Rich Cowan is best choice for US Congress
By Editorial Board
As of Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Congress is broken.
The Democrat-controlled Senate and the Republican-controlled House are so entrenched in their partisan views that compromise is seen as evil.
As a result, the two political parties have brought the country to the edge of fiscal disaster as they bicker over budget cuts and taxes.
This can’t continue. Change is needed. That change has to come one lawmaker at a time.
We believe Rich Cowan, a Spokane Democrat, is what this nation — and the 5th Congressional District — need.
Incumbent Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, a Republican, has done a solid job in her 10 years in office.
But McMorris Rodgers is a rigid conservative and highly partisan. She has worked across the political aisle on district issues like keeping the VA Medical Center in Walla Walla, but she isn’t willing to compromise on major national issues.
When the nation was on the brink of a financial disaster when the housing bubble burst and banks were at risk, McMorris Rodgers would not vote for the bank bailout or the economic stimulus package. Nor did she offer any alternative. Her lack of action made it clear she was willing to accept economic collapse.
We have great respect for McMorris Rodgers and the hard work she has done. If America was not in such dire fiscal shape, we might think it reasonable for McMorris Rodgers to remain in Congress.
That, however, isn’t the case.
Cowan’s moderate views and pragmatic approach are refreshing.
Sure, he will be on a steep learning curve and it will take some time until he is going full speed. The wait will be worth it.
Cowan has the type of business experience that is needed in Congress. He started his own company, North by Northwest Production, from nothing and built it into a thriving and profitable film company.
Cowan understands the burdens put on small businesses by government and he knows how to make tough decisions. He is extremely bright and knowledgeable about all the major issues facing Congress. His stands on most issues are sound.
He believes the Bush tax cuts about to expire at the end of the year should be maintained for all but those who earn more than $200,000 a year, although he isn’t so entrenched on that dollar amount that he wouldn’t at least listen to other views.
Cowan also believes bailouts prevented economic collapse and that Obamacare isn’t the final solution but merely a step toward improving the nation’s health care.
Again, he’s willing to explore options to find the right solutions to problems.
We recommend voters elect Rich Cowan to Congress.