Congressman Duncan Speaks at ETEDA Luncheon
Monday February 08, 2010
Duncan talks economy, environment, and 'celebrity politics'
Knoxville-area Congressman John Duncan applauded what he considers a new American focus on fiscal conservatism to a crowd of East Tennessee economic leaders Friday.
Speaking to the East Tennessee Economic Development Agency, Duncan told the crowd he's not sure how much of an impact the stimulus has had on the American economy, but he is positive it has not created the same amount of jobs as the money spent could have done in the private sector.
"It's confusing because everyday you'll read something hopeful about the economy, and the next day you'll read something bad about the economy. I don't have a crystal ball to predict," Duncan said. "I think it's sad because if we were doing the right things, decreasing regulation and taxes, the country could be booming and doing much better with this."
Duncan said specifically, he believes if the United States would increase domestic oil production, it would force OPEC nations to lower their prices and could have a dramatic effect on the American economy.
"The least economical, least effective way you can spend any money is to turn it over to the federal government," Duncan said.
Unemployment figures released Friday give the impression the job market is getting better, January's unemployment rate dropped to 9.7 percent. Still, Duncan said he's growing more concerned about underemployment.
"Most of your nice restaurants have college graduates working as waiters and waitresses and that's honorable employment, but that's not the employment they dreamed about when they went to college," he said.
Duncan went on to say he believed the cap and trade legislation that is being considered is along the lines of socialism. While many in Washington D.C. feel the legislation will spur green jobs and environmental responsibility, Duncan says the regulation would force smaller companies out of business because they may not be able to afford increased technology.
The congressman applauded what he sees as an increase of Americans who care about fiscal responsibility and said while he won't be attending this weekend's tea party in Nashville (he wasn't invited), he does support many of the ideas the group stands for.
Finally, Duncan closed with questions about what is garnering country's attention in Washington. He says the age of celebrity politics is still in full force and worries the nation's attention is turned away from drier subjects like fiscal matters and instead focused on celebrity.
"We live in a celebrity age," he said. "President Obama's people believe is much more popular than he really is."
Source: WBIR
Allen Neel, ETEDA; Greg Fay, Clinton Utilities Board; Congressman John J. Duncan Jr., John McKittrick, ORNL Federal Credit Union
