Deep partisan division in Washington reflects a philosophical divide in the country, Sixth District U.S. Rep. Tom Price told members of the Rotary Club of Sandy Springs on Aug. 26.
“I don’t know that there’s ever been a time in our lifetimes when we have been so divided, not as a Congress, but as a nation,” the Roswell Republican said.
Across the country, people differ greatly in their fundamental beliefs on taxes, health care and how best to address the nation’s problems, he said.
“We are divided as a nation as to where those solutions ought to be found. Should they be found in Washington, D.C., or should they be here, with the people of the country?” Price said.
“Your Congress, for better or worse, is a pretty doggone good representation of the nation.”
Price, home from Congress on break, said he and other members of Congress are hearing from their constituents.
“We’ve been getting an earful,” he said.
Price’s district includes Sandy Springs, Dunwoody and portions of Brookhaven. He said he had heard “honest and concerned passion from the folks of the Sixth District. Folks in this district are concerned … because they don’t sense the challenges we have as a country are being addressed.”
Here are some other topics he addressed:
–Whether to expect another battle over the debt ceiling. “The next financial challenge is the debt ceiling. We are $17 trillion in debt as a nation. That’s a lot of money. … We get so exercised about it because it’s a huge, huge problem. Things have improved a bit, there’s no doubt about it, but they are not sustainable if we don’t do something about it. .. Why we, as a representative democracy, are unable to come forward with solutions [that appeal] to both sides of the aisle is beyond me. “
–Whether to expect another attempt to shut down the government as part of a debt ceiling fight. “The only person who wants to shut down the government is the president of the United States. I believe he believes it inures to his political benefit. … We have no desire for the government to not have the resources it needs. I’m hopeful the president wakes up.”
–Obamacare. “I feel as a physician, it will destroy the quality of health care in this country, and not just for a few….We need solutions. … It’s going to be very difficult to get it rolling.”