War in Iraq Dominates Discussion as Congressman Stupak Visits St. Ignace
Also Touches on Soo Locks, Postal Service
By Ryan Schlehuber

Michigan Congressman Bart Stupak talks with a dozen people at a town hall meeting at Community Action in St. Ignace Saturday, April 28. Mr. Stupak briefly discussed several issues, including the war in Iraq, Canadian trash coming into Michigan, and efforts to support programs and funding for autistic children in the Eastern Upper Peninsula. (Photograph by Michael Porter)

The war in Iraq dominated discussion at a town hall meeting with U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak at Community Action Agency's Fenlon Center in St. Ignace Saturday morning, April 28, which drew about a dozen people to address any topics of interest with the congressman. He also touched on issues such as autism programs in Michigan, upgrading the Soo Locks, and success in keeping the Gaylord post office operating.

Congressman Stupak believes it is time for Congress to install a checks-and-balances system with its funding of the war in Iraq. He said by creating reasonable benchmarks in spending on war efforts and reviewing spending every quarter, the government can then begin preparing to make necessary changes, with the most important goal being getting troops back home.

He also believes a more strict review process should be implemented on lawmaking.

"We need oversight with passing of laws because, if the administration is not checked, they can do what they want and interpret it how they want," said Congressman Stupak.

He considers the conflict in Iraq a civil war and is in favor of bringing troops home, however, he asked, "Should all troops be taken out, or should just combat troops be brought back? Even if we left Iraq tomorrow, there would still be Americans there helping with reconstruction."

The issue was brought up by Anabel Dwyer, a member of a small anti-war group called Straits Area Concerned Citizens for Peace and Justice, which also supports abolishing nuclear weapons.

She questioned how the government has been spending tax money to fund the war. She believes private businesses are profiting tremendously through contracting with the government.

"We do want to have better knowledge of where the money is being spent," said Congressman Stupak. "The military uses private contractors because it's cheaper, and the Army doesn't have enough people" to perform all of the work.

"If we believe we have a moral responsibility to reconstruct Iraq, then let's be sure we are spending the money right," he added.

Gia Lopez, a dentist for the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, asked Congressman Stupak about more educational programs and funding for autistic children in the Eastern Upper Peninsula. She has a daughter who has the disorder.

Mr. Stupak said under the government's "pay-go," system, where it "pays as it goes," politicians in Washington need to find funding in the existing budget if they want to support a cause such as autism services.

"There is no immediate answer, but we are working on it," he said. "It's a matter of trying to find money in different parts of the budget."

Representatives from the Gaylord Post Office, which processes mail for the Eastern Upper Peninsula, thanked Mr. Stupak for his work and support in keeping local mail for the Eastern Upper Peninsula from being transferred to Traverse City or further down state. Mr. Stupak was also informed that 20 new full-time employees were recently hired at the Gaylord post office.

The federal government conducted a study last year to see if it was beneficial and less costly to move the processing of mail to Traverse City or Grand Rapids, which would have meant mail to the EUP would possibly be delayed by two days, and Gaylord's post office would close.

"We've been fighting this for two-plus years," said Mr. Stupak. "I'm glad to hear the agreement was made."

He he is working on getting the federal government to fully fund upgrades to the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie.

Congress passed a Waterways Development Act, which states that the planned $342 million cost to build a new lock would have to be shared with eight Great Lakes states, which are expected to cover 25 percent of the project.

"The federal government finances lock systems through Ohio and Mississippi 100 percent, so why are the Soo Locks any different?" he asked.

The Soo Locks have been in place since 1855 and are operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The new lock, if it is to be built, would be a three- to fouryear project.

Work is ongoing with Congressman Stupak's efforts to curb imported trash from Canada. He said if he cannot stop Canadian trash from coming into Michigan, he can certainly limit the amount and kind of trash.

"Any international trash that comes into Michigan, we have the right to limit it or put restrictions on it," he said. "It also becomes a Homeland Security issue. In spot checks done by the EPA [U.S. Environmental Protection Agency], they've found blood, guns, and illegal currency" in imported trash.

Mr. Stupak said he has had good communication with the Canadian government, but not from the U.S. International Joint Committee (IJC), which is reviewing the issue.

"It depends on who's in charge of the IJC," he said. "With a strong leadership, you can do strong things. In the (Bill) Clinton administration, the IJC asked Congress for funds and explained what they were doing. In the (George W.) Bush administration, I've never seen the IJC do that."

Congressman Stupak said he is trying to keep the coalition between the two countries together to support supplemental funding to resolve the issue.

"Our eventual goal," he said, "is to limit the bulk trash and make sure it is safe and it is no threat to our country."