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STATEMENT NO. 1: GEORGE BUSBEE, GOVERNOR OF GEORGIA A. The Republican platform of 1972 promised welfare reform, governmental re- organization, improved health services, and many key environmental initiatives. 1. As the Democratic congress was about to perfecu the President's own welfare reform proposal, he withdrew Republican support and effectively killed the measure. 2. Instead of reorganizing and simplifying our Federal government, the already massive Washington bureaucracy has further multiplied. 3. Instead of making it easier for people to get adequate health care, the cost of hospital and doctor care has skyrocketed to the point that the average American family cannot afford sufficient health services. 4. With respect to the environment, instead of proposing bold and new initiatives, the Republican President impounded over nine billion dollars in funds appropriated by Congress for the existing water and sewerage treatment facility program. 5. Republican policies in the economy have not only increased our high rate of inflation, but have also resulted in an unemployment rate of around 10%. B. There are a few principles that I believe Georgians would hope would guide the Democratic Platform Committee and deliberations on the role of government in devising programs to meet human needs. 1. Government should live within its means. 2. Georgians don't want promises that cannot be fulfilled. 3. People want programs they can understand and which do not impend on personal rights. 4. Southerners want their tax dollars spent on programs that put government to work for the people rather than programs that put people to work for the government. I believe the Democratic platform should possess the following charac- teristics 1. It should be broad enough to embrace the concerns of the vast majority of Americans. On the other hand, it should be definitive enough to establish clear goals and objectives for which we as Democrats can be held accountable. 2. It should be politically realistic and achievable in terms of what is promised and particularly within our physical means to achieve. 3. It should be responsive to the needs and concerns of the American people and not to a few selfish interests. 4. It should be easy to understand. 5. It should be unifying rather than divisive. 6. It should be clear on the roles of our various levels of government. 7. It should be expressive of the views of those who are less fortunate or who have a special need in a manner that is acceptable to the majority. 8. It should be positive and forvard looking in its outlook rather than defensive and reactive.

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