Meeting held with Kingston
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A large crowd turned out for a Town Hall Meeting with U.S. Representative Jack Kingston held on Tuesday, March 30 at the Appling County Courthouse Annex Building. Kingston held six meetings on March 30 throughout the First Congressional District.
Appling County Commission Chairman Virgil Carter and Baxley Mayor Steve Rigdon welcomed Kingston and his staff and thanked Kingston for being a true statesman and not a politician. Pastor Rick Brown led an opening prayer and local Boy Scouts led the Pledge to the American Flag.
Kingston first talked about health care and the changes the new legislation will bring about. He stated that there will be an individual and employer mandate to have and provide coverage. Kingston stated that the new legislation would create state-based exchanges and also discussed how much it is going to cost. He said that it will cost $569 billion in new taxes and it would also be paid for by making $528 billion in cuts to Medicare.
Next Kingston addressed the economy. He reported that the private sector has lost 3,905,000 jobs, while during the same time period, the government has added nearly 300,000 jobs. “Washington has got to learn how to say “no” to government spending,” said Kingston.
Rep. Kingston also talked about the national debt. He stated that each year the country pays $220 billion on interest on our national debt. Kingston said this debt is owned by other countries such as China. The he added that the U.S. then sends $100 billion to China in aid.
Kingston then opened the floor for questions. There were many questions raised by local citizens.
Questions and comments included items such as alternative fuel and solar energy, cap and trade, complexity of tax law, the fair tax, health care, long term care being included in the new health care legislation, education, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, small business issues and much more.
The owner of a business in Toombs County stated that just days following the election of President Obama, pay scales on federal jobs double and even triples in some cases. The man also expressed other concerns about small business. Kingston stated that politically speaking, small business is not at the table in Washington because they are busy making jobs in this country. Kingston asked the man to come up with a list of items to get the government out of the way for small business.
Al Graham expressed to Kingston that the people wants congress to wake up and serve the people’s wishes and he asked if he would take that message back to Washington.
Dr. James Graham talked about the need for term limits on congress, the fair tax, immigration reform and other topics. Graham said he was tired of seeing people walking around on disability when they don’t even know why they are on it. Dr. Graham also reported to Kingston that at one time his office was charging $40.00 for office visits, regardless of insurance coverage, but because that was less than what Medicare requires, he was breaking the law.
One man stated that the government needs to quit writing I.O.U.s from Social Security and also needs to quit all the pork barrel spending.
Kingston finished by thanking everyone for sharing their concerns about their government. “It is important for the nation to have a dialogue now,” he said. “We need to be talking as Americans.”
He encouraged others in the audience that may not have had an opportunity to speak to contact him. You can reach Congressman Jack Kingston by calling (202) 225-5831 or by visiting http://kingston.house.gov/Contact/.
Appling County Commission Chairman Virgil Carter and Baxley Mayor Steve Rigdon welcomed Kingston and his staff and thanked Kingston for being a true statesman and not a politician. Pastor Rick Brown led an opening prayer and local Boy Scouts led the Pledge to the American Flag.
Kingston first talked about health care and the changes the new legislation will bring about. He stated that there will be an individual and employer mandate to have and provide coverage. Kingston stated that the new legislation would create state-based exchanges and also discussed how much it is going to cost. He said that it will cost $569 billion in new taxes and it would also be paid for by making $528 billion in cuts to Medicare.
Next Kingston addressed the economy. He reported that the private sector has lost 3,905,000 jobs, while during the same time period, the government has added nearly 300,000 jobs. “Washington has got to learn how to say “no” to government spending,” said Kingston.
Rep. Kingston also talked about the national debt. He stated that each year the country pays $220 billion on interest on our national debt. Kingston said this debt is owned by other countries such as China. The he added that the U.S. then sends $100 billion to China in aid.
Kingston then opened the floor for questions. There were many questions raised by local citizens.
Questions and comments included items such as alternative fuel and solar energy, cap and trade, complexity of tax law, the fair tax, health care, long term care being included in the new health care legislation, education, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, small business issues and much more.
The owner of a business in Toombs County stated that just days following the election of President Obama, pay scales on federal jobs double and even triples in some cases. The man also expressed other concerns about small business. Kingston stated that politically speaking, small business is not at the table in Washington because they are busy making jobs in this country. Kingston asked the man to come up with a list of items to get the government out of the way for small business.
Al Graham expressed to Kingston that the people wants congress to wake up and serve the people’s wishes and he asked if he would take that message back to Washington.
Dr. James Graham talked about the need for term limits on congress, the fair tax, immigration reform and other topics. Graham said he was tired of seeing people walking around on disability when they don’t even know why they are on it. Dr. Graham also reported to Kingston that at one time his office was charging $40.00 for office visits, regardless of insurance coverage, but because that was less than what Medicare requires, he was breaking the law.
One man stated that the government needs to quit writing I.O.U.s from Social Security and also needs to quit all the pork barrel spending.
Kingston finished by thanking everyone for sharing their concerns about their government. “It is important for the nation to have a dialogue now,” he said. “We need to be talking as Americans.”
He encouraged others in the audience that may not have had an opportunity to speak to contact him. You can reach Congressman Jack Kingston by calling (202) 225-5831 or by visiting http://kingston.house.gov/Contact/.