Even tempers prevail at Langevin town meeting

By John Howell
Posted 3/9/17

Monday’s town meeting where Congressman Jim Langevin talked about “challenging times in Washington” was unlike some other meetings since Donald Trump took office.

While the parking lot at …

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Even tempers prevail at Langevin town meeting

Posted

Monday’s town meeting where Congressman Jim Langevin talked about “challenging times in Washington” was unlike some other meetings since Donald Trump took office.

While the parking lot at the William Shields Post in Conimicut was full, there were a lot of empty seats in the post meeting room. There were no signs decrying the president’s immigration policies or Republican efforts to eliminate Obamacare. No one yelled at the congressman, as those attending other town meetings have done and, in fact, the meeting came to end 10 minutes before its scheduled conclusion at 9 p.m.

The city was prepared if circumstances were different. Four policemen were assigned to the meeting.

Langevin offered to hold the meeting after reading a pre-election letter to the editor from village association member Leslie Derrig. Derrig related how she hears from all the candidates prior to an election but nothing after having won an office.

Derrig conducted the meeting, first reading from pre-submitted questions and then opening it to questions from the floor. Topics ranged from the local issue of the high cost of flood insurance to the national debt of nearly $20 trillion and what can be done to bring that under control. There was not, as Senator Sheldon Whitehouse encountered when he spoke to an angry crowd of 150 at the Warwick Public Library on Jan. 28, questions on how Trump can be removed from office or what they as citizens could do to get him impeached.

Langevin said following the meeting he thought the president’s address to Congress on Feb. 28 was superior to his inaugural speech. He said he agrees with Trump’s commitment to improve the nation’s transportation infrastructure. He also thought the even temperament of Trump’s remarks have done a lot to quell calls for the Democrats to undermine his every act, although he admitted with a shake of the head he was surprised over subsequent tweets alleging Obama wiretapped his campaign headquarters.

Derrig asked if there is any relief she and many of her Conimicut neighbors who live near the water from the high cost of flood insurance. William Derrig said flood insurance has cost the couple $70,000 over the past 10 years.

“Why is the government still involved,” said William Derrig. He said he has shopped around to find a lower rate through American Express, although the premium is still in the range of $7,000.

Langevin explained how the trust fund created by the insurance program run by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was depleted and how the government had to end the subsidies that had allowed for low premiums. That action caused premiums to skyrocket several years ago and was hastily amended to phase in the higher rates, but as Langevin concluded, “I have no immediate solutions for you.”

But Langevin offered solutions to other issues.

Jane Flanders said she is especially concerned over the appointment of cabinet members Tom Price, Health & Human Services; Betsy DeVos, Education; and Scott Pruitt, Environmental Protection Agency.

“What is Congress going to have to do to exercise oversight?” she asked.

Langevin said legislators need to closely monitor what cabinet members are doing and “call them out” when they see issues. As a last resort, he said, “We still have the courts.”

Lonnie Barham pointed out that 40 percent of Rhode Islanders voted for Trump, asking, “When is the Democratic party going to open its eyes to the truth?”

“He clearly won the election. He is my President, even though I didn’t vote for him,” Langevin said. Analyzing election results, Langevin attributed the Trump win to the frustrations of an electorate that feel disenfranchised and who “wanted to shake up the system.”

Langevin expressed his own frustration, especially over the last eight years and the Republican hard line not to compromise, although he added, “there’s plenty of blame to go around on both sides of the aisle.”

Several people asked about the Affordable Care Act and what can be done to replace it. Langevin outlined why Democrats went along with Obamacare when it was less than the best plan because, with the death of Sen. Edward Kennedy, the party lost the assurance of getting a revised bill through the Senate.

“It had 70 percent of the things wanted,” he said of the ACA.

Barham noted the ACA passed without a single Republican vote that had him questioning why Langevin imagined he could find Republican support.

Langevin said he has always sought bi-partisan support, saying he reached out to Congressman Chris Shays from Connecticut in 2008 to co-sponsor universal health care legislation. The American Health Benefits Program Act didn’t go anywhere, but Langevin noted in a following election Shays was criticized by conservative members of his own party and lost re-election.

“Compromise has become a bad word,” he lamented. He feels the conservation House Freedom Caucus is a case of the “tail wagging the dog” and is focused on ways to punish moderate members of the Republican party.

Barham observed that leadership in both parties “is holding back the moderates…and now the Democrats are going to refuse to work with the Republicans. The Democrats are going to do exactly what the Republicans did: gridlock.”

