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To the editor:
Republicans have an important choice in our upcoming primary. From what I gather about Dr. Mehmet Oz, he is an intelligent man, a doctor and well known TV talk show host. His show won nine Emmy awards, was very popular and had many fans. Kellyanne Conway, a senior counselor to President Trump said he and Dr. Oz have been friends for a long time. President Trump recently gave Dr. Oz his endorsement for this Senate run. Conway, Mike Pompeo and Sarah Huckabee Sanders and others have endorsed Dave McCormick.
I would like to list some reasons for my support of Dave McCormick. He was a seventh generation farm kid. He attended West Point, one of the most acclaimed military academies in the world, where he lettered in wrestling for four years and co-captained his senior year. He served with the 82nd Airborne Division in the Gulf War earning a Bronze Star.
He worked in the Bush administration as Under Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs. He formerly was CEO of Bridgewater Associates, the world's largest hedge fund investment management firm. Bridgewater, founded by Ray Dalio, doubled in size during Dave's tenure. He retired to run for our U.S. Senate seat.
Personally, I view some of his strengths -- experience in the farming/ag world, excellent military training and experience, incredible success at a global leader in business and investment firm. In our rapidly evolving world of global events and challenges, we need the very best to serve in our government. Too many people in Washington are just part of the swamp, charming people that are just career politicians. What we need are people that get things done, that have a desire to make America remain a safe, secure, prosperous nation and the experience and desire to make happen.
We hear a lot on the news about risks from China and they are real. They are regarded as our biggest financial and military threat given their growth and strength. Knowing these facts we need people in our government that can find a way for us to co-exist in the world with China. We need statesmen like I hope Dave McCormick can be.
Some like to argue China is our enemy, others call them our competition in the world of trade and business. They are the No. 2 world power and if they continue to grow could become No. 1. They are a giant of trade and power. Like, trust them or not, in our world we need to find the best ways to co-exist with them.
The U.S. has a history of just telling others, we have decided and this is the way it will be. Many countries do not like our attitude of, "we know best." Our relations with China are at an all-time low and that is dangerous.
Many say we should just bring our factories back and not depend on them for manufacturing. Where, do I ask can we get the workers for these factories? Latest jobs numbers show in the U.S., we have 11.5 million unfilled job openings with an unemployment rate of 3.6%.
Another issue, China has many of the rare earth minerals needed for electric vehicles and wind turbines which are and will be needed as we combat effects of global warming. Forecasts over the next decade are for the demand of these minerals to increase two to eight times. Despite our problems, we have many mutual benefits from working/trading together.
In spite of China's growth, expansion, threats to Taiwan, the South China Sea and the entire region, we don't know what their end game or goals are. We need to try and find a way to make things better between our nations. As I said, we need real statesmen to try. The U.S. wealth makes us one of China's trading partners. We need to use this leverage to talk with them, to come to some understanding of our common issues.
As a nation of 332 million we can not just dictate to a nation of 1.414 billion. As nations, we need to talk, communicate, negotiate. The world's peace and prosperity are at stake.
Our biggest investment banks and firms invest all over the world. It is truly a global economy. Dave's international business dealing and successes can hopefully lead to some progress and understanding with China.
Our 100 U.S. senators are among the most powerful people in the world. With Dave's impression resume, I strongly feel he is our better hope to make the Senate stronger to deal with so many complex issues.
One last point, some have pointed out Dr. Oz lived in Maryland and Dave lived in Connecticut until their decision to run for senator, then establishing Pa. residency. Hillary Clinton did the same, establishing residency in New York before being elected there. It's OK.
Wayne Loht
McClure