Byway or Bye Economic Opportunity

At the March 26th afternoon meeting of Keyser Rotary Club, the speaker was Karen Allen of West Virginia Department of Highways. She runs the office that takes care of the Scenic Byways in the state. She told the group the benefits of Scenic Byways, the opportunities and the pitfalls. It was a very good presentation with good questions and answers from the public. Mineral County Commissioners Wayne Spiggle (A member of Rotary) and Janice LaRue attended to hear the discussion. The County Commissions from Grant and Hampshire County were invited to attend this Rotary meeting to hear Karen Allen, but did not attend.

At the last US 50 Association meeting held on March 18th, 2009 a surprise addition was added to the meeting agenda at the meeting. The original 3/18/2009 meeting Agenda sent out had no mention of discussing converting US 50 into a Scenic Byway, so the public was unaware it was to be discussed. It was never asked to be put on the agenda for this meeting prior to the start of the meeting. Wayne Spiggle the facilitator was adamant that it was to be discussed at that US 50 meeting, although it is my belief it should have been delayed, so that proper public notice could have been given. Government works best when the public is involved and the public was excluded from this discussion.

In the past the US 50 Association has repeated shown good wisdom when the public was well represented. At the July 21st, 2004, Deb Clatterbuck reported the findings of the Scenic Byway Task Force. It was a sub-committee set to explore the benefits and problems with designating the highway as a Byway. The official minutes show, "There are strict sign regulations such as been brought to light by the George’s Creek Coal Heritage Trail. The Task Force recommends tabling this issue until dual lane and alternate routes can be reviewed which may leave portions of the original roadbeds to be designated as Scenic By-ways." - July 21st, 2004 US 50 Minutes. The problem is businesses are restricted from advertising, which can hurt the local economy. The US 50 Association at that time believed that it was more important to improve the road and improve economic opportunity along the road. Putting the people first it always the best choice.

At the September 20th, 2006 meeting of the US 50 Association Mike Workman from North Central Byways spoke and told the group, "The North Central Byways group has control over signs on both public and private land." - Sept. 20th, 2006 US 50 Minutes. You read that right; a non-elected group can tell you what to do on your private land. Like giving up your 5th Amendment Rights without due process? Dave Price of Preston County, indicted the sign limit was upsetting business owners and asked how the group got the authority. According to the minutes, Karen Allen told the US 50 Association, that the Commissioner of Transportation gave the unelected North Central Byways the power. With the stroke of a pen your rights were gone and chances are you didn't even know.

The problem with the Byway designation is that it can be used as an anti-business tool. Now I have long argued that the Mineral County Commission has been anything, but pro-business. In fact many initiatives put forth by the Mineral County Commission and its agencies over the last 8 to 10 years have been anti-business. Consider this public statement about not letting business in made by then Economic Development Director Casey Lambert 2006, "We have had numerous prospects, but we're not going to let every Tom, Dick and Harry put something in there [Fort Ashby Industrial Park]" - Cumberland Times-News Oct. 5th, 2006

Another thing to look at is the fake water shortage scare created 2 years ago in the county that had people begging to ask for a moratorium on growth. - Potomac Highlands Blog Dec. 3rd, 2007 Had we not broke the story all housing construction in the north end of the county may have been stopped. Fortunately cooler head prevailed when the true got out. Zoning is one of the biggest restrictions to economic growth is coming, "Spiggle said when the county’s comprehensive plan is completed next year, officials could have the power to begin drafting possible zoning ordinances." - Cumberland Times-News Dec. 10th, 2008 After Zoning was enacted in Allegany County, MD in the 1960’s, they lost more than 10,000 people in population. Zoning was one of many factors that devastated the Allegany County economy.

Turning down businesses trying to provide jobs in our area, trying to restrict advertising along US 50 which will adversely effect business growth, creating fake water shortages and implementing zoning are all things designed to stop or reduce business growth in the county. With the population of Mineral County dropping, we cannot afford to restrict business growth in our county. Projections do not show Mineral County exceeding the 2000 population, until at least 2035. - Cumberland Area Long Range Transportation Plan, Sept 28, 2005

Either we have a county commission that is clueless on how an economy works or we have a county commission actively seeking to stop growth and business from coming into the county.

Mercantilism Is Almost Here

The government is out of control.

This week, the president fired the CEO of General Motors.

Everyone outside of the looniest lefty ought to cringe when the federal government starts hiring and firing private sector employees.

The reasoning given was that the bailout money could only go forward with fresh leadership. Even the Democratic governor of Michigan expressed outrage over this unprecedented move. Almost ignored was the forced merger of Chrysler with Fiat.

Government money gives the government the right to interfere with a private corporation? Maybe so. However, it means that said corporation will be saddled with bad economic decisions made for political reasons. Is it more cost effective to put a new plant in right to work Tennessee or union oriented Pennsylvania? The Democratic powers that be will insist on helping their allies. And since they have so much invested in GM, they would by necessity have to discriminate aaint independent Ford.

Mercantilism means that the government is not a referee, but a player in the economy. As a player, it has interests to defend. Those independent of the government get shut out and honest competition dwindles.

Mercantilism was one of the reasons why America broke free of Britain. We wanted a fair economic system where competition was not rigged. In 1776, Adam Smith called it capitalism. Barack Obama's "change" is leading us full circle back to the bad old days of mercantilism.

Obama to Traditional Liberal Media Elite: Drop Dead

Obama and his public relations crew just initiated the next great gaffe of the administration. They announced that they will increasingly bypass the White House Press Corps to speak directly with bloggers and other alternative forms of media. Of course they plan to only speak to liberal and leftist sources so as to avoid the "filter" and speak directly to the base.

I just spoke to friend about this latest Obamfoolery. He responded with "Sounds like what the Republicans have been doing for years." My response to him? "Exactly."

It's called preaching to the choir. Republicans have followed this strategy and it does not work. Sure it feels better to only speak with people that believe in what you are doing and will not challenge you. The GOP set up its own news agency for awhile for this purpose. This strategy got the Republicans nowhere.

