David Cappiello Speaks With NHS Students

By Eliza Hallabeck

As the third local representative to visit Newtown High School, David Cappiello, the Fifth District Republican nominee for Congress, greeted questions from students about local and national politics on Thursday, October 30.

The first topic Mr Cappiello discussed was accountability for public officials. He brought up an unnamed Republican, from years ago, who was accepting gifts for his private home through his public office position.

“That is simply unacceptable for a government official to be taking those gifts,” said Mr Cappiello.

Another example of corruption in politics, he said, is last year the senate party leader pleaded guilty to asking a mob boss to beat up a family member.

“There’s a congressman right now in Washington, D.C., who was found to have $90,000 of bribe money in his refrigerator,” said Mr Cappiello. “You really need to listen to what people are saying when they are running for office.”

He said voting someone into office should be based on what they do and what they say.

“I’m so worried about the direction this country is headed in,” said Mr Cappiello. He told the audience that he has two young sons, and their futures will be defined by the problems facing the country now.

The bailout plan as passed by Congress last month to help the economy “put onto your heads $23 billion that you owe the federal government right now,” Mr Cappiello said to the students.

A student in the audience asked Mr Cappiello what he would do to help the financial situation in the country.

“First thing I would have done was tell my president and party leaders that I wouldn’t vote for any bill that big in a matter of days,” said Mr Cappiello.

Another student asked Mr Cappiello his opinion on the presidential candidates.

“I do support McCain,” said Mr Cappiello in regard to Senator John McCain, the Republican presidential nominee, “although I do not believe in everything he stands for.”

He said he does not believe people are fair when they criticize Senator McCain for being old, because “two of the greatest [presidents], in my opinion, were Franklin D. Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan.”

Buzz words, like change, that are used during political campaigns should be looked past, he said. Mr Cappiello said words like “change” need to be backed up by the person who is using them in their campaign.

“You can’t stand up and say you are for change unless you reach across the aisle,” said Mr Cappiello. 

Looking beyond buzzwords like “change,” is necessary, according to Mr Cappiello, adding, “Change isn’t necessarily always a good thing.”

After speaking with the students, Mr Cappiello said he was impressed by them. He was scheduled to speak at another high school minutes after he finished at NHS.

“I thought they were great,” said Mr Cappiello. “A lot of really great questions.”

Mr Cappiello said he likes to speak at high schools because having students learn about politics is a good thing, whether they can vote or not.

“Just to get them engaged and know that there are people out there that care is important,” said Mr Cappiello.