While dining on a southern Sunday dinner, an estimated 40 people heard Republican gubernatorial candidate Roy Moore speak on the issues affecting Alabama at the White House Restaurant.

“You’ve got to understand why this election is more critical than any election we’ve had in Alabama,” Moore told guests. “Every candidate – Democrat and Republican – I’ve talked to recognizes that the economy is devastating and by 2011 the (state) budget is going to be in an extremely bad situation.”

“That’s because we’re in such a recession, but it’s not just that. The Alabama Legislature is improperly prepared for this by spending us into a deep hole.”

Moore said downsizing government, cutting spending and lowering taxes is the first step in reversing a looming budget crisis.

“Every governor in the past has talked about this, but we’re going to have an opportunity to do this,” he said. “We have to stop what’s going on in Montgomery.

Moore, a military veteran, former deputy district attorney and former Alabama Chief Justice, fielded questions from guests on constitutional reform, ethics reform and education. Moore believes education is a state issue, and the federal government should not infringe on parents’ rights to determine what education is best for their child, be it public, private, religious or home school.

“Local school boards and parents don’t have control of the education system, and I submit that they could have and should have,” he said. “We need to explore things like charter schools, tax credits, scholarships and grant organizations. These are simply ways of taxing tax money and making education more functionable.”

Moore also spoke about the declining morality in society, outlining his opposition of statewide gambling and abortion. Moore is against state mandated religion, but believes public acknowledgement of God is acceptable.

“Our morality is declining because we don’t recognize a moral absolute anymore. There’s no truth,” Moore said. We need the recognition of God. We ought to recognize God is the sovereign source of law and liberty in government.”

Moore’s stance drew applause and “Amens” from the audience.

While on the campaign trail, Moore has sensed unease among Alabamians. Returning the government to the hands of the people, he said, would be his ultimate task as governor.

“People are genuinely upset about what’s going on, but I don’t think we should be scared or upset,” Moore said. “We need to capture that spirit again and realize we control our future.”

For more information about Moore’s campaign, visit the Web site moore2010.com.