Citizen Tom

I just received an email from Delegate Bob Marshall.  Before you read it, you may need a little background.  What is is the problem?  Because the Virginia Commonwealth and the United States government cannot properly manage our money, they want to mothball 18 rest stops.  This post here at SWAC Girl provides the details.

Manassas, VA- Delegate Robert G. “Bob” Marshall (R-13th District) today sent a letter (Click Here to View Letter) to Congressman Frank Wolf and Senator Mark Warner requesting that they introduce an amendment to the Transportation Appropriations Bill to suspend the federal law for one year which prohibits Virginia and other states from contracting with private restaurants or gas stations to operate at state owned rest stops on Interstates.  This would give Virginia a way to get the large number of rest stops which will close on July 21, 2009 reopened as quickly as possible.

Marshall believes that the $8.6 million needed to keep these rest stops open could have been found in Virginia’s $78 billion two-year budget.  However, since Governor Tim Kaine decided to cut this service from Virginia’s budget, Marshall is trying to find an alternative way to keep the rest stops open. These services are the public face of the government of Virginia that citizens and visitors see and feel in their daily lives,” said Marshall.  “Public safety and practical necessity require that these Virginia Interstate rest stops and welcome centers stay open. I think that allowing these public/private partnerships would be a great way to get these rest stops reopened as soon as possible.”

Marshall noted in his letter to Wolf that the closing of these facilities will negativly affect Virginia’s economy in several ways including negative impacts to tourism and the loss of jobs associated with the rest stops. “In this economy that is unacceptable,” said Marshall.  He also mentioned the negative safety impacts as a result of these closures.  “In many areas of Virginia these rest stops are the only place for a drowsy driver to safely stop and rest.  We need to get these stops reopened.”

Contact Delegate Marshall at (703) 853-4213.

What amazes me is that Marshall only suggests a one year suspension.  Where do the leaders of our Federal Government get the gall to tell Virginians how to run rest areas?  Why do they think we need such help?  Patrick Henry must be rolling in his grave.

How did we get into this mess?   Why is our country slowly falling apart?  I think the answer is that we have been letting power hungry politicians turn our country into a “socialist paradise.” When you think “socialist paradise,” keep in mind the people who think a “socialist paradise” is a paradise. At first it is the people who don’t pay taxes (or are too dumb to realize how much they do pay in taxes).  These fools love the idea of making the “rich” pay taxes, but they have not got the brains or the diligence to make any such thing happen.   Instead, it is the upper middle class (which they want to join) they see made poorer.  Latter, when their “paradise” has come to full fruition, only the man in charge still thinks it a “paradise.”  Because the government owns everything, and he is the government, everything he surveys he owns, including you and me.

Other Views

Tertium Quids is providing excellent coverage here.

Fisherville Mike has memories (here).

The Richmond Times Dispatch provides the customary official corporate news media view (here).  It’s a crisis, of course.  What is wrong with calling this stupid move stupid?

UPDATE:  Since I finished the original post late last night, I was sleepy.  Sorry about the typos.  Hopefully, I got most of them.  At the bottom, I have added to the “Other Views” as promised.

Today has been a busy day.  First, I walked in the Dale City Parade, adding what support I can to the Republican Party ticket.  Then I went to the Prince William County VA Tea Party.  At one event, I passed out candidate literature and chanted “Bob 4 Jobs.”  At the other, I listened to speeches from over a dozen people.

The parade is relatively easy to describe.  The people there were happy.  Everybody loves a parade.   They enjoyed each other’s company, and they felt they were doing something useful, supporting their candidates.  Here are a few photos (from my cell phone) of folks getting ready.  Undoubtedly, the PWCGOP will have plenty of photos on their website in the next couple of days.

The Tea Party, on the other hand, is more difficult to describe.  Instead of a time of celebration, the attendees made July 4th a somber day.  The event began with the National Anthem, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a reading of the Declaration of Independence.    Each of these is inspiring; each also brings a grim reminder.  Freedom comes at a cost.   The Declaration of Independence especially brings home this plain fact.  It reminds us there are those who insist on forcing their will upon their fellow men.

The American Revolutionary War had already begun.  The British had evacuated Boston, but signers of the Declaration of Independence knew the British would be back, and the British most certainly did make 1776 a grim year.  The violence did not end until 1782.

Many spoke at the Tea Party.  The most memorable speakers included:

• Former State Senator Jay O’Brien served admirably as the Master of Ceremonies.  Just as Thomas Jefferson had enumerated all the patriots’ grievances against the rule of King George, O’Brien listed our grievances against our president.  His list included the fact that our leaders show no respect for our Constitution, and their taxing and spending knows no bounds.
• Keith Fimian, the Republican Party nominee who provided surprisingly strong opposition to Gerry Connolly in the last election, condemned Congress’ reckless spending.  He fears the effects that increasing indebtedness will have our liberty and prosperity.
• Matt Hawes, Vice President of Campaign for Liberty, reminded us that the Founders based our republic upon respect for the Constitution.  Without respect for constitutional law, we cannot restrain our leaders.
• Delegate Bob Marshall spoke about George Washington’s and the Continental Army’s the long years of struggle.  From the Declaration of Independence itself, Marshall told us where the patriots found the courage and the strength to fight for their freedom.
  

