Fall Festival Saturday October 1st at Epworth Community Club with Speaker of the House Rep David Ralston and US Senate Candidate Herschel Walker
News September 25, 2022David Perdue is OUR Outsider
Election, Opinion January 5, 2021This was Written and Submitted by Gilmer GOP
Think back to 2012. So much has happened since then that it’s difficult to even
remember where we were back then. Barack Obama had just been reelected. The US House
remained in Republican hands and Harry Reid barely maintained control of the Senate for
Democrats. In Georgia, Senator Saxby Chambliss announced in January 2013 his intention not
to seek reelection in 2014. His announcement opened the door to a shuffling of the political
deck in our state. The open seat was also a test to gauge the state of the Republican Party two
years from the 2016 presidential primary. Although it didn’t seem like it at the time, the events
that unfolded foreshadowed what was to come when Republicans backed Donald Trump, out of
nowhere, for the party nomination.
Once again, we have to think hard to remember the pre-Trump media. The
overaggressive nature of the contemporary press certainly still existed, but they never
considered the possibility of a non-politician seeking the seat. It was still a game of “who’s next”
on the politcal ladder. That’s why when David Perdue, then known as the successful
businessman and cousin of our former governor announced his candidacy, it didn’t receive
much attention. In March of 2013, The Hill ran an article entitled “Tight-knit Georgia Republican
Delegation Starts to Fray Over Senate Race.” The entire contest was framed within the confines
of the existing Congressional delegation, plus former Secretary of State Karen Handel.
Reps. Jack Kingston, Phil Gingrey, and Paul Broun ultimately decided to run for the seat,
along with Handel, Perdue, and two others. So-called experts treated Perdue as an
afterthought. Much like in 2016, they were missing the wave that was sweeping through the
Republican base. The base was angry with the overimposing policies of the Obama
Administration. They had just elected a new generation of Republicans with the 2010 GOP
Wave. However, their frustrations were only intensified when Republicans in Congress didn’t
live up to the expectations of voters. So they quit supporting politicians when possible. We saw
it in Florida with the successful candidacy of Governor (now Senator) Rick Scott. We saw it with
the momentum Herman Cain had in the 2012 presidential primary. The American people had a
growing appetite for electing political outsiders.
I’ll never forget the afternoon in mid 2013. I was driving, well sitting, in Atlanta traffic
listening to Erick Erickson’s evening talk show on WSB radio. He attacked David Perdue’s
success and then claimed his candidacy had zero chance.. In fairness, he wasn’t the only one
who had serious doubts. Throughout 2013, despite being one of the first candidates to
announce, Perdue never reached over 5% in public polls. On paper anyway, it seemed like the
common phrase was correct, “David Perdue is about to waste a lot of his own money for an
election he has no chance to win.”
We have to remember something else here. The political media/consultant class couldn’t
“think outside-the-box” on the Perdue candidacy. In the past, if a candidate declared and
stumped for over a year and never broke double digits in polling, it was considered a lost cause
and customary for the candidate to just drop out. The media/consultant class snickered at
Perdue’s persistence as 2013 turned into 2014 with the other declared candidates trading jabs,
in full campaign mode.
Then came the single most effective political ad I’ve ever seen. The babies all sitting with
each other crying and fussing. Each baby was representative of the POLITICIANS in the race.
Suddenly it all made sense why Perdue had remained quiet while the others fought it out in the
year before the election. He had a proper sense of what was really going on with voters. He
executed a brilliant strategy to create a contrast. Amongst all the noise of the crying politicians,
he was the adult in the room. The successful CEO. He was a true outsider. By Valentines Day
2014 he’d gotten to double digits in polling. In mid-March it was nearly 30% and consistently in
the mid 20% range until primary day. When the election finally happened he’d gotten over 30%,
far and away the most of all candidates in the field.
Once again, the experts reverted back to their old ways. They thought his 30% was the
floor, and the rest of the primary voters would coalesce around his run-off opponent, the
Congressman from the Georgia Coast Jack Kingston. Full disclosure, I was one of them. When
the runoff finally came along I was working with another candidate in a local Atlanta race. We
saw Perdue supporters putting out signs the night before the election. We kept commenting how
“we didn’t know who any of these people were” and “who is this team?” They were outside of
the Georgia Republican Party structure. I was in my mid 20s, very much green to the process,
but experienced enough to know how important it was to have support from the party
establishment. It was an eye-opening experience. What I thought I knew was completely wrong.
The electorate had changed and the “experts” either didn’t see it or willfully tried to suppress it.
The polling had Kingston consistently up by 6-8 percentage points. Knowing what I know now in
2021, it’s more likely they saw it but were trying their best to preach the opposite so they could
stop it.
There was no stopping it though. Although it was a close race, Perdue pulled off the
upset, winning by two percentage points over Kingston. It came as a shock to the political
establishment in Georgia. Later that fall Perdue and Governor Nathan Deal sailed to victory. By
then there was little doubt about what was going on within the Republican base. Perhaps most
importantly, the Republican Party took the Senate away from Harry Reid and the Democrats. It
was a momentous occasion for a country that had been depressed by years of radical leftward
shifts. It reinvigorated the cause, providing a newfound confidence in the fact the Obama
Administration could be stopped by a fully Republican Congress in his final two years.
