Barack Obama

Obama addresses veterans care, abortion, Social Security

Friday, May 6, 2005

LASALLE NEWS TRIBUNE
By Tom Collins

U.S. Sen. Barack Obama calls on a questioner at a town meeting in Ottawa on Thursday afternoon.

U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) told a capacity crowd Thursday that Democrats are laying the foundation for future legislation, but currently are having trouble getting bills passed in a Republican controlled Congress.

In an appearance designed to temper the public's sky-high expectations of him while nurturing his popularity and political base, Illinois' junior senator modestly reminded about 500 spectators at the Upper Room Conference Center on La Salle Street that he ranks 99th (out of 100) in seniority in the U.S. Senate.

"I just got there," the 43-year-old Chicagoan said. "I haven't solved world hunger yet. And some of the issues you and I care about we have not had an opportunity to discuss yet."

Obama explained that outside of Social Security and the War on Terror, many domestic and international issues have been kicked aside, not least of which is health care. Obama said he and other Democrats are working on solutions to the health insurance crisis but as long as they remain the minority in Congress, their proposals are getting short shrift.

After brief opening remarks - "Ah, don't worry," he jokingly told a crying baby. "I won't be that long." - Obama opened the floor to questions and outlined his positions.

On health care, Obama said Americans should follow Canada's model and lower drug prices by making bulk government purchases, enabling procurers to negotiate cheaper prices.

He also argued health costs could be lowered by shifting hospitals to paperless environments, reducing bureaucratic waste as well as handwritten orders that he blamed for errors and malpractice lawsuits. He said an Evanston hospital cut costs by going paperless and that Democrats are hammering out legislation that would entice other health care providers to follow suit.

With a few bystanders outside bearing signs such as "Bring our troops home alive," Obama criticized the GOP for underestimating the costs of war in Iraq. The administration, he said, dismissed one Pentagon estimate that the war would cost $200 billion and placed the figure at about $60 billion; Obama said Congress is close to approving an $80 billion supplement that brings the running total to about $200 billion.

Obama encouraged spectators to throw him tough questions, insisting there were no plants in the audience. He quickly got his wish.

Martin Rue, superintendent of the La Salle County Veterans Assistance Commission, asked Obama what he was doing to improve benefits for severely injured combat veterans. Rue said maimed soldiers are returning home to wait for tiny, overdue benefits while older veterans who may have never seen combat collect larger sums through pensions. Rue urged Obama to support legislation (HR 995) to correct these disparities.

"The way we treat our veterans generally is somewhat shabby," Obama said. He noted that Illinois veterans get about $5,000 less in benefits than veterans of other states and that the Chicago VA office has the highest rates of dissatisfaction.

Joanne Resendiz, a teacher at Ottawa's Marquette High School and mother of five, stood up and prefaced her question by saying she disagreed with Obama's support for gay civil unions and abortion.

Resendiz then said the House passed a measure making it illegal to transport a minor across state lines for the purpose of obtaining an abortion.

"How are you going to vote on this, keeping in mind that 10, 15 years down the line your daughters, God forbid, could be transported across state lines?" Resendiz asked.

Obama declined to answer the question directly, saying he had not read the legislation and was wary of rider clauses, while also acknowledging the need to protect minors.

"The decision generally is one that a woman should make," he finally replied. The crowd that had hushed at Resendiz' pointed question applauded Obama's response.

Obama also outlined his opposition to President Bush's proposal to privatize Social Security, saying the plan is flawed in part because the U.S. would borrow from other nations to pay for the staggering transition costs to alter traditional Social Security.

Obama said Social Security is not threatened with bankruptcy. Rather, the system cannot sustain its current benefit levels without increasing revenues or cutting benefits.

Obama won a contested race against Republican Alan Keyes in the 2004 elections but in reality the race was decided much earlier when Jack Ryan, the Republican primary victor, quit the race over a sex scandal involving his ex-wife.

He entered the general election as the heavy favorite and was catapulted into the national spotlight with a much-praised speech at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Obama was immediately dubbed the party's next rising star and, despite his near-invisibility in North Central Illinois during the primary campaign, received a thunderous reception when he appeared in Ottawa four days later.

Thursday's reception was just as enthusiastic. During introductions, Ottawa mayor Bob Eschbach said that he hoped Ottawa would "be the site of the next debate, be it for United States Senate or for higher office," an allusion to the presidency that brought a smile to Obama's lips and set the crowd roaring.

"He's always a pretty impressive speaker," said Barb Koch, executive director of the Illinois Valley Area Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development.

Oglesby mayor Jerry Scott agreed Obama did "an excellent job."

"I thought he was honest and sincere and what more can you want from a politician?" Scott asked.

Brian Towne, first assistant La Salle County state's attorney, said Obama was well-spoken.

"He was prepared on every issue that was presented to him," Towne said, "and I'm pleased he's my senator."