Kaptur discusses trade deficit, economy, Iraq

11/23/2007

U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D., Toledo) wants the nation to turn its trade deficit into balances and deal with the "home foreclosure crisis."

"We need to renegotiate agreements like NAFTA," Miss Kaptur said on this week's edition of Deadline Now.

"We need to make them into trade balances, not trade deficits. This year, America will amass nearly $1 trillion of trade deficit."

Miss Kaptur also discussed what Congress is doing to address issues surrounding the Iraq war and what, if anything, it can do about the ailing economy in the region and the nation.

The program's host, Jack Lessenberry, who is The Blade's ombudsman, asked Miss Kaptur about pressures to donate money to the national party.

The longtime congressman had harsh words for the expectation that senior members of Congress on both sides of the aisle will give money to the national parties.

"Both parties now require senior members to give them about half a million dollars a year. It's a corrupt system. It's a form of extortion and prostitution, in my opinion," she said.

Miss Kaptur also talked about her past work and first run for Congress.

Deadline Now airs at 8:30 tonight and 2 a.m. tomorrow on WGTE-TV, Channel 30.