The Great Bailout and Taxes

The Great Bailout and Taxes

In a recent conversation with my dad he said that he never thought that tax revolts would occur in his lifetime, but for the first time, he is beginning to anticipate that a tax revolt is not too far away. I was a bit taken aback, but then began thinking about the possibility, and he may have a valid point. Consider two extremes – 0% taxation is total freedom, 100% taxation is essentially slavery. At what point are we all simply indentured servants to Uncle Sam? Right now, if you are actively working for a paycheck, it is likely that about half of the money that is paid by your employer to you is going to Uncle Sam. For some it is a little less, for some it is a little more.

Don’t believe it…? Are you taking into account your employers 7% of matching taxes that are paid and not even shown on your pay stub? How about gasoline tax? Who nets more money from your gallon of gas, the oil company or the government? Did you think about normal sales taxes? How about the approximately 22% of business taxes that has been found to be passed to consumers in the ordinary cost of goods?

This leads to a big question, are we all really working until lunch everyday just to raise enough money to pay taxes for the privilege of…working?

How is this possible? It's easy, no one knows what he or she pays in taxes. So, at what point does that amount become so exorbitant that people start to seek the information that is out there and figure out what they are paying? Can we always blame businesses for gouging consumers without looking at what the government is taking in? Thus far most Americans seem OK with taxes and small tax increases because the government is supporting our troops, building roads, funding schools, and helping less fortunate people. So we do our duty, complain a little, but cough up because at the end of the day it isn’t worth going to jail over taxes (which is what happens if you don’t pay, is it not?)

But then a program is proposed that just doesn't make sense and people like me get extremely irritated, such as, the mortgage bailout. In case you are not aware? Some people, mostly in Southern Florida similar areas bought property they couldn’t afford in fast appreciating markets, sat on it too long, and now they can’t unload it for the windfall profits that they were hoping to obtain. They now face foreclosure because they simply cannot afford the payments. President Bush announced an effort to allow the government to guarantee the loans of these people while they ride out this dip in the market, or continue to sell their property for a smaller amount of profit. Make no mistake, this isn’t mom and pop at the end of a thirty-year mortgage getting ready to be thrown out, these are people that bought way too much home thinking they would get to re-fi before the bigger payments hit, or re-financed at the appreciated value of their home, i.e. took out a bunch of cash and bought other stuff without understanding what they were getting into. After all, there was no end to how high their home values would go, right? Wrong, now their investment (a home is usually referred to as a person’s largest investment) is crashing and they can’t get away from it.

Real Estate is not a liquid asset, never has been, never will be. It's one of the reasons for the buyer beware motto when one is purchasing property. Now after subsidizing the cost rebuilding Southern Florida and coastal areas in post-hurricane season every year (if you don't think we are doing this just look at the price of lumber and construction materials in your area), we are going to bail the homeowners out of their bad investments? Or at least hold the fort down long enough to let them ride out the downturn.

Are we going to bail out business owners whose business fail in low-income parts of the country? Or investors who buy hot stocks and lose their shirts? Nope, just the people who guessed wrong on the housing market in over-valued areas. It is easy to get caught up in thinking that we are "helping" people, and as I have said most Americans believe in helping their fellow man or woman. We seem OK with taxes going to help people, so why is this any different? The difference here…these people are living BETTER than we are!!! That’s right, they are living in nicer houses, with fancier cars, toys, furnishings, etc in parts of the country that most of us only get to visit for a week on an overpriced vacation. Will the average American be OK with losing half of their income each day only to subsidize a person in a million dollar home in Southern Florida, driving a Hummer and/or Mercedes while he/she is driving two used cars and living in a modest home in this area because the cost of living was more manageable? Should those of us who didn’t over-buy, didn’t make a mistake, and didn’t wait too long to get out be footing the bill for those that did? Should those of us who moved to more rural, more consistent areas continue to subsidize big city and coastal living? I hope not.

