DECATUR -- With the uncertainties facing the United States in the coming months, Decatur residents had the chance to ask questions of one of its Congressional representatives.
Representative Steve Womack, from the 3rd District, was in Decatur Jan. 21 to meet with area residents and to address their concerns about the present state of the country.
The Arkansas Congressman was in Decatur as part of his "Coffee with a Congressman" program, and it was held in the community room at Decatur City Hall. The event was hosted by the city of Decatur.
About 20 people attended the event, including Robert Clinard, Benton County judge, and Kevin Johnston, Gentry mayor.
Womack began the one-hour program by giving his own views on the state of the union.
"Things are kind of messy right now," Womack said. "Politics have a way of doing that."
He went on to address the question of who he would support in the upcoming election in November.
"I will support the Republican candidate, whoever that may be," said Womack. "The reason I will (support the Republican candidate) is because the ideology, bless their hearts, of the liberal mindset is killing our republic."
Womack warned that if we do not try to fix the current problems that plague our nation today, the future for the next generation will be very different than what we want for them.
"We have sent a message to future generations that it doesn't matter how hard you work, the risks that you take, the perseverance and hard work and all the things that go into the spoils of victory," Womack said. "Because the government is going to take it away from you and give it to the one that didn't do the things you did. That is a socialist model."
After the Congressman's introductory speech, it was time for the informal question-and-answer segment of the program. Several area residents asked Congressmen Womack about a wide range of topics from impeaching the president, to the deficit, to the Environmental Protection Agency involvement with water quality along the Illinois River
Just before the end of the program, Bob Tharp, Decatur's mayor, with the help of his granddaughters Emily and Afton, presented the Arkansas Representative with a model of a Little Debbie truck.
"I will put this in my display case in my office in Washington," Womack said.
Womack concluded the program with his ideas to put the United States back on the right track. He suggested using the same downsizing method that the Pentagon used to cut wasteful spending and get back on a budget.
Womack concluded his remarks on the subject by saying: "We need to look at every single organization and ask ourselves the question -- some of these things were created decades ago -- do we really need them? Let's tear down the size of government and put the private sector in charge. Let's let the country achieve the remarkable economic vitality that is penned up right now. Let's just get the government out of the way."
General News on 01/27/2016