Mark Beaubien on TV tonight: War, Taxes, Wealth and the Supremes
Was the decision to go into Iraq the right one? Were the Bush Tax cuts the right economic policy? Should wealthy candidates self finance? What kind of a Supreme Court justice should replace Justice O’Connor?
We discuss: you decide.
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Jeff Berkowitz: … looking back now, since no weapons of mass destruction have been found, would you say that the United States made a mistake in going into Iraq, or do you think maybe, overall that it was a good decision?
State Rep. and possible 8th CD Candidate Mark Beaubien: I think that people need to remember 9/11, and the devastating fact that had-- something needed to be done, to let the world know [that] we would not tolerate that behavior… the weapons of mass destruction is somewhat disturbing, but the fact of the matter is [that] there were mass killings, tremendous human rights violations, and, and I think the decision to go in there was the right decision.
******************************************************
Tonight’s City of Chicago edition of “Public Affairs,” features State Rep. and possible 8th CD Republican Primary Candidate Mark Beaubien [R- Wauconda]. The show with Rep. Beaubien airs throughout the City of Chicago [in the regular “Public Affairs,” City of Chicago Monday night slot] tonight at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21 [CANTV]. See here for links to the topics discussed on and a partial transcript of tonight’s show with Rep. Beaubien, as well as for a partial transcript of tonight’s show with Rep. Beaubien.
***********************************************
An additional partial transcript of tonight’s show with State Rep. Mark Beaubien is included, below:
***********************************************
Iraq War:
Jeff Berkowitz: I know you haven’t decided yet, if you’re running in the eighth [Cong. Dist.], but just to get an understanding in general of your philosophy. We’ve been talking about social issues, and you, as a state rep, obviously, have not been dealing a lot with foreign policy. But, it’s something that people would want to get their arms around [as to your views]… would you have been a supporter, if you had been in Congress, representing the eighth congressional district… in the fall of 2002, would you have supported the President’s request to have Congress authorize him to take military action in Iraq?
State Rep. and possible 8th CD Candidate Mark Beaubien: Yes. Yes, I would have.
Berkowitz: You would’ve. And, looking back now, since no weapons of mass destruction have been found, would you say that the United States made a mistake in going into Iraq, or do you think maybe, overall that it was a good decision?
Rep. Beaubien: I think that people need to remember 9/11, and the devastating fact that had-- something needed to be done, to let the world know [that] we would not tolerate that behavior. Um, the weapons of mass destruction is somewhat disturbing, but the fact of the matter is [that] there were mass killings, tremendous human rights violations, and, and I think the decision to go in there was the right decision.
Berkowitz: So, even without the weapons of mass destruction?
Rep. Beaubien: Right.
Berkowitz: Also, some people put forward, you mentioned the humanitarian reasons, mass graves, three hundred thousand lives, perhaps, or more, being slaughtered by Sadaam Hussein. But, also, they mention having a model democracy in Iraq-Rep. Beaubien: Umhmm.
Berkowitz: If that emerges, [these people argue] that would be very healthy for that portion of the world, do you agree with that?
Rep. Beaubien: Yes.
Berkowitz: Is that partly a good motivation for the regime change?
Rep. Beaubien: There’s always been this role in the government trying to impose democracy on other people, and I think each individual area has to have it’s own form of democracy, and what specifically works here may take a different form over in Iraq.
Berkowitz: But, it’s one you would like to-
Rep. Beaubien: Oh, sure. I think the women getting educated, and, being, you know, part of society, and the right to vote, I think, is very important. But, whether it would mirror our constitution, or not, I don’t know.
Tax Cuts and Tax pledges:
Berkowitz: Would you take a pledge, you know, one of the big issues might have been what your view would be on the Bush tax cuts. Would you like to see those tax cuts? Number one, would you have supported them, if were in Congress-
Rep. Beaubien: Yes.
Berkowitz: You would have supported the tax cuts?
Rep. Beaubien: Ummhmm.
Berkowitz: Bush, in 2001, and 2003. Would you have supported the efforts to make those permanent?
Rep. Beaubien: Yes.
Berkowitz: Okay. And, and, would you take a pledge not to vote for any major increases in income taxes? Going the other way.
Rep. Beaubien: For years, when I was in the legislature, and you’re asking the same question now. I think it’s kind of irresponsible to come out and say [that] never would we do anything at any point in time. Uh, otherwise, why would, why would you be there? I mean, who knows what crisis we might face?
Berkowitz: So, you wouldn’t take that pledge. You would want to maintain that flexibility.
