Sunday morning in the South

 

I love going to church, being with friends, coming home and watching NASCAR. I love where I live.

Ninth District politics

While Delegate Morgan Griffith will pick up the Ninth District GOP nod to run against Rick Boucher and has extensive experience within the House of Delegates, I submit that politics as usual will not cut it in the Ninth this year. Need an example? This year is the first in recent memory that a true independent candidate is running. Jeremiah Heaton has already been on the stump in significant ways.

Traditionally, the Ninth has reelected Boucher on the strength of his efforts in the coalfield counties such as Buchanan, Wise and Dickenson. Why does Boucher perform well in coal country? He’s in the pocket of Cecil Roberts and the UMWA. Boucher will spend most of his time in District in Abingdon or in the coal counties. I can understand that, one has to keep his bread buttered. I submit that this year may present a different outcome.

Current dissatisfaction with Congress is not necessarily limited to just Democrats. Anger with incumbents reach across party lines. Mr. Morgan, Mr. Heaton and Mr. Boucher would all be well advised to remember this. The American people and the people of the Ninth District want real solutions. They want real, good paying jobs in the manufacturing sector. They want our coal jobs to remain where they are, in the Ninth District. The people of the Ninth District do not want politics as usual.

Washington County is in dire need of good manufacturing jobs to bolster a sagging economy. The new Lowe’s has provided much needed jobs, but we have several industrial parks sitting empty with infrastructure available to companies who would be willing to invest in the site and in the community. Companies rumored to have been interested are TRW, Toyota among others. Why is the Glade Highlands Industrial Park sitting empty? Where are the good paying jobs Mr. Boucher assured us would come.

Perhaps the most indicative indicator is Mr. Boucher’s support of the so-called Cap and Trade legislation. According to the Heritage Foundation, Virginia will lose 26,604 jobs while raising electricity prices by $532.18 per household. These numbers are for the timeframe 2012 – 2035, or 23 years.On average, Virginia will lose almost 1,200 jobs a year. Why did Boucher vote for Cap and Tax?

Last year, Crystal Clear Conservative asked if Boucher could kiss his seat goodbye. At the time, I was skeptical. Now, not so much.

Thoughts from Cornfield County

Yes, sophisticated reader, I watched Hee Haw for years with my grandfather. I came across this little snippet. Wonder what Junior Samples would say about the Democrats now?

Random Thought

Ok, with the ‘09 statewide races occupying a large number of pixels, I have this one random and totally off the wall opinion for today. In my very humble opinion, Bob Barr is one of the most underrated politicians in the country today. After last year’s candidacy for the Libertarian Party for President, Barr continues to keep his name in print with his blog, The Barr Code on the Atlanta Journal-Constitution website as well as regular columns in the print edition of the AJC.

Sam Church 1936 – 2009

Many readers may remember Sam Church as president of the UMWA during the late 70’s and early 80’s. Mr. Church was the predecessor to Richard Trumka. Mr. Church passed away this week at 72 years of age.  Godspeed Mr. Church.

Top Five College Football Coaches

As we start into the middle of July, the coaches’ whistles are starting to get warmed up and it won’t be long until two-a-days begin.  In that mindset, here are my top five college football coaches:

1. Paul “Bear” Bryant

2. Lou Holtz

3. Bo Schembechler

4. Woody Hayes

5. General Robert Neyland

Bob Barr: Keep the Feds out of the BCS

As much as I love college football and would love to see a playoff system introduced, I agree with Mr. Barr that the Feds do not need to get involved. Why does the Federal government even feel the need to get involved? I think Orrin Hatch would do well to work on giving some of the taxpayers’ money back to us rather than create a new program that would cost more money in the long haul.