Top Georgia Republican twists tax question in racist dogwhistle: Newcomers must 'assimilate into our values'
Butch Miller, the Republican President pro tempore of the Georgia state Senate, is getting blowback after he twisted a tax policy question into what some see as a racist dogwhistle.
Miller, who is running to be the GOP nominee for Lt. Governor, was asked a question about tax policy. His answer seemingly had nothing to do with taxes: "we need to make sure that we're attracting people in Georgia that do think like us, and if they don't think like us they need to assimilate into our values and our culture."
The Georgia Republican was speaking in an interview with BKP Politics on the local streaming website FYN TV. Miller was asked: "what about the tax structure for the people of Georgia? I know your opponent has talked about eliminating personal, you know tax in Georgia, what about the tax structure for the people in Georgia?"
"Let's take that," Sen. Miller replied. "That's a big subject and you've covered a lot again, you've covered a lot of ground I appreciate that. The fact of the matter is we have attracted many people to, to the state of Georgia, they don't think like us, we need to make sure that we're attracting people in Georgia that do think like us, and if they don't think like us they need to assimilate into our values and our culture."
"If you don't make it, mine it, or grow it, it's hard to make a living doing it. So we can't make a living by cutting each other's grass and doing each other's laundry. That's just a fact. So, in terms of our tax structure and eliminate basically eliminated the income tax for the, for the house, the household income tax the individual income tax, you will see multiple pieces of legislation introduced to that effect, and I'll be a part of that."
Atlanta Journal Constitution political reporter Greg Bluestein was first to flag Miller's comments. Here's how people are responding.
Tell me you are a racist without telling me you are a racist.https://twitter.com/bluestein/status/1445758785855713283\u00a0\u2026— Hans Appen (@Hans Appen) 1633531363
This is an example of what the base of the GOP has become. This is who moderate GOP & Dems want Solid Dems & Progressive Dems to negotiate with and appeal to. Umm, how \u2018bout NO! #ThisIsAmericahttps://twitter.com/bluestein/status/1445758785855713283\u00a0\u2026— Cornell Woolridge (@Cornell Woolridge) 1633531331
By "our values and our culture", to which oppressive era in Georgia's history is he referring?— Dave Pluke (@Dave Pluke) 1633531143
I mean, people who "look like me" would've been more honest, not that his racism isn't crystal clear.https://twitter.com/bluestein/status/1445758785855713283\u00a0\u2026— Nioshii (@Nioshii) 1633531112
SO much louder than a dog whistle and in response to a Q about tax policy.https://twitter.com/bluestein/status/1445758785855713283\u00a0\u2026— Nioshii (@Nioshii) 1633531058
1. If your moving to Georgia, you probably like Georgia. 2. The assimilation comment is why the GOP has to manipulate election laws and maps to win! Next! #2022elections #gapolhttps://twitter.com/bluestein/status/1445758785855713283\u00a0\u2026— Keith Brannum (@Keith Brannum) 1633530912
He doesn't speak for GA. I was born and raised here as were my parents and my parent's parents. Also their parents. I am as GA as it gets.— GA is blue \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf2\ud83c\udff4\u200d\u2620\ufe0f\ud83c\udf0a\ud83d\udc14 (@GA is blue \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf2\ud83c\udff4\u200d\u2620\ufe0f\ud83c\udf0a\ud83d\udc14) 1633532913
\u201cOur values, our culture.\u201d I know what that means in any context in the south or anywhere for that matter!— Eva Beck (@Eva Beck) 1633531698
It's called a racial "dog whistle" because it's supposed to be hidden. \n\nThere's no hiding here.https://twitter.com/bluestein/status/1445758785855713283\u00a0\u2026— Preston Thompson (@Preston Thompson) 1633530819
Looks like he forgot his hood.— Mandy M2S (@Mandy M2S) 1633531566
cc: @RacismDoghttps://twitter.com/bluestein/status/1445758785855713283\u00a0\u2026— Judd Legum (@Judd Legum) 1633530814
