Running Against the Last Four Years

Some Thoughts on the Second Presidential Debate


Hill's Auto Parts. Photo by H. Peterson.

Resembling a boxing match, more than a town hall meeting at times, the second Presidential debate was a lively exchange. THYME has these thoughts:

First of all, both men appeared to be running against the actual record of the last four years. Mitt Romney again emphasized his plan for energy independence and tax simplification. The President chimed in with a "Me too" statement, but left himself open to criticism as his administration has actually stifled domestic energy production. Energy Secretary Steven Cho's statement that: “Somehow we have to figure out how to boost the price of gasoline to the levels in Europe,” though later retracted, is telling, nonetheless. Romney clearly wants to go after proven traditional resources while advancing market-ready renewables. The President's actual record does not support claims to be advancing energy independence. His 90 billion dollar 'investment' in green energy has not produced results.

Exploration for new resources off the coast of Virginia are on hold, blocked by the Administration, as is the full construction of the Keystone Pipeline. Romney correctly asserted that actual energy production gains have occurred on private land, such as in the case of the Bakken formation. Indeed, the Administration has reduced permits while encouraging South and Central American nations to go for resources in the Gulf of Mexico.

Obamacare continues to make employers wary of new hiring, and rather than reduce costs as promised, it adds a new layer of penalties and mandates to an already stressed system. Indeed, the middle-class has suffered most from employer uncertainty, with average net income for those who are still working down. Unemployment stubbornly hovers above eight per-cent, even when you remove from the count those people no longer actively looking for work. Add these individuals and the underemployed and you are looking at a much worse scenario.

The President talked about legislating pay equity for women, but Romney pointed out that more women are simply unemployed. Romney's 'solutionist' discussion of workplace flexibility actually adressed the structural reality of women simply not staying in the workplace long enough to break the 'glass ceiling.'

Romney could have stressed more emphatically that tax reform and simplification, with lower rates, would actually increase revenues (both JFK and Reagan actually did this). Focusing on taxing the rich more will only send them (and their creative investments) offshore.

The answer to the country's economic problems would be to restore healthy growth along with fiscal responsibility. Romney could point to examples from his prior experiences. The President, hoping to sway undecided voters, actually had to argue that in the future he would govern more like Romney.

On foreign policy, the President seemed to want to adopt the policies of George Bush. He "got" Bin-Laden and though moderator Candy Crowley asserted that the President had said Benghazi was an act of terrorism in a Rose Garden speech, she was later forced to retract it. Indeed, the notion that those events were a spontanious riot had been perpetuated by UN Ambassador Susan Rice days after that speech.

THYME's analysis of the debate is thus: The real Mitt Romney showed up again, the President showed up to agressively argue that he wasn't who his record suggests he is. It did make for an interesting conversation.

Fiscal Health and Local Government

New Challenges Require Clear Vision


The next board of supervisors will face some tough choices. The problems facing local governments today require thoughtful solutions rather than simple slogans.

The local newspaper said it well: "The next Augusta Board of Supervisors will have to make some difficult decisions." The phrase: "Bring me men to match my mountains." comes to mind. Indeed, the need for informed individuals willing to hammer out the hard choices has never been clearer. The recent property assessment debacle proves that well.

Nichole Gelinas in City Journal writes about the indicators of health in local and state finances. Her article: Hidden in Plain Sight [click to read] says that disclosure requirements are a step in the right direction, but they alone will not fix the situation.

Fair and Honest Property Assessments

Think of our own local government and the recent property assessment battle. The historical pattern had always been one where assessments were performed in a rather casual way to follow the then predictable rise in real estate values. Governments planned expenditures based on this pattern and boards of supervisors rubber stamped the whole process.

In a steadily growing economy there was no need for questioning reality, after all. The can kicked down the road was highly unlikely to roll back on you.

After 2006, reality changed. The appraisal and budget process that followed underscored the need for lively and open debate. Tracy Pyles, supervisor from the Pastures District, took the bold and necessary step of addressing flaws in the process that would eventually come back to bite us. The assessors were using values derived from a real estate bubble that had already burst. There was no reality in letting tax rates be driven by these numbers. Furthermore, the inflated numbers created a false report to state revenue agencies, resulting in reduced payments to the county from state taxes collected. Northern Virginia localities saw their property values reduced in a more honest process and actually received increased state funding while Augusta's was reduced.

