Congressman John J. Duncan Jr., R-2nd District, thinks the average citizen parts with too much money toward taxes.

He is seeking re-election with that as one of his two main platforms.

Duncan said 40 percent of the average person’s income goes directly to the federal government.

“Most people don’t realize how much they pay in taxes,” he said.

He said most people only think of the money from their check that goes into Social Security, but forget that every gallon of gas and every pack of cigarettes is taxed too.

At the same time he said federal regulatory costs on everything from clothing to food increase the cost to consumers 10 percent. This 10 percent added to the real taxes of 40 percent equal half of the average person’s income.

“We need to leave a little more money in the pockets of the average consumer,” he said.

Fiscal conservatism were one of the many reasons Duncan voted against the War Powers Resolution authorizing President George W. Bush to use force against Iraq.

Citing the estimated cost between $100 billion and $200 billion for a war in Iraq and noting an estimated deficit of $165 billion for this fiscal year, Duncan said he could not vote with the majority of Congress.

“It is a traditional conservative position to not want the U.S. to be the policeman of the world,” he said. “It is another traditional conservative position to be against huge deficit spending.

“I am about as far as you can get from being a left-wing pacifist, but I do believe a country should never go to war unless there is no other reasonable alternative, unless it is absolutely necessary,” he said. “This is an unnecessary war.”

Duncan did vote for the first Gulf War, but said that the situation then was different.

“I voted for the first Gulf War in 1991 because Saddam Hussein had invaded Kuwait and most experts felt he would keep going unless stopped. However, we were told then how strong and powerful his forces were and heard much about the “Elite” Republican Guard.

“Now, almost every report says his military is less than half of what it was then. Iraq is no realistic threat to the U.S. especially hemmed in on both sides by the no-flight zones.”

Constituent service is Duncan’s other platform. He has helped get federal projects for his district including the widening U.S. Highway 411, a new bridge for Loudon County, local law enforcement grants and millions of dollars in airport funding.

Duncan got into politics because of his father, a former mayor and congressman.

“I had the most wonderful dad anyone could have,” he said. “I got interested in politics because I admired and respected my dad.”

Duncan majored in journalism at UT and worked at The Daily Beacon as an editor and columnist. He received his law degree from George Washington University National Law Center at Washington, D.C.

He is married to the former Lynn Hawkins of Sewanee, Tenn. They have four children and live in Knoxville.