Imagine how bad it will turn out for the leftist Obamacrats. The liberal news media helped to create Obama and now, when times for them are toughest, they propose to ignore their benefactor. It looks like revenge against a press corps that has shed much of the partisanship of the past several years and has returned to some semblance of real reporting. The fawning stopped, real journalism began, and the Obamacrats are shocked. How dare any reporter challenge The One!

Why the challenges? Part of the coverage is the sudden absence of Bush, who inspired a bizarre hatred among the journalistic community. Part of it is because of Bush. The coverage of him was so slanted, they now have to demonstrate journalistic fairness by questioning their own choice as president. Most of it is because Obama has bumbled and fumbled in his first two months. With his poll numbers down to around 50%, he blames not his own incompetence and lack of even effort, but the press corps for doing at least part of its its job.

How will the press react? Reporters have already turned away from the Won in many instances. Now you will see the editors and producers go after him. He is shunning them at a time when they are most vulnerable. They will not go down without a fight.

Should be fun!

Glenn Beck shows why Government must follow the law

New York 20th Congressional Race Unofficial Results

Scott Murphy (D) 77,344, James Tedisco (R) 77,279

All precincts reporting

Ballots Impounded by Court Order

Where Is the Leadership?

Throughout our nation's short history, we generally see crisis produce leadership. Either the man or woman on the spot rises to the occasion or someone emerges unexpectedly.

We see neither happening at least to this point.

Obama, let's pity him a second, started his campaign during rosy good times. The fallout from Clinton era policies on mortgages had not yet reared its ugly head. He figured he could become president based upon disenchantment with Iraq, surrender in that war, and live happily ever after.

The Democrats goofed by backing and nominating him. His shotgun, yet vapid approach to any and all problems mystifies even liberals. Obama does everything the Left expects in a leader. He speaks well, lowers himself to levels presidents normally do not stoop into, and he backs watered down Marxist ideals. He does all of this with a mind boggling incompetence. The latest gaffe was writing a letter to the French president. That in itself is not bad. Calling him by his predecessor's name is. He may remember that the next time someone addresses him as "President Bush." As if anyone could mistake this guy for Bush.

Republicans have done little better. Who represents us? I had, and still have, a lot of hope for Michael Steele. However he has strumbled out of the gate himself. Luckily running a political party does not have as high stakes as running a nation. Mitt Romney is hanging back, not wanting to campaign three years too early as Giuliani and Hillary Clinton did.

Newt Gingrich has stepped into the limelight a little more often recently. Should hard times continue, Gingrich may set himself up as the perfect candidate to oppose Obama. He has intellect, experience, and substance. Additionally he has a powerful and confrontational style that will seem refreshing after four years of Obama droning on and on in his faux statesmanlike voice. I also expect that Gingrich will continue to not require a teleprompter. However he has not yet grasped at the chance to lead.

For all of the gloom and doom forecasting about the GOP though, it is not time to panic. Leadership will emerge in the next couple of years. It also does not appear that this president will cease screwing up any time soon. Opposition to Marxism combined with strong articulation of party beliefs should restore the vitality to the GOP.

Former U.S. Senator John Sununu luncheon speaker at WVGOP committee meeting June 13 in Martinsburg

WEST VIRGINIA REPUBLICAN PARTY

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Gary Abernathy
Monday, March 30, 2009 304-768-0493

Former U.S. Senator John Sununu luncheon speaker at WVGOP committee meeting June 13 in Martinsburg

More details announced for Michael Steele visit on evening of May 22nd

CHARLESTON – Former United States Senator John Sununu will address attendees of a luncheon on June 13 in Martinsburg, prior to the summer meeting of the West Virginia Republican State Executive Committee, state GOP Chairman Doug McKinney announced today

Sununu is a member of the Congressional Oversight Panel charged with monitoring the government's Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP).

Sen. Mitch McConnell, who appointed Sununu to the position, said, “Sen. Sununu has long been a leader on economic and financial market issues and has dedicated his career to ensuring that Congress remains good stewards of taxpayer funds. As the co-author of legislation to strengthen oversight of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, John raised warning flags about the risks in our mortgage finance system years ago. American taxpayers and Congress will find that John is well-equipped to provide timely reports on the use of funds and ensure TARP funds are properly allocated to ensure the long-term stability of America’s financial system.”

In 1996, Sununu was elected to the United States House of Representatives from New Hampshire. He was reelected in 1998 and 2000. In 2002, Sununu was elected to the U.S. Senate. He is the son of John H. Sununu, former Governor of New Hampshire (1983–89) and former White House Chief of Staff under President George H. W. Bush.

More details on the Martinsburg event will be announced soon, but McKinney today announced additional details for the May 22 fundraising event with Michael Steele, chairman of the Republican National Committee. The Steele event will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Ramada Plaza Hotel in South Charleston. Tickets will be $50 each, and can be reserved by contacting 304-768-0493.

“We’re excited about these upcoming visits, and we look forward to announcing more big events for West Virginia Republicans in the near future,” said McKinney.

-30-

Breaking Wind(mills)

Like Don Quixote, we spend a lot of time tilting windmills, especially in this neck of the woods.

First let me say that windmills are certainly a component of any alternative energy program, and they will probably have a place in any energy plan developed over the really long haul. Their principal shortcomings are these: they are currently expensive energy sources, and their power production is intermittent rather than continuous, and so other electrical power sources whose production is controllable and stable will be needed, or a wide array of windmills, tidal energy sources, and so forth will have to be hooked together in a very sophisticated grid system which rapidly shifts the origin of power in the power grid to the particular energy sources that are currently producing. There are probably some other ways to somewhat alleviate the problem, as well, which sound “Buck Rogerish,” but even with current technology would be somewhat feasible, though also very costly. For example, the domestic consumers could easily have an array of batteries as components of electrical equipment, which would turn on when the power was low and turn off when it was normal, recharging themselves automatically during the powered- up intervals.

