Sunday, June 10, 2007

Tuesday will be a long day, but a good one...

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The campaign in the 24th for the State Senate seat has been a long and evolving one as evident in the photo above showing when the campaign signs started to go out. Libertarian candidate Arin Sime has been at it for two years and I have always enjoyed talking with him when I saw him at political functions. Arin also came out one night to help pack boxes to be sent to our troops in Iraq & Afghanistan with the “From Our Hearts” program in Churchville. During that time he never campaigned but melted in with the volunteers and worked hard to get another large 160+ box shipment out. In fact the only time he spoke politics was when I questioned him on current events at that time and of course the Libertarian views on limited government in our lives. He is a good man and it will be interesting to see how he places in the election on Tuesday…


Scott Sayre came out of the gate running and has not slowed down a bit in his efforts to take his message to Richmond. The message is one of smaller government and allowing free enterprise to perform the magic it has in the past and allow people to keep more of the money they have earned. I am very interested and intrigued with getting more business people in Richmond who will look to run the Virginia State government with more sound economic and business like principles. There are numerous versions out their explaining the 2004 Virginia tax increase pushed thru by the Democratic Governor Mark Warner at a time that did not really warrant a tax increase. This increase has been called a “Reform” in some places and a unwarranted tax hike in others. No matter what it has been called it resulted in a tax revenue surplus into the Virginia treasury of over $1 billion at times. A “Surplus” of money taken from the citizens of Virginia and their ability to decide where that money could be spent, saved, invested as they saw fit. In fact almost all state treasuries across the United States saw unprecedented and all-time high surpluses of tax revenues coming in due to a very strong and growing economy.


The interesting thing is now the new Democratic Governor Tim Kaine is projecting a $200-300 million budget “shortfall” with a slowing economy. Where did the $$BILLION$$ go? Scott Sayre speaks of a Virginia State budget that has doubled in 10 years and it is evident by this missing Billion dollars that our government knows the fine art of spending taxpayers money as soon as possible. This is why I would like to see more business minded and orientated people in Richmond watching our money…


We have a fine crew from this area in our Delegates Landes, Saxman, Cline, Lohr, which serve in the Assembly and watch out for our tax money and how it’s spent. Senator Hanger has stated that he has worked on several of the cost cutting committees in Richmond looking for ways to save tax revenue and make Virginia government more efficient. Chris Saxman chairs the “Cost-Cutting-Caucus” in the house and has very good results and efforts. I have talked with the other Delegates and have always been impressed with their viewpoints, efforts, and attitudes towards the “People’s Money”…


As with the majority of American\Virginian taxpayers, I understand that we have debts and responsibilities that must be financed in this society we have developed. We have responsibilities to finance education, public safety, transportation, and needed social services but in a manner that uses the “people’s money” in the best and most efficient way. As apparent in the Federal and State spending budgets, we have career politicians who have become very accustomed to spending our money and the art of getting re-elected. Unfortunately in many areas these two acts have been joined together by politicians to ensure their re-election to office. How many more buildings do we need in West Virginia with the name “Harry Byrd” on them? Besides bringing big $$$ back to West Virginia what has the man done? All I ever see is Byrd rambling on incoherently on the Senate floor… We need to have a funded government but one that spends “OUR” money in the wisest and most efficient manner…


People are tired. Taxpayers are tired of people in government who have gotten too comfortable in their position and no longer view the government as the ultimate business and one that needs to be run as an efficient “Free Enterprise” business for the benefit of all citizens. Americans are tired of politicians who only see into the future far enough to get past the next election and what it will take to get them thru that next election. This was very evident this past week when the American Citizens loaded and jammed the telephone network in the Congressional offices telling their representatives that the present form of the Immigration bill was unacceptable and would not be tolerated. It seems the representatives got the message and the bill has since been “tabled” until a later date after modifications.


Investors Business Daily had some interesting comments and facts in their paper about this immigration bill. Republican Congressman Cornyn sponsored a amendment that would have limited\prevented illegal aliens who were also felons from being allowed to be included in the immigration reforms and eventually becoming American citizens.

"Cornyn's amendment would have permanently barred from legalization all convicted felons, including members of terrorist organizations, violent gang members, sex offenders, repeat drunk drivers, sex offenders and those convicted of felony identity theft."

The American people called their representatives to let them know that allowing felons to become eligible as in the original bill was not acceptable. The IBD article then went into particulars as to how bad this problem is.

"And your point is? They were ordered deported for a reason, senator. In fact, there are more than 630,000 fugitive aliens who have been ordered deported on the streets of America — doing what, nobody knows."

The people know that we must secure the borders in cooperation with immigration reform for this to work.

"As the Manhattan Institute's Heather MacDonald has pointed out, the problem of criminal illegal aliens is particularly acute in California. At one point, she noted, in Los Angeles 95% of all outstanding warrants for homicide were for illegal aliens, as were up to two-thirds of all fugitive felony warrants."