Disgraced Democratic fundraiser Norman Hsu has WV Connection

From the Official Federal Election Commission Filings.

HSU, NORMAN
NEW YORK, NY 10012
NEXT COMPONENTS, LTD./PARTNER

ROCKEFELLER, JOHN DAVISON IV VIA FRIENDS OF JAY ROCKEFELLER
	02/22/2007	2000.00
	06/08/2007	300.00
	06/08/2007	1700.00

News Article about Norman Hsu; Democratic Donor a No Show at Hearing

Pick the Welcome to WV sign

After 6 months of programming to create a poll (Government efficiency at its finest, takes about 30 seconds to create a poll on most websites) the Governor's office has put up a poll to find a new slogan for the Welcome signs.

Click here for the website

I find it odd that this site says the signs were made to be temporary. They are bolted on just like every other sign along the states roads. Also when I was in Charleston during the state of the state address where the governor unveiled the "Open for Business" signs, he never said it was temporary. In fact why would you even mention a temporary sign in a state of the state address. Kind of like the governor saying in the state of the state, "By the way the DOH wanted me to let you know there is going to be a flagman on US 50 in Preston County tomorrow. They will put up a temporary sign to that effect."

Let's face it. The governor tired to come up with something clever, but failed. We all make mistakes, but don't cover them up. Just admit you tried and it didn't work. I have more respect for someone that tries and fails, than one that fails and says, "I meant to do that."

Here is your chance to vote on what you would like to see on the welcome signs.

Recommendations

• Wild Wonderful, West Virginia
• The Mountain State
• 50th Place, but better than Guam*
  

WV Republican Presidental Convention Participants

The following candidates have signed on to participate in West Virginia's Presidential Convention on February 5th, 2008.

• Sam Brownback
• Rudy Giuliani
• Mike Huckabee
• Duncan Hunter
  
• Alan Keyes
  
• John McCain
  
• Ron Paul
  
• Mitt Romney
  
• Fred Thompson
• Gene Zarwell

Gere Calls For Boycott

Recently actor Richard Gere called for a boycott of the 2008 Beijing Olympics in China. Long an advocate for freedom in places like China and Africa, Gere holds special concern for the people of Tibet. It is one of the few worthwhile causes that you see among the Hollywood crowd.

Would this work? Few will actually abide by this call, although not many sympathize with China maintaining their government of repression. Catholics who acknowledge the Pope as their spiritual leader must hold Mass in caves or face arrest. China claims it alone has the right to name the Dalai Llama.

However it is changing slowly. As a middle class gradually emerges, it will demand more rights and a larger voice in the government. China fears exposure to outside ideas enough to censor internet traffic. The Olympics will bring a flood of Westerners and an avalanche of scrutiny that could help stimulate greater change.

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

China also has a problem with the English translations of some of their food. For the duration of the Olympics, government restaraunts will not serve "steamed crap." Coca Cola had similar problems once. A worldwide ad campaign from many years ago that read "Coke adds life" in English translated into Chinese as "Coke brings your ancestors back from the dead."

Senator Larry Craig

For anyone, anywhere, regardless of orientation, trying to have sex in a public bathroom is a bonehead move. For Senator Larry Craig (R) Idaho it could be a career killer. Nevada Republican Senator John Ensign has publicly called on Craig to quit. Democrats once again have ammunition to attack the party of family values, accusing Republicans of hypocrisy.

Republicans cannot duck the morals issue. If a party uses the issue of family values, it will be pilloried when one of its members acts in a way that is less than consistent with those values. Beyond that, homosexual, or any kind of sex in a bathroom is illegal. Maybe the crime ends up being about as legally ominous as a speeding ticket, but Republicans have asked their constituents to expect better of their representatives. Unfortunately too many lately have not lived up to those standards.

Is Larry Craig's career over? One of the most socially conservative delegate districts in West Virginia returned by a rather large margin a Democratic incumbent caught on tape at a homosexual sex party. Most voters knew of this tape, but voted based upon his record instead of his private life. However this is West Virginia, a different political bird than Idaho.