The Western European experience with windmills is instructive to a point. Windmills are obviously proliferating there, and apparently are a commercial success; just as nuclear power plants are and have been in France for years. But bear in mind that Western Europe is largely devoid of fossil energy sources, and almost any oil or coal they use for electrical power production must be imported, and is increasingly expensive. They also, generally speaking, don't have to worry about air-conditioning the way the United States does. Their economic payoff for switching to alternative energy now is different from most of America’s. There is an economic component to the switch to windmills and other alternative energy sources that is very rewarding in Western Europe. America’s situation is different in the sense that we have no shortage of coal whatsoever,(nor oil if we were willing to let the market develop it when economic factors dictate), and coal and eventually oil could supply most of our electrical power far into the future much more cheaply than any current alternative energy source except, perhaps, nuclear power currently could now, or likely ever could. In addition, we have a carbon-based energy system built and operating quite admirably, and there would be no difficulty in attracting private investment to enlarge and improve that system, provided that government action did not threaten the economics of the current American electrical energy production and delivery system.

This is what the windmill argument really boils down to: do we need and want so-called green energy sources now or soon. If we do, we can have them. Their inefficiencies currently are so profound that only government subsidies and concessions of various sorts, including some hammerlocks on the arms and shoulders of the electric companies in order to compel them to accept expensive electrical output from alternative energy sources when it is available. Without introduction of artificial factors into the economics of energy production in the United States, there would be virtually no interest on the part of private investors in most current alternative energy sources and therefore no arguments hereabouts over windmills. Would any nationally prominent politician, however, step forward and plainly state the truth: you can only have green energy if we take taxpayer money to create it and defeat the (tax-paying) competition by taxing them and you taxpayers, or both, to do so.

Personally, I have no particular objection to the presence of windmills on the horizons. Mankind has been tinkering with landscapes since time immemorial. Sometimes a Taj Mahal or an Exeter Cathedral is created; sometimes a dismal slum is the result. Indeed, most of West Virginia was clear-cut a hundred years ago, in arguably by mankind, and probably would be again if there were enough money in it to make the option interesting. (So much for ridge line or view scape integrity).

Are the windmills inevitable? If you believe Al Gore and all the proponents of global warming who blame energy production for a good bit of that problem, windmills are inevitable and so are nuclear power plants and hydroelectric plants, etc. because those who favor alternative energy and want to eliminate most or all carbon-based electrical energy production evidently have the predisposition and the votes to force that position on everyone else. If the people like Gore say you can’t use coal, even though it is plentiful and cheap, and they have a majority of even one, you don’t get much choice but accept the windmills now or later, and in all probability accept, also, an array of government regulations on the energy efficiency of your appliances, and probably eventually the rationing of the amount of electrical energy you can use in your household, or at the least, self-rationing, brought about by the enormous growth of your electrical bill as various alternative energy sources, derived not from competitive market action but rather government subsidy and regulation, replace current efficient and effective systems of electrical energy production.

“To green, or not to green”; that is the real question in this purported land of the fuzzy and ever jolly green government giant. The question really is not specifically about windmills on the ridge lines of Mineral and adjacent counties at all. Argue as we may around here locally about windmills, what we decide doesn’t matter much unless it coincides with what the federal government decides. Government of the people, by the people, and for the people perishes at the local level bit by bit any time local interests conflict with what those politicians who seldom or never come around here decide to do to us in cases such as windmills. That’s not what the Constitution provides for, but after all, the Constitution’s just a document, a socially-constructed reality which can be ignored by anyone who doesn’t have any compunction about doing so. It’s just a baseline isn’t it; something the political class can look at so they can deviate from it to show that they are avant garde, politically savvy, hip, and all that sort of ballyhoo. Unless, of course, we’ve got people with spine enough to stand up for the kind of governance of, by and for the people that we and they really believe in and value.

Don Quixote was either a pathetic fool, or a sort of Everyman. He was inspiring although he was usually ineffectual. He always stood up for what he believed in. My inclination would normally be to favor windmills hereabouts in order to give important new technology a chance, but the Don Quixote in me says oppose them in the extreme in order to put big government in the position of having to roll on over once more we local people in pursuit of their current “flavor-of-the-month” on the ultra-liberal policy wonk circuit. That would underscore the way it really is: West Virginians must pay again for some sort of sins we didn’t commit or didn’t knowingly commit, while those who benefited ignore their own culpability in the creation of the alleged carbon crisis and global warming, and are allowed to seemingly solve the problems they created by abusing their country cousins in new and satisfying ways at least one more time. If you buy windmills, wait until you see...(whatever is your worst nightmare)? that the feds have got for you next.

Republican Interest Growing Fast

Saturday night I attended the Taylor County Republican Executive Committee Lincoln Day Dinner and they had an excellent crowd. More than last year, which is unusual being this is an off electi9on year. It shows that more people are getting interested in what is going on in politics and more importantly they are getting interested in the Republican Party.

GOP Executive Director Gary Abernathy gave a great speech on how the party is preparing for the future. He outlined new initiatives the party is taking including everything from fund raising to candidate recruitment. There is real enthusiasm for the party that has not been seen in the party for years.

Former Secretary of State Betty Ireland also gave a great speech on opportunity for the party in the up coming election. Her investment in mentoring young professionals in politics is having an effect. Giving a short list of people she had mentored as Secretary of State it is easy to see how effective a leader she is. Unfortunately she also announced she would not be running for the 1st Congressional seat dispelling rumors she might. The crowd was disappointed.

The most important thing to come out of the meeting was the fact that people are upset with what is going on in the state and country and they are willing to work for change. The conservatives that make up the bulk of the nation are solidifying and 2010 will be a good year.

Warriors for Warriors Marathon

Operation Enduring Freedom.

Our soldiers are fighting for our freedom. They have seen their brothers fallen on the battlefield, they have heard their cries of pain, terror, and loss over the radio, and they have felt levels of pain and emotion we may never quite understand or experience. We owe them our support.

