Peter Gounares is running against incumbent Jo Bonner in the Republican primary.

http://www.gounaresforcongress.com

I e-mailed Mr. Gounares several questions that I had and actually received a reply back.

Q: Many times politicians say what they believe will get them elected but have little inclination to work to those promises. Why should I believe you and what steps will you take to ensure the voters can hold you to your word?

Peter Gounares: You are 100% correct about politicians saying what they think will get them elected, regardless if they plan on following through.  It is that practice that makes all of us skeptical when listening to someone running for office.  In my opinion, I believe it comes down to WHY someone is running for office.  Is it for personal ambition?  Is it a career bump?  Or is it someone who genuinely wants to do the right thing according to his principles and beliefs.  Ultimately, there are no guarantees when it comes to listening to what someone running for office has to say.  What I can tell you about me is my message has been, and always will be consistent.  I do not change my “speeches” depending on which group I am talking to.  I focus on my core beliefs and principles, and do not rely on emotional hot topics.  A year ago, I had zero interest or thoughts of running for public office.  I am a business owner and have done very well for myself in the private sector.  Truth be told, I can do better for myself and family in private life rather than public life.  However, like yourself, I have a strong dislike of the direction our elected leaders have been taking our country.  We all ask ourselves “what can I do?” when it comes to making a difference.  After Jo Bonner voted twice in support of TARP, I knew simply writing emails and calling his office made no difference to him.  I looked at the current crop of elected Republicans in our district and knew none would challenge Bonner.  And even if one did, there really was not one who excited me enough to think we would be getting anything different.  I looked at my life and the blessings I have had.  My wife and decided as a family, we would be willing to make the sacrifice in time, money, and almost certain to come, deal with the garbage that running for office throws at you.  We looked at the downside of running, and the worse case that could happen is we run a tight race and lose.  But the net result is it forces Bonner to return to conservative principles for the next 2 years and prevents another TARP style vote.

Q: On your web site, you have stated a commitment to term limits but you do not state a number of terms to limit it to nor do you make a personal commitment to limit yourself to X number of terms. Will you make a personal commitment to limit your stay in Congress to X number of years (hopefully not a Ted Kennedy number of years) and will you make a tangible pledge to post a bond or the deed to your home and if you fail to keep your word turn that over to charity?

Peter Gounares: I am a firm believer in term limits.  In my opinion, if you got rid of the career politicians, half of the country’s problems would be solved.  I have said from the start, I set a personal limit of 6 years, and then let me come home to my family and my life.  I say this at every speaking engagement and there is even a YouTube video of me saying this.  I did not put it up on my website mostly to avoid the perception that I am set on 3 terms for House of Representatives for everyone.  Maybe it needs to be 2 terms.  Personally, I believe that after 6 years, how can any Rep. say he or she honestly knows what is best for their district when they have not even been there for much of the past 6 years.  I have not made any “pledge” to donate my house or any similar claim because ultimately, that is just theatrics and makes people right away question your word if it seemed necessary to make such an offer.  Besides, I have a mortgage and I am not sure my lender would go along with such a pledge.  On this matter I guess it has to be taken on my word that I do not want to do this forever.  I have a beautiful wife and an 11 week old baby.  I have my whole family life ahead of me, as well as a successful business to come home to.  I do not need to go to Washington D.C. to make a life.  I have what I want here.

Q: Congressmen, when swore in, are to support and defend the U.S. Constitution, yet many write and support laws that have no basis in our Constitution. Will you pledge to sponsor legislation or rule changes that require Congressmen to state in their bills the pertinent section of the Constitution that their bill falls under and, until that is passed, will you, in any bill you sponsor, include the same?

Peter Gounares: I have been asked this many times, and I will answer as I always do.  Absolutely.  It is mind boggling to me that our elected leaders seem to forget about the Constitution once their plane lands in D.C.  It would seem like a waste of time to even have to have such a bill, but given the crop we have in Congress now, it is a necessity.  I would go a step further and even require any member of Congress voting on a bill to certify that he or she has both read the bill in its entirety and understands it.

Q: Your opponent, Jo Bonner voted for TARP I, which bailed out failing banks and directly led to the purchase of automakers by the US government over the objections of his constituents. He, in fact said, “If it had strictly been a vote of conscience, or conviction, or a reflection of the phone calls and letters that were coming into my office, I would have voted no.” He voted against the wishes of his constituents and his principles. Under what circumstances would you feel justified in going against the wishes of the people whom you are elected to serve?

Peter Gounares: This goes to personal responsibility.  First and foremost, you must adhere to your principles.  This way, if you get elected, you were elected on principles.  However, should there come a time when your principles and the principles of your District do not match up, then you have the responsibility to step down.  The job of a member of Congress is to represent the beliefs and principles of the people who elect him/her, not do whatever seems like a good idea at the time.

Q: “An unlimited power to tax involves, necessarily, a power to destroy” (Daniel Webster). Congress, for decades, has been using the tax code to alter the freedoms in this country. Nowhere on your website do I see anything about abolishing the current income tax system and the IRS and replacing it with the Fair Tax. Will you support the Fair Tax?

Peter Gounares: You will not find anyone who opposes the tax system we live under now than myself.  I think it is unfair and unconstitutional.  The Fair Tax is an excellent alternative to what we have and I have already signed a pledge to support the Fair Tax as it stands today.  I do not have any reference to my support of the Fair Tax on my website.  Not because I am hiding it, I just never thought to put it up.