Friday, March 16, 2007

Sayre Signs 2007...

.
The signs are starting to appear…
Numerous “Sayre for Senate” signs have gone up in the Augusta County area getting the Scott Sayre name out there and attracting attention to the Republican Virginia State Senate Candidate.

Local and State media operations, with the usual exception of the Staunton NewsLeader, have covered an impressive amount of functions announcing and promoting Republican Scott Sayre for the
VA State Senator seat which is now occupied by Senator Emmett Hanger.







Conservative Blogger Stephen Winslow has a very impressive post about Scott Sayre over at his blog titled “Scott Sayre: A thinking man’s candidate” at:
http://stephenwinslow.wordpress.com/2007/03/09/scott-sayre-a-thinking-mans-candidate/


Additional information on Scott Sayre and his campaign at:
http://sayreforsenate.com/

Thursday, March 15, 2007

What if Clinton was still President?...

How would the economy be reported if Bill Clinton was still President?

Investors Business Daily had a great article on the growth of the economy over the last decade and how it has, and has not, been reported by the media.

"And new data out last week show we're doing pretty well. In the fourth quarter of 2006, total net worth — that is, everything people own minus what they owe — jumped 7.4% to $55.63 trillion. We've added as much wealth in the last decade as we did in our nation's first 220 years. It's an amazing boom — all the more so because hardly anyone talks about it."

But yet when was the last time you saw Katie or any of the other Mainstream Media "Stars" talking about this?

"When you do the math, it turns out the average household in America owns about $487,095 worth of stuff, free and clear. That's a big jump from recent years. As recently as 2001, average household wealth was $373,170. So in five years we've become a third richer — a truly amazing fact."

Seems all you hear is the gap between the "Common Folk" and the "Mega-Rich"... But its interesting how the "Mega-Rich" does not include Katie, Gore, John Edwards, or any of the "Stars" from Hollywood when they talk of the "Evil" Mega-Rich... Now there is the "Gap" they need to be talking about...


"Unemployment, at just 4.5%, is way below its long-term average. Real incomes are rising strongly. Inflation remains tame. Company profits — a measure of how efficient businesses are at using scarce resources — are at all-time highs. And, in addition to being richer, we live longer, healthier lives than ever.
Even people on the lowest rungs of the economic ladder have far more than they did a decade ago."



http://ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=258334881232853

Fairness Doctrine... Proof is in the numbers...

CABLE NEWS
3/6/07 VIEWERS

FOXNEWS O'REILLY... 2,297,000
FNC HANNITY/COLMES... 1,701,000
FNC GRETA... 1,451,000
FNC BRIT HUME... 1,427,000
FNC SHEP SMITH... 1,317,000
CNN KING... 974,000
CNN COOPER... 819,000
CNN DOBBS... 797,000
MSNBC OLBERMANN... 722,000
CNNHN NANCY GRACE... 588,000
MSNBC HARDBALL... 563,000
CNN PAULA ZAHN... 491,000
Source: DrudgeReport

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

VCAP...


VCAP, Virginia Conservative Action Pac has a great post on the Virginia State budget and links to an article that asks "Is it wise to use the General Fund?" at:
http://vcap.wordpress.com/2007/03/13/is-it-wise-to-use-the-general-fund/

This post also provides an interesting link to the Virginia State budget and where all that Taxpayer money is headed. It is an interesting site and requires some digging but it is a good service that provides a substantial amount of information on the budget...
http://www.dpb.state.va.us/budget/vabud/vabud.cfm?vBiennium=2006-2008&vTable=O

VCAP has also been added to RightsideVA list of Links to sites worth visiting on a routine basais... http://vcap.org/

Monday, March 12, 2007

The NewsLeader hits the "Tri-Fecta"...

.


The Staunton NewsLeader pulled it off this past week and managed a “Tri-fecta” in it’s avoidance of “Republican” related events in one week in it’s own backyard…


First “News stand” award goes to avoiding the Augusta County Republican meeting held at the Government Center in Verona on Tuesday. Republican State Senator Emmett Hanger and Challenger Scott Sayre spoke of the upcoming election race and the primary on June 12th. NBC29 and the Waynesboro NewsVirginian were in attendance and Bob Stuart of the NewsVirginian wrote this description of the nights activities:
http://newsvirginian.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WNV/MGArticle/WNV_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1149193565601&path=


Staunton NewsLeader? Nothing…


Second “News stand” award goes to missing the “Media Day” event that Republican State Senate Candidate Scott Sayre held at his business in Buena Vista. This event invited the media to come in and meet with the Candidate at his place of business and to obtain information on history, Issues, and intentions if elected. The NewsVirginian once again reported this local Republican event: http://view.atdmt.com/NYC/iview/dvrtmvcd0300000002nyc/direct;wi.160;hi.600/01?click=http://servedby.advertising.com/click/site=0000725906/mnum=0000414611/optn=64?trg=
as well did other local media organizations.

Staunton NewsLeader? Nada…


The Third “News stand” award comes from totally avoiding and not reporting the visit of the Republican Virginia Lt. Governor Bill Bolling to Staunton on Saturday. Lt. Governor Bolling came to Mrs. Rowes to have breakfast with local Republicans and constituents and to talk of the recent session in Richmond. The Lt. Governor spoke of many issues that concern Virginia Citizens and the Transportation issue and fiscal responsibility were discussed in detail. Again NBC29 was present and took video for news program coverage and the Harrisonburg Daily News-Record reported the Republican event in it’s coverage at: http://dnronline.com/news_details.php?AID=9220&CHID=2


Staunton NewsLeader? Zilch…


But they do get the coveted “Tri-fecta” award…

Sunday, March 11, 2007

"Maplefest 2007"... Virginia State Senate Race...

