My trip to the capitol and discussion with Congressmen

[Terran1212]

So I went with my youth council for a trip to the capitol.

The usual stuff happened: picture with good old "Sonny" and whatnot.

The opening session of the Georgia House had a keynote speaker who was a pastor who claimed there was "no seperation of church and state" and how "church and state" should complement eachother. When there was a call to prayer, I was the only one not standing. I have religion but I'm not going to do any praying for a man trying to install it in my state capitol.

But I also got to talk to a few Senators and Representatives about legislation.

First of all, the Republicans have become the most stingiest legislators in the country. The SB 177 bill a teacher of mine asked me to promote was billed as "too expensive" by nearly all the Republicans. It's a 2.5 increase in teacher retirement -- retirement that hasn't been raised in 20 years. Many of the teachers in my school were hoping for this.

But no thanks, we're too busy with Perdue's "tax relief" and budget cuts.

I even talked to Senator Fort, a kind African American senator who sponsored the bill. I thanked her for writing it, but she said that a crowd like the Republicans in our Congress that throw a fit over "a few million dollars" probably will not approve something that is being fiscal noted to maybe 750-800 million dollars.

Then later I talked to a Republican Rep (my district's) who tried to justify the role of lobbyists in government. He says without money in government, he'd never be able to run -- so he naturally serves them more than people who don't give him money. I see his argument, that he has to be tainted by money to exist in a corrupt system. But I just don't like that kind of system.

There were so many lobbyists in the capitol building. Even one of my friend's dads was in his own full lobbyist attire.

I bet if the Georgia Teachers actually had the kind of organization these big lobbyists can perform, that maybe we could get things done for them in this state. It's just sad; so many peopel around me are connected to government at every level. This isn't democratic government in any kind of interpretation of the words.

[Boredtodeath]

1. Ummm, not to be snarky, but....

Senator Vince Fort is a male.

It was the teachers who abandoned Roy Barnes in 2002. Hopefully, they've learned their lesson.

[Terran1212]

2. Thanks -- it was Tate

It was either Tate or Fort. I just remember it was one of the bill's sponsors (had 2).

[Boredtodeath]

3. Horecena Tate is a good legislator

Very truthful with an excellent memory of the facts. If she's on your side, you have a good leader fighting your fight.