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Ex-Rep. Hoekstra: Obama Wants to Inflict Pain on Nation
Wednesday, October 9, 2013 05:02 PM
By: Bill Hoffmann
The Pentagon's threat not to pay the families of veterans who have died in the line of duty is part of the Obama administration's plan to inflict pain on Americans during the budget crisis, former U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra of Michigan says.
"They're looking at ways to inflict pain, not to alleviate pain, and they're picking on the most vulnerable people today," Hoekstra told "The Steve Malzberg Show" on Newsmax TV and Radio.
"Ninety-five-year-old World War II vets, families that are grieving because they have lost a loved one. I can't think of a sadder example of behavior by a president," he said Wednesday.
"We can have policy differences, but, man, let's not take it out on the most vulnerable at a time where they have these huge needs . . . As a nation we should be embarrassed and ashamed."
Hoekstra, former chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, praised Democratic President Bill Clinton for handling his own shutdown crisis.
"Bill Clinton, he did not have tin ear when it came down to politics. He didn't try any of this stuff," Hoekstra said.
Hoekstra thinks Democrats are ready to follow the president "right off the cliff" when it comes to refusing to negotiate or agree to fund parts of the government until a compromise is reached.
"And as people start seeing this, they're starting to recognize that this is a president who doesn't want to work it out," he said.
"The American people are, by and large . . . all saying all of these guys are bums because they can't get this worked out."