The inability of other local elected officials to throw themselves into this debate is telling. In low-crime Mayberry, Barney Fife can keep his service revolver empty and his bullet in his pocket. If revenues can be counted on to rise 'safely,' we can afford to let the supervisors kick the can down the road, or so it might seem. Actually the need for open and honest debate is even more important when we might plan honestly for a range of contingiencies. The best reforms happen quietly and in a timely manner. They may never show up in print.

The 2011 campaign for supervisor's seats in Augusta County should create no less than a mandate for the kind of debate that will monitor county vital signs BEFORE a fiscal disaster occurs.

First Responder Support Strategies

Recent audits of Augusta's fire stations uncovered problems that beg the question: "Why didn't the board of supervisors impliment key elements of a fire plan they commissioned?" David Karaffa, candidate for Beverley Manor District Supervisor proposes some strong steps to support our volunteer community. Property tax credit of up to $750 is a great incentive for someone like an artisan farmer who is willing to give her time to protecting the community as a fire fighter/EMT. Reimbursement for mileage and training also help her with practical support as she provides real safety to the county. Tuition credits for young first responders would enhance recruitment of the next generation.

Supporting the volunteer community now makes perfect sense. This 'stitch in time' response to volunteer support would help to preserve the ideal of self-protecting community service. At the same time, Karaffa suggests, we need to unfreeze and fill key paid positions.

Education as a Priority

Seeing an educated population as a key element of economic development, Karaffa says: "Education is vital for our economy, our children, our government, and our future. If elected, I will work side by side with the school board in terms of budgeting and other needs to make sure that every dollar put toward education is used to its fullest and not wasted. I will frequently be checking in with the school board representatives and will attend their meetings to hear the concerns of the parents in our community." Believe him. As the parent of two young daughters, he's concerned that monies reach the classroom. He's already going to more meetings than some people who are already elected and makes a practice of informing himself going into decisions.

Fiscal Responsibility and Accountability to the People

David Karaffa supports budget process where the people are given the opportunity to see the actual figures before the budget is voted on. Openness, he feels, would be a great deterrant to unnecessary and frivolous spending. A quesionable hundred-thousand dollar expenditure on new cell phones for county employees might well have been cut before unnecessary spending occurred. In an era of tightened belts and necessary sacrifice, it is refreshing to see a new generation of candidates who see tax revenues as the people's money.

Note: The Author of this post actively serves in the campaign of David Karaffa for Supervisor.

Stroke of Boldness

Why Not Eliminate the IRS AND the Welfare Bureaucracy

Springtime is tax time. Dogwood Photo by Bob Kirchman

Once again American tax season has come upon us. Many have again put forth the idea of a simpler and fairer tax system. It is an idea that is gaining interest. Here's an interesting Article [click to read] about an idea put forth by Milton Friedman. His idea is both revolutionary and simple, a NEGATIVE income tax.

If the bureaucracy necessary to collect taxes is ridiculously complex, the bureaucracy necessary to redistribute makes our current system twice as cumbersome. Statistics tell us that about 30% of welfare dollars actually get to beneficiaries. The rest is consumed by the agencies that manage the programs.

"Republicans would do well to revisit Friedman’s alternatives. The most familiar is the school voucher, which students could use as tuition at any school, public or private, willing to accept them. But one of the most inventive and potentially effective of Friedman’s alternatives to statist bureaucracy receives far less attention than vouchers do. Liberals tend to dismiss Friedman as an extremist libertarian, a blind advocate of selfishness, an enemy of any kind of social help. This was always an absurd charge. In his 1962 book Capitalism and Freedom, Friedman acknowledged that some form of welfare was necessary in capitalist societies and that the state would likely play a role in its provision. The trick was to imagine a very different, radically improved, and more efficient form of welfare—what Friedman’s son, David, also an economist, calls “libertarian redistributionism.” What kind of program could help protect every citizen from destitution without granting excessive power to bureaucrats, creating disincentives to work, and clogging up the free-market economy, as the modern welfare state has done? Friedman’s answer was the negative income tax, or NIT." -- Guy Sormon

Mr. Karaffa Goes to Verona

"The Most Important Level of Government is Local"
--Thomas Jefferson


David Karaffa puts on the first bumper sticker.

