Fitzpatrick, Strouse Duel Over Pot, Middle Class & More

The congressional debate for Pennsylvania’s 8th district at Bucks County Community College between incumbent Mike Fitzpatrick challenger Kevin Strouse was a  standing room only affair Thursday afternoon.

The two candidates sparred on a number of topics ranging from the decriminalization of marijuana to how to rebuild the middle class, privacy, foreign policy, health care and education.

Strouse wasted no time from word one swinging away on Fitzpatrick about cutting  Pell grants “from students at Bucks attending  the debate.

The stark differences between the two candidates was never clearer then their exchanges on legalizing marijuana.

Strouse said he thought the “bigger problem” is a criminal justice system in which “we are throwing away way too many men and women into jail for non-violent crimes.

Fitzpatrick said marijuana is a “gateway drug” that leads to using other harder drugs later on in life. He added he could never see voting to legalize the drug.

Strouse cited the legalization efforts of Colorado and Washington as test cases that can be learned from and said he was for decriminalizing it.

Fitzpatrick called legalizing marijuana “an awful idea.”

The Ebola issue brought stark contrast between the two candidates.

Strouse  accused the congressman of grandstanding on the issue.

“A travel ban will be ineffective. It’s sticking our heads in the sand,” he said.

Fitzpatrick said the country needed to protect Americans from a potential pandemic and the best way to insure that does not happen. “This is a virus that needs to be contained and destroyed where it is,” said Fitzpatrick. He added that to permit unrestricted travel is dangerous.

Moderator Bill Pezza asked about the Affordable Care Act.

Strouse spoke first and called the ACA a “good first step” and noted about 7,000 8th District residents are under health coverage because of the law, which is commonly known as Obamacare. Strouse also said he did feel some changes needed to be made to “simplify” the law.

The congressman responded by saying ACA has helped some people and those who drafted it had good intentions. However, he said many people have lost their previous health care and President’ Barack Obama’s promises on the law didn’t stand up.

After Fitzpatrick said he wants to pass a bipartisan bill to reform ACA, Strouse said Fitzpatrick’s plan would take out the popular parts of the law.

On the issue of the shrinking middle class, Fitzpatrick took issue with Strouse and the Democratic party because, he said,  “their answer to problems is raising  taxes and spending. ”

“The Obama economy clearly shows that is not the way to go,” he said, calling the administration’s economic polices failures.

Strouse accused Fitzpatrick of failing to support small businesses, which Fitzpatrick took exception to. The congressman spoke of his business tours throughout the district. He also spoke of his plans to grow the middle class.

Strouse said the best way to create a healthy economy is to make investments in education.  Strouse said he believed we could “grow our way out of debt”  with investments in education, infrastructure, and simplifying the tax code. Strouse said the tax code is too complex and large and it must be simplified.

The two men differed on the issue of gay marriage.

“We need to move forward in history,” Strouse said. “Let them get married.”

Fitzpatrick said the issue should be left up to the states and should be decided accordingly.

During the hour-long debate, both men said Edward Snowden was a traitor. Strouse did add that Snowden’s leaks helped start an important conversation about privacy.

Pezza also asked about ISIS and the threat it poses

Strouse, a former Army Ranger and CIA officer, said ISIS is a “threat we’ve never seen.” He also asked citizens to question elected officials about what the objective of arming rebels.

“I’m still a believer that we need to take an aggressive behavior overseas,” Strouse said.

Fitzpatrick said he was working to take action against ISIS’ finances. He added that for continuing action against ISIS, he believes authorization from congress will be needed.

Both men did agree that a bipartisan panel should be appointed to look at the issue of gerrymandering congressional districts in favor of the political party in power. Both said they were for the lines being redrawn in Pennsylvania.