Below are two websites where you can show your support for our brave men and women fighting for our freedoms in Afghanistan. Remember the reason they are deployed to Afghanistan in the first place: September 11. Remember where you were, and at what moment your heart stopped for a second, or perhaps plummeted to your very core when you embraced the reality of the most vicious attacks on American soil and the perished lives of over 3,000 innocent people of every race, age, religion, and ethnicity. Remember the anger, fury, and fear that radiated across our nation. Remember, too, how quickly our flag presented itself everywhere - in homes, stores, on rooftops, cars, and buildings - all for the purpose of coming together as a nation.

This initiative emerged with warriors raising funds for fellow warriors, initially beginning on board the USS Roosevelt, which is now on its return home from Afghanistan after 6 long, hard months abroad. Servicemen supporting their own is a wonderful tradition where common ground is shared, respected, and understood, but support should not stop there. We can not and should not isolate the citizens in showing support for OUR servicemen as well, including our strongest ally, Great Britain.

Below is an email written by one of our "own," seeking support for the cause. Lt. Mhley has kept me abreast of his efforts along the way, and this email describes his initiative in a personal, authentic manner.

Family and friends, During the 5 months that our carrier and air wing have been supporting our troops in Afghanistan, we've been through the most difficult of situations with mainly British and American soldiers. We've helped them when under attack from Taliban, we've heard the cries of their wounded over the radio, we've mourned when an attack killed one of their brothers. During our time on station, 105 Coalition lives were lost, including 51 American and 29 British. As a tribute to the fallen, a few of the aviators out here are hosting a fundraising relay-marathon on the carrier's flight deck this Saturday to raise a worthy donation for the US Wounded Warrior Project and British Help for Heroes organization. We intend to present both donations in person on our way home. Many of you ask what you can do to help me endure these 7 months. Well, I'd rather you donate a few dollars to this event than send another box of chubby Oreos. We've raised about $2500 from the 200+ runners signed up so far. Many more to go in coming days. If anyone you know back home wants to donate, please reply and I will happily pass my bank routing number / checking account number to allow a donation via funds transfer. Below is the email we sent to our squadron about the effort, as well an info sheet. Thanks so much for your consideration. Looking forward to being back home next month! Very Respectfully, LCDR Mark Mhley VFA-213 / USS Roosevelt

Please scroll down below to donate just a few dollars to the cause. There are two different websites available. Each fund, one for the British forces, the other for US forces, goes towards recovery for injured soldiers, as well as those who have fallen at the arms of their fellow brothers. The money provides support for individuals and their families in literally every way necessary. Show your patriotism, show your support. Donate a few dollars to those risking their lives for our country.

Thank you.

US Wounded Warrior Project

UK Help for Heroes

Congressmen Murtha & Morgan Confronted with Real American

WV House Member Craig Blair on Drug Testing

http://www.notwithmytaxdollars.com/

One man, one vote, not in West Virginia

Kanawha County is the most populous county in the state with 200,073 persons as recorded by the 2000 census, but has an unfair advantage in state government. Not because of its population, but because of multi-delegate districts where each citizen gets to vote for two state Senators and in some cases seven house members, whereas most of the state gets to vote for only one senator and one delegate each election cycle. The citizens of Kanawha County, and some other counties to a lesser extent, have more representation in the legislature than most.

Most citizens of the state are only represented by two state Senators and one House member, if you live in Charleston you are represented by four state senators and seven house members. This puts the citizens in most other parts of the state at a disadvantage when requesting help from their state Senators and Representatives, when compared those living in Multi-delegate districts.

Why is this bad? Consider something simple. You live in a single delegate district like most of us and you want a pot hole fixed on the state highway near your home. You can call on two senators and one delegate to push the Department of Highways to make the repair. Now if you live the Kanawha County’s 30^th Delegate district, then you have a distinct advantage to get your pot hole fixed. You can call on four senators and seven delegates to motivate the DOH to make the needed repairs. The odds are 11 to 3 in favor of the Kanawha voter getting preferential treatment in state legislature under the current system, and that is just not fair.

Each voter from Kanawha County is represented by 12% of the West Virginia Senate, yet each voter in the rest of the state is only represented by 6%. That is unfair representation. The House of Delegates is just as bad while in most of the state each voter is represented by 1% of the House, in Kanawha’s 30^th District each voter is represented by 7% of the House, in Raleigh’s 27^th District each voter is represented by 5% of the House, Monongalia’s 44^th, Logan/Lincoln’s 19^th, and Harrison’s 41^st have 4%. There are a few three and two delegate districts, but the majorities are single delegate districts.

Consider that in one of the growth areas of the state Berkeley County each voter is only represented by one delegate, 1% or the House, and two Senators, 6% of the Senate. This gives each voter in Berkeley County a clear disadvantage in representation Charleston when compared to Kanawha County or some of the others with multi-delegate districts. Consider that this arrangement should be unconstitutional under West Virginia’s constitution which states; “Article II, 2-4. Equal representation; Every citizen shall be entitled to equal representation in the government, and, in all apportionments of representation, equality of numbers of those entitled thereto, shall as far as practicable, be preserved.”

West Virginian’s current system also appears to violate the 14^th Amendment to the US Constitution. Section 1 of the amendment states; “No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”

The US Supreme Court has already interpreted the “Equal Protection Clause” to extend to voting districts. In the 1963 case Grey v. Sanders the court held, 8 to 1, that State elections must adhere to the one person, one vote principle. Justice William Douglas wrote the majority opinion stated, "The concept of political equality...can mean only one thing—one person, one vote".

As it stands right now one person, one vote only applies to some West Virginian’s while others get more than one vote. If you live in Martinsburg you get to vote for one Delegate to represent you and one Senator, if you live in Charleston you get to vote for seven Delegates and two Senators to represent you. It is time that we change West Virginia’s legislative districts. Where each voter is represented by only one delegate and two senators, so that the districts are fair and come in line with both the state and US Constitutions.

Junk Science

In doing research recently, I came across a series of letters written to West Virginia Governor William Glasscock. They came from Major Leonard Darwin, famous scientist and son of evolution pioneer Charles. These letters invited Governor Glasscock to send a representative from West Virginia to the First International Eugenics Conference.