Republicans certainly fear that this will undermine them in 2008 just as teh Mark Foley incident did in the fall of 2006. It is more likely that people will completely forget about Craig if the GOP lets them. Either Craig himself or the voters of Idaho should decide it is time for him to leave. The rest of the party needs to let the process happen. That being said, acting in that manner in public definitely deserves condemnation. Some child could have walked in and seen that. However the party needs to issue its disapproval, then let the democratic process take over.

Party School

The state media has debated a lot in the past week over West Virginia's resumption of the top spot in a national poll. It isn't the AP football poll (although we are close.) The Princeton Review ranked West Virginia University the top party school in the United States.

West Virginia University president David Hardesty battled this image for a number of years. He was concerned that a party reputation might harm the academic mission of the school. Dan Page's recent op-ed in the State Journal asserts that the label adds no value to the reputation of WVU, stating "How sad."

West Virginia University does not necessarily sit in poor company here. Ohio University, Penn State, and the University of Wisconsin also receive regular mention on this poll None of these schools' academic reputations suffer as a result of their recognition there.

The problem lies in the criteria used to rank the schools academically. US News and World Report, among others, looks more closely at whether or not a college or university screens out low achievers in high school. Some schools do, West Virginia University does not. It should not.

WVU exists to serve the people of West Virginia, not the judgment of people that may have never set foot on campus. Our state university provides an outstanding education. They can and often do lift students up who have not done well in the public schools and turn them into scholars. Some kids just do not fit the mold of the classic public school student. They cannot pay attention for six or seven straight hours. College gives these students more flexibility and support. They get a chance to succeed if only they can get in.

The university is one of the few government run organizations in the state that consistently gives the taxpayers their money's worth. One could always get a great education there, now it has turned into an economic engine. The future of the institution looks bright in many different ways despite what the ivory tower says. If you ask me, that is reason for anyone associated with WVU to party.

Romney first to file for West Va. GOP Convention

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY TO PARTICIPATE IN WEST VIRGINIA REPUBLICAN CONVENTION



ROMNEY FIRST IN WEST VIRGINIA

Governor Mitt Romney came to West Virginia to officially enter the WV GOP Presidential Convention being held February 5, 2008. Governor Romney was joined by Republican Party officials as he signed the certificate of candidacy and paid the $5,000 filing fee. Shown (left to right) is Jim Reed, Republican National Committeeman; Donna Gosney, Republican National Committeewoman; Bob Ashley, Chairman of Governor Romney’s WV Committee; Bob Fish, CEO of WV GOP Presidential Convention, Inc.; and Douglas McKinney, Chairman WV Republican State Party.

If I'm not mistaken, Governor Romney is also the only candidate to commit to attend the conference as well (as opposed to just competing). Speaking personally, I think this demonstrates a commitment to West Virginia that we haven't seen since a certain governor from Texas was running for president, oh, about 8 years ago.

West Virginia Ranks Second in Obesity. So What?

State media and hand wringers have jumped all over the numbers that say West Virginians are the second most obese people in the country by state. Around the nation no state reduced its obesity rate. One group called for "systemic change" in how we approach the subject.

I doubt I am overwhelmingly old just because I remember that in the not too distant past that our main problem in Appalachia was people not having enough to eat. Lyndon B. Johnson based a lot of mistaken, but well-intentioned ideas on eradicating hunger. Welfare did not eradicate hunger. America's productive economy has made food cheaper and more accessible than ever before. Advances in technology mean that fewer people have to perform as much manual labor. More people have a college education, meaning that they have less physically strenuous jobs.

Many studies link poverty to obesity. This should not be a surprise. Many healthy foods benefit from agricultural price supports. When a poor single mother has to choose between paying about a quarter for a gallon of Kool Aid versus three dollars for a gallon of juice, who can blame her for her choices. Hamburger Helper costs about five dollars with the meat included and it feeds an entire family. How much does fish and chicken breast cost? Many act as if the poor are ignorant, but in reality they make rational choices about scarce resources. Potatoes and bread are very inexpensive and most importantly very filling, yet they do tend to make people gain weight.

