Profile in Conservatism: Rep. John Shadegg (R-AZ)

John Shadegg was elected to Congress as part of the Republican Revolution in 1994 and represents the 3rd Congressional District of Arizona. Mr. Shadegg established himself as a leader in that class and has continued to hold fast to the principles of freedom and limited government. He has introduced legislation to promote patient choice, individual ownership, and portability in health insurance. His two bills – the Patients Health Care Reform Act and the Health Care Choice Act – offer comprehensive, free-market solutions to the rapidly rising cost of healthcare by allowing individuals to choose a health care plan that best meets their needs. Congressman Shadegg was kind enough to answer questions from Smart Girl Politics and our very active AZ group.

You have introduced the Health Care Choice Act, which includes competitive regulation of health insurance. Senators Tom Coburn (R-OK) and Richard Burr (R-NC), along with Reps. Paul Ryan (R-WI) and Devin Nunes (R-CA) have introduced a mandate price control bill. Even in the GOP there are problems over what is right and wrong in the form of an alternative. What do you believe will be the outcome will be of the healthcare debate?

Tragically, unless the American people become engaged to stop Democrats in Congress, the outcome of this debate will be the enactment of radical changes to America’s health care system. Virtually every American who already has health care coverage they like will lose their current coverage and be forced into a new system. In fact, the House bill specifically requires that every health insurance plan in America meet a new set of rules and regulations prescribed by a new federal bureaucracy: the “Health Benefits Advisory Committee.” I’ve been encouraging everyone I speak with to tell their friends, neighbors, colleagues, and, most importantly, their Representative in Congress their concerns. Only aggressive action by individual Americans can stop the overwhelming majorities Democrats hold in the House and Senate from passing this legislation before the August break.

This week, I introduced a truly patient-focused alternative, the Improving Health Care for All Americans Act. The most critical component of my bill is that it does not take away the exclusion from income, which makes employer-based health care possible. It allows Americans to keep their employer-provided health care plan and also offers a tax offset to those who would prefer to purchase health care on their own. For those unable to purchase their own health care, it provides a government stipend so they, too, can buy the health care plan of their choice.

The problem with our healthcare industry is the result of government interference. The AMA warned forty-four years ago that Medicare and Medicaid would be more expensive than projected (which was determined immediately), that rationing would occur, and health care costs would soar. Do you think government should play any role in determining how the health care industry operates and how American citizens receive medical services?

Government, in a limited role, should ensure the integrity and honesty of the marketplace. This function should be performed primarily at the state level. We should also ensure that Americans with chronic illnesses and/or preexisting conditions can obtain affordable coverage through either high-risk pools or risk-adjustment mechanisms.

Mr. Shadegg, I live in your district, I voted for you, and I will again. I want to know what you recommend–with all of the steamroller tactics of the left coming on strongly to promote a socialized healthcare, what do you see as the two or three things we as regular citizens can do to help you and your peers STOP this healthcare socialization? [Question submitted by Gayle Plato.]

I urge every American to talk to everyone they know and warn them about the radical changes being considered in Washington today. These sweeping changes will destroy health care as we know it. Encourage everyone you know to speak up! They should call, e-mail, or write their Member of Congress and their United States Senators and participate in public demonstrations to make their voices heard. If you don’t know who your Member of Congress is, click here to find out!

Congress is a “pressure-sensitive institution,” and only pressure from the public will stop Congress from doing severe damage to America’s health care system.

Weighing in on the issues that are important to you, like health care, whether it be through social networking sites like Smart Girl Politics or through friends and neighbors, can help spread the message. By spreading the word, you can make your voices resound in the halls of Washington and help protect our health care freedoms.

You co-sponsored the The No Cost Stimulus Act of 2009, which talked about job creation as a way to deal with outsourcing of US energy production to other countries. We are now looking at a stimulus bill raising our deficit more and more to create jobs. What are our next steps?

It is obvious that the stimulus has not worked. Even Vice President Biden has said that the White House “misread” the economy. This is no excuse in a time when Americans are unemployed at record levels and sacrificing to make ends meet.

The keys to stimulating our economy are private capital, small business innovation, and reducing the burden big government imposes on the economy and job creation. For example, the No Cost Stimulus Act would have enabled the production of vastly more American-made energy, creating jobs and reducing our reliance on foreign oil. No country in the world has locked up its natural resources and forced itself to rely on foreign suppliers on the scale we have done here in America. These policies hurt our economy and place our national security at risk.

President Obama seems to be straying into dangerous constitutional territory by appointing various policy “czars.” As the sponsor of the Enumerated Powers Act, you are a strong voice for returning the Constitution to the halls of Congress. What can be done to ensure that the President of the United States adheres to similar principles?

With the growth of the federal government over the past six decades, many have come to doubt that the remaining vitality of the Tenth Amendment – which restates the Constitution’s principle of federalism by providing that powers not granted to the national government nor prohibited to the states are reserved to the states or the people – is a central feature of our Constitution. But the belief that the central government should have only limited powers remains alive in the hearts of the people.

If Congress passed the Enumerated Powers Act, Congress and the Supreme Court would be forced to apply the Constitution and to at least consider the proper role of the federal government, as opposed to state and local governments, as it legislates.

In the wake of the 2008 election, many new conservative grassroots groups, such as Smart Girl Politics, have begun to organize. What role do you see these kinds of groups playing in future elections and policy debates?

Smart Girl Politics and other grassroots groups have the unique task of galvanizing public awareness and encouraging greater participation in the political process. In my opinion, it is not an overstatement to say the future of America lies in the hands of Smart Girl Politics and similar efforts. Whether you’re blogging or posting links and messages on Facebook, Members of Congress must pay attention. Our constituents can have more influence over what Congress does than ever before, and that’s a great thing.

What are your thoughts on the current direction of the Republican Party? Should its policies be more centrist in nature or should it return to its conservative principles?

The Republican Party is based on a belief in individual rights, personal responsibility, and freedom. At its core, the party believes in limited government, low taxes, and a strong national defense. These are broad concepts that appeal to a majority of Americans.

Unfortunately, the former Republican majority in Congress did not live up to these principles. It is not enough to say we support a set of core beliefs. It is essential not only to articulate our principles, but also to act consistently with them. Until the Republican Party returns to its support of core conservative principles, and its leaders act and vote consistently with them, we cannot hope to attract the support of the American people.

Who do you think are the rising stars of the GOP? Are there any up-and-comers in Arizona that we should keep our eyes on?

I’m happy to know a number of Republican leaders with potential for party success in the Congress. In Arizona, Kirk Adams is showing great potential, as is Steve Pierce and, again, many others.

*** You can find more information on Congressman Shadegg at http://johnshadegg.house.gov/ ***

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