Dold Has Give and Take With Lake Forest Students

A combination of more than 80 government and environmental studies students at came to class Friday prepared to ask about his work in Congress, and they did not leave disappointed.

A number of students pressed Dold on the environment, and he responded with specific answers. He also answered questions about same sex marriage and the Iranian nuclear threat.

Dold made a case for what he has often termed smart regulation, told the students he was for civil unions between same sex couples but wanted to keep marriage between a man and a woman. He will not take a military option off the table if necessary to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear bomb.

One student, Sam Tauke, asked Dold about votes cast on environmental issues. “I agree with you on most things, but why have you voted against environmental regulation,” he said.

Dold started to give a standard response about “smart regulation,” but Tauke wanted specific answers. He came prepared with notes on six different votes the Congressman made on environmental issues including restrictions placed on cement manufacturers.

Dold Favors Common Sense Regulation

 “The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) wanted restrictions three to five times more restrictive than the environment needs,” Dold said. “We don’t want cement manufacturers out of business and then we have to import our cement from China.”

Tauke would not let his Congressman off the hook. After Dold finished discussing regulation on cement manufacturers, the Lake Forest pupil asked about restrictions on boilers.

“Boiler (regulations) have a huge impact on some many things,” Dold said again referring to a competitive balance with China. “We have to take a common sense approach.”

When another student wanted to know the Congressman’s position on same sex marriage, Dold explained his reasoning behind support of civil unions but not marriage.

“Marriage is between a man and a woman,” Dold said. “If you want a civil union you should have it. There is no reason people who love each other and want a life together should not have protection (under the law).”

Though Dold did not give the student his reasoning for opposing marriage between people of the same gender when she asked again, he later explained to Patch part of his thinking had to do with his religious views. “It’s the same position as the President (Barack Obama),” he said.

Dold Wants Military Option on Table Against Iran

Ryan Tuper wanted to know Dold’s views on Iran’s efforts to build a nuclear weapon. Dold explained his distrust for Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and that Iran does not fear the United States.

“Their president, Ahmadinejad, wants to erase Israel from the map,” Dold said. “He calls Israel the little Satan. Do you know who the big Satan is? We are. They tried to assassinate the Saudi ambassador in the United States. They are not a people who are afraid of us.”

When asked by Patch later, Dold said he wants a military threat present so Iran is forced to decide to abandon its pursuit of a nuclear weapon.

“” Dold said. “The United States must keep all opportunities on the table. There must be a credible threat from the United States that sends a clear signal.”