The two candidates for Washington’s 6th Congressional District met in their final debate Tuesday night, with Republican challenger Doug Cloud labeling incumbent Democratic Rep. Norm Dicks part of a corrupt culture in Congress. Meanwhile, Dicks emphasized his 32 years of accomplishments there.

The candidates disagreed on the amount of government regulation needed in almost every area of American life, from health care and the economy to what employers should pay their workers.

****************

Cloud said Tuesday that an equal rights amendment was “an invitation to litigation” and a form of price fixing that would weaken the economy. He similarly criticized Medicare and Medicaid for setting health care prices below their market value, which he said raises health care costs for others.

Cloud cited a free market economy as the solution to those problems and most others he was questioned about Tuesday.

****************

“Medicare fixes prices at 20 to 30 percent of their true value,” said Cloud, a 51-year-old lawyer from Gig Harbor. “That makes those of us that are not on Medicare have the extreme price we have to pay for our health insurance. Mr. Dicks and his friends want more of that.”

****************

Cloud said that since Dicks was elected in 1976, he has become part of a system controlled by lobbyists who secure votes and funding earmarks by contributing to congressional campaigns.

He used this month’s $700 billion economic bailout package as an example of members of Congress rewarding the people who keep them in power.

“The bailouts are just indicative of institutional corruption,” Cloud said. “To me, it’s the mad dash of the independent power brokers in New York to keep their positions of prestige and keep the rest of us down."

Melissa Santos

Wednesday October 22nd, 2008

(go to article)