Romney Devoting Full-time Staffer to West Virginia

Governor Mitt Romney's campaign for the Republican presidential nomination has brought Wendy McCuskey on board as statewide field director. Wendy has previous West Virginia campaign experience, having worked as part of the 2004 President Bush re-elect and during the 2006 legislative election cycle.

Wendy's responsibility is to assist in building Governor Romney's grassroots organization across West Virginia. She is hard working and professional, and has made an extremely positive impact with the campaign. If you're part of a local Republican organization in West Virginia, chances are you'll be meeting her soon.

The assignment of a full-time staff member to the state demonstrates the seriousness with which Governor Romney is taking West Virginia. Couple that commitment with the fact Governor Romney has visited the state nearly a half-dozen times in the past year, and I think you must come to the conclusion that Governor Romney feels as strongly about West Virginia as the President does.

The scheduling of the West Virginia Presidential Nominating Convention, along with West Virginia's competitiveness in the general election, makes the days of our state as a political backwater long gone. It's nice to see someone like Governor Romney working hard to earn our votes.

Christy Barnett Shines at Grant County Meeting

The Grant County Republican Executive Committee held a meeting to discuss the upcoming state Presidential Convention. Also in attendance were members of the Pendleton County Executive Committee.

The meeting opened with Christy Barnett explaining what was required of the county to send its members to the state convention. Members must be present in Charleston to vote as no proxies will be allowed. If the delegate cannot attend, then they may appoint an alternate.

Those wishing to be an at large delegate must register for that position prior to November 30th, with the state party in Charleston. If more people than the alloted number allows, then a county convention will need to be held between Jan. 1st and Jan. 14th. It was decided that Grant County would hold another meeting to finalize plans.

Christy went onto explain about the Potomac Highlands Republican Club and the upcoming dinner to be held on Nov. 3rd. Christy explained that the clubs primary function would be to provide support to Republican candidates and support functions. Many attending felt that an organization like this had been needed for along time and welcomed the support it would bring, and thanked Christy for all the hard work she has done for the party and the state.

County Commission told not to interfere by Mineral County Republicans

Last Thursday night, concerned by the results of a recent County Commission meeting, the Mineral County Republican Executive Committee passed a resolution presented by Rose Anne Maine, Mineral County Assessor.

Property Owner Rights and Economic Development Resolution

Whereas… The implementation of building codes, their fees and requirements would adversely impact the economy, cost of construction, property rights, and personal rights of the residents of Mineral County;

Whereas… The citizen homeowners and businesses are struggling as their property tax bills soar having an adverse effect on the economic development of Mineral County;

Whereas… The economy works best in a free market atmosphere free from government intervention and regulation;

Therefore let it be Resolved… That the Mineral County Republican Party urges the Mineral County Commission to oppose any additional tax or fee burden placed on the homeowners, businesses, and contractors of Mineral County;

Let it be further Resolved… That the Mineral County Republican Party urges the Mineral County Commission to oppose any additional requirements placed on building construction within Mineral County;

Let it be further Resolved… That the Mineral County Republican Party supports that building codes only be enacted by the people’s vote.

A fee is just another tax

Politicians try to avoid the word tax when ever they can. They like to use words like user fee, impact fee, license fee, etc, but let's face it is just another tax.

There is a movement in Mineral County to impose new taxes in the form of "fees," but we are smart enough to know these are just more taxes on an already over taxed population. Mineral County is one the highest taxed counties in the state, and we have little or nothing to show for it.

The latest assault on the tax payer is being pushed by those trying to stop new economic development in the county. There are now rumblings of sub-division impact fees in the county. The fees would be paid by the developer, which in turn will tag the fees on the price of the land raising the cost to the end purchaser. That additional cost of the property will be recorded as part of the assessed value, and the new land owner will pay property tax on that piece of property forever. It is away for the county government in increase the taxes on everybody, and slide it in under the radar.

