There has been a tremendous amount of negative campaigning from a very vocal minority directed at David Richard.  I read yet another editorial from the Forsyth County News that added to their numerous hatchet jobs on him over the years.  This one was particularly laughable.  After ranting and raving against David Richard, the FCN claims that they were not endorsing anyone.  Seriously.

If I may say so, the liberal Forsyth County News has been misrepresenting the truth for years.  I occasionally read it for entertainment purposes, but we have known for years that they are not truthful.  While serving as the immediate past chairman of the Forsyth County Republican Party, back when the party stood for conservative principles and was not just a social networking apparatus, the FCN reported untruths about things that we never did or mis-characterized the things that we did do to prejudice their readers.  Additionally, they no longer print several local conservative leaders’ letters to the editor – including my own – in an attempt to silence conservatives.  I can only imagine the hundreds of letters that they cull monthly from those with whom they disagree.

There’s an old saying that sometimes you are known better by your enemies than by your friends.  Generally speaking, any enemy of the FCN is a friend of mine.  The manipulative mayor of the city of Cumming, who had been fleecing the taxpayers of the county for decades until David Richard stood up to his bullying tactics, is another enemy of David Richard.  The mayor’s allies, the un-bridled growth crowd, the free-wheeling tax-and-spenders, and those believing that government is the answer to every problem are very much against David Richard.  That says a lot to me.  In fact, my Executive Committee voted to give him the “Backbone Award” in late 2006.

It is true that David has strong opinions and has never been reluctant to share them.  His methods for doing so sometimes run counter to some people’s sense of decorum.  Others find his candor refreshing.  It might surprise some to learn that even I have disagreed profoundly with David on an issue or two, but we always remained civil to one another and preserved our friendship. 

We have agreed on issues as well.  His “FLIP” program has saved the county over half a million dollars so far.  He has voted to maintain or reduce millage rates every year he has been in office.  His votes have increased the number of firefighters and sheriff’s deputies.  Finally, some of his best accomplishments have been preventing unnecessary ordinances that would have expanded the power of local government into our lives.  You never read about the policies that weren’t passed.  Fiscal responsibility, tax cuts, increased public safety, and limiting the scope of government.  Not bad. 

Personally, I see David Richard as a statesman who is passionately committed to the U.S. Constitution and constitutional government.  The question I think worth asking as we go to the polls is this – Do we want the truth, even if presented in a way that may not be pleasing to our own sense of manners, or do we want the status-quo, political posturing that we are all so frustrated with in our county, state, and national leaders? 

Don’t be hoodwinked by the liberal Forsyth County News or so-called Republicans that are in reality Obama-Clinton types.  David Richard has voted the right way most of the time and has always been transparent on where he stands – even if you occasionally disagree with him.  He has my complete support, and I hope he will have yours as well.