I have had several people confront me (some in an angry old man manner) about my postings about the Second District Congressional race. People have asked why are you defending Congressman Duncan as you have and as you continue to do so? I am glad to answer.

His opponent has changed his campaign tactics. His opponent began using code words to describe our Congressman as a part of the “ruling permanent political class”. The Congressman’s opponent began using the code words almost immediately after Eric Cantor’s loss in Virginia. There are a lot of things that can be said about Congressman Duncan, but “ruling permanent political class” aka The Kennedy’s, Bush’s, Clinton’s ain’t it.

No Congressman represents his constituents better than Jimmy Duncan. No one in the Second District is refused a meeting with the Congressman, when they ask for one. His staff has minimal turn over, because the staff from Washington to Knoxville to the field reps are all on the same page, the Congressman has instilled in his staff that the taxpayer of the Second District is BOSS.

We (others and myself) can agree or disagree with term limits and whether multiple years of service is too long or too short. The bottom line is that every two years, the citizens of the Second District have had options and each time they selected Congressman Duncan. Whether those options were Dudley Taylor, Environmental Activist Steven Smith, Dr. Bob Proffitt or as in 2006 now Farragut Mayor Ralph McGill. Each time, Congressman Duncan was elected. This year, he seeks to serve another two years, not four years, six years, eight years or ten. It is to serve through 2016.

While the public has a terrible taste for the current state of affairs in Washington. With a President out of touch with reality, using the pen of Executive Order to do whatever the hell he wants. With a Congress that is about as dysfunctional as the Kardashian family meets a Jerry Springer episode. Replacing Congressman Duncan with an unknown quantity is not the answer! Sending a guy into the dysfunctional entity that is Congress will do absolutely nothing but set our voice to the back row of the hall of Congress.

The main concern that I have is the total disregard for respect to Congressman Duncan as a Representative and total disregard for his lack of service. Whether it’s Congressman Duncan’s opponents aggressive campaign volunteers walking in parades ahead of their vehicle and right beside Congressman Duncan’s car to block the publics view of the Congressman or the opponents campaign volunteers placing their signs on property owned by the Congressman.

I realize that I am a three decade and counting political activist, I am old school in believing that you should give respect where it’s due. With Congressman Duncan respect is due and is NOT currently being given by his opponent and his opponents volunteers. When the candidate demonstrates respect, the volunteers follow. The tone of this website changed when the Congressman’s opponents campaign tone changed.

While I have known Jimmy Duncan through our (his and my) church family of Eastminister Presbyterian Church before he was ever a Congressman. I know that if Jimmy Duncan knew that I was writing this and planning to post it, he would say, Brian don’t do it, it’s ok. I would have to look at him and say Congressman I can not sit idly by and let this happen to you.

The Congressman has always stood with me and with you (reader), RESPECT is due the Congressman! He is not currently being treated right, by his opponent and opponents volunteers and it is now time for us to rally to and FOR Congressman Duncan.