Friday, September 3, 2010

Joe Manchin Accuses John Raese of Trying to "Buy" Senate Seat



A certain candidate has $1.5 million in his coffers to spend over the next two months and recently sent out an e mail beating the bushes to come up with more. Looking at the title of this piece, you might think I am talking about John Raese, right?

Wrong. Governor Manchin is the candidate with $1.5 million to spend and hundreds of thousands more coming in.

In 2008, the governor did not hesitate to deploy staggering amounts of money against the poorly funded gubernatorial campaign of State Senator Russ Weeks. Now, when facing an opponent with money of his own, Manchin suddenly cries out that someone is buying the election.

No one complained on the Democratic side when John Rockefeller spent $10 million of his private funds in the mid 1980s to narrowly defeat Raese.

A self-funded campaign has certain benefits, namely that the man or woman has no special interests to consider if they win election. Who will Manchin owe after this go-round? Lots of folks ponied up and lots of folks will expect something. If John Raese's campaign remains largely self funded, he will only be beholden to those that cast ballots for him.

The money that John Raese spends will be to educate and inform people about the issues. No one "buys" a campaign unless they are illegally paying voters. That's not a crime that you generally see Republicans accused of here. Raese will spend money to inform the public that he supports the free market American economic system and that Manchin, if elected, will be increasingly beholden to Obama's plans for European style socialism.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Tennessee Teacher and Coach Fired For Criticizing Obama


In Tennessee a middle school teacher and football coach got his pink slip for composing and circulating a song he wrote about Obama. The principal said the song had "racial overtones" and he was backed by the superintendent of schools. Can you find the racial overtones here? I can't. Read and decide for yourself. I guess that teachers can sing his praises, but just can't dissent. Right?


He was a little man, just turned three
Took the present from his daddy’s hand
A genuine toy hammer
He started beatin’ to beat the band
He hit the floors and the wall, broke a lamp in the hall,
Started swinging at the puppy’s tail
When you’re holding a hammer
Everything looks like a nail.

He was the president, number 44
He says, “Trust me, I’m here to help you
I have got some big big plans
You’re gonna love what I’m gonna do.”
There’s no problem too big or small
He thinks he’s got an answer that just can’t fail
When you’re holding a hammer
Everything looks like a nail.

He thinks big thoughts and he dreams big dreams
But it’s another man’s sweat that pays for those schemes
He don’t care how the little people feel
‘Cause saving the world is a big freaking deal
So he does his business behind closed doors
And pretends that the world is just begging for more
When the stuff hits the fan he says, “Don’t look at me
If you got trouble, blame 43.”

Now Congress is saving Wall Street
While they’re watching Main Street fall
They got health care all figured out
But it don’t seem to care much at all
As soon as they save the planet
They’ll put the fire out in hell
When you’re holding a hammer.
Everything looks like a nail.

He thinks big thoughts and he dreams big dreams
But it’s another man’s sweat that pays for those schemes
He don’t care how the little people feel
‘Cause saving the world is a big freaking deal
So he does his business behind closed doors
And pretends that the world is just begging for more
When the stuff hits the fan he says, “Don’t look at me
If you got trouble, blame 43.”

There’ll be a party come this November
When we’re gonna set things straight
All good people gonna gather ‘round
Gonna show what made this country great
We’ll run off the schemers and backroom dealers
So the Red, White and Blue will prevail
When we’re holding the hammer
When we’re holding the hammer
Everyone of them looks like a nail.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Keep Manchin In the Mansion

It has to be admitted here. Joe Manchin has not been a bad governor of West Virginia.

Sure there is a lot to pick apart. He forced West Virginia University into a series with Marshall, entering into a field where he had no business. His daughter was discovered to have claimed an unearned degree. Manchin has not been nearly aggressive enough in defending West Virginia from an administration bent on destroying our industry.

That all being said, as far as West Virginia governors go, he has not done a bad job.

Part of Manchin's effectiveness comes from a style that irritates legislators. He has the ability to wield authority and shove through measures because of his personal popularity, which now hovers at about 75%. But what would happen to Manchin in the United States Senate, were he to win?

Probably something similar to Bob Wise when he moved from the House of Representatives to the Governor's Mansion. Wise abandoned a place of comfort and familiarity for a job that challenged him in different ways. His learning curve harmed the state at a vital time. Manchin would struggle initially in the Senate trying to recast his role. He would not be able to get things done through popularity and personality as he does in Charleston.

