Georgia, like every other State in the Union, has two representatives in the Senate. Elected every six years, they are supposed to represent their States and the interests of the people of said State that they come from. It is assumed, particularly since the Senators are no longer selected by State legislatures, but instead are elected by the people, that Senators reflect the people of the State that they represent. However, in the case of Senator Max Cleland, it is clear that he, in fact, does NOT reflect the values of ordinary Georgians.
Georgia is generally a Conservative State. It has been under the control of Democrats for 170 years, but for most of that time, the Democrats in the State of Georgia were basically Conservative. It seems to me that the great Senator Sam Nunn was the last truly Conservative Democrat from the State of Georgia. Today, the Democrats in Georgia are becoming increasingly liberal. While this has been going on, Republicans have been taken more and more control in this State. While we still have a Democratic governor, in both of our legislative houses, Republicans have made substantial gains over the past ten years. Ten years ago, only one of Georgia's ten Congressmen were Republican. Now, eight of eleven are Republican. At least one, if not both, of Georgia's two new seats will likely be taken by Republicans as well. Until his untimely death last year, Senator Paul Coverdell provided Georgia with a balanced Senatorial delegation. Our King (opps, governor) appointed a Democrat to take his place. This Democrat won the special election in November, but at least he, Senator Zell Miller, has at least shown some deference to the people of Georgia. Remember, this was a State that President Bush won in a landslide. Georgia is a Conservative State that holds onto the old-fashioned values that made America a great nation and Georgia a great State.
One of the long-standing, great, institutions in America has been the Boy Scouts. The Boy Scouts have been under assult from the left for several years now. It seems to Democrats that the First Amendment Freedom of Association only applys to groups who have a philosophy of conduct and allow members that suit their political needs and desires. Sorry Liberals, that is not how the Constitition was written. The Supreme Court of the United States recently affirmed that when they said that the Boy Scouts could not be barred from public facilities. The Democrats seem to think that facilities paid for with our tax dollars belong to the government. I disagree with that. They belong to the people. Should the Boy Scouts be barred from facilities that belong to the people that paid for them? Perhaps the Boy Scouts, the parents of Boy Scouts, and anyone associated with that long-honored organization, should be exempt from paying taxes. After all, they are being barred from the very same facilities that these taxes are paying for.
Most Georgians support the Boy Scouts. Most Georgians support the values taught by the Boy Scouts, and recognize that they do a better job teaching boys how to be men than the government does. One of our Senators, Zell Miller, doesn't seem to have a problem with the Scouts. However, Senator Cleland, right along with his leftist buddies, seems to. Recently, an amendment was proposed to a piece of appropriations legislation that would barr federal funds for schools who violated the First Amendment and the aforementioned recent Supreme Court decision by not allowing the Boy Scouts of America and like organizations to use school facilities, facilities paid for by us with our tax dollars. Miller voted in favor of the amendment, Cleland voted no. Shortly afterward, another amendment came forward. It would similiarly guarentee that gay/lesbian groups could use these facilities. Cleland voted FOR that one. So, there it is. Cleland is for the gays and against the Scouts. That won't fly in Georgia Senator Cleland.
As I mentioned earlier, Bush won the State of Georgia by a large margin. One of Bush's most important issues was an income tax cut for the American people. Bush pushed for a 1.65 million dollar tax cut way back in 1999. It was no secret to the people of Georgia that this is what Bush wanted to do. Frankly, this tax cut is small compared to either the Reagan or the Kennedy tax cuts. This tax cut wouldn't make up for one of the large tax increases of the 1990s, much less both of them. Even with the Bush tax cut, we would still be paying higher taxes then we did before the Clinton tax increase. It is clear that the people in Georgia wanted the tax cut and they told Cleland that when they went to the polls.
Again, Senator Miller, a Democrat, became the first member of the other side of the aisle to support the Bush tax cut. He realized that the tax cut was desired by the people of the State of Georgia and would be good for Georgians and the economy of the State of Georgia. Senator Cleland, who seems to have sold his soul to Senator Daschle and the leftist Democrats, opposed the Bush tax cut. He seems to have thought it was bad for America. He, and his apologists, will claim that they supported the Bush tax cut. WRONG! He voted for the compromise, only when he felt the heat from his fellow Georgians, but if they say that he voted for the Bush tax cut, it is a LIE! He voted against it, look it up. Is he in touch with Georgians? Probably in touch with liberals in Clarke County and the City of Atlanta. However, not with the State of Georgia at large.
Now, Cleland supports a bill that will benefit the trial lawyers of America, and not the average consumer of health care in this country. The Democrat bill will result in higher premiums for Georgians and many Georgians will no longer be able to carry health insurance. The trial lawyers are among the biggest supporters of the Democratic Party. Quid pro quo? You bet. Will the media report it, absolutely not!
Why is Senator Cleland supporting the trial lawyers of America and not the average consumer of health care in America? Ask him. It would be interesting to hear his response. Call him at (202) 224-3521. Tell him that he needs to revisit Georgia values. If he doesn't, we will have to force him to come back and reintroduce himself to Georgia values by voting him out of office.