Friday, December 20, 2013

Virginia Democrats, Watch Your Heads

The Democrats' unlikely windfall from public perception of the government shutdown may be for naught if they cannot pick up the ball on Obamacare. The botched rollout put Dems in a 9 point tailspin dive on the polling question "Would you be likely to elect a Democrat/Republican?" These numbers are going to have a far and reaching effect beyond national politics. This is going to affect the electability of Dems on the local and state levels too, as they become more and more inexorably tied to this federal debacle.

Polling graphic and results courtesy of the National Journal
If Mr. Obama cannot find some way to make the system work in the upcoming year (and he probably will not) then nationwide, his colleagues in Congress will end up paying a heavy price in the mid-term.

The rolling train wreck that this rollout represents is going to be an albatross, no doubt. 90% of states have not reached 10% of their enrollment goals. That sad number is made worse by new public coverage of "risk corridors" in Obamacare that basically act as a bailout for the insurance companies. That is only the fight in the rowboat, the real show will start as we get closer to that "Fiscal Cliff" that was trending so well.


With the ACA in full swing, and the new borrowing limit debate coming up, Dems stand to lose a lot of capital on this, AS THEY SHOULD. Turns out forcing legislation through an all blue legislature, a blue White House, and directly down the throats of the American people doesn't get you a lot of slack when it predictably goes belly up. Here's my shocked face...


That must be why Mark Warner is putting a lot of daylight between himself and the rollout.  We will keep you posted on just how far Mr. Warner backtracks. Just keep the facts in mind....

VA GOP Caucus

vagopcaucus.blogspot.com

Friday, November 22, 2013

Reid, Clinton, Biden, Obama Go Nuc-Liar

   
It is so very interesting to hear Senate Democrats so precisely predict what they will do in the future. Not shocking, but eerie. Yesterday Senate Dems continued their time honored tradition of foot mouthing, word eating, and outright deception. They made look easy what they once looked so disgusted over. They have changed the rules, and changed the fundamental structure of American democracy so that they could stifle those that disagree with them, every time. For once, Joe Biden said something very profound back in 2005. 

At 3:50, our Vice President: "pray[s] that when [control of the Senate changes], that [Dems] don't make this kind of naked power grab."

These kinds of moves are more gasps, not grabs. Senate Democrats are running out of road. Stacking long term judicial nominations, and changing the rules of a legislature are not the maneuvers expected from a thriving party; or one with the backing of the people. It shows that the DNC has probably already given up on re-taking the House in 2014. What is more than probable is that they are blatantly afraid of losing the Senate. 

It is not an unfounded fear, either. Storms are a-brewing for these poor hypocritical fools in the future. The glaring, smoldering debacle that was the ACA rollout has shifted the burden of proof when it comes to next year's Senate elections. Reid holds a majority of 53. A full one third of the Senate coming up for review, the NSA remains undealt-with,  Obamacare is limping and anemic, and debt ceiling negotiations are on the docket early next year. So there are going to be some difficult questions aimed at Reid and his caucus. Difficult questions are an easy excuse to do something desperate. 

I suppose that going "Nuclear" yesterday was warranted, then Harry? Reid is quintessentially at odds with himself over this rule change. He is at odds with what the people deserve, he is at odds with his colleagues have stood for, and he is at odds with what then-Senator Obama has said. Though that last one is less than an ironclad word. This event is just a new drop in the bucket of hypocritical promises that have been sold to the American people in the last few years. When it rains, it pours.

VA GOP Caucus

vagopcaucus.blogspot.com

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Joe Morrissey and Receptionist: The Plot Thickens

The events that surround a police response to Joe Morrissey's house, and the nature of his relationship with the stowaway 17 year old from his law office have been written off and denied. The girl's lawyer would have us believe that "There is no story".

Then why is this all still happening?! The original incident was months ago, and yet just yesterday came news of the appointment of a special prosecutor from the Henrico Commonwealth's Attorney's office. Spotsylvania CA William Neely and retired judge Martin Bass have been appointed to deal with this case. That flies in the face of the people trying to cover this up, but the most incriminating aspect of this entire situation is rather a lack of aspects.