This conference sought to study the science behind racial degradation and propose legislative solutions to the problem that many of them believed threatened mankind. Was this a group of nutcases? No. The list of vice presidents of the society included Winston Churchill (soon to be head of the Royal Navy), Gifford Pinchot (chief conservation advisor for President Theodore Roosevelt), and many other esteemed names from both sides of the Atlantic.

What kind of legislative solutions could come of such a meeting? Eventually eugenics resulted in programs that sterilized the mentally challenged and even the chronically poor. The idea was that their inferior genes retarded the growth of mankind. Such ideals are not compatible with a democratic society because they undermine the concept that every one is free and equal under the law.

Of course we know that eugenics is junk science, a flawed field studied by well-meaning and intelligent people who observed natural phenomena and came to a horribly wrong conclusion. National Socialist Germany followed these ideas to their logical end.

In our time, junk science again rears its ugly head. This time the issue is what used to be called global warming. Now, after a bitterly cold winter, it has transformed to "climate change." Well-meaning, and some not so well-meaning, people have concluded that any shift in the earth's climate is A) artificial, and B) disastrous. Never mind that drastic shifts have occurred since the fall of Rome making the earth both much warmer and much colder than today. Surprisingly A) man survived and B) George W. Bush did not cause any of it.

Junk science threatens to destroy our prosperity and take away economic freedoms. If the United States follows the British model, electricity and other costs are expected to eventually skyrocket over 55%, leading to the loss of more manufacturing. Luckily, Senator Byrd stood up recently against legislation based upon unproven science that would destroy West Virginia's coal industry. How much damage will anti-capitalist left wingers do to individuals, business, and our country if junk science, just as in the days of eugenics, is allowed to prevail?

Daniel Hannan MEP: The devalued Prime Minister of a devalued Government

The Road to Serfdom (a Potomac Highlands Conservative Book List Selection)

As World War II wound down, socialists throughout Europe looked to use the crisis to create a new economic order. Britain's Labour party combined with socialists around the continent planned to implement large scale changes in health care, employment rights, and power granted to labor unions.

Friedrich A. Hayek wrote The Road to Serfdom as a warning to the democratic world that embracing socialist economics means sending one's country down a path of diminishing freedoms. His theme is that socialists may be people of goodwill, but their policies lay the foundation of totalitarianism. Nazism and fascism are not the opposite of socialism, but the next logical step. The mania for planning embraced by leftists on every level will "unwittingly produce the very opposite of what we have been striving for."

When the economy is planned, it removes freedom from the hands of individuals and concentrates it into the hands of government officials. Whereas power was previously diffused among different and opposing elements in society, thus keeping a balance of interests, it now makes the government the overriding interest. Concentrated power threatens most basically the right to private property, identified by our Founding Fathers and their inspirations as the most basic guarantee of freedom.

Planning reduces and eventually eliminates from the system the element of competition. Competition ensures that the strongest and most efficient survive. Competition encourages advances in technology and methods, creating savings that benefit society. Competition is the only method that does not require coercive or arbitrary intervention of authority. It merely needs a referee to call fouls.

Socialist planning my begin in the legislature in communities, states, and countries that fall for the sales pitch of leftism. However, by its very nature, democratically elected assemblies cannot plan. Elected officials reflect their constituencies. Therefore the next step lies in the creation of planning boards that have no accountability to the people. They gain more and more power over time and never answer to voters. This lack of accountability means that they may defy the people's interest with impunity.

In a free market capitalist system, the government has very little direct interest or stake in the economy and can therefore act impartially. When planning and intervention take over, the government becomes an actor with overwhelming coercive power. Since the government must defend its interest, all in the name of society, it attacks free market institutions. This subverts one of our most cherished rights, rule of law, in favor of arbitrary government action.

Here is the problem. Plans always fail. You cannot succeed with a planned economy. Either you must revert to free markets, or face the possibility of disaster. When that disaster comes, according to Hayek, the people demand a strongman to lead them out of the mess.

To me, Obama's policies have not been coherent enough to successfully advance socialism. What we have seen is the reintroduction of mercantilism. This was the British economic system of intervention, preferences, and prejudices that led freedom loving Americans to rebel. This sort of response would also bring forth the strong man Hayek described.

Either way, the gain of government power directly causes a loss of individual freedom. How far this goes is up to the American voter. A Republican Congress is necessary to roll back the bizarre and half witted measures advanced by the Obama Administration.

It Can Happen Here As Long As Nancy Pelosi Runs the Show

http://www.boingboing.net/2009/03/11/italian-bloggers-cal.html

At the risk of giving Congressional lefties any ideas, it is necessary to point out the attempt by the Italian government to license bloggers.

Italy's Parliament is seeking to get control of the country's network of free speakers on the Internet. Apparently the persistence of organized crime along with economic problems does not occupy enough time.

Europeans have a different view of rights than British and Americans, traditionally. Britain and the United States believe that rights come from God or nature and should be curtailed as little as possible. Other Europeans believe that rights are things that the government allows the people to do. A major difference of perspective separates these two conceptions of liberty.

Italy is currently controlled by a government labeled "right." It must be noted that in Italy, free market advocates are lumped in with those who pine for a watered down Mussolini. The fact that Mussolini resembles more the Communists than the capitalists apparently makes little difference.

The move is a mistake. Bloggers only stand to gain attention when their freedoms get threatened. Also, how does one patrol the internet?

Finally, it can happen here. Look at the aborted move to contain conservative talk radio. Look at the personal attacks on Rush Limbaugh. Left wing Democrats differ from plain old liberals in that their regard for the law and liberties is minimal. They want to banish conservative opinions from the air and prosecute President Bush. Conservatives must remain vigilant and not give in when the threat materializes.

I am now the liberals target

Many of you watched my appearance in a piece on "Hannity's America" on Fox News last Thursday night. The response has all been positive, but with any political discussion there are opposing views. That is what great about our country, we have the First Amendment, guaranteeing our freedom to discuss the matter openly.

