U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter is against recreational marijuana use.
The Pooler Republican is also not always happy with the things President Donald Trump says -- but he is happy with the job the president is doing.
Those admissions came March 21 at Richmond Hill High School during an unscripted question and answer session moderated by RHHS senior Harleigh Price, a future broadcast journalist.
Carter was not shown the questions in advance, teachers said.
They ranged from how he liked serving in Congress to what his position was on student debt, Georgia’s heartbeat bill, the wall, health care, the 2nd Amendment, affirmative action, arming teachers, legalizing marijuana, assisted suicide and more.
On Trump, Carter, who is a staunch Republican who noted he gets 100 percent grades from pro life groups and guns rights lobbyists, acknowledged “he’s not a typical president, and sometimes he breaks every rule in the book,” Carter said. “There are some things he says that I don’t like. But I love his policies.”
Carter also turned the tables on students, asking them what they thought of lowering the voting age to 16.
Students offered mixed opinions, with some saying yes and others no.
One student said emancipated 16 year olds who no longer live at home are responsible enough to vote, but not those who are still supported by their parents.
Carter gave the students high marks for their questions. Price said she thought the congressman handled himself well during the questions.
RHHS government teacher Jennifer Sack and Mayor Russ Carpenter said the session was a great way for their students to learn how government works.
“We are currently studying the legislative branch, so having a U.S. Representative discuss current legislative issues was an excellent way to instruct our government students,” Sack said. “The questions the students posed were also well thought out.”
Carpenter, the Richmond Hill mayor and a leader in local GOP politics, said the town hall format had two aims.
“We invited Rep. Carter again to RHHS, not only to allow students the opportunity to discuss current issues and topics, but to also encourage interaction with citizens and public leaders. The town hall definitely accomplished this. The student’s devised the questions, and Mr. Carter’s answers were straightforward. We plan to have more of these type of events.”