Senator Perdue continued to embrace his role as a political outsider when he took office.
During his first two years he was a constant critic of the way business was done in Washington
DC. His outrage at the slow pace resonated with voters across the state. It was no surprise that
he became the earliest of supporters of fellow outsider candidate Donald J. Trump, at a time
when nobody thought he could win.
It became apparent none of the “experts” paid attention to the Georgia Senate race of
2014. It was a microcosm of the 2016 race. Senator Perdue’s success laid the groundwork for
President Trump’s improbable run to the White House. Throughout the Trump presidency he’s
never wavered in his support for the president. He’s never lost sight of the feeling among voters
that propelled him into office in the first place. He is still our outsider. I firmly believe he shouldn’t
even be in this runoff election. The number of voting irregularities and outright fraud likely put
him below 50%. In any other state his 49.73% would’ve put him back in office. It’s an absolute
no brainer, when compared to his unimpressive opponent, that David Perdue should be
reelected to the US Senate on January 5th. He brings his career accomplishments outside of
politics to the table.His opponent is looking to accomplish a political career, he’s an insider. Let’s
keep our outsider.
Collins speaks in Ellijay on Bus Tour
Election 2020, News October 21, 2020ELLIJAY, Ga. – Traveling across North Georgia today, U.S. Senate Candidate Doug Collins spoke to citizens at the Piedmont Community Center in Ellijay alongside George Papadopoulos and David Ralston.
The event is part of a campaign Bus Tour as Collins continues working toward the November 3 election day. In addition to Ellijay, Collins also stopped in Jasper, Blue Ridge, and Calhoun today.
Ralston spoke of the election and the importance of standing against the “other party” and their agenda. He spoke about the state government and budget cuts amid the pandemic as he called out members of that other party as the majority voting against an 11 percent pay cut for themselves to, as Ralston stated, “participate in the pain that other Georgians were feeling.” He called out the other party for not supporting law enforcement with the majority voting no to a bill in support of law enforcement.
Collins started his speech by saying he was fired up to be “thirteen days away from Donald Trump for four more years.”
With the campaigns entering their final runs, Collins addressed the issue of campaign ads and the $35 million spent by Loeffler in her campaigns. Collins stated, “She may already be up to $35 million, but I’m up to 6′ 4″, about 195 pounds, and I’m full of fire and fury and I will not back down.”
Papadopoulos also spoke on behalf of the Collins campaign saying that this was the candidate to fight. Someone to fight against the deep state and against the far left. Calling for vigilance, Papadopoulos pushed everyone to get out and vote in support of the campaign and to not take anything for granted as he said about the competition, “They’re going to pull out the dirty tricks.”
The push to vote was echoed by Collins as he said that voting isn’t a single person issue. He urged people to gather others, to group up and not just go vote yourself but to take friends and family, too.
Collins said that people in this area know him. They know the truth in spite of lies and misinformation that he says many of the ads against him are filled with. He later told FYN in an interview that he feels that her push towards ads and tv campaigns is her only recourse as she doesn’t know or spend time with North Georgians. Collins said her media-focused campaign allows her to control the narrative, something you cannot do in a room with 100 people.
Collins said his campaign is a different style as he wants to get out and meet the people and let them ask their own questions of him.
Collins responds to pro-Loeffler Super-PAC accusations
Election 2020, Featured News, News August 5, 2020Congressman Doug Collins visited Ellijay on Tuesday, August 4, 2020, for a Meet and Greet with citizens at the River Street Tavern. During the visit, he took a moment to react to allegations issued by the pro-Loeffler group GUV.
The candidate stopped for pictures and a short speech as the last stop in a day of similar events in the cities of Jasper and Resaca. In Ellijay, he told supporters that he wasn’t bothered by certain ads and increases in the campaign. He said he doesn’t have to buy a bunch of ads “swearing that I’m a conservative” because the people know who he is and his values.
The event saw the U.S. Senate candidate in the local restaurant, The River Street Tavern, with supporters and others looking to hear from him, along with local law enforcement, Republican Party representatives, Chairman Charlie Paris of the Board of Commissioners, and even Magistrate Judge Candidate Reagan Griggs Pritchett.
Collins touched on issues in his short speech including police support, buying the campaign, and the ads against him.
Collins said those running around saying to defund the police were disrespectful. Noting that he was a trooper’s kid, he said, “I want them to get themselves in a cop car somewhere, ride about a few nights, and do the job before they say anything else. Otherwise, shut up and start supporting our police.”
Collins added that “a bad officer needs to be gotten out immediately,” but said that charging a man with felony murder and not waiting for the GBI to do an investigation, not taking it before a Grand Jury, and then holding a press conference to make stuff up is wrong. Collins stated, “I’m going to stand and fight it every single time and call it what it is, and that is ‘wrong.'”
