The ranks of David Brat’s cherished Freedom Caucus continue to shrink as voters realize its members are not focused on improving the lives of the citizens in their districts. They are focused on otherworldly issues.
Dave Brat started his career being out of step with Republicans. He has continuously criticized the congressional leadership. He voted against Ryan, a much beloved standard bearer who was the Republican Party’s vice presidential nominee, as Speaker of the House. His gadfly reputation comes from his obstructionist posturing.
Brat is also not liked in the halls of Congress because he is anti-business, the life blood of the economy, if not the core of the Republican Party since the age of the Robber Barons. In his book, American Underdog, big business is criticized as being responsible for the influx of immigrants. He writes, “…Congress doesn’t represent everyone but instead large corporations seeking a never-ending supply of cheap foreign labor…” (pg 14). “…even members of my own party have talked tough about border security in public only to work quietly toward amnesty for all illegal immigrants behind closed doors in Congress, partly due to big corporations’ hunger for cheap labor” (pg 145).
To Brat, the federal budget is nothing but a $4 trillion dole for special interests, mainly in business. “Today, to compete in the market you need a lobbyist instead of a good product at a low price. “ “Business creation is not thriving at all, and some of the biggest firms use regulations to keep the little guys from entering the market.” Brat’s description of the American economy: “Using government to get your way and avoid competition is not free market. It is socialism” (pg 28). Later in the book, he labels K Street lawyers as socialists. The Business Roundtable or chambers of commerce are described as pursuing “piecemeal agendas of subsidies and targeted regulatory relief that don’t do much…for the rest of America” (pg 42). Not your standard Republican or academic view.
Brat sees government regulations as being under control of Big Business, whereas the Republican narrative says regulations are government overreach which appear from thin air. Brat sees the budget as free stuff for corporation, whereas the Republican narrative says free stuff is what people in poverty receive and it should be stricken from their greedy hands. The capital, writes Brat, “…has become the place where talented grifters make connections both in government and the private sector,…, and your money vanishes down a deep hole” (pg 81). Not your standard Republican or academic view.
Brat’s book goes on and on exposing his narrow and prejudiced view of corporations. The book never catches up with the Republican Party’s narrative that giving more tax breaks to the rich and the big corporations is excellent economic policy.
Brat’s anti-business views and gadfly votes contribute to his poor performance and lack of influence in the House. Whatever his supporters think, Brat is neither giving them nor the rest of the citizens of the 7th CD their money’s worth. Putting himself forward as an official of the Trump campaign in recent weeks only underscores his alienation from the Republican Party and certainly doesn’t enhance his low standing in Congress. His challenger in this election, centrist Democrat and small business woman Eileen Bedell [BedellforVirginia] fully understands economic issues, which are only theory to Brat. She has met a payroll; he hasn’t. He’s a salary man; she is out there in the market seeking business opportunities. The people of the 7th CD desire someone interested in their concerns. The people of the United States need someone in Congress who takes a realistic, practical, no nonsense view of the world, who supports gun rights, and who, as a lawyer, understands how complex life’s issues can be. That would be Eileen Bedell. Do your part to support this incredible candidate and remove one more fringe candidate.