It is not just user fees that cause property assessed value to increase to benefit the coffers of the county. Additional unnecessary requirements put on the developers in the name of progress, do little more than increase the taxes on the end land user. The politician likes pretend that the develop pays these for these requirements and fees, but that couldn't be farther from the truth.

Let's look at what really happens; A developer purchases 10 acres of land, and wants to put in 10, one acre lots. He plans to sell each lot at $20,000 per lot. The county comes in an puts in a $10,000 impact fee, and requires the developer to put in an unnecessary storm water run off pond for an additional $10,000. The developer simply divides $20,000 by 10 = $2,000. He then adds the $1,000 to each $20,000 lot making them $22,000 lots.

The person that purchases the lot pays for the impact fees and the pond, not the developer as the county politician claims. Not only does the new land owner pay the impact fee, but he pays tax on the additional assessed value forever, and has to live with the mosquito's that breed in the unnecessary pond.

Addition fees and requirements are just another way for politicians to raise taxes on the taxpayer, and call it something else. Mineral County cannot afford any additional taxes, even if they call them fees.

The Death of Down Time

“By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work” Genesis 2:2

Even God rested after the work week. But in our current culture we never seem to let our minds rest. There is so much noise from work, writing blogs (thanks Gary), TV, radio, mp3 players, more TV, video games, social activities and so on that we never actually stop to just rest. It is no wonder that children are being diagnosed with ADHD and a host of acronym labeled problems. Might the challenge for kids be that they are so filled with noise and distractions from the day they are born that they don’t know what to do with themselves if they aren’t “plugged in” to something? Might some of the hyper active kids be better off if we can teach them how to let themselves rest?

When buying our mini-van, my wife and I made a point of not getting one with a built in entertainment center. We have a DVD player that works in the car on long trips of at least 2 hours or more. Anything less, no TV, no DVDs. My daughter loves the DVD player, but she is also very well behaved (for a 14 month old) on shorter trips. If need be, we give her a little childrens book that she flips through, or she watches traffic and the people around us.

I was recently in the high school here in Keyser around 1:30pm. There were kids hanging out in the lunch room, some football players watching game film, some wandering around the halls. All were either chatting with their peers, listening to music, or watching TV. I didn’t take a full tour but I wonder if the library was empty? What would be wrong with teaching the kids to sit and study quietly, or to read, or to simply sit and think in a quiet space? I used to love study halls because it meant I wouldn’t be bothered by anyone. Most of my peers seemed to hate it, almost as though they were afraid to be alone with their own thoughts. They wanted to be on the computer, listen to music, chat, etc. Too few people take time to adequately let their minds and bodies rest and recharge. Could it be that most of us don’t know how?

My wife and I joke that we just learned how to vacation, but it is true. On our honeymoon, we didn’t relax until the last day. We were simply trying to fill our days with activity. By the time we took a Baby moon to Hawaii, we knew how to relax, but it still took about 3 days for our minds to let go of everything else in our lives and let us relax. By that third day, we would wake up, feed the birds, snorkel a little, then hang out by the pool and read or do nothing. We had several days we didn’t even leave the hotel. When we came back, we were rested, relaxed, and more productive then ever. On a recent trip to OBX, we were in vacation mode the second we arrived.

By writing this I simply want to encourage everyone to take some down time. What is better, going through 7 days a week at 70-80% of your productive level, or taking one or two days to rest, gather yourself, and operating at 95-100% for the other 5-6 days? I will guarantee one thing, you will look forward to your days of rest, perhaps to the point that you no longer feel depressed about the other 5-6 days of work each week. God Bless

Eating Our Own

In addition to being a conservative, I'm a member of the West Virginia Republican Party. In fact, I currently serve as one of the party's Vice Chairmen, a regional political director for the upcoming State GOP Convention, and as Chair of the state party's Audit Committee. I've been actively involved with the state party since early 2001, and from that vantage point I have seen Republican party politics in West Virginia up close.

One of, if not the overriding, reason members of our party do not constitute a majority of elective officers in this state is that we eat our own. Republican primary elections are notorious for their divisiveness, and I always--always--go into a primary election cycle with the feeling of a pit in my stomach. This cycle is no different.

