To my fellow Georgians:
I ask that you prayerfully consider my candidacy as your representative to the Georgia Legislature. While I do not pretend to have the answers to all of the questions which concern us today, my desire is to listen to you and to pool your ideas and resources together to seek solutions to our common problems and concerns. Below are some of the issues that I believe are important to our community and region which I would like to present to you as my platform:
Issues which affect each of us:
- Taxes – We need to reduce taxes which will help to stimulate growth in the economy.
- Economic Development – We need to encourage more growth in our region. We need to receive our fair portion of the state's resources to support Northwest Georgia. Northwest Georgia is and should be the industrial heart of our state. We produce and provide the greatest industrial opportunities to our state.
- Education –
- College – I believe that we need to consider a Northwest Georgia Regional University to serve the people of our region and to support our industries. We should continue to grow our opportunities at Northwestern Technical College and Dalton State College, and we should look at strengthening and encouraging our Adult Literacy Program and the G.E.D. programs in our region.
- K-12 – I believe that teacher's salaries should be competitive with our nation; our students should be given the resources to compete with the best students in the nation and world. My wife has taught in the Georgia Public School System at Crawford County Schools in the 1980's and at Valley Point Elementary in the 1990's, and we had to pay for both basic supplies and any materials to enrich her students' experience. Georgia has done better in recent years, but we can do more.
- Our local school boards and not Washington or Atlanta can best decide how to meet the needs of their students and faculty. I believe that we need to continue to promote and support laws which support the autonomy of the local school systems and recognize the merit of diversity within the teaching profession.
- Transportation – I believe that we need to promote regional planning and development and that the Northwest Georgia Region should have its fair share of funding for road improvements and development and it is not all spent on Atlanta.
- Immigration – I believe that we need to support laws which protect Georgia's legal residents and which will help stop illegal immigration.
- Crime – I support laws which are tough on crime and which will truly make a difference in both the punishment meted and the rehabilitation efforts made, and which will promote and strengthen restitution laws and enforcement of restitution for victims of crimes.
- Law Enforcement – I support laws which protect and provide for our police officers.
- Fire and Emergency – I support laws which protect and provide for our emergency responders.
- Health Care and Insurance – I believe that we need affordable health care through a private/free market approach and not government health care, but we need to help get the uninsured insured by providing incentives for small businesses and individuals who provide insurance for their employees. I believe we should provide incentives for physicians and health care providers who serve patients and plans. I believe we should also provide incentives for insurance companies to pool with small businesses and reduce insurance rates. I believe that we need to protect the elderly from rising insurance premiums and prescription drugs costs, and I would support legislation and programs which will address these needs.
- I believe that we need to be able to work with others in the legislative process. I was once told that you catch more flies with molasses than vinegar, and while sometimes vinegar is called for when standing on fundamental principles of liberty and justice, we need to employ some diplomacy and negotiations to ensure fairness and equal access to government for the people of Northwest Georgia. I plan to follow these principles in working with our Governor or Speaker or others to serve in the interest of the people of our region.
- Pro life – I support laws which protect the sanctity of human life.
- I support the Second Amendment and gun owner's property rights.
- I believe that we need a comprehensive and fluid plan for water conservation.
- I believe that we need a comprehensive and forward thinking plan to protect and preserve our local, state and national parks and natural resources and to promote and protect historical landmarks and treasures.
- I believe that a comprehensive plan to promote tourism in our region with our rich history and landmarks in Native American, Railroad, Pioneer, and Civil War attractions will both enrich our lives as citizens of this region and will stimulate the economy as well as give our economy more diversity and versatility to withstand market and economic changes.
- I believe that we need a comprehensive plan to promote music, visual arts, performing arts, and cultural events to enrich the life and experience of our people and encourage tourism.
- I believe we need to aggressively look at alternative fuel sources and consider a wide range of options for our school and government buildings to manage the rising energy costs which has strangled our local school districts and city and county governments.
- I believe we should look at reducing the gas tax and press the federal government for measures which will address our national fuel crisis.
- Transparency – We must have a government that is transparent, that is open, and that is just for all people.
- Accountability – Perhaps the most important of all of these issues, I believe that America is a gift to us from God in which He has blessed us with the opportunity of self government in a free society. We must always be on guard to ensure that its leaders are accountable to us. I pledge to do my best to serve you and I will be accountable to you for my actions and efforts to represent you.
May God bless America, may God bless Georgia, and may God bless our homes,