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STARIN: Logic, not politics, needed in Washington

Republican, 2nd CD

Scott Starin, Special to the Rocky

Published October 11, 2008 at 12:01 a.m.

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I am a 47-year-old electrical engineer at Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corp. in Boulder. I am currently working as the electronics project manager on the James Webb Space Telescope, NASA’s replacement for the Hubble Space Telescope. I have more than 27 years’ experience in advanced energy conversion systems and received two patents in advanced control system concepts.

I believe the economy, energy and health care are the most immediate and important issues facing the 111th Congress. Our large trade deficits and weak dollar are creating a drag on our economy, and a contributing cause of the current economic crisis. Record oil and gas prices are driving inflation and significantly reducing real income of the American worker. We must address our economic and energy needs by immediately increasing our domestic oil and natural gas production through increased leases and drilling rights while developing long-term energy solutions for a growing economy that is compatible with our environmental concerns.

We must reduce our dependence on foreign oil and transition to alternative methods of energy. Securing American energy solutions will strengthen the dollar, significantly reduce our trade deficits, and create jobs and opportunities for Americans. These commitments will strengthen our economy and make Colorado the epicenter of the next great economic boom. We can show the nation and the rest of the world that we can develop our energy resources and we can do it with environmentally compatible methods. We must recognize that wind and solar are supplements and not primary sources of energy at this time.

Additionally, I believe health-care reforms are sorely needed for our country. Health-care choices and maintaining doctor-patient relationships should be respected in any health-care solution. We must maintain high quality health care while addressing the spiraling costs and limited accessibility to health insurance. I believe health-care reforms must start with tort reforms and limiting liabilities, the modernization of reporting systems and an increase in competition with pharmaceutical and insurance providers.

I believe that we need a logical thought process in Washington, rather than a political thought process.

We can stimulate our economy and create jobs through American energy systems that transition to cleaner technologies. I also believe we can improve the quality and affordability of health care without adding to costly government entitlements we cannot afford.

I believe these goals are achievable and practical, but we must move beyond partisanship and not care who takes the credit. Ronald Reagan once said that so many great things can be accomplished, as long as nobody cares who gets the credit.

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