The details of the case are scarce, if nothing else, but Delegate Morrissey is an attorney himself. I wouldn't expect him to be shouting details from the rooftops about his...associate? friend? dare I say it? Not yet; but that is one of many glaring and unanswered questions about this case. All that is happening begets more questions than answers in this case; and it was already prime time gossip material in and of itself.


On its face, this all looks like a rejected script of the Young and the Restless. A receptionist lying about her age and job experience to get a job, late night visits to the Delegate's house to discuss "sensitive and personal matters",  an angry paternal phone call to the police, I mean come on!

The investigation will continue, however, and as this soap opera moves forward, we will keep you updated.

VA GOP Caucus

vagopcaucus.blogspot.com


Tuesday, November 19, 2013

MSNBC Wonders Why Ratings Continue to Drop

Last week, Martin Bashir suggested that Sarah Palin should be defecated on urinated on...on national television. In the first place, MSNBC needs to renounce this insane, offensive rhetoric immediately. The utter irony is that Bashir, whose sole goal was to indict the intelligence and civility of another, ends up sounding like a vindictive 4th grader to do it.

The "news" man spins a disgusting yarn about a taskmaster in 18th Century Jamaica who had one slave defecate into the mouth of another, and also another slave urinate on another as punishment. Bashir brings his trademark condescending drone to bear on Palin in the story. THEN, Bashir suggests that if ANYONE deserves to have that happen to them, Ms. Palin is first in line. Interesting ethics, considering how quick Bashir and MSNBC are to trot out the old "War on Women" nonsense to smear the GOP.

Spread fertilizer all you want, Martin; but you don't indict someone's intelligence on national television by suggesting someone poop in their mouth. It will be interesting to remember this when Mr. Bashir revisits his old "War on Women" rhetoric next year.

Bashir's rant can be seen here. 



Friday, November 15, 2013

Sickles and Surovell Strike Out

"Was that it?", a quote that perfectly describes the performance of the Democrat candidates in this year's House of Delegates challenges. Just as late as September and October, Scott Surovell and Mark Sickles were walking the walk and proclaiming how disappointed they would be if they didn't pick up at least 5 or 6 seats in this year's election.

I can only imagine how disappointed they must be to net...1.

Though I can certainly sympathize. Having looked thoroughly at their field of candidates, the only conclusion I had left to draw was that this was a little league team trying to break their way into The Show. With no eye on the real issues, and orders to keep it that way, seemingly, this year's field of Dems went down in flames on Election Day, even as the top of their ticket succeeded.

Sorry for the strike out. Maybe a little more humility, next time, gentlemen.

VA GOP Caucus

vagopcaucus.blogspot.com

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

What does $8 Million Buy?

It's no secret; Fast Terry gladly received millions upon millions of dollars for lipstick to put on the pig that will be his administration. A huge part of that comes from his good buddy, California enviro-nut Tom Steyer. Terry had to sell himself, sure; but let's be honest, that and $1.50 will get you a cup of coffee. The real question has to deal with Virginia's businesses and employment.

Virginia's first Climate-bagger 
What did Steyer buy for himself with that money? That question should be on every Virginian's mind as we move forward with this Legislative Session. Because no one, AND I MEAN NO ONE, pays out 8 million dollars without the expectation of a return. Steyer wants to put a restrictor plate on Virginia's energy industry. He spun an election that should have been about education, transportation, and government regulation around an issue on which Virginians don't vote, and on which McAuliffe DOESN'T EVEN HAVE A REAL POSITION!

Virginia's excellent business climate depends on low regulations and reasonable taxes, all of the things that Tom hates. What kind of influence has the billionaire bought over the business community? According to Politico's Burns and Restuccia, that question goes unanswered, but the context is grim.

Fast Terry has sold a lot of questionably appropriate things; White House Bedrooms, Rides on Air Force One, and indeed his own word as the close friend and enforcer of the Clintons. It is not even slightly above him to sell out Virginia's energy industry.

This post isn't all about Steyer and Terry, either. For nearly the entirety of Barack Obama's re-election campaign, the indignant cries of Democrats at just how disgusting it was to take money from wealthy individuals like Sheldon Adelson, or the Koch Brothers rang out in righteous anger. Remember that? Well apparently taking millions from wealthy individuals is only wrong when they're not giving it to a Democrat. Hypocrisy as usual. 