Why can't Republicans in West Virginia conduct a primary election campaign free of the kind of ugliness that divides the party for the general election? Why do some Republican campaigns seem intent on driving their party brethren onto the sidelines for the general election? The fact is, we are too small a group, in too small a state, to survive the kind of infighting that has marked us in the past.

Is there no such thing as good faith disagreement any longer? Are our intra-party opponents in a primary campaign to be dismissed simply as "drinking the kool-aid" if they support one candidate over another? Are we to trash another candidate based upon what church he attends? Or another based on whether he's divorced?

I'll be clear; this isn't just an internal Republican problem--there are too many instances of bad faith in politics; the current manufactured controversy over Rush Limbaugh is a prime example of bad faith opposition.

But keeping it in the Republican house, I think we've been so marginalized over the years--so politically abused and mistreated--that we've become conditioned to think that a victory in the primary is the best we can hope for. Like a line from the film "Braveheart" -- perhaps we are so used to eating the scraps from the table that we've forgotten we have a right to something better.

As the primary heats up, as we move toward the convention and the grassroots organizations begin to fill out and compete for delegate votes, I hope that every Republican involved with a campaign will think about the fact that the winner--whomever he is--will need every, single, last person affiliated with any of the Republican primary contenders if he expects to win in November, 2008. We're facing enough of an uphill climb as it is without driving away future supporters for after the primary.

I would hope that we would have learned better by now.

A President That Can Unify America

One president is capable of uniting America's diverse social and cultural groups. That president is Iranian strongman Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Today he will stop at New York City's Columbia University to give a speech. If it is like most of his other ones it will say absolutely nothing of real substance. If he is smart, he will leave Holocaust denials and other known beliefs at home.

Many people are arriving to hear him speak, ask him questions, and protest and almost zero support him. Not only Jewish groups, but also conservatives, gays, Christians, and others have lined up to see and confront this individual. Can anything in the American body politic produce such a reaction? Absolutely not.

Most groups on the right and left in American politics are much closer to each other than to the brand of hatred practiced by this man. His loathing of Israel and denials of the Holocaust are as well-known as his nuclear ambitions. And now Ahmadinejad seeks to score points by showing up the United States by speaking on our soil. As of right now he plans to defy the New York City Police Department and go to Ground Zero. New York City's hostile reception will likely not make Iran's censored news, and probably not even Al Jazeera. However when he leaves, hopefully he knows full well where America stands when it comes to his hateful brand of diplomacy and politics.

As for unity, it is something often called for by our politicians, but rarely seen. This is not a negative. Iran's people must demonstrate unity or they receive punishment. In America we all have the right to speak freely on our political points of view without fear of reprisals. This diversity of opinion makes us stronger because those that can speak freely in a political system usually feel no need to act violently. Someday the mullahs of Iran will be overthrown and called to account for their crimes against those people.

The Holocaust, Slavery, and Coal Mining

The war over West Virginia's coal mining history remains alive and well, evidenced by some sharp reaction to Russ Sobell's book Unleashing Capitalism.

Delegate Bill Hamilton (R) Upshur, criticized a chapter in the book that argued for a revised look at the historical memory of coal miners' experience. The chapter contended that the fluidity of the labor market required most operators to treat their workers with decency and that company stores were not predatory operations. This conflicts with the memory of Hamilton's father, a coal miner, who related stories about bad treatment and corrupt practices to his children. Hamilton goes further to claim that Sobell's book is comparable to Holocaust denials and mitigating accounts of American slavery.

Hamilton is correct to raise questions about this chapter in Sobell's book. Social and other pressures placed upon these workers exceeded the economic. One can still see in at least one old coal town the Gatling gun mounts on the porch rail of the boss's house. The practices of the Baldwin and Felts Detective Agency are also well known and recorded. That being said, Sobell's numbers do raise questions and tend to enhance, not detract from, the overall historical debate. History ought never shy away from a serious attempt to examine the past even if it conflicts with accepted beliefs.

