Team Mingo Once Again In the News

No need to write a long drawn out story or commentary on this.  Kate White of the Charleston Gazette tells the story admirably.

Read it and ponder the question why.  Why do some constituencies continually return not just corruption, but incompetent and malevolent corruption?  They don't get financial benefits.  They don't get superior services.  They certainly don't get good government or qualified law enforcement.  At least the "boss" style mayors like Richard Daley in Chicago could deliver some kind of success.

Mingo County gets to live with the mortification that one of its elected officials will be sentenced for extorting probably less than $100 worth of tire discounts from a local business.

It is a train wreck.  Even worse than the ill fated "City of Jefferson" in Kanawha County that was governed for the strip clubs, by the strip clubs, and of the strip clubs.  Whether or not you approve of strip clubs, few would argue that they are good administrators of government.

Mingo County is populated by good people who work hard, who have faith in God, and want better for themselves and their children.  They've certainly had more than their share of problems.  While they do deserve better, reality starkly says (to paraphrase Stephen King) that what you vote for is what you own and what you own always comes home to you.

The bottom row on the slate features names under investigation, under arrest, or assassinated.

Another Take on Obama's EPA Attacks on Coal and Power Plants

Obama's attacks on power plants and coal mining threaten to take us back to the bad old days, as described by many state historians.

Many historians, chief among them John Alexander Williams of Appalachian State bashed the early industrial development of the state.  Most who have ever taken West Virginia history have been taught that companies extracted wealth, shipped it out, and the state never got any benefit.

First off, that assertion is wrong.  Historians and others blame the lack of sufficient taxation.  But how much could the state have raised taxes before eliminating the competitive advantage enjoyed in attracting the companies in the first place?  Benefit comes through the attraction of supporting and satellite industries that expand the ripple effect of wealth extraction.

Coal, timber, and oil companies did bring added economic value to extraction.  They employed workers and professionals.  Some satellite industries, such as paper mills, grew up in the area.  Some railroads were built to support the transport of materials in and out. Could the state's community of capital and political leaders have done a better job in enticing other industries to come in? Certainly.  But to say there was no benefit is wrong.

There are at least three stages to development of wealth in extractive industries like coal.  First comes the work to get the coal from the ground.  Second comes the processing of the material into something useful.  A hundred years ago, coke, iron, and steel production used tremendous amounts of coal.  Now, much of the coal produces electric power for this part of the nation.

The third part comes in dissemination of the final products.

Unlike our forefathers, the state has succeeded in getting companies interested in taking West Virginia coal and turning it into a useful product within the borders of the state.  That would be crucial electric power.  Huge facilities such as at Mount Storm and John Amos employ hundreds of state residents in good paying jobs.  This is the best way to make sure that the wealth derived from coal stays in the state.  Make sure that as much of the production process as is possible remains in West Virginia.

Add to that the fact that cheaper power helps to produce advantages that state officials can use when trying to woo new companies to the state.

But Obama and his EPA have looked at every way possible to shut these plants down, which will have the result of removing wealth and productivity from the state.  Whatever coal gets mined will be shipped away with minimal added value to the state and the people.

Exactly what state historians bemoaned about the early industrial period.

Hopefully. West Virginia Democrats made it clear in their EPA meetings that they will not stand for Obama kicking the legs from underneath our chair, economically speaking.

New York Governor Faces Daunting Threat By His Own Party

The Governor of New York has tossed down a challenge at any and all. He will not raise taxes and he will support Marcellus Shale drilling. Cuomo publicly lashed out, ridiculing those who felt that

Andrew Cuomo, son of Democratic Party legend Mario, faces powerful attacks from public employees' unions, factions of his own Democratic Party, and a left wing "workers' party" the supports everything but work.

The Democratic Party in many parts of the nation faces a serious identity crisis. In places such as New York, the old liberal establishment finds itself at odds with the New Left. Most of the time, liberalism succumbs quietly to the shrill and mindless "mike check" mentality. In doing so, they wave good-bye to meaningful dialogue and the jobs that could be saved through tax and regulation relief. Governor Cuomo will have none of the Left. He seems to stand ready to strike back.

