WILLIAMS CA: Mr .Saran Sings and Mrs Gayan Singh were the hosts for a hot afternoon fundraiser for California Congressman Vic Fazio Sunday Aug.16. Congress man Fazio, a California representative was one of the strong supporters of the recently approved ‘Justice In India Act’ bill of Congressman Dan Burton. He is known for his strong support of his Sikh constituents. Cong. Fazio granted an interview to W.S.N. prior to the event. WSN, asked Vong, Fazio his opinion and position on several issues that are in the fore front of this election year.
“Some crooks and some incompetents”
When asked about the state of the economy Fazio commented, “We are seeing a prolonged recession. In California it has been disastrous for the state we are having a hard time providing basic govt. services, and it is having the effect of a depression, “The president was advised not to talk about the problem. The problem got out of hand and it looked like he was denying what was happening. It was a case of ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes.’ Then when he voted against unemployment benefits he appeared Calloused and uncaring. This is One of the reasons for his troubles,
The media is not to blame for the situation; if anything they delayed reporting it”. WS. Nu The deficit is not only due to S&Ls but that’ s a big part, what happened?
We didn’t bail out S&L’s we bailed out the depositors. A lot was due to inflated land values and assessments, Now the people who borrowed are insolvent. Some were crooks but many were just incompetent.”
W.S.N.: The president wants a balanced budget amendment and the line item veto, will this solve the problems?
“The balanced budget amendment is o ,k, but not if it requires a 2/3 majority. This puts the minority in control of the majority and that isn’t good. The line time veto gives the President even more control. Do we allow him hold Congress hostage to his whims?”
W.S.N: Welfare is blamed for economic and social ills, do you believe this?
People need skills to be employed. They should work to get benefits but in these tough times we need to help people prepare for the job market.
One reason many stay on welfare is for the health care. They don’t dare take a job that would leave their children out in the cold.
We need some comprehensive health care but that doesn’t mean we’ll do away with private insurance.”
WSN: Many see a downside to the free trade government, especially in relationship to Mexico.
I voted for the ‘fast track’ on the free trade agreement to allow the president to negotiate.
It will be a long while before the economies (of the U.S. and Mexico) can be brought closer together. They have and emerging middle class. It is of long term benefit to the U.S. markets to keep jobs and workers in Mexico,”
Fazio is faithful to his somewhat conservative, agribusiness based constituency on the issues of water and environment. He is for the controversial Auburn dam or one deemed necessary for flood control. He prioritizes water allocation with farmers and fisheries at the top of his list. Development must be the conservation arm although conservation is necessary at all levels he said.
The Congressman believed there is a place for nuclear power in the future, Especially since there are new plans that are more “benign,” (as far as a waste disposal is concerned). He noted that clean up is important and business will have to take more responsibility in the future. He urges recycling and upfront cleanup, as cheaper alternatives to after-the-fact Superfund sites,
W.S.N: The U.S, has one of the highest crime, and incarceration rates of the western countries Are more prisons and gun control the answer?
Fazio said “Jail should be both punishment and a place to reform. I would like to see education in the system and the time used to help people get off drugs. Prison industry is good but as far as prisoners working in the private sector there are plenty of other people who need jobs.
I personally don’t believe in Capital punishment (the death penalty) but I have voted for bills that I believe in that include it I voted for the Brady Bill, (which advocates a wailing period and background check before purchasing a gun) but I have never voted for anything that is more restrictive than we already have in California.”
The Congressman’ s positions are a balance of traditional democratic themes of support through education and jobs and his rural western constituency of strong individuals who want less govt, intervention in their lives.
Article extracted from this publication >> Aug 28, 1992