David Karaffa will be announcing his candidacy for the Augusta County Board of Supervisors on Saturday, January 8th at 10:00am at the Government Center in Verona.
The entire event will last about 20 minutes and all local media are invited to attend. Come out and hear what David has planned for Augusta County. Please let your neighbors know, all are invited.

www.DavidKaraffa.com

Please note: I actively serve in the Karaffa Campaign. Unlike people in the MSM who try to hide their activism as they wear it on their sleeves, I will tell you clearly when I am investing myself in something that I believe in.

When I was much younger... it was in the late sixties... my Father and I were driving through the county seat. Dad pointed out the very large new county office building to make me aware of how rapidly the bureaucratic sector was growing. Recently a client of mine purchased a piece of property and had to go to the government center early in the morning. "You ought to get a picture of all the cars in the parking lot," he suggested. To a layman's eye, there would appear to be a lot of people going into that building who do not contribute to better education or public safety. Mr. Karaffa says:

"Local Government is where things really happen, where decisions are made by local representatives that immediately affect you and your family. I have attended the meetings at the Government Center in Verona and believe we can do a better job. That is why I am running for the Beverley Manor seat on the Augusta County Board of Supervisors.

We need a more open and transparent Board. We need representation that opens up issues to public input through town halls, local meetings, etc. We need fiscal responsibility here in Augusta and we need an accurate budget that includes all spending plans.

I am asking you to join with me as we work to bring open and honest government, fiscal responsibility, and individual pride in Augusta back to life."

An Issues Driven Campaign

"I believe the best government is one that the people are actively involved in. I understand that the position I am running for is that of representation and service. If elected, I will make myself available before each and every Board of Supervisors meeting for questions. I will work hard to address your concerns and respond to your questions in a timely manner.

Staggered Terms:
The Augusta County Board of Supervisors voted against staggering their election terms. I believe the terms should be staggered so the public can have a more frequent and influential part in the decisions of the Board. If elected, I will immediately work toward this goal.

Fiscal Responsibility:
One of the pillars of good government is fiscal responsibility. If elected, I would consistently vote to limit unnecessary spending and seek out ways to cut already wasteful spending practices. I would also push for the new budget to be available to the public before the Board of Supervisors takes a vote to approve it.

Taxes:
I believe that taxes collected by the government are not earned by the government; they are earned by the people and therefore should be respected in that manner. If elected, I will fight to keep local taxes low and look for ways to cut them further.

Local Property Assessment:
I believe the responsibility of the property assessment is important and the integrity of the assessment must be maintained. If elected, I will look into any case of fraud or abuse of the assessment process and will not vote to approve an assessment until I am confident it has been conducted in a fair and accurate manner.

Safety:
I have a high respect for our men and women of the Augusta County Sheriff’s Department and will work hard to address the concerns and needs that they bring to the Board of Supervisors. I understand that they are currently understaffed and if elected, will work to fill those vacant positions and strengthen their ability to uphold the law through responsible ordinances.

Fire and Rescue:
The Fire Departments in Augusta are coming under increased scrutiny due to recent audits. The issues facing our Volunteer Agencies have been dragged out in the newspapers. As a result, it is clear that action must be taken, not just in one specific station or department, but rather systemic changes that will support and strengthen our Volunteer system and encourage others to also take part in the safety and welfare of our community. If elected, I will work toward better training funds, gasoline reimbursement, and will work to unfreeze positions that need to be filled with in the Fire ranks. I will also work aggressively on a real incentive package that will encourage current Volunteers to stay on board as fire fighters and to bring new ones into the fold. I have a tremendous respect for those in the community that commit their lives in the service and care of others. If elected, I will work to make sure that these quality services continue to be available to the citizens of Augusta whenever and wherever they are needed.

