Dr. Terry G. Green of Mountain Home, who is one of six Democrats running for Congress in the First District, is an orthopedic surgeon who has practiced medicine in Mountain Home since 1972.
He was born and raised in Dewitt (Arkansas County). He served six years in the Marine Corps Reserves. He has degrees from the University of Arkansas and from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
Dr. Green is married and has four grown children and two grandchildren.
He said he wants to bring a fresh voice to Congress, reduce government waste and protect the environment.
Why are you running for Congress?
I sincerely want to be a member of U. S. Congress because of inspiration, honor, correction of wrongs and sim plification of laws. I would like to help change the way many things are handled.
How has your background prepared you to run for Congress?
I’ve lived in Arkansas for 63 years and have worked in Arkansas for just about that long. I understand District 1. I was born and raised in Arkansas County, and I presently live in Baxter County. I am a small business owner, and I know the ins and outs of health-care, both as a patient and as a doctor. I have life and work experiences.
Why are you a Democrat?
The Democrats are more likely to help the average worker. Democrats are less robotic than Republicans.
How would you have voted on the health-care bill?
We need change, but this bill is too complicated. Government does not need to mandate our health-care. If government is going to use taxpayers’ money to cover the poor, retired, disabled, veterans, prisoners, etc., they need to provide an option to the working taxpayer.
What can we do about health care?
Decades ago, our lawmakers felt that grandma deserved to get her hip fixed and her pneumonia treated with the taxpayers’ help. Later, our lawmakers decided to expand help to the poor. Then, they decided not just to help but essentially relieve the retired and poor of almost any financial responsibility. From there they expanded the socialist program of government-sponsored health care to include nursing-home care, home-health care, chiropractic care and motorized scooters. What started as help for basic care expanded to what is now out of control.
Current bureaucrats cannot deliver to the populace the generous help they promised. Further-more, the federal bureaucracy promised all to everyone except those who deserve it the most – the worker. Our government now encourages persons not to work. If you do work, you may lose your benefits, i.e. Medicaid, Medicare or free drugs.
How things have changed. The government payment for a back brace exceeds that for lumbar discectomy.
The overall cost of care has increased far beyond what a worker can pay. But never mind, the government-covered patient does not care since the money does not come out of his pocket. My promise is that if the government wants to help with health-care payment, it should do it for those who deserve it the most – the worker. Yes, a government system may collapse under its own weight. It seems like we will have to go through all that pain before government bureaucrats understand that there needs to be a sensible reorganization of the system.
What kind of legislation would you support in Congress?
Medicare-type coverage for those who choose. Private insurance for those who prefer it.
When it comes to health-care costs and taxes, what can we do to lessen the
burden on individuals and small businesses?
Levelize taxes; tax earned income at no greater rate than capital gains or dividend income.
How do we restart the economy?
Support the small business owner and encourage one to start his or her own business. Do not wait on publicly-traded corporations to come through with a job for you.
Who is supporting your candidacy?
The doctors. The Arkansas Medical Society. My family. My patients. Anyone who knows me well. The common working taxpayers. University students. Military and Marine Corps veterans.
What makes you different from the Democratic and Republican candidates?
I’m not a career politician. I’m your average working man.
How will you help Arkansas if you're elected to Congress?
I would support local Arkansas schools and oppose school consolidation, thus encouraging a more desirable student/teacher ratio. I would support appropriate disciplining in Arkansas schools. Schools should encourage entrepreneurship in students and instruct them that it is not necessary to go to another state for work after graduation. Overall, I would be a cheerleader for
Arkansas advocating on behalf of Arkansans.
What does your family think about your running for office?
They are extremely supportive and have been loyal campaigners. They can vouch for my character and believe I’m the most “real” candidate.
What drives your campaign?
Freedom – the gradual loss of personal freedoms is scary. The citizen does not see it until it is too late. We are headed toward a total-control state.
We need to allow the practice of religion in our schools, not dictated by the school, but allow students to believe and worship as they want. Fundamental tenants of behavior should be taught.
Terrorists should be treated harshly. Punishment should be appropriate and fast. How many 9/11’s is it going to take to get the country mobilized?
I see the federal government and our current leaders breaking their legs trying to get money relief to Wall Street. I see a sluggish leadership when it comes to helping the ordinary man. I will make sure the brethren of plutocrats do not get better treatment than the working man.
I want to see the basic doctrine of good government, “For the people and by the people.” I want everyone to have the old-fashioned, warm and comfortable belief that our leaders are doing what is best for us all.
I believe we have too many laws. Some laws should be repealed. It is likely I will oppose most legislation, rather than propose more legislation. A country whose laws are too voluminous and confusing for the common person to understand is a lawless country.