Congressman Dan Benishek addresses issues with the public
Posted: 04.02.2012 at 7:15 PM

Congressman Benishek meets Iron Mountain residents

IRON MOUNTAIN -- A public meet-and-greet was held Monday morning at B's Country Cafe for the citizens of Iron Mountain to meet with Congressman Dan Benishek.

He gave the people an opportunity to have their voices heard about topics ranging from healthcare to taxes.

The cafe certainly drew in a large crowd centered on the special guest.

The Congressman shook hands and visited every table to learn what was important to his potential voters while sharing his vision about healthcare.

"Certainly there needs to be a plan,” says Congressman Benishek.

He suggested it be a plan that really doesn't require dramatically changing the entire healthcare system and making it all government controlled.

While most were satisfied with the responses, there were those like City Council member, Brian Smeester, who had a different point of view.

"He pretty much doesn’t care,” says Smeester. “There are fifty million people without health insurance. If they get sick what are we going to do about it? What are you going to do with them? Benishek changed the subject. He doesn't want to answer the facts. If those people are sick and they don't get healthcare, they're going to die.”

The topic of flat taxes also circulated the room.

According to the Congressman, all the businesses should get the same tax rate, and not give favors to one industry over another depending upon if that's what the current administration is in favor of.

Although Benishek was in attendance for only an hour he did his best to speak with many in the Iron Mountain community.

Those community members said they have hopes that Congressman Benishek will take their concerns into consideration.