Tuesday night, the Beacon newspaper hosted a forum between the candidates for State Senate District 56. The questions covered a wide range of issues, including questions to candidates from candidates.
Our candidate, John Albers, dominated the debate with a positive, upbeat, and enthusiastic discussion of his views and the important issues of the day.
Afterwards, John spoke with supporters and said, “I am always glad to attend debates and answer questions on key issues. I am going to listen to voters, be responsive and take prompt action. It was a great evening and I want to thank all who attended. I would also like to commend one of my opponents, David Belle Isle, for his honorable performance. While we disagree on some issues, we did so respectfully and forthrightly.”
Surprisingly, our other opponent, Brandon Beach, exploded with angry attacks on both Albers and Belle Isle including outrageous distortions of Belle Isle’s positions and puzzling false attacks on Albers’ extensive business success. We were disappointed in his behavior and negative politics.
Albers response, as always, was honest and optimistic. He said, “Since the beginning I have believed we were running a great and honest race. Tuesday we confirmed what most observers have already concluded: We are winning support and other campaigns are desperately behind. North Fulton deserves better, and we are going to give them better. I look forward to providing the honorable, ethical leadership that North Fulton has come to expect from Tom Price and Dan Moody in the State Senate.”
Received today from the US House Republican Conference:
Ways and Means put out this report today regarding yesterday’s CMS analysis of the Democrats’ health care bill. Check out a few of the ways in which the health care bill will increase costs. I’ll link to the whole report so you can get to typing away. This is simply outrageous. Of course WE knew this would happen. A preview:
– Health Care Costs Increase: “national health expenditures under the health reform act would increase by a total of $311 billion (0.9 percent) during calendar years 2010-2019.” [Page 4] The actuaries found the law bends the cost curve up by a greater degree than either the House or Senate-passed legislation, despite the Administration’s claim that slowing national health spending was the “single most important” reason to overhaul the health system.
– Over One-Half Trillion in Medicare Cuts: The Medicare actuaries found that the new health law cuts “$575 billion” [Page 4] from Medicare.
– Seniors’ Access to Care Jeopardized: As a result of the cuts to Medicare, the actuaries found, “absent legislative intervention, [providers] might end their participation in the program (possibly jeopardizing access to care for beneficiaries).” [Page 10]
– Workers & Seniors Can’t Keep the Health Plan They Have and Like: “We estimate that such actions would collectively reduce the number of people with employer-sponsored health coverage by about 14 million.” [Page 7] Furthermore, 2 million Americans who currently have employer-provided health coverage will be dumped into Medicaid. [Page 3] Additionally, the actuaries predict millions of seniors will lose their Medicare plan because massive cuts to the program will result in, “about 50 percent” of seniors no longer being in a plan. [Page 11].
State Senator Dan Moody and John Albers, the leading Republican candidate to replace the retiring Senator Moody are planning to make a major announcement on May 8, 2010. More specific information and details will be forthcoming.
For additional information, please contact the Albers for Senate campaign at info@votealbers.com or (770)280-6061. www.votealbers.com
We have JUST learned that House Bill 1184 is scheduled for hearing tomorrow at 4 pm in the Senate Insurance Committee. This bill does NOT protect diabetes coverage mandates.
The Senate version of this bill (SB 407) would allow insurance companies from other states to sell insurance in Georgia, as long as they respected our state laws. However House Bill 1184 will allow substandard insurance plans offered from states that have weaker protections for diabetes coverage to be sold in our state. If this passes, despite all that you pay for insurance, you could still be left without the protection you need.
Why would we pass a bill that would undermine our current state law which requires state-regulated insurers in Georgia to offer diabetes care? We need to stop this!
Please call:
• Senator Ralph Hudgens, Chairman of the Senate Insurance Committee at (404) 656-4700
• Senator David Shafer, Vice Chair of the Senate Insurance Committee at (404) 656-0048
Tell the person who picks up the phone something like this: “As the Chair/Vice Chair of the Senate Insurance Committee, I hope you will ask the committee to vote against House Bill 1184, and help preserve Georgia’s health insurance laws for people with diabetes.”
Posted By: Bobby Schindler
To: Members in Terri Schindler Schiavo
Five Years Ago Today, Terri Schiavo Dies After Almost Two Weeks Without Food or Water
Five years ago today, March 31, 2005, Terri Schindler Schiavo died. By the order of Judge George W. Greer, Terri died a slow barbaric death by starvation and dehydration over a period of almost two weeks.
We have been posting stories of the events that occurred on each of those days not only in respect for Terri’s memory, but a reminder that in this moment countless people are suffering slow, agonizing deaths in hospice, nursing homes, and hospitals in America and around the world.
