The Fulton County Republican Party is pleased to announce the appointment of Rob Kaufman as its General Counsel.
“Rob is a top tier attorney, ready to handle all the issues we’re going to send his way,” said Shawn Hanley, Fulton County Republican Party Chairman. “We’re very thankful for his continued support of the Fulton County GOP.”
“I am honored that the Fulton County GOP has selected my firm as its General Counsel,” said Rob Kaufman. “We look forward to serving and stand ready to assist in any way we can.”
About Robert J. Kaufman
Robert J. Kaufman is the founding member of Kaufman, Miller & Sivertsen, P.C. and has practiced extensively in many areas of litigation, having tried business disputes, trusts and estates litigation, securities litigation, employment disputes including non-competes, domestic relations, intellectual property, injunctions, breach of contract, quasi-contract and tort suits. Mr. Kaufman and his law firm also serve as corporate counsel handling a full range of corporate law matters for numerous companies in Georgia and throughout the United States. Mr. Kaufman has tried cases throughout Georgia and in many parts of the U.S. and has appeared at the trial as well as the appellate level. Mr. Kaufman has obtained several verdicts, judgments and settlements in excess of one million dollars, and has successfully defended individuals and corporations against multi-million dollar lawsuits.
As State Insurance and Fire Safety Commissioner, the safety and protection of our citizens is my job. That is what Georgians elected me to do. That is why I cannot be silent about the government takeover of healthcare that the U.S. House of Representatives is proposing this week. If your mental smoke alarm has batteries, it should be going off now.
First, a government takeover of anything usually results in higher prices and poorer service. Think about what has happened to our schools with the price-per-pupil continuing to rise and test scores staying flat or only inching up. The unions, such as the National Education Association, have resisted educational choice with every fiber in their being. They have used dues from hard-working Georgia teachers to lobby against even the most basic educational choice. Obama’s so called “public-option” is nothing more than the first step of government takeover.
The government acquisition of General Motors may save the Camaro and the Corvette, but may give the new company such an unfair financial advantage that it drives Ford Motor Company to the brink of bankruptcy. This kind of meddling in the private sector was certainly not a mandate from any voter back in November. And if the members of Congress aren’t careful, they are going to allow the president to do the same thing to the healthcare network in America.
Second, destroying the private sector in healthcare would substitute bureaucratic planning and control for competition and consumer choice. I realize that the word “destroying” sounds pretty strong. But when you are able to undercut the private healthcare market, and then add a trillion dollars of new taxes to pay for it, the result will be companies going out of business. And, all the while, workers likely will be forced into the government-sponsored plan simply because it is less costly for employers, even though the care may be inferior. In a word, a monopoly is created. And when that monopoly can decide whether you live or die, it is too powerful.
How did a country built on the entrepreneurial spirit ever get to a point where we take glee in seeing the freemarket punished and forced into bankruptcy? This is not the kind of leadership we need in Washington, Atlanta-or Moscow for that matter.
Third, as the government-run healthcare plan gobbles up business, there would be no incentive to improve quality or increase efficiency, but instead we’ll see eventual efforts to control costs by restricting access and choice-such as happens now in England and Canada. When the good people of Georgia have to wait months or years for surgery or specialized medical care, we’ll know the house is on fire. Access and Choice will decrease-not increase.
The societal engineers who want to tear down the private sector in health insurance don’t want to be honest about the “uninsured” statistics either. They pad the numbers with illegal aliens, with young people who choose not to be insured (because they often think they are invincible), and with people in transition between jobs. So, before we take such drastic action, let’s do more to encourage the non-profit clinics out there providing a medical home to the uninsured-clinics such as the Good Samaritan Health Center in Atlanta and the Athens Neighborhood Health Center.
Fourth, have you ever thought that if government can’t afford to finance existing programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, then providing health care for all our citizens might really be tricky? We must wake up and smell the smoke before it’s too late.
I travel the state frequently and often tout the importance of changing the batteries in smoke detectors and testing the equipment at least once per year. Fellow citizens, the detector in all our brains is beeping incessantly trying to warn us of a disaster that awaits if we allow this takeover. Yet, our smooth talking president and his big-government allies in the U.S. Congress are telling us it is a false alarm and urging everyone to return to business as usual. This is a mistake, and as a statewide-elected official in Georgia, I must urge you to tell your Congressman to vacate this hasty plan and return to sanity.
Finally, let’s think about the future. Do you possibly want to saddle your children, your nieces and nephews, and even your grandchildren with trillions of future tax payments when we can’t pay the debt we already have?
The house is on fire-but the fire can be put out. Call the White House and the U.S. House of Representatives today and tell them to back away from this ill-considered government takeover of healthcare. Urge them to delay this rushed effort to socialize the best medical system in the world.