Beaubien: I think my record speaks for itself, by the way.
Net Worth and self-funding:
Berkowitz: You know-- Some people say that you could be a formidable candidate, aside from your views and your experience, but it is hinted that you have the ability to self-finance, if you ran in the eighth congressional district. Do you have that, ah, financial well-being where you can finance your own campaign?
Rep. Beaubien: Yes.
Berkowitz: So, you know, part of the disclosure is, if you run for Congress, you’ve got to disclose your net worth, within a range. What would be the range of your net worth?
Rep. Beaubien: I’m not prepared to discuss that.
Berkowitz: You’re not, but you realize that you would have to say that as a range [when filing a candidacy for Congress].
Rep. Beaubien: Yes, I understand that.
Berkowitz: And, we’re not picking on you. We ask that of everybody [all candidate for office], whether they’re a pauper or a wealthy person.
Rep. Beaubien: … I consider myself reasonably wealthy.
Berkowitz: Okay. So, you could and would self-finance your campaign, to a large extent? Is that right?
Rep. Beaubien: “Could” and “would,” are two different words.
Berkowitz: You could. Would you?
Rep. Beaubien: I don’t know…
Social Security Reform:
Berkowitz: Social security reform has come up…. [President] Bush put forward the program of personal retirement accounts, giving people, ah, some control over how their funds are invested-- and could be invested in the stock market and bonds. With limitations as they do for 401 (k)s-- Would you have supported that concept?
Rep. Beaubien: Well, there’s been no final draft-
Berkowitz: I understand.
Rep. Beaubien: But the concept-
Berkowitz: The concept.
Rep. Beaubien: The concept [of personal retirement accounts] is one that I would agree with. I’d like to do it in the state of Illinois. We can’t afford to do it [in Illinois].
Berkowitz: We’re going to continue to speak as the credits roll, but I very much want to thank our guest, State Rep Mark Beaubien(R-Wauconda), who is thinking of running in the 8th Congressional District Republican primary. He’s been a good sport here this evening because he’s been willing to talk about national issues and state issues [even though] he hasn’t decided yet [if he is running in 8th CD. And, I got to single him out, because often people are very hesitant about coming on this show and, and a lot of people ask… before they come on the show, “What are we going to cover.” I have to tell you, this guy is very impressive, in that he just said “[I will] come on. I will come on the show, and [ask] whatever you want to ask, right?
Rep. Beaubien: That’s correct.
Berkowitz: We don’t endorse candidates; we’re not endorsing positions. But we do endorse the notion that candidates of all stripes ought to come on this show, and other shows and do what State Representative Mark Beaubien has done. Thank you very much for coming here.
Rep. Beaubien: Thank you.
Supreme Court nomination:
Berkowitz: The Supreme Court [nomination issue] has just come up-- as [Justice] Sandra Day O’Connor has resigned. What kind of person should President Reagan nominate to replace her. A-- some people view her as a centrist—[so should it be] another centrist, a conservative, What do you think?
Rep. Beaubien: Well, first of all, I don’t think President Reagan is going to make the nomination [Laughter].
Berkowitz: Did I say that? President Bush. Excuse me. Thank you for the correction. President George W. Bush.
Rep. Beaubien: You know, I really haven’t given that a lot of thought. I would hope that they would find somebody that would be acceptable to both sides of the aisle. The whole history of the Supreme Court is somewhat misunderstood. I mean, when they put Earl Warren on, they though he’d be a conservative. When they put-
Berkowitz: [President] Eisenhower said [about his Warren appointment], “That was the biggest damn fool mistake I ever made.”
Rep. Beaubien: I understand that.
Berkowitz: Sandra Day O’Connor-
Rep. Beaubien: [Justice] Souter was supposed to be a conservative-
Berkowitz: [President] Reagan put O’Connor [on the Court]. That’s why I brought Reagan into this discussion. So, you’re saying things change around. Should it be a social moderate; should it be a centrist? What do you think? Give me a two word answer.
Rep. Beaubien: I think it should be an independent thinker, someone that knows and understands the law and-- I basically believe in a strict construction of the constitution…
Berkowitz: So, you might like to see someone who construes the constitution narrowly? [Show ends].
*********************************************
Draft Transcript prepared by Amy Allen, who also does research for “Public Affairs,” and has her own political blog [See here]. ***********************************************************
State Rep. and possible 8th CD Republican Primary Candidate Mark Beaubien [R-Wauconda], recorded on July 6, 2005, as it is airing on the City of Chicago edition of Public Affairs tonight, July 25 at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21.