Now more than ever, West Virginia needs defenders in the halls of Congress. We know we have Capito, but Manchin has been coy lately, edging towards the left wing Obama line rather than standing up for us. As a popular governor, Manchin can defy Obama and Democratic leadership in the Senate (even though lately he has been less eager to do so0. Can he do the same as a United States Senator? No.

Add this to the fact that the Senate might be under Republican control in a year. Manchin would then be tossed to the back of the line for every consideration.

West Virginia is entering a tough transition economically. Manchin has had a steady hand on the wheel of the ship of state. We need change in the Senate, putting it back under Republican control. We do not need change at this point in Charleston.

Keep Manchin where he is. Send a stalwart defender of our interests to Washington. Vote for John Raese.

Monday, August 30, 2010

Rasmussen Moves West Virginia to Leaning Democratic in Senate Race

West Virginia may be able to duplicate Scott Brown's achievement. Brown won a special election to fill the seat of Democratic icon Ted Kennedy in Massachusetts. Now John Raese has scored surprisingly high poll results in the latest Rasmussen Poll. Joe Manchin leads by a relatively slender 48-42% margin.

Clearly West Virginians understand that Democratic control of Congress is potentially destructive to the state and nation at large. Manchin remains personally popular and a high percentage approve of his job as governor.

This race should attract a great deal of attention, especially since this is expected to be a high Republican turnout year. Raese's principles and business experience have helped him rise in polls and public esteem.

Friday, August 27, 2010

David McKinley Coming to Mountaineer Cafe In New Creek

A joint Mineral and Grant County Fundraising Coffee and Meet and Greet For Congressional Nominee David McKinley

Hosted by Beverly Evans, Bob Harman and Dr. Harry Boggs

Monday August 30th12:30 to 1:30 PMMountaneer All Star Café1.5 miles south of Keyser, WVSouth on U.S. 220

Please come visit with and support David McKinley in his race for Congress. If you can't make the event, please use the enclosed envelope and mail a generous check to David's campaign. Or go to his website www.McKinley2010.com and make an online donation. We haven't had conservative representation in Congress for over 40 years - its time for a change. Mail checks to McKinley for Congress, P.O. Box 6861, Wheeling WV 26003 RSVP to 304.813.6665 or 304.257.1426

Mountaineer All-Star Cafe
RR 4 Box 70a
Keyser, WV 26726

It is located on US 220 south of Keyser between the Hospital entrance and Walmart.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Vacation, All I Ever Wanted! Vacation, Had to Get Away!



The gifts just keep on coming.

First the White House either ventured into excessive spin or fantasyland by calling the last three months "the summer of recovery." If someone is recovering somewhere, we must have missed it. The stimulus has not improved unemployment. We have seen home buying at its lowest point in, well, ever. Durable goods orders are also way down. Politically it was a tremendous gaffe. Unfortunately it comes during a time of real tribulation in this nation. We don't know how long this will last. All we know is that the White House has run up our debt in a time when we need to be cutting back.

Then comes Obama's idiotic backing of the Monster Mosque project at Ground Zero. He did not have to say anything, but could not resist weighing in on a local issue. This took the heat off of Mayor Bloomberg of New York City while harming every Democratic candidate everywhere. Congressional candidates in Iowa are having to answer whether or not they support the mosque. Some Democrats have started bashing Obama and Pelosi out of sheer desperation.

Best of all, we are once again seeing Obama on vacation, this time in Martha's Vineyard. While most Americans struggle to afford to go on a weekend trip, Obama has taken six vacations in two years. This doesn't count Michelle Antoinette's excursion to Spain where she toured much as a queen, closing beaches, etc.

His political handlers are either foolish or being ignored. Surely they know that all these trips with the ever present coverage of Obama's golf game alienate millions of voters. At least when President Bush left Washington, he generally went to his actual house in Texas. Unfortunately with Obama, we get a president who spends half of his time like the indolent and uninterested Warren G. Harding and the rest trying to put in place plans that look more like Mussolini than any American. I guess we should be grateful that he only works part time. Imagine how bad things would be if he actually worked as hard as a normal person.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

From the Land of Busted Budgets and State Bankruptcy . . . A $578 million High School


