Several months ago I had a conversation with a good friend of mine named Chris Lawyer. We had a discussion about politics, which wasn't an unusual topic for us to discuss. We both share a conservative political philosophy and we have a habit of discussing political issues.
While in this particular conversation, I was reminded of the passion that Chris has for helping people and establishing a better form of government. Suddenly, I remembered that municipal elections are coming up this year and an interesting idea came across my mind: Chris would make an excellent candidate for public office.
After pondering the thought for a moment, I asked Chris if he would consider running for Greensboro City Council. Without hesitation, Chris told me that he would, indeed, consider running for public office. This was a surprise to me, because I fully expected him to say no. After all, there are a lot of folks out there who would make a good candidate for public office but they don't want to enter the rugged world of politics.
But Chris had an important caveat along with being willing to run for public office: He said that he would only do so if I agreed to manage his campaign. Because I believe in Chris to such a great degree, I told him that I would be more than willing to help him get elected.
Shortly thereafter, we filed papers to form a campaign committee for Chris to run for Greensboro City Council At-Large. He decided to run for an at-large position on the City Council because he wants to serve all of Greensboro rather than a fraction of the city.
Since launching his campaign, Chris has proven to be a fantastic candidate. This is his first run for public office, but he handles himself in a professional manner and campaigning seems to come natural to him. He understands the issues facing Greensboro and he is dedicated to making his campaign a success.
Chris is a true conservative and he is passionate about securing a better future for the citizens of Greensboro. He understands that we can't spend money that we don't have and he knows that it is our citizens, not the government, that make Greensboro such a wonderful place.
As a physician assistant in a local ER, Chris has dedicated his career to helping people. While working in the ER, Chris has made a habit of listening to problems that people are having and coming up with solutions. He knows how to handle high-stress situations and he is able to work under pressure.
Furthermore, I am writing this in hopes that you will join me in supporting Chris. Running for City Council as a first-time candidate is a difficult task, but Chris is on the right track and he has an excellent chance to win.
Please vote for Chris Lawyer in the upcoming City Council Primary and encourage your friends to vote as well. Early voting began last week and the Primary Election is on October 11th.
If you have questions for Chris, feel free to send him an email: lawyerforcouncil@gmail.com. You can also find Chris on the web: www.lawyerforcouncil.com.
I really hope that you will support Chris. He is a person of sound character and he sincerely wants to serve the community.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Dr. Mike Beitler for Secretary of State
Dr. Mike Beitler of Greensboro recently announced that he is going to run for Secretary of State in North Carolina. Although the 2012 election is over a year away, Dr. Beitler has begun the process of traveling the state to promote his candidacy and garner support.
Mike is a true conservative with libertarian views. He knows that government is often the cause of our problems, not the solution. He is passionate about public service and there is no question that he would be an excellent Secretary of State.
Please consider offering your support to Dr. Mike Beitler in the 2012 elections.
Mike is a true conservative with libertarian views. He knows that government is often the cause of our problems, not the solution. He is passionate about public service and there is no question that he would be an excellent Secretary of State.
Please consider offering your support to Dr. Mike Beitler in the 2012 elections.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
General Assembly Update (July 30, 2010)
The North Carolina General Assembly reconvened this month to finalize redistricting and to address other unfinished business. Here are some notable outcomes:
General Assembly approves redistricting maps
New maps for Congressional districts as well as state House and Senate districts were approved by the General Assembly. These maps will now have to be approved by the Department of Justice or a federal court before they officially go into effect.
As expected, the new maps were a source of controversy across the state. Democrats accused Republicans of gerrymandering districts while Republicans argued that they followed the law and crafted districts that are "fair and legal."
General Assembly fails to override Voter ID Veto
State legislators attempted to override Governor Perdue's veto of legislation that would require voters to present a valid form of photo ID before voting. The legislation was intended to stifle voter fraud and protect the integrity of the ballot box. Unfortunately, the override of Perdue's veto failed as the Republican majority in the state House were not able to get any Democrats to join them in the override. State legislators voted along party lines, with Republicans voting in favor of the override while Democrats voted against it.