Outside of the poor, everyone else has choices. Many simply choose to not restrain themselves and frankly it is their God-given right. It always worries me when people start saying something ought to be done about the free choices people make. Obesity is a life choice. So is avoiding it. We need no laws, nor do we need any government programs outside of education. We certainly do not need lawsuit legislation. America needs to remember what freedom of choice means. It is a right, and also a responsibility.

So many countries in the world would love to have a dire social problem like having too much to eat and no reason to perform daily back breaking exercise.

The Tangible Benefits of Tort Reform and a Republican Victory in 2008

Everyone by now has probably heard of (and hopefully been outraged by) the multi-million dollar lawsuit filed by a West Virginian against McDonalds. Apparently they failed to hold the cheese on his burger.

West Virginia has a sad reputation in the business world as a "judicial hell-hole." The State Legislature has repeatedly failed to tighten up West Virginia's legal system. This results in a condition where corporations have to spend millions to fight frivolous lawsuits. Some simply decide to bypass the state altogether.

One almost did so. Oklahoma City based Chesapeake Energy planned to build its Eastern Division headquarters in Charleston. This would spearhead its efforts to develop West Virginia's natural gas resources. However a Roane County court awarded $404 million in damages to a group of people who claimed Columbia Gas shortchanged them in royalties. $134 million was for actual damages while $270 million was assessed to punish the company.

This verdict nearly convinced Chesapeake to bypass West Virginia. Governor Joe Manchin promised to convince the legislature to pass laws addressing royalty payments. The governor's entreaties seemed to work and Chesapeake plans to move into its new headquarters in 2009. It is obvious that businesses want to invest here and will come even if the governor only promises to try to help. Imagine what real tort and tax reform would do for the State of West Virginia.

Chesapeake Energy's move into Charleston does have benefits for all West Virginians. They will employ a substantial number of people in high paying jobs. Corporate headquarters will bring in white collar employment while developing the gas fields will increase opportunities for blue collar workers. The increased tax receipts and market ripple effects will strengthen the state as a whole. If Chesapeake has a positive experience in Charleston, that could convicne other corporations to locate major operations in West Virginia. The state has to approach this opportunity intelligently and use increased tax revenues due to Chesapeake Energy to benefit home grown business owners. Only with native capital and industry can West Virginia truly build a sound economy.

And only with a business friendly tort and tax system can we have a prosperous future. A Republican State Legislature is necessary for West Virginia to even start to pursue real reforms that will give us a strong and diverse economy. In a recent special session, Democrats in the State Legislature blocked the Manchin backed billto correct the royalty issue. Democrat Carrie Webster of Kanawha County among others expressed pride in their non-passage of this bill that will mean many new jobs in the state. No one should be surprised because Democrats have blocked development and investment in West Virginia for almost three generations now, even when urged to by more moderate members of their own party!

Without a Republican Legislature, West Virginia will continue to struggle. Period.

Peace

Every sane human being in the world seeks peace. Do all understand what real peace is? The answer is a resounding no.

Peace is not simply the absence of war. One of America's greatest generals, William Tecumseh Sherman, despised war and the horror it created. He understood that achieving peace in his time did not simply mean halting the use of arms. Sherman endeavored to make war more horrible in the short term to ensure that people would shrink from it in the future. He also believed that real peace only came at the real settlement of an issue.

Vladimir Lenin in 1917 promised a crowd in Petrograd, Russia peace if he came to rule. Many people supported his rebellion against the emerging democracy because it continued to help Britain, France, and the United States fight the German Empire in World War I. Lenin delivered his land from that conflict, but Russia knew not peace. The cost of Lenin's "peace" lay in the complete abandonment of political rights and the people's ability to defend them. The way was cleared for Lenin to start a new war against the Russian people. His war, carried on more terrifyingly by Stalin, successfully stole from the Russians their religion, land, firearms, and personal security against a despotic system. The Soviet Union from the 1920s until 1939 very rarely sent its soldiers to war, but its people did not know peace.