Vote for vote - Tom Steyer easily outspent Sheldon Adelson


Friday, November 1, 2013

He's BACK!!!

Virginia Dems Channel a Clingy Mob Wife

Lately we have been hearing quite a bit about T-Mack's fundraising edge over AG Ken Cuccinelli this year. Which I find a bit strange. See, we spent last year AWASH in the shrill cries of "CORRUPTION!" and "BILLIONAIRES ARE HIJACKING THE POLITICAL SYSTEM!".

Well, it seems that while Virginia Dems apparently look down on donations from wealthy people, they are certainly willing to honor their time tested tradition of putting their hand out and accepting it. Tom Steyer, Mark Zuckerberg, and Comrade Michael Bloomberg (whose combined wealth is over 50 Billion dollars), have spent over 3 million dollars on Terry McAuliffe, and over a million on Mark Herring.

Not only that, but someone should probably get fired
over at DPVA for the "spook"-y late mailing that they are doing (apparently to a WIDE universe). In true Big Brother style each recipient basically has their voting history laid out on paper with a promise to "show whether or not you voted" after this election.

With turnout expected to be extremely low, it seems that "voter shaming" is a necessity for Dems propping up abysmal candidates. But the whole vibe of the piece is very...creepy, and it comes on the heels of an international scandal about privacy invasion by a Democratic White House. Maaaaybe not such a great idea to remind people that you're watching them, DPVA.

We aren't the only people taking notice, either. 

VA GOP Caucus

vagopcaucus.blogspot.com

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Ward Armstrong 2.0

NO Jonathan! NOOOOOOO!!!!
Deep in Southwest Virginia, in the 6th District, the race is largely quiet. Jonathan McGrady has been safely hiding out from his opponent, Jeff Campbell, and joining the Federal-style strategy that is permeating the Dem House campaigns this year; bash the top of the ticket, try not to answer questions, or take positions that concern your district, and wait...

But Jonathan decided that he would rather go in the direction of another famous Democrat from not too long ago. A Democrat who lost convincingly, and went down calling this exact same message. In response to several requests from the Campbell campaign to stand on issues concerning the district, Jonathan chose.....
To bash the power companies! 
You have made a little league mistake, Jonathan. You are a tee baller running on an issue that the Minority Leader lost on. What do you expect to happen?! When you get that deep in the playbook, you've passed "Hail Mary" a few pages back. And history is bound to repeat itself, with this veritable vacuum of a candidate. 

Judging from what information we have dug up, Jonathan is just using the boilerplate Dem platform for the year; there is little to naught to separate him from a Dem running in Virginia Beach, or a Dem running in Herndon. Ward Armstrong may have gone down with these famous last words, but at least he was better than a cookie cutter candidate. 


Thursday, October 24, 2013

This Day in History: New York, New York

'Twas this day in history, 2002, when the New York Times first reported rumblings of a possible campaign for their Governorship. "Some Democrats [had] spoken openly" about this man's run at the time. That man...was Terry McAuliffe.

Oh how time can change things. Now that Mr. McAuliffe is on his second bite at the apple here in Virginia, we send this message to our friends in the Empire State:

You really lucked out on that one, New York! 



Wednesday, October 23, 2013

The "Fighting 9th" Will Soon be the "Fleeing 9th"

Deep in Virginia's mountains, in coal country lies our 9th Congressional District. The history of this area has always been regarded as a little renegade. Historically, since before the Civil War, the people of coal country have been rugged individualists, opponents of discrimination, and Republicans. Even through the ravages of Reconstruction, the party of Lincoln thrived there. Their resistance to inequality and the prevailing Democrat Byrd Machine in the early 20th Century earned them the nickname "The Fighting 9th".

New coal regulations in effect by the EPA threaten to send the Fighting 9th the same way as Detroit, Pittsburgh, and other victims of strangling regulations and empty federal promises. Today, Delegate Greg Habeeb published an excellent Op. Ed. in the Roanoke Times that hits the heart of the issue: the consequences.

Declining American manufacturing has already hit once-thriving Danville. Pittsylvania County is a living example of how far the government will follow through with their promises to turn around the area. After they eviscerated the industry that permeated nearly every facet of life there, they left in their wake some of the highest unemployment numbers and poverty numbers in the state. That was over 40 years ago, and much is the same.