You heard me right. A half billion dollar high school. It's more expensive than China's Olympic Stadium. It has fine art, a faculty dining room finer than most restaurants, and countless other luxuries that equal about $250,000 per child. This happened when the school system had a $640 million shortfall that caused the layoffs of 3,000 teachers.
People ask why we are so tough on government. Why is it that conservatives and libertarians do not trust government to do anything. Right here is the answer. This school district laid off teachers so that a high school could have avant garde architecture and fine art. It got rid of experienced educators so it could have a school more expensive than almost any professional football stadium in the United States. This money was not even invested in instructional and educational needs, but swimming pools and fine art.
On top of all that, this school was built by the worst school district in the entire country, L. A. Unified. This district has a 35% dropout rate. Maybe a state of the art swimming pool can convince kids to not drop out? I have my doubts.
The current superintendent cannot even defend the project, saying it was planned before his time. He has the good sense to plan to not attend the ribbon cutting of this monstrous insult to the taxpayers.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Okay, I'm not very socially conservative. I believe in live and let live, freedom of choice, etc. Sexuality is something for the individual consenting adult to make choices about. However, this blog post from Chicks on the Right really bothered me.

http://chicksontheright.com/2010/08/23/im-not-a-prude-but-this-is-totally-wack/

Why would any parent want to sexualize their child before their time? When my son played for the Mini-Tornadoes, we'd travel to towns in Maryland where their cheerleaders danced to sexually explicit music. You have to wonder why.

Nine year old girls pole dancing is just plain sickening. They have to spin on a pole to workout? They can't play soccer, basketball, or tennis, or just run around in a park? They have to pole dance? This sounds more like mothers trying to look hip on sexuality more than trying to keep their kids in shape. They want to shock their friends and look cool. Meanwhile their daughters will be exposed to the cultural perceptions of pole dancing, and may try to live up to them as time goes on.

My question is, why do so many parents want sexualized children? It's not cute. It's downright creepy and almost an open invitation for sexual predators. It also teaches girls that their sexuality is more important than brains or accomplishments. Parents need to wake up. Prudently guiding children does not make one prudish. Be open about sex when kids ask questions, but guide them towards appropriate behavior while they are growing up.

Monday, August 23, 2010

An Omission Or a Plan?




In the map to the right, and it may be too small a scale to see clearly, there is a startling omission.
This map comes from the Mineral County Comprehensive Plan draft. The county commission is trying to push the draft into law. On the other hand, some local businessmen have cried foul and claimed that the public hearings on the draft were more of a facade than a true input session. Some have claimed that the current plan violates the law and that court action will be taken.
This map's omission could open a Pandora's box of questions about the plan. It lists every school in the county save one, Fountain Elementary. Although the public has been reassured for years that this small but effective school will remain open, Fountain has no presence on the map made for the Comprehensive Plan.
Is this an oversight, or is closing Fountain Elementary part of their plan for the county?

Friday, August 20, 2010

Is Recovery Impossible?

With an out of control debt combined with the government willing to only raise taxes to address it, many Americans ask "can we ever get out of this mess? Is recovery even possible?"

You can see why people ask that question. We are getting close to seeing over 50% of the country on some form of government assistance. Our debt approaches 90% of our GDP. Business are holding back $2 trillion in investment capital because they fear that it will just get confiscated in taxes. The stimulus spending has only driven the private sector into hiding, like John Galt in Atlas Shrugged.Things do look bad. Even worse.....they are bad. Meanwhile China just surpassed Japan as the second wealthiest world economy.

The answer is this. America can always bounce back. This country went from a military of a little over a hundred thousand to many millions in World War II. Then, as now, faith in what we accomplish if we do what is right will see us to victory.

This time the enemy is the basic human urge to let others take responsibility and provide guidance. Freedom is hard, slavery is easy. Free people have to make choices and live with the results. Brave people relish the risk. America has always been the land of the free and the home of the brave. When we get people into office who trust free markets and individuals, we will once again unleash the potential of this country.

This November we will see voters take back the country from those who think they know better. We will see an America with elected oficials that work with what the people want, not try to rule over them.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

For Appearances Sake At Least . . .

For the record, I will say this. I like John Raese. I like his principles and I think he is a good man. This writing is meant in no way to disparage him or his campaign. I also like Metro News, seeing it as the premiere source for state political news. However, someone at Metro News, I believe, goofed in this instance.

Yesterday, Metro News ran a story called "Gas Pedal Down on Senate Campaigns." It featured only the schedule and quotations of John Raese without even mentioning his primary opposition. At the end, the story did include the disclaimer that Raese himself operates Metro News.

