Hoekstra: Security, economic issues intertwined
By Dale Killingbeck, Cadillac News


CADILLAC - Congressman Pete Hoekstra says he takes nothing for granted as he seeks a seventh term of office this year.

"Voters have a unique way of showing politicians the door when they think they are being taken for granted," he said.
So the 2nd District Republican from Holland began his day Wednesday talking with the editor of a newspaper in Grand Rapids, later he held a meeting with seniors in Manton about the new Medicare/Medicaid Prescription Drug benefit, and then there was another media stop and a schedule of radio interviews Thursday.

The 50-year-old former Zeeland corporate executive sees America's security and the economy as two issues intertwined this election year.

"The economic numbers seem to be improving," he said, adding that in an era after 9-11, the need for security is tied with the economy.

"You have to deal with national security to ensure long-term, stable economic growth," he said. Hoekstra is a member of the House Permanent Committee on Intelligence and
chairman of the House Subcommittee on Technical and Tactical Intelligence.

Does he foresee a day when America will need to reinstate the draft?

"I think we're hitting our recruitment targets for an all-volunteer army," Hoekstra said. "I don't see us changing to a mix of volunteers and draftees."

He agrees there are some military staffing problems when some troops are finding their enlistment period involuntarily extended in Iraq.

"I probably would vote to increase the number of men and women in the armed services," he said.

Three observations became clear during his recent Iraq visit, he said. He found Iraqis thankful that Saddam Hussein is gone, desirous of their own sovereignty, and eager for Americans to stay and help with security.

"They're not ready to handle internal security," he said. Hoekstra said it is important for America to stay and help the country rebuild and become more secure.

"The last thing we want to see is this government collapse and fail," he said.

Turning to the Bush administration, Hoekstra said while he doesn't agree with everything Defense Secretary Rumsfeld has done, he does not think he has to go for Bush to be reelected.

"He's got the understanding of the president," he said. "This election needs to be about what this president has done and how he leads the country."

Are Republican congressmen still eager to have Bush campaign with them this year?

"The vast majority of Republicans in the House would be thrilled to have their president come in and campaign with them," he said.

On veterans' issues, Hoekstra said he is generally supportive of a plan for a veteran's health clinic in Cadillac, but believes the best solution for
veterans is for them to obtain health-care from local facilities.

"We are trying to get them access to health care directly in the community," he said. "Why are we sending them to a vet's facility. Utilize the health resources you have here efficiently."

On social issues, Hoekstra said he favors the Federal Marriage Amendment that defines marriage as between one man and one woman. He said he was a co-sponsor of the amendment proposed by Colorado Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave.

"I would vote for it," he said.

As Hoekstra approaches 12 years in Congress, he said he believes he remains close to the district. His children have been schooled in the district, he attends church in the district and he returns home every week. He believes
he is not subject to the criticism leveled at his predecessor Guy Vander Jagt who spent 27 years in the House.

Part of his strategy includes denying himself all the comforts of a home in Washington - he continues to sleep in his office.

"After eleven and one-half years I'm still on the couch," he said. "I try to stay with everything I can to stay grounded in West Michigan.

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