I am descended directly from a Revolutionary War Solider that served five years under George Washington's command in the Continental Army. After the war he moved his family from New Jersey to the mountains around Keyser in 1782. I'm extremely proud of my heritage, my nation and my state. My ancestor took up arms against the British to form a nation based on freedom, even though he was only a foot solider, he took that same risk as all the patriots. Ben Franklin said it best at the signing of the Declaration of Independence, "We must all hang together, or assuredly we will all hang separately. " While I'm in no immediate danger of being hung for exercising my First Amendment rights, I do risk alienation from some friends and acquaintances that do not share my views. It is important that we have honest discussions of how government works and also just as important that you stick to your convictions.

Saturday on Facebook I posted a story entitled, "Military demands details on soldiers private guns." It is a story about infringement on the right to bear arms guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the US Constitution. Now I am a gun owner and strongly believe that everyone should own a gun, but I fully understand that there are people that do not agree. That is their right and it is their right to publicly oppose my view.

In follow ups to my Facebook post about the attack on the Second Amendment, one came from Jim Shumaker in which he said, "Gary ive never heaard you say a positive thing about our country or our state." Now Jim has every right to be opposed to the right to bear arms, but he should attack the message not the messenger. I will be happy to defend why I believe that people should have the right to keep and bear arms and he can explain why he disagrees with me. Questioning my love of state and country doesn't offer an opposing opinion, just a personal attack. In West Virginia and most of rural America where the owning of a gun is as much a right of passage as it is a civil right, it would be hard for Jim to offer an opposing argument that many would agree with.

That being said, the personal attack is something that liberals fall back on when they feel they are unable to defend their position. When a person begins to attack the messenger in an argument, then it typically means they have lost the argument. I would invite Jim to point out to me where it is un-American or un-West Virginian to defend the right to bear arms. For that matter to point out where it is un-American or un-West Virginian to disagree with public policy of any kind. In fact the opposite is true. It is very patriotic, if not a duty, to express your disagreement with government. The Founding Fathers wrote into the First Amendment the right "to petition the Government for a redress of grievances" to make sure the United States says a government of the people and by the people.

We must hold politicians accountable. We must challenge them on items with which we disagree. We must hold discussions amongst ourselves and educate ourselves on the issues of the day. If we do not follow politics, then politics will follow us. I invite Jim Shumaker to challenge my positions on the issues. He can make a follow up to this post and I will defend my positions as necessary, but leave the personal attacks at home.

Dateline Washington, 1944.

Imagine if we woke up one day and the history books changed.

Instead of "Patton Rolls Twoards Victory in Europe," headlines and newsreels said "Roosevelt to negotiate with Hitler and Japan. The reaction would be "Say what? Were we not on the cusp of winning?"

Yes, we were. When asked what victory would look like, Franklin Roosevelt earlier in the war said in no uncertain terms that America expected "Unconditional surrender." Yes it took longer, but in the end, we got a Germany led by a democracy stronger than anyone expected. As John F. Kennedy put it later, we were willing to pay any price and bear any burden for democracy.

Now it has emerged that Barack Obama wants to talk to the Taliban. The Taliban! They only harbored and encouraged the enemies of our nation who killed thousands of people. Let's give them the Panama Canal while we are at it. Oops, too late!

The only unconditional surrender Barack Obama understands is that of his own country.

When will we wake up and exhale a sigh of relief with Dennis Hastert still running the House of Representatives and John McCain (or Mitt Romney!) serving as president?

One thing is for certain. I don't see Obama winning the soldier vote (not like he had many of them before.) But this time the Democrats may be able to follow their previous plans to virtually disenfranchise the ones serving abroad.

This is a rambling diatribe and not well thought out. That's because I am mad. What is the purpose of fighting hard and winning a war if some pacifistic Communist is going to cut the United States off at the knees?

Obama wants to be the Old Man Daley (Chicago machine boss) of the United States but he needs to remember something. Daley was a Democrat of the Truman era. He would have nuked teh Taliban before talking to them.

Excellent Op Ed in Times-News

Click here: Keep one locked and loaded, just in case

Gary Howell, Paul Mattox Discuss Corridor H on "Hannity"

Fox's Hannity program targeted Corridor H on Thursday night as the latest example of unnecessary pork barrel spending. The program tried to attack both the spending as well as the project itself.



In attacking Corridor H, Fox News fell short of the mark. They correctly pointed out the sparsity of population without mentioning the industry in and around Moorefield. While it is true that the four lane will not link up with Interstate 66 at Front Royal, the terminus will be only several miles from Interstate 81.

Paul Mattox, representing the West Virginia Department of Transportation, described the economic development possibilities as well as the fact that Corridor H forms part of the Washington-Baltimore evacuation plan. Anyone who has traveled Interstates 95, 70, and 81 during the holidays understands that these are not sufficient for removing the entire metropolitan area from danger. Corridor H and US 50 must be part of the plan. Even more importantly, it was never demonstrated how the road will provide a more direct and efficient link between Washington and cities such as Louisville, Columbus, Cincinnati, and St. Louis while reducing traffic on overburdened Interstate 70.

Gary Howell explained, however, that an "addiction to earmarks" prevents West Virginians form finding more cost effective ways to fund highways. South Carolina used long term bonds to construct highways on their own, saving taxpayers money because inflation will devalue the debt. This innovative approach, if utilized by states more often, could break the cycle of dependency on the federal government while saving money. Howell supports Corridor H for economic development as well as its national and regional utility, but took issue with the use of earmarks.

The New Stamp Act?

In 1763, Americans were confident and proud citizens of the British Empire. They had little complaints about a government that protected them in the most extensive war ever fought.
Then came the deluge. Britain, hurting from severe deficits, started creating and enforcing tax laws. Some of these taxes were not unreasonable, nor did they represent a major burden upon most of the people. Howeverm they represented a fundamental attempt to revolutionize the relationship between the government and the governed. Parliament sought to impose its will and its vision of government upon the people without respecting their natural rights.
Americans responded. Within two years rioters marched through the streets, burning those who defended the hated taxes in effigy. By 1775 they once again took arms, changing their country and changing the world.

