March 21, 2006

By Lindahl Wiegand
Staff Writer

CULVER - U.S. Rep. Chris Chocola (R-2nd District) fielded questions from juniors in Harry Frick's American History class at the Culver Academies on Monday afternoon.

The students and their teacher were enthusiastic as they asked Chocola questions ranging from his background to heated national political issues.

Marco Raimondo asked Chocola how he started out in politics. Chocola explained that he used to run a company that made agriculture products.

The company had international ties throughout Europe and China, he said. “I was always interested in Congress, interested in the global economy, because of the business,” said Chocola.

America should take advantage of the global economy, rather than be afraid of it, he added.

A student asked Chocola to describe a typical day as a Congressman. The day differs greatly depending on where he is, he said.

Chocola comes home every weekend, but keeps working, driving 200 to 400 miles a day, visiting schools, businesses and community organizations.

Monday, he explained, he visited a business, spoke on a radio talk show, had lunch at a hospital, spoke with the Academies and then planned to meet with the Marshall County Board of Commissioners about road projects.

“When I'm in Washington, it's different,” he said.

Legislators on Capitol Hill have speakers, conferences, committee hearings and meetings non-stop, he said. Many constituents also travel to Washington, D.C.

One of the most important items before the House of Representatives right now is the budgeting process, Chocola told the students.

“It may sound kind of boring and technical, but it's how we spend your money,” he said.

By 2040, the government will spend more money than it has on entitlement programs. “We are the levy committee and the flood is coming at us. You are the ones who are going to pay,” he said.

James Gariddo asked what kind of financial reform is needed to ensure the future is not bleak for generations to come.

The government needs to figure out how to handle the funding of entitlement programs, such as Social Security and MediCare, said Chocola.

A wave of baby boomers is growing older and will be collecting all of that soon, he added.

In 2003, the government wasted $12.3 billion on MediCare overpayments.

“It requires the government to be as accountable as every business and family in America. Figure out how to do more with less,” he said.

“Unfortunately, it's a tough political thing to do.”

Frick asked about immigration into the U.S. Immigration is a much bigger issue in California, Arizona and Texas than it is in Indiana, said Chocola.

“Marshall County does have a very quickly growing Hispanic population,” he added. “They are trying to improve their lives.”

Illegal immigration is a threat to national security, especially when employers are knowingly bringing aliens into the country, he said.

The nation needs to build more physical barriers along the Mexican border. When aliens are caught in the U.S., they should be returned back to their homes, instead of just over the borderline, which many will just try to cross again.

The nonpartisan issue will be important in the upcoming Presidential election, he added.

The congressman was also asked his opinion on the No Child Left Behind program by student Alisha Keller-Renneker. The principles of the program are sound, said Chocola, but have to be implemented in a practical way.

“We should be focused on the kids, not on the system. The most important thing you guys have is your education,” he said.