Candidate survey: Paul Purdue

Political party: Conservative/conservationist
Residence: Garren Creek
Occupation: Restores antique furniture
Political experience: “I know a crook when I see one.”
Endorsements: NC NRA, NC Right To Life, Buncombe County Republican Action Club, Nathan Ramsey, former Rep. John Rhodes

Paul Purdue

1) How much money have you raised for your campaign? Who are your top three donors, and how much has each contributed?

Total: about $2,000
Top three: No large donors

2) What most distinguishes you from your opponent in this election?

“I’m honest, know how to complete tasks, don’t make foolish promises just to get elected. I have common sense. I won’t lie to be your friend. When I vote for a bill, it will be with the citizen in mind, not party or self. My vote is not for sale.”

3) What are your top three legislative priorities?

“Energy independence and green jobs for this state. Road construction and repair. Education reform. Reduce ALL taxes and eliminate spending on all frivolous pet projects. Budget like families budget, and stop wasting your money. Please read more at www.purdue08.com/purdue08issues.html.”

4) What is your position on the NCSAVE$ proposal, currently before the Utilities Commission, for a statewide energy-efficiency program managed by consumers instead of public utilities?

“Both should help out. Consumers have an interest in seeing it works well, and utilities have expertise they can lend. I want to stop this baiting of one against the other. We’re neighbors, friends, and our children play together. Act like Americans and work together.”

5) Are further reforms needed to curtail undue influence by lobbyists in the Legislature? If so, what are your recommendations?

“Yes. Throw them all out. All of them. Make it an ethics violation to accept anything of any value from any lobbyist ever. Simple rule to follow. Anyone in violation is drummed out of office. The only people legislators should listen to anyway are the families in their district.”

6) What do you recommend to remedy shortcomings in the state’s mental-health system?

“Privatize it. The state is a complete failure. The people who have been in charge have destroyed lives and families. They are political appointees. Remove the incentive. Get professionals to run the system. They can’t do any worse. My opponent will say we need more money. How inefficient.”

7) What transportation-efficiency and public-transit initiatives, if any, do you plan to support?

“Public transportation LOSES money and never gains the riders projected. Every city that has devoted massive resources to mass transit has nearly gone bankrupt. You can’t force people to live your vision. You encourage conservation and sensible alternatives that will help create shared positive effect. Government can’t manufacture success.”

8) Do you support drilling for oil off the North Carolina coast? Why or why not?

“Drill offshore. It’s our oil. Use it. God bless us, but we could have avoided this entire economic crisis in this country had we not been net importers of oil for the past five decades! Solving the energy issues solves many other issues for America. Let’s decide in favor.”

9) What changes, if any, would you recommend in the state-lottery program and how its proceeds are disbursed?

“Shut it down. My opponent opposed the lottery before his campaign received over $100,000 in party ‘contributions’ from now federal convict House Speaker/Democrat Jim Black. THEN Bruce Goforth voted for the lottery, only revealing this week he never read the bill before voting to approve the formulas. That’s insane.”

10) Do you support comprehensive sex education in the public schools, abstinence-only education, or some other approach?

“Sex education is best handled by parents, pastors and health professionals. Teachers have enough to do. I say teach basic health classes as they used to, and support parents’ decisions. If a child has good family support, this is a moot point. Encourage more family involvement in a teen’s life.”