to her public appearance, Jenkins said she thought the U.S. being involved in the Libyan insurrection was a mistake and that she didn’t have a favorite for the GOP presidential nomination.
“It will be a fine day when Gadhafi is in custody, but I didn’t agree with the U.S. role in Libya,” Jenkins said. “It’s a slippery slope and we need to prioritize our humanitarian efforts. Two wars, in Iraq and Afghanistan, are enough. They’re a drain on our military and the nation’s resources.”
While she hasn’t picked a presidential favorite, Jenkins said she would support the Republican nominee and was eager for a change in the Oval Office.
Jenkins said with the crush of activities in the House, she had not given much thought to a run for a third two-year term to represent Kansas’ 2nd District, which includes Allen County.