"Why identity theft should not be a bar to legalization in an age of terrorism is beyond us. Aside from the national security implications, identity theft cost 8.9 million victims in 2006 some $56.6 billion. That averages out to $6,383 per victim. The perpetrator is allowed to buy citizenship for less than that."

"A 2005 Government Accounting Office study involving 55,322 illegal immigrants incarcerated in federal, state and local facilities in 2003 found that they had been arrested an average of eight times each with 49% previously being convicted of a felony."


Yes, this Tuesday will be long. It will be early making sure signs and poll workers are in place for the people voting before going into work. It will get busy again around lunch time then again after work until poll closings at 7pm. It will be long but yet it will be a great opportunity for Republicans to get together to discuss the current direction our government is going both nationally and at the State level. It will be an opportunity to discuss the different viewpoints of the Candidates and the ongoing direction our party is going in Richmond. An opportunity that we would not see without a challenger candidate within the party. As I said before, at times “Competition is a good thing” for it will make us, and the party stronger in the end. I am sure I will meet and see some of the local Democrats out voting on Tuesday and it will be interesting to see what they say.


The winning Republican candidate will come out of this election stronger and with a clear vision of what the Republican 24th voters want to see in Richmond. Tuesday I will be out there early and all day to help the Republican process. My boss at work has a calendar with all of the Primary and General election dates on it for when he does my work schedule and with that I feel privileged and fortunate to be part of the process and I encourage all to participate by voting on Tuesday. I will be the one with coffee in one hand, Scott Sayre flyers in the other, and looking for solid Republicans from both sides to send a strong State Senator from the 24th district to Richmond to run this thing like a business!!!

17 comments:

zen said...

: I questioned him on current events at that time and of course the Libertarian views on limited government in our lives. He is a good man and it will be interesting to see how he places in the election on Tuesday…"

Arin Sime isn't going to be on the Republican ballot in Tuesday's primary.

RightsideVA said...

Zen,

I got about 10 miles down the road on the way to work before I thought about it and questioned myself if I wrote that or not. Thanks for pointing it out and good to know somebody actually reads all the stuff we write sometimes.

Sime is a good guy and It will be interesting to see how he places on a Tuesday in November....

zen said...

LOL...good for you. Just trying to keep you honest, ya know. :)
I believe Sime is a good guy as well. Of course I don't agree with him on everything, but anyone expecting that may as well run themselves. I'll be interested to learn more.

He will be live blogging with us over at dailywhackjob.com soon, as well as David Cox.

zen said...

RS>>> What do you have to say about the fraudulent mailers distributed by the Sayre campagin?

RightsideVA said...

Have not seen one yet or talked to anybody from the campaign about this. What I have seen\read is coming from the blogs so will wait until I can talk to somebody from Sayre's before I throw in my two cents. Unfortunately endorsements are focused on more then the actual issues at times. A long list of endorsements only means so much to me, I would rather look at the issue and get a feeling there...

zen said...

Okay. A stall, but understandable. Though I do hope to hear a real answer from your side. All we seem to be hearing are dodges. Accountability anyone? Personal responsibility anyone?

What about an NRA endorsement? It appears Sayre's campaign has it's facts wrong about the grades given by that organization.

RightsideVA said...

More of a caution stall so not yo comment on something that the campaign did that I was not involved with. I will see manager tomorrow and will be sure to ask if time permits. Why have campaigns gotten so complicated?

zen said...

So how is Wednesday feeling so far?

RightsideVA said...

Wednesday morning is a little slow for Tuesday was a very early, busy, productive day.

Turnout was incredible and with the exception of one incident at Stuarts Draft was very cordial and great chance to talk politics with many Republicans in the South River District. Lots of material for Rightside Posts...


Wednesday will be somewhat busy with sign duties and the truck is full of both Emmett & Scott signs and the campaign continues. Not much of a race left for Cox will offer little competition but it will be interesting to watch the NewsLeader go into full support mode instead of attack mode and the creation of numerous Dem blogs recently have already provided much "Spin" and accusations within the community.

Great turnout, close race, more to follow...

zen said...

wow. you jump right from one attack mode, right into another. When will you leran that people are tired of the negative vibe you guys put off?

RightsideVA said...

Wow. Did you see the NewsLeader editorial today?

What said above do you regard as "Negative Vibe" and toward who?

zen said...

Yeah. I loved it. The News Leader's Our View editorial is spot on in describing the way (the majority of) the blogger4Sayre's tactics. They were mean, nasty and negative. The Republican party voters have rejected that approach.

