Hall County GOP Chairman Blog

We had a good turnout at the 8-9-08 Conservative Forum where Rep. Doug Collins was the featured speaker. Doug is heading to Iraq as an Air Force Chaplin. Our prayers go out to him for taking The Lord to that country and coming back home safe. Doug gave a rousing talk about duty, honor, and County (my words not his). Doug also expressed the need for our party to constantly change to get better and move forward.

Sen. Hawkins, Rep. Mills, and Rep. Rogers all discussed legislative issues. Carl reported that Diversion Center will be converted to a “day reporting” facility not closed as previously reported. James talked aoubt the need for poof of citizenship to register to vote. Currently no birth certificate is required to register. No telling how many fraudulent voters we have recently registered in Georgia. You have to show you birth certificate to play soccer with other kids–I don’t think showing the certificate to vote is such a big deal (unless you are a fraud of course).  James also talked about the need to collect money from deadbeat homeowners who seem to have been able to keep $8M.

Calendar of Events:  Lee Hawkins Fundraiser 5:30 PM on August 21, 2008 at Milton Robson’s “Garage.”  James Mills Fundraiser on September 20, 2008 at the Ag Center.  Conservative Forum at 8:30 AM on Saturday, September 13, 2008 at Ryan’s on Browns Bridge Road.

I wanted to say a special thanks to J-Net Viera.  J-Net was our McCain cordinator until her sister took ill and she had to step aside.  Our prayers for healing go out to her sister and I ask you to put her on your personal prayer list as well.  At the forum she came up to me and told me that she was proud of me and that I was doing a great job as Chairman.  J-Net is a special person to the party who has always been here for the party and has always served when asked.  Her compliment touched me very deeply.  Thanks J-Net!

Elected Official Present Were: Senator Lee Hawkins, State Rep. James Mills, State Rep Carl Rogers, School Board Member Craig Herrington, State Court Judge Charlie Wynne, and Gainesville City Councilman George Wangemann. Also present was Helen Powell (County Commissioner Billy Powell’s wife and chief-of-staff).

Former Hall GOP Chairman Present: Gordon Sawyer, P. Martin Ellard, Kerry Cook, and Joe Cwik. These are the men who helped make the Republican Party dominant in Hall County.

Other Officials Present: Don Walsh (Hall County Coordinator for Saxby Chambliss Campaign); Chris Yardley (Hall County Coordinator for McCain Campaign); Associate Magistrate Court Judge David Burroughs; and Chief Assistant Solicitor General Jennifer Scalia.

Candidates Present: Judge Charlie Wynne and his opponent William I. “Sonny” Sykes.

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof….”  Amendment I, U.S. Constitution.

Where in that sentence do you see a separation of Church and State like the Democrats want?  Only Congress is prohibited from establishing a religion, not any other governmental entity.  Second only Congress is prohibited from interfering with the free exercise of YOUR religion.  (But since YOU have the right to freely exercise your religion at the Federal level, no other lower government entity can take that right away from you.  Lower governmental entities can GIVE you MORE rights but they can’t take any away.)

This is a “one way” separation.  The government can’t interfere with your religion at all.  That includes telling you that you can’t show your religion (e.g. exercise it) any way you want.  Here is how Jefferson put it (remember that he wrote the words of the First Amendment):

Document 58

Thomas Jefferson to Danbury Baptist Association

1 Jan. 1802  Writings 16:281

Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legislative powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should “make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,” thus building a wall of separation between Church and State. Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties.

The Founders’ Constitution
Volume 5, Amendment I (Religion), Document 58
http://press-pubs.uchicago.edu/founders/documents/amendI_religions58.html
The University of Chicago Press

For those who skipped Logic in college, let me introduce you to a new concept.  You can’t invert a logical truth and necessarily have a logical truth.  If A, then B does not equal if B, then A.  For example,  you will agree that all men are mortal.  However the inverse is not true that all mortal beings are men.  Some mortal beings are women.  Everyone that has intentionally flown an airplane into American buildings is a man of Arab descent.  But is is an error to say that all men of Arab descent have flown (or want to fly) airplanes into American buildings.  That is a logical error.  Democrats, however, make this logical error whenever it suits them.  If it is true that the Goverment can’t mess with religion it is not necessarily true that religion can mess with Government.

The Democratic concept of separation of Church and State is just such a logical error.  Just because the State is to stay out of religion does not mean that religion should stay out of the government.  Just because 5 people in Washington have decided to agree to make a logical error in interpreting the Constitution does not make it right.  Read the words of the Consitution again slowly and carefully.

Democrats don’t like religion by and large because God imposes defined boundaries of behavior.  Democrats like to make up the rules as they go along.  God gets in the way.  But being anti-God is not very popular.  So Democrats have to say they are fighting for your Constitutional Rights when they prohibit you from praying in school or otherwise exercising your freedom of religion.  Follow that logic?  Me neither.

Thanks to Tack Cornelius (one of the smartest men I know) for providing the Jefferson quote above.

