PHIL BLACK RUNNING FOR JOE
WILSON'S SEAT
Veteran banker,
contractor, realtor, now congressional candidate says is it time to
get back to the basics.
By
Bill West
chroniclebill@yahoo.com
"I am running for the seat now held by career
politician, Joe Wilson, because I am afraid for the future of my
grandchildren."
Retired banker Phil Black of Lexington said he
is concerned about the current congressional leadership's role in
the direction of the economy of the country. "Is there anything less
ambitious than plans and programs to guarantee that our children and
grandchildren will live less well than we do?"
Black who retired after 26 years with the Small
Business Administration said, "We have been led by career
politicians to just follow the leader and take what is given. There
are no incentives for initiative or to follow the American dream."
The Lexington resident, graduated from the
University of Georgia, with a dream and an opportunity to live the
good life. "Now, as a father of four girls and a grandfather of six,
it's time to look to their futures. The career politicians are
definitely not".
Black recalls starting a hardware/building
supply store in Barnwell 37 years ago. "I sold my car for $5,000 and
used that money to open the store."
The store was profitable for 26 years but
thanks to CAFTA this was the first year we failed to show a profit.
Black remembers how the current congressman for
South Carolina District 2 cast the deciding vote on CAFTA (Central
America Fair Trade Agreement) at the midnight hour.
CAFTA was passed in late night voting in the US
Congress when South Carolina Congressman Joe Wilson (R-District 2)
changed his vote during the period of arm twisting by then President
George Bush. Wilson voted in favor of a bill he had repeatedly said
he was against.
The District 2 Congressman cast the deciding
vote that opened the flood gates of American textile jobs leaving
the state and nation. The loss of these jobs is directly tied to the
economic loss of thousands of jobs in District 2 that closed plants
particularly in Barnwell and Allendale Counties now considered by
many as ghost towns withering on the vine.
When you consider the job losses attributed to
CAFTA and NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) more than 3
million workers lost jobs and benefits. That's not to mention the
losses to the communities where those vacant plants sit as testimony
to a District Congressman's lack of concern for the welfare of those
he was sent to Washington to represent.
"It's not just unemployment - people not having
jobs, but remember idle plants don't use water and sewerage. The
Town of Barnwell alone no longer has the $800,000 annual fees from
these idle plants. When they went out of business, our water bill
doubled. Now Milliken is going to tear down a vacant plant so they
won't be paying property tax so the tax on the local businesses will
now be astronomical."
With no local employers, Black says his sales
have dropped while his overhead continues to skyrocket. "It's a no
win situation for a small business person."
"Allendale, the next county, has no jobs
basically; they are almost like a third world country. I read
recently a report that said almost 50% of their students are
pregnant."
Black predicted that Barnwell in another five
or six years will be in a similar situation.
"No employment, no income coming in, no way for
these people to make a living.The third generation begins to believe
the government is going to take care of them."
There is no immediate relief, according to the
candidate, "if and when industry comes back it's going to be
automated and we are not going to need the number of employees that
we've had in the past. So what's going to happen to these thousands
and thousands of kids that are coming out of school now with no
jobs?"
We are in a situation where we need to rethink
our economy. We need to go back to the basics of free enterprise."
Black said when elected he will only stay two
terms. "During those four years, I will keep my own insurance and
retirement program."
"I will also have a sign on my desk, reading:
"No lobbyist. I will talk with any company employees, but not one of
the 13,000 lobbyists who spend more that $40 million a year to
influence our elected leaders."
"Look at our current representative. Where does
his money come from? If someone gives you a $5,000 check, you have
to feel like they want something in return."
Black said he will spend his time campaigning,
"One on one."
"We must think of our children and
grandchildren, if we don't we may be forced to retire on less and
stop taking all those luxury trips to the doctor."
The proud grandfather said he is available to
discuss the issues with anyone. He can be reached at 803-629-4800.
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