Green News and Opinion

The York County (SC) Greens is allowed a column each month in YC Magazine, a locally produced and distributed news magazine for York County South Carolina. This month's column is the first by Liz Anderson-Smith. It addresses the South Carolina Fifth Congressional District's race between incumbent Democrat John Spratt and challenger, Republican State Representative Ralph Norman I like Liz's writing style, and she's already written next month's column, so we're off to a great start. To read her analysis of the race from a Green perspective, hit the "Read more!" link below.

Spratt Vs. Norman: A Green Party Perspective by Liz Smith-Anderson

This November we face a choice between incumbent Congressman John Spratt and a relative newcomer to elective office, State Representative Ralph Norman.

I compared the candidates using information from Project Vote Smart, and the candidate'’s web sites. In the Business and Consumers area Congressman Spratt got a 52% rating from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in 2005. Public Citizens Congress Watch gave him 100%. Norman got a 67% rating from the Carolina Chamber of Commerce. Norman supported the interests of the South Carolina Education Association 17% of the time and was a supporter Governor Sanford'’s voucher system. Spratt received a 100% from the National Education Association and the National PTA .

Spratt has a long record of environmental advocacy. He received high rankings from the American Wilderness Coalition, The National Parks Conservation Association (100%), Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund, the League of Conservation Voters (89%). Norman received a 40% ranking from the South Carolina Sierra Club in 2005/6.
On his web site Norman has blurbs on Agriculture, The Second Amendment, Education, Energy, Family Values, Healthcare, Homeland Security, Immigration, Iraq, Job Growth, and Veterans. Spratt has posted positions on National Defense, Social Security, The Budget, Education, Health Care, and Taxes.

Spratt'’s statement on National Defense says "the United States needs to be strong at home, respected abroad, and second to none as a military power." Norman states "that the best way to secure our homeland is by winning the global War on Terror." He goes on to express his view that a "ruthless enemy" is threatening our American way of life. He also advocates an "aggressive" approach like the war on Iraq, pledging his allegiance to President Bush.

Norman'’s stance on Education is "What is best for our students?" He talks about the dismal state of education in South Carolina, and says that he will work hard to make America'’s education system a source of national pride once again. Norman'’s children attended private school.

On Spratt'’s web site he states that "Education is the most precious gift we can give our children." He goes on to say that Congress should fulfill the funding commitment made when "No Child Left Behind" was passed. Spratt sent his children to public school.

Healthcare was another area where both candidates expressed an opinion. According to Norman'’s web site, he believes that the private sector is the best provider of healthcare for us.

Spratt'’s view on healthcare is aimed more towards the average citizen. He states that there is a need "to move step by step until every American gains access to affordable medical care." He is also in favor of tax incentives to help small businesses afford insurance for their employees.

Spratt confined himself to topics of true national interest. Norman added the "Hot Button" issues used to generate heat, not light. Norman wants to change our constitution to make same sex marriage illegal. He opposes a woman'’s right to an abortion, apparently without any exceptions. Norman is against reasonable gun control, in favor of destroying the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, building new refineries and drilling off the American coastline in hopes of another few years of crude oil supply.

Both candidates were sent a pledge from Common Cause. The pledge, in part, reads: "I pledge: "To reject all gifts...To travel officially only for substantive reasons...to recognize that it is a conflict of interest for me to rely on lobbyists to keep me in office...To separate my support for certain charities from my work as a legislator...To postpone all negotiations with prospective employers until after I leave Congress...To require my staff to abide by the conditions...Public service is a public trust, and I do not believe elected officials ought to get any special treatment from those who might benefit for the work I do as a lawmaker." (To read the entire pledge go to www.yorkgreens.com.)

I mailed both candidates a copy to sign, with instructions on who to mail it to. I never heard back from either candidate.