Submitted for original distribution
on yorklp.org 9/18/2011 by Michael Koffenberger
2012 Libertarian Candidate, U.S. House of Representatives
District 19 – PA

This is the first of many weekly analysis pieces detailing what Congressman Platts has voted on, or bills that he has sponsored/co-sponsored. Mike Koffenberger - Libertarian Candidate U.S. House of Representatives District 19 PAI will briefly describe his action, the bill, and then detail how I would handle the same. Since it is not my full time job to read the entire bill (yet – with your help), I will read the summaries and base my decisions on those. I will also try and describe how libertarian principles apply in my decisions. During weeks that Congressman Platts is not in session or co-sponsoring bills, I will re-visit some of his older votes on legislation that have had detrimental effect on our liberties.

This week, Congressman Platts became a co-sponsor of H.Res 298. This resolution calls for the Secretary of Health and Human Services to coordinate efforts to provide outreach and education on epilepsy and seizure incidents. Congressman Platts is at this moment one of 12 Republican and 7 Democrat lawmakers to co-sponsor this legislation. In my opinion, this is one of those pieces of feel good legislation with no particular purpose. Should those who may have more of a chance of contact with epilepsy patients know what they are dealing with? Yes. Should the federal government pay for brochures or training? No. I know that first responders already receive training that deals with seizure patients. This is the type of legislation that should never be considered since it is not the federal government’s job to educate the public. A private charity, perhaps the Epilepsy Foundation, would do a better job in educating the public about seizures and not cost the taxpayers a dime.

Congressman Platts became a co-sponsor on HR 822, the “National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011.” This legislation, which has well over 200 co-sponsors, would allow a person carrying government issued identification and a valid permit to carry a concealed firearm in one state, to carry concealed in another. While this is not a perfect bill, I would also co-sponsor this legislation as it enhances freedom and starts turning the cycle of gun ownership back to founding principles detailed in the 2nd Amendment. As long as there are no extra restrictions or legislation detailed in the fine print of this bill, it is a step in the right direction. Should you need a permit to carry a concealed firearm? I do not think so. Paying for a permit violates the rights given in the 2nd Amendment. I would understand and agree with legislation that prohibits those that have committed serious felonies (those that violate others’ lives, liberty or property) to be restricted, as well as some fashion of the clinically insane being prohibited, but that is all.

He became a co-sponsor of HR 358. This bill prohibits federal funds from being used to cover any cost of a health plan that includes abortion services under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). No federal funds should be used for anyone’s health care (other than federal employees). In my opinion, this legislation makes the Republican members feel good about restricting abortions in some fashion and they think that it would appeal to their pro-life base. While a full repeal of the PPACA would be better, and would be a bill I would sponsor, this is one very small step in the right direction. I would vote for this bill for that reason.

It should be noted that Congressman Platts has not sponsored (as the primary sponsor) a bill since May 10, 2011. That bill is HR 1821, “To Strengthen Families’ Engagement in the Education of Their Children.” This bill would award grants to assist families in becoming engaged in the education of their children. It also establishes a bureaucracy called the “State Family Engagement Coordinating Council” (yes really) which would coordinate this engagement. This is ridiculous social engineering legislation. It also emphasizes that education must be removed from the purview of the federal government once and for all. No good comes from Washington to your child’s education. Test scores have been in decline since the start of the Department of Education in 1980 after President Carter signed the Department of Education Organization Act on October 17, 1979. As a libertarian, it gives government too much power and violates states rights.

It is my belief, and one of the main reasons that I am challenging him in the 2012 elections, that Congressman Platts has not shown leadership in returning our liberties, ending unconstitutional legislation, and returning our country to fiscal sanity. To my knowledge, he has never submitted one bill that would greatly affect a return to the principles above. He has been a consistent vote to the Republican Party and other leaders, while submitting small pieces of legislation that further regulate every facet of our lives.

For Liberty,
Mike Koffenberger
Libertarian Candidate, U.S. House of Representatives
District 19 – PA

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