Congressman and Republican Deputy Whip Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield, talks about global business, healthcare and job creation with Paso Robles-based based software developer IQMS President Randy Flamm and Vice-President/Controller Nancy Flamm on Wedneday, Feb. 17. McCarthy learns about the latest technology being pursued by Paso Robles-based software developer IQMS. Bottom, McCarthy and IQMS employees following a question-and-answer session.

Congressman and House Chief Deputy Republican Whip Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield, visited Paso Robles-based software development company IQMS this week as part of a tour to hear from employees and company officials within the 22nd Congressional District about their concerns on upcoming jobs and health care bills.

Surrounded by more than an estimated 20 of the company's employees, McCarthy fielded questions ranging from the challenges of bipartisanship within Congress to how the federal government plans to address the ongoing healthcare debate in America.

During the tour, company officials led McCarthy through the various components of IQMS operations including manufacturing, where the congressman listened to IQMS President Randy Flamm, Vice-President/Controller Nancy Flamm and other company officials about the technologies being developed in the high-tech business, its position in the global marketplace and listening to employees’ concerns through a question-and-answer session.

IQMS, headquartered in Paso Robles since 1989, specializes in the design, development and support of software for the manufacturing industry and is located at 2231 Wisteria Road with a global presence and offices in Canada, United Kingdom, China and India. Flamm said that he had initially met the congressman at a dinner event hosted by the Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce but that he never really had the chance to hear his viewpoints on a variety of issues, several of which could have potential effects on the IQMS' ongoing success.

Wednesday morning's meeting was the chance for IQMS employees to do just that.

After listening to IQMS management about several of the issues pertinent to the company, an estimated 30-plus employees later gathered at an office space to hear the congressman's ideas on several topics including healthcare, competition in the global marketplace and the American ingenuity that drives wealth production through manufacturing.

"This country has become great by creating wealth," McCarthy said during a question-and-answer session with IQMS employees. "That means manufacturing; that means taking something from the land; that that means taking something from your brain and creating wealth and expanding it."

McCarthy said the country has endured a challenging recession and that "now is the time I think that you really have to work."

"If it was easy, anybody could do it," he said. "If it was easy, you wouldn't have to fight to make it happen. This is still the largest economy in the world. Remember, America, we have the greatest form of government," where citizens have the power to change things that they do not want or accept.

"But the other thing is, too, we're not a country that creates refugees, we're a country that accepts refugees. We have to remember who we are. We've been going through a hard time...but we should come out stronger. We should learn from our mistakes. That's why engaging in this process right now of ideas, to me, is possible."

McCarthy cited two big debates of the day...

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