MONROE - Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson called for a stronger military presence in the Middle East at a roundtable discussion of national security and veterans issues with community members Thursday.
Johnson met with 14 members of the Green County community, including District Attorney Gary Luhman and Sheriff Mark Rohloff, at the Super 8 hotel in Monroe.
The meeting was part of Johnson's campaign kickoff tour throughout Wisconsin as he runs for re-election in November.
Although the discussion primarily focused on foreign military affairs and immigration, Johnson opened it with comments about how artificially inflated bank interest rates disproportionately affect retirees in order to provide more revenue to the federal government.
"Economic security is national security," Johnson said and later added that the nation should address the economy so it can afford to be strong militarily.
Johnson then explained his position on foreign policy, saying that "what the world is hungering for is American leadership." Dissatisfied with President Barack Obama's handling of the Iraq War, Johnson criticized the president's failure to leave behind a stabilizing presence in Iraq after he withdrew troops from the region.
Furthermore, Johnson argued that Obama's involvement in the deposition of heads of state such as Libya's Muammar al-Gaddafi and his opposition to Syrian president Bashar al-Assad further destabilize regions and allow extremist groups to prosper in the resulting chaos.
Johnson called for a strong military presence to restore stability to the region. He recommended strengthening NATO and increasing the military commitments required for member states.
Johnson also addressed ongoing concerns about Islamic State-sponsored terrorism across the globe. In January, he said, a man with admitted IS ties was arrested for planning an attack on a Masonic temple in Milwaukee.
"Think of the D.C. sniper," Johnson said, referring to the Beltway sniper who killed 10 people in Washington, D.C. in 2002. "Imagine what 12 of them across the country could do."
Johnson then segued into a discussion about immigration reform, starting with what he called the "number one cause" for illegal immigration: America's dependence on drugs.
The prevalence of illegal drugs throughout America gives power to drug cartels, which Johnson called "the most evil people on the planet." Johnson said the average age at which Americans first experiment with drug use is between 11 and 12 years old.
Johnson said fighting drug abuse could only succeed with a long, concerted effort to raise awareness of the "harsh realities" and consequences of drug use.
In addition to removing the influence of drugs, Johnson recommended a reformed guest work program that could be enacted state-by-state, offering temporary but legal opportunities for migrants to work in America before returning home. Johnson said Central American nations like Guatemala, despite how they are often perceived, "aren't warzones," although he acknowledged their generally higher murder rates and the presence of drug cartels destroying public institutions and blackmailing law enforcement.
Referencing Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's plan to build a wall across America's southern border, Johnson said he doesn't think a 1,700-mile-long wall is necessary, but a significant increase in border security is.
On a related note, Johnson issued a statement clarifying his support for the Republican presidential nominee. "(Johnson) intends to support the Republican nominee because Hillary Clinton would be a disaster as president," the statement read. As of Wednesday, Trump's final Republican opponent, John Kasich, suspended his campaign, leaving Trump the presumptive nominee.
Although Johnson did not speak extensively on his plans for veteran care reform, he did mention his involvement in the resignation of Richard Griffin, acting inspector general of the Veteran's Affairs Administration following an investigation into malpractice at the VA Medical Center in Tomah.
Johnson is running for re-election this November. Opposing him is former U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, who Johnson beat in 2010.
"There's a clear difference between the two of us," Johnson said. "He's a career politician.
"I announced my campaign on the floor of my plant," he said. "He announced his over the phone."
Johnson met with 14 members of the Green County community, including District Attorney Gary Luhman and Sheriff Mark Rohloff, at the Super 8 hotel in Monroe.
The meeting was part of Johnson's campaign kickoff tour throughout Wisconsin as he runs for re-election in November.
Although the discussion primarily focused on foreign military affairs and immigration, Johnson opened it with comments about how artificially inflated bank interest rates disproportionately affect retirees in order to provide more revenue to the federal government.
"Economic security is national security," Johnson said and later added that the nation should address the economy so it can afford to be strong militarily.
Johnson then explained his position on foreign policy, saying that "what the world is hungering for is American leadership." Dissatisfied with President Barack Obama's handling of the Iraq War, Johnson criticized the president's failure to leave behind a stabilizing presence in Iraq after he withdrew troops from the region.
Furthermore, Johnson argued that Obama's involvement in the deposition of heads of state such as Libya's Muammar al-Gaddafi and his opposition to Syrian president Bashar al-Assad further destabilize regions and allow extremist groups to prosper in the resulting chaos.
Johnson called for a strong military presence to restore stability to the region. He recommended strengthening NATO and increasing the military commitments required for member states.
Johnson also addressed ongoing concerns about Islamic State-sponsored terrorism across the globe. In January, he said, a man with admitted IS ties was arrested for planning an attack on a Masonic temple in Milwaukee.
"Think of the D.C. sniper," Johnson said, referring to the Beltway sniper who killed 10 people in Washington, D.C. in 2002. "Imagine what 12 of them across the country could do."
Johnson then segued into a discussion about immigration reform, starting with what he called the "number one cause" for illegal immigration: America's dependence on drugs.
The prevalence of illegal drugs throughout America gives power to drug cartels, which Johnson called "the most evil people on the planet." Johnson said the average age at which Americans first experiment with drug use is between 11 and 12 years old.
Johnson said fighting drug abuse could only succeed with a long, concerted effort to raise awareness of the "harsh realities" and consequences of drug use.
In addition to removing the influence of drugs, Johnson recommended a reformed guest work program that could be enacted state-by-state, offering temporary but legal opportunities for migrants to work in America before returning home. Johnson said Central American nations like Guatemala, despite how they are often perceived, "aren't warzones," although he acknowledged their generally higher murder rates and the presence of drug cartels destroying public institutions and blackmailing law enforcement.
Referencing Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's plan to build a wall across America's southern border, Johnson said he doesn't think a 1,700-mile-long wall is necessary, but a significant increase in border security is.
On a related note, Johnson issued a statement clarifying his support for the Republican presidential nominee. "(Johnson) intends to support the Republican nominee because Hillary Clinton would be a disaster as president," the statement read. As of Wednesday, Trump's final Republican opponent, John Kasich, suspended his campaign, leaving Trump the presumptive nominee.
Although Johnson did not speak extensively on his plans for veteran care reform, he did mention his involvement in the resignation of Richard Griffin, acting inspector general of the Veteran's Affairs Administration following an investigation into malpractice at the VA Medical Center in Tomah.
Johnson is running for re-election this November. Opposing him is former U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, who Johnson beat in 2010.
"There's a clear difference between the two of us," Johnson said. "He's a career politician.
"I announced my campaign on the floor of my plant," he said. "He announced his over the phone."