Even the Fighting 9th will not come out of this uninjured, folks. Don't let Terry, the President, or anyone else convince you otherwise. This is ghost-town engineering at work, and we have the chance to fight it. Be part of the tradition.

VA GOP Caucus

vagopcaucus.blogspot.com

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

House Dems' Little Leaguers Aren't "Taking Back" Anything

We have seen tweets, statuses, vines, messages, emails, smoke signals, and everything short of progress from Democrat House Leadership about "Taking back the House" this year. But in one of the most important areas to that end, Coach Sickles didn't even put real players on the field. From the ethically challenged to the Don Quixotes, in Hampton Roads the Dem's Little League Candidates are playing political tee-ball.


Up against Glenn Davis, ethically, Brent McKenzie shouldn't even be running. The premise of a legislative aide serving Fairfax basically abandoning his constituents for what he sees as greener pastures is...morally shaky to say the least. 

Not that Brent's chances are great to begin with. From police, to realtors, to firefighters, even the School Board that Davis and McKenzie served on together...they all chose Glenn. With only a handful of endorsements, there isn't a lot of excitement about Brett; and his top donors are Dem members (who are required to donate), unions, and Brent himself.

Bill Fleming is, in fact, his own top donor as well. He is running against Bill DeSteph. In addition to having to fund himself, Fleming suffers from image problems. When you can't even get the Virginian Pilot to say something nice about you as a Democrat, it may be time to re-assess. In their own words: 

"Fleming has shown no ability to lead on issues, to find common ground with people who disagree." And that's AFTER they call him a "Democrat gadfly". Even Bill Dale got the Pilot's endorsement.

Bill Dale may be the biggest non-starter of the year. Bill went off half-cocked so that he could run against Gary Byler. This would be the liberal crusade that Bill had been waiting to wage. Then Byler lost in the primary to Scott Taylor; and Bill got stuck tilting at wind mills, so to speak. 

When it comes to Virginians choice in how they are represented in the House, they have spoken. 

Coach, the only thing you're going to "take back" are the claims. 

VA GOP Caucus

vagopcaucus.blogspot.com

The Anatomy of a Mistake

The ACA is a giver and taker system that depends on the young and healthy to form the backbone of the system. 

The glaring problems are that 15.9 percent of young people are out of work, and there is a nationwide "failure to launch" trend that places many in that demographic at home with their parents. The young aren't in nearly the position to carry Obama's legislation as they were to carry Barry O himself in 2012.

The projected increase in individual premiums here is one of the highest of all states at an average of 115 percent in the 24-34 demographic. That accounts for over one million Virginians, whose age and good  health make them the least of the beneficiaries. The young will then likely take the penalty, and opt out of the system rather than take a rate increase that they could never have afforded anyway.

That leaves the system with no money to digest, and grinds the giver-taker paradigm to a halt, leaving the young unprotected, companies without revenue to cover the program and reconcile the cost of joining the exchanges which was the whole premise of the thing in the first place. 

How many of those one million can afford to carry the system on their backs? Compared to the impending passing of the baby boomer generation, whatever that number turns out to be will not be enough to stifle the cost. The young can't pay it, the old can't survive it, and the system cannot abide it.

VA GOP Caucus

vagopcaucus.blogspot.com


Monday, October 14, 2013

Dem Candidate Caught in "Pay-to-Play" Tantrums

There have been an alarming number of reports coming out of Prince William County of a particular Reed Heddleston attempting to strong-arm and threaten support out of the business and lobbying communities. Apparently, when phone calls go south with Reed, he goes nuclear on whomever happens to be on the other end, threatening to deep six the legislative priorities of any who get in his way.

You might remember a version of this trick from such greats as Heddleston's fellow Democrat, Rod Blagojevich, who attempted to sell then-Senator Obama's seat in Illinois.

Virginia Virtucon published a piece relating to this back in September, but there have been more reports of Heddleston basically threatening those who don't support his bid to replace Rich Anderson in the 51st. If you support Anderson,according to what I am hearing, you may as well pack it in, because once he moves in, you're basically 86'd from the Virginia legislature.

You're on your own if they do get elected and you weren't wearing your cheerleading outfit the whole time... Newsflash, guys. That is no way to run a government. Maybe you should look into cartels or organized crime if you're really attached to just threatening people who don't agree with you.

