About Phil Black

Phillip H. Black of Lexington County is challenging incumbent congressman Joe Wilson for the privilege of representing the people of South Carolina Congressional District 2 in the June 12, 2012 GOP primary election. Black, a native of Barnwell and current resident of the Lake Murray area of Lexington County, is a retired employee of the Federal Small Business Administration and part owner of a Barnwell hardware store. Black is a former member of the Barnwell 45 and Lexington School District 1 board. He and his wife, Martha, are members of Lake Murray Baptist Church.

 

Phil Black filing to challenge incumbent Congressman Joe Wilson for the Republican nomination in the June 2, 2012 GOP primary election.

News Release


 

 

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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Phillip H. Black, P.O. Box 557 • Lexington, South Carolina 29071•

Email address: PhilBlackForCongress@yahoo.com

 

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