Collins also addressed several ads running against him. He pointed out one saying he was a lawyer, to which he replied that he believes in the entire constitution including the right to legal counsel and representation. Collins pointed out other ads by opponent Kelly Loeffler stating she is conservative, but he called it an “amazing, all-of-a-sudden decision by the Senator that she wanted to be perceived as conservative.” He asked where her voice and conservative values were in previous years over planned parenthood, the second amendment, and Black Lives Matter.
Collins also addressed the ads showing him and Stacy Abrams together saying that yes, he had a picture with her and they passed a continuation of the Hope Scholarship together saying, “I guess when you have enough money to go to school, you don’t have to worry about others being able to go to school, but we worked together to get that done.” He also added that he never hired Stacey Abrams as a lawyer for a basketball team or campaigned with her on the floor of the arena against Brian Kemp when he was running for Governor.
Collins said we have to accomplish a few things in the coming elections. The first is to elect Donald Trump to four more years. The second is to re-elect David Perdue to keep the Senate Red. The third is to look at the ballot and look for one name in the Senate Race, Doug Collins.
Collins said that the Governor picked his choice, and “that was his one vote.” Now, the election has the people’s vote.
Collins and Loeffler will first appear on the ballot on November 3, along with other Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, and Independents for the senate seat.
FYN caught up with Collins for a moment after the event to ask about the campaign. Collins reiterated that his answer to the increase in ads and campaign funding was to be the man that the people know. He stated, “We don’t have to spend as much as she does.” as he said his campaign is going to continue the way it is going because the people know who he is and he doesn’t have to make up a campaign like she does.
When asked about campaigns from pro-Loeffler groups quoting Collins as saying Lobbyist are “essential” to the legislative process, Collins responded, “I think this is a sad, desperate attempt by an appointed Senator who has no record of her own.” He accused her of throwing the entire delegation under the bus as he asked, “Does Kelly say that she would vote against our agricultural needs and disaster relief in South Georgia?” and “Would she vote against the funding for our troops and funding for our cities and counties?”
He added, “They’re trying to make me out as something that most people know I am not… She is the one that is not a conservative and she is trying to cover up for it.”
Collins said he is looking forward to the office and he took this step into the campaign “because I believe that the Senate seat in Georgia needs somebody who actually knows how to fight. I believe they need somebody in this seat that actually knows how to get something done, who actually knows how to take the values of the State of Georgia, and take them all across the nation and knows that their is somebody that, without a doubt, has this Presidents back, and I will always have it as we go forward.”
Collins submits resume to Governor Kemp for Senate Seat
Featured, Politics September 20, 2019Georgia, – Georgia Governor Brian Kemp began a process to fill U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson’s seat this week. The Governor set up a website requiring the potential candidates to submit a resume. FYN has learned Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) has submitted his resume for consideration. The seat will be filled following Johnny Isakson’s retirement effective December 31, 2019 and the chosen applicant will serve for the remainder of his unexpired term.
Rep. Collins is a United States Representative from Georgia’s 9th congressional district. Collins has served the 9th District since 2013. Previously he was a state representative in the Georgia House of Representatives, representing the 27th district, which includes portions of Hall, Lumpkin, and White counties.
Collins is considered to be a front runner for the Senator seat. Because this would leave a vacancy we question who will replace Collins. So who will be the new US Representative in the 9th District? According to our information as a result of Collins receiving the appointment, that would trigger a special election. What names will surface in the 9th District hoping to take Collins’ place? FetchYourNews will follow closely and update as more information becomes available.
Who’s Really Obstructing Justice?
Opinion January 15, 2019Who’s Really Obstructing Justice?
With the Democrats now in complete control only of the House, they’ll use it as a child would a sandbox, a place to play with their toys, scatter sand in others children eyes and run off and pout if things don’t go their way. The frustration of their inaction will mount, because everything anti-Trump that comes out of their legislative sandbox or supports progressivism in any way, will simply die a natural death on Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell’s desk.
But, not to worry. Apart from two years of dysfunctional Democrat legislative nonsense, it will also be two years of orgasmic democratic presidential pandering by the old guard, and the new far left Socialists, both sides aimed at defeating Americas most remarkably successful President since Ronald Reagan, Donald Trump. Figure some Republicans to join in in this scenario too.
They all hate him. He ruined all their plans; he defeated their champion, queen Hillary, exposing the depth of Deep State corruption. He revealed the multiple high crimes and misdemeanors on the Democrats part and, he immediately set about destroying Obama’s legacy of leading from the rear by reversing Americas economic decline by over regulation, by restoring Americas damaged foreign policy, and by halting the transition of socialism into American culture.
Nancy Pelosi, whose grasp of her party’s leadership, as tenuous as her scattered thought process, is fixated on destroying Trump but she has lost control of her machine. The newly minted Democrat-Socialist congresspersons however, want Progressive legislation first, i.e.: all that free stuff, and they will be pulling her to the far left to comply, or pushing her out.
