By Haley Mitchell Godwin

Congressman Barry Moore engaged in candid conversations with constituents during two public events held Aug. 23. “Coffee with Congressman Moore” took place at Old Gin Creek in Brantley from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and “Conversations with Congressman Moore” was held at Lurleen B. Wallace Community College from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The gatherings provided a platform for constituents to engage in thoughtful discussions, share concerns, and forge connections with their elected representative.

Around 30 community members attended the gathering in Brantley, including several Brantley High School seniors. Moore expressed his gratitude for the presence of the attendees, noting Crenshaw County’s consistent turnout.
During the discussions, Moore emphasized his commitment to addressing the challenges facing the nation, especially for the sake of future generations. Drawing inspiration from President John F. Kennedy’s iconic words, he encouraged everyone to contribute to the betterment of the country.

“Our nation is in a mess right now and we want to right the ship for our youth and for future generations,” Moore said. “It is going to take a lot of work and a different mindset. Much like Kennedy said ‘Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country,’ to help right this ship.”

Moore provided insights into his personal journey, expressing his surprise at finding himself in Congress.
“You just never know where your path in life will take you,” he said. He encouraged the audience to always choose the path of integrity and faith, citing Psalms 119:105.

Representing 15 counties with around 720,000 residents, Moore assured his constituents that he stands as their advocate in Washington, D.C. He discussed a range of pressing issues, including fentanyl-related deaths among youth, border security concerns, inflation, government spending, national debt, energy policies, minimum wage, international relations, military matters, and more.

Providing an update on his legislative endeavors, Moore emphasized the significance of the current in-progress farm bill and his role on the Agriculture Committee. Recognizing his district as the second-largest peanut producer in the nation, Moore noted the importance of common-sense policies and increased reference prices for sustainable farming practices.

He shared that the farm bill plays a crucial role in supporting agriculture and rural communities and mentioned securing funds for broadband expansion in the area, a vital requirement exposed during the pandemic.

Throughout the conversations, Moore’s dedication to his constituents was evident. He exhibited a strong grasp of pressing issues, such as the monetary implications of government spending and its connection to inflation. He acknowledged the concerns of business owners, like owner of Old Gin Creek Hunter Royal, who expressed apprehension over inflation and government spending.

Troy Brannon of Brantley raised concerns about food security and national defense strategies. Moore echoed these concerns, emphasizing the interconnectedness of food security and national security.

“Food security is definitely a part of national security,” Moore said. “We don’t want China buying American land anymore because they’re buying up thousands of acres. We’ve just kind of we’ve crippled our own industries in a lot of ways with energy policies and that has been hard on agriculture. We shut down the Keystone pipeline and then we started begging OPEC to be friends with us. China just passed us in Navy ships and while they are testing hypersonic missiles, we are testing transgender ideas that really have nothing to do with national security…So, we have a lot of issues including food security and we are in that fight with the farm bill.”

In a response to Brantley High School senior Kenya Clayton who asked if inflation would ever decrease, Moore emphasized the importance of fiscal responsibility to combat inflation and ensure economic stability.

“The only thing on planet earth that creates inflation is the government,” Moore said. “So as the government prints money, it takes your dollars down in value. Couple that with COVID supply chain issues and it really complicates things for everyday Americans because those goods are now being competed for and with many more dollars in circulation it takes so many more dollars to purchase that jug of milk or loaf of bread. We can only see inflation fixed if the government stops spending money. Our spending levels right now are the highest since World War Two and our credit just got downgraded. So now the interest on the debt is now going to be higher. We have to get a handle on this and hopefully, we’ll do our part, but it’s not going to happen overnight.”

As the events concluded, Moore reiterated his dedication to staying connected with his constituents and their concerns. He emphasized his commitment to addressing the nation’s pressing issues and working toward a more prosperous and secure future for all Americans.