Johnson talks about Iraq plan, budget

April 1, 2005
By Karen Blatter

PONTIAC- U.S. Rep. Tim Johnson said on Thursday the United States shouldn't set a date to withdraw troops from Iraq and Afghanistan until those nations are securely democratic and a buffer against terrorism.

"The long-term goal is to establish democracy and freedom in the Middle East," he said. "We can prepare as much of a basis for freedom as we can. When you do that, you effectively install a layer of protection for America."

He likened an early pullout to walking away from a winning poker hand.

"Setting a specific withdrawal is like playing a poker hand with three aces before the rest of the hand is dealt," he said. "It just doesn't work that way. We want to bring home our men and women as soon as it is practical."

Johnson, an Urbana Republican, met with members of the Pontiac Area Chamber of Commerce on Thursday. Beyond the war in the Middle East , Johnson also talked about the federal budget and Social Security.

Johnson said he could not support the budget presented to him a few weeks ago, despite his decision to vote earlier this month for the $284 billion transportation-funding bill.

He said President Bush's budget was not fiscally responsible for America .

"It wasn't a blueprint that I could live with," Johnson said.

The transportation bill allows for construction projects that should produce about 46,000 new construction jobs. It contains $7 million for Normal 's multimodal transportation center.

He also pledged his support to Amtrak, which would see its federal funding drop from $1.2 billion in the 2005 budget to zero in 2006.

On Social Security, Johnson said he is still looking for a plan that would revamp the nation's retirement pension system. He said he doesn't know if private accounts are the answer.

"There are so many different plans. Everyone has their own idea," he said. "I am open to any ideas."