Peanut Politics Bible Verse of the Day: 1 Peter 1:5-9

This is a new feature that will be featured on Peanut Politics & the Peanut Politics Facebook Page. Bible Verse of the day comes from 1 Peter 1:5-9

(5). who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. (6) In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. (7) These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. (8) Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, (9) for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Have a blessed Day!

Republican Ken DeLoach announces Bid for GA-2nd Congressional District

In a press Release sent out yesterday, Ken Deloach will seek the 2nd CD seat where he will face off against Rick Allen (R-Columbus) in the primary.

Here's the Presser:

Ken DeLoach Announces Bid for Georgia's Second Congressional District Seat

February 21, 2012 -“ Educator and minister Ken DeLoach has announced his candidacy for Georgia's second congressional district. Eager to begin the process, DeLoach has already met with Republican groups in Peach, Lee, Bibb and Muscogee counties. He will also participate in the Republican debate being held the night of February 28th in Lee County.

DeLoach is currently the Dean of Students and a teacher at Central Fellowship Christian Academy in Bibb County as well as Associate Pastor at River of Light Church in Warner Robins. He is also the current 1st Vice-Chairman of the Houston County Republican Party.

DeLoach, a native Georgian, made the decision to run after being approached by several people within that district.

DeLoach stated, "We're receiving very positive feedback on our messages of jobs, jobs, jobs. The people of Georgia's second congressional district want more jobs, not more government. A government check can neither buy a man's dignity nor his dreams."

"We've put together a team, not just to see us through the Republican Primary on July 31st, but to see us to victory on November 6th . We will return this district to those who have the real answers to our problems: We the People," DeLoach added.

DeLoach married his wife, Lynn, in 1987. She is a registered nurse working as a travel nurse for a Bibb County company. Ken and Lynn have two sons; Caleb, 16; and, Andrew, 14.

DeLoach sees individual Constitutional rights, energy, national defense and an aggressive reduction in the size and spending of our federal government as additional issues that must be faced and dealt with as soon as possible, "It's time for Congress to be responsible adults and choose American workers over beltway lobbyists and career politicians."

Rural Georgia 2012 Legislative Races to Watch

HD 151:
Gerald Greene (R-Cuthbert)
Bob Hanner (R-Parrott)

The two longtime rural Democrats switched parties after the 2010 election & their districts was paired together, forcing both men to run against each other. One may possibly retire, but that remains to be seen. The district is a lean democratic district

HD 138

Mike Cheokas (R-Americus)

Cheokas, former chair of the Sumter County Democratic Party also switched after the 2010 elections. The district now includes democratic leaning Chattahoochee County & it loses the more conservative southern portion of Sumter County. The district is a tossup/tilt democratic district




HD 144

James "Bubber" Epps (R-Dry Branch)

Epps was bombarded with questions during his last re-election about the possibility of switching parties but he vigorously denied he was planning to switch parties. After getting re-elected he immediately switched parties, angering local democrats. The district now includes Bleckley County & Northwest Laurens County. The district is a tossup




HD 150

Matt Hatchett (R-Dublin)

Hatchett took over as Rep of Laurens County after DuBose Porter left to run for governor in 2010. Hatchett defeated Physician Pablo Santamaria in the genera,l who I thought was the weaker candidate in the democratic primary which he defeated Mitch Warnock in the runoff. The district is tilt republican district, but depending on the democratic candidate can be won again by dems



HD 145

E. Culver "Rusty" Kidd (I-Baldwin County)

Rusty Kidd faces re-election to a district that includes more of southern Putnam County. Questions arose about his residency last year in which he lived outside of his district, but that has been fixed as the new district now includes more of Putnam County. Baldwin Co has suffered mass job loss over the past decade & this year maybe the year that this seat flips to the democratic column. The district is a tossup




HD 177

Open Seat (Democratic Leaning)

