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Buttigieg sounds off on ‘chest-thumping militarism’ at Claremont town hall

By Patrick Adrian [email protected]
CLAREMONT — The unification of America, well-being of the nation and restoration of community coalitions were central themes in Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg’s messages to area voters at a town hall event in Claremont this past weekend.

A total of 517 local residents filled Stevens High School gymnasium on Saturday to see the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, who is currently in fourth place in New Hampshire primary polls behind the former Vice President Joe Biden (21.3%), Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders (21.1%) and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren (14.4%), according to FiveThirtyEight.

Buttigieg opened by saying that this election is not simply about defeating President Donald Trump, but what citizens want to see from a president going forward.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Buttigieg moved almost immediately into a discussion of national security, with Americans still wondering about the possible ramifications following the killing of Irani general Qassem Soleimani in a U.S. airstrike on Friday.

“National security is not achieved through chest thumping militarism and engaging the county in endless wars, but by keeping people safe,” Buttigieg said. “That requires a leader who considers the consequences of decisions and carefully exercises wisdom and sound judgement.”

But Buttigieg stressed that America needs to broaden its definition of “national security” to emphasize climate change, which he called “the number one national security threat of our time.”

“The climate can’t wait,” Buttigieg said. “A plan is only a plan when we make it happen. We’re seeing more floods, more wildfires and more natural disasters, yet plans have died in Washington because [political leaders] have never wanted to get something done.”

Buttigieg similarly spoke to American values like patriotism and freedom through expanding their definitions.

“You can’t say that you love your country if you hate half of the people in it,” Buttigieg said in an allusion to Trump.

The presidential hopeful defined America’s liberty as “our freedom to live a life of our choosing.” Buttigieg also that sometimes that freedom means government staying out of the way, such as in matters of marriage equality and women’s reproductive choices. But in other cases, without government involvement to protect the health, wellbeing and equal opportunities of Americans, freedom cannot survive. Preserving freedom requires, among other things, keeping air and water clean, a strong public education system that supports teachers and every citizen having affordable access to health care.

Buttigieg also tied that “freedom to choose” to his health care plan, often referred to as “Medicare for All who want it.” The candidate’s plan would create a public option in the health insurance market that according to Pete Buttigieg for President would cost $1.5 trillion over 10 years to establish. He told the audience that he would fund $1.4 trillion of that cost by ending the tax cuts passed in 2017, and generate up to another $500 billion in savings by reinstating a law that authorizes the federal government to negotiate prescription drug prices for its public programs, including Medicare.

The Medical Modernization Act of 2003 removed the ability for the Health and Human Services Secretary to negotiate drug prices with pharmaceutical companies.

Buttigieg also emphasized his intent to help unify America through initiatives that build strong community involvement and collaboration, and creating a discourse based on inclusivity.

The former mayor’s plan, shared on his website, aims to provide up to a million service opportunities to high school graduates by 2026. A portion of this plan would include funding increases to government-supported programs like AmeriCorps and the Peace Corps, while others might be run by non-public entities or community-grassroots groups.

“Not all the answers have to come from government, but the national funding should,” Buttigieg said.

At one point during the event, Buttigieg noted that America has always solved its challenges best when Americans see them as a national project, in which community members work together toward common goals and every member feels a sense of belonging.

The former Navy intelligence officer in Afghanistan reflected on his military service experience and how his company had to learn to trust each other with their lives to accomplish their goal. From the need to work together, the company formed friendships and relationships based on mutual respect, a sense of acceptance and collaboration that Buttigieg wants to emphasize as president.

“I want all Americans to have that experience without having to go to war,” the candidate said.

Stevens Principal Pat Barry, who provided the candidate’s introduction, said that the importance Buttigieg places on grassroots community coalitions was among her key reasons for speaking on his behalf.

“I want [a president] who brings people together,” Barry said. “And know that when I turn on the TV I can be proud to see my president.”

This was Buttigieg’s 15th trip to the Granite State since announcing his candidacy in April 2019.

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