An Interview With Henry Cuellar-Democrat-Texas
Capitol Annex’s Press Room has a decent interview with moderate Democrat Henry Cuellar from Laredo, Texas. In it the Congressman discusses whether there is room in the Democratic Party for moderates, high gas prices, and immigration.
On moderates in Congress:
It is very different here in Congress than it was in the Texas Legislature. I am a Democrat and will always stay a Democrat, but I am a big believer in bi-partisanship. Bi-partisanship is a big ting in the capitol [Austin], but when you come up here [Washington, D.C.], it’s a different story. There are more situations where, as a Democrat, you are expected to vote a certian way with Democrats.
I came up here after having had all of my training at the state level, where Democrats like Bill Hobby—a strong Democrat—Lloyd Bentsen, and Bob Bullock were all a big part of that. Bullock was a big believer in bi-partisanship. But, when you come up here, you are expected to follow the party line whether you are a Republican or a Democrat, it’s a big difference.
On the issue of high gas prices, the Congressman had a breakdown of the costs of gas of which I was unaware.
When you look at something like this, it is important to break it down so you know how to get to the root of the problem. A gallon of gas breaks down to 59 percent from the price of crude, 10 percent refinery costs, 11 percent local distribution costs, and 20 percent the cost of federal and local taxes.
And he understands why gas prices are so high.
I can certainly see the need for more domestic drilling, but, again, that’s a fix for the short term too, really. If we think these prices are high now, wait until China and India start becoming even more developed and consuming more oil and see what happens to the price of oil.
On the issue of immigration, Congressman Cuellar, broke it down to three main issues.
Last year, I was a co-sponsor of Sen. McCain’s bill on immigration, a co-sponsor in the House of that. To me when you are talking about immigration, you have to reference three points. Now, we are hearing a lot about the first point, border protection, right now. So, border protection, continuity in the system to come into the country legally, and third, dealing with the 11-12 mllion undocumented aliens. No matter what, they are here and we have to address that.
He is not in favor of a wall believing it also instills a psychological barrier to Mexico. Of course for those who have reading my posts know that I do not agree with this statement. Since Mexico is encouraging their people to come here illegally, a wall is the only viable solution.
Another big difference of opinion I have with the Congressman is the matter of the 11-12 million illegals already in this country. He supports a path to citizenship for all of them. I do not. We should not reward those who broke our laws to gain citizenship ahead of others who come here legally.
Cuellar believes one thing we can do to help Mexico with the border problem is to send more aid mexico’s way so they can invest upgrading their economy. That way more Mexican citizens would want to stay in Mexico.
Be sure and read the rest of the interview. It is very enlightening.
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