It's August, so time for members of Congress to travel. This week, we had two Congressional Delegations land in Shanghai. I had the pleasure to sit with Jo Bonner (R-AL 1) for breakfast this morning.
In the opening remarks, Rep. Boehner boasted that this delegation was the most pro-trade delegation to come through China. (Interesting that some members of the delegation had actually voted against some of the most recent free trade legislation.) He didn't elaborate on any issue regarding US-China relations, nor on the great challanges and opportunities the two countries face together. The delegation's main purpose was to try and get its arms around how governments are dealing with the global financial crisis. This stands in marked contrast to Pelosi's delegation: she talked at length on the importance of the US-China relation and what issues needed to be tackled (global warming was front and center). Two completely different mindsets from the get go.
I am sure the delegation was not pleased to learn that the China government is planning on spending its way out and has already initiated a massive public works campaign. Included in this are several "world's largest" wind mill farms.
Rep. Bonner opened his remarks to our table by saying the public option was dead, as if that was a good thing. The International Paper and Alabama native sitting next to Bonner was very verbal in his support of this. The rest at the table were a little more reserved and, instead of discussing US-China policy issues, we talked US health care.
Bonner offered no alternatives except that people are scared about the money the US government is spending on stimulas and we should take a go slow approach. This sounds very innocent, but it is clear, Republicans are very happy with the status quo and can only think "low taxes and small government."
Unfortunately, a debate ensued at the table as I had recently participated in a conversation about growing un-covered health expenses in the company I work at. Many companies, mine included, are spending a large percentage of what would be profit on uncovered medical costs. Most recently, company conversations have included increasing employee co-pays, reducing coverage and possible layoffs. Bonner's suggestion was to get Blue Cross Blue Shield and that government can't be in health care. His example was if the government opened a factory, same as mine, next door. The argument that government has a role in business with large social costs was lost.
It was a painful breakfast. What made it worse was Bonner's own words - his districts are facing growing unemployment rates, well above the national average. I was unable to ask him how the new unemployeed were going to get medical help, but the gap between helping his unemployeed base and unwillingness to reform healthcare to allow coverage for all was upsetting.
I don't watch much US news over here, but the outlook looks bleak from what I hear and read. There are many upset and frustrated Americans here in Shanghai...keep fighting the good fight, we will pitch in where we can.