Michigan’s 3rd Congressional District includes both Kent and Calhoun Counties. The three candidates on the ballot this fall met for a debate Thursday October 27th. It was held at the television studios of our public broadcasting partner WGVU.
Republican Representative Justin Amash is seeking his fourth term in the House. He is being challenged by Democrat Douglas Smith and U.S. Taxpayers’ Party candidate Ted Gerrard. WGVU News Director Patrick Center moderated the debate. The panelists were WGVU Morning Edition Host Jennifer Moss and WMUK’s Gordon Evans. The debate will be shown on WGVU television on Wednesday November 2nd at 6:00p.m. and Sunday November 6th at 10:00a.m.
Candidates
Douglas Smith’s background is in construction. He says he wants to bring the experience of running a business to Washington D.C.
Ted Gerrard is a Navy Veteran and has run his own business as an electrical contractor for 17 years. He agrees with Smith that experience in running a business is an important perspective to bring to Congress.
Justin Amash touts his independent voting record, and making sure that the Constitution and the rule of law are followed.
Tension Between Police and Minorities
Smith says police should look at how the military is trained in the rules of engagement. He says they have an understanding about working in foreign lands where it’s hard to know the difference between an ally and an enemy. Smith says he would also require body cameras on all police officers to protect civilians and police officers.
Gerrard sees it as an issue of respect. “respect for self, respect for others and an underlying respect for life.” He says many young people have been failed by the education system. Gerrard says that’s not a criticism of teachers, but of a system that moves students through to graduation without “even the ability to convert a percent to a decimal.”
Amash says building trust between communities and police force is crucial. He says most police are honorable and working to keep communities safe. But Amash says there are some bad apples. He says the system has to provide justice for both victims and police. Amash says he is against militarization of police. He says that sows distrust in some communities.
Foreign Hot Spots
Asked about U.S. interests and possibly voting to deploy U.S. combat troops, Gerrard says troops should only be deployed if U.S. citizens or interests are in harm’s way. He says there are countries that are oppressed by terrorists. Gerrard says the U.S. as a nation of freedom of needs to stand against that.
Amash says under the Obama administration troops have been deployed and missile strikes launched without Congressional authorization. He says that’s unconstitutional. Amash says anytime there is a question about deploying troops, representatives should find out what their constituents think. He says troops should be deployed to protect American citizens. Amash says he would consider sending U.S. troops in the case of a genocide.
Smith says sending U.S. troops into battle should be a last resort. He says the position of “war first, think last” has caused millions of deaths. Smtih says as the “son of two veterans” he believes that a strong military is needed. But he says military policy should be viewed from a more “humanitarian point of view.”
Flint Water Crisis
Congress approved emergency aid for Flint as part of a vote to avoid a government shutdown. Amash voted “present” on that bill. He says the legislation was changed at the last minute, and was not Constitutional. Amash says the Flint water crisis is primarily a state issue, and the state of Michigan needs to fix it.
Smith says Amash failed Flint by not voting for the federal funding. He says it’s a potential crisis across the entire country. Smith says it’s wrong not to step in on the federal level. “What catastrophe do we face in the future that you cannot depend on a representative like Amash to step up and help you or your family when you’re facing a live and death situation.”
Gerrard says there are lead pipes in every city across the country. He says someone failed Flint by not putting additives into the water to prevent contamination. Gerrard says government has to provide services, and people need to be held accountable when they fail to provide those services.
Health Care
Asked about higher premiums for health insurance through the “Obamacare” exchanges, Smith says the Affordable Care Act “got us turned in the right direction.” He says it needs to be fixed. Smith favors a single-payer system for health care, and negotiating drug prices with pharmaceutical companies. Smith says more preventative care would help make people healthier and hold down costs.
Gerrard says private industry should provide service with restraint and holding people accountable for dramatic increases in prices like the epi-pen. Gerrard says he sees Obamacare going the same direction as Medicare, with people having to purchase supplemental insurance. Gerrard says he thinks that would also happen with a “single payer” system.
Amash says health care reform should be done at the state level. He says Obamacare was designed to favor big insurance companies. Amash says the old system had flaws as well. He says a more competitive system is needed that allows people to make choices. Amash says the current insurance system hides prices of medical care.
Presidential Election
Gerrard plans to vote for Darrell Castle, the Constitution Party nominee (called U.S. Taxpayers Party in Michigan). Gerrard calls Castle a man of fiscal responsibility and moral character.
Amash would not say who he’s voting for, but said it won’t be either of the major party candidates for President. Amash says he doesn’t believe that Republican nominee Donald Trump or Democrat Hillary Clinton are fit for office of the Presidency.
Smith says he’s supporting Hillary Clinton for President. Smith says the most important issue is appointing justices to the U.S. Supreme Court.