John Oxendine is the State Insurance and Fire Safety Commissioner and can be reached at john@johnoxendine.com
John Albers, a Republican candidate for State Senate District 56, filed his June 30 campaign contribution disclosure today showing $100,989.85 in contributions since entering the race less than 2 months ago.
The campaign also announced it has over 200 grassroots leaders signed up to help with campaign activities.
Said Albers, “The amount of support we have received since entering this race has been overwhelming and truly humbling. Families all across north Fulton County are responding to our message of serving our families and delivering on needed reforms. They’re rejecting the politics of personal agendas and special interests. It shows in our fundraising success so far. It shows in the hundreds of people volunteering for our campaign. It shows in the events and activities we already have scheduled for the fall and beyond.”
“Our grassroots efforts will begin very soon, and I look forward to sharing our message of true public service with every family in north Fulton County. I am personally committed to raising the money needed and devoting the time and effort needed to win this race. What’s at stake for our region and our families is too important.”
Roswell civic leader John Albers declared today he will seek the Republican nomination for State Senate District 56. The seat is being vacated by the retirement of Senator Dan Moody.
“For the past 4 terms we have been blessed with Senator Dan Moody representing the 56th district with honor and integrity. With Senator Moody’s pending retirement in 2010, there are big shoes to fill and it is with a humble heart and passion for service that I am announcing my candidacy”, said Albers.
“Senator Moody has been very gracious with his time meeting and counseling me through this process”,said Albers.
Albers is an active community leader and family man. The father of two boys, John has been active in the Boy Scouts and coaching youth sports. He is a fourth generation firefighter volunteering in Alpharetta and also serves as the Chairman of the Public Safety Foundation.
A successful small business owner and corporate executive, John has turned his passion for serving others into leadership roles in dozens of community, civic and faith based organizations.
He and his wife of over 16 years, Kari, have two terrific sons Will & Ryan, ages 13 and 6. The Albers are active members of Roswell United Methodist Church.
Said Albers, “My faith and conservative principles inspire my drive to serve others and lead by example. I want to take that same work ethic to the State Senate to serve every person in our community.”
“Elected officials work for their constituents, not personal interests, so I encourage the voters to send me an email or call. In the coming months, voters across our district will be hearing a lot more from me and my plan for traffic relief, lower taxes, and better support for our schools in the coming months. I hope my proven record of service and conservative vision for our future will earn the vote and support of the people of this Senate District.” Albers launched a campaign website for more information at www.votealbers.com.
As you can see in the pictures from the previous post, I attended today’s 14th Annual Fulton County Republican Party BBQ. It was a chance for me to meet some of the candidates face to face and talk with staffers and supporters, some of whom I have known for 14 years. Last month, I attended the Gwinnett County GOP BBQ and let me say how thankful I was today that the event was indoors and air conditioned.
I enjoyed spending a few minutes with my old boss and his wife, Rusty and Jan Paul. I worked on the PR side with Rusty many years ago. Glad to hear their family is doing well. I also spent a few minutes chatting with Roswell Mayor Jere Wood, Sam Olens, Ray McBerry, Eric Johnson, John Albers and Bill Simon from PoliticalToolKit.com.
Next week, it’s the Cobb GOP BBQ on the 4th of July. Oh and by the way, today’s food was great.
An Internet rap video which claims to reflect true conservative values is quickly becoming a cult success.
“The Young Con Anthem,” created by two Dartmouth students, has received more than 115,000 views and has been featured on The Huffington Post, USA Today and a variety of blogs across the political spectrum.
Well I went to my first political rally in many many years today and despite a few rain showers in Dacula, the event was very nice. Attendees were able to meet a handful of statewide candidates including some for the big office under the Gold Dome.
I got there a little after 12 and was in the food line when the speeches started so I had a front row view for Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine, Rep. Austin Scott, R-Tifton, Ray McBerry and Rep. Melvin Everson, R-Snellville. Oxendine, Scott and McBerry are running for Governor and Everson is running for Labor Commissioner. Other statewide candidates were there but I got busy eating and mingling and missed most of their speeches. I left around 2:15 p.m. and I don’t know if Sec. of State Karen Handel, Sen. Eric Johnson, R-Savannah or U.S. Rep. Nathan Deal showed up, the rest of the candidates for Governor.
I was able to snap a few pictures so look below. I look forward to attending more of these local rallies so I can get to know the candidates, the staff, the consultants and ultimately the kingmakers…
Ray McBerry speaking at the Gwinnett County GOP BBQ on Memorial Day
John Oxendine at the Gwinnett County GOP BBQ on Memorial Day
Austin Scott at the Gwinnett County GOP BBQ on Memorial Day
Melvin Everson at the Gwinnett County GOP BBQ on Memorial Day