.

Took a ride out to the Maple-fest in Highland County and found a very good turnout and many people walking the street vendors and exhibits. I also found two of the three candidates running for the Virginia State Senate seat of the 24th district meeting and talking issues with many interested Maplefest patrons…


I first ran into Arin Sime who is from Crozet and has been campaigning for the Senate seat since last year and I have had the opportunity to talk with him several times. I also worked with him on the “From Our Hearts” project in Churchville which sent packages from home to the Troops serving in Afghanistan & Iraq… I believe he is running under the Libertarian ticket but I do not see that identified on any of the printed material. I enjoy discussing issues with Arin and I believe he brings "Welcomed" competition to the issues and Senate race.

I did not see or hear of State Senator Emmett Hanger being at the festival this weekend and would have liked to have seen him there to include him in this post. The Maplefest event continues next weekend.



I then came along to the Scott Sayre “Republican for Senate” booth where Scott was talking issues with several people who had been attracted by the booth and Sayre’s greetings. As I walked up Sayre was talking to a gentleman about his history of starting and operating a business and the importance of using these skills in government decisions. It was discussed that the government should be operated like a business in many aspects and that the States treasury, or surplus, is actually the people’s money and must be well spent. Sayre described how he has included his company’s employees in the decision process of the business operation thus making them “Part Owners” and promote their growth. He allows them to become an important part of the process so they become familiar with the development, promotion, and operation of a product thus becoming a valued part of that process. The Waynesboro NewsVirginian did an interesting article on the involvement of the employees and Sayre’s business accomplishments at: http://newsvirginian.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WNV%2FMGArticle%2FWNV_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173350117181&path=%21news%21localnews


Along with attracting attention by greeting each person walking by the booth Sayre had an interesting prop that involved many observers and promoted discussion of numerous topics and issues. There was a small “Wheel-of-Issues” which had 16 numbers on it that correlated with a menu-list of popular issues and also promoted the person to ask any question they wanted of the candidate.
This tool allowed many people who were attracted by the crowd around the booth to become involved in the discussion process as well as ask questions of Sayre as to how he would handle “Local” and specific issues that effect them.


Sayre spoke several times to different residents on the Wind Generation issue and how he sees the issue. Sayre feels that the residents of the area to be developed into the “Wind Farms” should be the ones making the decision since it will be in “Their backyards”. He spoke of how referendums should be used by the government so that the voters effected by the decision are the most important part of the decision making process. I was fortunate enough to continue the discussion on “Wind Generation” with the gentlemen above and it was interesting to hear his concerns of the damage sustained by strip mining now used to provide coal for power generation. He was in favor of wind generation and in fact was developing a system to be used on his farm. He also stated that it was refreshing to hear somebody who wanted to become involved in the government process so interested in the peoples concerns and how he would approach the issue. The gentleman also expressed his pleasure with Sayre’s intention to use his business background and decision process to the Senate office. The issue of fiscal responsibility came up and this is probably the reason for Sayre getting the endorsement of the Virginia Conservative Action Political Action Committee. http://newsvirginian.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WNV%2FMGArticle%2FWNV_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173350151114&path=%21news%21localnews


Another “Issue” that was selected from the “Wheel-of-Issues” was Illegal Immigration. Sayre’s immediate response was to point out the first word “Illegal” and the fact that there are numerous laws against entering this country avoiding proper procedures. Sayre spoke of the importance of controlling this illegal practice and the cost already being endured by the taxpayer regarding present illegal immigrants. I believe it was San Diego that Sayre referred to as the city that each taxpayer pays an average of $750+ each year for the healthcare and other social services to those who entered and remain in this country illegally. This example shows a true example of how much it costs a working American to have elected representatives who chose to avoid or ignore this important issue.



Sayre also provided many graphics that showed how many of the issues and laws decided in Richmond effect the Citizens at their level…



Next to the “List-of-Issues” Sayre also had a board listing the beliefs of the Virginia Republican Party creed. Many of these are known by different phrases but it is important to see them posted and refreshed by a Candidate. I observed several people reading and pondering these points and many were shaking their heads in agreement. I was impressed and pleased to see the way Sayre spoke with the people and incorporated his personal and business experiences in his response to questions. He took many questions and answered them directly but also involved the person asking the question in the process of answering that persons question. This was well accepted by many and encouraged these same people to asking and discussing more issues. It is not often that you see a crowd of people discussing politics\issues and not avoiding it on a weekend outing like this. It is evident that many people are looking for a representative who can and will discuss how these issues will effect them on their personal level.



Also working the booth with Sayre was his wife Mary who was engaged in discussion about Scott's campaign with many in the crowd around the booth. This young guy somehow kept losing his balloon and came back numerous times for a replacement...


More information is available at: http://sayreforsenate.com/












.

Move America Forward Joins Eagles...

.

"Move America Forward invites you to join us as we launch a national caravan leaving from San Francisco, California on Thursday, March 8, 2007 to Washington, D.C. where we will join "The Gathering of Eagles" for a giant pro-troop rally on Saturday March 17, 2007."


http://www.moveamericaforward.org/index.php/DailyFile/caravan_route_these_colors_dont_run/