Among Nancy’s mental aberrations is her fixation on Trumps impeachment and the only tool she can possibly use now, is that silly Russian collusion business, glorified by the long suffering Mueller Investigation, already discredited as an unproven pack of manufactured lies.
That brings me to ask this question. Who is really “Obstructing Justice?” Is it Trump? I don’t think so. It’s the Deep State machine coiling up like a rattlesnake to defend itself from the inevitable, that is obstructing justice. With a corrupted DoJ, FBI and IRS in charge of the legal system, we then know that the true obstruction of justice is assured. Americans see that!
Anyway, that’s what Pelosi and Schumer will continually raise every time any hint of a threat to end the Mueller witch hunt is raised. Their constant rallying cry will be “obstruction of justice” endlessly repeated by their MSM propaganda mouth pieces. Does anyone watch ‘em anymore?
For Democrats it may be too late. The cat’s out o the bag. Pelosi and Schumer are not dealing with our standard run-of-the-mill weak-willed politician turned President. Remaining President is Trumps primary goal because he sees, as clearly as through a windex clean window, the dangers to the America he loves. Also, he implicitly understands that his base loves America too and hired him to do exactly what he is doing, dismantling the Deep State. They will suffer no commie-socialist politician(s) or leftist fake news organizations, to take him down.
Americas defense, its national security and foreign policies, were left in tatters by the corrupt politicians of the Progressive Left especially H. Clinton in Obama’s first four years and the dunce, John Kerry, as Secty of State, in the last four. Losing to Trump was not a good plan. It wasn’t expected, it wasn’t prepared for and, like children drowning in a sand box, their reaction to it was predictable, even these two long years later. TDS lives on!
Remember, freedom is the goal, the Constitution is the way. Now, go get ‘em!
The New Face of Washington Politics
Opinion January 16, 2019The New Face of Washington Politics
Trump has irrevocably changed the face of political leadership. Immediately after his shocking ‘Blitzkrieg” against Obama’s economic stifling legacy, the Deep State went into panicked disarray. Recovering, in their clumsy attempts to restore balance to the political field and retain their political gains, they inadvertently exposed the treacherous techniques employed by the Democrats to destroy their opponents. But, this is no secret. One need look no further than Saul Alinsky’s Rules for Radicals to learn how they do it.
Remember when Harry Reid announced on the Senate floor that sources told him that Mitt Romney hadn’t paid any income taxes? Reid was not challenged to prove it. It wasn’t until after Romney lost that Reid, when challenged, simply dismissed the notion by saying “well, it worked. We won didn’t we?” Admit nothing, deny everything and blame somebody else.
The newest evidence of successful Democrat shenanigans against a Conservative candidate now being exposed, is in Judge Roy Moore’s loss to the Democrat, Jones, in Alabama’s senatorial election to replace Jeff Sessions. Internet savvy Progressives tried the Russians social media attacks they used in our last presidential election, i.e.: face book and Twitter to launched their own false flag attacks to discredit Roy Moore. It worked!
The newest Progressive darling on the political scene, Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, is revealing herself to be the most incompetent and uninformed person in the 116th Congress. She has publicly stated that it’s okay to lie so long as what she ‘feels’ needs to get done, get’s done.
She’s good for Republicans. As long as she can grab a microphone and enlighten us with her anti-American political bias’s, we should be safe. By her own words she reveals herself as a complete dingbat, but, let’s not stop her.
For example, her “Fair Share” tax hike idea on the wealthiest 1% of Americans, solely to support her “Green New Deal” is being politely entertained by the media while the propaganda value she thought it had is obvious to all. Socialism has never worked, never will work and, an economic major who doesn’t understand economics will be the gift that keeps on giving. Whether Nancy Pelosi likes it or not, AOC has become the new face of the DNC.
The DNC has been creeping to the left for decades. The shift has been so slow and methodical that their real intentions have camouflaged. Trumps election has forced us to face the reality of our near extinction. In the preceding decades the Democratic Party has been slowly eliminating our freedoms and our liberty and we haven’t even noticed. Remember the frog in a cold pot of water metaphor? AOC, as a new Representative, has immediately turned the heat up to a boil and the Democrat establishment is now forced into damage control. That’s the new face of the Democrat party, one run by progressive lunatics.
New House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman, Eliot Engel, plans to dissolve the House subcommittee on terrorism and focus instead solely on investigating Donald Trump. The Trump Derangement Syndrome is now in full swing and Nancy can do little to slow its effects. Time and treasure will be wasted, nothing will be accomplished and the Wall will be built in one form or another. They can’t stop that either because they’re dealing with a real leader, not some ‘milquetoast wannabe politician turned President.
The real danger to America, apart from Islam, is the Democrat Party. It will not be compromised with if they have to move one inch backward. They will give nothing to the President because their growing Progressive base would violently abandon them. Compromise will not happen so long as one party holds a knife behind their back. Conservatives should be very wary of reaching across the aisle. It’s as dangerous as a walk in Chicago’s south-side.
Remember, freedom is the goal, the Constitution is the way. Now, go get ‘em!
