Tim D'Annunzio, candidate for the 8th Congressional District, told Scotland Republicans that individual freedom and a strong military are among the "the most important tenets that strengthen and contribute to the success of our great nation."

D'Annunzio delivered his message to about 40 people at a general meeting this week of the Scotland County Republican Party. Jason Phibbs, candidate for the N.C. Senate, also spoke.

A Pennsylvania native, D'Annunzio has lived in Raeford for 30 years. He came to the area as a member of the prestigious Golden Knights parachute team. He owns Paraclete XP Sky Venture, an indoor skydiving facility between Raeford and Fayetteville.

"I am a businessman, and I understand how to create jobs," he said. "Creating these jobs in my district is a top priority, and not just an empty slogan."

D'Annunzio believes the Republican Party needs a "good, conservative candidate" to help it return to basic conservative principles. The health care debate, he said, is a case in point.

"We don't have a health care crisis in this country," he said. "Spiraling, escalating prices are the problem. Reforming the health care system should be done without the solutions being geared toward increased governmental control."

D'Annunzio maintains that there is nothing in the constitution to justify a national health care system.

"I have asked congressmen where is the constitutional authority for a nationalized health care system," he said. "There is none, although they claim it is via the general welfare clause of the Constitution. This misinterpretation is a symptom of the way government has stepped away from its constitutional authority."

While the creation of jobs and health care are high priority concerns for the candidate, D'Annunzio maintains that his most important personal concern is the abortion issue.

"Abortion is murder," he said. "I am 100 percent against it, and I believe it is the greatest holocaust mankind has ever perpetrated. The fifth amendment guarantees life, and if murder is defined as one human being knowingly taking the life of another, how can abortion not be characterized as such?"

During a question-and-answer period following his speech, D'Annunzio was asked his position on terrorism.

"I believe in profiling," he said. "There is a certain group of people, from certain countries, who are trying to kill us. Muslim extremists are who we should be looking at. When my 12 year old daughter and I are going through security at an airport, and they look at her the same way they look at a Muslim extremist, there's something wrong. When 12 year olds begin blowing up planes, then suspect them. Looking at everyone dilutes the process; the government has its priorities so mixed up, and we are so confused by being politically correct, we should reevaluate our policy on terrorism. Why should we worry about people who are trying to kill us? They believe it's a war, so why don't we?"

Bill Owens of Laurinburg said D'Annunzio presented himself well. D'Annunzio hopes to unseat Democrat incumbent Larry Kissell.

"I think he has a relevant message, he presented the issues relatively well, and he's obviously done a lot of homework regarding the Constitution and the Federalist Papers," Owens said. "He is another good candidate, and I wish him well."

D'Annunzio said he has a message for the people of Scotland County.

"It is a time for everyone to get involved," he said. "The year 2010 is urgent; we have to stop the direction this country is going in. It's not easy, but absolutely necessary, that we stop this movement toward socialism. There's still time to bring this country back to its original intention.

"Ronald Reagan said that America 'is a shining city upon a hill whose beacon light guides freedom-loving people everywhere'. I believe we will be that shining city again. There are better days ahead if we get back to the Constitution."

P. Jason Phibbs, a Republican candidate running for the District 25 N.C. Senate seat now occupied by Sen. Bill Purcell, followed D'Annunzio.

Phibbs, who pledged to offer "clear, distinct alternatives" to the positions advocated by Purcell, said the country is in a state of crisis.

"Unemployment and taxes are soaring, biblical values are under constant attack, and our government is out of control," he said. "I'm running for the N.C. Senate because I believe, in spite of our circumstances, that 'we the people', working together, can take freedom back."

Phibbs outlined three main areas in which he plans to concentrate: reforming the economy, defending the family, and fighting for freedom.

For information on Phibbs, visit www.facebook.com/jasonphibbs.

Tim D'Annunzio's website is at www.timvote.com.