I was introduced to this new political blog a few weeks ago and I’m digging the content. It’s in the style of Drudge Report but totally focused on Georgia Politics.
John Albers, the leading Republican candidate for State Senate District 56, will announce at the Roswell City Council meeting this evening a new initiative to help North Fulton by promoting a “Contract for Milton County”. The Contract is a pledge for all elected officials, candidates and engaged citizens to sign that commits them to promoting workable solutions to enact and pushing for the creation of Milton County.
HR21, a resolution to begin the process for the creation of Milton County was unable to secure enough votes for passage this year. The winner of the Senate 56 contest will be a pivotal figure in the passage or continued failure of this effort.
Said Albers, “Like so many other North Fulton leaders, I am disappointed in the outcome of HR21, but this temporary setback only refocuses all of the families on North Fulton on the need for committed leadership to make Milton County a reality. Regardless of my personal election, I am pushing forward by providing leadership on this critical issue by starting this Contract for Milton County initiative to build even broader support that will continue on regardless of who wins the election.”
“While other candidates talk about Milton County, I am putting action and commitment behind it and seeking to mobilize even more support to secure passage next year. I support our North Fulton delegation and all their hard to make this a reality. They need our support and focus to keep this issue moving and start separating our services now.”
This contract which can be found and signed online at: www.contractformiltoncounty.com. Several town hall meetings have been scheduled as well as appearance throughout North Fulton to get citizens involved. The Contract for Milton County will be an ongoing call to action to have a more responsive local government that provides quality public services.
“Being a State Senator takes a substantial commitment of time and energy, I make that commitment. I have consistently demonstrated involvement in our community. Once elected, I will work tirelessly to serve the families in North Fulton and make Milton County a reality. I look forward to being North Fulton’s customer service State Senator.”
For additional information, please contact John Albers at john@votealbers.com or (770)280-6061.
I post this only because I think it would be a much cleaner race if King Roy the Rat didn’t run for Georgia Governor.
Press Release from David Poythress:
Last July, I called for former Governor Barnes to rethink his decision to run for Governor. In a Friday radio interview on WGAU (1380AM) in Athens, Democratic Party of Georgia chairwoman Jane Kidd agreed when she said “…for the good of the Party, let’s keep the competition down to as few candidates as possible.”
What’s become clear over the last nine months is that more and more Democrats realize that we need to nominate a candidate who can win in November. Roy Barnes may be the frontrunner, but he cannot beat the Republican nominee.
The points I mentioned last summer hold true today. The state’s teachers haven’t forgiven or forgotten how he insulted them, and they stand ready to enthusiastically vote against him again. The Georgia GOP is so excited about their nominee facing Roy that they have already launched an anti-Barnes website reviving the “King Roy the Rat” image. And, although he claims to be “listening,” Barnes still doesn’t realize that Georgians aren’t buying his reinvention tour.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out that he proved he could have a $20 million fundraising lead and all the advantages of being an incumbent and LOSE when he handed the GOP their first keys to the Governor’s office in over 150 years.
The recent polling results show him trailing or even with nearly every Republican candidate, dropping down to the mid-thirties – a far cry from the overwhelming lead in the polls he used to enjoy!
I hope Kidd can convince Barnes to not destroy the Party for the second time in less than a decade. With so many critical issues facing the state and reapportionment looming, the stakes are too high for the Party to take a chance on him again. And he’s brought no new energy or ideas to the campaign so far.
In short, we need a candidate with proven leadership and commonsense solutions to our state’s critical problems. I believe I am the only Democratic candidate with a strong record that can withstand the fierce competition of the General Election.
So let me repeat my sentiment from last summer:
“For the good of the Party, I hope that Roy Barnes realizes that there’s still time for him to change his mind so we can avoid a divisive primary. Ironically, the only sure-fire way to prove that he has changed is for Roy to put Georgia’s needs before his own ambition and stay out of the race for Governor.”
Sam Olens, Republican candidate for Georgia Attorney General, released this statement this morning:
“Today is a terrible day in our country’s history. As your next Attorney General, I will do everything legally and constitutionally possible to fight the federal takeover and implementation of heath care. I would join AG’s from states across the county to file lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of this Leviathan.
“As a State Attorney General is it your constitutional duty to protect the rights of Georgia’s citizens and the sovereignty of the state. This bill contains federal mandates and provisions that are unconstitutional and must be challenged.
“I commend the current AG’s of South Carolina, Florida and Virginia who have taken the lead and I challenge all current state AG’s and AG candidates for this important office to tell the voters what they would do if elected. In Georgia, it will be incumbent on the next AG to lead the fight for future generations.”