FYNTV.com Georgia State House Representative District 8 Debate
Community, Election, Election 2018, FYNTV, Politics, State & National May 15, 2018
Georgia State House Representative District 8 Debate with the Incumbent Matt Gurtler vs. Candidate Mickey Cummings.
Join us on Good Morning from the Office every weekday starting at 8AM! We will be featuring Fetch Your News FYNTV.com TV personality BKP and his political opinion, and anything goes!
Have a question, comment, or want to be on the show? Call or text 706-889-9700.
Congressman Doug Collins stops in Gilmer County to discuss national issues
News, Politics February 26, 2018ELLIJAY, Ga. – Congressman Doug Collins made a brief stop at the Republican Women of Gilmer County meeting Thursday, Feb. 22. Collins has served as a U.S. Representative for Georgia’s 9th Congressional District since 2013.
Collins spoke to the crowd concerning on a number of issues currently being addressed in Washington D.C. and took several questions from audience members on a wide variety of subjects.
“We came through a year, last year, where our biggest failure overall was, frankly, healthcare,” Collins stated, giving attendees an update on the happenings in our capital.
Feeling that the House did their job in trying to address some of the difficulties the nation faces when it comes to healthcare, Collins said that reform and change fell short due to the Senate.
“We did our job. We passed something to the Senate,” Collins explained. “The Senate is just marred and not moving.”
Collins has been a long time advocate to change rules that dictate the actions of the Senate. These regulations can and often do slow or completely stall progress from being made in our nation. In Congress, legislation can be passed by a simple majority vote.
The Senate, however, requires a supermajority of 60 votes for many pieces of legislation to pass rather than the 51 votes that would be required if the Senate went by simple majority vote.
“The 60 vote rule has got to go,” Collins spoke straightforward about his feelings on the issue, “at least on appropriations.”
According to Collins, the Senate currently has many pieces of legislation passed by Congress and has created a bottleneck in moving forward. Collins stated that of the bills currently sitting at the Senate waiting to be addressed, 85 to 90 percent of these bills were passed by Congress with fewer than five representatives voting against their moving forward.
In regards to healthcare, Collins said that there needs to be review and scrutiny of mandatory spending such as Medicaid. He stressed that he is not in favor of eliminating such programs but wants to slow the expansion.
“Medicaid was meant for the aged, blind, disabled and those who couldn’t take care of themselves,” Collins said, expressing his thoughts on this particular program. “You put a healthy able-bodied adult on Medicaid (and) what you do is you take healthcare away from the aged, blind, disabled and those who can’t take care of themselves.”
“That’s just wrong. That’s why we got to fix healthcare,” Collins added.
Several questions concerning gun control and safety in public schools were asked in the wake of another mass shooting that took place last week at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.
“This week was another tragedy of a very sick individual doing something very wrong and very twisted, using a gun,” Collins, a supporter of the Second Amendment, explained of his thoughts on how these situations should be approached on a federal level. “A gun did not walk into that school and kill anybody.”
Stressing the need for compassion for those on the opposite side of the political spectrum, Collins wants there to be meaningful discussion and meaningful answers to this problem. He fears that passing any “bumper sticker” legislation as a quick fix would only fail shortly after.
“Are there responsible ownership of guns? You better believe it. Do some people probably not need to own a gun? Yeah,” Collins stated, proposing a look at circumstances in a realistic fashion.
While Collins does feel that certain agencies dropped the ball and should have to answer for and be held accountable to their mistakes, he also feels that first as a nation we need to uphold the laws that are currently in place.
Collins expressed these thoughts: “Explain to me how I can pass a law, that if they are ignoring it now, how does passing another law make it better?”
Collins was optimistic about certain directions the country is currently heading: “Our country is being portrayed as strong again.”
“We are starting to see the economy start to take off again,” Collins said, addressing the recent passing of the Tax Reform Act and the need for more employees in the workforce.
“We are trying to move what we know as Welfare to Work,” Collins said, discussing current legislation being proposed in Congress. “We are trying to get people through bad times, you know when we need to help them, but it is now time to begin that transition off of the assistance programs into meaningful work.”
Audience member, Noraye Hinds, brought up a key issue that is of concern to Republicans in the upcoming 2018 election year: “Hate is a motivator, and that is what is going to get the Democrats out to vote.”
Collins agreed and said, “We’ve got a tough year coming.”
Collins explained that on average, there is a loss of 32 seats held by the majority in the House in a mid-term election following a presidential election. Furthering concern for the Republicans, 26 of the seats up for election this year are in districts that Hillary Clinton won majority vote.
“If we lose 24 (seats), we lose the majority,” Collins spoke frankly.
He spoke of specific seats that Democrats are targeting in Georgia. Representative Karen Handel of Georgia’s 6th District and Congressman Rob Woodall of Georgia’s 7th District could face tough elections as the demographics of their areas are changing.
Collins spoke exclusively with FetchYourNews (FYN) about concerns over losing control of the House.
In a controversial move Feb. 19, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court released a new map for the state’s U.S. House of Representatives districts. The new map, aimed at removing what some in the state considered Republican gerrymandering, now seems to favor Democrats.
Collins told FYN, “This is very concerning. You’re looking at worst case a 9-9 map. Best case a 10-8 map.”
According to Collins there is not much that can be done to overturn the changes made in Pennsylvania. In order to be challenged in the U.S. Supreme Court there must be proof of a violation of U.S. law, but since the state Supreme Court ruling was based on the Pennsylvania Constitution, it is unlikely that federal courts would get involved.
Collins told FYN, as of right now, there is not major concern that other states will follow suit in redistricting, and praised his home state of Georgia: “Georgia has some of the cleanest maps in the country.”
“What I view as a good map,” Collins said, further explaining his feelings on the district layout of Georgia, “Does it reflect the homogeneity of an area, does it reflect the population of an area and does it give everybody a chance? If it does that, then you’re meeting most of the test.”
Collins feels there are two key issues that might hurt Republicans in the upcoming elections. The first being that while Republicans have a good message, sometimes that message does not get portrayed clearly.
“Turn out is our problem,” Collins expressed of the second and potentially more damaging issue. Collins urged those in attendance to be active in not only voting themselves but in spreading the word about candidates in the state of Georgia.
Collins thanked constitutes for electing him to his position and spoke candidly about his job: “At the end of the day, it’s about helping people. It’s about realizing where you come from.”
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Northeast Georgia Worker to Attend State of the Union with Collins
Politics, Press Release January 29, 2018
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Gooch: Senate Gets Down to Business
State & National January 22, 2018
Senate Gets Down to BusinessBy: Sen. Steve Gooch (R – Dahlonega) Although the Senate was in session for only two days this week, my colleagues and I were very busy under the Gold Dome addressing budget proposals and a key piece of legislation on the Senate Floor. The week started with Joint Senate and House Appropriations hearings on the Amended FY18 and General FY19 budgets. Governor Deal kicked off the hearings which included several different agencies presenting their budget proposals. I am happy to say that the state’s budget continues to be in good shape, with the General FY19 budget topping $26 billion for the first time. The General FY19 budget proposals were drafted with an estimated 2.9 percent state fund growth and around 3.8 percent tax revenue growth over the Amended FY18 revenue estimates. Included in the General FY19 budget are increases in funding for education and transportation. The General FY19 budget addresses the needs for the state to meet determined employer contributions within the Teachers Retirement System with a proposed increase of around $364 million. Additionally, around $120 million would be appropriated for enrollment growth and training. Along with these positive changes in the General FY19 budget, an important proposal in the Amended FY18 budget is adding $15 million to purchase 194 school buses statewide. This will positively impact our students by ensuring that buses are not overcrowded. The state’s growing need to address transportation infrastructure is also addressed in the General FY19 budget. An additional $31.6 million in projected revenues resulting from House Bill 170 – passed during the 2015 Legislation Session – will be added to the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) budget. I am very happy to see that a piece of legislation we passed a couple of years ago is still making positive impacts for GDOT. Along with attending the budget hearings and carefully reviewing the proposals for the Amended FY18 and General FY19 budgets, my colleagues and I took up a very important piece of legislation in Senate Chamber. On Thursday, the Senate passed the Supporting and Strengthening Families Act, also known as the Adoption Bill, or HB 159. This bill passed with bipartisan support and is now headed over to the House of Representatives for their review. Final passage of this legislation and a signature into law by the Governor would allow our state to update our adoption system which has been the same for nearly 30 years. The Senate’s version of HB 159 clarifies many of the laws regarding who can adopt, who can act as a legal guardian and the rights held by the biological parents before and after giving their child up for adoption. Additionally, the version the Senate passed on Thursday states that if an agency is not involved in a private adoptive process, living expenses cannot be paid. The only expenses that can be paid in a private adoption are medical and counseling. These are just some of the highlights of the Senate version of HB 159. As this legislation moves through the legislative process, my colleagues and I will work with the Governor and House of Representatives to ensure there is cooperation to address concerns anyone may have. It is imperative that we pass this legislation so that we can assist the large number of children who are in foster care and need a loving and stable home. The pace of the session is going to pick up quickly with standing committees beginning to hold meetings next week to vet legislation pending from last year along with new bills introduced this year. As we move forward in the session, please do not hesitate to reach out with questions, concerns and feedback. It is always great to hear from my constituents and our door is always open. |
Senator David Perdue Comments On End Of Schumer Shutdown
State & National January 23, 2018WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA) made the following statement after Senate Democrats agreed to end the Schumer Shutdown and reopen the federal government:
“It is ridiculous that we were ever in the Schumer Shutdown in the first place. I’m glad to see that Senate Democrats came to their senses and stopped this nonsense. It is frustrating that this is the same proposal that was offered to them days ago before they decided to shut down the government over immigration. Senate Democrats took their political stunt a step too far since a majority of Americans support funding the federal government over continuing the DACA program. Clearly, Congress’ budget process is a complete failure. It has only worked four times in the past 43 years, and given the current political dynamics it will never work. Tying important policy decisions to the funding process is the reason we end up in these damaging situations. It’s time Congress gets serious about reworking the way we fund the federal government. That way we can start tackling other big ticket items such as fixing our immigration system and beginning to rebuild our nation’s infrastructure.”
Senator Perdue is the only Fortune 500 CEO in Congress and is serving his first term in the United States Senate, where he represents Georgia on the Armed Services, Banking, Budget, and Agriculture Committees.
What Just Happened?
Opinion January 23, 2018
What happened? Date line, Monday 22 Jan 2018: Inexplicably, Senate minority leader Chuckie Schemer rallied the Senate Democrats to support the Government funding bill. Suddenly there was a virtual stampede of Democrat Senators to vote with Republicans to send the CR bill to Trumps desk to continue the funding the US Government into March. “Get outta the way!”
The issue of course was based firmly in the belief by the Democrats geriatric leadership that the Republicans would flinch yet again and cave in to their demands, on top of the needs of the country, that illegal intruders (they can’t be immigrants if they’re illegal) be awarded amnesty simply because their parents dragged them across a border from their miserable countries into the United States so they could make America a miserable country too.
Chuckie Schumer completely lost sight of the Constitution and the rule of law that protects a governments sovereignty. It must have been Schumer’s thinking that if Americans won’t vote for Democrats, he’ll import people who will so, he wants to load up the voter rolls with the third world’s great unwashed and sought to do so by way of challenging Trump with an illegal immigrant showdown over government funding. Oops!
When it quickly became apparent that closing down government because Democrats demand that tax payers support 800,000 undocumented illegal invaders under such innocent sounding terms as DACA and CHIP, over the lawful funding of legal Americans like military soldiers, social security recipients, and etc., then their argument quickly loses its appeal.
Where did the 800,000 number that Democrats want amnesty for, come from? That’s essentially the number of illegals, aka: “Dreamers” who signed up for Obama’s amnesty program at its beginning. The actual number is closer to four million but, we’re told to Ignore the numbers, they are simple children brought here by their illegal invader parents and they must be helped. Democrats also ignore the fact that most of those “Dreamers” are now adults and the percentage who have not assimilated into becoming American’s, learn English and find employment is jaw dropping.
For example, the renegade State of California has now announced plans to allow illegals intruders who claim sanctuary and are entitled to a California drivers license and automatic registration on the voters rolls as well. What could go wrong here? I’ll tell you what’s wrong with that. Apart from neutralizing my legitimate vote, every state in the union has drivers license reciprocity with every other state in the union, including Canada and Mexico.
If California demeans the validity of their drivers licenses by the artifact of enfranchisement of illegal invaders, then the value of that California drivers license is demand beyond its borders. Automatically, they become unreliable and any of the forty nine other states plus Canada and Mexico, do not have to recognize that license. Tickets will be issued, drivers jailed, and cars impounded, all for lack of legitimate ID’s. Californians will be unable to drive beyond the borders of their state anymore. Who are these stupid people who think up these stupid ideas and expect the rest of America to accept them too?
Schumer overplayed his hand or lost his nerve and he caved. A first! The extreme Left of the Democrat party are now in a frenzy against Schumer’s leadership. That’s all well and good.
The motto is :”If you want to make America a S__thole country, vote Democrat!
Remember, freedom is the goal, the Constitution is the way. Now, go get ‘em! (23Jan18)
Georgia issues same drivers license to illegal aliens with deferred deportation as legal immigrants: DDS policy should be changed in 2018 Georgia legislative session
Politics January 3, 2018By Jeff Jones
Most thinking Georgians will no doubt agree that only illegal aliens require classification as “deferred action on deportation” or who may be under deportation orders from the federal government.
Most Georgians will be surprised to learn that Georgia’s Department of Drivers Services (DDS), the agency responsible for our driving and ID credentials, has issued, renewed or replaced more than 50,000 driver’s licenses and/or official state ID Cards to illegal aliens. These illegal aliens have either “deferred action on deportation” proceedings or are already under federal deportation orders. And that issuance of these official state documents is perfectly legal under current federal and state law.
Surprisingly, the 2005 federal REAL ID Act, passed after the horror of 9/11 says that states can optionally issue drivers licenses to illegals with “deferred action on deportation” and that the feds will allow this ID to be used to board airliners. The law says that “deferred action” is “evidence of lawful status” for federal acceptance of driver’s licenses as an official ID. The REAL ID Act guidelines from the feds are merely minimum requirements and standards for federal recognition – not legal requirements.
Georgia state law currently also allows “deferred action” illegals to get an official Georgia driver’s license and ID card. Surprisingly, but factually, Georgia has more illegals than Arizona.
In 2012 the Associated Press ran a news article headlined “Some illegal immigrants can get Georgia drivers licenses” explaining Georgia’s California-like situation. But, if you call your local DDS office, you will be told in – no uncertain terms – that “Georgia does not issue drivers licenses or ID Cards to illegal or undocumented immigrants.” Confusing, isn’t it? Many Georgia legislators think DDS should try harder to explain this scenario and how it is that DDS is issuing driver’s licenses to illegals.