Heddleston has made it clear. If he makes it to Richmond, he will be leaving the pesky opinions of many of the people, and the business community on the other side of a burnt bridge. What a great way to govern...

VA GOP Caucus

vagopcaucus.blogspot.com


Friday, October 11, 2013

Dodging Taxes from Sea to Shining Sea

Kathleen Murphy is already famous for polling her own weaknesses; weaknesses that include ethically questionable donations among other things. But one weakness in particular is really infesting her platform this year. See, Kathleen loves the idea of raising taxes to pay for a bigger government machine, but harbors a laundry list of late notices, delinquencies, and in-bad-standing letters for her own property taxes.

Ms. Murphy should probably take the log out of her own fiscal eye before it becomes part of a taxable structure. It really could cost her this time. 

From dirty profits in Colorado, to delinquent status in Staten Island, Murphy is dodging the tax man all across our great land. Maybe she should run for the legislature in the Cayman Islands, or Switzerland; you know, places designed for those kinds of practices.

The full report of Murphy's "indiscretions" can be found on a dedicated site(that's how much of it there is). It is not far from believable that Ms. Murphy also qualified as one of our Little League Candidates from a month or two ago. This is just more evidence for the pile. Rental properties nation-wide with delinquent taxes are just the big picture. If we were going micro on this, her own home has been delinquent 5 times in 8 years (2007 must have been a truly remarkable year. She actually paid on time) as near to her voters as McLean itself.


Virginia Democrats, WAKE UP!


Babysitter wanted: to watch Male, mid-50's, has a problem with rum shots and the truth, needs to be changed regularly, but the smell never goes away. 

Seriously, intelligent Democrats of Virginia must be banging their heads against the wall over this one. I mean, a lot of Dems really didn't like McAuliffe to begin with; but when a reliably liberal newspaper can't even pretend that a candidate has merit...you've lost your way.

Virginia, if you have been waiting for a sign from God...well...the Washington Post has given you one. Today Laura Vozzella chose Terry

McAuliffe's delightful, if entirely fabricated stump speech of college money-saving and helping out poor nursing students has (shocker) been proven completely false. That is only the tip of the iceberg, though. Vozzella highlights what many of McAuliffe's critics have been saying for years. That the man is a slimy, lying, snake-oil selling, scamming, embellishing, say-anything, yes man for the Democratic Party and has painstakingly cultivated the scent of bullshit around him.

Why let a silly little thing like facts get in the way of your reward for a lifetime of ignoring them in the name of money? 

Virginia, after the last few days, honestly if this has not convinced you that Fast Terry's bait-and-switch game is real, then I have some land that I want to sell you in Florida. THE WASHINGTON FREAKING POST, PEOPLE! 

The story actually contains only a few quotations from the characters of Terry's story; they didn't seem to want to be associated with the esteemed candidate. Even Josh Schwerin, McAuliffe's mouthpiece to the Post in nearly all matters, was forced into a full acknowledgement of Terry's factually-challenged antics.

VA GOP Caucus

vagopcaucus.blogspot.com

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Businesses Move South, Big Labor Lurks Behind

In a recent article in The Hill, Kevin Bogardus outlines the plan of labor unions to infiltrate the South in a big way.

“For us, what we are doing is following where the companies have brought the work,” said Maria Somma, assistant organizing director for the United Steelworkers (USW).

See, here's the thing, Maria. Many of those businesses chose to move South to get away from the depressive effects that mass unionization brings with it.

Let's use ourselves as a model. Maryland can represent a dominantly Democrat state with a high union presence (yeah, a real stretch, I know). When taxes, unions, and bullying from Big Labor pushed business toward the point of collapse, many of these businesses did indeed move South to the Commonwealth. They brought with them jobs, prosperity, and revenue for the state through taxes(taxes that are kept at a reasonable level). If Terry McAuliffe's 14 billion dollar spending increase is allowed to happen, and the price is to be paid for it, that house of cards comes tumbling down.

When the gridlock-happy process of mass (and in some cases, forced) unionization enters a state, the productivity of these companies wanes, and the cost of doing business goes up. Southern states have long held right-to-work laws that protect the workforce from being pushed around by union bosses. Those bosses would love to get their clutches into those very same thriving workers, and think Terry McAuliffe is the way to do it.

