Meehan talks economy

Date: Tuesday, February 25, 2003 12:04 PM

H-1B and JOB DESTRUCTION NEWSLETTER

www.ZaZona.com

Meehan has a fairly good voting record on H-1B. The people that came to
this meeting to complain about H-1B will hopefully encourage him to
help Americans get their jobs back. Meehan is a member of the Judiciary
Committee so he has enormous impact on legislation.

Meehan's contact information:

Rep. Marty Meehan
Phone: (202) 225-3411
Fax: (202) 226-0771

http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/local_regional/meehan02232003.htm

, defends war vote
By Andy Smith / Correspondent
Sunday, February 23, 2003

HUDSON -- Many issues were discussed at U.S. Rep. Martin Meehan's town
meeting yesterday, but questions about the economy evoked the two-hour
dialogue's most passionate responses.

The Democrat said this has been the case throughout his series of
weekend town meetings in the 5th District.

"There's a lot of highly skilled workers without jobs right now and
that's the number one domestic concern. People are very frustrated that
no one's focusing on the economy," he said at Town Hall yesterday.

A software engineer from Chelmsford shared his frustration with Meehan
and the audience. His annual salary had been about $100,000 before he
lost his job 13 months ago. Last year, he made $700 working at Gillette
Stadium.

During his unemployment, he has tried many avenues to get work and has
paid $7,000 for a health plan to insure his family of three, he said.

Among the 75 attendees, many expressed similar concerns about the job
market, and worried that too many companies, particularly in the
high-tech industry, are turning to foreign workers with H-1B visas for
cheaper labor.

Meehan said hearing how issues like H-1B visas affect his constituents
are the benefit of these meetings.

"In most towns I've visited, I've heard about the H-1B. Now I can go
back and talk to some of my colleagues on the judiciary committee and
see what its present status is and how we can improve it," he said.

Meehan said he is not confident President Bush's economic stimulus
package will improve the economy.

"I really don't understand this economic policy," he said. "If we're in
a war against terrorism and contemplating military action in Iraq,
we're obviously asking a lot of people to sacrifice. And I don't think
this package represents sacrifice on the part of the people who have
the most."

Discussing impending war with Iraq, Meehan defended his vote in October
2002 to grant President Bush the power to take military action.

"I give the administration credit for getting the inspectors into
Iraq," he said. "And I don't think they could have gotten them in there
if the president didn't ultimately have the authority to use force."

Although he does not view Saddam Hussein as an imminent threat to the
United States, Meehan said it is in America's long-term interest that
Hussein comply with U.N. resolutions. Should Hussein fail to comply,
Meehan approves of multilateral military force conducted with the
approval of the United Nations Security Council.

"There's an opportunity for positive change in Iraq that can open up
the Middle East in a way that breaks down barriers. A lot of good can
come about, but the challenge will be to make sure we do it right," he
said.

What doing it "right" will entail was questioned by many at the town
meeting, including Eleanore Recko of Stow.

"I'm asking you to work hard to prevent the U.S. from going in and
plundering Iraq and taking oil to pay us back for the services of
liberating them," she said. "I believe the Iraqis are just people. They
want to have dinner with their families and have their lives. And I
really feel it would help our foreign policy if we treat others less
fortunate than us with dignity and respect."

Echoing Recko's concerns about rebuilding Iraq, Meehan stressed the
importance of our international relationships. While he is certain the
U.S. military can handle the war alone, he believes assistance from
allies and the United Nations will be essential in the war's aftermath.

However, Meehan worries the attitudes of certain members of the Bush
administration, particularly Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, are
hurting the global perception of the United States.

"I think we're doing damage to our international reputation. Right now
the best way to get elected in other countries is to run against the
United States. And that isn't good for us," he said.

"That's where the danger is. If we bully a bunch of small countries to
get them on board, I honestly believe we are going to fuel interest in
terrorist groups. That's a very dangerous thing."

After the meeting, Meehan spoke with several members of the audience
before departing to his next town meeting in Tyngsboro.

Pete Brewster, of Hudson, was grateful for the meeting and the
opportunity to hear such an open exchange of opinions and ideas between
the representative and his constituents.

"You can hear a politician talk any day," he said. "But it was good to
see him listening to what the people are thinking. It gives a little
more encouragement that the process works."

http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/local_regional/meehan02232003.htm

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