Congressman Mike McIntyre visits UNCP

By Chris Nicolini
Editor

Congressman Mike McIntyre met with members of the Young Democrats of UNCP on Oct. 11.

McIntyre, who is up for reelection on Nov. 2, spoke about his role in Washington and his “20-point plan” to financially revitalize the southeastern portion of North Carolina.

Speaking to UNCP students just moments after the passing of the tobacco buy-out bill, a bill he first introduced in the house three years ago, McIntyre seemed proud that $4 billion would soon be handed out in aid to North Carolina tobacco farmers. McIntyre serves on both the Agriculture and Armed Services Committees.

“This (the tobacco buyout) alone would mean up to $4 billion in the North Carolina economy, and that money should get turned over six or seven times, a ripple effect,” McIntyre said. “So it helps not only the farmers and their families, but with this turnover many times that money is spent in retail businesses.”

However, when McIntyre opened up the floor for some questions, the students and Young Democrats in attendance cared less about the tobacco buyout and asked more about the issue of gay marriage and civil unions. Four of the five questions asked by students concerned these issues.

McIntyre supports the Marriage Protection Amendment, a viewpoint that angered some Young Democrats. The Marriage Protection Amendment would limit marriage to the union between a man and a woman.

“Since a handful of judges decided that they would redefine marriage, I felt it was important that judges don’t legislate, and that you have to have respect for the three branches of government,” McIntyre said.