This seat was drawn as a majority-minority district. It includes the city of Valdosta. Expect many candidates to jump at the chance of representing this open house seat




HD 175

Amy Carter (R-Valdosta)

Carter, a moderate also switched parties & now serves as Nathan Deal's Floor Leader. She now has new territory that now includes democratic Brooks County, Republican Thomas County & a sliver of Lowndes County. Her position maybe help her in her bid to win re-election in this new district, but expect a democratic challenge to her in november. The district is a tossup




HD 149

Jimmy Pruett (R-Eastman)

Pruett loses Wilcox, Pulaski & Bleckley Counties & Pickup Telfair & Wheeler Counties, as well as Southern Laurens County. Pruett who was Sonny Perdue's floor leader is basically running in a new district. The district is lean republican. I'd be surprised if he doesn't receive a challenge to the newly redrawn district




HD 171

Jay Powell (R-Camilla)

Powell came to the legislature in 2006 after the retirement of longtime Democrat Richard Royal. Powell was personally escorted by then speaker Glen Richardson to qualify as a republican on the last day of qualifying. 171 now takes in North/North Central Decatur County. Mitchell County sizable AA population makes this a race that democrats win definitely target in november.




HD 180

Mark Hatfield (R-Waycross)
Jason Spencer (R-Woodbine)

This race will be one of the most interesting to watch. Hatfield who has been at the center of controversy sponsored a bill that would have required President Obama to provide certified proof of his birth to the Georgia secretary of state in order to appear on this year’s presidential primary and general election ballots. Spencer is the newly elected Rep out of Camden County who has been paired against Hatfield in the GOP primary this summer. Its possibly that Hatfield just may hold on to his seat against freshman Jason Spencer. I can't call this race, but its a safe republican seat.




HD 133

Kip Smith (R-Pine Mountain)

Smith was pulled over for DUI back in January which has lead to a primary challenge from John Pezold. Smith took over the seat from his father Vance Smith who was appointed as the GDOT Commissioner (he is no longer the commissioner) Smith, 30 hails from a safe republican district & I believe that like Ben Harbin, he will weather the storm & win re-election.




HD 158

Butch Parrish (R-Swainsboro)

Former Democrat Butch Parrish has been in that seat since the mid 1980s & show no signs of slowing down. He hasn't had a real challenge to that seat in years, if not decades. Its highly....highly unlikely that he will ever lose his seat, but you never know. These are turbulent times in politics folks, so..............




HD 169

Chuck Sims (R-Ambrose)
Tommy Smith (R-Nicholls)

The two former democrats will battle it out in the GOP Primary for the right to represent this seat. Both men are very likable & well respected. No liberal/progressive democrat will win this seat....Oh, No! There are plenty of good solid BlueDogs down in that area & if the "RIGHT" Democrat comes forward, I can see this seat being high competitive.




HD 139

Lynmore James (D-Montezuma)

This seat now includes all of Dooly County, along with Macon, Taylor & southern Peach County

Incumbent Lynmore James (D-Montezuma) who is a friend of mine will step down after 20 years due to health issues. This seat is a solid democratic district. You have Businessman & Conservative Democrat Thomas Coogle, Jr, Peach Co Commissioner Michael Dinkins & Taylor Co Commissioner Patty Bentley. This will be a highly competitive race with a runoff likely between two of the three candidates. The district includes Macon County, which is the 3rd poorest county in the state.

Former State Rep. Jimmy Skipper (D-Americus) Accused of "Bamboozling" in Sumter Co School Board Redistricting Battle

Because of mistrust among the Black School Board Members, Former State Rep Jimmy Skipper (D-Americus) (Left) thrown under the Bus...resigned as attorney for the County School Board...I don't blame him

Down in Americus, Sumter County NAACP President Mathis Wright Jr is accusing attorneys Jimmy Skipper & William NeSmith or misleading the Black School Board members of the Sumter County Board of Education when it came to redistricting.

