KOTA Territory NewsThune calls Republicans to action

Thune calls Republicans to action

Cindy Davis

The purpose of his visit was to light a fire under the Pennington County Republican Party, but they are already flaming.

"My question deals with this farce of trial in New York."

"We ought to be trying these guys as war criminals, as terrorists, and not giving them the priorities that are afforded to American citizens in an American court of law," Senator John Thune said.

Speaking in front of nearly 200 supporters, Thune voiced his displeasure with the Obama Administration's policy on a number of topics, including the federal debt.

"I think it's a ticking time bomb," Thune said. 

Thune shared the same sentiment as many in the crowd, who feared their right to bear arms will be taken away. 

"What do we need to be aware of?" one audience member asked. 

"I think the greatest threat to the second amendment is the courts rather than the Congress," Thune said.

Thune also let the crowd know they're the only ones who can stand in the way of what he calls, a dangerous bill.

"They're going to do anything they can to jam it through between now and Christmas and the only thing that's going to stop it is the American people," said Thune, referring to the $1.2-trillion Senate healthcare bill. 

Thune says the neat little $850-billion price tag Democrats are using to pitch the bill is no more than a gimmick.  He says the 10-year fully implemented plan will cost the country $2.2 trillion.

"$2.2 trillion is daunting."

"There's a right way and a wrong way. They've chosen the wrong way. We believe the right way is to take it step by step," Thune said. 

To bend the cost curve, Thune says it needs to be reworked to allow people to buy insurance across state lines, allow small business to join larger groups, and to offer incentive for chronic disease management.

If it passes as is, he says the biggest fear of Americans will be realized.

"Personal mandates and loss of freedom," voiced one man in the crowd. 

"At the end of the day, this proposal actually increases the cost of healthcare for people in this country, and if you have insurance today, your premiums are going up," Thune said. 

But the numbers aren't on the Republicans' side which is why Thune says Tuesday night's call to action meeting will take more than fire lit under Republicans, he says everyone has to get engaged in the debate.