Thankfully, West Virginia Democrats, at least the majority anyway, have successfully resisted the burrowing of the left. They do not support business reforms as stridently as the state needs, but they have not kowtowed to Obamunism either. Democrats in the Mountain State are not swimming to shore, but they do continue to tread water, unwilling to put the weights desired of the left on the state's ankles.

Democrats need to take their party back.

Time to Fire Coach!

No I am not talking about Bill Stewart. I know that the governor hired him and that many have found him disappointing in some ways. I like Bill Stewart and think he should stay on. He's done a good job and shows promise for an even better future.

Yes he is a nice guy, too. However, if he failed to deliver wins consistently, I would say he should be fired. If West Virginia University finished in the bottom half of the Big East the past few years, I'd be saying get rid of him. No matter how nice someone is, if they fail over and over, you must get someone else to run your program.

West Virginia fans are not completely satisfied with anything less than first place. They would be mortified with being in the bottom half of the conference. Rightfully, they expect very good, if not the best, from athletic leadership.

And then every November, most of them will dutifully go off and vote Democratic. Democratic leadership for the past eighty years has earned us not just bottom half results, but usually bottom fifth, if not dead last.

Yes, the Democratic Party's leadership and ideology in West Virginia has led to literally decades of failure. Republicans have only had a few governorships and have never controlled the Legislature. Our economic indicators and ratings of business friendliness hover near the bottom. Sometimes they do edge up, but that is like Syracuse getting excited because they scored more than ten points against a power team.

We need actual improvement. That only comes from a change of philosophy at the top. The Democratic Party's vision for West Virginia has been so bad, that we accept losing as inevitable, as being something that we all share a part in, for whatever reason. And we do. So long as we keep elected people who share the same failed vision, we will always be near the bottom.

The Democratic Party has coached this state for eight decades and has led us to last place. Time to fire the coach.

An Explanation Is Long Overdue

Immediate Release Contact: Mike Stuart September 12, 2010 mike.stuart@wvgop.org 304.553.1084
304.768.0493
Time to Tell West Virginians the Facts
WVGOP Chair Calls on Governor & Democrat Chair to Share Truth with Public
CHARLESTON, WV. The Chairman of the West Virginia Republican Party today called on Governor Joe Manchin and Larry Puccio, Chairman of the Democrat Party, to come forward and end the speculation surrounding the confirmed issuance of subpoenas to the State of West Virginia.“It is far past time that Governor Manchin and Chairman Puccio come forward and inform the public of the facts surrounding the confirmed issuance of subpoenas and the rumors involving the Governor, members of the Governor’s administration, and the Chairman of the Democrat Party. We have been patient long enough.

We hoped that those with direct knowledge of the investigations would come forward and provide essential information to the public. Clearly, the Governor and Chairman Puccio believe information concerning federal probes, subpoenas, and the legality of the conduct of elected officials is on a ‘need to know basis.’ The people of West Virginia deserve the complete truth and they deserve it now,” Stuart stated. Stuart continued, “Piece by piece, information leaks to the public through the media from ‘unnamed sources.’ It is time for the Governor and Chairman Puccio to tell us the facts about the subpoenas and federal investigation. Any issue of public corruption is serious business. I am concerned that facts are being withheld.” “At a minimum, we need to know if Governor Manchin or Larry Puccio received a subpoena, whether either is a target of a federal investigation, and the subject matter concerning any issued subpoenas or federal investigations,” said Stuart. “Facts are stubborn things. These are facts for which the public needs and deserves answers,” concluded Stuart. ·

Who received subpoenas? ·
What is being investigated? ·
Is the Governor or Chairman of the Democrat Party the target of any federal investigation or probe? ·
Has the Governor or Chairman Puccio been named the target of any federal investigation or probe? ·
Has any member of the Governor’s administration received a subpoena or been named the target of any federal investigation or federal probe? ·
What state vendors have been notified that they may be targets of a federal probe or investigation?
PAID FOR BY THE WEST VIRGINIA REPUBLICAN PARTY
Thank you,
Mike
Chairman Mike Stuart
West Virginia Republican Party
P.O. Box 2711Charleston, WV 25330
304.768.0493 (office)
304.553.1084 (cell)
304.768.6083 (facsimile)
mike.stuart@wvgop.org

It's Inevitable, Democrats Will Lose Power in West Virginia Within a Few Years

It's inevitable. It has a momentum all its own. And no one is pushing it faster than those that stand to lose the most.