Wright, according to the Americus-Sumter Observer reiterated that the "bamboozling" came when Attorney Jimmy Skipper, democrat who served from 1990 to 2004 as State Representative, concealed much of what he was doing with the U.S. Justice Department and the GA State Legislature. The Sumter County school board chairperson went to Skipper's office and got the information he was sending to the Justice Department. She brought the information back to the Black school board members but Skipper gave the same information to Dr. Michael Busman and the White board members. This created mistrust among the Black board members. What the Black school board members realized was that they would have allowed Skipper to change a 6-3 Black majority to a 5-2 White majority.

On or about January 03, 2012, the U.S. Department of Justice requested additional information to proposed changes from the school board attorney. However, at one school board meeting; the board asked Attorney Skipper to allow them an opportunity to review his response that he was submitting to the Justice Department. Skipper became very defensive and later resigned after the board asked him to withdraw the initial 2010 redistricting proposal.

Jimmy Skipper is a highly respected man in the state of Georgia & to see him get accused of trying to "Weakened' the majority Black School Board by the Sumter Co NAACP President & others by misleading black school board members is a Shame. Just to note, Sumter County Superintendent Roy Brooks (Left), seemed to have no problems with the new school board districts.

Hicks & Slicks: Principles Drive Us Rural Voters or "Hicks" as some "Slicks" Like to Say

If you look at the results of last year's congressional elections you can't help but notice that the rural areas or the "STICKS" across the country heavily favored the GOP.

I suspect that for farmers and ranchers it turns less on partisan politics, and more on practical considerations and values that guide their lives and their businesses.

These voters did not cast their ballots in fear or ignorance. No they didn't! You know, as I was thinking, part of the reason that our politics seems so tough right now and facts and science and argument does not seem to be winning the day all the time is because we're hardwired not to always think clearly when we're scared.

People such as farmers who wager their livelihood on the weather and the markets each growing season don't run scared every time the economy tanks. They deal with the issues up close and personal every day, and they have a clear understanding of the facts.

They are not against government. Even the most conservative farmer or rancher understands that there are a few big things government does well -- defense, air traffic control and law enforcement, for instance. They are against a big, intrusive government that reaches into the smallest aspects of their lives.

They resist unreasonable rules and regulations formulated by unelected and unseen functionaries or "SLICKS". They resent the patronizing paternalism of the nanny state. Look what happened to Rep Sanford Bishop in 2010. After voting for Cap and Trade, the Healthcare Legislation, he almost had his goose cooked by the HICKS who live in the rural areas of the district, had not been for the SLICKS in the cities of Columbus & Albany who bailed him out by a hair.....Farmers abandoned him in droves despite being the go-to guy when it comes to Agriculture in this district & probably the entire state

The "HICKS" are unwilling to surrender their independence. They don't want a government that dictates what they should eat, what they should think, what they should do with their own property. They are tired of the arrogance of the SLICKS, that assumes bureaucrats know better than the rest of us how we should live.

The SLICKS might say it's simplistic, but farmers and ranchers really do expect a legislator to read and understand those 2,000-page pieces of legislation before voting "yes." It's just common sense.

When times are hard, farmers and ranchers cut back. They do without. They have a hard time understanding why government doesn't do the same. They can't accept that government employees are an elite class whose pay and benefits are protected from the harsh economic realities that impact their neighbors.

Many farmers and ranchers still unapologetically believe in America's exceptionalism. To them this is still a special place, where great things happen. It's a country where people of the most humble origins can make something of themselves if they are willing to work hard. They believe in providing a helping hand to those in need, but balk at creating ever larger groups dependent on entitlements.

Farmers and ranchers are the epitome of individual responsibility and self-reliance. Faith in themselves, and in the grace of God, drive them to plant the next crop, raise their families and provide stewardship for the resources in their care. And rather than bitterly clinging to these values, they happily embrace them as the guiding force of their lives.

Candidates, especially democratic who hold similar values earn their support.

