Trauma network supporters tout backing from Nathan Deal, Roy Barnes

Supporters of Amendment 2, which would levy a $10 car tag fee to finance an $18 million-a-year statewide trauma network, say they have internal polling that now shows a majority of Georgia voters in favor of the measure on Tuesday’s ballot.

Jane Langley, spokeswoman for Yes 2 Save Lives, said polling of 500 registered voters statewide produced the following results:

– Yes, 52 percent — up from 48 percent last week;

– No, 37 percent – down from 45 percent last week;

The survey was conducted by Public Opinion Strategies. MOE is +/- 4 percentage points.

Yes 2 Save Lives, financed by the states business and medical communities, has blanketed the state with some powerful 30-second TV spots.

But it hopes to seal the deal with a 60-second radio ad that touts support from two candidates for governor: Democrat Roy Barnes and Republican Nathan Deal.

Here’s the script:

Female narrator: You don’t find candidates agreeing on much these days.

Male narrator: But we have a Republican, Nathan Deal, and a Democrat, Roy Barnes, both saying vote yes on Amendment 2.

Female narrator: They both agree. Yes on 2 saves lives.

Male narrator: But this is not a matter of politics. It’s a matter of life and death. You see, Georgia loses nearly a thousand lives a year just because we don’t have enough trauma centers. Roy Barnes learned that first hand when his daughter and granddaughters were in a car accident a few weeks ago. He knows it could happen to anyone.

Female narrator: And Nathan Deal also says yes on 2.

Male narrator: Trauma care funds will be safe from politicians. The money is locked away, protected by our constitution.

Female narrator: Barnes, Deal and Georgians agree. Yes on 2 saves lives.

Male narrator: And the money is safe from politicians.

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85 comments Add your comment

JJ Harper

October 29th, 2010
8:14 pm

Bob: Being that I am an ordained minister, could you point to that part of scripture that says we should “live and let live?”

Bob

October 29th, 2010
8:19 pm

So in your thinking, the Government shouldn’t pay for anything.

Schools? There are private schools but how about those who can’t pay? No education for them. People who can contribute to society won’t be educated.

Roads. Only toll roads. If you can’t pay, don’t drive. Sidewalks – toll. No walking if you can’t pay.

You’re not conservative, you’re an anarchist.

JJ Harper

October 29th, 2010
9:19 pm

…tell ya what let’s do. Let’s make it where we all must go to work for at least 8 hours / day (except for those who chose not to)… and send everything (every penny) that we earn to the government. The government will pay for everything that we need including our housing. All houses will be built exactly alike. Every household will recieve free health care, food, transportation, etc. along with an equal allowance.

I think I’m beginning to like this idea already! In fact, I think I’ll just not show up for work on Monday!

Thank you for helping me understand! I was confused before!

Bob

October 29th, 2010
9:32 pm

There is a happy medium between anarchy and communism/fascism. The private sector does not supply everything. There are public goods that require government. Government also is needed to protect the private sector. Sorry.

JJ Harper

October 29th, 2010
9:33 pm

If you really stop an think about it, Bob… a lot of the things people “can’t afford” is because of GUBERMINT !

Most people can’t afford an education because of GUBERMINT !

Most people can’t afford medical care because of GUBERMINT !

Most people can’t afford housing because of GUBERMINT !

Most people can’t afford everything elese because of GUBERMINT !

When America finally realizes that “Walnut Grove” wasn’t so bad after all, we might get back on the right path!

Bob

October 29th, 2010
9:35 pm

Ordained minister? Lots of ministers and priests molest little boys while preaching hate.

JJ Harper

October 29th, 2010
9:38 pm

“There is a happy medium between anarchy and communism/fascism.” I know… it’s called “The JewSA.”

john

October 29th, 2010
9:39 pm

Not only an anarchist, JJ is also an antichrist. Don’t we all reminisce about the good ol’ days when most people didn’t even go to school.

JJ Harper

October 29th, 2010
9:44 pm

Lots of ministers and priests molest little boys while preaching hate. I know, right? There’s also a lot of liberals wanting me to pay for trauma centers for those who refuse to work for a living.

BTW, God teaches “hate,” too… or did you miss those lessons? Many people have.

