Newspaper Page Text
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 2008
THE BANKS COUNTY NEWS
PACE 11A
— Meet the Candidates —
Paul Broun, 10th Congressional District (incumbent) Barry Fleming, 10th Congressional District
Please summarize your
background.
My desire is to serve the peo
ple for positive change. My
service began as a volunteer
in the United States Marine
Corps. I also became a Navy
Medical Officer. A graduate of
UGA and the Medical College
of Georgia, I am a family phy
sician who has served patients
for 37 years. As far as I know, I
am Georgia’s only 100 percent
house-call doctor. I have also
served as a member of the St.
Mary’s Hospital Foundation Board and of its long-range
planning committee.
My first political service was as a volunteer advocate
for Safari Club International which promotes hunting
freedom and wildlife conservation. I am deeply com
mitted to the Second Amendment as I am an avid hunter
and sports shooter and a life member of both the NRA
and Gun Owners of America. Additionally, I am past
president of the Georgia Sport Shooting Association,
state-affiliate of the NRA and a member of the Athens
Rifle Club.
I have been married to my wife, Niki, for 23 years. I am
the proud father of two adult daughters and a teenage son
as well as the grandfather of two. Prince Avenue Baptist
in Athens is my church home.
How has your background prepared you for the seat
you are seeking?
Washington, D.C., has plenty of high-class, career poli
ticians, individuals who are more interested in rubbing
shoulders with the powerful than clasping hands with the
people. They are motivated by power and position instead
of principle and integrity. They are either unaware or
have quickly forgotten what it is like to run a business,
work the land, or raise a family on an average American
income. They are out of touch with the concerns and
interests of the people who they promised to represent.
That is not who I am.
I understand the struggles of farmers, the weight of the
regulatory burdens placed on physicians and business
owners, the passion of outdoorsmen, and the valor dis
played by those serving our country in uniform.
As a U.S. Marine and former Navy medical officer, I am
a stalwart patriot who supports our troops and their mis
sion. I understand the nature of our terrorist enemies and
terror-sponsoring states. As a physician, I am an advocate
for my patients. Now in Washington, D.C., I serve as an
advocate for you. Furthermore, I was a farmer in rural
south Georgia, a Navy Medical Officer; I am a U.S.
Marine, an outdoorsman, a pilot, a husband, a father and
a grandfather who is proud to be the U.S. Congressman
of Georgia’s 10th Congressional District.
Why are you the most qualified person for this posi
tion?
I remain faithful to the Constitution of the United
States, according to the original intent of our Founding
Fathers. I am explicitly conservative on fiscal and social
issues.
Since being elected in 2007,1 have the recognition and
praise of major conservative groups, such as American
Conservative Union for a 100 percent conservative vot
ing record. Family Research Council and Concerned
Women for America for my support of pro-life and pro-
family issues, and Americans for Better Immigration as
the nation’s #1 member of Congress for being tough on
illegal immigration. I am endorsed by Club for Growth
for my commitment to eliminating wasteful government
spending, the NRA for my stalwart support of the right to
keep and bear arms, and by the National Taxpayers Union
Foundation for my fight for low taxes.
What do you consider to be the key issues facing the
campaign? If elected, what would be your plans on
how to address these issues?
As a leader for Positive Change based on sound con
servative principles, I am working to end the culture of
corruption in Washington, D.C., control federal spend
ing, lower taxes, stop illegal immigration, and strengthen
national security.
The very first piece of legislation I introduced to the
House was my Sanctity of Human Life Act, legislation
which declares that life begins at fertilization. Georgia
Right to Life hails the Sanctity of Human Life Act as
the single most important piece of legislation before
Congress today. They have endorsed me for reelection.
I am working to stop the wild, spending spree that
Congress has been on. That is why I have taken a bold
pledge for the American taxpayers not to request or
accept earmarks until the earmarking process has been
reformed.
I am a co-sponsor of the FairTax. I believe adopting this
consumption-based tax system is the single most power
ful thing that America can do, not only to change the
federal government but to stimulate the economy.
I am working to secure the borders and to make
English the official language of the United States. In fact,
Americans for Better Immigration say there is no one in
Congress who has proven tougher on illegal immigra
tion.
What course would you like to see the country take
as it grows over the next decade?
