Barry Hinckley in 2012 Rhode Island Senate Debate
On Budget & Economy:
Our children have to pay back the debt; it's a train wreck
Whitehouse slammed the debt reduction plan proposed in the House by Vice Presidential candidate, Rep. Paul Ryan. "The Ryan budget is disastrous," said Whitehouse, who maintained it balanced the budget on the backs of middle-class
Americans, while shielding the rich. When asked what measures he would support, Whitehouse said eliminating $4 trillion over the next 10 years; with $2 trillion in cuts and $2 trillion in revenues, or tax increases. "Republicans have not identified
one single loophole in the tax code they would get rid of," Whitehouse said.Hinckley criticized Whitehouse, "If you don't like it, mark it up and send it back. This is an all-hands-on-deck situation."
Hinckley then criticized the Bush and Obama administrations, calling them both "train wrecks." "My children are going to have to pay this back," he said.
Source: WPRI Eyewitness News on 2012 R.I. Senate debate
Oct 23, 2012
On Corporations:
Make R.I. the most attractive place to do business
Hinckley, the co-founder of a successful software firm, argued that it's time for new leadership in Washington to help the economy and refashion the tax code. "We need to make Rhode Island and
America the most attractive place in the world to do business," he said. "We need fresh faces that are connected to Main Street."
Source: Boston Globe on 2012 R.I. Senate debate
Oct 23, 2012
On Corporations:
Cut the business tax rate from 35% to 20%
Hinckley knew as a businessman that taxes and benefits added to the expenses made it hard to hire new employees in America. Hinckley favors cutting the business tax rate from 35 percent to 20 percent.Senator Whitehouse blamed the
Bush administration for the economic situation that Rhode Islanders face. He favored innovation, manufacturing and creating new infrastructure as key ways to renew Rhode Island's economic landscape.
Source: Examiner.com on 2012 R.I. Senate debate
Oct 23, 2012
On Education:
Give a grant to every family to choose school
A moderator asked both candidates why they chose to send their children to private school. "I want the best education that I could get for them," said Whitehouse, who then touted efforts, like Race to the Top, which aim to improve public education.
He said the next step should be extending those programs to middle school.Hinckley, who sends his children to
Parochial school, said it was important to him that his children be raised in faith. He then pointed out that many families can't afford to send their children to private school and are stuck with failing schools.
He proposed giving a grant to every family in Rhode Island, so parents can choose which schools they send their children.
Source: WPRI Eyewitness News on 2012 R.I. Senate debate
Oct 23, 2012
On Foreign Policy:
Reduce foreign aid; robust American military presence abroad
The two men differed greatly on the distribution of American taxpayer monies going overseas as foreign aid. Hinckley sounded an isolationist note by arguing for reduced foreign aid to hostile governments and a less robust
American military presence abroad. Whitehouse countered with a traditional internationalist argument, citing Republicans who disagree with Hinckley and suggesting his proposals could damage Israel.
Source: Examiner.com on 2012 R.I. Senate debate
Oct 23, 2012
On Foreign Policy:
End foreign aid to Egypt, Libya and Pakistan
Hinckley was questioned about his plan to end foreign aid to Egypt, Libya and Pakistan. "We're talking about tolls for the Sakonnet River Bridge. We can't even get a free bridge in Rhode Island, and we continue to pump money into countries that
don't like us," Hinckley said. "It is time for the rest of the world to step up."Whitehouse countered, "Israel is a vital ally in that area and Israel wants us to continue to engage with Egypt."
Source: WPRI Eyewitness News on 2012 R.I. Senate debate
Oct 23, 2012
On Health Care:
ObamaCare is an example of government gone wild
Hinckley, who has called for the repeal of President Obama's healthcare plan, was asked if he would keep any part of the plan. "This is a great example of government goes wild. [The senator's] party admitted they didn't know what was in it before they
voted for it," said Hinckley, who proposed fixing problems with the system individually, instead of with a massive bureaucracy. When asked when Rhode Islanders would see reduced healthcare costs under Obama's plan, Whitehouse said he wasn't sure.
