Having a Hard Time Deciding Which Candidates to Support?

Radio Commentary, WMVV 90.7 New Life FM, July 2, 2010
By Sue Ella Deadwyler

Good morning, Jim. In less than three weeks, the Georgia Primary Election will be held and voters will decide which candidates will be on the ballot in November. If you can’t decide which candidates to support, read the party platforms and you’ll learn how the party expects elected officials to vote on issues. If you do that, you’ll soon know which party shares your values and which candidates would best represent you.

For example: a basic concern is abortion. The Republican Party pro-life platform says, “The unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life which cannot be infringed. We support a human life amendment [and] endorse legislation to make clear that Fourteenth Amendment protections apply to unborn children. We support the appointment of judges who respect traditional family values and the sanctity of innocent human life.”

Compare that with the Democrat Platform that says, “[The party] stands behind the right of every woman to choose, consistent with Roe v. Wade … regardless of ability to pay.” That makes it clear that the Democrat Party supports taxpayer-funded unregulated abortion with no restriction.

The Libertarian Platform, also, supports unrestricted abortion. It says, “We oppose all laws likely to impose restrictions on free choice. We oppose legislation restricting or subsidizing women’s access to abortion or other reproductive health services….”

Then, consider the platforms about guns. The Republican Platform says, “We defend the constitutional right to keep and bear arms [and] affirm the individual responsibilities to safely use and store firearms.” On the other hand, the Democrat Platform is for stricter gun control. It states, “[K]eep guns away from those who shouldn’t have them,” but it does not explain who should have them – citizens or government or both.

Next week I’ll have more party platform information. I hope you find it helpful! For Georgia Insight I’m Sue Ella Deadwyler, your Capitol correspondent.