Herman Cain visits Pella

Republican Presidentail Candidate Herman Cain was in Pella, Iowa on Monday June 6, 2011 (photo K.Allsup)

Pella, Iowa- Republican Presidential Candidate Herman Cain was in Pella Monday as a part of the Family Leader Presidential Lecture Series. Cain spoke on various different topics on why he was running for President. “One of the reasons that I am running for the President of the United States is that I believe that we have become a nation of crises,” Cain said.

Cain said that his reason in running came from his radio show. After he began his radio show, Cain said that he was forced to look more into the political issues. “It forced me to know too much how bad things are,” Cain said on his research into the issues. However, Cain said that the ultimate decision to run came through prayer, family discussions, and ultimately the signing of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. “The straw that broke the camel’s back, along with a lot of prayer, was the day President Obama signed Obamacare against the will of the American People.”

Cain also criticized Congress and President Obama for not working to solve our problems. “Let me ask you a rhetorical question. When was the  last time they [Congress] fixed something in DC?” Cain also talked about the state of social security and his experiences with it.”When I started out as a young man working my first job out of college, I could retire [with] full benefits on social security at age 65 and I could retire early at age 62. I started working my first real job when I was 22 years old. I am now 65. Early retirement age now for me is either 66 or 68. It’s like chasing a rabbit. Ain’t never gonna catch this rabbit. They keep moving it,” Cain said about Social Security.

After the event, Cain answered questions from Bob Vander Plaats and Chuck Hurley. Next month’s speaker will be former Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Newt Gingrich. That event will be held on July 11th at 1:30 PM in the Vermeer Auditorium at Pella Christian High School.