Peace is also unknown when threats hang like a Sword of Damocles over the world. British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain infamously tried to purchase peace from Adolf Hitler by giving away parts of another country. Shortly thereafter Britain fought a war that, even though it technically won, ended with the destruction of its own empire and economic power. Again, lack of conflict did not mean peace.

We did not know peace with Iraq from 1991 to 2003. Hussein worked hard to skirt United Nations edicts, shoot down US and British planes, and make war on the Iraqi people. His sons, raised to be psychopaths, would have completely destabilized the region when they took over. We did not know peace with Iraq as it was. We will not know peace if we pull out too soon.

Trying to buy a lack of war or ignoring problems and hoping they go away is not peace. It is only war deferred. Better to address issues while they are still manageable than wait until they become dire. In the 1930s we waited too long and gave evil a chance to triumph. We are lucky that George W. Bush makes decisions for the good of the country as opposed to the good of the party or himself. Our sacrifice for peace over the past few years has been high, but not nearly as high as it would have been had we simply ignored the problem.

Peace is not war deferred. Peace only comes with a real and lasting commitment between all parties concerned.

Keyser's Continuing Council Conundrum

The Keyser City Council now is officially short one member. It may have been short one member since August 13th, or maybe even back to the last election.

On August 13th, Mayor Glen "Bunk" Shoemaker announced that council member George Chidester had submitted a written letter of resignation. This would be effective September 24th. One of the issues was the re-appointment of Jim Hannas as Supervisor of Streets and Sewers. Council member Sally Burnside has staunchly defended Hannas while Chidester has been critical. Burnside made a motion to accept the resignation of Chidester. However Marques Rice refused to second it.

One of the problems is that Chidester never took the oath of office, making him legally ineligible to have ever held a council seat. This could potentially call into question actions taken by the city while Chidester acted as a council member. This includes the designation of times for street parking around Potomac State College.

Keyser has over 5,000 residents, many of whom pay taxes. Hopefully whomever fills the vacancy left by Chidester can help strengthen the city government and its ability to meet the needs of the people. In many areas the city government provides outstanding service. However, the city council must quickly move past its own problems and get its house in order. The appearance of disorder in government will create an image detrimental to development.

Fireworks at the Health Department

Thursday evening the Mineral County Clean up Committee met. Repeatedly discussion erupted into fireworks.

One argument erupted over the proposed use of Raleigh County's derelict and junked property ordinance as a template to be adjusted to Mineral County's circumstances. Gary Howell pointed out that Clyde Burdock consulted the state Attorney General and was told that ordinance contained multiple flaws. Others argued that the ordinance conformed with the state code. Raleigh County also has adopted some of the most restrictive laws in the state concerning citizens' property rights, which includes the taking of private property through eminent domain. Howell proposed that the proposed Mineral County ordinance conform as much as possible to that of Keyser town laws on the same subject. This would reduce confusion for those owning property inside and outside city limits. Kolin Jan at one point asked of Gary Howell what was wrong with the Raleigh County ordinance. Howell responded that it would have the ultimate effect of depriving poor citizens of rights and property.

The motion to use the Raleigh County ordinance as a template failed to carry, sparking frustration among some. Mineral County Commissioner Wayne Spiggle, who abstained from voting, refused to be drawn in when asked by Rev. Daniel Stemple to vote after the votes had been counted. It could have been construed as a conflict of interest and also would have violated parliamentary procedure. Kolin Jan asked Howell why he objected to using the Raleigh County ordinance as a base. Howell replied, the use of Eminent Domain to take private property from low and fixed income land owners that can not afford to comply is wrong. Eventually the committee agreed to use a power point presentation to compare the Raleigh County ordinance, the West Virginia State Code, and the Keyser city laws. Using these examples, the committee could then break down the laws and create a workable and fair ordinance for the county.

