Congressman Mark Kennedy’s campaign trail passed through Maple Lake on Tuesday, August 24. Kennedy toured the Product Technologies facility in the Jude Industrial Park and spoke to the plant workers about the economy, his desire to keep jobs in America, and the rebuilding effort in Iraq.
“You’ve got a great business here,” Kennedy said. “You are adding jobs in manufacturing.” Kennedy noted that although many Americans believe the economy is struggling, companies like Product Technologies show that the struggles of the economy may be exaggerated.
“We want to keep our businesses competitive by encouraging investment,” he said. “We have added a million and a half jobs in the past year.”
Kennedy said the federal government has a responsibility to help American companies remain competitive with other countries such as China.
“If we have to pay more for magnesium in Maple Lake than in China, we are in trouble,” he said.
He explained that small business tax deductions on new equipment make it possible to employ more people, which increases productivity. These deductions, coupled with quality craftsmanship, should keep American prices competitive with other nations.
Kennedy also addressed the American effort in Iraq, sharing some of his experiences from a recent visit to the Middle East.
“I asked soldiers from around here about their best experience and their worst experience,” he said. “One soldier said his best experience was when Iraqis complained to him because he knew these Iraqis would not complain to Sadam’s soldiers. He knew they gave them the freedom of speech.
“We are a blessed nation,” he continued. “We helped give those blessings to others. We are giving them hope.”
Kennedy fielded questions about the amount of time citizens should expect soldiers to remain deployed in Iraq helping stabilize the new Iraqi government.
“To do that (bring troops home), they must have an established government,” he said. He continued to tell the workers that he had visited the country twice in the last year and great improvements had already been made. “We are training Iraqi Security Forces to take our place,” he said. “It won’t be tomorrow, but we are closer.”
Another worker asked Kennedy about the 9-11 Report and the intelligence failure that led up to the September 11 attacks.
“I think we need our intelligence to be stronger,” he said. “I support the broad ideas put forth by the 9-11 Commission. We do need to strengthen our intelligence.”
Kennedy also answered questions on a variety of other topics including prescription drug reform, gay marriage, and land conservation. He concluded by thanking the crowd for all of their hard work.
Jeff Rivers, Product Tech’s Vice President of Operations, was pleased that Kennedy took time out of his busy schedule to visit the plant.
“We think it is important to help the people in Washington see what we do first-hand because they make decisions on our behalf.”
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