That being said, even mentioning these abuses in the same breath as slavery or the Holocaust diminishes the horror of these two events. Yes coal miners were exploited and abused in especially Southern West Virginia. However most "agitators" found themselves blacklisted or physically tossed out. Residents of coal towns were deprived of constitutional rights. That being said, system did not systematically deprive these people and their families of their liberty for the purpose of coercing labor or murdering them. Bringing it to the same level as slavery or the Holocaust is a rhetorical mistake.

Reagan-Eisenhower Dinner Scheduled for Novermber 3rd

Just a note to let everyone know that The Potomac Highlands Republican Club will be holding the second annual Reagan-Eisenhower dinner on Nov. 3rd at 6pm, in Romney at the Loy Foundation (former Coke Bottling Plant), 426 East Main St., Romney, WV 26757

Guest speakers are:

• Secretary of State Betty Ireland
• WV Director for Fred Thompson for President Gary Abernathy
• State Senator Clark Barnes
  
• State Senator Dave Sypolt.

Tickets are on sale now $25.00 per person.

Christy Barnett can be reached by email texanyankee1@yahoo.com or 304-790-0522
Steve Smoot at 304-788-1573 or smoot.stephen@gmail.com

Hope to see everyone there!

Christy Barnett

The American GI: Our secret weapon

I had the opportunity to speak with an Iraq/Afghanistan veteran. The young man stopped by my store to pick up some parts. He explained he had been a mail order customer of mine in Germany when he was stationed there.

I immediately thanked him for his service to his county. I think we all should thank any person who is serving or has served his country every time we meet one for it is they that give us our freedom.

He spoke about how his grandmother wished all our troops could leave now from Iraq. He told me he explained to her that if we did it would all fall apart, and all the sacrifice that had been made would have been for nothing. He also stated that he explained to his grandmother that we have been in Germany for 62 years since the war ended. This young man who had been on the front lines sees the big picture that the Harry Reids of the world can not see.

His thoughts turned to locals he has interacted with. He talked about children that had nothing hanging around outside the camps and fire bases of Iraq and Afghanistan. Many without shoes or proper clothes. The GI's would give them candy, food and discarded items.

It brought to my mind the GI's through history. Whether it be the GI's in the UK during World War II giving the kids candy, because they had none due to sugar rationing or the film of the young Japanese kid shivering with fear on Okinawa as a US Marine gave him his canteen to comfort him. The candy bombers of the Berlin Airlift. Through Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, etc. the American GI's just being themselves win the hearts and minds of the next generation.

America's true secret weapon is the GI. Not because they are the best fighting force in the world (and they are by far), but because they represent America. Whether from the city or the country they are fair minded and are willing to lend a hand to those in need. GI's have a big American heart. Many of those kids that were given candy will remember when they are older and somebody says America is bad that is not true, because they have met true American's.

Dignity

During George Washington's first term as president, his old friend Governor Morris of New York came to the capital city to visit. Washington's close adviser, Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton, met Morris on the street. Morris asked where he could find Washington, who happened to be strolling away from them down the street as they spoke. Hamilton told Morris that President Washington would like nothing better than for his old pal to come up behind him, slap him on the back and jovially greet him.

Morris did just that, earning a stare from Washington that must have frozen his very soul. Washington then walked on without a word. When he looked back at Hamilton, he saw his fellow New Yorker laughing uproariously at the practical joke he just pulled. George Washington understood that as president an individual must show not only ability, but also dignity.

Where has that dignity gone? The Democratic presidential candidates seem to have lost all pretense to it, subjecting themselves to online debacles. Questions are asked in ridiculous ways. Certainly the famous "boxers or briefs" question posed to Clinton was a milestone in the loss of respect for the presidential office, then again so was the scandal of Watergate.