The Obama/Pelosi plan to revolutionize America has come at breathtaking speed. Leftists in the Pelosi led Congress want to put GPS trackers in every American automobile. Obama wants to place heavy taxes upon electricity consumption that will hurt all Americans. Consumers will make difficult choices about whether or not to keep their home heat at a healthy level while producers, including our West Virginia coal miners will suffer. All of this comes due to a global warming theory that researchers and events have now thoroughly discredited.

The fact is that electric prices are set to rise anyway. Caps on price rises have been in place in many areas since the 1990s. All the various governments have to do is remove the intervention, allow the free market to set the price, and take no action. Instead we will see both the price hikes and the taxes raised because the current left wingers are hell bent on revolutionizing the country and refuse to think through their actions.

Even Tip O'Neill, bugbear of Reagan era Republicans, would not advocate hurting average Americans to support a crackpot theory.

What will this bring, if all these plans are allowed to come into place? Eventually we will see our country transformed into the dull lackluster hues of George Orwell's 1984. Everyone exists at a certain standard, alive, but locked in one low standard of living. The government will follow you around in your car. Will we fight? Not if they can help it, because they will seize our weapons. Once they have our weapons, they will be free to do as they please, when they please. Medieval English kings understood that a government must remain accountable when the population is armed. Why don't some of us remember that?

It's time to remember our Founding Fathers. We do not need violence, but Americans conscious of their rights of all areas and parties must come together. It is time to remind the government who its employers are. People around the country need to keep assembling and demonstrating to their representatives how troubling these plans are. In 2006 we had a dynamic and powerful economy. Look what liberal Democratic control of Congress has done to our country. They won the vote, then kicked out the reasonable and experienced committee leaders, such as Senator Byrd and Joe Lieberman. This left only the most radical and dangerous in terms of their antipathy to the vision of the Founding fathers. It also follows the model of teh French and Bolshevik Revolution. Overthrow the system, then purge the moderates. All you have left are the radicals.

And they are not done yet. Not by a long shot.

Hannity to have segment on Corridor H tonight

Fox news's Sean Hannity will be having a segment featuring Corridor H and earmarks tonight. Yesterday I was interviewed by Ainsley Earhardt for the segment.

Obama's Assault on the American People Continues: Coming Soon, Higher Electric Bills Courtesy of the Won

The Obama Administration continues to compete with the Democratic Congress to see who can damage the interests of the American people more.

Last week Congressional liberals wanted to put GPS trackers into the cars of every American.

Now, in harsh economic times, Obama wants to create a tax that will force every American's electric bill higher. It is designed to curb emissions and supposedly end global warming (a theory which the coldest winter in a generation should have disproved by now!)

Amazing. Making policy in accordance of a theory with little scientific evidence to back it, a theory that current events have disproved, Obama wants to ratchet up the misery index. He wants to make it more difficult for every American to heat and cool their homes.

Isn't it tough enough out there?

America. Had enough "change" yet?

Obama's insane Marxism will harm the poor, midle class, and rich alike.

Thanks Democrats!

Reregulation?

"Regulations were gutted for the sake of a quick profit at the expense of a healthy market."

This was a quotation from the State of the Obama speech that experts say sheds no new light on what the president's plans are. An Associated Press analysis once again savages the accuracy of Obama's statements. You almost wonder if they forgot Bush wasn't the president anymore!

Regulation has become the name of the game. Obama blasts nameless predecessors for deregulating the housing market (when in fact, President Bush's calls for regulatory restraint of the mortgage industry were actually ignored.) We can expect proposals for regulations across the board from new environmental standards to just about everything else. Although sometimes necessary, sweeping implementation of regulation will stifle economic growth and restrict competition.

The intent is to roll back the Reagan Revolution in smaller government and make the federal government more intrusive in just about every field. Gary Howell in an earlier piece explained how proposed railroad regulations will hurt the industry and the economy.

Wait a second, how did deregulation get exclusively associated with Republicans?

Actually a Democrat helped to get the deregulation ball rolling in 1980. At that point railroads were so tightly regulated that profits were impossible and an entire industry hovered on the point of collapse. Congressman Harley Staggers Sr. (D) West Virginia crafted and got passed a the Staggers Rail Act of 1980 that significantly reduced federal burdens and allowed a small revival of the railroads. This did not come in time to save the local rail facilities, but it did prevent the passing of unprofitable lines into the hands of the federal government where they would simply waste taxpayer money instead of private capital.

Congressman Staggers was no conservative and his family are staunch and proud Democrats. However his deregulation act showed that lightening the load of government can help business survive and even thrive. This generation of Democrats could learn a lot from this predecessor.

CNN and the Left

Former CNN reporter, Mauricio Funes, was just elected President of El Salvador. Now many main stream news outlets are leaving out the fact that Funes was a former CNN reporter. The Washington Post reported, "Mauricio Funes, a former TV newsman who was recruited to run for president," and Reuters "Funes -- a former TV journalist and candidate of the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front," both mention that he was a TV news journalist, but they fail to mention the the CNN element. Why?

CNN has been accused of left wing bias it their reporting over the years, a fact that they deny. The reality is most of the main stream press has been accused of left leaning bias, so leaving out the fact that Mauricio Funes was CNN Reporter might be done on purpose. The political party, Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMNL) which was named for Farabundo Marti the founder of El Salvadors Communist Party. El Salvadors Communist led years of civil war leading to allegations of war crimes.

The facts are a former CNN reporter is a communsit and not just any communist, but now the leader of El Salvador. Why was this fact left out or glossed over in reporting? It is the reporters job to report the facts and not leave anything out. More media bias?

REPUBLICAN PARTY HISTORIAN TO SPEAK AT WOOD COUNTY GOP LINCOLN DAY DINNER

WOOD COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY

PRESS RELEASE

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2009 304-424-7041

REPUBLICAN PARTY HISTORIAN TO SPEAK AT WOOD COUNTY

GOP LINCOLN DAY DINNER

On Saturday, March 21, 2008, at 6:30 p.m., the Wood County Republican Executive Committee will host their annual Lincoln Day Dinner. The event will be held at the Parkersburg Country Club, 4910 1^st Avenue, Vienna, West Virginia.