For Some Republicans, Distortions & Lies are the Only Way to Win an Election

Once considered liberal and progressive Pre-1964, the Republican Party has been taken over by right-wing conservative con artists who lie, cheat and steal to gain and maintain power. From voter fraud and suppression to smear campaigns, personal attacks and media manipulation, they have been using the same strategies for more than a hundred years.

While Democratic Dirty Tricks showed up around FDR's first election in '32, Kennedy/Nixon (Chicago) in '60 and Lyndon Johnson in '64, these lead to The New Deal, Social Security and Civil Rights while Republican Party Dirty Tricks gave us depressions, poverty and massive national debt.

Some Republicans know if most people vote, they would never win so they try to demoralize the Democratic base and suppress the vote as much as possible, they buy some people off with tax cuts and scare the rest into voting against their own interests and that's how they win. It's a divide and conquer strategy that has worked well and they refine and expand it every election year. Hey if ain't broke, don't fix it! Its been a success for them, so I wouldn't blame them for re-creating the same strategy

• Demoralize the Democratic base with phony press releases and whisper campaigns.
• Attack opponents strength with character assassination.
• Suppress the vote in every possible way.
• Buy some people off with tax cuts.
• Scare the hell out of the rest of the voters into voting against their own interests.

Republicans today have two major factors on their side; a fanatical base willing to carry out the dirty tricks and the greediest billionaires to finance them. They deceive good people by raising the red flag of abortion and gay marriage to divert attention away from their arrogant and greedy policies which cause the poverty, war and destroying our Natural Resources we are facing today.

Now look, Democrats stretch the truth and even lie outright as well, especially when an embarrassing personal fact comes to light (Case in point, John Edwards, Anthony Weiner).

But lord knows some republicans lie alot and unashamedly, both on the campaign trail and when they're in office, and they slander their opponents whenever they get the chance. If political lying were a criminal offense, Democrats would be guilty of misdemeanors and parking violations, while Republicans would be guilty of the worst kind of felonies, aggravated assaults, Kidnapping, or worse.

Is Democratic policy is beneficial to more people than Republican policy??? Democrats have a distinct advantage in an election on the bread & butter issues. The majority of people in this country want good wages, employee and consumer protection, affordable health care, a well maintained infrastructure, and so on. They only want us to put our soldiers in harm's way when it's absolutely necessary.

Those are the kinds of things Democratic policy is all about, so Democrats believe if they more-or-less tell the truth, throwing in some exaggeration along the way and hiding their personal faults, they should win elections -- that is, if the elections are won on the issues.

The Republican philosophy is entirely different. It believes that what's good for the ruling class (The Upper Bracket) is good for the country. That's what keeps America strong. Low wages help businesses prosper, which makes the country richer, so low wages are a good thing...let's see an unemployment level of 6% or higher helps keep workers afraid of losing their jobs, so they work harder for less pay......or worker illness doesn't hurt the bottom line since there are always plenty of others to take their place, so affordable health care is an unneeded expense. Social welfare programs make people lazy and less willing to take bad jobs for low wages, so they're counterproductive. Now Social Welfare does make "SOME" people lazy, but not everyone who's on it....

How many people would vote for the Republican Party if it admitted to its core philosophy? 35%? 45%? Truly doctrinaire Republicans believe they must be in power, not just for their own personal gain, but for the good of the country. If the bleeding heart Democrats took over, they honestly believe, we would lose our wealth and our ascendancy in the world. So it's their patriotic duty to win by any means necessary. Since they can't win elections by running on their real agenda, they win by lying about their agenda and smearing their opponents with as much mud as they can. (They also do everything they can to divert people's attention, of course, by claiming to stand for morality, motherhood and apple pie and making people believe they're in danger and only the Republicans can keep the country safe)

When they want to pass tax cuts for the rich, they say the cuts are for the middle class. When they want to bankrupt Social Security, they say they want people to have more money for their retirement, and on and on.

