I regret the oversight, but you can use this in the runoff election and save it for future elections. Here’s the glossary of terms necessary to understand what the candidates mean:
Good ole’ boy: A derogatory term for “my opponent” that is used by challengers who can’t compete on issues or experience, or by those whose views are not accepted by people holding office. Example: “I will put an end to good ole’ boy politics.”
I will cut your taxes: User is either fiscally irresponsible, knows nothing about the job, is lying or is smarter than anyone else who’s held the job in the last two decades.
Liberal: What most Georgia politicians call their opponents. Example: “He’s a tree-hugging, tax-and-spend, terrorist-supporting liberal.”
Conservative: What most Georgia politicians claim to be. This should not be confused with “fiscal conservative.” Example: “I’m a true conservative, not a tree-hugging, tax-and-spend, terrorist-supporting liberal.”
Fiscal conservative: Anyone running for office. There are none actually in office. Typically, they promise to lower taxes, end “earmarks” and balance the budget. The way to tell if they’re lying is to see if their lips are moving.
Christian: “My opponent is not.” Example: District 10 incumbent Paul Broun.
Born-again Christian: Better, more trustworthy and holier than a regular Christian; someone God wants to win this election.
Experience: This often has no meaning. Example: “I was born and raised in Jackson County.”
Qualifications: See “experience.” Example: “I’m a graduate of Commerce High School and a lifelong member of the NRA.”
Patriotic: Reference to speaker’s red, white and blue tie and American flag lapel pin that makes him a better American than his opponent. Does not require his or her support of taxes to fund the government he or she loves or to fight its wars.
Support our men and women in harm’s way: The speaker wears a flag lapel pin and holds the belief that Iraq is responsible for the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. That support does not extend to taxes to fund our men and women in harm’s way and generally means they should remain in harm’s way until Iraq is officially the 51st state.
Leader: Me, not my opponent.
Leadership: What you will get if you elect the speaker. If you elect his opponent, you’ll get good ole’ boy politics.
Smart growth: Only growth the speaker thinks is appropriate, and he or she will define that as he or she goes along. The implication is that growth heretofore has been “dumb.”
Secure our borders: If you elect me, it will be against the law to speak Spanish except at Mexican restaurants.
Soft on terrorism: Describes an opponent who opposes the Iraq war.
Keep this handy. It’ll help you decipher the political talk.
Mark Beardsley is editor of The Commerce News.
A prime example of Good ole’ boy politics was demonstrated in recent weeks in the District 2 commission primary. This publication stated that the mayor’s son “deserved” the support of the voters. Why did this candidate deserve support of the voters? He never addressed any of the issues. The only “qualifications” were the type of experience referenced in this article (graduate of Commerce High School, member of First Baptist Church, etc.). The editor of this publication, a former employee of the mayor, is apparently a close neighbor of the mayor’s son. He needed to help out a “good ole’ boy” in the past election by printing an endorsement for this candidate. Never mind the incumbent actually had positions on the issues and a good record of public service during his term. You can’t let a good ole’ boy down. It's the mayor's son. It's his right.
Good luck Mr. Hardy!!! Show us what you've got.
Mr. Hardy won and life goes on. Let us give him a chance to do what he told us he was going to do. I feel that all this questioning and writing about he and his qualifications is going to give you nothing more than an ulcer. Move on to something else, this county has starving children.
I feel there are still too many unanswered questions about Hardy's real intentions.
Majority of the people do not feel the way you do, but that does not make them stupid. Do not make a fool out yourself trying to make a fool out of them.
I understand that people are not stupid because they disagree with an opinion, but basing a position on feelings and emotions and being incapable of offering facts and using logic can easily lead someone to that conclusion.