Education:
Education is vital for our economy, our children, our government, and our future. If elected, I will work side by side with the school board in terms of budgeting and other needs to make sure that every dollar put toward education is used to its fullest and not wasted. I will frequently be checking in with the school board representatives and will attend their meetings to hear the concerns of the parents in our community."


The Beverley Manor District.

Thank You, President Obama

You're Skills as a Community Organizer Paid Off


When a starfish loses a leg it grows a new one.

Andrew Breitbart got up to speak at the National Tax Day Tea Party. He remarked that President Obama had just spoken in Miami at one of those thousands of dollars a plate fundraisers for big Democrat supporters [$30,400-per-couple] [1]. Touting his "middle class tax cuts" and other "promises" he's "kept," he had said the following:

"And so I've been a little amused over the past couple of days where people have been having these rallies about taxes, taxes," Obama said. "You would think they'd be saying, 'Thank you!'"

So, I really think it's time to say "thank you, Mr. President."

Let Me explain...

Riding up on the bus from Culpeper to Washington we were joined by Richard Viguerie, who has decades of experience electing Conservative candidates. He talked with wonder about the "leaderless" Tea Party movement that Mr. Obama has almost single handedly brought to life.

"For years I've been wanting to see this" Viguerie stated. The problem is not Reid, Pelosi and Obama but the vacuum that our inaction has allowed that permits them to exist. He went on to tell us the story of the Spider and the Starfish:

Cut off the leg of a starfish, it will grow another one. Cut off the head of a spider and you have no more spider. When the Spanish Conqistadores arrived in America they met Montezuma, head of the Aztec Nation. Once they did away with Montezuma the Aztecs were soon no more. The Incas presented a similar challenge. They too fell to the Spaniards.

The Apache Nation, on the other hand was to prove unconquerable. There was no single leader to eliminate. Thus the Apaches resisted Spanish rule successfully for many years.

That, Mr. Viguerie said, is our strength. Alost spontaniously this movement has come to life and it has many creative voices. It's no Astroturf, it's a Prairie Fire! For years, beginning with the Goldwater Campaign, Viguere dreamed of creating a self-energizing popular Conservatism. His direct-mail campaigns brilliantly presented men like Ronald Reagan and helped elect them.

Reagan proved to be one of the few who could keep the message in front of the people. Republicans lost their unique message and lost their mandate to govern in the process.

So Thank You, President Obama, for inspiring so many of us to stand up and do our part to preserve this great and precious gift... America!

Tax Day Tea Party at the Monument

Patriots Assemble in Washington April 15, 2010


The United States Capitol.


Virginia Sovereignty Rally at the Capitol.


Real authority recognized.


Richard Viguerie: "You are the leadership you are looking for."


The Crowd at the Washington Monument.


As evening descends we hear inspiring talks from Michele Bachman, Andrew Breitbart, Lord Christopher Monckton and many more.


Lord Monckton on the Jumbotron.

Tax Day Tea Party Information Kiosk III

Richmond Tea Party Tax Day Rally


Virginia State Capitol.

The day has finally arrived!

We hope you are coming and bringing all your friends, neighbors and co-workers. Please don't miss this amazing event.

Don't let Congress think you have given up after 12 months of fighting. Let's show every politician we are committed for the long haul! Come hear what we are about, what we have accomplished, and what we have planned for 2010!

Here are all the logistics you need.

Kanawha Plaza [click for map] (8th and Canal)Downtown Richmond
5:30 - 6:30pm Music
6:30 - 8:00pm Rally

MUCH louder sound system, porta potties on site this year, and the entire evening is FREE! We will be giving away some free RTP shirts. Be there or be square! Bring the family!
Some of our speakers for Tax Day Rally!

