Dold talks about military, budget

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Congressman Robert Dold chats with members of the Military Officers Association on Sunday at The Arboretum Club. | Michael Sean Comerford - for Sun-Times Media

Updated: December 18, 2011 9:44AM

With Capitol Hill budget battles, a report on Iran’s nuclear capability and Veterans Day all occurring last week, Congressman Robert Dold (R-10th) had plenty of material to talk about Sunday as he addressed both Temple Chai and, later, the Military Officers Association of America.

The Kenilworth Republican was in Long Grove and Buffalo Grove during the most recent congressional recess and spoke in the morning to about 100 people at Temple Chai about affairs in the Middle East.

At The Arboretum Club in Buffalo Grove on Sunday afternoon, he spoke to more than 50 military veterans and active duty members of the Military Officers Association.

Individuals present peppered him with questions on the military, the federal deficit and the economy.

“What are we doing to create jobs in this country?” asked Patrick Hirsch at The Arboretum forum.

Dold criticized the Dodd-Frank Wall Street reforms and consumer protection act for over-regulating businesses. He touted recent free-trade agreements and said the government should get out of the way of small businesses that want to grow.

“The number 1 issue in Washington right now, I’d argue, is jobs and the economy,” Dold said to the Arboretum audience.

Dold criticized the financing of the U.S. deficit by borrowing from China, specifically, selling U.S. Treasury bonds to China.

“I might be the first generation that may not leave this country better than my parents and grandparents left it to me,” he said, noting he has three children. “And there is no question we have a spending problem in Washington.”

Dold noted the 10th Congressional District, as it is being realigned by state officials, is considered one of the most Democratic-leaning districts in the country. He predicted a tough re-election fight next year. He also mentioned there will be three or four candidates running for the Democratic nomination but, thus far, no Republican primary challenges.

Roman Golash, a retired Army colonel, said he was “impressed” by Dold’s 45-minute talk and the Veterans History Project the congressman is helping to compile.

“I’m glad to see he’s getting the stories of World War II veterans,” Golash said.

Dold and the Library of Congress are coordinating the Veterans History Project, which is “collecting photos, video testimonials and written accounts from veterans in the 10th District so that they can be archived at the Library of Congress for future generations to view.”

Affiliated with his family-owned business, Rose Pest Solutions, before being elected last year, Dold won a close race against Democratic nominee Dan Seals to replace Mark Kirk, after his election to the U.S. Senate.