This issue is expected to be a major factor in the 2012 elections. Most polls indicate that the vast majority of North Carolina voters favor photo ID requirements for voting.
General Assembly advances restrictions for abortion
The General Assembly was successful in overriding Governor Perdue's veto of legislation that would place new restrictions on abortions in North Carolina. The legislation requires health providers to fully disclose the potential health implications from having an abortion and to provide the patient with images from an ultrasound. It also requires those seeking an abortion to wait 24 hours after consulting with a health provider before proceeding with the procedure.
General Assembly approves redistricting maps
New maps for Congressional districts as well as state House and Senate districts were approved by the General Assembly. These maps will now have to be approved by the Department of Justice or a federal court before they officially go into effect.
As expected, the new maps were a source of controversy across the state. Democrats accused Republicans of gerrymandering districts while Republicans argued that they followed the law and crafted districts that are "fair and legal."
General Assembly fails to override Voter ID Veto
State legislators attempted to override Governor Perdue's veto of legislation that would require voters to present a valid form of photo ID before voting. The legislation was intended to stifle voter fraud and protect the integrity of the ballot box. Unfortunately, the override of Perdue's veto failed as the Republican majority in the state House were not able to get any Democrats to join them in the override. State legislators voted along party lines, with Republicans voting in favor of the override while Democrats voted against it.
This issue is expected to be a major factor in the 2012 elections. Most polls indicate that the vast majority of North Carolina voters favor photo ID requirements for voting.
General Assembly advances restrictions for abortion
The General Assembly was successful in overriding Governor Perdue's veto of legislation that would place new restrictions on abortions in North Carolina. The legislation requires health providers to fully disclose the potential health implications from having an abortion and to provide the patient with images from an ultrasound. It also requires those seeking an abortion to wait 24 hours after consulting with a health provider before proceeding with the procedure.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Letter to the Editor
Here's an excellent letter to the editor that appeared in today's edition of the Greensboro News & Record:
Voter ID requirement safeguards elections
Gov. Bev Perdue vetoed the Voter ID bill and has demonstrated partisan politics at its worst. She chose to ignore the will of more than 75 percent of North Carolinians who view presenting a photo ID to vote as simple logic. To most citizens, it makes sense to implement the same requirements for voting as are in place for opening a bank account, cashing a check, renting a hotel room or even visiting the governor's own office in Raleigh.
Many of the requirements to present ID are designed to prevent fraudulent transactions involving our money. Isn't the integrity of our elections at least as important as the integrity of a checking account?
People moving to North Carolina from other states are amazed when they show up at the polls to vote the first time and find there are absolutely no requirements to prove your identity. Twenty-nine states in the U.S. require some type of identification for all voters. Voter ID is a common-sense safeguard for our election system. It provides integrity in the process and restores voter confidence in our elections.
Jeff Cox
Voter ID requirement safeguards elections
Gov. Bev Perdue vetoed the Voter ID bill and has demonstrated partisan politics at its worst. She chose to ignore the will of more than 75 percent of North Carolinians who view presenting a photo ID to vote as simple logic. To most citizens, it makes sense to implement the same requirements for voting as are in place for opening a bank account, cashing a check, renting a hotel room or even visiting the governor's own office in Raleigh.
Many of the requirements to present ID are designed to prevent fraudulent transactions involving our money. Isn't the integrity of our elections at least as important as the integrity of a checking account?
People moving to North Carolina from other states are amazed when they show up at the polls to vote the first time and find there are absolutely no requirements to prove your identity. Twenty-nine states in the U.S. require some type of identification for all voters. Voter ID is a common-sense safeguard for our election system. It provides integrity in the process and restores voter confidence in our elections.
Jeff Cox
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Happy 4th of July!
Here's wishing you and yours a happy and safe 4th of July. I feel very fortunate to have been born in America. Many thanks to all of those who have fought to protect and defend our freedom.