JJ Harper

October 29th, 2010
9:57 pm

…when most people didn’t even go to school… Most of the ones you speak of simply “go to school” anyway. Most of them (in GA) graduate without any education at all. Only a select few actually learn anything. Many of them never finish. I see most of those in the prison system. I’m usually surprised that they can spell their own names. What is strange to me is that many of their names aren’t coined to proper (English, African, etc.) names. Many of thier names are a result of thier parents’ inability to spell!

john

October 29th, 2010
10:03 pm

You misspelled “their” twice. Also, don’t you know it’s rude to shout with your obnoxious bolding? What in tarnation are you talking about anyway?

Bob

October 29th, 2010
10:03 pm

Rabbi Hillel – That which is hateful to you, do not unto another: The rest is commentary

john

October 29th, 2010
10:04 pm

I had to dig deep, but using my hickdar, I see that you are a racist, very well, enjoy the mountains.

john

October 29th, 2010
10:18 pm

BTW JJ Harper, I didn’t know imperial wizards were allowed here…

JJ Harper

October 29th, 2010
10:18 pm

To Rabbi Hillel :

John 8 : 42 – 47 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”

JJ Harper

October 29th, 2010
10:23 pm

Bob… what part of the First Amendment don’t you understand? I can (probably) help you.

JJ Harper

October 29th, 2010
10:24 pm

…excuse me… I meant “John.”

john

October 29th, 2010
10:29 pm

The First Amendment only applies to the government, the AJC can choose who they want to comment. I mean letting an imperial wizard post would be like the U.S.listening at the U.N. as Ahmadinejad rambled about 9/11 trutherism.

Virginia

October 29th, 2010
10:29 pm

JJ: Maybe you should get a grip and actually read the Bible sometime. God does not want us to hate one another, but to help each other when we can.
“And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27
I wish you would read my post of 3:42 – would you really want to lose your wife or child or parent because of $10.00 a year? I-75S and I-85S go through counties that do not have trauma centers. I hope you don’t have an accident there.

john

October 29th, 2010
10:42 pm

$10 is probably the membership fee JJ has to pay to the American White Knights.

JJ Harper

October 29th, 2010
10:45 pm

Virginia: Your rendition of Luke 10:27 would suggest that we should love satan, himself. In that case, why don’t you blow a kiss to Osama bin Laden? God’s word is written in context to any given subject at hand. If your “neighbor” is of satan, he/she is not of God.

As for your post on 3:42, my entire family (and I) can afford a helicopter ride to any trauma center in the USA or abroad…. which is usually quicker than having to manipulate Atlanta traffic. As far as I know, none of us are afraid of death. Personally, my Living Will states “do not resuscitat…”

JJ Harper

October 29th, 2010
10:49 pm

John: The hate is coming out in you….

john

October 29th, 2010
10:50 pm

I am scared of cross burners, that is all.

JJ Harper

October 29th, 2010
11:02 pm

No, you’re not, John. You’re only scared of your own uncertainty.

Virginia

October 29th, 2010
11:18 pm

Okay, then. Good luck with that Life Flight thing and I guess you really don’t understand the concept of regional trauma centers. If you really think you could be in a serious accident and, just because you have the money to do it, you would last (meaning stay alive) long enough to go “anywhere in the US or abroad”, then have at it. Maybe you’re not scared of death, maybe your children or parents or wife or grandparents are…God bless them. Also, that was not my “rendition” of Luke 10:27. Look up the word before you use it. Cleansing the gene pool is not a bad thing sometimes. For the cost of 2 cups of Starbucks coffee, you would risk yourself and your family? Go figure!

JJ Harper

October 29th, 2010
11:39 pm

Virginia, dear…. you’re missing the whole point. Here’s something I would like for you to do in the next year. Buy yourself a “piggy-bank.”

(Buy a nice one…. something you can’t see through… something that you can’t open easily… something that you wouldn’t want to break. My wife has a nice pig that she uses. Whomever made the pig spent a lot of time and effort making the plastic pig.)

Every day, put your change (out of your pocket) in the piggy-bank. After one year… break open the piggy bank. You will be shocked at the money you’ve saved!!!

You might want to stop spending five bucks on a cup of coffee to add to your piggy bank.

When you break open your piggy bank, please don’t have a heart attack!

… you’ll realize what I’m saying about government taxation gimmicks like this Amendment 2. You can tax yourself to death for what seems like a good thing at the time. The government will tax you to death and use the funds for whatever they choose.

