Womack talks politics at Gentry Coffee with Congressman event

GENTRY -- "It's all about arithmetic," U.S. Rep. Steve Womack said of the upcoming election at his visit to Gentry on Thursday. "It doesn't matter who is running; it's about the numbers."

Though taken to task by a few attendees of the Coffee with the Congressman event held at Gentry Public Library Thursday morning for not holding a strict enough line on certain issues, Womack explained the situation in Washington D.C. and how important it was to gain enough seats in the Senate to stop U.S. Senate majority leader Harry Reid from keeping House legislation from the floor of the Senate, adding that there were well over 300 House bills being blocked by one man.

Even if the Republican Party gains control of the Senate, it's not enough to undo some of the damage done, Womack explained. The GOP will still not have enough votes to override a veto or to stop a filibuster, he explained.

"It's not good for the country and it's not good for the GOP," Womack said in answer to those who suggested the House Republicans should shut down government rather than compromise on principles. Womack said the result of the last shut down hurt the American people and cost the Republican party, making it even harder for them to enact legislation beneficial for the American people. He said the economy lost $23 billion and the Republicans lost eight points overnight.

Womack suggested gaining control of the Senate in this election and the presidency in the next election was the only way to turn the tide in Washington. He explained that if conservative Republicans are unwilling to yield on any points to unite the party, Democrats will win in those states which have a strong Democrat base and have narrowly elected Republicans.

On the Issues

He also spoke to a number of issues at the town-hall-type meeting.

He expressed grave concerns over the government's handling of ISIS, reminding his hearers that George Bush warned of the threat during his presidency, saying we would be fighting radical terrorist organizations on a wholly different scale if we pull out of Iraq too quickly.

Speaking of Ebola, he said he is vice chairman of the subcommittee which funds the Center for Disease Control and has had many conversations with the head of the CDC as it works to prevent an outbreak in the United States.

Womack warned of the current president's overstepping of constitutional authority and the long-term effects that could have on the nation if it does not return to its constitutional base.

In regard to education, Womack pointed out that the federal government goes too far when it attempts to dictate what is taught in every school district and how it is taught. The needs of students in different parts of the nation are not identical, he said, arguing that control of public education should be returned to local school districts and states. He pointed out the importance of technical training and said the college path is not necessarily best for every one, calling it a "terrible mistake" to make young people think that going to college is the only way to be successful.

Womack suggested that local school districts and teachers should have the latitude to be innovative in their teaching and suggested that students be taught such basic skills as how to pay bills and calculate interest payments.

He said the current administration's energy policy was not for the good of the American people and wouldn't meet America's needs, adding that the people would have to pay the price for the government's attempt to shut down coal-powered energy plants.

Womack said he held to Biblical views regarding life beginning at conception and marriage being between a man and a woman. He said he didn't hate those who disagreed with him but suggested that they were the subject of "good missionary work" by the churches.