That being said, dignified is as dignified does. Despite the avalanche of satire, most of it extremely trite and shallow, directed at the current president, few can argue that George W. Bush does not handle himself with dignity. He expects respect and gets it as well as any president in the past hundred years. The Republican frontrunner's Fred Thompson and Rudolph Giuliani have acted similarly, not exposing themselves to silly requests. Credit Hillary Clinton with at least looking uncomfortable in the situations in which the Democrats expect her to perform.

Certainly we must expect our presidents to conduct themselves with strength. We must also understand that a certain amount of personal dignity is necessary to maintain respect. These men and women are not here to sell used cars, but to lead the free world. Republicans understand this, Democrats at this point do not.

Cleaning Up

Last Thursday's meeting of the Mineral County Clean Up Committee showed major differences between the two sides over the proposed future ordinance.

The basic difference lies in the scope of the law to be written. Gary Howell and others have argued over a period of months for a tightly written and strictly defined law. The ideal law for the Howell side restricts the power of government. If a structure or the condition of a property affects the health and safety of neighbors then the county ought to have the authority to act. Just having a property that someone deems as "junky" should not be a basis for government action.

The law must respect the basic rights of property owners. It must not encourage using the government for the purposes of harassment. Substantial penalties for noncompliance, up to $100 per day, have been suggested. This penalty could violate the US Constitutional prohibition on excessive fines. It certainly would prevent most honest citizens from using a natural right of appeal when they might have a legitimate issue with enforcement. Any major fine ought not be assessed until the entire appeals process has been exhausted. Protections for the disabled, poor and elderly must be specifically included.

The opposing side calls for a broadly based law that assigns more power to the county government. Additional powers come from the construct of the law that leaves such terms as "overgrown vegetation" undefined. Without strict guidelines, such issues become very subjective depending upon the attitude of investigators and the Enforcement Board. Committee member Kolin Jan even suggested that when the appearance of a property offended a businessman from outside the region, that he ought to be able to file a complaint against the owner, citing an "adverse effect" on economic development. How many of us have properties that would meet the aesthetic standard of a big city businessman?

Another issue lies in the well-known fact that politicians do not always act in accordance with ethical standards or even the law itself. Members of the committee denied that reasonable and honest public officials would ever abuse this law. And they would not. Mineral County's current officials are honest and trustworthy people, but they will not always be in office. The history of West Virginia demonstrates that all too often, elected officials do not follow the law. West Virginia elected officials have been known to take bribes, misappropriate federal and state funds, commit voter fraud, intimidate witnesses, one even bit a citizen in the nose. With this record, citizens are wise to prevent much power from falling into government hands.

The cold fact is that those that want broad powers and sweeping language in this ordinance could win unless the public speaks. Citizens concerned about their rights need to inform committee members such as Gary Howell that they want their rights protected. Additionally, they need to let the county commission know how they feel. This government body will have final say over the creation of the law. I know a lot of folks are worried about this, they need to speak loudly and often between now and teh next meeting. Make your voice heard.

The Value of People Behind the Scenes

As we approach another important election cycle, we will hear more than we ever wanted to about the candidates. Their faces will dominate the news shows and their spin will consume endless advertising dollars. Candidates whether for president or county commission will travel all over, meeting people, discussing the issues. It's easy to forget that behind each candidate, organizing each campaign, are the men and women behind the scenes.

How does that candidate know the local history of some tiny little town? Why does it seem like another candidate has an amazing ability to discuss every conceivable issue? Of course the candidates themselves are usually pretty sharp. However even the best candidates need help.

Some operate firms that help advise candidates and organize their approach. They specialize in efficiency, publicity, and actually saving campaigns money. One such firm is Abernathy Strategies run by Gary Abernathy. Others volunteer to work for the party itself. Perhaps a lot of voters have not yet heard of New Creek resident Christy Barnett, but the West Virginia State Republican Party valued her tireless energy and organizational skill enough to name her to its State Executive Committee in the past year. Barnett has shown a strong ability to get politicians on the west side of the mountains (especially in Charleston) interested in this region. Without the unpaid labor of people such as Barnett, candidates will not enjoy success.