West Virginia will soon be a Democratic minority state. I would say this process will be complete by at the latest 2014.

Yes Democrats have the majority of registered voters now, but they face a steady stream of defections from their ranks. New voters who see little future in what Obama promises, who understand that leftists want to steal the rewards of ambition and work, they are leaving. Miners and their families, even in die hard Democratic counties, are leaving. People who have clung fiercely to the Democratic Party for generations have found that Obama, Pelosi, Mollohan, etc do not follow policies that will put food on workers' tables in West Virginia. Demographics do not favor Democrats. The older generation is passing on, taking away the last of the FDR voters and some of those inspired by Kennedy. Younger people tend to choose Republican or Independent registrations.

But will West Virginia be a Republican majority state? It all depends. In state history, party switches happen quickly. Chaning conditions and party stances often provoke powerful and fast changes. West Virginia has never been a two party state.

In the 1890s Stephen Elkins, pictured to the left, brought organization and leadership to West Virginia in a time when major party shifts took place nationwide. Elkins sold the GOP vision in West Virginia. Not everyone was entirely on board in support of Elkins, but the people favored the development policies he advocated. West Virginia moved from the Democratic to the Republican Party.

Republican leadership in West Virginia is moving forward to take advantage of the shift taking place in the state. It must continue to remind voters that Republicans here support development and oppose additional federal burdens. They must stay committed to lowering taxes and reducing spending at all levels of government to gain support.

Democrats are declining quickly in West Virginia, but it is not yet inevitable that Republicans will gain a clear majority. Disgusted Democrats and Tea Party style libertarians for different reasons are choosing to remain independent. To gain and keep the support of both, the GOP must continue to support basic anti-tax and pro-development issues. Elected officials must also act on the principles that got them elected.

Scott Brown Wins Substantial Victory in Massachusetts Special Senatorial Election

With 69% of the vote in, Senator Martha Coakley conceded victory to Republican challenger Scott Brown. We'll leave it to others to explain thenational ramifications of this election. Right now this has to concern two West Virginians, Alan Mollohan and Nick Joe Rahall.

Massachusetts loved Barack Obama, giving him a victory in that state by 26 points. Brown won this election by taking on the Obama/Pelosi/Reid signature policy of health care deform head on. If Massachusetts hates socialized health care, what does that say about the people of West Virginia who have cordially detested Nancy Pelosi and have little love for Obama?

Mollohan and Rahall actually have more problems. They are associated with not only health care deform and the potential for skyrocketing costs for state taxpayers, but also the War on Coal. Some speculated that Mollohan might bow out gracefully, but he did file his papers. Democrats might have actually benefited from a new face in that race unconnected to the Upas treelike Washington Left. Mollohan specifically has an army of viable opponents with possibly more intriguing names on the way. Local Democrats have taken great pains to separate themselves from Obama and Pelosi, unlike Mollohan and Rahall.

West Virginia Republicans have a chance to take advantage in a year where voters increasingly detest Democrats on the national level.

"West Virginia is very comfortable with the elected officials we've got, and most of those officials are Democrats,"

That quote comes from Nick Casey, Chairman of the West Virginia Democratic Party.

Has he been paying attention?

Congressmen Rahall and Mollohan struggle to defend the increasingly out of touch policies of the left wing Congressional leadership. Rahall, frustrated, even asked a constituent if he would rather the congressman read the health care bill, or came down to his district to talk about it. The answer, obviously, was "Both!"

Give the congressmen credit. They worked to accomodate large crowds with opposing points of view. They stayed for long periods of time, despite the lack of experience in dealing with overtly hostile constituencies. However, their answers were often evasive. The political situation for some elected Democrats has been as comfortable as a nail in the bottom of the foot.

The comfort level of the voters has fallen away as Democrats pursue policies to increase taxes, increase electric bills, and decrease good paying jobs in areas such as the coal industry. All the comfort that remains lies in the minds of Democratic officeholders and their party who have become very accustomed to power in West Virginia. That will not change.

West Virginia Republicans and other concerned voters have an opportunity next year to afflict

the comfortable. Even Democrats should want their party to remember the concerns of voters and not take their support for granted. The GOP has a sound and proven plan for prosperity. Most of the state continues to lag in economic indicators. It is time for positive and constructive change.