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Bonner talks about Democrats, Iraq war, economy and more
The Mobile Republican noted the "new management" of the House and Senate. Nancy Pelsoi of California is the new Democratic Speaker of the House and the first woman to ever hold the job. Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nevada, is the new Senate Majority Leader. Bonner gave the two "high marks for style but the jury is still out on the substance." He said he didn't think the vote in November was so much a pro-Democrat vote as an anti-Republican one. He readily admitted that his party has made errors. "The Hurricane Katrina disaster was a disaster," he said of the bungled response. Congressional scandals have also been a problem and Bonner announced that he has been named to the House Ethics Commission. "It isn't a job people neccasarily want but it is not one you turn down, either," he observed, saying he would do his best to help police House members' actions. The Iraqi war continues to be a serious problem and Bonner admitted that there is no clear-cut solution. He said the U.S. has tried to give the Iraqi people a gift of freedom but it remains to be seen if they or their leaders will fully accept it and put aside their differences and live in harmony. "If they can't, it is not good for the world, quite frankly," he added. He said the non-binding resolution passed by the Democrat-controlled House is meaningless and only serves to undermine the men and women serving in Iraq. It is important that American citizens remain supportive of the troops who are fighting there. He said he supports President Bush's call for 21,000 additional troops. However, he asked, "When does it [the war] become unacceptable? We cannot put them [the troops] in the middle of a civil war....If we cannot get it stabilized we will have to do something else." Responding to a question from Grove Hill Memorial Hospital Administrator Doug Sewell regarding Medicare, Bonner used a chart to illustrate growth in costs as well as President Bush's proposed budget, which is much less than anticipated growth and would mean significant cuts. "It will not be adopted," he said of the Bush budget. Health costs are a significant problem and with Medicare costs expected to more than double in seven years, something must be done, Bonner explained. Universal healthcare has been proposed but he said he isn't sure that is the answer. Regarding efforts to four-lane U.S. Highway 84, Bonner said he is committed to fourlaning the route from Interstate 65 to the Mississippi line. "I am not the governor and I don't speak for him but I understand that is his commitment, too." Bonner, U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions and others helped to secure $8 million in federal funds for the project. Bonner said there have been questions about how the money will be spent. "I am going to make sure there is no ambiguity on that [that it is earmarked for 84]," he said. Some in the crowd thanked him for his support of the project and he said it is the citizens who should be thanked for pushing for the route's improvement. Bonner mentioned the proposed German steel mill that could locate in north Mobile County as well as other industrial prospects being pursued. "If one-third of what's in the pipeline develops," it will be significant, he said. If onehalf becomes a reality, the region will be hard-pressed to handle it all.
"If all the stars line up [and everything being sought is secured], our children and grandchildren will be living in one of the most desired parts of the country," he said.
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