Other discussions centered around an ordinance for the legal length of lawn grass in the county. Joe Zacot, and Gary Howell objected strongly to an ordinance for a legal standard for grass length of 1.5 inches proposed by David Isenberg. This led to some attempts to define a farm to exempt them from the 1.5 inches, until the entire discussion was shut down. Such definitions could be problematic as some small property owners bale hay off as little as a few acres for extra money.

The main issue preventing productive work by this committee is the low tolerance for disagreement. All too often voices were raised due to simple opposing points of view. In an atmosphere with angry voices and statements bordering on personal attacks, real progress will not happen. All need to remember that to craft a good law requires time and effort. When people's property and livelihood are in question, care must be taken to get it right. Rushing the matter through will result in bad law. At this point no one is hurt or threatened by junked cars and dilapidated buildings. There is plenty of time for the committee to make sure it does right by the people of Mineral County.

Kanawha County, This is For You

Congratulations on your expanded gambling. Here's a poorly written song in commemoration

On a warm summer’s evening with the state economy bound for nowhere
We met up with the Gamblers, we were all too edgy to sleep
So we took turns a starin’ at dropping coal revenues
Desperation overtook us and they began to speak

They said “Fella’s we’ve made a life out of raisin’ people’s taxes
And spending all their money pretty recklessly
Now if you don’t mind my sayin’ you don’t want any higher taxes
If you want to pay for all this I’ll give you some advice

So we let them have grey machines and all we got were Hot Spots
Same colors as a dog’s sore and just as healthy
Of course that just wasn’t enough. What about Pennsylvania?
We need to offer more just to keep up.

You got to know how to hold ‘em
Know how to cajole them
Don’t let them walk away
Let them think they’re having fun
We’ll all be counting our money

And we'll keep them at the tables

There's money enough to count
Till the dealing’s done

Now every gambler knows the secret to survivin’
Is getting in the desperate and the down on their luck
Taking all their money, give the state their cut
Hungry kids are crying and the bank will take their truck

Of course the real song has a bit of wisdom in it

Now every gambler knows
The secret to survivin’
Is knowing what to throw away
And knowing what to keep
For every hand’s a winner
And every hand’s a loser
The best you can hope for
Is to die in your sleep

Good luck guys. The state should never rely so heavily on a revenue stream that it will have to help combat eventually.

Bush As Phoenix???

History will judge George W. Bush otherwise, but right now in the summer of 2007 his presidency has grown politically problematic. Except for Texas and some parts of West Virginia and Western Maryland among a few other spots, President Bush's popularity fell through the floor over the last few years. Democrats have grown to count on anti-Bush animosity while many Republicans regard potential mentions of him with anxiety.

Although it is certain that George W. Bush cannot be re-elected, Democrats will make him one of the major issues of the 2008 campaign. They will assault the Republican nominee for president with Bush, wanting to force either a potentially unpopular defense or an equally embarassing disavowal. Congressional Republicans will see the most heat on the issue. Voters will see, hear, and read a steady diet of the Democratic mantra of Bush and Iraq. Unless . . .

From the Democratic political perspective, a potential nightmare scenario has commenced. Some liberal critics of the war have started praising signs of progress since President Bush launched the troop surge. The Kurdish north appeared on 60 Minutes as an island of freedom and prosperity. Add to this the substantial improvement shown in illegal alien numbers since the Bush administration started a crackdown and voila, instant rises in approval ratings. Signs also are evident of voters growing fatigued of hearing constant Bush bashing.

The nightmare scenario of the Democratic Party is this. The September report on Iraqi progress may show little improvement in political developments over July. However Iraqis understand what an American presidential election year means, especially if a Democrat wins. A sense of urgency should result in real advances. Meanwhile the Democratic Congress has accomplished little. Add this to progress in illegal alien control and continued economic strength and the Democrats suddenly appear weak.