Doc Thompson of WRVA RadioMatt Whitworth of VCUChris Kinsel of American Family Radio
Joe Guarino, RTP Legislative ChairmanDonna Holt of Virginia 10th Amendment Revolution
Colleen Owens, RTP Activist and Tax Day Chairwoman
Patrick McSweeney, Constitutional LawyerChuck Hansen, Motivational Speaker and Columnist
Karen Cooper, Richmond Tea Party Activist
Rich Nielsen, Small business owner
Gilbert Wilkerson, RTP Board Member
Charles Payne, FOX Business News

Tea Party Code of Conduct [click to read]. ht/Richmond Tea Party

Staunton April 15th Rally:
Gypsy Hill Park Bandstand Area-5:30-7:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m. Welcome, Pledge of Allegiance, and Invocation
5:40 p.m. Kate Obenshain (Likely topic is corruption)
6:00 p.m. Warren Grant (The Constitution)
6:25 p.m. Dr. Jim Grichar (America's Fiscal Crisis)
6:45 p.m. Charles Kraut (Natural rights vs. Human rights)
7:00 p.m. Ben Marchi (Health Care Reform and other key issues)
7:15 p.m. Former Governor George Allen
7:30 p.m. Closing Message ht/Phil

Tax Day Tea Party Information Kiosk II

Virginia Sovereignty March Rally4:30 PM at US Capitol

We will deliver signed copies of the Sovereignty letter from the VA Legislature and signed copies of the Virginia Healthcare Freedom Act to several US Congressmen from Virginia
Copies will also be delivered for President Barack Obama, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority leader Harry Reid.

Members of US Congress, Richard Viguerie and Virginia government leaders who had a part in enacting HB10 Healthcare Freedom Act will address us from 5 to 6 PM.

Constitutional Tea Party [click to read] has details.

There is Limited Seating [click to read] on a FREE bus from Culpeper to Washington. When I called to get on the bus they had about 20 seats left. Act fast and don't miss this great opportunity.

Constitutional TEA Party
April 15th TEA Party Rally
Yowell Meadows Park Culpeper, VA
SPEAKER: Michael Farris
HSLDA Home School Legal Defense head and Chancellor of Patrick Henry College will speak on the Sovereignty of the US at 12 Noon
Rally will be from 12:00-2:00


September 12, 2009 at the US Capitol.

Tax Day Tea Party Information Kiosk

Information for Tomorrow's Tax Day Events


December 15, 2009 saw crowds in Washington to protest the healthcare takeover.

Tea Party is from 5:45 to 9:30 pm at the NW quadrant of the Washington Monument grounds directly across from the White House.

Freedom Works [click to read] Official Site for Washington Events.

Metro Map [click to read] to help you fiind your way in L'Enfant's Labyrinth.

Tea Party Patriots Site [click to read]. Listing of events nationwide.


If this is supposed to be an angry racist mob...


...then why is everyone I meet at these gatherings...


...so nice?


September 12, 2009 Had nice people as well...


...all concerned about the direction of the country.

Visit Faces of Freedom Gallery [click to read] to see more Tea Party Patriots and decide for yourself.

THYME Magazine

Citizen Journalism with a Better Flavor


Volume I, Issue XII

The Largest Employer in Kansas City

Years ago I went to a convention of the National Institute of Restoration in Kansas City, Missouri. While I ws there I learned a few facts about the city. Who do you think the largest employer in Kansas City is? If you guessed the federal government give yourself a gold star!

The federal government!!! In the heartland of America? In the state that gave us Rush Hudson Limbaugh! Believe it! Our government workforce is HUGE and much of it is not even in Washington DC where you would expect to find it.

This was over seventeen years ago! Now if you think the federal bureaucracy has decreased in the years following my discovery think again. It is only going to get worse.

Tucked away in the 2000+ pages of 'healthcare' that was railroaded through the house last night is a provision for hiring 16,000 new IRS agents! What do more IRS agents have to do with making healtcare more affordable? They are essential if 'healtchare' involves collecting fines and increased compliance monitoring.

Here's a better idea: Reports from reliable sources say there are millions in unpaid taxes by FEDERAL EMPLOYEES! How about the existing agents leaving alone all but the most blatent private sector cases and concentrate on cleaning their own house for a year?

Statistics show that people doing the same job as someone in the private sector make 20% more working for the government. If we're intent on 'taxing the rich' here's an exellent place to start.