Of course, with the scent of easy money in the air, Democrats are sure to swarm to their long-time ATM. That does not make it right, in fact it more goes to show that Dems are far more attracted to their big industry buddies and their wallets than they care about the working populous of Virginia. Terry McAuliffe doesn't care what the people of Virginia have said about how they want to handle this issue. He cares about what he has promised his Big Labor Money Tree, and

VA GOP Caucus


vagopcaucus.blogspot.com

Cool Dems of Northern Virginia

They haven't quite put the paperwork to change it officially, but I think that we can all see the pattern that is emerging here. The speakers at the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors have found a receptive audience for their inspiring hypotheticals, and misplaced anger. What a great bi-partisan organization, that for three long years has not heard one speaker to the philosophical right of Al Gore. Give that one a thought and a half.

The year before last, musings from Donna Brazile, a former Gore campaigner garnered cheers over the divided nature of the GOP. Last year Kathleen Parker, a supposed moderate tore into the GOP, it was actually central to her speech. This year, they get Daily Beast writer Paul Begala. Take a second to click that link and take in what a "bi-partisan" he is. It's kind of like Dr. Pepper's Ph.D. I mean the guy just recently headlined a fundraiser for DPVA at Terry's house.

So screw it, why pretend if you don't have to, NVAR? Change the name, "Cool Dems of Northern Virginia" just sounds so much more hip, so much more aloof, so much more...true.

VA GOP Caucus

vagopcaucus.blogspot.com

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Buyer Beware

Today Attorney General Cuccinelli delineated exactly what it is going to cost Virginians if Terry McAuliffe slithers his way into the Governor's Mansion this November. In a live conference today, Cuccinelli outlined the 14 Billion(plus) dollar price tag of Terry McAuliffe's campaign promises so far.

It's par for the course when it comes to Terry, but his particular brand of pandering will end in one of two unfortunate ways for Virginia's families; either broken promises, or a $1500+ tax increase per family over the course of his "administration"(read: patronage scheme). Please take a few moments to have a look at the numbers; they are rather alarming.


VA GOP Caucus

vagopcaucus.blogspot.com

Monday, October 7, 2013

Congratulations to Chairman-To-Be Tom Rust

Congratulations to Delegate Tom Rust of Herndon. Today, Speaker Howell has announced that Delegate Rust will be the next chairman of the Virginia House of Delegates Transportation Committee. 


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 7, 2013
Contact: Matthew Moran
(804) 698-1228

Speaker Howell to appoint Delegate Tom Rust as Transportation Committee Chairman


RICHMOND, VA - Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates William J. Howell (R-Stafford) announced Monday that he would appoint Delegate Tom Rust (R-Herndon) as Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation. Rust is the senior-most member of the Transportation Committee.

"For more than 10 years, Tom has been a leader on transportation and economic development issues here in the Commonwealth. His experience and expertise on these issues make him uniquely qualified to serve as the Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation. I look forward to formally appointing Tom as Chairman when the 2014 session of the General Assembly convenes," said Speaker Howell.

"Tom has been a tireless advocate for transportation solutions since he was first elected to the General Assembly. As Chairman of this important committee, Tom will continue to be a leader on Virginia's efforts to find 21st century solutions to our transportation challenges.

"This year's landmark transportation reform package, which Tom proudly supported, will generate over $6 billion in new revenue for transportation projects. Tom will be a key leader in the General Assembly's efforts to ensure that money is spent wisely and in a way that reduces congestion, increases safety and promotes economic development," Howell added.

As Speaker of the House of Delegates, Howell is responsible for appointing members to the various legislative committees. Howell says additional announcements will be made closer to the 2014 session.

"While I normally wait until closer to session to announce committee assignments, Tom's record of service and understanding of this issue make him uniquely qualified to serve as Chairman and I did not want to delay his important work on this issue any longer than was necessary," said Speaker Howell. "I look forward to working with Tom in the future."

# # #

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Terry's Lack of Backbone is Jeopardizing Billions

In 2009, Hampton Roads, Virginia was the point of embarkation for the majority of America's total coal exports. That means that more than half of what ODU estimates at around 97 million metric tons of coal passed through there.

