I was misquoted here though, I did not say outsourcing was the cause of the financial crisis’s, I said it was yet another attack on the American middle class.

Economic crisis dominates 16th Congressional District candidates forum


The four candidates for the 16th Congressional District seat focused on the economic crisis during a forum Tuesday night.

Independent John A. Murphy, 62, of East Fallowfield Township, Chester County, said the problem that needs to be addressed is the cause of the crisis - allowing corporations free reign.

"That's what's given birth to this," he said during the forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters on Berks Community Television. "This is going to keep recurring and recurring."

He congratulated Republican Rep. Joseph R. Pitts for voting against the proposed $700 billion bailout Monday and urged him to never vote to bail out the irresponsible executives in the financial industry.

Pitts, 68, of Kennett Square, Chester County, is seeking a seventh term in the House district, which comprises Lancaster County, southern Chester County and part of southwestern Berks County.

Pitts said he believes there are good free-market alternatives to the $700 billion proposal to bail out Wall Street.

He also predicted Congress will approve a plan by the end of the week.

Democrat Bruce A. Slater, 52, a self-employed restoration contractor from Salisbury Township, Lancaster County, said Pitts was among the House members who deregulated the banking industry.

"This happened on his watch," Slater said. "It's very important that we hold our congressmen and senators responsible for what's going on."

Constitutional Party candidate Daniel Frank, 48, an information technology specialist from Ephrata, said Congress created the problems by passing laws that send jobs overseas and bring in foreign workers.

"This Congress has really burdened the American people," he said.

Pitts was the only one of the four to defend current trade laws.

"It has been a producer of a lot of jobs in the United States," he said. "I think free and fair trade is a good thing."

"Tell that to the workers at Hershey who are losing their jobs to Mexico," Slater said.

Frank said he spoke to a 50-year-old woman recently who lost her job because of the North American Free Trade Agreement.

"I didn't have the heart to tell her Mr. Pitts doesn't understand," he said.

The only people who support NAFTA are the politicians backed by corporations, Murphy said.

In closing, Frank flashed a copy of the Constitution.

"I am not beholden to any political party," he said. "I would be beholden to my oath of office. ... I will take this document extremely seriously, never vote against this document."

Slater said the district has been represented too long by a career politician who listens to corporate contributors.

"I would represent the people of the district first," he said.

Murphy said both major parties are corporate-owned.

"I take no corporate money," he said. " I take no special-interest money. I will not be owned."

Pitts said he was offended by some of the comments.

"My vote is not for sale," he said. "I vote for the welfare of my constituents."

House members serve two year terms. The annual salary is $169,300, with an expected cost of living increase Jan. 1.