While I'm on the subject, if redistbution of wealth from the 'evil rich' is such a priority, how about some tort reform so those nasty old trial lawyers don't get rich off of our medical spending?

It's Time to 'Redisribute the Jobs'

Speaking of trial lawyers, with lawyers being so overrepresented in our Congress and the 2010 elections on the horizon, it's time to fire the representatives and senators who gave us no representation over the past eighteen months. Scott Brown is evidence that we can get better representation anywhere. We can look for Jefferson's ideal of citizen governance on all levels as we vote this November.

It goes without saying that Ronald Reagan's vision needs to be implemented again. Taxation and government will need to be cut in order to restore vitality to the market economy that creates real jobs and real growth... the private sector!

Ten Reasons to Fire Nancy Pelosi [click to read] from SWAC Girl.

Stupak's 'Defender of Life Award' Revoked! [click to read]. If they don't 'walk the walk' don't let them 'talk the talk!' Marjorie Dannenfelser makes a clear and needed statement about integrity here!

Supply and Demand, Congress Style [click to read] from Fishersville Mike.

A Visual Stand for Rebuilding America

Twin Tower Alliance [click to read] offers a simple but compelling vision. Visit their site and you can purchase these inspiring posters:

Stupak Got Skunked...

The 'Executive Order' Won't Stop Abortion Funding

Here's Why:

1. An executive order can be rescinded any time. President Obama could reverse it next week, next month, or next year. Should another pro-abortion president be elected in the future, it could be rescinded on inauguration day.

2. An executive order will not prevent insurance companies that provide abortion from participating in the exchanges.

3. Abortion funding in the health care legislation can be only be removed using the legislative process. An executive order not only doesn't fix the problem, it isn't needed to fix the problem, and could not stand a legal challenge. If Democrats are serious about protecting taxpayers from funding abortion in the health care bill, they must use the legislative process to fix the problem.

ht/Marjorie Dannenfelser

30,000 Gather to Oppose ObamaCare

March 20 Rally at the Capitol Sends a Clear Message


30,000 turned out to voice their opposition to the legislation and the convoluted methods being promoted for its passage. Tea Party Express photo.

More Photos [click to view].
Even More Photos [click to view].

Scenes from the 'Show Me' State

2300 Protesters Show Up at Democrat Fundraiser



Gateway Pundit Reports [click to read] on the grassroots protest. SWAC Girl Observes [click to read] that you're not hearing this in the MSM. About 400 of us showed up in Richmond Monday to voice our opinion on new 'fees' from the legislature.

Now is the time to stand firm. Call your representatives. They need to know we don't want the government taking over healthcare and we need to keep reminding ourselves that we're making a difference.

Fife Player, Richmond, Virginia

Citizens Gather to Protest New Taxes, to Old Tunes


This man played an incredible range of tunes on the fife. He played 'Amazing Grace' and patriotic numbers. When he did a medley of Glenn Miller songs the crowd was enthralled.

Real Estate Assessments

New Bill Would Level the Playing Field for Homeowners

By Victoria Cobb

One of the biggest aggravations – and financial hardships – local governments place on taxpaying families is the assessments on their property. Not only are local property tax rates often much too high, the assessments are as well, resulting in a double infliction of financial pain.

Of course, by law, localities must allow homeowners an appeals process if a homeowner thinks the assessment is too high. But, as usual in Virginia, we have laws to remedy a problem that are nothing more than window dressing. In fact, Virginia’s assessment appeals process is counterproductive to a fair appeal. It’s almost like an IRS appeal where you are guilty until proven innocent. In the case of an assessment appeal, you must prove the assessor wrong – he or she has no burden to prove your property is valued at fair market value. It is such a stacked system that most aggrieved families don’t even attempt to appeal and end up paying more than they should of their hard-earned income in local property taxes. [Been there, done that]

Now, we have a chance to reform this overly slanted playing field in favor of the government to a level playing field through legislation patroned by Delegate Sal Iaquinto (R-84, Virginia Beach), HB 570 [click to read]. It passed the House and will be voted on in the Senate Finance Committee Wednesday!