It would have been far more appropriate for the writer to have included at least some details from other campaigns, like say the names of the other people running. Even if you want to angle the piece in favor of Raese, a much more subtle approach would pay dividends, such as including some detail from other campaigns, but giving Raese the final quote in the piece. Simply writing about Raese and ignoring the others only leads the reader to wonder about the opposition and why they were not mentioned.

Like I said, I like John Raese, and if he is the eventual primary winner I will be more than happy to do what I can to help him win the Senate seat this November. All the candidates in the field have strong principles. I believe that Raese, like Mac Warner and a few others, can bring lengthy experience and determination to the job and not be overawed by Washington. However, stories like this can only undermine somewhat John Raese's campaign and the integrity of Metro News itself.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Mosque? Sure! Greek Orthodox Church? Nope.

Various elements of the government of the City of New York have in recent weeks expressed support, or at least neutrality, when it comes to the building of a gigantic mosque near Ground Zero. Defenses of the building from the president on down have centered on religious and property rights. Even though the building is certainly meant to be an insult, if you believe in these rights, you have to let it go forward.

Then comes the story about the small St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. This was the only Christian structure destroyed by the 9/11 attacks.

New York's Port Authority, according to Fox News, has ended the congregation's eight year odyssey to rebuild their church. This comes despite community support and the active assistance of former New York Governor George Pataki.

Why is New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg so enthusiastic about this mosque while his administration has blocked the reconstruction of a church?

Monday, August 16, 2010

Shelley Moore Capito Garners More Endorsements

The Save America's Free Enterprise Trust, a political arm of the National Federation of Small Business has endorsed Shelley Moore Capito's re-election bid.

The group proclaimed that Ms. Capito's retention in office would help to protect small business within her district and free enterprise across the nation.

The NFIB has 350,000 small business members across the nation and 1,500 in West Virginia.

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Is Obama Destroying the Democratic Party?

Interesting question. I highly doubt it, but you have to wonder what is going on in the White House some days.

Obama gets involved in a lot of issues that do not require his direct attention. Case in point, the Ground Zero mosque. I am torn on this. On one hand it is about as appropriate to build that there as it would have been to build a Shinto Temple near Pearl Harbor in 1950. Then again, I am a firm believer in property rights. Build it, but don't complain if a gay bar or a pork restaurant show up next door. And don't violate noise ordinances by blaring a call to prayer at 5 AM.

Obama didn't have to say anything except that it was a New York City issue and none of the business of the President, which it certainly is not. Then again, Obama thinks your kids' waistline is his business too. 70% of Americans are against the construction of this mosque. So Obama holds a Moslem dinner at the White House and voices his support.

Really? Do you honestly think that this will help your party win elections this fall? This is not the only time that Obama has undercut the diminishing support of his party with elections coming up.

So let's speculate. Why would Obama want to destroy the Democratic Party? Where would he gain? Will Rodgers once said "I belong to no organized party. I am a Democrat." That holds true in every era. Democrats have grown like an onion since the 1790s, with fully functioning and distinct layers from a Jeffersonian core to the New Left. These prevent any kind of real ideological unity such as you see in a European political party. Obama would love to have that kind of control and has exhibited a Messiah complex at times. He would love to have an obedient, compliant, and efficient party at his command. Instead, he has the Democrats.

If the Democrats lose in large numbers this fall, they could conceivably evict Obama in the primary season in 2012. If he foresees that, he might try to split his supporters off, a la Theodore Roosevelt to the GOP in 1912. Obama could create his own organization, own party, and try to campaign on personal appeal again against the GOP and a weakened Democratic organization.

It wouldn't work and this is all speculation. That being said, Obama seems rather uninterested in his own party's chances of success this year.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Harry Reid Does Not Believe that "Hispanic-Americans" Can Think For Themselves



Harry Reid once again tried to haul out race as an issue and once again it backfired.

Reid found himself under fire in the 2008 election by referring to Obama's light skin and "lack of . . . dialect." Now he has come out and said that he can't see why any Hispanic-American would be conservative.

Is this not racism? They expect blacks and Hispanics to all follow the same party, same leaders, and same principles. Does anyone suggest that all whites need to follow the same party? How about Asians? Are they expected to all mindlessly follow one leader? Nope, just blacks and Hispanics are expected to stay on the left wing plantation.

