A challenge for the Chairman...

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Is there "Change" in the air for Republicans in Virginia???

Virginia Virtucon has a post about the RPV race...

While Augusta Free Press has info about a local race...

SM-3 missile... Several "Direct" hits....

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Rich Lowry makes several good points about the recent incident where a SM-3 missile was used to take out a disabled spy satellite. This example of missile technology also sent other messages to some...

"The Chinese commitment to "outer space security" was recently exemplified by their shooting down an aging weather satellite with no warning, then denying that they had done it for two weeks, and doing it at an orbit so high that 1,600 pieces of space debris will clutter Earth's orbit for years".

"The real agenda of the Russians and the Chinese is to keep us from ever putting missile-defense interceptors in space. That would enhance our capability against their intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) arsenals."

"They want to have the option of launching ICBMs out into space where they will travel undisturbed until they re-enter Earth's atmosphere on their way to visiting untold devastation on a target. The Chinese could make a genuine gesture toward peace in space by ending their rapid buildup of ICBMs, but their true interest is in preventing us from checking their missile threat to us and our allies."

"Space isn't a pristine last frontier unsullied by human competitiveness and ferocity, but an extension of our flawed world down here below. It can be dangerous, which is why it's a comfort that we are building defenses against threats more serious than a tank of hydrazine."

Hillary, Obama, Sam, - The game and the World are changing...

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Hillary, Obama, and even Sam have been busy talking up the “negatives” of the economy and their perceived inequities of incomes of the American people. Attacking the “Rich” has always been a proven vote getter from those who feel it just isn’t fair how others have more than they do, but by ignoring the facts as the candidates are doing, only shows that these people care more about their election to office than the peoples well being.

Hillary has already made it clear that she intends to “redistribute the wealth” as soon as she can and give it to those who vote for her. “When John robs from Peter to give to Paul, John can always count on Paul’s vote”…

"Many of you are well enough off that [President Bush's] tax cuts may have helped you. We're saying that for America to get back on track, we're probably going to cut that short and not give it to you. We're going to have to take things away from you on behalf of the common good."
(Hillary to her fellow liberals in a speech in San Francisco; SFGate.com 6/28/2004.)

Obama has been quick to attach Hillary to the NAFTA agreement and the perceived damage that it has done to industrial areas such as Michigan and other active campaigning states. Hillary can’t run fast enough from her alleged support of NAFTA while she tries to capture the same “Union” vote that most Democrats cling to as well as cater to…

"I think it's important to note that Senator Clinton was a cheerleader for NAFTA for more than a decade," Mr. Obama said at a press conference where he accepted the endorsement of a regional chapter of the United Auto Workers. Obama statement in “Obama attacks Hillary on NAFTA” Washington Times

We have a local fellow here in Virginia who has also been trying to capitalize on the income disparity between workers in America. Sam has been quick to point out that the top 1% of income earners now earn over $348,000 but yet fails to note the upward income mobility of most Americans during the same period. He fails to note that many people have moved up out of the lower income brackets into the middle class as a result of the Bush tax cuts and millions more of lower income people now pay NO income tax at all. This being another “hand-up” to the new or lower income worker to improve themselves which data has shown has happened during the same period when all income groups improved. Our local democratic candidate, like Hillary and Obama, are quick to point out that many are doing better in life but they fail to note that because of the citizens efforts to improve their skills, invest in their futures, and sacrifice now for a better tomorrow, is a big part of the reason. It is easier to claim that others are doing so much better and are not “Paying their fair share” and that is why you should vote for them to make things “Fair”…

Our Democratic friends point out how unfair it is for some to have so much and others so little but offers no solutions and just wants you to know they “feel your pain”. What is the solution? Tax the rich more? Tax the corporations more? Some people complain that there is no money left to invest like the rich people do but yet these same people have top of the line cell phones, HD television, vehicles that are no longer worth the amount remaining financed on them, cable, on-line charges, and outstanding “Rent-to-Own” payments to be made. Many people are in the situations that are the result of their choices and not the result of those who made wiser choices in life. There are those who need help from the government, local organizations, churches, and citizens who are willing to help their neighbor and that help is out there and available. Lets not punish those who have succeeded. We should reward those who have worked hard, sacrificed, and invested in their futures.