According to the bill’s fiscal impact statement: This bill “would shift the burden of proof from the taxpayer to the assessor when the taxpayer appeals the assessment of real property to a Board of Equalization or to a circuit court, and would remove the presumption that the assessor’s valuation of real property is correct. The assessor would have the burden of proving that the property in question is valued at its fair market value or that the assessment is uniform in its application, or that the assessment is otherwise valid or legal.” Currently, in all such cases, the taxpayer has the burden of proving that the property in question is valued at more than its fair market value – and is “required to produce substantial evidence that the valuation determined by the assessor is erroneous and was not arrived at in accordance with generally accepted appraisal practice in order to receive relief.”

Please contact members of the committee and ask them to report this bill to the floor so that taxpayers, homeowners and families finally can receive a bit of tax fairness.

ACTION: Contact your Senator and ask them to pass HB 570!

Update: Augusta County Weighs In [click to read]. ht/SWAC Girl

Killing the Golden [State] Goose

Schwarzenegger Adds New Meaning to 'Terminator'

In a prelude to 'Cap and Trade' on a national scale, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's economy killing Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 [click to read] will take effect in two years.

"[It] is the most far-reaching climate law in America. It takes full effect in 2012 and mandates that Californians cut greenhouse-gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, and another 80 percent by 2050. Those are wildly ambitious goals. And nothing—not a sluggish economy, a 12.4 percent state unemployment rate, the bill’s multibillion-dollar price tag (conservatively speaking), or even an escape hatch built into the law’s structure—can persuade Schwarzenegger that moving ahead with AB 32 is his worst idea ever."

A Similar Story...

Escape from New York [click to read] in City Journal.

Slouching Toward Sweden III

The Oberstar Transportation Plan, Lifestyle Modification

Tertium Quids [click to read] reported it. The Heritage Foundation Dissects it Here [click to read]. Fishersville Mike [click to read] is straightforward about how Americans will react to it. The 775-page bill known as the Surface Transportation Authorization Act (STAA)reauthorizes the federal highway and transit programs that expired on September 30 for another six years. The problem is that this bill deals with more than just transportation.

Heritage Foundation states: "If enacted into law, Oberstar's STAA would mark a dramatic, harmful change in federal transportation policy by:

Shifting resources from cars to trolleys and buses,

Requiring a huge tax increase to fund these new commitments,

Centralizing transportation decisions in Washington,

Necessitating a substantial increase in the number of state, local, and federal government employees,

and Discouraging the private sector from investing in surface transportation projects."

Higher Taxes for Social Engineering

Heritage continues: "As written, many provisions of STAA have two primary purposes:

Deterring the use of automobiles; and Forcing residential and commercial development into higher density urban communities where public transit, walking, and bicycling would be the main form of transportation."

"To do this, Oberstar's bill would encourage and require states and metropolitan planning organizations to use new land use regulations that would lead to much higher densities than Americans now prefer."

And all this would require an additional $150-$200 billion in taxes over the next six years!

The reason for these drastic measures: reduction of greenhouse gasses. Yes, look for the government to try to move us into flats in some monolithic high rise buildings.

The problem is that with global warming being steadily debunked and given our desire as Americans to live in the village with a great degree of mobility, these are unnecessary costs and we can not afford to bear them right now.

Ironically state level Democrats often run promising to improve transportation. Their answer is to collect more taxes and build more roads. And that brings me to my point. Government in many cases created the problems in the first place.

Much of the overpaved suburban landscape is created in response to planning criteria in the first place. One of my favorite examples is a training center for foreign students where the county required sixty more parking spaces than necessary. Their reasoning: code required it. My client's reasoning: short-term visitors from developing nations won't be bringing their cars!

Overlapping parking requirement with other businesses, nonstandard road sizes, deleting large deceleration lanes and creative clustering in rural areas all require special permits, extra hearings and extra expense. The incentive is there to build what you know passed the month before.

In 1947 the British produced similar legislation in order to preserve the surrounding countryside. This resulted in British homes being the smallest and most expensive in any advanced country. British politicians are now seeking to change the law to make housing more affordable.