A strong and electable Republican presidential nominee coupled with a Bush revival will overwhelm the Democratic party. Bush rising from the ashes in popular opinion is the last thing they will expect, but given the good news on important fronts makes this eminently possible.

Mineral County Republican Executive Committee holds meeting

The Mineral County Republican Executive Committee held a meeting Thursday night at the courthouse to be briefed on the upcoming state Presidential Convention to be held on February 5^th, 2008 in Charleston. Tom O’Neil of the state Executive Committee was on hand to explain West Virginia is moving from selecting a Republican presidential candidate by primary to selecting the candidate by state convention.

Tom O’Neil went on to say by moving to a state presidential convention the West Virginia would become more relevant in selecting a Republican presidential candidate. West Virginia will be the 5^th state to select its Republican presidential candidate behind Iowa, South Carolina, New Hampshire, and Florida respectively.

Mineral County will be allowed to send 27 delegates to the state convention. The 12 county executive committee members are automatically selected. All county chairs, and Republican House of Delegate members are automatically are selected as well. Since both county chair Bob Harman and delegate Bob Schadler are also county executive committee members they are allowed to appoint two additional people. A vote was taken and Sara Geis of Short Gap and Harry Boggs of Keyser were selected to fill those two positions.

One additional convention delegate for every 1,000 registered Republican voters will be granted, which is 8 for Mineral. All counties that the majority voted for George W. Bush in the 2004 Presidential election will be given an additional 5 delegates. This gives Mineral County 13 additional convention delegates.

The 13 additional delegates are open positions. People wishing to serve must be a registered Republican in Mineral County as of July 1, 2007, and file a request to be a delegate with the state Republican Executive Committee in Charleston. If more than 13 apply, a county caucus will be held to narrow the field to 13.

The 27 delegates from Mineral County will help select the Republican presidential nominee at the state Convention. Christy Barnett of New Creek will also serve as a delegate as she is a member of the state executive committee.

In other business Candy Gordon was appointed to take over the position of Treasurer for the County Executive Committee and Sara Geis will take on the roll of Secretary.

Update from the Republican Convention

Preparations for the convention are proceeding at a rapid clip. We are in contact with each of the presidential campaigns and are providing each one with the information they need as we approach our filing deadline for presidential candidates of September 1. Look for a major announcement right after the September 1 deadline regarding which candidates have filed in West Virginia. Also, our Regional Political Directors are active in each county, answering the important question: How can I become a delegate to the West Virginia GOP Presidential Convention? The deadline to file as a candidate for your county’s at-large delegate positions is November 30, so look for announcements in the press, on our web site and in future issues of the WVGOP Presidential Convention NEWSLINE about the filing process.

–Bob Fish, CEO, WVGOP Presidential Convention, Inc.

Saluting the Keyser Mini Tornadoes and Football Values

Last Saturday the Keyser Mini Tornadoes A, B, and C teams all rolled over their competition from Oakland, Maryland. The game kicked off what ought to be another strong season for Keyser. Another run at the league championship should lie in these teams' future.

Evn more important is what football does for these children. In America today children have few chances to learn real values. Few minors have to do much work these days as their parents or grandparents did on the farm. Many of the schools have transformed into institutions that emphasize self-esteem and rigid enforcement of rules rather than overcoming challenges. Even other sports try to remove the competitiveness by not keeping score. Everyone is supposed to walk away a winner just for showing up even though the kids are well aware who won or lost.

Football is a harsh and unforgiving sport. Each player must work hard to learn their job and do it to the best of their abilities. If someone does not do their job, the team fails, and likely a teammate ends up getting hit hard. Football punishes physically, but helps develop menta and physical toughness. It also teaches the value of hard work and the important lesson that your best on some days was just not good enough. Within football, individual achievement is recognized and praised, but children also learn to work with each other. More than other sports, players learn a sense of brotherhood that comes from experiencing hardship together.