A republican friend of mine who I've known for over 6 years said this..."We're (Republicans) the Daddy Party that knows what's best for the country, even if the people are too childish to understand. We may....stretch it a lil' bit, but they're doing it for all of us. Father Knows Best". I was taken aback by that statement, but he's still my boy & we don't let our politics get in the way of friendship, (he's a unabashed Tea Partier...me, a rural conservative democrat). That statement makes me think how many actually think like that? Who knows!

Anyway, I know I can be sarcastic sometimes when I write blog posts on this blog, but this is not one of those times. I'm being deadly earnest. This is the way things are. And it's why Democrats are always so frustrated and befuddled when the Republicans come after them with jaw-dropping lies and the nastiest of smears. Democrats can't believe anyone would stoop so low, because the Democrats' desire to tell the truth makes it difficult for them to understand how anyone can lie with such abandon. Hardcore Republicans, on the other hand, probably know deep down in their DNA that lying is the only way for them to stay in power.

A Politically Segregated Georgia is Not in the Best Interest of the People

These days, with blacks comprising a majority of Democratic state lawmakers in the Democratic Caucuses of the House & Senate black now equals Democrat. And the white Southern Democrat is becoming an endangered species. For blacks here in Georgia, that in itself is not a problem. Many enjoyed being in the Democratic majority through the 1990s and up until the early 2000s. But Republicans, for now, are the only game in town. And in the former Confederacy, legislative black caucuses find themselves in the same kind of wilderness that led to their formation in the first place.

Meanwhile, Blacks vote their interests, which do not lie within the ultra-conservative, Tea Party-infused, Republican Party. Although some Republicans would claim to vote in their interests, they would have to ask themselves why their Republican-controlled states suffer from some of the highest levels of poverty, and the lowest educational and health standards in the nation?

The story of the GOP in the South is one of white Democrats or "Dixiecrats" some like to call them, trading donkeys for elephants. After Lyndon Johnson passed the historic civil right legislation of the mid-1960s, disaffected conservative Southerners commenced the process of white flight from the Democratic Party. Voting rights and redistricting led to black power in the form of majority black districts. However, the unintended consequences were whiter, more conservative districts where Democrats -- particularly moderate and liberal white Democrats -- are unable to compete, where only moderate and conservative have the best shot at winning those type of districts.

Meanwhile, Republican majorities put themselves in charge of a process of racial gerrymandering, such as the case in the 2nd Congressional District,& a slew of legislative districts, allowing them to stoke the fires of racial polarization, and further segregate the state of Georgia for political gain. They say they are only following the guidelines of the Voting Rights Act & maybe so, but let's be real here, the more blacks you can put into a particular district, the more it increases the GOP stronghold on Georgia.

Plus, the Obama era has created a far more conservative Republican Party than the one that came to power during the Bush presidency.

Such an environment makes it increasingly difficult for a black candidate for statewide office in the future like former Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond who could be a candidate for statewide office in 2014. The old democratic party for the longest time remained democratic despite voting republican on the federal level for president & that was due to the crafty late House Speaker Tom Murphy who held together a fragile coalition of rural white & urban black democrats until his defeat in 2002. Georgia under democratic rule was the leading state in the south as far as progress. A business-friendly environment, lead by the quality of life led many citizens from across the nation to relocate to Georgia.

But the Party failed to educate these new voters the role the democratic party played in making Georgia the one, if not, the place to live, raise a family, open a business, etc, etc. That, in my opinion is one of the reasons the party fell like a house of cards in a matter of a few years. As the State Party drifted more & more to the left, mimicking the National Party, it became less whiter, oh wait, less diverse & more blacker & browner by the defections of rural moderate/ conservative democrats.......NOT A GOOD SIGN!

Let me end this by saying that the state HAS re-segregated politically due to racial gerrymandering. Black=Democrat, White =Republican & that my friends is not healthy for our great state.