By Jason Lesley
jlesley@gtowntimes.com
Paul Norris decided that he couldn't wait any longer to get into politics.
An engineer by trade, Norris is challenging Henry Brown of Hanahan in the Republican primary for South Carolina's First Congressional District on June 10.
"I can make a difference in Washington without it making a difference in me," Norris says.
Norris, 44, a licensed engineer who lives on Johns Island, worked for S.C. Electric & Gas Co. before starting his own retail propane business, Southeastern Energy Partners.
"We've got to have more analytical thinking in Washington and less political thinking," Norris said, adding that he favors an Apollo-style energy program to wean the nation from foreign oil.
Norris describes himself as an average citizen who grew up near Moncks Corner, son of a mother who gave up teaching to be a stay-at-home mom and a father who was a small businessman and a Baptist minister.
"I've got that grounded background that will allow me to resist Washington's powerful aphrodisiac," he says. "The level of mistrust in Washington sickens me.
"I'm not running because of anything that Henry Brown has or has not done. I believe it's time for Congressman Brown to pass the baton to somebody who can do more heavy lifting in Washington. I am that person. Henry Brown can look back at his distinguished career and be pleased that I followed him to Congress."
Norris believes America can solve the world's energy crisis and he talks enthusiastically about his ideas to wean the U.S. from crude oil and develop new sources of energy.
"I am doing this because my grandchildren will not know the same America without fundamental changes. We have to reach across the aisle and cooperate to solve our problems."
He says the price of crude oil has risen 500 percent in the past decade while American demand has dropped 1 percent. Norris doesn't blame Big Oil. He blames Washington for a lack of vision and says President George Bush has done very little to move America off of foreign oil.
"The net effect of our energy policy has been to do nothing," Norris says. "There is no political solution to solve our energy problem. It will require a long-term technical solution. We've got to have an Apollo-style commitment to energy."
Norris says he follows three steps in solving any problem: recognizing the problem, understanding the problem and developing solutions. "Washington goes from Step 1 to Step 3 and we get things like ethanol mandates," he says.
He says it was a mistake to begin using corn to make fuel. The price of energy didn't fall and the price of corn went up.
"We are in competition with the rest of the world," Norris says. "And I am convinced that competition will bring out the best in America and we will solve the world's energy problem in the next 10 years."
Norris calls electricity the centerpiece of U.S. energy policy going forward. "In the short term, we've got to use coal to generate that electricity to keep from crippling America."
He says nuclear fusion is the best way to generate electricity in the future as opposed to today's nuclear fission.
"Current nuclear plants operate on the principle of nuclear fission, which is to split a very heavy atom and gain the resulting release of energy. That produces large quantities of harmful radiation. Nuclear fusion, on the other hand, involves joining two light atoms together and gaining the resulting energy release. Nuclear fusion is the source of the sun's energy and results in much less harmful radiation, but the technology is at least 30 years away from commercial application."
Norris wants to see rapid advancements in battery technology and solar energy in the meantime, while developing clean coal technologies.
Norris, campaigning in Georgetown recently, talked about the need for tax reform and immigration reform.
He rates tax reform as a higher priority than immigration reform.
"During America's first century the government raised money through tariffs and during the second century it moved to a tax on payroll. There are millions of people who live tax-free by dealing only in cash. They include illegal immigrants, drug dealers, gang members and it's costing the government trillions of dollars. A consumption-based tax system would collect taxes from everyone. A drug dealer who wants to drive a Mercedes would pay more than the $300 sales tax. The cash register is the next funnel point."
Norris says people will find a way to enter America as long as there are jobs available. "People will find a way over -- or under -- any fence. We've got to limit the availability of jobs," he says.
Norris says the Republican Party has dropped the ball in allowing itself to be defined as the status quo, political establishment while the Democrats have rebranded themselves as the party of change.
"I'm very concerned about the Republican Party, but I believe that our core principles are right."
He says he feels a powerful desire for a new direction in Washington from people in the First District. "I am the most qualified to go to Washington and make a difference," he added.
A third candidate in the GOP primary for the First District seat is Professor and U.S. Army reservist Katherine Jenerette of North Myrtle Beach.
Linda Ketner of Charleston is unopposed in the Democratic primary.
Listen to Logic : 5/30/2008
Mr. Norris uses logic and facts to develop solutions. It is time to give logic and facts a chance.