Sixth District challenger wants to rein in Congress, government

Sixth District Republican challenger Karen Kwiatkowski’s vision of the federal government is one that limits spending and power and one that would have a Congress that meets less frequently and attracts citizen-legislators.

“I am a constitutional, God-fearing conservative,’’ Kwiatkowski said during a Saturday morning speech to the SWAC Political Breakfast at the Golden Corral in Waynesboro. “I fundamentally demand and believe in a small and limited federal government. The founders believed power corrupts.”

Kwiatkowski, who is challenging 10-term incumbent Rep. Bob Goodlatte in the June 6^th District Primary, has already signed a binding pledge to serve only three terms.

She would also work for a 25 percent cut in the pay of members of Congress, do away with a retirement and have the members pay for their own health care.

 “The founders emphasized citizen legislatures. They (members of Congress) should be in their home communities. They should pay for their own health care and have no retirement,’’ she said.

Kwiatkowski also would work for a streamlined federal government. She has strong reservations about both the federal Department of Education and Department of Energy, and holds out hope that the Environmental Protection Agency could still serve some purpose.

If elected, Kwiatkowski would fight to reduce the federal debt, support legislation regarding the sanctity and the conception of life and support audits of the Federal Reserve.

She said the Federal Reserve loans to foreign countries “are appalling and if they (countries) default, that money is on the American taxpayer,’’ she said.

Kwiatkowski said Goodlatte is a career politician. She ceased supporting the incumbent a few elections ago, and said her disappointment in Goodlatte is that he has “he has continued down the career politician path he’s been on a for a long time.”

After her speech, Kwiatkowski said Goodlatte has not committed to debates between now and the June primary.

She said she continues to work the 6^th District. Weekly trips to both Roanoke and Lynchurg include campaign stops along the way.

Despite the odds, Kwiatkowski believes she can win in June.

“I actually believe we have the minds and hearts of the 6^th District,’’ she said when opening her speech Saturday morning.

Kwiatkowski served many years in the Air Force, eventually working in Pentagon in the office of the Secretary of Defense.

She holds a doctorate in world politics from Catholic University.

The monthly SWAC Political Breakfast offers a nonpartisan town hall format, said moderator Kurt Michael.

The breakfast provides a public forum for candidates, said Lynn Mitchell, the organizer of the breakfast.

Kwiatkowski’s opponent, Bob Goodlatte, will appear at the April 28 SWAC Political Breakfast.