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DETROIT -- Monday's Detroit Economic Club (DEC) meeting had its own Obama/McCain debate in the form of Michigan U.S. Senator Carl Levin and U.S. Representative Jack Hoogendyk in answering questions of current issues such as energy, education, the declining economy, illegal immigration, Proposal 2, manufacturing, and so on:

How the government can help the automotive industry as well as the state of Michigan making up on the loss of jobs?

J.H. - Improve relation between labor and management in order to have a much better working relationship between employees and employers. For instance, a right-to-work legislation.

C.L. - Increase size of the automotive bailout, and start investing other options such as alternative fuels. "We have an economy at a cliff's edge. It is time to have regulation restore. We must get our economy back on track, restore the job markets, and start taking steps to advocare manufacturing and level the playing field in the trade. Get the cop back on the beat on Wall Street. It's not socialism, but common sense.

Why is it important for taxpayers to bailout an declining economy?

C.L. - No one cares about the institution. Small businesses got to have credit. What we care are the pensions and the jobs. We must act for the sake of people who can't get credit from banks and government. Otherwise, we'll be in a deep Depression. "The implication is that people who are not doing well have not worked hard enough. That is simply not true. The middle class works mighty hard, and those out of work with this high unemployment that the Bush economic policies and tax policies have produced to work hard. There's no shortage of people working hard in the middle class who have lost ground."

J.H. - It's not the governemnt's responsibility. All that needs to happen is to make the liquidate run. Lower corporate tax rates equals influx of investment and rising capitalism. Socialism is sharing and spreading the wealth. "But the problem is, the ones who are doing well are the ones who worked very hard. They started their own business. And they earned the bread of their labor. At what point do we say, 'you know what, we can't penalize the people who are the winners, who are creating the wealth in this country. We have to let them keep those profits so they can invest in their company, and their company will grow, and they will create more jobs."

On the rising prices in gas and dependency on oil

C.L. - We must become independent of energy and move away from fossil fuel. Profits of oil companies have been obscene, so go after them with an excessive profit plan.

J.H. - The way is through supply and demand. The demand is up, the price is up. Learn the difference between profit dollar and profit margin. Oil companies are making profit, so we can't penalize them. Learn that oil companies produce and make money.

Health Care Reform

J.H. - Improve transparency, accountability, and competition between doctors, hospitals, and insurance companies in order to drive down costs. Most people need to know what they're paying for and how much is it.

C.L. -We must find a way to make sure that every person has health care coverage, and the answer is universal health care coverage.

Illegal Immigration

C.L. - Must find a path for 12-14 million people to earn U.S. citizenship, and also make sure that they pay taxes, too.

J.H. - Like his opponent, employee sanction should be enforce -- people coming to the U.S. illegally; security must be tighten. The cause must be address of them coming here, and providing long-term health care, education, and social security to illegal aliens must be stopped.

The issue on Proposal 2 -- embryo stem cell research -- was a hot topic on both sides. While Levin believes there are possibilities with this law such as finding cures for afflicted diseases, Hoogendyk disagrees with it. Where does life begin? Conception Does the Constitution protects human life? Yes, it is valuable, precious, and important, he said, and also added that it is a waste of taxpayers' money and could lead to legalize human cloning.

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com

State Rep. Jack Hoogendyk (R) is a candidate for one of Michigan's seats in the U.S. Senate.

 

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com

U.S. Sen. Carl Levin (D) is the incumbent.

 

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com

About 700 people attended the debate inside the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center.

 

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com

Questions for the panelists were proposed by reporters.

 

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com

Levin admitted that he is supports Proposal 2, which permits stem cell research.

 

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