Wild Laws on Books in Georgia

Two bizarre laws went into effect in Georgia in July.  One is the hotly debated gun law.  It allows permit holders to carry guns in public places such as bars,  churches, or schools with some restrictions despite recent high-profile incidents of handgun violence in the State.  The other involves the possible drug testing of E.B.T. or food stamp applicants, even though most studies debunk such claims among those who benefit from the program.  It's been put on hold due to legal challenges dating back to when it was first proposed in 2010.  A similar statute was struck down in Florida in 2011.  In most instances,  the Republican majority pushed these and other controversial measures through the Georgia General Assembly without widespread public support.

Nunn Must Tap All Georgians

The U.S. Senate race in Georgia will feature Democrat Michelle Nunn and Republican David Perdue in a hard-fought contest down to the wire.

Democrats picked Nunn out of necessity.  Her father,  Sam Nunn,  served the state in the United States Senate for twenty-five years.  Despite her father's extensive record of public service,  Nunn must touch on issues important to all Georgians to head off a G.O.P. takeover of the U.S. Senate.

Nunn,  who serves as CEO of The Points Of Light Foundation started by President George H.W. Bush,  should first highlight the state's shaky economy to entice voters outside Atlanta.  Whereas the number of jobs has gradually increased in metro Atlanta,  the same cannot be said for communities in middle and South Georgia, like Macon,  Columbus, or Albany, and smaller towns like Cordele,  Dawson,  and Ft. Gains,  where the unemployment rate has topped fourteen percent since The Great Recession with no end in sight.

Nunn could also vow to fix the state's crumbling infrastructure to woo the urban vote. She could stress the need to expand metro Atlanta's rail and transit system with federal dollars to ease traffic gridlock. Likewise, a commitment to upgrade Georgia's freeway system would boost her standing with such voters.

In addition, she should speak out on Georgia's high school dropout rate of nearly fifty percent,  one of the highest in the country.  She might consider backing initiatives by the president to raise school standards in America. However, she should not spend too much time on this issue since she is not the candidate for governor.

Aside from education,  Nunn should take a pro-administration stand on the Affordable Care Act as part of her U.S. Senate race.  Terry McAuliffe did in his bid to become governor of Virginia, and it paid off.  Sixty percent of Georgians would like to see an expansion of Medicaid as required by Obamacare since thousands lack health insurance.  She must put fear aside and wholeheartedly support the program.

Finally,  Nunn will have to tackle the ongoing immigration issue that has divided the nation.  She must strike a delicate balance between deportation and amnesty to win over conservatives and not offend her democratic base.  If not,  she risks of losing the independent or crossover vote.

Jerick McKinnon || Georgia Southern Highlights ᴴᴰ

Golden Silvers (feat. Hypnotic Brass Ensemble) - 'Arrows Of Eros'

"Hip-Hop" by Mos Def feat HYPNOTIC BRASS ENSEMBLE

The Hypnotic Brass Ensemble | The New York Times

Carter Should Blast Deal on Ethics, Jobs

Democratic State Senator Jason Carter has fallen behind in the polls against incumbent Republican Nathan Deal in the Georgia governor's race. However, he can regain momentum by criticizing the state's top leader on issues of ethics and job creation. 

Carter could start by addressing recent scandals that have affected the Deal Administration and Republicans statewide.  For example,  the state of Georgia has had to pay millions to former members of the State Ethics Commission,  who were wrongfully terminated by Deal appointees for blowing the whistle or complying with an official investigation of the governor's 2010 campaign. These payoffs represent a waste of taxpayer dollars that could have been better spent on education or infrastructure.

Additionally, Governor Deal displayed a serious lapse in judgment during the January snowstorm that paralyzed the state.  He delayed the evacuation of schools and businesses despite the advance warning of the impending blizzard, which resulted in thousands of Georgians,  including students, stranded on highways, interstates, and in schools and businesses overnight. Following the incident,  the governor's standing in the polls plummeted.

Next,  Carter could address the governor's weak record on the economy, which has led to divisions in the state.  Like his predecessor, Republican governor Sonny Perdue,  Deal has increased jobs primarily in areas like north of Atlanta, which do not represent a cross-section of Georgians.  Meanwhile, other parts of the state, particularly the southwestern region, have experienced unemployment rates as high as thirteen percent during Deal's tenure.

Overall, regardless of whether they are Democrats or Republicans- seem eager to see Nathan Deal removed from the governor's office.  Jason Carter,  a capable and appealing leader,  must step up and rise to the challenge to make this change happen.