  And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

  To win, Marshall said we must call upon divine grace. We must dedicate ourselves to working harder and smarter than our opponents. We must learn from our opponents. Just as Barack Obama did, we must contact every voter we can.

• John Hanson, founder of Repeal Income Tax-July 12 Movement, emphasized the corrupting power of the income tax.  Hanson proposed that repealing the 16th Amendment should be the focal point of the Tea Party movement.
  

  Article XVI.

  The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.

• Ben Marchi, of Americans for Prosperity, spoke up for fiscal restraint, decrying our government’s extravagant spending.
• Jack Martin, of the Federation for American Immigration Reform, made a short but pointed speech.  He said Virginia could do something to discourage illegal immigration.  He suggested that Virginia imitate Arizona’s 2004 law, Proposition 200 (see here).

The program ended with an open mike.  About a half dozen people took up the opportunity.   These included:

• Ron Meyer and Matt Donatelli.  These two young men promoted their own website (wtpshow.com), but they also made a cogent observation.  The Tea Party movement should focus on defending the principles of the American Constitution.  What we lack is principled government.
• Tom Whitmore.  Although he is quite active in the Republican Party, Whitmore did not speak about the Republican Party.  Instead, he emphasized the importance of participating in the process.
• Only one gentleman took the opportunity to express disagreement.  He spoke up in defense of the Social Security program.  Nonetheless, this gentleman made it clear that he understood the program is in trouble, and he blamed our elected officials for raiding the Social Security Trust Fund.

Personal Observations

The people attending this Tea Party were clearly united on one idea.  They want our leaders to obey their oath to support and defend the Constitution.

The speakers uniformly condemned our government’s reckless spending, and they blamed both of the major political parties.  Some expressed fear for future generations.  Others were horrified that we could allow ourselves to become indebted to a dictatorial regime such as China.

The notion of repealing the 16th Amendment received a surprisingly positive reception.  In addition, the attendees like the idea of auditing Federal Reserve.

Other views

The blogs have yet to post much about today’s Tea Parties.  Therefore, I will update this list on Sunday evening.  In the meantime, here are a few samples of what was being posted yesterday.

• Leslie Carbone has a message for the Birmingham Tea Party (here).
• ANTI-BVBL calls the Prince William County VA Tea Party a Tempest in a Teapot (here).
• Spark It Up is excited by the fact Congressman Rick Boucher has opponents (here).
• Blue Virginia is disgusted that Tea Party protesters would dare to protest against Congressman Tom Perriello’s vote for the so-called climate change bill (here).  I offer my opinion of that legislation here.

Tea Parties make big tax and spenders unhappy.  It is not hard to figure out why.

More Other Views

Shadow’s World provides an estimated head count of 500 and pictures (here).  500 is probably not far off.  That is about as many people as usually attend a county-wide political convention.  Inside NoVA, on the other hand, estimates 150 (here).  Given that this Inside NoVA account does not mention Delegate Marshall, Keith Fimian, or Matt Hawes, the reporter obviously arrived late.  We know for a fact there were at least 350 people in attendance.  See this post at Campaign for Liberty.

The PWCGOP has photos of the Dale City Parade and the Tea Party here and here respectively.

RPVNetwork has pictures of the Dale City Parade here.

What is the appropriate way to celebrate July 4th?  Lots of people think parades, cookouts, ball games, and fireworks.   These activities do have their merits, particularly when enjoyed with family and friends.  Nevertheless, except for family and friends, none of these activities have much to do with why we celebrate the occasion.

So how should we celebrate the day?  Here are some recommendations.

• Have your children read the Declaration of Independence.  Have them read it to you.  Discuss with your children why the document matters.  Make certain your children understand that with this declaration thirteen small colonies united to take on the mightiest nation of the era.  What then passed for conventional wisdom held that the King of England would win the day.   With their signatures, the signers of the document risked everything,  their lives, the security of their families, and everything they owned.
• Participate in a political event in the morning.  To retain the rights the Founders won for themselves and their posterity, we must exercise those rights.  Every year Virginia has an election, and this coming November we will be electing our Governor, our Lieutenant Governor, our Attorney General, and all the members of the House of Delegates.  If you vote Republican, please consider participating in the Dale City Parade (described here).  The Prince William County Republican Committee is looking for walkers in the parade (details here).  Note that all three statewide candidates; Bob McDonnell, Bill Bolling and Ken Cuccinelli; will be walking in the Dale City Parade.
• Participate in a political event in the afternoon.  Attend the Prince William County VA Tea Party.   If you believe the people leading our government do not know when to let the People run their own affairs, then this is the place for you to be.  Here is a peaceful way to express your displeasure and organize with your friend and neighbors.  This is a place where you can help to protect the rights for which good men and women have fought and died.
• Enjoy an evening of fireworks with family and friends.  Here, here, and here are some news articles that suggest locations.