Were I a member of these groups, I would take serious offense even if I was already liberal. It echoes the old pre Civil War assertions that blacks have to be guided like children by their betters because they cannot decide for themselves. Republicans preached differently then and differently now.

People of all races, religions, sexual orientations, and anything else you might think of choose the Republican Party because they usually believe in less government, less taxes, and more freedom. When Republicans concentrate on core economic, national security, and freedom issues, they attract supporters from all groups. Republicans increasingly tend to look at individuals more than groups. That leads to less offensive stereotyping than you see from the other side.

Reid publicly stuck his foot in his mouth, but he only said what a lot of liberal/leftists believe.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

You Won't Have Alan Mollohan to Kick Around Anymore


Alan Mollohan, twenty-eight year congressman from West Virginia's First Dictrict, has decided to not go quietly into that electoral good night.
In a season littered with the carcasses of Democratic politicians done in by ethics issues, Congressman Mollohan has decided to go onto the offensive with a letter. He states that he is trying to explain, but ends up describing that old "vast right wing conspiracy" that Hillary Clinton loved to cite. Of course this vast right wing conspiracy includes the New York Times. He lashes out at Chris Wakim and Mike Oliverio merely for doing what aspiring politicians always do, use their opponents' weaknesses. Mollohan certainly did not hesitate to go on the attack against them. According to Hoppy Kercheval, he only left out "the Trilateral Commission" and " the Easter Bunny."
Guilty or not guilty, this is not how a gazillion term congressman wants to end his career. Were I a Mollohan supporter, I would tell him to look at the story of George Washington and his Farewell Address. Washington initially wrote a frustrated essay on his enemies and their conspiracies against him. Old friend Alexander Hamilton encouraged him to lose the anger and write a statesmanlike piece that dwelt on themes of hope and constructive criticism. Mollohan could have gone this route and sealed his legacy. Instead he wrote a piece that Republicans and Oliverio supporters could shrug off as daft and defensive.

Monday, August 9, 2010

Think You're a Liberal? Not So Fast. You Might Be a Libertarian!



I have noticed that people will often say they are Republicans or conservative Democrats, but that they are liberal in some areas. Fair enough. But when you ask them what they mean by "liberal," you often see that they are not that at all.

Liberal in today's political parlance comes very close to what it meant in the 1500s when it was used as a political term by Nicolo Machiavelli. To him, "liberal" meant first and foremost that you doled out a lot of the public treasury to a lot of the people. The leader did that to look generous and to gain the support of the multitudes. Of course, Machiavelli warned that you have to tax others to get that money and you risk alienating them from your system.

When I ask self-identified "liberal Republicans" what they mean, they usually respond with similar issues. They generally want to legalize some drugs, some are uncomfortable over outlawing abortion, and most have no problem with gay marriage. This does not necessarily mean that you are liberal, but probably libertarian.

Libertarians believe in maximum freedom of choice for each individual. They adhere most closely to the Jeffersonian maxim "the government that governs best, governs least." Here is how you can tell if you are a libertarian instead of a liberal.

Drugs:

Libertarians want to legalize drugs, at least the ones that grow out of the ground and need no manufacturing. They believe that the drugs should be used or sold with a minimum of government interference. One of their arguments is that marijuana sales would boost the legitimate economy of states like West Virginia.

Liberals believe that if drugs are legalized, they ought to be taxed to the point that the producers receive little or no profit. They pretty much feel the same about pharmaceuticals.

Gay Marriage:

Libertarians tend to want to government to get away from marriage period. Many want marriage to be a sacrament or social institution separated from government control, authority, and definition. Civil unions for all couples make more sense.

Many liberals would love to see controls exerted to force clerics to perform marriages that go against their belief system.

Polygamy:

A libertarian says if they are consenting aduts, leave them alone. Why should the government dictate to anyone what their living arrangements are? As long as they are not committing fraud or expecting extra welfare benefits because of their arrangement, who cares?

A liberal wants to outlaw polygamy if their is a Mormon basis for it and they call it "marriage." They have no problem with it if it is a group of people in San Francisco doing the same thing with no religious overtones.

As far as abortion is concerned, many libertarians are uncomfortable with the issue. They see it as a personal rights issue. I consider myself somewhat libertarian, but see it this way. When you choose to engage in sex, you have to live with whatever consequences come from that. Also, what are the individual rights of the child? The right of the innocent to live is one of the primary natural rights; their defense is the main job of the government.