I would argue that preserving our rural land resources is an important goal. Tax policy [Francis Chester's revolution] would go a long way in securing this goal. Aaron Sime, the Libertarian candidate for state senate, presented the concept of locking in tax rates on rural land to the valuation at the time of sale. Father to Son/Daughter transfers would not trigger a new valuation. Here's another. Builders howl at the imposition of 'impact fees' but here's how 'impact' might be fairly treated. If you build within established infrastructure, as in infill projects, you pay no fee. New projects requiring additional government infrastructure would be subject to a fee system. Building were no infrastructure exists or is planned would require the developer to provide roads and utility construction as part of the cost of the project. Thus there would be a cost advantage to re-using the existing urban infrastructure but not a mandate.


Proposed Village Center for Crozet.

Village centers like this one proposed for Crozet would be a winning solution for all. The concept calls for taking the old strip mall and making a multiuse village center that would anchor the town around a pedestrian friendly grouping of condominiums and businesses. Indeed it would seem to productive to explore transforming our suburbs into Jefferson's villages. Link the village centers with the bus system where the density allows for it. Allow 'granny flats' and garden plots in floodplains and let a little creative diversity flow...

...but don't let the government do it. Let people build it because they want it.


Crozet Village Center...


...creates a new pedestrian friendly town center from an old strip mall.

It's Not About You, Barry!

Since You Were Not Watching Anyway...

I hope you enjoyed the Bulls game. We enjoyed the game we were watching last night. OK, it's NOT about you, Mr. Obama. Let me tell you who it IS...

The Governor's race in Virginia and New Jersey... there was passion there as the people went to the polls. You went in for Corzine and in the end you were in the game briefly for Deeds, but for most of this one you were on the bench! We were in there playing the entire game.

Remember when we all came to town on September 12. You know, "We the people," well, we were concerned about things like the Constitution and limited government. You were in Wisconsin, I think. Here's why we came: We'd like to see the greatest sanctuary of freedom the world has ever known remain just that. We want government to facilitate solutions for healthcare compensation without simply taking it over.

We're smart enough to know that government spending can't pull us out of a recession and ultimately prolongs the misery. We want Washington to do its Constitutionally mandated functions [such as defense] extremely well and leave the rest of our lives alone. We have read enough to know that government policies and regulation have actually made things worse in many cases.

No, Mr.President, it wasn't about you at all... but your policies got plenty of attention!


On September 12, citizens march down Pennsylvania Avenue past the First Amendment carved in stone.




The people came seeking to be represented by their representatives.

And it wasn't just about Republicans beating Democrats. New York's 23rd District race proved to be a One Million Dollar Learning Experience [click to read] for those who would place party affiliation above standing for their core beliefs. The Conservative movement that the MSM so gleefully pronounced dead mere months ago just roared loudly!

More to Come: Congressional House Call Tomorrow

Come to Washington, DC for a national “Congressional House Call” on the steps of the Capitol with Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, Dr. Tom Price, and many, many more Americans from across the nation. November 5th, 12:00 noon.

The Promised Land...

Go East, Young Man...

Why it's Time to Retire...

...The Augusta County BOS

Once Again David Karaffa Makes it Clear [click to read].

Faced with budget shortfalls the county Board of Supervisors wants to go forward with a new cell phone plan that will cost you, the taxpayer, $46,158.84 per year.

Get real! My cell phone is several years old. I'll replace it when it breaks. Then I'll buy the nicest one I can afford. That $46,158.84 per year is just the contract, not all the new Blackberries the County will buy to utilize it.

" There are more concerns with the quantity being requested, for instance the Parks and Recreation department is asking for two more phones and phone plans than it has employees."

I wasn't able to make last night's BOS meeting where this was to be discussed. I had a deadline today and had to work through the night. I hope the citizens call got through!

Update: It's $60,000.00 Now [click to read]. Citizen's got a "Service Not Available" Message from the BOS last night when they came seeking representation. Problem is we need to replace the supervisors, not the phones.

I have a suggestion for the BOS if they MUST spend $60,000.oo. Keep the old phones and hire a good art teacher!