Just as important are the thousands of conservatives that care enough to play whatever part they can. Some trudge valiantly into areas such as the notoriously left wing Morgantown neighborhood of South Park to get belittled for hours. Others drive out country roads to pass out literature, spending a lot of dollars and hours because they care about their community, state, and country. This is why some get extremely disappointed when elected officials do not measure up; they didn't just get a vote, they got a huge measure of a person's time for a few months.

West Virginia's Republican Party is gearing up yet again for an exciting political season. This will be a tremendous year in terms of candidates for office at all levels. Mineral County, for example, is very lucky to have extremely experienced men and women running for Delegate and State Senate. Even as we give these hard working candidates their just due, we must also remember the people that work behind the scenes that make victory possible.

"Commedians" and Jesus

I had no idea who Kathy Griffin was until this week. Nor did I care. I still don't really care, but now I know who she is and maybe that is the whole point.

At an awards show recently, alleged commedienne Kathy Griffin went on a rant attacking of all people Jesus Christ. Predictably it made national news. Mission accomplished for Kathy Griffin, we all know who she is. Unfortunately the majority of Americans likely dislike her and will avoid whatever she does at all costs.

Every time a famous individual attacks Jesus Christ, they always come away looking silly. The fact that fools such as Griffin see Christ as a figure worthy of attack demonstrates the power He has. People such as this sad woman understand on some level the power of His influence, so they realize that attacking Christ buys them cheap attention.

As to the power of commedians, it is rare that anyone takes them seriously. It is rare enough anymore that modern comics get real laughs from real jokes. Instead they resort to statements that rely on shock value rather than genuine humor. The best commedians, such as Bill Cosby of an earlier time and "Larry he Cable Guy" today relate stories based on shared experiences. We understand Cosby's old (respectful) religious humor and stories of his family. Larry the Cable Guy taps into the shared experiences of rural life in America. CBS' 60 Minutes recently profiled him. They did a good job of showing just how confused the entertainment industry was about his success(of course his producer comes from West Virginia.)

Both of these comic figures share a definite confidence in their lives and performances. They are strong and (at least until Cosby's son died) fairly happy looking people. It also is not shocking that both tend to support more traditional American values. Other commedians, such as Griffin, share neurotic and depressed outlooks on life that may have something to do with their reliance on negativity and shock value.

When comedy is at its best, we are all in on the joke and we laugh. Shocking statements masquerading as comedy with no other discernable purpose reveal a shallow mind and a hollow spirit.

A National Energy Policy

Since the first oil crisis of the 1970 we have known that our Achilles Heal is energy. In the 30 plus years since the first crisis, the power has shifted back and forth between both parties. During that time neither party has come up with a viable solution. Recent statements from the governor show that has not changed. "I've spoken to most of the presidential candidates on both the Republican and Democratic sides," Governor Joe Manchin stated at the Bluefield Coal Show. "They know what I'm saying. But none come out with a true energy policy."

West Virginia has coal, gas, wind, and water to generate energy for the nation. If a lead is not going to be taken anytime soon on a national level, then the state must step forward and take the lead. We should be reforming our laws to allow easier construction of modern power plants that will use West Virginia coal to produce power in the state and provide much needed jobs in the state.

The political landscape of West Virginia hurts the very industries that we need to grow. The current system put in place by the Democratic controlled WV Legislature holds back our economic growth. We must reform the legal and tax structure to encourage growth in the energy producing industries. In its current form, the WV legislature will not make the necessary changes to bring economic growth to this sector. We need to make some serious changes in West Virginia and take advantage of our strong points, or we will continue to fall behind the other states.

New York City's Ninja Bandit Would Have a Short Career in West Virginia

Fox News reported September 25th on a crime wave striking fear into the lives of residents of Staten Island. Apparently a man enters homes dressed as a ninja, assaults residents with numchuks, and steals their property. Some have been slightly injured, but it is unknown whether the level of violence will escalate. The "Ninja Bandit" has struck seventeen separate homes.

