Joe Wilson

More than 100 residents filled a lecture hall at the University of South Carolina Beaufort on Wednesday to ask U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson questions about the economy, energy and politics.

Nick Kremydas of the S.C. Association of Realtors and Bill Bethea of the Jasper Ocean Terminal Joint Project Office joined the Republican at the town hall meeting.

Wilson was first elected to the House in 2001 to represent South Carolina’s 2nd Congressional District. He responded to questions about:

The economy: “I am very concerned about jobs,” Wilson said. “The high unemployment rate in the state simply has to be addressed.”

Wilson said lawmakers must provide incentives for businesses to create jobs in South Carolina and called for an independent study to investigate why the state has one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation.

Energy: Wilson said the United States should explore alternative energy sources. He supports deep-sea drilling for oil and natural gas. He said he supports drilling at least 20 miles off-shore, but that the beauty of the coast must be protected.

Wilson promised to oppose “cap-and-trade” laws to limit the United States’ carbon dioxide emissions, calling the proposal a national energy tax that would harm his constituents that commute to work.

Regulating the auto industry: Wilson said the federal government should not be involved.

“For the government to order the closing of dealerships, how could that be positive?” he asked. “I believe in a free market system and limited government.”

Claims by Nancy Pelosi: Wilson criticized House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s claims that the CIA misled her about whether waterboarding, a harsh interrogation technique, had been used against terrorism suspects. He said the comments could hurt the United States’ relationship with its allies.

By KATE CERVE
The Island Packet.com

“This has a chilling effect on the ability of intelligence agencies to