Question asked: Why do we have such a poor Eminent Domain amendment?

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Question asked: Why do we have such a poor Eminent Domain amendment?

As soon as the distribution of the previous article on our November amendment started we received many questions asking why such a bill was passed in the Legislature. Since we do not yet have our own Southern Party members elected to that body we can only make assumptions based upon facts.

Folks, the poor eminent domain amendment is just one symptom of a growing trend of elected officials representing special interests more than the people. Now as the following quote from Thomas Jefferson will show this is nothing new:

"The issue today is the same as it has been throughout all history, whether man shall be allowed to govern himself or be ruled by a small elite."

- Thomas Jefferson

What has to recognized sooner or later is that we - the citizens are losing this struggle and today, we are becoming ruled by a small elite - ie. the special interests.

A large number of citizens openly recognize the failings of the federal government, but many are still in denial that the same struggle exists here in our Georgia government and an increasing number of local governments. The unfortunate thing is that nothing will change until we make it change.

One of the factors that makes elected officials less accountable is the lack of competition. When elected officials only face themselves in an election, it becomes easier and easier to forget about what is supposed to be the source of their power - the people.

The following describes the lack of competition in this State Legislature elections.

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Georgia State Legislature 2006 Elections: a majority of Georgians will have one candidate to choose from.
by Mike Crane

This is of course an election year and the entire Georgia Legislature, State House and State Senate are up for election. At least they are supposed to be.

If you are perfectly happy with the performance of your State government, you need not read any further.

If you believe like us that there is too much special interest influence in our State government the rest of this article may be of interest.

Based upon the Secretary of State's qualified candidates list, lets look at the upcoming elections this year in the State Senate and State House:

	Republican Primary Opposition	Democratic Primary Opposition	November Opposition	No Opposition in November	Republican Districts already elected	Democratic Districts already elected
State Senate	4	6	24	32	19	13
State House	22	23	51	129	68	61

Primary elections State Senate

There are 10 districts combined in the Republican and Democratic Primary that have more than one candidate in the July 18 Primary election. That means that there are 110 that do not have a primary election at all.

For those who select a Republican Primary ballot - 4 districts will have a State Senate contest, 52 will have one candidate. For those who select a democratic ballot 6 will have a State Senate contest, 50 will have one candidate.

So most Georgians (91%) do not have a State Senate Primary election.

Primary elections State House

There are 45 districts combined in the Republican and Democratic Primary that have more than one candidate in the July 18 Primary election. That means that there are 315 that do not have a primary election at all.

For those who select a Republican Primary ballot - 22 districts will have a State House contest, 158 will have one candidate. For those who select a Democratic ballot 23 will have a State House contest, 157 will have one candidate.

So most Georgians (87.5%) do not have a State House Primary election.

November elections State Senate:

In the general election in November, 24 districts will have a State Senate contest while 32 will have one candidate. 57% of Georgians will have one candidate, 43% will actually have an election and be able to make a choice.

Regardless of what you the people of Georgia want or desire in your State Senate for 2007-8, it is already "mostly" decided that you will have a minimum of 19 Republicans and a minimum of 13 Democrats before the first citizen approaches one of our new electronic, unverifiable voting machines and gives some candidate the finger.

November elections State House:

In the general election in November, 51 districts will have a State House contest while 129 will have one candidate. 70% of Georgians will have one candidate, 30% will actually have an election and be able to make a choice.

Regardless of what you the people of Georgia want or desire in your State House for 2007-8, it is already "mostly" decided that you will have a minimum of 68 Republicans and a minimum of 61 Democrats before the first citizen votes.

Mostly?

Some may ask why the above said "mostly?" The answer is simple, there is some potential that a non Republican/Democrat may achieve ballot access and win one of these seats. But the odds are not good:

Even with these dismal levels of competition, Georgia has the hardest ballot access laws in the country. Even with 70% of Georgians facing the prospect of no choice in their State House election in November, your tax payer dollars are wasted to keep candidates off the ballot.

How much are you as a tax payer willing to pay so that a majority of citizens can continue to have "one" choice?

If you spent much time in the Capitol this last Session, you would have quickly recognized the level and extent of special interest influence. It was easy to see that special interests, the Metro Atlanta Business Chamber, the large corporations, trade associations, etc. had more representation than you - the citizens.

When your elected officials face only themselves in elections, there is not a lot of accountability.

In the commercial world most agree that competition produces better value in products and services.

Why do we allow questionable politicians to use our money to eliminate their competition?

Is it any wonder that your legislature that you pay for:

Passes a watered down immigration bill with minimal penalties for employers who replace American citizens with illegals.
Refuses to even give public hearings to a bill that would have prevented future contracts sending State call centers to India using your tax dollars.
Puts a Constitutional Amendment on the November ballot on eminent domain that will let future legislatures define "public use." Here we go again!
Refuses to even hold public hearings on the FAIR Vote promised by Sonny Perdue, that 79% of Georgians have said they want (Mason Dixon Poll) but the Metro Atlanta Chamber says "No Vote"
Refused to even hold public hearings on a bill that would have reduced the independent ballot access restrictions to allow more competition in elections.

We hope that you will consider joining us in our effort to end this abuse of our tax dollars and political system and let the people decide who they want to vote for!

To justify this "no competition" policy they tell you that it is to "protect" you from having too many candidates on the ballot. The Secretary of State's office which vigorously enforces these restrictive and unAmerican laws has more candidates than any other office this year - 10! Talk about not practicing what they preach!

There is just something American about letting the people vote!

Single candidate elections mean that your vote does not count, that election is over before the first vote is cast! Single candidate elections belong in banana republics not Georgia.

The Southern Party of Georgia and our Senate District 51 candidate, Mike Crane, have worked hard, but to no avail to obtain ballot access reform here in Georgia.

We believe in MORE political competition � NOT LESS.

If you would be willing to help either the Southern Party of Georgia or my campaign, please click here .

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You have the option of selecting any combination or all of the issue sections and every text email notice contains a working unsubscribe link. So far

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Session halted.

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