Football has its own value set. With some notable exceptions, the culture encourages pride with humility, strength without boasting. Players celebrating after a touchdown are told "act like you've been there before." There is a reason why the National Football League has the most player pastors of any professional league.

In short, football is one of the last opportunities available to children that teaches how to compete, how to succeed, and how to respond to failure. These values give participants a leg up when they eventually hit the adult world.

How Democracy Dies

Venezuelan strongman Hugo Chavez took another step towards the final strangulation of democracy in his country this week. He announced a proposal to eliminate presidential term limits and the rubber stamp National Assembly will undoubtedly approve enthusiastically. Venezuela's people will again suffer from Chavez's quest for absolute and permanent power.

Wealthy people, private enterprise, and the middle class definitely suffer. A business climate requires the rule of law and protection of private property. Without these guarantees, investment dwindles and people lose opportunities. The poor suffer as well. They may appreciate the crumbs thrown their way by the government, but the opportunity for real advancement (except through the government) disappears. Even though Venezuela sits atop a major oil pool, the state ownership of much of that resource means that the private sector must kowtow to Chavez. One wonders if Jimmy Carter received a gift basket for his certification of the rigged vote that assured Chavez of continued power.

Term limits have generally defined the limits of our presidential system. George Washington rejected pleas for a third term because he wanted to avoid the precedent of a man serving until he died. Washington died in 1799, two years before his possible third term would have ended. Franklin Roosevelt broke the third term barrier due to an unusual national emergency and served until his 1945 death. Since then a constitutional amendment bars third terms.

America benefits from this limitation. The strain of the job wears down the holder of the job mentally and physically. Few leaders have the kind of political and state responsibilities that the American president has. Early Roman Emperors who shared their authority with other bodies provide a parallel. However the immense power drove many of them mad within their first decade of rule. Being Caesar for too long can mentally unbalance a person, or physically destroy them (like FDR.)

Chavez has few political worries except for a bullet in the head. However he presents a danger to his people and to US influence in the region. Hopefully his murder of Venezuelan democracy will inspire other Latin Americans to hold even tighter to their freedoms. Conversely he has grown into an inspirational figure for loony leftists such as the mayor of Macon, Georgia who requested a partnership with him. Does he think he can inspire revolution here? Likely. His activities require watching.

Hardy County and Cell Phone Service

The lack of cell phone service in Hardy County comes down to one main reason, local government interference in the Free Market. With a population of 12,669 as of the 2000 census, Hardy is a rural county with low population density which makes it hard for companies to justify the cost of installing towers. The government adding additional cost only makes it less likely for a company to make the investment.

About one year ago the Mineral County Planning Commission was presented with a proposed ordinance to limit the installation of new cell towers in the county. The ordinance presented was a copy of Hardy County's, and it was quickly rejected by the planning commission. Mineral Count wants increased cell coverage in the county. Earlier this year Mineral County granted a $300 building permit to put a new cell tower in the Fort Ashby area, that is a far cry from the open ended $5,000 requirement of Hardy County.

It cost, a cell company, about the same amount of money to construct a tower no matter where it is located, but the permit cost varies. In Mineral County a $300 permit puts a tower in a county with over 27,000 persons that works out to just over $0.01 per possible customer. In Hardy County it is a $5,000 plus permit in a county with under 13,000 people, which works out to just over $0.38 per potential customer. It is simple economics keeping cell service out of Hardy County, the permit cost 38 times more than a neighboring counties. For a business or an individual you try to save money whenever you can, and businesses save money by not locating towers in Hardy County.

The answer for Hardy County is simple, if you want improved cell service stop interfering with the free market. You have the disadvantage of a small population, don't add a disadvantage of extremely high permit cost. Lower the permit cost to bring it in line with the neighboring counties. Everybody will benefit. Increased cell service will reduce response time to traffic accidents, increase flexibility for law enforcement and increase opportunity for business.