Democrat Paul Clements says the biggest challenge that the Sixth Congressional district faces is an economy that’s working for the wealthy, but not for everyone else.
Clements challenged Republican Congressman Fred Upton two years ago and is the Democratic candidate again in the district that includes Southwest Michigan. Clements is a Professor at Western Michigan University, and has been there for 20 years. He spoke with WMUK’s Gordon Evans.
Economy
Clements who teaches national economic development at Western, say jobs have been coming back, but wages are still lagging behind. He says most benefits of economic growth have gone to those at the top. Clements says the problem is with Congress, which he says has been bought by campaign contributions creating an economy that is rigged for big corporations. Clements says the tax code is thousands of pages long because of loopholes and subsidies. He says companies should not be subsidized when they move jobs overseas. And Clements says a company shouldn’t be allowed to operate in the United States, and move their headquarters overseas to avoid paying taxes.
Trade
Clements is opposed to the Trans Pacific Partnership. He says Upton’s recent stated opposition to TPP is surprising because he has supported other free trade deals. Clements says he doesn’t want to reestablish protectionism. But he says the U.S. has to work with trade partners and find growing sectors in the economy. Clements says it’s important to make things that the world needs. Asked if he would renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement, Clements says NAFTA has been in place for many years, he says if you re-negotiate it, you probably have to give something up.
Pre-School
High quality pre-school is one of Clements’ priorities. He says the research shows that learning begins at day one. Clements says quality pre-school pays for itself in higher wages, less crime, and he says it’s not that expensive. Clements says if the “broken tax system” were fixed, paying pre-school teachers would be a small amount.
Foreign Policy
Clements opposed the invasion of Iraq in 2003, and says the U.S. should be extraordinarily cautious about using military force abroad. He says sending the military in to try and bring democracy, or fix problems in other countries, doesn’t work. Clements says the people in troubled regions need to be supported to solve their own problems. He says if someone attacks American soil, like Osama Bin Laden, then of course the U.S. has to go after him. Clements says Syria for example is a terrible problem, but it doesn’t present an existential threat to the United States. However he acknowledges that sometimes a humanitarian line is crossed when action is required, such as the Rwandan Genocide on the 1990’s. But he says in those cases there has to be a clear mission and a clear “way out.”
Money
Clements says Upton is one of top recipients of out of state corporate PAC contributions. He says that means that Upton’s campaign will spend more. But Clements says his campaign is competitive, and has broken the record for Democratic fund-raising in this Congressional district.
Campaign
Clements says he is cautiously optimistic heading toward November. He won just over 40% of the vote in 2014, but Clements says turnout in a Presidential Election year is traditionally higher. He says his campaign is better than it was two years ago. Clements says the top of the ticket can be influential for races down the ballot, and Donald Trump is very unpopular. Clements says “that may help me.”
Discussion of other issues can be heard in the extended version of the interview.
Health Care
Clements says the Affordable Care Act (or Obamacare) has allowed more people to get health insurance. But he says the prices are often too high. Clements says successful models across the world indicate more government involvement produces better results. He favors expanding Medicare, making 55 the age of eligibility. Asked about a single-payer health care system, Clements says that should be on table, but says the U.S. can’t move there overnight.
College Affordability
Clements favors the plan originally proposed by Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders that provides free four-year university education for families making less than $125,000. It would be paid for by small fee on financial transactions. Clements says a high school education is not enough to be employable. He says there is also a need to improve vocational education.
Greenhouse Gasses
One of Clements’ sharpest attacks on Upton is on the subject of climate change. He says while the Republican Congressmen used to say that greenhouse gasses need to be regulated, Clements says now Upton has worked to block President Obama’s climate action plan. Clements says the world is transitioning to clean energy, and the U.S. is falling behind in reducing greenhouse gasses. He says the combination of a trained workforce, and government purchasing can help increase demand for renewable energy. Clements says he favors taxing carbon emissions – “if you’re polluting you should help pay for the solution.”
Criminal Justice Reform
Clements says criminal justice reform is necessary because the U.S. has 5% of the world’s population, but 23% of prison population. He says it’s expensive, and many people are locked up who aren’t a threat. Clements says he favors drug, mental health and veterans court to address addiction and mental health issues.
