Take Back America: The GOP Presidential Candidate Forum held in Greenville, SC on September 18 | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Heritage Action hosted a GOP Presidential forum, part of its "TAKE BACK AMERICA" agenda, in Greenville, SC on Friday evening, September 18. Ten GOP presidential candidates participated in the event - Jeb Bush, Ben Carson, Scott Walker, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Rand Paul, Carly Fiorina, Bobby Jindal, Rick Santorum, and Chris Christie. Each was given approximately half hour on stage alone to address issues, answer questions, propose solutions, and explain why they are running for president. Donald Trump was forced to cancel due to an important business appointment and John Kasich did not participate (amidst rumors that he will soon be dropping out of the race).

    Some key moments of the event include the following:

    Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker said that on Day #1 he will send a plan to Congress to repeal Obamacare and will also sign an Executive Order requiring all members of Congress and staff to be subject to Obamacare.

    Dr. Ben Carson said: "I don't understand it. Liberals tell us we can't talk about God. Yet we see God mentioned on our currency, in our Founding documents, in our oaths, in the words 'in God We Trust.' We have a medical term for this... It's called Schizophrenia."

    Texas Senator Ted Cruz said the next president needs to be as committed to conservative policies as Obama has been to progressive policies. His key plans are to repeal Obamacare and to abolish the IRS and replace with a flat tax.

    Following up on a theme he hit in the last GOP Presidential Debate, Cruz discussed the importance of the next president with respect to Supreme Court nominations. He said that Democrats have 100% batting average with Supreme Court appointees. He said that they ALWAYS nominate and appoint rabid, liberal nut jobs. The Republicans are 50%. Some of the Supreme Court justices appointed by Republicans are Earl Warren, Warren Burger, Blackmon (who authored ROE v. WADE), David Souter, and John Roberts. President Bush appointed John Roberts (not a consistent record) instead of tried-and-true conservative Michael Ludic.

    Speaking about immigration, Florida Senator Marco Rubio said: "The United States is like a hotel -- you check in but don't check out."

    California businesswoman Carly Fiorina, who received the greatest applause of the night, explained that when she is president, she will use social media to allow citizens to interact more effectively with government. She will see that a phone app is provided for every American so that the government can interact with them. Issues will be sent to Americans by phone. "Press 1 for YES and 2 for NO."

    Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal's message was clear: If the Republican Party can't separate and distinguish itself from the Democrats, then the party is useless and should be close up shop, and a new party should emerge. In talking about those who want to deny Americans their freedom of conscience when it comes to their career choices, Jindal thinks they need to be reminded: "The United States of America did not create religious liberty. Religious liberty created the United States."

    Publisher's note: Contributor Diane Rufino also serves of co-publisher for Pitt County NOW.

   

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