Posted on 05/14/2003 12:01:01 PM PDT by Pan_Yans Wife
Perdue will vote for new flag
Three months ago, I submitted a proposal to the General Assembly that would allow the people of Georgia to choose the flag that flies over our great state. My plan was simple, straightforward, and clear. I proposed a statewide referendum on the flag, and I did so after spending a year traveling around this state listening to the people of Georgia.
I sincerely believed that we should give the people of Georgia the greatest number of choices, and then trust that they would make the best choice for our state. And I still believe that would have been the best method of moving forward.
My plan had two steps. First, citizens would ratify or reject the blue flag that flew over our State. Second, if voters chose to retire the blue flag, then they would select between two former Georgia flags, the pre-1956 and the post-1956.
My goal was never to rig this process so that one flag stood a greater likelihood of winning over another. My goal was never to appease any one group or cause. My goal was to live up to my one and only promise regarding the state flag -- to afford the citizens of Georgia the opportunity to vote. So, in February, my floor leader, Rep. Glenn Richardson, introduced such a plan into the House.
Since I took my oath of office over 100 days ago, I have made no secret of my respect for the legislative process. The General Assembly is a separate and equal branch of state government, and for the first time in a long time, this governor intends to treat them as such. Therefore, I did not feel it appropriate during the debate on the flag to interject my opinion once my bill was on the table. Time after time, I told legislators, constituents and members of the media that my singular requirement was that the people of Georgia be allowed to vote.
After an entire session of passionate debate from all across the spectrum, the General Assembly chose a different course than the one I proposed. The legislative coalition that voted for the final flag bill was as diverse as Georgia -- Democrats and Republicans; urban, suburban, and rural; black, white, and Hispanic. House Bill 380, passed by the Legislature, will allow a referendum on the flag. There will be two choices: the new flag which is similar to the pre-1956 flag and the 2001 blue flag.
But let me be clear. Throughout the session, my floor leaders consistently worked to include all choices on the referendum. This administration was not part of any deal that limited the options for Georgians. The flag legislation stood on its own merits, and I never once authorized any legislative or budgetary trades in order to secure enough votes for its passage. The General Assembly, when it chose to abandon the second referendum, made its wishes explicitly clear.
I am disappointed that Georgians will not have all the options on the ballot. I can understand the disillusionment of those who have worked for a referendum on the post-1956 flag. However, I do not fear any threat of demonstrations by these ardent individuals. The First Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees each one of us freedom of speech. I am not bothered or disheartened when people exercise their constitutional rights. In fact, their protests remind me that our Republic is truly "of, by and for the people," and in the end, the people do have the ultimate say.
But unlike some people, I will not impugn the motives of post-1956 flag supports. Good, well-meaning people could and do have opposite views on the flag. That doesn't make one group morally superior to another.
Throughout the past 14 months, I have consistently said that the citizens of Georgia deserve the opportunity to vote on their state flag. Despite its limitations, the flag bill that I signed meets that requirement. On March 2, 2004, registered Georgia voters will have that chance.
Legislators are the elected representatives of their constituents, and I respect the power and prerogative of the legislative branch. Our Constitution makes them an equal part of this government, and they have fulfilled their role in the governing process.
While this bill does not include everything I asked for in my plan, I respect the decision of the elected representatives of the people of Georgia and signed House Bill 380 into law.
Now that the process is complete, we, as a state, must unite and move forward. The flag the General Assembly adopted honors Georgia's past. It is also a flag that will allow us to move forward together. Therefore, I will join hundreds of thousands of other Georgians on March 2, 2004, and vote for the flag I signed into law.
I sincerely hope that we turn the page on a new day in Georgia's proud history.
Gov. Sonny Perdue
Walt
I reckon. Both flags are lousy.
Walt
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.