At this time in Georgia history, the downturn in the economy is causing state legislators to seek diligently to find revenues to meet state expenses. Disturbing news is coming out of this year’s session. The ideas of allowing horse racing with legalized gambling, and Sunday sales of alcohol are being discussed — not by Democrats as in the past, but by Republicans. You know them, the party of “traditional family values.”

Should the validity of something being legal be based on its tax revenue potential? The answer: Absolutely not. You do not make decisions to give people freedoms and rights which are not granted in the moral code upon which this country was founded, The Holy Bible. Our founding fathers predicated their beliefs upon the laws and moral codes which are given in this sacred book, and our Constitution and Bill of Rights were founded on its teachings.

Common sense and a look at your neighbors will show us the destruction that alcohol and gambling bring to many in society. In the state of Georgia it is estimated that there will be more than 43,000 DUIs and 515 deaths due to intoxicated driving this year.

Statistics also show that there will likely be 2,621 deaths related to alcohol abuse. Georgia statistics further reveal that an estimated 429,000 individuals had an alcohol abuse or dependence problem in the 2005.

I won’t bore you with gambling statistics, but we all know someone who cannot afford to gamble, but who does it anyway. Aren’t these people worth the attempt to help them by not making it more accessible?

It is so important to me, that I for one, pledge to NOT support any political candidate who votes to bring either of these proposals to a vote, no matter who their opposition is. In my mind, they will have earned “term limits” and I will strive to see that they are not elected or re-elected to political office. The days are over when I hold my nose and vote for the better of two candidates who do not really represent me.



Jerry Camp

Tifton