Bech Makes Campaign Stop in Adams
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He's taking on U.S. Rep. John W. Olver for the 1st Massachusetts seat and he's been firing off critiques of the Amherst Democrat's House performance on an almost a daily basis.
And he's not afraid to target a couple Pittsfield's points of pride in the process — its beloved baseball tale and its lauded Intermodal Transportation Center.
Still, only a handful of people came to meet the candidate on Wednesday night at the Berkshire Visitors Center, compared to the four dozen or so who came hear Olver there on Sunday night. While waiting for the 5 p.m. meeting to begin, Bech said he had seen various-sized crowds at his previous events.
Levi Davenport, of Dalton, was there Wednesday, along with nine points he wanted to discuss. He said he felt bad that there were so few Republicans in the area.
"There are oceans of Democrats," Davenport said.
The meeting was one of 26 "town hall" meetings Bech's holding throughout the sprawling Western Mass. congressional district. He's invited Olver to all them. Not surprisingly, the nine-term incumbent hasn't shown up; surprisingly, his primary opponent did.
Democratic challenger Robert A. Feuer readily accepted and arrived at the Adams meeting after a busy day in Stockbridge. The South County attorney is running on a number of issues, including impeaching President Bush and ending hostilities in Iraq. He has frequently called on Olver to pursue impeachment.
"I think it's cool that the two of you are here at the same time," said one attendee to the politicians of opposing political views.
The small group didn't discourage Bech or Feuer, who both addressed the questions and concerns of those in attendance, including the topic of renewable energy.
But Bech's main focus was Olver: "I don't believe he's working hard."
 Robert A. Feuer will meet U.S. Rep. John W. Olver in the Sept. 16 primary. |
An Aug. 19 report in the Wall Street Journal drew attention to this resolution, along with others like "National Watermelon Month." The article claimed that the current Congress has passed the fewest public laws while proposing the most resolutions.
While Bech understands the resolution — "It's symbolic and it is important" — he argues that Congress should prioritize issues, like the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
"Let's get something done," he said.
One way he proposes to accomplish more in Congress, if elected, would be to look for the "10 to 20 percent" of both Democrats and Republicans who can agree on something instead of arguing.
Bech also called Pittsfield train station a "wasteful project."
"He [Olver] designated funds for a train station in Pittsfield that gets two trains a day and they're late, generally. So this is a big, beautiful train station that no one uses," said Bech.
At the meeting, Bech also criticized Gov. Deval Patrick for his plan to raise taxes for education.
"It's like a kid who get his lunch money and spends it on candy and then lunch time comes and he says, 'I don't have any lunch money, I need more money,'" said Bech, who doesn't believe that taxes need to be raised. Instead, he proposes using the money that is given and "spending it the right way."
He discussed solar power and how people could add solar panels to their houses. He believes that a tax credit would help offset the initial investment of energy-efficient improvements.
Another attendee brought up wind energy and how people consider wind turbines to be unattractive. Feuer addressed the concern and called it an "aristocratic approach."
The Republican candidate also commented and discussed how they could have a negative effect on the tourism industry. Instead, Bech believes that nuclear fusion, different from current nuclear technology, is "the way of the future."
To lower the cost of health care, he wants to create competition among health-care providers that he believes will provide citizens with a choice of doctors and hospitals. He also discussed lowering the cost of prescription drugs through receiving discounted prices by buying in bulk.
"This is pure capitalism," Bech said of his plan.
Bech also believes that high gas prices can be lowered with more drilling inside the United States. He wants President Bush to lift the ban on off-shore drilling in U.S. waters. He also believes that drilling in a small portion of the Alaska National Wildlife Reserve (ANWR) can be accomplished without harming the environment.
Further, his gas plan calls for more oil refineries to be built in the country. He proposes to do this through federal tax incentives for oil companies.
The Mexican border and immigration were also discussed at the meeting. Bech said he wants to "seal the border," but added that the country should welcome legal immigrants. He also spoke unfavorably about Olver supporting a telescope at the border, but not a fence.
"He's looking for the wrong aliens," Bech joked.
The Republican is a Springfield native and Colgate University graduate. He has studied language and is fluent Russian and Spanish and also speaks some Hebrew and Arabic.
An Army intelligence officer, Bech has served in Afghanistan and Iraq. He brings his education and experience into his views on the Middle East.
"I want to get out of Iraq as soon as we possibly can," said Bech, "but we need to do it carefully." His goal — to "leave behind a stable, secure, democratic ally."