I am a leader who is conservative on social issues, fiscal
issues and an advocate of American military superiority.
I am calling Republicans back to core values; fidelity to
the Constitution, limited government, individual free
dom and individual responsibility, lower taxes and fiscal
responsibility.
Please summarize your
background.
I am a lifelong resident of
the 10th Congressional District,
from Harlem in Columbia
County. I was first elect
ed to the Georgia House of
Representatives in 2002, where
I currently serve as Majority
Whip, the second highest-rank
ing position in the Republican
Caucus. During my time in
office, I have worked tirelessly
to pass legislation cutting down
the number of frivolous law
suits, enact eminent domain reform, crack down on sexual
predators, and stem the stream of illegal immigration to our
state. My wife, Paige, and I are blessed with one son, Zach.
We attend Harlem Baptist Church, where I have served as
chairman of the board of deacons and a member of the
finance committee.
How has your background prepared you for the seat
you are seeking?
I have a history of effective conservative leadership. In
1999, I was elected to the Columbia County Board of
Commissioners. For two years, I served as the commis
sion chairman. Then in November 2002, I was elected to
the Georgia House of Representatives. When Republicans
gained control of the House for the first time in over 130
years in 2004, my peers selected me as the Majority Whip.
I have used my time in the state House to pass over $2
billion in tax cuts, the toughest immigration law in the
country, protections on private property rights, tort reform
to crack down on frivolous lawsuits, and tough new laws
to crack down on sexual predators. I championed family
values legislation by ensuring our state held a referen
dum for a constitutional amendment regarding traditional
marriage - which two-thirds of Georgia voters wanted to
enact. I will take this effective conservative leadership to
Washington and will continue working for lower taxes and
limited government.
Why are you the most qualified person for this posi
tion?
I am the only person in this race with a proven track
record of passing common sense, conservative legisla
tion to help the area. Part of this common sense leader
ship includes understanding that the people of Northeast
Georgia come before the politics of Washington, D.C. For
example, our area is growing rapidly and our infrastructure
needs expanding. However, our current representative
has repeatedly refused requests to help with this expan
sion. My history in office proves that I can work with
both Republicans and Democrats in order to get important
issues to the forefront - whether in the majority or minor
ity.
What do you consider to be the key issues facing the
campaign? If elected, what would be your plans on how
to address these issues?
My top three priorities will be;
1. Energy Reform. We must end our dependence on for
eign oil, become more energy independent, and promote
nuclear power.
2. Tax Reform. I strongly support the Fair Tax. However,
until the Fair Tax is passed we must make the Bush tax cuts
permanent and promote economic growth through further
tax cuts.
3. Family Values. We must work to stop the erosion of
traditional family values, including protecting traditional
marriage, passing pro-life legislation, and protecting chil
dren from online predators.
What is the greatest challenge facing the person elect
ed to this position and how would you address it?
The cost of living is increasing exponentially these days.
There are facets of the population that are struggling more
and more to make ends meet. Gas prices are skyrocketing,
medicine is becoming unaffordable to even those who have
health insurance, and the cost of living increase for seniors
who live solely on Social Security benefits is minimal. In
the face of all of this, the Democratic Majority is raising
taxes as Congress continues to rapidly expand government
spending. The greatest challenge facing the representative
for the 10th Congressional District is how to reign in fur
ther entitlement expansions and cut wasteful government
spending. The fact is that we should not rely on our govern
ment to totally take care of the population. We must search
for alternative solutions so that those who truly need help
receive it without ensnaring a next generation to the over
promises with which we have saddled current taxpayers.
What course would you like to see the country take as
it grows over the next decade?
Firstly, we must implement a real energy policy that allows
for exploration of domestic resources while continuing to
develop alternative sources of fuel. One day, we will have
cars that run on other sources of energy. But until that time is
feasible, we must expand our energy supply with the sources
available to us domestically.
Secondly, we need to address the growing problem of Social
Security insolvency. In 2017 - a mere eleven years from today
- the Social Security program will begin to go bankrupt. Yet
we have promised seniors who have paid into the program
their entire working lives that this money will be available to
them. We must look into allowing younger workers to set up
personal accounts rather than continuing to place funds into a
shrinking general account that cannot fund itself anymore.
Finally, we must address the tax system. It’s a mess.
