The Ascension Citizen

By Aaron E. Looney

As temperatures boiled outside the Gonzales Holiday Inn Aug. 17, U.S. Rep. Richard Baker (R-Baton Rouge) discussed topics just as hot while speaking to members of Ascension Republican Women.

Baker represents the 6th Congressional District, which includes parts of northern Ascension Parish including Prairieville. He has held the seat since taking office in 1986. Baker faces a challenge from Libertarian candidate Richard Fontanesi for his seat in the Nov. 7 primary election.

Among other items, Baker discussed the boom in economic growth across the nation, particularly in Louisiana, and what it will take to continue that trend.

"This is a nationwide phenomenon," Baker said. "We are in a period of economic wealth unparalleled in our nation's history."

He said that individual household wealth in today's world is at an all-time high, and the growth of business and residential development continues to set records. He also credits the increase investment into market economy sectors as a positive sign of economic growth.

"There is an enormous opportunity for an economic advantage available to us in this country," Baker said. "The key for those coming behind us is education." Education is one area where Baker said he believes work still needs to be done in order to catch up with other countries.

"Our kids love to listen to iPods," Baker said. "They know how to download tunes, legally or otherwise, they know how to burn CDs and more, but they play with iPods. All too often the case, Chinese kids are the ones building the iPods."

Baker said that many other countries are putting forth the effort to compete with the U.S. in the global market. "There are many people willing to get up earlier, work longer and provide a quality product for less money," Baker said. "That's the nature of the marketplace.

"America has always been a supporter of a free enterprise economy. We've believed that if you want to compete on a level playing field, bring it on," Baker said. "Well, that's not the case anymore, and unless we wake up and recognize the challenges of our education system and accept, we're in for a long, tough slosh."

Baker said that current times are challenging both at the local as well as the national levels. He cited the Gulf South's continued efforts to recover from the impact of hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the ongoing battles in the Middle East as two major items of debate.

"I have spoken to the families of those young men and women who have not come home and understood their pain," Baker said. "I listen to those dads and moms tell me that their children were doing what they believed in the most."

Baker said that the war could easily return to American soil, as evidenced by the recently attempted bombing plot for planes coming from London to the United States.

"It is beyond our comprehension," Baker said. "We do not live in a society which has those views about life. There are people in this world who do not like us. They hate us. They do not understand our regard for civil liberties, religious freedom or our flag. They are set on a course of conflict over the decades to come." Baker said while he joins many in wanting U.S. troops to return home as quickly as possible, he strongly believes that the country should not retreat from its battle against terrorism until its mission is complete.

"We cannot leave the battlefield and give the signal to these individuals that somehow, they have won something," Baker said of the terrorist opposition. "They must know there is a price to pay and that we are just as steadfast in our belief as they are in theirs."

Baker added that despite arguments from both inside and outside of the country, he feels that President George W. Bush and Congress are "on the right path" in terms of fighting terrorism. During a question-and-answer session later in the meeting, Rabbi Barry Weinstein of the B'Nai Israel Temple in Baton Rouge publically thanked Baker for his as well as the Louisiana delegation for its assistance in the country's support of Israel in its current conflict with Hezbollah.

Weinstein asked Baker about his views on the recent cease-fire agreement in the war and the country's reaction, to which Baker responded by citing Israel as "one of the rock-solid partners in a fragile part of the world where we have little place to go to rely on friends."

Baker called Hezbollah "political operatives to the highest degree" and said he felt the cease-fire has allowed the group to "repair and retool" for further strikes against Israel, thanks to backing from neighbor Iran. Baker also said that the U.S. would likely become involved in the fighting if it continues.

"We're in for a long, long haul," Baker said.