Basically you can see that the main difference between the two lies in the fact that libertarians want to government to butt out because it screws up almost any situation. Liberals believe that the answer to any issue is more government. Where do your principles lead you?

Friday, August 6, 2010

How Can Republican Victories This Fall Help Kill Obamacare?



This question came up in a Facebook discussion yesterday. I made a casual comment that Republican victories could help kill Obamacare and got a fair question. How?

First of all we have the court cases challenging the notion that the federal government can force you to purchase a commodity because you are alive. This runs counter to any principles or ideals Americans generally hold, as well as the Constitution, but without this part, Obamacare does not work. The Virginia case has gone farthest. This case will end up in the United States Supreme Court. Only five justices have consistently shown a dedication to restrained government and the Constitution. If one gets sick or dies, a Republican Senate can ensure that we keep socialists off the bench. It can also prevent any attempt by Obama to enlarge the court to get what he wants.

Second comes the matter of funding. All money bills start in the House of Representatives. The best way to kill a bad policy is to either vote it out or simply defund it until it dies of its own accord.

Finally there is the matter of states' rights. Missouri voters by an overwhelming margin (71% of the vote, more than Manchin got in West Virginia in 2008!) put into law a proposition that nullifies the federal government's power to compel anyone to purchase health insurance. This high percentage shows that mainstream Democrats do not even support this mandate. Other state legislatures have voted to opt out of and resist other facets of Obamacare. A leftist Congress can punish states by witholding highways funds. A Republican Congress will sympathize and work with them to get rid of this bad law.

Republican gains will help destroy Obamacare. Even if they cannot overturn it in one fell swoop, they can kill it with the death of a thousand cuts. Since 60% of the people still hate Obamacare and only 40% approve of Obama at all, this looks increasingly likely.

Oh and we hope everyone enjoys the fact that the First Lady is vacationing in Spain with seventy-seven secret service and forty of her best friends on your dime. And no, she is not in the Holiday Inn, either.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

An Open Letter to Doug and Sue McKinney

Dear Doug and Sue,

As a West Virginia Republican I want to thank you for your leadership in difficult times. Around the nation, our party saw declining influence, electoral defeats, and falling contributions. Despite those obstacles you cleaned up party finances, put us in a new headquarters, and brought in professional help to build an organization. It may be easy for some to forget those dark days, but I remember the discouragement of 2006 and 2008. We lost Congress and the presidency because many of the Republicans elected around the country tended to do what was expedient and not what was right. Hopefully we have found our way again as a national party. Our recent victories seem to indicate that. We may be seeing sunny days right now, but the storm clouds just passed for us. Your leadership kept us viable, active, and moving forward during those trying times.

On a personal note, I want to thank you for all your help, advice, and support. I cannot remember one major event that we planned where we invited you to come and you declined. Any questions I had got your response quickly. I appreciate that because I am not on the state committee, I am just a regular voting Republican who likes to help out when he can. You were accessible to people and that is important.

To close, I want to express my respect and my appreciation for all the hard work you put in during very difficult times. You kept us going despite all odds.

Thank you,

Stephen Smoot

Environmental Protection Agency Continues Its March to Irrelevance By Cracking Down on Farm Dust


Farm dust. Yup. Dirt stirred up by men and women working in the ground. The EPA is considering calling dust a pollutant and enacting stringent new regulations to harm our nation's farmers. As usual, this is something that will drive the little man out of business and benefit the big conglomerates.
I live right beside the Potomac State College farm. Yes there is a little bit more dust there than you would normally see. But is it really a pollutant? It is no more a pollutant than pollen that comes from certain flowers or crops. Will the EPA go after that next? I'm not joking. If they are going to regulate dust, the sky is the limit on stupid laws eminating from this agency. Will they next require states to pave every little country road in existence? What is the point of this and where will it stop? Seems to me that those who live by a farm simply have to buy a little bit more Pledge or move. Farmers have a right to use their property to make a living without so much government interference that they cannot operate.
At some point, the EPA will regulate itself into complete irrelevance. Bureaucrats who have never seen a farm are trying to force insane regulations onto teh backbone of this nation. It is constitutionally questionable whether or not the EPA actually has the authority to regulate anything. Just because we have allowed it to does not mean that it has the constitutional authority to do so.
We need to make our state legislators aware of this movement. It would not be hard to get a bipartisan group of West Virginia legislators together to petition our senators and representatives to halt this insanity.
Story below