Hillary has stated that she wants to take things away for the common good and the “evil” oil companies have been a favorite target for her. Like many from her side of the aisle they jump at the opportunity to trash the evil corporations but yet fails to mention the amount of taxes these corporations pay. A prior RightsideVA post shows that evil oil corporations pay over 45% tax now and who gets that tax revenue. Washington and Congress gets the money that they are so hungry for. How much do corporations pay in tax? NOTHING… taxes are passed along to the consumer in the cost of the product sold…

Hillary and company have been campaigning in heavily union industrial states and complaining how numerous manufacturing jobs have left the country in the last seven years. At the same time they fail to note that unemployment rates have been very low over the same period of time and corporate tax rates continue to decrease around the world. While campaigning in the “Auto Industry” state of Illinois Hillary complained about the 200,000 jobs that have moved out of the country but failed to address the obvious reasons. It has been reported that $4,000 to $5,000 of the cost of a new GM vehicle goes to paying for the medical benefit plan of current and past employees. The cost of burdening union deals has resulted in several American corporations from producing a quality and affordable product. This situation is not entirely the fault of the Unions but deals like this made by the American auto industry is why these companies can no longer compete in the world market. This and the 2nd highest corporate tax rate in the world has resulted in many of these jobs leaving the country…

The American Spectator (Feb 2008 issue) has a very good article “As the World Turns” that shows and explains why many of countries are now turning to “supply side” economic practices. It also shows how both the “game” and the world is changing… The article is written by Arthur Laffer & Stephen Moore. I had the opportunity to see Laffer at the recent “Americans for Prosperity”
event in Washington D.C.

“Senator Clinton says that she wants to repeal the Bush investment tax cuts, because they benefited the wealthiest 1 to 10 percent, And she’s the moderate of the Democratic presidential field. Barack Obama and John Edwards want to nearly double the tax on capital gains to 28 percent”

How will increasing the tax rate on those investing and risking their money in our markets benefit the economy? Can you tax an economy into prosperity?

“Two decades of slow growth and double digit unemployment in Europe have made it necessary to turn to the supply-side economics model they once disparaged”.

How will punishing or taking from corporations “for the common good” keep manufacturing jobs here instead of going to other economies?

“The U.S. now has the unflattering distinction of having the developed world’s second highest corporate tax rate of 39.3 percent (35 percent federal plus a state average of 4.3 percent) according to the Tax Foundation”.

Germany has seen the light and their economy and well being of the citizens has improved…

“So now, amazingly, Germany, which started the century with a 52 percent top corporate income tax rate, has sliced and diced that down to 19.8 percent.”

The Flat-tax is nothing but a theory, would it work anywhere?

“These onetime Soviet satellites endured suffocating economic controls and even real declines in living standards for half a century. Now they are capitalists and flat tax fanatics. In the late 1980’s there was one nation in the world with a true flat tax, and that was Hong Kong. Now there are 22 such nations, most of them in Eastern Europe, with new converts added by the month. The average flat tax rate is 20 percent, which has made the 40 to 60 percent tax rates of Old Europe unsustainable if it is to maintain its industrial base.”

Remember those who were dead set against the tax cuts by Kennedy, Reagan, and Bush 43?

“We call this Global Phenomenon Reaganomics 2.0. The supply-side economics model that the Gipper started to install with such great controversy 27 years ago is now the the economic operating system around the globe.”

“Under Reagan, tax rates went from 70 percent to 28 percent and the inflation rate from 13 percent to 3 percent, allowing the incentives for production, work, investment, and risk taking to explode.”

The results of rewarding hard work and investments benefits all:

“About $1.5 trillion more investment came into the United States than left, from 1982 to 2002. That meant two decades of new factories, technological investment, low priced imports, jobs, and rising wages and living standards.”

"Russia’s 13 percent flat tax generates more revenues than the old “Progressive” system with rates well over 50 percent”.

“Ireland is the classic case of a nation on the “correct side” of the Laffer curve. It has a 12.5 percent corporate rate, nearly the lowest in the world, and yet collects 3.6 percent of GDP in corporate revenues, well above the international average. The U.S. by contrast, with it’s nearly 40 percent rate, has been averaging less than 2.5 percent of GDP in corporate receipts.”

