Rep. Paul Ryan Greeted with Support at Mount Pleasant Visit

A full house of applause greeted Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Janesville) at his Mount Pleasant listening session Friday.

He started the afternoon by presenting his plan to move the country out of fiscal danger and toward independence. Ryan focused on how close America is to suffering a European-style breakdown or facing "lost" decades like Japan if the country doesn't get its spending and debt under control.

He echoed ideas from his "Path to Prosperity" presentations in April 2011, including revising the federal tax code.

"By closing loopholes and getting rid of corporate tax shelters, we're making it fair for everyone," he said. "Then, we can bring rates down for individuals and for businesses and actually bring in more revenue."

Ryan also supports drilling for oil in the US and offshore in American waters.

"Not only will we lower our trade deficit, gas prices will come down, people will get back to work, and we can fund more programs for more training for more jobs," he said.

After his 30-minute presentation, Ryan took questions from the crowd. Most citizens who stood asked questions that clarified his position on economic issues. One gentleman asked what the government is doing to bring jobs back to America.

"Not a lot, to be honest," Ryan answered. "Whether we like it or not, we live in a global economy. We need to make things here and sell things elsewhere because 95 percent of the world's population doesn't live in the United States."

Despite the average age of the crowd hovering around 60, there were not a lot of questions about Medicare. One person did ask how Ryan continues to stand behind it when even the co-writers of his plan are backing away.

Ryan was not shaken and explained how his plan mirrors the success of Medicare Part D, the prescription drug plan that subsidizes costs on a sliding scale depending on income level.

"If you're wealthy, we're not going to subsidize your premiums because you don't need it, but if you're one of the working poor, we'll pay it all the way," he said. "Evidence shows that seniors like Medicare Part D; satisfaction is up, costs are down by 41 percent and there's little waste and fraud. We should replicate that to keep Medicare solvent."

Another resident stood up and told Ryan he shouldn't waste time as Mitt Romney's Vice-presidential running mate.

"We need you to continue being our congressman," he said as the crowd applauded once again.

About 10 protesters were outside Mount Pleasant Village Hall for Ryan's visit. They held signs spelling "Shame" and with statements that Ryan is a representative of only the rich.