The keynote speaker will be Michael Zak, author of Back to Basics for the Republican Party which is a handbook for Republicans who know what they feel in their heart to be missing from the party today. We need to return to our roots, and Michael Zak will show us the way. He emphasizes the fact that the Grand Old Party was established by anti-slavery activists, to oppose the pro-slavery policies of the Democrats. To this day, Republicans have an extraordinary, though overlooked, record of civil rights achievements, as well as, being the fore runner in establishing the rights of women to vote.

Mr. Zak is a popular speaker to Republican organizations throughout the nation (28 states so far). The theme of his presentations is that Republicans would benefit tremendously from appreciating the heritage of the Grand Old Party. As he writes, “The more we Republicans know about the history of our party, the more the Democrats will worry about the future of theirs..”

This year is the 200^th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln, the Great Emancipator, is a terrific opportunity to honor the greatest Republican of all. Republicans in West Virginia take special pride in the fact that their state was created by the GOP.

However much President Barack Obama compares himself to the 16^th President, the Great Emancipator had a distinctly Republican policy agenda, emphasizing personal responsibility, economic opportunity and limited government. Freedom to work – yes, work – one’s way to the top was Lincoln’s goal for all Americans.

The cost for the event is $ 50.00, per person, for the Dinner Buffet and Program. There will also be a Special Reception Fundraiser held from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., on March 21, 2009, at the Parkersburg Country Club. Michael Zak will sign copies of his book Back to Basics for the Republican Party, the cost for this event will be $ 100.00, per person, which covers your Dinner Buffet for the evening and Program, as well as his autographed book. Should you need any additional information, or for reservations, please contact Beverly G. Lockhart, W.C.R.E.C., Chair, at 304-424-7041 Hm., and/or e-mail her at clady57@earthlink.net.

BEVERLY G. LOCKHART, Chair

Wood County Republican Executive Committee

2303 Oak Street, Parkersburg, WV 26101

304-424-7041 Hm., 304-482-8968 Cell, E-mail: clady57@earthlink.net

Let's Save the Banking System Free Market Style

Sure we can leave the fate of our capitalist system in the hands of Obama and his band of Merry Marxists, but what fun would that be?

Here is a plan so simple that there are probably some flaws in it somewhere, but to me it makes sense.

The banks should all get together and offer a special investment product that offers one interest rate for a one year commitment and something better for two years. Tie it in with a special tax rebate offered to everyone. Make it easy so that $100 or more can be direct deposited into this special account. Then finally give it a big patriotic government sell. "Save $100 for a year, help save our economy" something like that.

This is a simple, free market way to get hundreds of billions of dollars into the banking system while actually benefiting the taxpayers. Instead of interest going to foreign investors buying up our future, the interest on this "loan" of sorts goes to the American taxpayers.

If one hundred million recipients of rebate checks sign up for this, we put a trillion dollars at least into the banking system. The money stays at home rather than going off to China.

**************************************************************

There is a lot of gloomy talk about the fact that even Americans of means have cut back their spending. In the short term this contracts the economy significantly.

In the long term, this might be a positive step. Part of our national problem is the general lack of savings by individuals. This recession could change spending habits for the better, encourage savings, and strengthen our financial system down the road. The economy will restructure and it will not be pretty, but at the end of the day the nation might emerge in a better position than before. Already we have seen our trade deficit shrink considerably. More money in our banks means more capital for loans.

Sirius Radio Host Andrew Wilkow to Speak in Morgantown

Orwell Could Not Have Even Come Up With This One

In 1984, George Orwell's novel about an all encompassing police state, the government follows everything. It even has a thought police that attempts to control the very ideas that each person has. Inside each house is a camera through which speech and movements can be constantly watched.

At one point, however, the hero Winston manages to get out of the city alone to meet a girl. For once, he is alone and free of the watchful eye of the government.

Several states, federal transportation officials, and Congress have conceived of a plan to follow Americans around everywhere. A congressional panel recommended that all US cars be fitted with a GPS device that counts the mileage traveled by each vehicle. The plan is to tax drivers per mile.

Okay. Take the "Fairness Doctrine," sprinkle in the looming threat to gun rights, and stir in a healthy dose of federal oversight over each and every driver's comings and goings and tell me this: if the liberal left has its way, will Americans enjoy any freedoms or privacy? Did they ever learn the Constitution or the Declaration of Independence? Do they really want to turn the United States into an Orwellian nightmare?

Republicans have been accused by their opponents of not caring about the environment, the little guy, minorities, or anything else. Believe me, folks, when the government starts caring about you, IT IS A BAD THING!

Out of all of the crazy, nauseating proposals coming out of The Worst Congress in History, this is certainly the worst one. Tax every move I make and monitor me in the meantime?

Thankfully Barack Obama slammed the door shut on this idea in the strongest possible language, but we need to remember that the Nancy Pelosi Police State still looms as a possibility until the GOP gets control of Congress back.

We can do our part now. There are viable GOP candidates in the First Congressional District. Let us encourage at least one of them to start his or her organization now to raise funds and get people in place. The United States needs a Republican Congress more than ever. We need to send a message to Communists in San Francisco that this is our country and they cannot infringe upon our rights. They are ours by the grace of God, not something the government hands out like welfare.

If need be, we will fight for them.

********************************************************************

Boy has the country really done well since the Democrats seized Congress. Economic contraction, the NYSE at 1/2 of what it was when the GOP ran the show. Yes we deserved to lose in 2006, but man, did we have to lose to a group of Communist incompetents.

Obama Administration on Gun Rights

Betty Ireland beats Alan Mollohan in Online Poll

The Potomac Highlands Conservative over the last week ran a non-scientific poll to see who would come out on top in a hypothetical 2010 Congressional race in which former West Virginia Secretary of State Betty Ireland went head to head against current Congressman Alan Mollohan. The question asked was:

Who would you vote for in the WV 1st Congressional District if former WV Secretary of State Betty Ireland was to run?

Results: Betty Ireland (R) 64%, Alan Mollohan (D) 35%