Collegiate Voters of Alabama

The Problem

Like everyone else I am deeply concerned about our struggling economy.  In September 2009, Alabama had the 10^th highest unemployment rate in the country.  During the last year our growth in unemployment exceeded every state with the exception of Nevada and Michigan.  With nearly 10.7% of our workers unemployed (September) and businesses continuing to close, everyone is affected.

The folks in Washington D.C. only make the situation worse.  Policies such as “cap and trade” will necessarily cause electricity rates to skyrocket and new coal-fired plants to go bankrupt, according to Barack Obama during an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle in 2008 before his election to the Presidency.  Such additional expenses will cause many businesses to move their operations to other countries which have not adopted such restrictive measures.

Alabama the Beautiful

Nevertheless, Alabama has been blessed with abundant resources, natural waterways, and a great climate.  Her people are strong, innovative, and resolute.  We have a beautiful state and a rich heritage.  Together, with faith in God, we shall rise to the challenge with proper leadership and a strong will to succeed.  Besides, we have seen such hard times before.

In the early 1980’s, following the Carter Administration, our unemployment rate was 10.8% and we faced a similar dire economy.  We can turn to the lessons of the past to guide our future.  Implementing the proven principles of Ronald Reagan’s supply-side economics eliminating wasteful government spending, cutting taxes, and downsizing government we will jump start our economy.  Removing burdensome regulations and unnecessary taxes from businesses will provide needed revenue to those who can and will employ a willing and able workforce.  I will assemble a team of financial experts to implement the sound principles of conservative economic development that President Reagan used to bring our nation out of the severe recession of the early 1980’s.

 Qualified Experienced Leadership

But experienced leadership is the key to success.  Trained at the United States Military Academy at West Point, I know how to handle tough problems.  As a company commander in Vietnam, I commanded hundreds of soldiers in a war zone.  Years later as Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, I was in charge of the entire Judicial Branch consisting of more than 2,200 employees, state judges, and officials and a budget which ranged from $130-150 million.  I know the business of state government.  In the years following my tenure as Chief Justice, I have served as President of the Foundation for Moral Law in Montgomery, which employs a staff of attorneys and administrative personnel, working in federal and state courts across the nation as well as the U.S. Supreme Court to protect your rights to life, liberty, and property.

 The Solution

 My administration will not only increase efforts to recruit new industry but we will work tirelessly to stabilize existing businesses in our state.  I will remove unnecessary taxes such as the annual increases in property taxes, and I will work toward removing business personal property tax and the ridiculous business privilege tax which does more to stifle productivity than to encourage its growth.  We will encourage more jobs in cities like Huntsville by bringing military operations forced to close in other states as a result of the Department of Defense Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) program to this area.  In Mobile we will strongly support efforts to bring the Air Force Tanker program to this important hub of commerce in Alabama.  In other areas such as the Wiregrass and West Alabama, a cooperative program with the help of various governmental agencies will benefit agricultural productivity.  Each area of Alabama has unique characteristics which invite economic development.

To accomplish my goals for a better economy, we need to reduce the size and scope of government by imposing a hiring freeze on replacement of retiring personnel where the effect will not inhibit the true goal and end of good government.  Contracting out some government services will increase efficiency and save costs associated with health care and employee salaries.  I share Ronald Reagan’s philosophy that government is best which governs least.

Finally, we must control the state budget.  In 2008 the General Fund budget of $2 billion fell short nearly $500 million.   There was no excuse for the legislature to increase the budget for 2009 to $2.5 billion simply because “stimulus money” was available.  Such policies only hurt our economy, make us further dependent on federal funds, and create programs we do not need and for which funding is not available in the future.

Together we can and will revitalize our economy in Alabama and create a better future for ourselves, our children, and grandchildren.  With your help we will make a beautiful Alabama even better.