Your statements above are paranoid at best. It's the same symptom of victimhood that you seem to always resort to. It's those darn Dems, it's that darn NewsLeader, that darn media, those darn out of town supporters. Instead of continually pointing the finger elsewhere, perhaps a bit of humble-pie and reflection is called for.

zen said...

By the way, I'm still curious to hear your opinion on the bogus mailers distributed by the Sayre campaign. Maybe a good place to start thinking about mistakes made and accountability.
I've posed the same inquiry to your friend SWACgirl. But of course she's avoided addressing it honestly. You could show that you have more integrity and distance yourself from the shrill tactics of some others of that merry band by answering. Truthfully. Or you could remain with that company.

RightsideVA said...

Paranoid at best?
Zen my friend you are not as good as you think in reading my mind.
As far as “Victimhood” when I point out mistakes or flaws of things such as the NewsLeaders history in reporting\opinions, maybe it’s you who needs to look at these factors in a different light?
Their “Editorial” was interesting and I am sure it’s a favorite of yours.

“embracing the tactics of Republican advertising spinmeister Scott Howell, White House wormtongue Karl Rove and the libertarian guru of slash-and-burn, Grover Norquist”

Now who are those “Meanspirited” ones that you and the NL speak of”

“As if they were ever anonymous; anyone with even a nodding familiarity with local politics and blogs knows who the people are who hide behind the tawdry masks of "SWAC Girl," "General Grievous' Dog," "Elle," "John Maxfield," et al. Rather than being stand-up honest and putting their real names on their works, however, they prefer to live in a pretend world of comic book personae and blog postings that would have graced the walls of a bathroom stall in a more graceful age.”

Now who is that “ZEN” guy?
He recently posted a graphic of a cancelled Victory Party on one of his favorite blogs but why does he continue to hide behind his blogs name?

“Betrayal is a serious matter and insubordination must be dealt with swiftly. It's time to clear the underbrush of the snakes. Better yet, the snakes should resign.”

And who is it for the NewsLeader to call for this? The people of the Republican party will decide who should stay and who should go, that is the beauty of the system. Emmett almost “Went” and in fact I hear many are surprised that Sayre actually had that much support. Think Hanger will acknowledge there are many out there that no longer agree with him or his actions? NewsLeader never mentioned a thing that half of those voting did NOT agree with Hanger. Almost 50-50, how did you guys say back during the last two Bush elections? No mandate! No mandate!!!…

As far as commenting on the “Bogus mailers” you brought up, I did not have the opportunity to speak with the campaign manager as I had hoped. I am meeting with him next week. I am interested in talking with him about that and several other factors of a campaign that almost succeeded against a 12 year incumbent by a man with no political experience or history. Maybe you and the NL might like to comment on how that is possible and maybe the “Majority” of the 24th is not as big as they claim? It will be interesting to hear his comments on the “Mailers” but I wonder if I should share the outcome with you for I feel it will only give you more material. You have drifted from honest discussion and returned to your broad statements regarding all of those involved in the local Republican party. “Or you could remain with that company”. Your “Opinion” my friend does not make a fact…

Did not and do not feel I need to distance my self from the “shrill tactics of some others of that merry band” as you claim. Rightside did not personally attack Hanger or his people in any way and in fact it has been Dennis Neal and your buddy Garstang who like to include me in their accusations when they can. I expect that from Dennis for it seems I have been a thorn in his side at times questioning the NL reporting or lack of regarding local “Republican events” and his “Un-biased“ editorials. Garstang is nothing but a little kid with a stick poking at an animal looking for a reaction and needs to be treated as same…

zen said...

If you've seen the victory luncheon gag, perhaps you've taken the time to also read the "Go along to get along is weak" post as well? In which I respect a passionate stand for what one believes, and question how that firey spirit can be so easily abandonded, or if it should at all.
I do realize that you may not have been as nasty as some of your collegues. And that's why I'd like to see you distance yourself from those that are. You have allowed for the most part, us to discuss our differences, whereas others from your side are strikingly afraid to, so either do not allow posts, or attack the messenger and ignore the message.

My identity is of no concern since I am acting as a surrogate for no campaign. I did not raise the issue, the NL did. But the problem, as I see it, is that these shady characters (we all know who they really are) were actually party leadership. Why didn't they just come out and say that? Instead they hide behind a screen name in order to attack 'anonymously.'

I'm not asking you what the campaign manager things about the bogus mailers. I am asking what YOU think. Are you now paranoid, or afraid, to say something against the party line? What's YOUR opinion?

RightsideVA said...

I have learned that it is best to get as many facts and conversations possible before stating ones opinion. I will talk with him and others and form an opinion then. Seems that you and many already have all the facts that you desire and are only looking for further conflict. To give my opinion now without taking the opportunity to talk with those involved would be foolish for I do not know the available facts. And besides it would only be more ammunition for you to use...

zen said...

What? I can't talk with you to form my opinion?