Happy Birthday, America!
Happy Birthday, America!
Friday, June 24, 2011
Perdue Vetoes Photo ID for Voters
Governor Perdue vetoed a bill that would have required voters to show a valid photo ID before casting a ballot.
According to the bill, voters would have to produce a valid photo identification such as a driver's license, passport, or military ID. Local boards of elections would provide voter ID cards - free of charge - to voters who do not posses a valid photo ID.
If a voter went to the polls and did not have a valid photo ID, he or she would be able to cast a provisional ballot, which would be counted at a later time when a valid photo ID is provided.
The purpose of the bill is to curtail possible voter fraud and to protect the integrity of the voting process. Backers of the bill argue that it would improve voting confidence and promote fair elections.
Opponents of the bill argue that it would infringe on the right of citizens to vote and would provide an unnecessary obstacle in the voting process. But it is hard to make that argument when you consider the fact that local board of elections would provide voter ID cards - free of charge - to eligible voters
The concept of requiring voters to produce a valid photo ID is popular among voters. Earlier this year, an Elon University Poll found that 75 percent of adults in North Carolina support photo ID requirements for voters.
It is important that we protect the integrity of our voting system. Requiring voters to provide a valid photo ID is a reasonable course of action in protecting the integrity of our elections process. Unfortunately, Governor Perdue had a different take on the situation.
According to the bill, voters would have to produce a valid photo identification such as a driver's license, passport, or military ID. Local boards of elections would provide voter ID cards - free of charge - to voters who do not posses a valid photo ID.
If a voter went to the polls and did not have a valid photo ID, he or she would be able to cast a provisional ballot, which would be counted at a later time when a valid photo ID is provided.
The purpose of the bill is to curtail possible voter fraud and to protect the integrity of the voting process. Backers of the bill argue that it would improve voting confidence and promote fair elections.
Opponents of the bill argue that it would infringe on the right of citizens to vote and would provide an unnecessary obstacle in the voting process. But it is hard to make that argument when you consider the fact that local board of elections would provide voter ID cards - free of charge - to eligible voters
The concept of requiring voters to produce a valid photo ID is popular among voters. Earlier this year, an Elon University Poll found that 75 percent of adults in North Carolina support photo ID requirements for voters.
It is important that we protect the integrity of our voting system. Requiring voters to provide a valid photo ID is a reasonable course of action in protecting the integrity of our elections process. Unfortunately, Governor Perdue had a different take on the situation.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
General Assemby Overrides Perdue's Budget Veto
The North Carolina General Assembly has successfully voted to override Governor Perdue's historic budget veto.
Early Wednesday morning, shortly after midnight, the N.C. House voted 73-46 to override Perdue's veto. Five Democrats joined with the entire GOP House delegation in favor of the override. On Wednesday afternoon, the N.C. Senate voted 31-19 along party lines to override Perdue's veto.
Now that the veto override is complete, the $19.7 billion becomes official and will go into affect July 1.
In addition to making necessary cuts to the state's budget, the new budget allows two temporary taxes to expire and adds another tax cut for small businesses. These tax breaks will improve North Carolina's business environment, which will encourage economic growth and job creation.
Many will consider the veto override to be a major political defeat for Governor Perdue and a victory for the GOP. That may be true, but the real winner are the citizens of North Carolina.
Early Wednesday morning, shortly after midnight, the N.C. House voted 73-46 to override Perdue's veto. Five Democrats joined with the entire GOP House delegation in favor of the override. On Wednesday afternoon, the N.C. Senate voted 31-19 along party lines to override Perdue's veto.
Now that the veto override is complete, the $19.7 billion becomes official and will go into affect July 1.
In addition to making necessary cuts to the state's budget, the new budget allows two temporary taxes to expire and adds another tax cut for small businesses. These tax breaks will improve North Carolina's business environment, which will encourage economic growth and job creation.
Many will consider the veto override to be a major political defeat for Governor Perdue and a victory for the GOP. That may be true, but the real winner are the citizens of North Carolina.
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