Langevin finds a solution in campaign finance reform, not term limits as he was asked to comment on. Langevin said he doesn’t “own” his seat and must answer to the voters every two years and that those two years is his limit.

“It’s about getting money out of politics. Big money can swoop in days before an election [and change the outcome],” he said. He said he believes elections should be determined by ideas not dollars spent.

Asked how the government could afford the $1 trillion projected in needed transportation infrastructure improvements, Langevin noted that the gasoline tax hasn’t been increased since 1994. He also suggested “re-patriotization” of corporate taxes on profits earned abroad.

Asked what keeps him awake at night, Langevin said “security issues.” Langevin, who has made cybersecurity a priority, said he knows “of the bad stuff that can happen” and the threat of terrorism posed by violent radical Islamic extremists. He noted Russia’s resurgence and said the country is “challenging us more and more.” He termed China an “adversary but not an enemy.”

Langevin said he is also troubled by the mounting national debt that Barham tagged at nearing $20 trillion.

Langevin said the situation was created by two wars that the country waged on borrowed funds. He also pointed to the near implosion of the financial system in 2008.

“Worldwide economic collapse, it was that close to happening,” he said.

On a much lighter note, Langevin embraced the suggestion of Douglas Ray that the state and the nation recognize the landing of the first man on the moon on July 20, 1969. He agreed to help in holding an observance this year as being planned by the Conimicut Village Association.

Comments

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  • richardcorrente

    Most politicians say they are going to do something and then they don't.

    Most politicians say that someone from their office will contact you tomorrow and they never do.

    When Congressman Langevin says he is going to do something, he does.

    When Congressman Langevin says someone from his office will call you tomorrow, they actually do.

    That's why Congressman Langevin is the great leader that he is. He keeps his word.

    Happy Spring everyone

    Rick Corrente

    The Taxpayers Mayor

    Thursday, March 9, 2017 Report this

  • Thecaptain

    This is an example of a true COMPLETELY USELESS POLITICIAN.

    Since January 3rd of 2001, Langevin has only been the prime sponsor of 1 bill that has been passed. In fact, the bill had no impact on anyone in his district. The bill that he sponsored was to re-name a post office. It is bill HR3601. Big deal.

    https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/3601

    Here's the breakdown since 2001

    Staff salaries - $24,823,098

    Langevin salary - $2,784,000

    Total cost to re-name post office - $27,607,098

    By the way, that does not include expense account.

    No wonder Corrente likes him.

    Thursday, March 9, 2017 Report this

  • JohnStark

    Of course "Even tempers prevail". Langevin is a Democrat. The paid nuts only come out to act like nuts and shout down any dialogue when GOP officials are involved. Reluctantly, I must agree with the Captain. The good congressman is known for what, exactly? More to the point, ask the average RI voter which of Langevin's positions they find most compelling. Exactly.

    Thursday, March 9, 2017 Report this

  • DanElliott

    That picture is worth 1,000 words.

    Thursday, March 9, 2017 Report this

  • RIvoter

    John Stark,

    Your bias is clearly showing and your memory must be failing. The right were in attack mode at all Democratic meetings for the last eight years. When someone dares to fight back against the hatred from the GOP policies and fight to protect the rights and lives of all people, you call them names.

    You sir, are narrow-minded and need to wake up from your 45 coma.

    Friday, March 10, 2017 Report this

  • bendover

    TY Ms. Langevin (RIvoter) for your missive...UMM, where are your facts? Let me guess, you are part of the 300,000 in this soon to be a banana republic living off the taxpayer largess? Yikes...

    NOW, for our 3 other Washington space eaters...What are your claims to fame? Where is your key authorship/prime sponsorship of ANYTHING that benefited all of RI citizens? The trained clapping seals in the audience applaud wildly, even though they don't know what they are clapping for, it was the applause light that made them do it.

    Jonathan Gruber was correct about one thing when caught on tape admitting odummacare would never work...and was all a big lie...Too many of the American public are stupid enough to believe anything, especially if is marketed as a free lunch.

    Saturday, March 11, 2017 Report this

  • JohnStark

    RiVoter, Conservatives opposed virtually all of Obama's proposals. They did not, however, seek to shut down speech. Liberalism, much like a fungus, can only exist in the dark. Which is why conservative perspectives must be shouted down. If allowed to see the light of day, citizens might (horrifyingly) agree. Better to act like disruptive, progressive fools.

    Sunday, March 12, 2017 Report this