H.B. 124 Restricts the Power of Future Voters

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, April 12, 2013 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

Good morning, Jim. Strange things are happening in Georgia. When I read H.B. 124 for the first time, I thought it would never pass, but it did and I’m confounded! The introductory paragraph says H.B. 124 will change how retail sales of distilled spirits and other alcoholic beverages are governed. Then, it explains the major change it makes for voters who have, historically, had the right to determine what, if any, alcohol will be sold in their district.

H.B. 124 ties the hands of future voters by brazenly stating that an election in which the majority of voters disapprove of Sunday retail package sales of malt beverages, wine and distilled spirits can-NOT nullify the prior election that APPROVED Sunday retail package sales of malt beverages and wine. And, yes, that IS the correct reading of H.B. 124.

This is a prime reason legislation must be carefully read to understand what it will do. By reading every word, not skipping any words and not adding words to what’s written, the gist of the bill will be evident. When I applied that to this bill, I learned that future voters CAN vote to STOP Sunday sales of DISTILLED SPIRITS, but future voters CANNOT stop Sunday retail sales of malt beverages and wine, regardless of how big the majority IS that want it stopped. Continue reading →

2013 Session Just Ended

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, April 5, 2013 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

Good morning, Jim.  After a long, hard 40 days, this year’s session ended March 28^th.  During those 40 days, well over 2500 bills were introduced – some good, some bad, some passed, some didn’t.  It’ll be some time before we have a final analysis of what actually happened this year.  But, one thing I know.  We’re in a battle for the very soul of our country.

Maybe that’s why I’m so thrilled that Representative Barbara Sims’ legislation passed.  Her simple 32-line bill was prompted by two very important facts:  (1) Georgia’s children are not being taught United States history or The Constitution of the United States.  (2) So, unless they have an exceptional teacher, Georgia’s public school students have no idea how important the Constitution is or why it should be studied and followed as the founding document of our great nation.

H.R. 218 asks that all local school superintendents recognize that learning the Constitution is a vital part of education, beginning in kindergarten.  If Representative Sims’ request is implemented by local superintendents and teachers in their respective districts, Georgia’s future high school graduates should be well informed about the United States Constitution and its monumental importance to our country. Continue reading →

What If ….

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, March 8, 2013 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

Good morning, Jim.  Would you be concerned if I said, lawmakers are having to act to protect children from transgender bathrooms or that the state of Washington had finished changing the word “man” into gender-neutral terms in all their laws or that Florida and Minnesota had already done the same?

It took six years to make the changes, but the state of Washington is in the process of passing a 500-page bill to eliminate “man” from every state law.  That, my friends, is a culture change, moving us into a unisex society that denies any difference between males and females.  If it weren’t so serious, we might laugh over a couple of words that stumped them!  They can’t decide how to change the word “manhole,” but might call it a “utility hole.”  The word “manlock” is so difficult they might have to explain what it is, since there’s no synonym for it. But right now, they’re leaving manhole and manlock in the law. Continue reading →