Gubernatorial race: The issues matter more than faith

December 4, 2009

By: Kay Vinson

Birmingham News

Shame on Mobile's Press-Register for asking Alabama's gubernatorial candidates such silly questions about their religious beliefs, and good for Ron Sparks for refusing to answer them ("GOP candidates favor school prayer," The News, Nov. 16). Sparks chose instead to focus on the financial issues that face the state. Good for him.

Year after year, for decades, we in Alabama have consistently voted for the candidate who makes the most noise about how much he or she loves Jesus. And year after year, we wonder why the people we elect are so inept and why we remain on the bottom of every list that indicates a good quality of life.

Isn't it time we got up off our knees and opened our eyes and our minds and started asking some relevant questions that refer to real world issues -- like protecting the natural beauty and resources of our state, educating our young people, creating job opportunities and making our communities safe and attractive places to live?