*****************************************************
Jeff Berkowitz, Host and Producer of Public Affairs and an Executive Recruiter doing Legal Search, can be reached at JBCG@aol.com
***********************
We discuss: you decide.
*******************************************
Jeff Berkowitz: … looking back now, since no weapons of mass destruction have been found, would you say that the United States made a mistake in going into Iraq, or do you think maybe, overall that it was a good decision?
State Rep. and possible 8th CD Candidate Mark Beaubien: I think that people need to remember 9/11, and the devastating fact that had-- something needed to be done, to let the world know [that] we would not tolerate that behavior… the weapons of mass destruction is somewhat disturbing, but the fact of the matter is [that] there were mass killings, tremendous human rights violations, and, and I think the decision to go in there was the right decision.
******************************************************
Tonight’s City of Chicago edition of “Public Affairs,” features State Rep. and possible 8th CD Republican Primary Candidate Mark Beaubien [R- Wauconda]. The show with Rep. Beaubien airs throughout the City of Chicago [in the regular “Public Affairs,” City of Chicago Monday night slot] tonight at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21 [CANTV]. See here for links to the topics discussed on and a partial transcript of tonight’s show with Rep. Beaubien, as well as for a partial transcript of tonight’s show with Rep. Beaubien.
***********************************************
An additional partial transcript of tonight’s show with State Rep. Mark Beaubien is included, below:
***********************************************
Iraq War:
Jeff Berkowitz: I know you haven’t decided yet, if you’re running in the eighth [Cong. Dist.], but just to get an understanding in general of your philosophy. We’ve been talking about social issues, and you, as a state rep, obviously, have not been dealing a lot with foreign policy. But, it’s something that people would want to get their arms around [as to your views]… would you have been a supporter, if you had been in Congress, representing the eighth congressional district… in the fall of 2002, would you have supported the President’s request to have Congress authorize him to take military action in Iraq?
State Rep. and possible 8th CD Candidate Mark Beaubien: Yes. Yes, I would have.
Berkowitz: You would’ve. And, looking back now, since no weapons of mass destruction have been found, would you say that the United States made a mistake in going into Iraq, or do you think maybe, overall that it was a good decision?
Rep. Beaubien: I think that people need to remember 9/11, and the devastating fact that had-- something needed to be done, to let the world know [that] we would not tolerate that behavior. Um, the weapons of mass destruction is somewhat disturbing, but the fact of the matter is [that] there were mass killings, tremendous human rights violations, and, and I think the decision to go in there was the right decision.
Berkowitz: So, even without the weapons of mass destruction?
Rep. Beaubien: Right.
Berkowitz: Also, some people put forward, you mentioned the humanitarian reasons, mass graves, three hundred thousand lives, perhaps, or more, being slaughtered by Sadaam Hussein. But, also, they mention having a model democracy in Iraq-Rep. Beaubien: Umhmm.
Berkowitz: If that emerges, [these people argue] that would be very healthy for that portion of the world, do you agree with that?
Rep. Beaubien: Yes.
Berkowitz: Is that partly a good motivation for the regime change?
Rep. Beaubien: There’s always been this role in the government trying to impose democracy on other people, and I think each individual area has to have it’s own form of democracy, and what specifically works here may take a different form over in Iraq.
Berkowitz: But, it’s one you would like to-
Rep. Beaubien: Oh, sure. I think the women getting educated, and, being, you know, part of society, and the right to vote, I think, is very important. But, whether it would mirror our constitution, or not, I don’t know.
Tax Cuts and Tax pledges:
Berkowitz: Would you take a pledge, you know, one of the big issues might have been what your view would be on the Bush tax cuts. Would you like to see those tax cuts? Number one, would you have supported them, if were in Congress-
Rep. Beaubien: Yes.
Berkowitz: You would have supported the tax cuts?
Rep. Beaubien: Ummhmm.
Berkowitz: Bush, in 2001, and 2003. Would you have supported the efforts to make those permanent?
Rep. Beaubien: Yes.
Berkowitz: Okay. And, and, would you take a pledge not to vote for any major increases in income taxes? Going the other way.
Rep. Beaubien: For years, when I was in the legislature, and you’re asking the same question now. I think it’s kind of irresponsible to come out and say [that] never would we do anything at any point in time. Uh, otherwise, why would, why would you be there? I mean, who knows what crisis we might face?
Berkowitz: So, you wouldn’t take that pledge. You would want to maintain that flexibility.
Beaubien: I think my record speaks for itself, by the way.