Does anyone think that this man would strike seventeen different homes in West Virginia? Probably not. Bringing numchuks to a gunfight is not a prudent measure. As a matter of fact the ninja bandit would probably find some better way of spending his energy.

New York City for many years now, whether it be during Democratic or Republican administrations, has consistently discouraged law abiding citizens from owning firearms. The city government aggressively pushed for the legal right to sue gun manufacturers for the misuse of their product.

Has anyone ever suggested that automobile manufacturers be similarly treated if a driver is drunk, or uses the car for some illegal purpose? Absolutely not because it sounds ludicrous. However driving an automobile is considered a legal privilege, not a constitutional right. Despite the arguments of extremists, the Second Amendment exists so that armed citizens can protect themselves from dictatorial tyranny, their country from invasion, and their property from intruders. These rights extend back centuries in British and American law.

Gun rights' opponents have adopted what Stalin called "salami tactics," that is slicing away a little bit at a time. Gun rights groups such as the National Rifle Association are well aware of this and fight strongly any attempt to restrict our constitutional rights here. If we believe in freedom, we must all take a stand and support everyone's right to defend themselves with a handgun, if necessary.

After all, next time the ninja bandit strikes, it could be a vulnerable senior citizen. Without a handgun for protection, such a person would stand no chance against an intruder. If that happens, the victim's family can thank New York City leadership over the past few decades for aggressively tearing down their right to defend themselves

West Virginia GOP Convention Details

On what is being termed "Tsunami Tuesday", February 5, 2008, West Virginia Republicans will open a new chapter in the state's political life with the state's first-ever Presidential Nominating Convention. At the Charleston Civic Center, over 1400 delegates from across the state will gather to award a presidential candidate West Virginia's at-large delegates to the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

One significant milestone in the convention calendar was reached on September 1; ten candidates, including all four "first tier" candidates, registered with the West Virginia Republican Party to participate in the convention. Now, the process turns to delegate selection.

Delegates to the state convention are selected in three ways; first, all voting members of the State Executive Committee, including county chairmen, are delegates. Second, each county executive committee names 12 delegates from among their number to serve as delegates. If a county committee has less than 12 members, that committee may name others to fill those slots. Finally, each county is awarded additional delegates based upon the number of registered Republicans in the county, with a further bonus for counties where President Bush won a majority of the vote in 2004.

The delegates based upon Republican registration, and those based upon voting for Bush in '04, are elected by the public. The election of delegates by the public has two components; first, an on-line vote. If someone wishes to vote for their county's delegates on-line, they must contact state party headquarters in Charleston between October 1, 2007 and November 30, 2007 to register. They will receive a secure username and password to use when they cast their vote between January 1 and January 14, 2008. The second component to the vote is the optional "county caucus". The county chair in each county decides whether to have a caucus, at which Republicans can vote for the delegates from their county. The caucuses must be held between January 1 and January 15, 2008, and anyone who has registered to vote online is ineligible to vote at the county caucus.

If someone is interested in running for delegate to Charleston, they have to file a certificate of candidacy with the state party between November 1 and November 30, 2008 and pay a $25 registration fee. Those fees will in large measure cover the expenses of the convention. Candidates for delegate can declare a presidential candidate preference, in which case the preference will appear beside that candidate's name on the county ballot.

In all, the state convention format represents a dramatic departure from past methods of selecting delegates to the national convention. Gone are the days of endless primary ballots with the names of dozens--or more--who want to go to the national convention. This new method promises to be simpler, more interactive, and more rewarding to those campaigns who have the best organizational skills--not necessarily the most money.

Bring Back Insane Assylums As Soon As Possible

There are a lot of sick people out there. A lot. Just today the following headlines have appeared on the Fox News website.

