U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) talks with some of his constituents in the barn area of Town and Country Days Monday. (Photo by Bruce Crawford)

U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) brought his “Rebuilding America” tour to Wetzel County Tuesday. First he visited the Wetzel County Courthouse where he met local leaders and residents and held an informal forum with them in the courtroom. The tour then stopped at Town and Country Days where he toured the fairgrounds and spoke with people there.

“This week I am talking about how we can rebuild America – and spur the type of job creation and economic growth that will create confidence in this country once again,” Senator Manchin said. “I don’t know how we’ve gotten to this point for a government to be so dysfunctional. We all love our politics, but there’s a time when we have to put that aside.”

“They’ve watched us almost fall off the cliff and then push each other off the cliff,” said Manchin of why businesses are currently afraid to invest money in American businesses. He added that too many people are concerned with the 2012 elections. “The next election will take care of itself,” he said. While he said the blame for the country’s financial shape goes back years, he did credit the Tea Party with rightfully raising awareness of the country’s debt. “Well I might not agree (with the Tea Party), but I certainly want to hear them,” said Manchin.

The senator said he voted for the current economic plan, the first measure of that nature he agreed with, because it was needed to avert a default and require a plan for $1.5 trillion in expense reductions by Thanksgiving. “The conditions are real,” said Manchin. The cuts must be made one way or another, so those commissioned to make the decisions and present a plan had better get the work done in time.

He believes West Virginia can be looked to as an example on how to cut government spending and run in a more efficient way. “We did it in a compassionate way,” said Manchin. “It worked here. I always say, ‘If it can work in West Virginia, it can work anywhere.'”

“I am frustrated,” said Manchin. “But I’m not discouraged. I think we can rise above this.”

The U.S. Senator also touched on the locally important issues of Marcellus Shale, coal, and drug abuse.