chrisishardcore.com

Hi, Chris. I've been lurking for a day or two and just wanted to let you know who I am. I live up here in Dawsonville (North Georgia mountains.)

I want to know more about Georgia politics and have some ideas for turning things around in this part of the state. I'm mostly a lurker, not the chatty type, but I want to get hooked in to the local level. I'm a liberal Independent though, so don't expect me to be rah rah for any political party.

You might not hear from me soon, but I'll be reading you and if you know anything about the back porch politics in my part of the state, I'd appreciate the information.

Interesting to see that someone from Dawsonville has posted on here, that's my lifelong hometown (in Athens at UGA currently however). This is also my first time posting, however, Chris, I've met you before - I've worked for Bill Stephens so we crossed paths with you and your camera just a few times this past year ...No hard feelings on my part.

I thought I would post my comments on here...I, like you, enjoy politics and love to discuss politics in a civilized manner. As for your post, I'd like to offer the "other side of the story"...Honestly now, do you believe that Bob Holmes and G. Sinkfield wouldn't try to hold up every single piece of major Republican legislation? Come on, Republicans would have done this to Democrats, and Democrats would do the same today. It's politics...a kind of "do unto others what they did to you" type of arrangement. You and I both know that it won't happen.

Now, as for Democrats losing the House...I'll admit, I feel for some of those South Georgia Dems...one of my good friends worked for T. Coleman and T. Buck last year...whom I think are both fine individuals. However, my Republican bias aside, this may truly be the end of the Dem. party in Georgia politics. If Bob Holmes or Georganna get the leadership post, none of the Southern Dems are going to come back in two years (and those districts will not stay Democratic one the likes of R. Ray, T. Coleman, and D. Porter leave them)..so then you're looking at 110-120 Republicans versus 60-70 Dems (your 2/3 rule might not even matter in 4 years)...It's the simple facts of how this state is going...the Democratic Party does not do nearly as good of a job at promoting their causes and platforms as the Republican party does (again, not biased, just looking at election numbers). I mean, I'm from a county, Dawson, that in 1980 did not have ONE single Republican office holder...no Republican Primary was even held...in 2004, EVERY officeholder is Republican...now many "suburbanites" have move in, but still...this is what is happening all over GA.

Your redistricting idea is good...that is what should be done in Georgia. I'm sure that Republicans will change the Congressional districts this year...but after that, I would hope that in 2011 our state has a truly independent organization in place to draw the maps (put a group of L. Meggers, C. Bullock, and some other folks together to draw the maps based upon the main principles of redistricting: Compactness, Contiguity, and preserving areas of common interest). We've got to stop redistrcting so much...it costs the state far too much money.

Finally, the one word of advice that I would give to the Democratic Party (albeit whatever advice from a Republican is worth)...Cathy Cox is the absolute best thing you have going. This is the person that should become the visible leader of the Democratic Party...her appeal to Dems. and Republicans is already pretty good, and with her brilliant "voter fraud and elderly" SOS commercials, that are being done for free for her, she has the potential to be something very great for the Dem. Party (I'll admit, she impressed me alot during my time at the General Assembly...always very nice, could remember your name and face, and intelligent).

Well, that's all for now...as long as I don't get slandered on here I'll continue to read the board sometimes and offer a different perspective. I hope that no one takes what I said as offensive, I'm just telling the truth as I see it...but then again, I'm a "damn Republican"!

cbearden

I have no problem with you being a Republican, and I found your post interesting. I'm one of those "suburbanites." I've only lived in Dawson for about a year, and I was surprised not to see a single Democrat on the ballet at the local level. I've lived in cities all my life, I'm sick of them and I love it up here. I am a little dismayed to be under one party rule however, and want to learn about regional politics in Georgia.

I can get nasty with a troll, but you don't sound like one to me:)

Tings,

Yes, I'm definitely not some "fire-throwing" GOPer...am I solid Republican, yes...but if the Democratic candidate, or Libertarian, or whatever is truly better than the Republican...then the other guy/gal is going to get my vote..

Yes, Dawson County is a very Republican place...but it used to be totally opposite. As I said, all Democrats during the 1980's...the only reason that some of the local candidates are on the Republican ballot is b/c they're afraid to run as a Dem. b/c they'll lose in the General Election. Big Canoe, Chestatee, and Gold Creek are all heavily Republican pockets of voters...and they are primarily the majority of people in DC that actually vote - the "locals" that live mostly in the northern end of the county could care less about government or politics ....the first year that Dawson Co. had a 5 person Commissioner Board it was filled by 5 "local" people that really understood the community (3D's, 2R's)...but they, and other "locals" soon realized that county government was nothing more than a burden, so they basically did one term and left office to anyone else willing to take it.

Yes, I'm one of those Republicans that now dominates the N. GA area, but I come from a lineage of Democrats (my grandparents were all tried and true Democrats from the Great Depression. (My Grandfather was a 3 term Democrat Commissioner in the county..his highlight was going to Jimmy Carter's inaguration as a guest)..its still heresy to them that I openly support and work for Republicans..:). I'm actually even a fan of many libertarian believes..."less is more" in my opinion! There is too much government intervention in today's society...I've worked at the legislature and in Congress, I think that they are often just passing bills so that it looks like they have something to do (thereby warranting their salaries).

NO preaching from me, I just like to discuss, I'm an open forum fan I suppose - and yes, you're absolutely right...Dawson County is a beautiful place to live, as long as our local government doesn't get too carried away with "build, build, build" and allows the county to maintain some of its "small town" appeal.

cbearden

Thanks for the information. I'd love to talk with you and Chris some more, but I've got plumbing problems - I had a flood last night and I'm waiting on the plumber today. So I'll show up some time next week when I'm less distracted by my real life. I have a feeling I can learn a lot from you two.

Thanks for signing in, . Now you can comment. (sign out)

(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)

URL:
Remember me? YesNo

Comments: