ERICKSON: Questions the candidates should answer
Having just concluded a special election, we are headed toward another one. This time it will be for State Sen. Ross Tolleson's unexpired term. Sen. Tolleson is stepping down due to his health. A Republican will win the seat given its location and demographics.
In the past few years, we have seen Republicans in the Georgia General Assembly devote themselves more to the causes of the highest bidder and not the voters. Even now they are studying a casino in Atlanta though the only people who want it are the casino operators. Even Gov. Nathan Deal is now firmly opposed.
Republicans in Atlanta adamantly opposed protecting their voters' religious liberty because the Chamber of Commerce and Delta Air Lines opposed it. They refused to allow the growing craft beer industry in Georgia to sell to the public who tour their facilities. Even after passing a compromise plan, the Legislature passed it off to the Department of Revenue, which subsequently sabotaged even that meager compromise.
Then, of course, the Legislature passed a billion dollar tax increase, using Democratic votes to get the increase passed while also stifling innovation in companies like Uber and Lyft with Airbnb in their crosshairs for this coming session. I think the candidates for the Senate should have to answer some questions.
First, should a Christian florist, baker, photographer or other Christian business owner be forced to provide goods or services to a same-sex couple's wedding? If no, is the candidate willing to support legislation to prevent Christians from being compelled by the state to do so?
Second, under what conditions would the candidate vote to support a constitutional amendment to allow casino gambling in Georgia?
Third, should Georgia be a state that works to attract Fortune 500 companies to the state or be a state that works to foster an environment where new and small businesses can thrive and grow? No splitting the baby here — no hedging. The candidate should treat this as binary, either one or the other, not both.
Fourth, what, if any, areas of the state government should be privatized or run through outside private contract management on behalf of the state?
Fifth, how does the candidate view the role of the Chamber of Commerce in Georgia's state legislative process and does the candidate support the billion dollar tax increase championed by the Chamber of Commerce?
Sixth, politicians in Georgia rely on outside interest groups for advice, analysis and information. What outside groups would the candidate rely on? "The voters," "my wife," "my mom," and related answers are not acceptable. Name the outside organizations.
Seventh, what are the candidate's views on common core?
Eighth, where does the candidate draw the line between security and liberty?
Ninth, what is the candidate's world view and what role does faith play in the candidate's decision-making process?
Tenth, and finally, if having to decide between Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and the conservatives in the state Senate, on whose side will the candidate stand and, if the candidate says "the conservatives," how exactly can we believe it?
If the candidates for office are not willing to give straight, candid and honest answers to these questions, we should not be willing to give them time or votes. The Republicans in the Georgia General Assembly have more often than not lost their way of late. They have chased dollars and donors instead of conscience and conviction.
If the Georgia Republicans do not turn from their present pay-to-play ways, the voters of Georgia are going to turn them out of office.
Erick Erickson is a Fox News contributor and radio talk show host in Atlanta.
Sent from my iPhone
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