Fleming of Louisiana Advocates Civil War-Type Agenda

It has been nearly 150 years since the Civil War, but John Fleming, Republican of Louisiana, agrees that states shouldn't have to conform to laws they don't agree with and should be able to retain their own money.

The only thing that prevents that, he said, is the fact that the Federal government keeps tight controls and that socialist agendas will maintain them. Most people believe that the Civil War was fought over slavery, but in fact it was provoked by the rejection of Federal banks by southern sections of the country. There was a marked difference between what was considered the territory of the Federal Government responsibilities and those of the several states. Even public education had to be debated because of the wide sympathy for local control of education. So the foundation for separation was set before the issue of slavery, and included it as tensions mounted and the drums for war were heard. Those same notions of separation, of local rights, can sometimes continue with cries of "socialism" if there is any protest for change when conservatives speak to their audiences, especially in Louisiana. On Monday John Fleming, Republican to the United States Congress, met with a cross section of African American and white citizens to review his experience as Representative since being elected in November. He spoke to an audience that seemed receptive to many of his political positions as there were few counters to any of his statements and frequent applause for what he defined as his “conservative” views. This reporter was one of two members of the press in attendance. Fleming, who had a series of anti-Obama commercials during the primaries, with an audience of approximately 125 or more people at the Natchitoches Arts Center, began his presentation with an overview of his background. He said that he had worked his way through school to become a doctor, then invested in a number of Subway outlets, so that he recognizes both the business and health needs of the citizens. Presently he still maintains his medical practice in Minden, Louisiana. Fleming also underlined that he is a born again Christian, with a wife of 30 years, 4 children, and one grandchild. A review of specific legislation gave the group assembled a good look at Fleming’s political stance on most issues. He told folks that he had voted against the SCHIPP bill because it went beyond giving medical benefits for children 10% over the poverty line to include families earning up to $90,000. Fleming reminded folks of the fact that all of the Republicans had voted against President Barack Obama’s stimulus program because it wouldn’t create jobs and wasn’t immediate. Fleming supports cutting taxes for business as the mechanism for turning the economy around. When Fleming talked about health plans he discussed what he called “social engineering,” which is the term he mentioned one of the Democrats who voted against the stimulus bill had used. He said that Obama's changes are the first steps towards rationing and socialized medicine and the type of medical care that removes choice from the people and requires them to wait long periods of time for vital treatment. Fleming had a laundry list of no-nos he was concerned about. He said there was money in the stimulus bill that gives some to criminals to help bail them out. He is concerned about stem cell research and adamantly opposed to it. He doesn't want any compromises on gun ownership or right to life. Children can have guns so long as they receive training in how to use them. Pelosi, he declares is a liberal, socialist but says he believes Obama would have done a better job writing the stimulus bill that Fleming mentioned he would have opposed anyway. The political tones Fleming used were pointed directly in opposition against liberal policies. Fleming declared that he opposes any liberal policies because they are the antithesis of the way the country was built. Socialist agendas keep people in power, according to Fleming, who said that liberalism is connected with secularism and is against religion. The Fairness Doctrine was explained by Fleming as a way to deny Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh opportunities to speak, since free markets should dictate what people read or listen to and any requirement for equal time restricts that First Amendment freedom. Only one person challenged Fleming as he addressed approximately 150 people crowded into a public meeting room near the downtown area of Natchitoches, Louisiana. Sylvia Morrow, Council Woman, was the first African American on the City Council and the only one who raised questions about Fleming's presentations. Others remained silent or asked questions or made comments that indicated agreement with Fleming's position. Morrow was loudly booed by members of the audience when she calmly and carefully stated her opposition to Fleming's positions, and only one person clapped when she finished. The press was asked to wait until everyone had left to ask questions so only members of the audience could make statements or ask questions publicly. This, of course, maintained the singular tone and group solidarity that Fleming had throughout, without challenge except for Ms Morrow and the singular backing of her questions concerning the need to support the President. Many of Fleming’s ads in the primaries last year were directed specifically at the newly elected President of the United States, Barack Obama, in derogatory and emotionally-laden tones during the primaries rather than against Fleming's opponent. This, combined with Fleming's very conservative positions prior to taking office along with a group receptive to his political arguments may have had something to do with the agenda and tone that presented arguments once again for a Southern, specifically Louisiana stand, against intrusion of the Federal government once again. This was, at one time, the foundation for war, a sentiment that apparently remains in this region in the person of John Fleming.