Like the piggy bank, if you save it… government will begin to see that America is tired of it’s spending policies. And government will be better off with an economy that has strength instead of debt.

Jeff

October 30th, 2010
4:41 am

eli:

The only thing you have a “right” to is that which does NOT force another man to provide it for you. I would argue that you have a right to water – its purity is NOT a right, and is ultimately up to you to make sure you get clean water (hello, BRITA)

Last Man Standing

October 30th, 2010
7:31 am

I’d like to point out a few things to consider with regard to using helicopters to transport patients to trauma centers. IF the helicopter is airborn at the time needed and IF it is in close proximity to the site needed, it could possibly transport a patient in time to save a life. If the weather is bad, the helicopter might not even be a viable resource. Helicopters are EXTREMELY costly to maintain and operate.

I have seen many people die for lack of immediate medical attention. Had there been a trauma center nearby, many of these people would have survived. That type of situation is not one any reasonable person would like to see. It may not be you who eventually needs the care only a trauma center can provide, but it could be your mother, father, brother, sister, wife, husband or best friend. I urge you to think carefully before voting on this issue.

Stop Scaring Us into TAXES

October 30th, 2010
8:23 am

NO NEW TAXES

WE HAVE A NEW HEALTHCARE PLAN. A SWEEPING HEALTHCARE PLAN, WHICH SHOULD CONSIDER THESE NEEDS

$10/CAR TODAY….. $30 PER CAR IN A FEW YEARS.

NO
NO
NO
NO
NO

john

October 30th, 2010
11:02 am

If you have a pathetic $1000 in a savings account with a pathetic 1% interest, there is $10 right there. Or look for 2.7 cents each day that will work too.

Pat H

October 30th, 2010
12:46 pm

In order to maintain the “trauma center” designation, the hospital must staff it with a surgeon 24/7. Even if there is no need for the surgeon, there must be one on location.

How can podunk hospitals possibly afford to maintain a trauma center? Truth is, they can’t. And if you have an accident, the care providers you need may not be available, the MRI technician is on call and has to come in, etc. By the time those people are in place, they could have flown you to a designated trauma center in Atlanta.

That is why Children’s Hospital and Northside have helicopter landing pads. It takes less time to fly from Valdosta by helicopter than to staff a trauma center in Valdosta. If they don’t have a pediatric surgeon, either in place or even in town, they would have to fly them to Children’s anyway, which is in that child’s best interests anyway.

Just because you pay $10 extra for a car tag, that will not cover trauma centers. Maybe the building and equipment, but certainly not the staff around the clock.

Bobby

October 31st, 2010
5:44 pm

I believe the law says “minimum” of $10.00 and yet no one says that. What will the fee be 5 years from now. Plus, those funding the advertising are receipients of the money, three hospitals which are considered poor and depressed areas of the state: Grady, Columbus Regional, and Colosseum (Macon) A lot of the funding will go to them, and they already get millions from taxpayers for indigent care costs. Now federal government is going to charge us for those same people we are already paying for. Money, money, money! why cant they cap charges instead of just finding ways to pay for increased costs!

pete

November 2nd, 2010
7:34 am

republicans raising taxes before he gets in there.

GAPlato

November 2nd, 2010
10:36 am

Before you go to the polls today, one last argument should be made.

The leading cause of death in Georgia for people between the ages of 1 to 44 is… ACCIDENTS.

While we have a limited capacity to prevent these mishaps, we can and should put in place the proper services for the aftermath of the emergency.

Gripe about the politicians, kick them out of office if need be, BUT DO NOT abdicate the responsibility to fix the problem.

VOTE YES ON AMENDMENT 2!

Kelly

November 3rd, 2010
8:10 pm

Amendment 2 was defeated because it was an open-ended, ambiguous, poorly written, permanent tax or fee on the licensed drivers (vehicle tags) of Georgia. The trauma centers are badly needed, but the citizens are tried of being taxed in an open-ended way.

You know we are still being taxed for the Spanish American War on our phone bill?
See: http://msn.fool.com/investing/general/2006/02/03/youre-still-paying-for-the-spanishamerican-war.aspx

People just don’t trust politicians, any party affiliation, when it comes to dealing with tax money…