Details Emerge in WVa Torture Case

Girl, 6, Hanged to Death Was Sexually Assaulted

Woman Attacked With Sword in Argument Over Puppy

That is just the tip of the iceberg. Sick and brutal crimes happen every day with increasing frequency. Our problem as a nation is that the criminal justice system can only punish these people after they commit crimes. Some crimes reflect a condition of addiction, others represent a cry for help. Many times, even the most brutal acts occur after the offender has repeatedly told people that they were sick and needed help.

Thirty years ago mental health advocates succeeded in transforming America's mental care system. Decades ago the mentally ill were sent to long term care hospitals such as those in Weston and Spencer. Often times care was below standards and treatment was spotty. On the other hand a large number of people received some kind of medical attention and were off the streets.

Advocates opened up the hospitals on the assumption that better medication and part time facilities could treat the mentally ill better. States more than willingly unloaded themselves of the burden of maintaining hospitals. Instead of leading to a better life for the mentally ill, these changes made their lives more hellish.

Sure states no longer maintain as many costly hospitals, but too many of the mentally ill wind up in jail. They know what they did was wrong so they do not qualify as criminally insane. Yet they are mentally ill according to the definitions of psychologists. We have seen an explosion of jail construction to house these people.

Not only do we incarcerate more mentally ill, we also see more of them simply wandering the streets. They lack a firm grasp on how to live a normal life, so their only option lies in wandering from shelter to shelter or living in a box. All too often many turn to lives of drug addiction and/or violence.

The mental health experiment has failed miserably. We must work to rebuild state hospitals so that we can get addicts, psychopaths, pedophiles, and other people dangerous to themselves or others off the streets and into facilities where they at least have a chance to change. This is not a foot in the door to socialized medicine, it only returns to an earlier mode of dealing with a major problem in society. Enough is enough. Get mentally ill people off the streets before they can rape children or murder for drug money.

But How Do You Replace Them?

That's the big question when it comes to the issue of ridding the United States of illegal labor. Businesses and activists both contend that illegal aliens' work in such industries as agriculture and meat packing are essential. Without the labor that works at such low incomes, America's food supply could be at risk.

Actually the presence of a group of workers laboring for such low wages undercuts the natural economic process. Let's take lettuce harvesting, for instance. Lettuce costs $1 per head, every single one picked by hand. Lately we have seen that laborers will occasionally contaminate lettuce by doing business better conducted elsewhere right there in the field. It is argued that this labor is absolutely necessary to get lettuce harvested and sent to market.

Reliance on cheap labor that works not only below prevailing, but also legal wages has retarded economic development. Now I am not equating illegal alien labor to slavery, that would insult the memory of those that had to live under that curse of stolen liberty. However in the case of the South, the entire region's industrial development stalled in part because it was cheaper to rely on slave labor than to try and develop efficient industrial solutions.

Many in agribusiness will try to maintain that the labor is essential. However, the cheapness of the labor has prevented the industry from mechanizing. You cannot tell me that two hundred years ago we could invent a machine to pick seeds from cotton balls, but we cannot invent today one that harvests lettuce. Research, development, and production of such machines would put American technicians, managers, salespeople, and many others to work while simultaneously reducing the overall cost of harvesting lettuce.

USA Today proclaimed on its front page today that immigrant groups are trying to put more intense pressure on lawmakers and business to legalize more aliens and to not cut off benefits. They are mobilizing for strikes and boycotts. So be it. Americans, most of whom have family ties to people that came here legally, are fed up with this issue. It is time to solve the problem. Cut off social benefits, and most importantly, jobs to those that are not here legally.

Romney Wins Michigan Republican Straw Poll

Mitt Romney, Republican candidate for President and former Governor of Massachusetts, won Sunday's straw poll of attendees at the Michigan Republican Leadership Conference at Mackinac Island. Governor Romney polled decisively ahead of other candidates for president, carrying nearly 40% of the vote.

The Results are:

Romney — 39.12%
McCain — 26.56%
Paul — 10.83%
Giuliani — 10.62%
F. Thompson — 7.15%
Huckabee — 2.55%
Hunter — 1.23%
Tancredo — 0%
Brownback — 0.31%