Ed. Note: U.S. Rep. Dave Camp, who was elected to Congress in 1990 at the age of 36, was in Leelanau County last week on business. We asked if he would stop at the Leelanau Enterprise office for a question-and-answer interview, and he agreed. Following are excerpts from the interview with publisher Alan Campbell.

REP. DAVE CAMP visited the
Leelanau Enterprise last week,
and offered viewpoints on a
range of topics.

Three views from Rep. Dave Camp

ON IMMIGRATION
“It’s been a hot issue … in some parts of this district I think a temporary worker program for hospitality and agriculture is needed, but we don’t do that until the American people have more confidence in our ability to control our border.”

ON THE WAR
“I’m waiting for General Petraeus’ report. Now there have been some stories about that, and it looks like the military objectives have been attained. But the political side has not come around. I’m waiting for the report, and that’s going to be critical.”

ON SOCIAL SECURITY
“I do think it will involve younger workers having more choices, and having a higher rate of return for those choices. I think each year there is inaction, that it’s harder to do. I think that’s why the president tried to do things when he did.”

Enterprise: You are just coming from the Leland Harbor, where you were meeting with township officials about your efforts to provide $190,000 in federal funding to dredge the Leland River in 2008. What are the chances you will succeed?

Camp: I feel pretty good about it. Right now it’s in the energy and water appropriation bill, and that passed by a two-thirds majority, and with a big bipartisan majority. It’s one of the few bills that have had that type of vote … As I said to Russell (Dzuba, Leland harbormaster) we have to stay on top of this. I think that we did get it in, the Army Corps supported it, and it was a vote heavily favoring the bill, those are all weighing in our favor.

Enterprise: This spring federal funding was not provided, forcing the township and the business community to come up with much of the funds to dredge the harbor. Then the Army Corps of Engineers charged a $20,000 fee for a permit for the dredging that was reduced in half when the township went in with Arcadia, which also needed dredging work. Do you think the Army Corps fee was justified?

Camp: You have to look on a case-by-case basis, and I’ve opposed some of the fees in other settings. I am trying to work with the Corps on this project…but yes, in a broader context, they over-study projects, and with that they can cause delays. With this project, I’m comfortable moving forward on it.

Enterprise: Since control of Congress was taken over by the Democratic Party, have you lost clout in what you can accomplish?

Camp: When you are in majority, you are in control of the House. But you don’t have to be in majority to have good ideas … you still have to have projects that have merit. I do not have a problem being open about all the projects I support.

Enterprise: There seems to be more talk about “pork” being placed in bills coming out of Congress. Is there more “pork” being wasted in Washington today then when you first started serving in the House?

Camp: I have voted against many of the appropriations bills coming through because they are increasing 6, 7, 8 percent, and I think that’s too much. But you have to be careful. Pork is often termed as a request by individual legislators, but is pork dredging the Leland harbor? I’d like to go to zero-based budgeting, where you start over every year with the amount you had last year rather than an inflation adjuster. It varies depending upon the program, but (inflation adjustors) can average about 3 percent. This year, particularly, I think (appropriations bills) went up too much. They were basically flat for three years, except for defense and homeland security. The deficit has been cut in half, and we are just getting numbers that it has declined by $90 billion. As a percentage of GDP, we’re at a historic low since Worl War II.

Enterprise: What type of budget increase is coming out of Congress?

Camp: What’s proposed by the House of Representatives is a 10 percent increase in a lot of cases.

Enterprise: You’ve been in Congress for 17 years. In what direction do you want to go with your political career in the future?

Camp: The job changes, that’s what’s different about this one … but there are some key projects I want to get through. I’m actually looking at the things I’m working on too much to think about much else…

Enterprise: Is a run for the Senate planned?

Camp: It’s not something I’m thinking about. I like where I am.

Enterprise: As America ages and fewer workers contribute into the system, the Social Security system will be paying more in benefits than it takes in. The system will go broke without changes. Is this a problem that can still be headed off? What type of solution is possible?

Camp: I do think it will involve younger workers having more choices, and having a higher rate of return for those choices. I think each year there is inaction, that it’s harder to do. I think that’s why the President tried to do things when he did. There is a long lead time needed when we deal with retirement issues, so the sooner we make changes the better. We need to give at least 15 years notice to workers whose payments will be affected.

