Jim DeMint

Absolutely not. We cannot shut the government down, regardless of what happens here.

Certainly, the Federal Government needs to be an example everywhere we can.

If school is not full speed in the fall, a lot of folks will have to deal with childcare they otherwise wouldn't.

Voting by proxy, is this what was intended by the Founders, the Framers of our Constitution?

We cannot keep our country shut down. It's affecting people emotionally, as well as financially.

Well, Anderson, this issue is much bigger than North Korea. We're now living in a world we've got to understand that North Korea is going to have nuclear weapons.

We've got to determine what we're going to do about it. A missile defense is going to be a key.

President Trump's comments is not a real issue here. President Obama tried for eight years, speaking in very conciliatory, soft tones and we see where that ended up.

To paraphrase Ambassador Ryan Crocker, we need to be in the business of risk management, not risk avoidance.

His proposal was so outlandish, I don't think we should go back to the table until he puts something there that we can work with.

I would just hope the industry could have some kind of a good housekeeping seal that was on every contract, that if something goes wrong there was someone to call, and if that seal is not there you should not move with them.

What we need to know is what we can do about the problems. I have gotten a sense from what has been said today that this is not a matter of us needing more laws, but more enforcement of our laws.

It would seem like on every contract, whether you are a broker or a mover actually with the trucks, that it should have a number to call if there is a problem.

I think Senator DeMint had a really interesting concept.

If a consumer finds herself in the trouble that Ms. Kovalcik did, how do they know who to call for help to get their goods released?

I think this is a system that has to work quickly. Because if you are in a house with no furniture and a new job, you are likely to pay the ransom in order to get your furniture.

Three percent, about half the whole sales tax in South Carolina just to collect it.

I've had a chance to work with a lot of retail businesses. I've been in the marketing business most of my life.

But isn't that putting them at a disadvantage? They're actually paying more tax now than brick and mortars.

I certainly plan to oppose it, and I would encourage all of you to think.

So they'll have to bill that cost into the cost of their product.

We are particularly appreciative of Senator DeMint's efforts to begin the dialogue on the role that government should play in the television marketplace.

I am convinced if we kept talking, that you would convince yourselves that this free market approach is the best approach.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for holding this important hearing and for your continued interest in the video market.