Morning Call – March 9, 2005

Dent Fitzpatrick Profile Part 2 of 2

Dear Friends,

Good morning. Last week, I began a two part series on the philosophical profiles of two freshman Congressmen, Charlie Dent (R-6^th) and Mike Fitzpatrick (R-8^th). With the exception of their stand on a woman’s right to an abortion (Fitzpatrick opposes; dent supports), their answers to 37 questions show that they are very similar.

How would you make America’s public education competitive with Asia and Europe, I asked? “As a State Senator, I supported Pennsylvania adopting some of the most rigorous academic standards in the nation,” Dent replied. “By raising our standards, assessing students, increasing accountability, and ensuring the presence of highly qualified teachers in our classrooms, we will create a more competitive public education system.” Fitzpatrick agreed.

Should medical insurance be made available to every American? “Every American should have access to affordable, high-quality health care,” Fitzpatrick answered. There was no argument from Dent.

Both believe that there should be a $250,000 cap on non-economic medical malpractice awards. President Bush will have trouble convincing Dent and Fitzpatrick to permit privatizing any part of the Social Security system. We’ll see.

Both ducked the question of consolidating the 2,600 (approximately) local municipalities to coincide with Pennsylvania’s 501 school districts. They claim that this issue belongs to the legislature.

Fitzpatrick answered “yes” to this question: Are you in favor of increasing funding for mass transit? Dent’s congressional district isn’t adjacent to Philadelphia so the pressure to add mass transit dollars isn’t as crucial to him. Dent would leave that to the state legislature.

Both are open space advocates and would use tax money to preserve it. Dent and Fitzpatrick favor using tax money for the National Endowment for the Arts and National Public Radio.

Dent and Fitzpatrick differed on the subjects of stem cell research and therapeutic cloning. “I support stem cell research,” Dent began. “I am opposed to human cloning but I am open to exploring the possibilities of utilizing therapeutic cloning in order to find cures for traumatic injuries, cancers, and genetically-related diseases.” Fitzpatrick also opposes human cloning but would limit stem cell research to adult stem cells.

What would their pet projects be if they could convince the President and the Congress? “Improve national security,” Fitzpatrick stated. “Promote environmentally friendly economic development. Reform medical liability and promote research and development of alternative fuel sources.”

“Medical liability reform,” Dent answered. “Reform to the Motor Voter Act; promotion of hydrogen initiatives; limit receipt of out-of-state municipal solid waste; and the advancement of important community projects and initiatives.”

Both would permit oil drilling in Alaska’s park preserves. “We must lessen our dependence on foreign oil to continue sustained economic growth and improve our national security,” Fitzpatrick stated. “In addition it is critical for the United States to seriously explore alternative sources of energy such as clean coal and hydrogen,” Dent said.

All in all, Dent (44) and Fitzpatrick (41) are near look alikes. Congressmen remain in Washington for decades unless they misstep. If Fitzpatrick can modify his stance on a woman’s right to choose and not incur the wrath of moderate and liberal voters, he’ll be in office as long as he wants. Fitzpatrick’s major fight will be in 2006, his first bid for reelection. It will be the Democrats last chance to run a serious opponent against him. Dent will have an easier time of it.

So, we’ll just have to stay tuned.

Sincerely,

Charles Meredith