Very good article but not on-line. Well worth the cover price of The American Spectator…

Manasquan Inlet NJ ~Dive Report~

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The Point Pleasant Rescue Dive Team had a great dive in the Manasquan Inlet and reported on their find...

Virginia National Guard’s 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team... Arrives in Staunton...

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"Star Wars" Reagan's expensive folly?

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Video footage on last nights operation to take a dying sat is now available...

We are fortunate to have this system available and it was the foresight of President Reagan and Bush to stick with this program during all of the attacks from the "Left" side of the aisle. This has become an effective tool to deal with problems of "Space Junk" like this. It will also be a effective tool once countries such as North Korea have their nuclear milssile programs up and running...

Talk is good, but make sure you have a big stick to back it up with for those who will not listen.....

Obama... "Change" is about all you are gonna have left in your pocket...

The Washington Times has a commentary article by Lawrence Kudlow that talks about Obama's economic strategy plan for "Change"... The article is very good on brings up many good points that Obama does not bring up in his stump speech, but neither does Hillary in her economic game plan...

"He wants to spend $150 billion on a green-energy plan. He wants to establish an infrastructure investment bank to the tune of $60 billion".

Both Obama and Hillary talk of their "Green Energy" plans and tout how many "Green Jobs" will be made to benefit both the environment and those looking for work. Unfortunately neither of the Democratic Party candidates explain what happens when you hire somebody to replace all of those energy sucking incandescent with those funny looking curly-cue compact fluorescent bulbs. Sure this will create a "Green" workforce to go around and change the bulbs but what is the end result? The new Green CFR bulbs will save energy, which is good, but these bulbs also cost more and last much longer. Will the Democrats then provide free bulbs to those who can't, or don't want to afford paying for the change? Since these bulbs last about five years each what will happen to all of the workers now making the older bulbs that only last a year or so and are put of of a job?

"He wants to expand health insurance by roughly $65 billion. He wants to "reopen" trade deals, another way of saying he wants to raise the barriers to free trade. He intends to regulate the profits for drug companies, health insurers, and energy firms. He wants to establish a mortgage-interest tax credit. He wants to double the number of workers receiving the earned-income tax credit (EITC) and triple the EITC benefit for minimum-wage workers".

As already noted on RightsideVA lets look at some of these plans. Obama wants to regulate the profits of drug companies but how will he help these same companies bring new life saving drugs to market, which costs an average of $800 million per drug, to market? What happens when he takes the incentive away from developing new Drugs or energy sources to market and investments in these areas fall? The evil Exxon and other U.S. energy companies already pay about 45% tax rate to the government. Double and triple the EITC benefits? Where will the $$$ come from and is this nothing but wealth redistribution?

"The Obama spend-o-meter is now up around $800 billion. And tax increases on the rich won't pay for it. The middle class ultimately will shoulder this fiscal burden in terms of higher taxes and lower growth".

Tax increases on the "Rich" has resulted in lower money or incentives to risk money in investments which create small business, improvements and growth to existing business, and hire more people. This will also result in lower GDP and returns on the "Middle class" investments in the form of their mutual funds and 401k programs....

"Mr. Obama says he wants U.S. corporations to stop "shipping jobs overseas" and bring their cash back home. But if he really wanted U.S. companies to keep more of their profits in the states, he would call for a reduction in the corporate tax rate. Why isn't he demanding an end to the double-taxation of corporate earnings? It's simple: He wants higher taxes, too".

As noted in this other Washington Times article. The U.S. corporations are already getting hammered by the highest corporate tax rates already and where is the incentive to move this working capitol back into the states where it will only be hit by at 39.3% tax rate. Another thing. Corporations DO NOT PAY TAXES!!! The tax is paid by the consumer in the cost of the product produced by the corporations. Raise their taxes and you raise what we pay for the product. Take their profits and you take the profits of the shareholder investor which makes up the vast number of us "Middle Class" people who have invested in our future in the form of mutual funds and 401k programs... Many of us are in these programs for we fear the government will not have our money that we paid into Social Security when it comes time for our retirement... What's Obama's plan to deal with the Social Security problem?

Hold that "Change" still left in your pocket tightly...

Motocross at Expoland VA...

