Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Candidate wants to see change in Washington, D.C.

Bill McCamley said he would like to see better jobs in New Mexico so people do not have to leave their hometowns

Argen Duncan El Defensor Chieftain Reporter

One of the youngest Congressional candidates in the nation is running for New Mexico's District 2 House of Representatives seat on change, results and commitment.

Doña Ana County Commissioner Bill McCamley, 29, visited Socorro on Jan. 16 as part of his campaign.

"We have got to change the way we do business in Washington," he said.

With an 18 percent approval rating for Congress, McCamley said, something is wrong.

"In my opinion, a public official should be judged solely for the results they can obtain for the people they represent," the candidate continued.

McCamley said he has worked on health care reform, economic development and educational funding and wants to take his record of results to Washington.

As for commitment, McCamley said other candidates entered the District 2 race when they saw a career opportunity as current Rep. Steve Pearce left, but he began seeking the position earlier.

McCamley has put more than 37,000 miles on his car since April and raised $270,000.

The state needs someone in Washington to work hard and make decisions because they're right, McCamley said, and added that he is the person.

On health care, McCamley supports universal coverage.

"No one in this country should ever be scared to go see a doctor," he said.

In regards to Iraq, McCamley called for a firm timeline for withdrawal. The large amount of money the United States is spending in Iraq isn't going to domestic needs and the war creates problems with veteran's health care, he said.

"Veteran's issues are very important to me," McCamley continued.

The candidate believes the nation should keep its promises to the people who put their lives on the line. America isn't doing well enough right now, he said.

"For economic development, too many young people face a very difficult choice when they get out of school," McCamley said.

In his view, those young people can stay in their hometown and struggle to find work or leave their family, friends and community for a better job. McCamley believes better jobs need to be created in New Mexico.

As for education, McCamley said the No Child Left Behind Act doesn't work.

"We need a system where teachers are going to be allowed to teach and not just be bureaucrats," the candidate said.

Also, McCamley would like to see students learning through projects instead of only tests, which he thinks would give them more excitement about their education.

The country needs to radically change or completely remove the No Child Left Behind Act, McCamley said.

Fiscal responsibility is also a priority for the candidate.

"We've got to start spending what we have," McCamley said.

Deficits contribute to the weak dollar, as well as foreign instability because China owns much of America's debt, McCamley continued.

McCamley believes the issue is important for young people because if they're responsible, they won't have to cut programs to pay for the debt later.

McCamley also called for a comprehensive energy program that would allow the United States to decrease dependence on foreign oil and increase reliance on alternative energy.

"Global warming is real," McCamley said, and added that fossil fuels cause the condition.

There is no reason New Mexico with its solar, wind and geothermal resources couldn't benefit from increased research and use of alternative energy, McCamley said.

On abortion, McCamley takes a pro-choice stance.

"No one is pro-abortion, and we need to do what we can as a society to lower the number of people who have to make that difficult choice," the candidate said.

As for public campaign financing, McCamley said the country needs reform.

So much of what the government does is based on the money officials raise, he said.

McCamley said there has to be a way to level the playing field so people have a chance to vote on the quality of candidates.

In explaining why he's running, McCamley said he had trouble finding a job after finishing his master's degree and didn't have health insurance.

Also, his father is a veteran.

"I've been through rough situations the government can do something about," McCamley said.

aduncan@dchieftain.com

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