Congressman Joe Pitts: My Job Is To Save And Strengthen Medicare

Like any politician, there's a lot to like and dislike about our 7, soon to be 8, term US Congressman Joe Pitts.

This 15 minute interview, conducted earlier this month on the heels of the debt-ceiling debate/debacle, is sure to give liberals and conservatives alike more reasons to like and dislike Mr. Pitts.



Liberals will find his full throated defense of Medicare noteworthy, while conservatives will scratch their heads a bit as Congressman Pitts expresses his support for additional government revenue (taxes) by closing corporate loopholes and cutting government subsidiaries.

Here are a few quotes from the interview:

On the debt ceiling debate/debacle:

"Divided government is not pretty.  You have philosophies that are totally different that are trying to negotiate and compromise.  It takes time but it works."

On civility:

"We ought to keep our rhetoric down and not be so vicious and mean when we debate."

On his vote for the raising the debt limit:

"Some people felt it was not enough.  I agree, it was not enough.  But we are in charge of one-half of one-third of the government.  We have a responsibility to help govern.  Its all we could get.  We started down the road."

On future tax increases:

"I don't think you'll see the Republican side of the isle vote for tax increases but you will see  them vote for tax reform, closing loopholes .  There are a lot of loopholes and subsidiaries."

On future tax deduction debate:

"I don't think you'll see them eliminate the mortgage deduction.  I don't think you'll see them eliminate the charitable deduction.  Everything else is on the table"

On not being able to do more in Washington:

"When you only control one-half of one-third of the government and you can't get your bills considered in the Senate, its difficult.  At least people know, if we get control of the government again, what we will do."

On the 'throw all the bums out' sentiment:

"If you want someone to operate on your heart, if your going to be flying an airplane, you want someone who knows how to do a heart operation or land a plane in bad weather."

On his decision to seek an 8th term in 2012 even though he promised in 1997 to serve only 5 terms:

"I am going to run for reelection."

On why he is running:

"My job is to save and strengthen Medicare and the healthcare system in this country, to preserve them."