I understand that I am but a small minority in Reston, but one would think Janet Howell would do me the favor as a constituent and at least PRETEND to uphold the rules of the Senate. Oh well, I guess thats what I get for living in Reston. What's really incredible was the ensuing verbal smackdown Chuck Colgan put on Sens. Howell, Barker, Petersen, et al
"When we take a subcommittee and let a subcommittee decide whether something will pass or fail, that's wrong," Colgan told his colleagues. "When you do that, you are disenfranchising the people who sent that legislator here."
Ouch, Mr. Speaker.
As for what Chap Petersen wrote, its both assinine and proof that Democrats still don't understand what is going on out there. Nobody wants to seceed from the Union, its ridiculous. What folks like Sen. Obenshain and Del. LeMunyon are trying to do is balance the power between the federal government and the states. Democrats from the president on down absolutely refuse to consider entitlement reform, and its frustrating because local politicans like Petersen should be screaming from the rooftops about this. Instead, Sen. Petersen's saves the passion he should have for real reform to issues like child obesity and the state-manded PE classes. Fine. I could use some Phys Ed myself, but I would think the fact that a gigantic portion of Virginia's budget is eaten up by unfunded federal mandates would be a more pressing concern of a state senator. I will even conceed the dubious constitutionality of Del. LeMunyon's propossal, but the manner in which he dismisses the overall concern show a politician who either lacks seriousness or doesn't really care about anything past making sure kids get PE. And to answer the senator's quetsion, yes we did use that clout and DID elect three new congressmen (almost four), and god willing a new senator and a new president will follow. Yet that assumes that is where the problem is, or all of. The overwhelming size of the federal government is unsustainable and unmanagable, and electing three new congressmen isn't enough anymore to curb the power within that bureacracy. Trust me, not having Periello, Nye, and Boucher in there to vote for more government run health care and cap n' tax. But I'm shocked that after having go to Richmond year after year and plug the Medicare and Medicaid mandates put in the budget, not EVERY delegate and senator isn't up in arms over how much money unfunded mandates cost the state and really prevents the General Assembly from doing the work of the state.
An unserious man in serious times is a dangerous thing.
A couple of things-I agree with you that these should have received a committee vote. However it is no worse than what the Republicans have been doing for years in the House. With the exception of Colgan I'd say everybody on the committee's credibility went down a notch.
As for the constitutionality of the proposal I'm not sure how thats even an issue. How can a constitutional amendment be unconstitutional? (not saying that I like the proposal)
Posted by: SE VA MWC Alum | January 26, 2011 at 11:17 PM
If you want to help rid your district of Janet Howell, attend Spike William's kickoff on Saturday. More here: http://www.vote4williams.com/?p=360
Several NOVA bloggers will be in attendance so please join us!
Posted by: Lovettsville Lady | January 27, 2011 at 05:09 AM
LL - TECHNICALLY Spike is running in the 33rd - which is Mark Herring's district that is all Loudoun with a small bit of Fairfax - where he lives. But I think I might show up, I'll have to see if I can fit it in - Wedding is in one month so i'm scrambling.
The only announced candidate against Sen. Howell is Caren Merrick.
http://carenmerrick.com/
@SE VA MWC Alum - I'm not a lawyer, but I thought constitutional amendments have to start in Congress first and then go out to the states. States can't just ratify an amendment that the Congress hasn't approved can it? It doesn't necessarily need the president, because his veto can be overriden (President A. Johnson veto of 13th/14th amends). That's my only question about it.
Posted by: Chris | January 27, 2011 at 09:39 AM
ok you were questioning the process not the content. Not a lawyer either but I think there is something where a certain number of state legislatures can call a constitutional convention. Whether or not a resolution for a specific amendment meets the requirement for a such a call I am not sure.
Posted by: SE VA MWC Alum | January 27, 2011 at 10:35 AM
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