Himes Wants to 'Separate Rhetoric from Reality'

When it comes to getting re-elected, Congressman Jim Himes said he wants to separate rhetoric from reality.

"I try to keep the discussion in the world of policy. We don't live in a bumper sticker world," said Himes in a telephone interview with Patch on Wednesday.

Elected to represent Connecticut's 4th District in 2008, Democrat Himes garnered 51 percent of the vote compared with former Rep. Christopher Shay's 48 percent of the vote. He now boasts more than $2 million in campaign funds. And, come November, he plans to return to Congress after beating one of three GOP candidates.

A freshman wallflower he is not.

On the contrary, Himes has taken on TARP, jobs and health care. And, most recently, he announced his intention to form a working group aimed at cutting $70 billion of expenditures from areas such as agriculture, housing, energy and defense. He joined fellow Reps. Gary Peters, John Adler (D-N.J.) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.).

The announcement came a day before Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke testified before Congress. Bernanke said the stock market's dips, Europe's economic woes and low job creation mean the U.S. economy is recovering, albeit quite slowly. And while there are situations where the Fed might need to step in again, that time isn't now.

"I think he makes a point that we're all very aware of – that this is a very tenuous recovery," Himes said. "And if you live in a responsible world, instead of a political world, you need to send the signals that you have the political will to live within our means."

But for now, Himes said both those who favor slashing budgets and those who want substantial tax hikes risk sending the economy into a double dip recession. 

Doing either, he said, is "ten flavors of insane."

All three GOP candidates lambasted Himes' formation of a working group, calling it a political ploy. All three, Dan Debicella, Rob Merkle, and Rick Torres, also say they will reduce taxes and plug the federal deficit.

"Connecticut has twice the debt as California and can't afford it. We want better taxes and smaller government," said GOP candidate Rob Merkle during an event at the Georgetown Saloon last week.

But going after Democrats on government spending is par for the Republican course, said Himes.

"It's a fun thing to say, cut taxes and fix the deficit," Himes said.

The three GOP candidates have said they oppose the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, or stimulus bill, which Himes supported.

"Unlike the Democrats we don't want to redistribute wealth," said Debicella in an interview with Patch at his campaign headquarters on Wednesday. "We don't want to throw money at problems, it's not a one size fits all solution."

The Stimulus Act passed Congress in 2009. At the time the House voted 246-183, to pass the stimulus act. Not one Republican voted for it. The Senate passed it 60-38 with three Republicans supporting the act. Yet, in spite of GOP opposition, many Republican-held districts received stimulus money.

Debicella's district benefited from stimulus funds while he served as State Senator. Shelton received $30,00 in a Justice Assistance Grant through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for surveillance and Stratford got $75,000 for TASER units, 11 patrol rifles, and mobile data terminals.

 "So there is a fair amount of hypocrisy there," Himes said.

The bailout, or TARP, has also become campaign fodder. Debicella, Merkle, and Torres all said they wouldn't have voted for the bailout.

TARP passed before Himes was sworn in, but he said it was necessary to prevent a total economic collapse. Going forward he wants to eliminate taxpayer bailouts, and wants derivatives to be traded more openly. On Wednesday President Barack Obama signed legislation to that effect.

Himes press office sent out a release on Wednesday calling for further financial reform and lauding the Congressman's stance on financial institutions. Yet, Himes voted against laws deemed "too strict" on banks in the recent past.

As for term limits, Himes said it comes down to "not wanting to take choice out of voters' hands."

Rob Merkle said he favors term limits and signed a contract that would limit him to five terms, or 10 years.

However, in 1994 several Republicans, under former Rep. Newt Gingrich's leadership, signed The Contract with America. The contract would have imposed 12-year term limits on members of Congress. Of the 25 representatives and five senators who signed the contract, each one ran for election, after exceeding their self-imposed limit.

In addition, many constituents are concerned about health care.

Himes supported health care reform for multiple reasons, primarily to increase access.

"Do we really want to reverse the thousands of 25-year-olds who are now on their parents plans? Do we really want to tell children with preexisting conditions they can't be insured?" Himes asked rhetorically.

To address the projected shortage of primary care doctors, Himes said the health care bill would invest $12 billion in community health centers. It also includes loan forgiveness programs for those medical students choosing primary care.

Himes and Debicella both favor interstate competition between health insurance companies.

However, many doctors said interstate competition drives up costs and hurts already financially stretched hospitals. For example, a Connecticut resident who gets care from Connecticut hospitals and health care providers may purchase a New York-based plan. But, the New York insurance plan reimburses hospitals less than Medicare.

If elected to another term, Himes wants to tackle education. Himes said poor city schools and middle class suburban schools lag behind other nations.

"I spent an awful lot of time this term on finger-in-the-dike kind of things. We talk about the economy 24/7, but we don't talk enough about education," Himes said. "The erosion of education is an existential threat to this country. We need to be more thoughtful."