Problems such as the yearly scare over the Alternative
Minimum Tax are headaches that could be easily cured by
implementing a national sales tax - the Fair Tax. I am a strong
supporter of the Fair Tax and believe it is the best way to fix
the current system.
BANKS COUNTY
OFFICIAL ABSENTEE/PROVISIONAL/CHALLENGED BALLOT
OFFICIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY PRIMARY ELECTION BALLOT
OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA
JULY 15, 2008
PRECINCT
To vote, blacken the Oval (•) next to the candidate ot your choice, use only pen or pencil. If you spoil your ballot, do not erase, but ask for a new ballot.
•|untontert !*» «e offer or accoprance otmoney oreny o^otjeco<K, VM pan**!*,com,, fe,a,Canada Bsa. nr „
an act ot voter fraud and is a felony under Georgia law.'[OCGA 21-2-284(e) and 21-2-383{aj]
For United States Senate
(Vote for One)
O DALE CARDWELL
OVERNON JONES
O RAND KNIGHT
O JOSH LANIER
O JIM MARTIN
For Public Service
Commissioner
(To Succeed Angela Elizabeth Speir)
(Vote for One)
O BOB INDECH
O JIM POWELL
For U.S. Representative in>Tl lh
Congress From the 10 th
Congressional District of
Georgia
(Vote for One)
O BOBBY SAXON
For State Representative in the
General Assembly From
28 th District
(Vote for One)
For County Board of Education
Post 1
(Vote for One)
O JOHN (DAVID) KENNEDY
For County Board of Education
Post 2
(Vote for One)
O RON GARDINER
(Incumbent)
O JEANETTE JAMIESON
(Incumbent)
For Clerk of Superior Court
(Vote for One)
O TIM HARPER
(Incumbent)
For Tax Commissioner
(Vote for One)
O MARGARET H. AUSBURN
(Incumbent)
BANKS COUNTY
OFFICIAL ABSENTEE/PROVISIONAL/CHALLENGED BALLOT
OFFICIAL REPUBLICAN PARTY PRIMARY ELECTION BALLOT
' OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA
JULY 15, 2008
_ „ , PRECINCT L >
To vote, blacken the Oval (•) next to the candidate of your choice. Use only pen or pencil. If you spoil your ballot, do not erase, but ask for a new ballot.
an act of voter fraud and is a (etonv under Genmn Law • rnmA oi.o.orur a \ onw oi.o -seoz-tf
For United States Senate
(Vote for One)
OSAXBY CHAMBLISS
(Incumbent)
For District Attorney of the
Piedmont Judicial Circuit
(Vote for One)
O RICK BRIDGEMAN
For Public Service
Commissioner
(To Succeed H. Doug Everett)
(Vote for One)
(Incumbent)
o DONNA SIKES r—.
O RICK COLLUM
o BRAD SMITH \
O H. DOUG EVERETT
(Incumbent)
F«(r Sheriff
(Vdte foMSjne) \
For Public Service
Commissioner
(To Succeed Angela Elizabeth Speir)
(Vote for One)
O charl£wiapmai\ \
(Incumberi* \ \ '
-O carltonWbd \
O PAM DAVIDSON
\ \L *
CD LAUREN W. MCDONALD, JR. /
\ ForTax Commissioner
\\ / \( Vote ?°rOne)
NYdSECKY TAYLOR
For U.S. Representative/n 111 th
Congress From the/10 th
Congressional District of /"""
Georgia I /
(Vote for One) V_/
O PAUL BROUN
(Incumbent)
O BARRY FLEMING
—^ For Surveyor
\ (Vote for One)
CJ TIM LEWALLEN
/ For Coroner
/ (Vote for One)
/
' O HENRY galloway
For State Senator From s ~y
(Incumbent)
50 th District
(Vote for One)
O JIM BUTTERWORTH
For County Commission
Chairman, Post 1
(Vote for One)
O MILTON L DALTON
O TERRY ROGERS
O NANCY SCHAEFER
(Incumbent)
. O GENE HART
(Incumbent)
For County Board of Education
Post 1
(Vote for One)
O NEAL BROWN
(Incumbent)
For State Representative in the
General Assembly From
28 lh District
(Vote for One)
O MICHAEL HARDEN
For County Board of
Education
, Post 4
(Vote for One)
W. MARTIN
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