Net Worth and self-funding:
Berkowitz: You know-- Some people say that you could be a formidable candidate, aside from your views and your experience, but it is hinted that you have the ability to self-finance, if you ran in the eighth congressional district. Do you have that, ah, financial well-being where you can finance your own campaign?
Rep. Beaubien: Yes.
Berkowitz: So, you know, part of the disclosure is, if you run for Congress, you’ve got to disclose your net worth, within a range. What would be the range of your net worth?
Rep. Beaubien: I’m not prepared to discuss that.
Berkowitz: You’re not, but you realize that you would have to say that as a range [when filing a candidacy for Congress].
Rep. Beaubien: Yes, I understand that.
Berkowitz: And, we’re not picking on you. We ask that of everybody [all candidate for office], whether they’re a pauper or a wealthy person.
Rep. Beaubien: … I consider myself reasonably wealthy.
Berkowitz: Okay. So, you could and would self-finance your campaign, to a large extent? Is that right?
Rep. Beaubien: “Could” and “would,” are two different words.
Berkowitz: You could. Would you?
Rep. Beaubien: I don’t know…
Social Security Reform:
Berkowitz: Social security reform has come up…. [President] Bush put forward the program of personal retirement accounts, giving people, ah, some control over how their funds are invested-- and could be invested in the stock market and bonds. With limitations as they do for 401 (k)s-- Would you have supported that concept?
Rep. Beaubien: Well, there’s been no final draft-
Berkowitz: I understand.
Rep. Beaubien: But the concept-
Berkowitz: The concept.
Rep. Beaubien: The concept [of personal retirement accounts] is one that I would agree with. I’d like to do it in the state of Illinois. We can’t afford to do it [in Illinois].
Berkowitz: We’re going to continue to speak as the credits roll, but I very much want to thank our guest, State Rep Mark Beaubien(R-Wauconda), who is thinking of running in the 8th Congressional District Republican primary. He’s been a good sport here this evening because he’s been willing to talk about national issues and state issues [even though] he hasn’t decided yet [if he is running in 8th CD. And, I got to single him out, because often people are very hesitant about coming on this show and, and a lot of people ask… before they come on the show, “What are we going to cover.” I have to tell you, this guy is very impressive, in that he just said “[I will] come on. I will come on the show, and [ask] whatever you want to ask, right?
Rep. Beaubien: That’s correct.
Berkowitz: We don’t endorse candidates; we’re not endorsing positions. But we do endorse the notion that candidates of all stripes ought to come on this show, and other shows and do what State Representative Mark Beaubien has done. Thank you very much for coming here.
Rep. Beaubien: Thank you.
Supreme Court nomination:
Berkowitz: The Supreme Court [nomination issue] has just come up-- as [Justice] Sandra Day O’Connor has resigned. What kind of person should President Reagan nominate to replace her. A-- some people view her as a centrist—[so should it be] another centrist, a conservative, What do you think?
Rep. Beaubien: Well, first of all, I don’t think President Reagan is going to make the nomination [Laughter].
Berkowitz: Did I say that? President Bush. Excuse me. Thank you for the correction. President George W. Bush.
Rep. Beaubien: You know, I really haven’t given that a lot of thought. I would hope that they would find somebody that would be acceptable to both sides of the aisle. The whole history of the Supreme Court is somewhat misunderstood. I mean, when they put Earl Warren on, they though he’d be a conservative. When they put-
Berkowitz: [President] Eisenhower said [about his Warren appointment], “That was the biggest damn fool mistake I ever made.”
Rep. Beaubien: I understand that.
Berkowitz: Sandra Day O’Connor-
Rep. Beaubien: [Justice] Souter was supposed to be a conservative-
Berkowitz: [President] Reagan put O’Connor [on the Court]. That’s why I brought Reagan into this discussion. So, you’re saying things change around. Should it be a social moderate; should it be a centrist? What do you think? Give me a two word answer.
Rep. Beaubien: I think it should be an independent thinker, someone that knows and understands the law and-- I basically believe in a strict construction of the constitution…
Berkowitz: So, you might like to see someone who construes the constitution narrowly? [Show ends].
*********************************************
Draft Transcript prepared by Amy Allen, who also does research for “Public Affairs,” and has her own political blog [See here]. ***********************************************************
State Rep. and possible 8th CD Republican Primary Candidate Mark Beaubien [R-Wauconda], recorded on July 6, 2005, as it is airing on the City of Chicago edition of Public Affairs tonight, July 25 at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21.
*****************************************************
Jeff Berkowitz, Host and Producer of Public Affairs and an Executive Recruiter doing Legal Search, can be reached at JBCG@aol.com
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