Area residents had a chance to gain some insight into issues facing the State of Michigan Tuesday.
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Topics ranging from the economy to energy conservation to the war in Iraq were discussed as U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Dist. 7, hosted a coffee hour forum at Linda's Diner at the Producers Stock Yard in Manchester Township.
Walberg, who is up for re-election to the House of Representatives in November, began by addressing his thoughts on the current leadership in Lansing.
"I don't hide the fact that I believe there's a lack of leadership at the top in the State of Michigan," Walberg said. "I also believe that the private sector provides the best service to the people."
Addressing Michigan's economic crisis, Walberg scolded state legislators for their wasteful spending habits. Citing the state's budget crisis in the 1980s, Walberg said state legislators must pay serious thought to government downsizing and welfare reform.
"It went relatively smoothly then," Walberg said. "We reduced taxes 26 times, and business started to come back. In the mid-'90s and early '00s we were in strong economic times."
The difference between then and now, however, is that Michigan had a strong base from the auto industry.
"We are in a sea of change, and others in Congress ask me what's going on here," Walberg said. "Michigan has cancer while the rest of the country has a cold."
In regards to agriculture, Walberg stated that Michigan is ranked second in the country in the diversity of its agriculture (California is ranked first).
"Agriculture is still a growing economy," Walberg said. "Farms are being sold, but we're still producing. But the more the government gets in the way of that, the more we suffer."
One of the main goals for Walberg this year is to diversify the energy supply through American alternative energy sources and increasing domestic energy production.
"If we leave other options on the table and put all our eggs in one basket, that's wrong," Walberg said. "Having ethanol and bio-diesel plants in the area is a positive thing."
Walberg said he believes other sources of energy - commercial nuclear and clean coal — are also worth exploring.
"American people should be proud that they can make personal choices and not feel guilty about enjoying their standard of living," Walberg said. "We still feed the world and provide technology to the world."
The U.S.-led war on terror was also a hot button issue.
While agreeing with the desire to bring American troops home from Iraq and Afghanistan, Walberg said he believes it's better to have a systematic withdrawal.
"Can you imagine the number of ambush sites if there was a set date for removal?" Walberg said. "You would risk losing more troops and putting them in dire jeopardy."
Despite challenges of corruption and safety, Walberg believes that progress is being made in the Middle East.
"More kids, including girls, are in schools in Afghanistan then ever before," he said.
Walberg also addressed the commitment of Michigan troops stationed in the Middle East. He said a recent deployment of troops out of Kalamazoo saw more troops volunteer to go overseas than what was requested.
"The troops believe in the mission and want to be allowed to achieve that mission," Walberg said. "The troops do not believe that they're over there for one reason (oil). They believe there's more to their mission, and the cost would be too great if we leave now."
The forum was one of two that Walberg hosted in Washtenaw County Tuesday. He also held a coffee hour discussion at the Grand Traverse Pie Company in Scio Township.
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