Source: WPRI Eyewitness News on 2012 R.I. Senate debate
Oct 23, 2012
On Health Care:
Voucher program provides Medicare choice
The moderator asked about the growing cost of Medicaid and Medicare. Whitehouse pivoted, and said the problem was with the cost of healthcare. "The nation can't continue to spend what it spends on healthcare," said Whitehouse. "It would be a mistake to
redefine the problem to say it's just a Medicaid and Medicare cost." The moderator then asked Hinckley if he would support a voucher program, which would give seniors the option to choose Medicare or a private insurer. "When you walk into a
restaurant, do you want one choice or two?" Hinckley asked. "Medicare is going out of business and it's not good for any American. He maintained there needs to be bi-partisan effort to solve the problem. "The Senate won't even debate it, they shoot it
down without a debate," he said. "The government has no track record of running things on budget and if you think they're going to run healthcare efficiently, I have another thing to tell you."
Source: WPRI Eyewitness News on 2012 R.I. Senate debate
Oct 23, 2012
On Jobs:
RI 50th in business friendliness, causing high unemployment
Hinckley said his experience in the private sector uniquely qualified him to help fix the ailing economy, both in Rhode Island and the country as a whole. "We're the last place team. Rhode Island is 50th in business friendliness, and with that comes high
unemployment," Hinckley said.The moderator pointed out that Hinckley's platform called for reducing the corporate tax rate, job training, paying teachers more, all while capping spending; "How do you plan to pay for those promises?"
"You pay for it
by growing the economy. You don't have teachers, police or firefighters if you don't have people paying taxes," Hinckley said. "We need to make Rhode Island the most attractive place in the world to do business. Businesses move to where they are
treated well." Acknowledging he would have not control over Rhode Island tax policy, Hinckley said if elected he would urge state lawmakers to change the business climate.
Source: WPRI Eyewitness News on 2012 R.I. Senate debate
Oct 23, 2012
On Principles & Values:
Extreme partisanship is killing this country
Hinckley criticized Whitehouse for being partisan. "How do you come to the middle when you vote with your leadership 96% of the time. A husband and wife don't get along that well," Hinckley quipped. "Extreme partisanship is killing this country.
The Senate has been closed for business. If you don't like it, mark it up and send it back. This is an all-hands-on-deck situation."
Source: WPRI Eyewitness News on 2012 R.I. Senate debate
Oct 23, 2012
On Social Security:
Hire actuaries to bring system into line, not politicians
A voter asked why he didn't fight on behalf of retirees against Rhode Island's pension reforms, but still promises to fight for Social Security. While Whitehouse said Rhode Island leaders came up with a solution that was necessary, he said, unlike
pension reform, Social Security is in his authority. "It is my commitment that I am going to protect Social Security. Life without it would be unimaginably worse for seniors and young people," Whitehouse said.Hinckley countered, saying
Democrats have no plan to save Social Security. "Ask yourself, is that fair, to pay into a pension system managed by the government and then get nothing," said Hinckley, who proposed hiring actuaries to bring the system in line. "The problem with
Social Security, it's managed by career politicians and not professionals."
Source: WPRI Eyewitness News on 2012 R.I. Senate debate
Oct 23, 2012
On Tax Reform:
Lower rates for families, lower rates for businesses
When it came to taxes, both men agreed the Country's tax code was broken. However, they differed on how to go about fixing it. "Our tax system is a nightmare right now. CVS pays a full 35 percent tax rate. But, companies like Carnival Cruises pay zero.
It makes no sense," Whitehouse said. "We need a fairer and simpler tax code, but it can't put more of a burden on the middle class."When asked about the 9-9-9 plan proposed by former presidential candidate Herman Cain, Hinckley said at least it's a
new idea. "Our current tax code is four million words long. We need a new tax code to compete in the 21st century," Hinckley said. "We need lower rates for families, lower rates for businesses."
Whitehouse said Cain's plan, which called for
nine percent income tax, nine percent capital gains tax and nine percent sales tax, would shift the tax burden to the middle class. "It's not a fresh idea, it's a lousy idea," Whitehouse said.
Source: WPRI Eyewitness News on 2012 R.I. Senate debate
Oct 23, 2012
Page last updated: Dec 04, 2018