There is a great level of frustration among the people with the government, U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter said Wednesday — a sentiment he has shared since his first day on the job.
        Carter held a town hall meeting at the Effingham College and Career Academy to discuss the House Repblicans’ plan “A Better Way,” which delves into replacing the Affordable Care Act, simplifying the tax code, reducing poverty and addressing national security, the economy and the Constitution.
        “There’s a lot of frustration,” Carter said of the feedback he is getting from 1st District constituents. “There’s no question about it, people are frustrated with Washington, D.C. They’re frustrated with the bureaucracy. They’re frustrated with the fact we just don’t seem to be meeting their needs and getting the job done.”
        With Congress in recess, Carter has held town halls across the district, extolling Speaker of House Paul Ryan’s “A Better Way” plan. Carter, who is in his first term in the U.S. House, said he is hearing concerns over national security and economy in his travels, and older constituents are worried about Social Security and Medicare.
        Carter said the rollout of “A Better Way” is going well as he makes his way across the 17 counties of the 1st District, which stretches from Ebenezer Road in Effingham to Lowndes County.
        “The initiatives we have are initiatives that came about as a result of the input of the constituents. It is very well received,” he said. “These are subjects people care about and they want to see addressed. People want government out of their life and out of their way and that’s what we try to do more of.”
        The Republicans have 247 seats in the U.S. House, out of a possible 435. The GOP has 54 seats in the Senate. Carter believes the Republicans will maintain its majority in the House, even if it loses a few seats, but the race for control in the Senate is much tighter, he said.
        With President Obama as a lame duck, the GOP may not be able to get much of its agenda pushed through. The presidential election could sway the Republicans’ fortunes, and Carter has announced his support for Republican nominee Donald Trump.
        “There are a lot of variables included,” Carter said, “but not only am I hopeful, I’m confident we’re going to be able to move this forward. It’s up to us to act on it and move it forward.”
        Though he at first had his misgivings about attending the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Carter said he enjoyed the four days, calling it one of the highlights of his 18 months so far in Congress.
        Carter said Trump’s tone and stance as an outsider is playing well to the electorate, and he agreed with the business tycoon that the political system needs repair.
        “I am excited,” he said. “We’ve got a businessman who understands what it’s like to sign the front of a paycheck. I think he will bring his business experience. We need someone who is not taking that Washington mentality and can come in shake things up. The system is broken and it needs to be shaken up and he can do that. I think it resonates heavily. People are frustrated. They want to see it shaken up. I was frustrated by mid-afternoon of the first day I got there.”