September 17, 2010
Pat Miles called out his opponent for his votes against seniors in the first general election candidates’ forum held at Meijer Gardens, sponsored by Advocates for Senior Issues.
“These votes aren’t just theoretical. They affect real people’s lives,” said Miles, pointing to a vote that Amash took against preventing utility companies from shutting off seniors’ electricity in winter months. “Marvin Schur, a 93 year old Michigan resident, froze to death in 2009 because the utility company shut off his heat. To vote against a bill to prevent more senseless deaths like that on principle is entirely unacceptable. Being a legislator is not about rigid ideology. It’s about serving the people.”
Miles continued, “Amash said in explanation at this debate that he hadn’t had time to read the bill, when he had previously stated on his Facebook page that the reason why he opposed the bill was because it was “too much regulation.’ Amash needs to be held accountable on his record and not hide behind excuses and process.”
Miles also highlighted five particular occasions in which Amash dissented from the entire, or nearly the entire Michigan state legislature.
Amash was the only vote against requiring utility companies to make an effort to identify senior citizen customers. [HB 4661, Passed 109-1, 3/31/2009] Amash voted against mandatory reporting of elder abuse at nursing homes to the state. [HB 5191, Passed 96-8, 11/4/09] Amash voted against prohibiting utility shutoffs for seniors during the winter. [HB 4673, Passed 103-3, 12/2/2009] Amash voted to allow utilities companies to shut off service to customers with known medical conditions. [HB 4388, Passed 103-7, 3/31/2009] Amash stood alone to allow utilities companies to easily deny utility subsidies to elderly and low-income citizens. [HB 4657, Passed 109-1, 3/31/2009]
“These were all occasions where Amash stood alone even from his Republican colleagues,” said Miles. “Time and time again, Amash has shown that he places ideology ahead of solving problems.”
Miles pledged to protect Social Security and Medicare, and to never support any legislation to privatize it, in direct contrast to Justin Amash, who supports a plan to partially privatize Social Security and to entirely privatize Medicare. [http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/245403/facebook-nation-brian-bolduc] He is also endorsed by several groups that support privatization of Social Security, including the Club for Growth and LibertySlate 2010.
Miles has already accept seven different invitations to engage in debate, and looks forward to speaking to voters about his concrete plans to create jobs in West Michigan.