Posted on 06/14/2006 4:49:18 PM PDT by Coop
Edited on 06/14/2006 5:10:05 PM PDT by Lead Moderator. [history]
Washington County (PA) Commissioner Diana Irey, running for PA's 12th District Congressional seat against Rep. Jack Murtha, is joining us for a live question and answer session beginning at 8:00 pm EDT on June 14th.
Thread background:
Beginning June 5th questions for Diana Irey were solicited and received from the Free Republic (FR) audience. Late on June 12th 37 questions from 24 posters were compiled and forwarded to two FR moderators and Diana Ireys staff. No questions were removed for being judged as too easy, too difficult, etc. Some grammar corrections were made, and any editorial insertions are noted by brackets.
The two moderators then reviewed the entire list, and selected and prioritized the questions to be asked during our live thread. Ms. Ireys staff was informed that this comprehensive list was merely a starting point for them to prepare detailed responses. Other, subsequently received questions could still be asked, and not all of the comprehensive list will be presented to her during the thread.
As of 5:00pm EDT 8 additional posters submitted another 14 questions for consideration.
Thread rules:
Thank you for your participation!
PLEASE REFRAIN FROM POSTING UNTIL THE INTERVIEW IS COMPLETED. Thank you.
Social Security faces 2 problems. First, in 10 years we will spend more in benefits than we take in with payroll taxes. Second, our current system provides a very low return for lower income earners.
I am looking for new solutions to this problem. The social security lock box was a good first step.
Residents of District 12 were directly impacted by the events of 9/11 as Flight 93 crashed in Somerset county. Some have labeled the brave actions of Flight 93 passengers as "the first battle of the war on terrorism." What would you say to the military families who might be getting fatigued by the relentlessly negative media spin about Iraq and the [war on terror]?
(Sisku Hanne)
Americans do appreciate our soldiers and their families. It is only a minority of Americans that do not share in their resolve.
Americans believe we are winning the War on Terror in Iraq.
We must be united behind our military in their battle, so the war is not lost here on the streets of America.
Our military and their families are in constant prayer.
Thank you for taking the time to discuss your candidacy with FReepers. What is your position on the 2nd Amendment, and will you oppose any federal firearms legislation?
(jmc813)
I am a strong supporter of the 2nd amendment. I have been an endorsed candidate of Firearm Owners Against Crime since 1995. We do not need any additional federal firearm legislation that will restrict the rights of law abiding gunowners.
What is your opinion the next priority should be in the military's 21st century transformation process? (mnehrling)
I believe that it is essential we provide our military with the tools necessary to defend our country and keep them as safe as possible. In today's information age it is important that we provide current technological resources for our military.
I recently toured Rolling Rock's brewery in Latrobe, which I understand is in PAs 12th district. The recipes sale to Anheuser-Busch and the brewery's pending closure saddens me here in Virginia, so it must really be a hard blow for many of the district's residents. If elected, do you have any plans to try to save the brewery, either for another company or as a historic site?
(Coop)
Rolling Rock is an important tradition here in Pennsylvania. It is imperative that we work hard to protect jobs here in the 12th District, and that we find innovative ways to bring new business here to Western Pennsylvania. I would use every resource available to me to recruit another company and/or save their historic building.
What are your thoughts on the size of the federal government? Is it too big, too little, or about right?
(RobfromGA)
I believe our government is too large on the federal, state and county levels. As a Commissioner, I have witnessed terrible waste of taxpayer dollars. All levels of government can and should be downsized.
Mrs. Irey, how do you intend to overcome the media's protection of Murtha and point out to voters that Murtha's voting record is far more liberal than he admits to at home? Specifically to inform voters that:
-[Rep.] Murtha voted against the Real ID Act, to establish and rapidly implement regulations for State driver's license and identification document security standards, to prevent terrorists from abusing the asylum laws of the United States, to unify terrorism-related grounds for inadmissibility and removal, and to ensure expeditious construction of the San Diego border fence;
-[Rep.] Murtha was one of only 58 Representatives to vote against allowing federal courts to review the Terri Schiavo case while she was being starved to death;
-Murtha voted to use taxpayer dollars to finance research that destroys embryos for their stem cells;
-Murtha voted against the USA PATRIOT and Terrorism Prevention Reauthorization Act; and
-Murtha voted against the Gasoline for America's Security Act, to expedite the construction of new oil refineries in the United States and implement penalties to prevent gasoline suppliers from overcharging consumers?
(AuH2ORepublican)
The information you just shared and so much more will soon be available through our campaign efforts. I applaud your in depth education on a political figure. My campaign will show that Mr. Murtha is not the same man that was elected to this office 32 years ago. As you have pointed out, he has lost his way.
We appreciate your time here. Were sure you have a hectic schedule these days. One general question presented by many FReepers is how can someone outside of your district help in your race against Rep. Murtha. Would you care to address that in any closing remarks you may have?
Thank you for having me with you this evening. Please accept my apologies for the reoccuring technical difficulties we have experienced. I hope I have begun to answer some of your questions. I will be happy to do this again as the campaign progresses. I greatly appreciate the support of so many of you with Free Republic. This will be a difficult race. The 2 biggest challenges will be fundraising and getting the message to the voters. I encourage you to visit irey.com frequently for campaign updates. My family and I thank you.
Diana, Good luck and stay the course!
A very special thank you to Commissioner Irey for joining us this evening. This thread will remain open for open posting and further discussion.
What we as Freepers need to do is donate a tsunami of cash and prayers for Ms. Irey!
I'm in...who else??
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