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There has been much talk in the local media regarding the proposed Motocross track at Expoland… Once again a coordinated attack by a vocal group of homeowners will concentrate on the local government officials who will be tasked on deciding the ultimate outcome of this proposal…

With that this “Neighborhood Association” will focus on submitting a never ending supply of letters to local editors to keep their claims in the news as much as possible. Many of these claims focus on the noise, dust, and “Bad” element that a sport like this will attract…

Simply go to Google Search and enter “Expoland VA” in the maps section. You can then zoom into the area of Expo and get a detailed map of the area. Then click on the satellite icon and you will find a clear, recent photo of expoland and the surrounding area.

You will also find that the nearest cluster of homes is located across the four lane highway of Virginia Route 64 in Fishersville, VA. A roadway that provides a constant source of background noise from commuter traffic and truck traffic that has been there for many years. In fact this background noise was there before many of the “Neighborhood Association” members ever bought or built their homes.

Dust is another weak argument for the track would be “Watered Down” routinely for that provides a better surface for riding and any “Dust” that escapes would be minimal as compared to local farming functions which have also been present many years before any “Neighborhood Association”…

A simple argument of NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) by people who wish to benefit from local community revenues as long as they do not possibly effect their little domains. At the same time they ignore the fact of potential tax revenue and business coming to the area benefiting many more people then those within the “Association”… Increased business at the local food places, potential new business in the form of a motorcycle center, increased business at the new Harley Davidson location, maxed out occupancy at the Hampton Inn just across the highway, and a sport destination within the County…

At it again...

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Bill Clinton is at it again and the Drudge Report has links to the story about Bill losing his cool again in public and this time going after a Obama supporter...

There is even a link to the video that appears on YouTube showing Bill going after the Obama guy...

And then there are the links to other Video clips of Bill jumping ugly on the campaign trail and in his past...

Bill gets a little irate when questioned about the "Casino Caucus"

And then there is one of the younger Clinton at work in the past...

Then there was the time Bill jumped all over Wallace for asking the tough questions...

Lets not forget when the "First Black President" went down South to the church that Martin Luther King preached at and attended the services on MLK day...

Bet Hillary and her campaign can't wait until Springbreak comes along to keep Bill busy and away from blowing up on fellow Democrats during the campaign...

"Allow me to add my two cents".... per gallon....

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Allow me to throw in my “two cents” regarding the Virginia State Senate’s vote to “raise our gasoline tax by a penny per gallon in each of the next five years”.


The Daily News Record provides this information about the vote and comments from some of the Senators.


“According to an analysis of the bill performed by the legislative staff, the proposal would increase the state gas tax from 17.5 cents per gallon to 22.5 cents per gallon, an increase of 28.6 percent, and raise an estimated $1 billion over five years“.


That is one hefty increase in the tax burden being imposed on the citizens of Virginia over the next five years. After listening to the never ending finger pointing to the “Evil Oil Companies” by Hillary & friends blaming them for high fuel costs, many are quick to blame the oil companies.


As noted in this earlier RightsideVA post, "From 1977 to 2004, according to Tax Foundation data, U.S. oil companies cleared $630 billion after taxes while paying $518 billion in federal and state corporate taxes at an average rate of 45%“.


45% tax rate to the U.S. oil companies. Now that’s a little stiff in itself and the fact that Hillary & friends fail to mention is that the incorporated 45% tax on the oil companies is passed onto consumers like you and me…


Wait. That’s not all. “ Over the same period, an additional $1.34 trillion in excise fuel taxes was collected from consumers by the oil companies and turned over to various governments“.


Republican State Senator Obenshain pointed out the likely ugly future of this additional tax increase. “The revenues realized from the tax increase, Obenshain said, are unlikely to go for transportation needs. Instead, he said, the revenues would likely go to support new pet spending projects“.


And its not just the local government looking to take some more out of your pocket for their use. “The proposal to increase the state gasoline tax, Obenshain noted, comes after the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission proposed Congress triple the federal gasoline tax from 18.4 cents per gallon to nearly 60 cents per gallon over five years“.

It is obvious that our infrastructure needs work and that is fine and should be done. The American taxpayer already pays a hefty amount to finance these projects and maintain our roads. The problem is pointed out by Senator Obenshain in his remarks about the probably end result of our additional tax money once making it to Richmond. We need to support strong Conservative Republicans like Senator Obenshain in their efforts to ensure proper use of our tax money instead of it being used for "Pet Projects"...