From the Left…
The Democratic Ninth District

Bob Barton, Dahlonega, is Democratic Chair of the Ninth Congressional District, veteran, retired textile executive, and a former Republican.

We Democrats in the Ninth Congressional District are most grateful to the Sentinel for the opportunity to define ourselves in coming weeks in this column, we will share our perspectives on issues that matter in our daily lives.

Our commentary will be just that - OURS, not some scripted, towthe line, lock-step impersonation that we see so much of in politics today where the author is not recognizable. The views of the individual writers, in total, will reflect the beliefs of the Democrats in the Ninth Disrict.

Who ARE WE?

We are North Georgia Democrats. We are teachers, sons and daughters, soldiers, veterans, nurses, merchants, bankers ,community volunteers and your neighbors.

Together, we go to work, church, school, meetings, parades and shop at the same supermarkets,gas stations, and gift shops. We are busy trying to earn an honest, decent living for our families while being trustworthy citizens. We cherish the privilege of living in Georgia and hope to help improve the quality of life for us all.

We are people, not robots. Our individual rights as Americans are treasured. Everything we write will be the truth as we know it. When proven wrong we will admit it, and that's somewhat refreshing in politics, isn't it? We will not indulge in name calling or dirty politics such as the 2004 TV ad superimposing Bin Laden's image over a true Georgia hero, Max Cleland. You can expect us to be outspoken against such demeaning tactics. To be silent, particularly if used by your own party, is to become part of the problem.

Future columns will deal with Ethics, Iraq, Education, Healthcare, etc. We will discuss the Environment, and how the forests and streams are losing out to bulldozers and asphalt. We will especially talk about the proposed (by Ga. Republicans) Interstate 3, a superhighway destined to cut a 600 ft. wide swath out of our beautiful, scenic North Georgia mountains, the irreplaceable crown jewels of our State.

We want to live in a country that is not so terribly divided. "United we stand, divided we fall" is not just some useful political rhetoric in speechmaking, but is a daily reminder that this is "one nation, under God, INDIVISIBLE, with liberty and justice for all..." rich or poor, young or old, male or female,black, brown or white of all religions. That is what the Pledge of Allegiance says, and that is what we Democrats believe.

The governance of this country is about trust. Trust must be earned by deeds, not words.

Democrats have a legacy of deeds ---minimum wage, Social Security, Medicare to mention just a few that have benefitted millions of Georgians.

Get ready for a series of articles from Ninth District Democrats written in their own words about their concerns for America, and their vision of how great this country can be.

You can check our website theninthofga.org for a calendar of events and photos of the Democratic Ninth Congressional District. Let us hear from you.