Freedom comes at a cost.  Sometimes it comes at a terrible cost.  Over 200 hundred years ago, the Founders of the United States came together in their small communities.  They saw the actions of a British King determined to oppress them.   Unopposed, they feared the King would unravel their lives.  First, he would deprive them of their traditional rights.  Next, he would tax their wealth.  Finally, he would reduce them to serfs.

The colonists wondered what to do.  Some understood the first step.  Those men and women gathered their courage.  Then they got organized.

The Declaration of Independence marked the official beginning of American Revolution.  We celebrate that event on 4th of July.  However, with festivities we now call the Boston Tea Party (see here), the violence began on December 16, 1773 .

Those opposed to the ongoing power grab in Washington D. C. want you to join them in a 4th of July celebration that hearkens back to the heroic struggles of our nation’s Founders.  You are invited to exercise the freedoms for which men and women like you and I risked their lives.  Those freedoms includes the First Amendment right to peacefully assemble and speak your mind.

Event details are available at the official Prince William County VA Tea Party website.  RPVNetwork is also providing coverage here.

We are in a recession.  Tax revenues are declining.  What caused the recession?  The most likely answer is both too much government spending and too much government interference in the economy.   Nonetheless, only our local government has any intention of reducing spending.

Prince William supervisors are scheduled to set the fiscal year 2010 budget tax rate for advertisement this Tuesday, and the latest figure is a bit higher than what was originally discussed.

For weeks, it seemed supervisors were set on a $1.198 rate. But they’re now on track to advertise a $1.212 rate, which “will give them a little more flexibility,” said Susan Roltsch, assistant county executive, during a Friday morning press briefing.

In e-mails received by the News & Messenger, Chairman Corey Stewart, R-at-large, and Supervisor John Jenkins, D-Neabsco, said they favored rates of $1.198 and $1.295, respectively.

“This tax rate of $1.198 will support the county executive’s proposed budget, which reduces govern-ment spending by $56 million,” Stewart stated in his e-mail. “The county executive’s budget is responsible and sustainable. By focusing our resources, it allows us to protect vital county services while providing tax relief.” (from here)

Would you like to see the lower figure?  Corey Stewart needs your support.  Here is an email he is distributing.

The Prince William Board of County Supervisors will vote this Tuesday March 3 on advertising a property tax rate.   I am proposing a rate that will reduce tax bills for homeowners by an average of $548.00 (a 16 % reduction).   I want to thank Supervisors Maureen Caddigan (Dumfries), Wally Covington (Brentsville) and John Stirrup (Gainesville) for joining me in supporting this tax relief.

This tax rate of $1.198 will support the County Executive’s proposed budget, which reduces government spending by $56 million compared to last fiscal year without cutting any of our uniformed police or fire and rescue personnel.  The County Executive’s budget is responsible and sustainable.  By focusing our resources, it allows us to protect vital county services while providing tax relief to you during these uncertain times.

To pass this tax reduction, we need at least five supervisors to vote this Tuesday in support of the $1.198 tax rate.  Please email the Board at BOCS@pwcgov.org urging the whole Board to join Supervisors Stirrup, Covington, Caddigan and myself in supporting this rate and ensuring tax relief for you.

Please be sure to tune into Comcast Channel 23 or Verizon FIOS Channel 37 to see how your supervisor votes.

Corey A. Stewart

Chairman

Prince William Board of County Supervisors

1 County Complex Court

Prince William, VA 22192

(703) 792-4640 – Telephone/(703) 792-4637 – Fax

cstewart@pwcgov.org

www.pwcgov.org

Do you want to see an economic recovery?  Then I suggest the lowest possible tax rate.  To illustrate the point, let’s compare the relationship between People and government with two different types of biological relationships,  symbiosis and parasitism.   When two organisms mutually gain from their relationship, we have symbiosis.  When one organism gains at the expense of the other, we have parasitism.

Throughout much of history, government has had an almost parasitic relationship with the People.  This is comparable to when a ruthless warlord rules.  The leader, his family, and his cronies take what they want, and they call this taxes.  They leave the People, their people, just enough so that they do not starve can produce more taxes.

The exception is a government that protects the People and seeks to maintain order.    This creates a symbiosis between government and the People.   Such a government minimizes taxes and encourages growth, stability, and mutual loyalty between the People and those who lead them.  Here the leadership forms a covenant with the People.   In return for the loyalty of the People, the leaders voluntarily limit their powers to those needful for good government.  Within the United States, we call this covenant our Constitution.

Unfortunately, those individuals seeking leadership tend to be overly ambitious.  So government leaders almost always want more money, but there is a limit to everything.   When tax revenues rise above a certain point, taxes must inevitably stifle economic growth.   Money that should have been reinvested in the economy is instead diverted to the pet projects of politicians.   When that happens, government must reduce its spending and taxes to revive the economy.

Other Views

Anti-BVBL has published the same memo, and the usual string of comments (here).

The Cartoons