Again, federal law does not say we must issue drivers licenses and ID cards to deferred action illegals. Instead, each state has the right to decide to whom it issues drivers licenses or ID Cards. And, importantly, Georgia officials also have the right to decide on the physical appearance of these credentials.
This brings me to the fact that the drivers licenses and ID Cards Georgia’s DDS gives to illegal aliens with “deferred action on deportation” are exactly like the ones we issue to legal immigrants, student visa holders and guest workers such as Mercedes Benz and KIA executives here from Germany and Korea, all who entered the United States legally.
This policy can and must be changed.
Georgia has the choice to issue a driver’s license to those with deferred action that will still allow them to drive, but that does not fit the federal requirements to be used as “ID for federal purposes” – like boarding an airliner or entering a federal building. And we can – and I firmly believe we must – change the appearance of these credentials so that no one will mistake the holder for a legal immigrant or a legitimate guest worker here on a legal temporary visa.
Currently at least two states, California and Michigan, issue multiple tiers of drivers licenses. The lower tiers are not recognized as federally approved ID and cannot be used as such. But the bearer can still drive.
I would use Mexico as another example here but Mexico does not allow any illegal aliens to obtain any type of driver’s license.
Georgia already issues a distinctly different driver’s license to young Americans that is vertically oriented and clearly marked “under 21.”
Realizing the United States is not going to be as strict as Mexico, Georgia should issue a vertically oriented ID, like we do for young drivers, to illegals with “deferred action on deportation” or who have been ordered deported, despite that the feds say we are not required to do so.
My bill, HB 484, pending in the Georgia Gold Dome requires DDS to end its current practice and to replace the driving and ID credentials now issued to illegal aliens with a vertically oriented, brightly colored card. This new ID card is designed to make it unmistakably and visually clear that the bearer is not a legal immigrant and that the ID is not acceptable for federal ID purposes. It would look something like the mock up pictured here.
Georgians will also be surprised to learn that many state legislators are not well educated on this topic. Because I introduced this measure late in the 2017 session, it has not had a committee hearing and is in need of legislative co-sponsors. Readers who agree this idea adds some sanity to our driver’s license and ID Card integrity should ask their House member to sign on as co-sponsors and support my bill, HB 484. This is vitally important for the State of Georgia.
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Jeff Jones (R) D167, is a second term Georgia State Representative. He can be contacted at: [email protected]; (404) 565-0177
Senator David Perdue Discusses RAISE Act At Center For Immigration Studies Event
Politics December 7, 2017Senator David Perdue Discusses RAISE Act At Center For Immigration Studies Event
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA) joined Dr. Michael Teitelbaum, former Vice Chair of the Jordan Commission, at a Center for Immigration Studies event to discuss the Reforming American Immigration for a Strong Economy (RAISE) Act and why it should be included in any solution to fix our country’s immigration problems.
Different World: “Congress hasn’t done anything to our immigration system since 1990. That’s almost thirty years ago. In 1990, the Internet really wasn’t used for the most part. What we have is an entirely different world now with an immigration system in the United States that does not meet the needs of our country.”
Three Prong Issue: “Immigration has serval dimensions to it. First, it is a national security issue. Secondly, it is an economic issue, as we have proven over the last 230 years of our history as America. Third, it has humanitarian dimensions to it as well. There are some 65 million refugees around the world today.”
Targeted Approach: “We tried to put the RAISE Act into context as it relates to national security, economic needs, and humanitarian needs. What we didn’t do, is what Congress often tries to do, and that’s try and solve the comprehensive problem all at once.”
Majority Of Americans Agree: “This bill is pro-worker, pro-growth and it has been proven to work. Seventy-two percent of Americans support an immigration system that is limited to the worker and to the workers’ immediate family. 72%! I challenge you to find another topic where you can get 70% of Americans to agree.”
Solution For Legal Immigration: “We’re trying to engage the Senate to make something happen to where we can get a solution on the legal immigration side. In my opinion, any solution to the immigration problem must include the RAISE Act and the end of chain migration in America.”
Drawing From Best Practices: “The RAISE Act is very simple. This is just one piece of what I think is the ultimate solution to our immigration problem. You have to start with a high ground and that’s what we have tried to do. We looked at other countries to find best practices, and we really like what was recommended by the Jordon Commission back in the nineties.”
Merit-Based System: “We looked at the things that make people contributory to our economy, as well as maintained a refugee category and eliminated what is called the visa lottery. There are merit-based skills that we looked at—basically education, job, age, investment, accomplishment, and English—and compiled a 100-point scale system.”
Ending Chain Migration: “We are letting current immigrants determine who future immigrants are going to be under this current immigration system. I would argue that is not contributory to an economy in the situation we are in today. This is a system that is absolutely screaming to be reformed.”
Calling Out A Crisis: “Congress typically functions very well in a crisis. Tom Cotton and I are calling this out as a crisis. If you want to grow the economy, you have to fix your immigration system. If you want to fix your national security system, you have to fix your immigration system. You certainly can’t ignore it.”