The Gainesville Diversion center is going to be summarily shut down to save some money.  Saving money is ALWAYS a good thing for government to do.  But do we save some money at the risk of our safety?  Not a good trade.  Like military, public safety is one area you don’t skimp on.

Diversion centers are the places that the probation department can send people to instead of prison when they are too high risk to just release on probation.  The inmates have to work to be there, and the length of stay is up to the behavior of the inmate, and if they misbehave they get sent to prison.  Diversion centers are a good (and cheaper) alternative to the prison system for non-violent felony offenders.

I can’t see how closing any of them would be cheaper AND saferat the same time.  Sure shutting down a facility would save money, but where do the inmates go?  I’m betting they will just be released on regular probation, not sent to another center or to prison.  Probation officers are already overworked and supervising probationers is like herding cats to start with.  So this sudden increase of inmates will just be released to YOUR neighborhood with much less supervision than they have now.

It would be cheaper to just shut down the whole Department of Corrections, but the prisoners need to be housed separately from the rest of society because they are DANGEROUS.  We can save money by shutting down the Sheriff’s Department and Police Departments too.  Hello?  Less is more, but not when it is less public safety.

Read The Times here–>Many lament loss of diversion center

From the story it seems like this is a hack job on North Georgia by the Atlanta crowd.

Typical Democratic position:  Do as I say, not as I do.  And at least one Al Gore fan wants $8/gal gasoline.  See how Democrats are looking out for your best interest (even if it kills you).

Watch Al’s hyprocisy here—>YouTube - See Al Gore’s Hypocrisy!

I try to keep this blog about local issues, but with the fate of the free world resting on the shoulders of a McCain victory, expect me to start talking about the Dali Bama and National issues with more regularity.

Dwight Wood, embattled Hall County Clerk who threw in the towel after revelations that he personally kept over $85,000 in passport fees, has reviewed candidate Jennifer Gibbs’ campaign material (Gibbs’ Flyer) and felt compelled to respond (Dwight Wood’s Press Release).  With a dismal 14% turnout for the primary, there is no way to tell what the effect, if any, Dwight’s last-minute defense will have.

Read The Time Story here—>Hall clerk disputes claim by candidate.

Remember from my earlier blog entry (and at the forum if you were there), there ARE some things at the clerk’s office that  need to be changed, and both remaining candidates have pledged to make those changes.  For example, right now there is NEVER a clerk in the courtroom when court is in session unless they are bringing in a jury or taking a verdict.  In criminal cases, the court administrator had to pay a former clerk to prepare sentences because there was no clerk to do so.  Even after the process was automated.

Don’t forget to vote!  You can vote today if you want to.  But you can’t vote after next Tuesday at 7PM so don’t wait!

A moment of silence before looking at this picture—->Navy NewsStand - Eye on the Fleet  This is WAR brought into the streets of New York City by foreign soilders.  Your street WILL BE next if you do nothing.

July 31, 1981, U.S. Military MEPS Station, Jacksonville, Florida: 

“I, Paul Stanley, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.”

I have never been relieved of this oath.

This will be my only response to Mike and other Democrat fascists.  What service were they in?  Like the Dali Bama, none, I’m sure.  To liberals, soilders are just guys in funny hats with guns that take up money that could be used for social programs.  Like a good pickpocket, liberals want you to watch one hand while the other goes for your wallet.  As long as liberals or their friends profit from any government program, they are satisfied–no matter what the program does to you.  Liberals squeal like pigs about their rights, but they are ready to spit on yours for a dollar (or a fish or turtle).  To liberals, the Constitution is a “living changing document” that is “variable” based upon the “social norms” that 5 people in Washington impose upon you.  And Liberals, lead by the Dali Bama want to choose which 5 people make the decision.  (HINT:  You are not one of them.  Jesus would not be on their list either.)

The American Fighting Wo/Man is the only thing that stands between your quiet pursuit of happiness and death.  Vote Republican or prepare to surrender.  Surrender your rights.  Surrender your church.  Surrender your wallets.  Surrender your home and property.  Surrender the lives of your family.  Worse yet, surrender your heart and mind and soul to a bunch of heathens bent on self aggrandizement who are driving electric cars, wearing sandals, and smiling at you the whole time.

Of course not all Democrats are heathens–but almost all heathens are Democrats and their Democrat leaders are all heathens (OK, I’ll give you Jimmy, but even they ignore him unless he says something silly).  Believing in God is not the same thing as following Him.  Even Satan believes in God.  Your friendly next door neighbor Democrat you go to church with is not going to get appointed to the Supreme Court any more than you are.  Neither is Jimmy.

VOTE RIGHT, VOTE REPUBLICAN

VOTE MCCAIN: NO SURRENDER

You thought that gas prices were high, right?  Did you know the Federal gas tax is 18.4 cents of each gallon (almost 25 cents for diesel)?  Did you know that instead of lowering the Federal gas tax, the Democrats are going to RAISE the tax by 10 cents per gallon?  Yes, RAISE the tax.

Read the story here–>No gas tax holiday: Congress considers raising pump tax to help repair crumbling highways — Newsday.com

Anything that takes money out of our pockets and puts it into Government pockets is a “tax” to me.  That means all fees, surcharges, and hidden government costs (like business licenses, building permits, etc where the cost is passed along to us).  This gas tax is justified by building roads for us to drive on.  Look how great our roads are!

Other taxes seem to have no justification whatsoever.  Gainesville has one of the HIGHEST telecommunication tax per telephone line.  According to AT&T when I complained about my billing, Gainesville tax is higher than New York City (say it with me now—NEW YORK CITY?!)  Do you think our telephone lines cost more than New York City?  Does the Gainesville City government help with your telephone more than New York City?  No and no.  They are just gouging each of us $8 per month per line or so for no added value.  What else does the government add a few pennies to without any justification?

What do they do with all the money?  Waste most of it.  It is time for government to tighten its belt and provide services on an efficient basis.  Not where they pay their buddies hundreds of thousands of dollars and the rest next to nothing.  Too many employees for too little work (except in schools where we have just the opposite).  Contracts need to be scrutinized by citizens not bureaucrats who are paid no matter how well (or poorly) they do their job.  Everyone has to pull on the oars on this boat.  You work hard for your money, so should the government work hard to justify taking it from you.  That means if you don’t want to wind up getting the short end of the stick you need to get involved.  It will be too late after you have been robbed by the government.  They don’t give anything back.

Why is is that none of the yard signs for Democrats say “Democrat” on them.  Not just in Hall County, but in my travels around the state.  If you are not proud enough to put Democrat on your sign you need to change parties.  If you are liberal then you should trumpet it to the world!  Don’t hide your tax-and-spend light in a basket!  Let it shine.

We welcome all reformed Democrats in the Hall County Republican Party.  We have a tent that is big enough for everyone.  But in our tent you have to order from our menu.  And bigger government, more taxes, more services, and more regulations are things that ARE NOT on the menu.

UPDATE:  While in Atlanta I saw some yard signs and one door sign that actually had the “D” word on it.  Clayton County DA is one I recall.  And I saw some dude running for Senate on TV proudly touting that he was a Democrat and that he would help the middle class.  How?  By raising taxes on the “rich” I suppose.  Oops.  To the Democrats “the rich” is anyone who actually pays taxes.  I don’t think that will help the “middle class” much, do you?  Playing the definition game got the Democrats where they are today.

No Government seems to ever have a surplus.  If they do, the first thing they do is fight over how to spend it as soon as possible.  That is why in years when WE are having a hard time making ends meet, THEY ask for more.  The answer should always be NO.

The $27M Gainesville budget shows that 16% or $4,320,000 is administrative overhead.  55% of the budget is public safety.  I’m all for police and fire protection at any cost but…..

….it is time to consider unified fire and law enforcement in Gainesville / Hall County.  Each operation now has its own administration which could be cut on half.  Chief Hooper is doing a great job, but a unified law enforcement under Sheriff Cronic would bring the illegal alien capture-and-deport program to the City (where it is a huge loophole now).  Gainesville is almost a sanctuary city for illegal aliens.  Recently I was told that one rating company has rated Hall County down because of the illegal alien issue.  Any certified officer can run radar and write speeding tickets on the bridges (no matter the color of the uniform).

What is the importance about the property tax being steady (about $4.9M)?  It means that there is no reason to increase taxes because the City’s income is the same.

Thanks to Kristen Morales at The Times for this information.

Is there anything that government thinks it does not need to regulate?  Just because you get your friends to vote you into office does not make you smarter than everyone else.  Flowery Branch entertains us again with their decision to regulate how fast billboards change.  WTH?  Why is government getting involved in this?  Just another unnecessary government regulation.  Another “gotcha” for unsuspecting businesses.  Thse electronic billboards cost upwards of $1,000,000.  If Flowery Branch wants to regulate what is on them, then BUY THE SIGN.  If you can’t afford to buy the sign then don’t worry about it.

Safety?  Bureaucrats always invoke “safety” when they want to do something.  It sounds better than “because I want to.”  (Or worse yet, ”because my friends can’t compete so I will use my position to help my buddies out.”)  Unfortunately these areguments are no more persuasive.  Have there been any accidents because of signs changing on I-985?  Anywhere?  Councilman Craig Lutz says he is concerned.  The State of Georgia already has a 10 second minimum (because they want to).

Craig wants the timing to be 53 seconds (as opposed to 50 seconds or 54 seconds?).  Ok Craig, here is the perfect solution:  get $1,000,000, go through all the headaches to get a permit (it is already a nightmare in Hall County), negotiate the lease for the land, negotiate a contract to erect the sign, put your sign up and set it to 53 seconds.  Simple solution.  Then you compete with the guys (who already have $1,000,000 and the lease and the sign) who have their signs set at 10 seconds.

Why 10 seconds?  Is that a good idea?  Is 53 seconds better?  Who knows!  The right answer is that if you are the government the default position should be that it is NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS. 

In the meantime legitimate businesses are losing money because Flowery Branch is trying decide how to get involved in something they should not be involved in!  Flowery Branch:  Leave those signs alone!

Read The Times story here –>Speed limits for ads on highway?