Enterprise: Has immigration reform been important to your constituents?

Camp: It’s been a hot issue. We received 350 letters, and 2,000 emails.

Enterprise: Did you vote for the House bill (that would eventually offer citizenship to non-residents who are working illegally in America)?

Camp: No.

Enterprise: Were you ever in favor of the House bill?

Camp: No

Enterprise: What’s the answer?

Camp: I do think progress has been made on the border, but not enough. We do need to give people confidence that there is an orderly entry and exit on the border. In some parts of this district I think a temporary worker program for hospitality and agriculture is needed, but we don’t do that until the American people have more confidence in our ability to control our border.

Enterprise: The Michigan economy has been lagging for several years. Do you see it turning around anytime in the near future?

Camp: I think we have great potential with the people in this state, with great resources, with great universities … I just think we need to find a way to get better positioned. I think we need to attract the right employers so that (people) can have the kind of productive jobs that will lead to families living the American dream. We are still a high cost, high regulatory state … I’m actually working to make the next American president born and raised from Michigan, so when we call and say something about Leelanau County (the president) will have actually been here and know what that need is.

Enterprise: So you’re pushing for Carl Levin?

Camp (after chuckling): I’m helping Mitt Romney.

Enterprise: Can Mitt Romney overcome the overtones of being Mormon?

Camp: I hope so. I hope he’ll come here and give you a chance to meet him. He turned around Massachusetts without raising taxes, is very successful in the business world, and is also successful at home with a loving family. I think he brings a lot to the table.

Enterprise: Does being Mormon hurt his chances?

Camp: It shouldn’t. His dad was governor, and it didn’t hurt him. But I was talking to someone the other day who said, ‘but he doesn’t believe in Jesus?’’ I said yes he does … a lot of what is out there is misinformation.

Enterprise: You voted to give authority to President Bush to send American troops into Iraq. Do you regret that decision?

Camp: No. And I don’t know if you can unwind a decision like that. And I think it was a right decision.

Enterprise: U.S. troops are still fighting that war. How much longer should we keep our troops over there, given that many have served multiple deployments?

Camp: I’m waiting for General Patraeus’ report. Now there have been some stories about that, and it looks like the military objectives have been attained. But the political side has not come around. I’m waiting for the report, and that’s going to be critical.

Enterprise: Are our troops weary?

Camp: I think the situation as to the troops will be discussed in September … I think not only do you get the general’s report, but I’ll also be gauging the response from the people in this district as well. Obviously, I represent this district and I have to make decisions that I feel are right … It is in the national papers that we are under continuous threat from extremists around the world. Our troops are obviously doing a tremendous job. Their commitments have been long and their service has been with valor. Obviously, the commitment of the men and women in the military is foremost in my mind in this discussion. It’s a fairly heavy commitment from this district with a large military population. I think people don’t want just to leave or have Congress just set a timeline to leave. I don’t think they are happy with the progress of the war, but that will be easier to gauge in the fall. I think they want to give this an opportunity to succeed, and they’d like to see some progress.

Enterprise: What is the greatest threat to the Great Lakes?

Camp: Invasive species. There is a federal issue here because the Great Lakes are international waters. I do believe in the states having a significant say in what happens in the Great Lakes. I think it’s a combination.

Enterprise: What federal changes should occur?

Camp: The federal ballast law that I cosponsored is in committee (and) has not been approved … Obviously people are concerned about lake levels.

Enterprise: Do you believe there is global warming?

Camp: The earth is getting warmer recently. I think the debate is how much has man contributed to that, and what solutions should we try. I don’t think we should have solutions that only America contributes toward, and our trading partners have not. I remember the cover of Newsweek that was on global cooling.

Enterprise: When was the last time you were in Leelanau County?

Camp: I’ve been here at least twice this year, prior to this trip. I will say this year has been a difficult year because we have been in session so much in Washington D.C. … Mondays through Fridays. And I have three kids who have activities, as well. We live in Midland, we don’t live in Washington D.C. My kids go to public school in Midland. I try to be as accessible as I can.”