Over 800 ships came just for coal, and took it to ports worldwide. Over 4,200 jobs (all over 400 miles from a Virginia coal mine) are filled to make that feat possible. Combined goods, services, and earnings from coal accounted for more than 1 Billion dollars in 2011. Every cent, second, and ounce of coal had to pass Virginian hands, at Virginian companies, manned by Virginians.

Those numbers are staggering. Coal mines in Southwest Virginia are not the only places that are affected by the EPA's new regulations; regulations that T-Mac must either not understand or the consequences of which he must be ignoring.

Terry wants to "expand exports to China", the same place that he went to buy his monstrosity of a car company. Might he owe a favor over there, perhaps? Terry, himself is no stranger to all of the lucrative gifts that a Governor can offer to his patrons. He goes over it thoroughly in his book. This is strange since China doesn't even fit in the top 12 of Virginia's already full bill of destination ports for coal. Terry's penchant for selling patronage and his love of the almighty dollar should be making Virginians nervous.

It's definitely a love/hate relationship if we are talking about any of his "businesses". Terry's forte is collecting money, like some enforcer from the Sopranos. He is far less comfortable in the business world; and for most of this election he has been trying to shoehorn himself into that identity but it just doesn't work.

Now, with his protection money, T-Mac has been paid to push coal out of Virginia; he doesn't understand that it affects more than coal miners. Thousands of workers will face unemployment, but that's just quid pro quo to Fast Terry.

VA GOP Caucus

vagopcaucus.blogspot.com

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Terry McCalifornia Sells Out Southwest VA

"Which side do I support this week, again? Uhhhhhh"
Terry McAuliffe has officially come out in full support of the new EPA regulations on coal fired
power plants that were released two weeks ago.

It's a vain attempt to drive the far left, and Obama voters out for him(they're about as excited for a McAuliffe Administration as we are). As usual, it also has to do with money. These regulations endanger tens of thousands of Southwest Virginia blue collar jobs.

They also shore up support from billionaire environmentalist, and McAuliffe Donor, Tom Steyer. Steyer's NextGen Committee has spent upwards of a million and a half dollars trying to push this steaming pile of Washington insider into the Governor's Mansion.

How many Virginian livelihoods stack up against the far-left dinero you're getting out of Steyer, Terry? How many jobs in southwest Virginia will just be collateral damage? 

Good News: Now he can't dodge the question
Bad News: It is open season on everything he has said in and about Virginia's coal country.

 From Bristol, in May, Terry McAuliffe:

I was over at Alpha Natural Resources talking about what they need done to make sure we have a healthy work force of coal, that coal can continue," McAuliffe told reporters. "We need to make sure we do what we need to, to make sure this vital industry here in Virginia continues to grow."

I guess the unemployed can just munch on some quinoa and go surfing, then, huh? Just more of the integrity we have come to expect out of Fast Terry. I wonder if his wife calls him that?

VA GOP Caucus

vagopcaucus.blogspot.com

Friday, September 27, 2013

Dem Candidate gets DUI, Media Gets Amnesia

A recent article in the Southside Messenger has outed Dem candidate Jasper Hendricks for his late-August charge of driving under the influence in Farmville. Hendricks, who is running against Delegate James Edmunds in the 60th District, was arrested with nearly twice the legal limit.

It isn't a comfortable subject to bring up. Why does the media think that it is so egregiously important to plaster the words GOP, Republican, and other monikers at the top of the page when a Republican legislator lands in hot water(example, example, example), and yet just forget when a Dem breaks the law?

Seemingly, political affiliation was an important enough detail to put in the large print then. Why not now? 

Why does the media love to "inform" their readers on the political affiliations of some legally challenged lawmakers, while electing to leave it out for others? A case of amnesia perhaps? Or just another illustration of left-leaning slant? 

VA GOP Caucus

vagopcaucus.blogspot.com

Monday, September 16, 2013

The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again!

What's worse? Senators Howell and Saslaw extorting the NVTC for votes, or the completely misplaced and unwanted opinion of Barbara Favola; proud owner of the Senate's worst (seriously, it's crappy) business record. 

Needless to say, tantrums are being thrown, and many threats have been issued to the NVTC – by NOVA DEMOCRATS.

Through their wails of confusion and anguish, Dems threatened to unilaterally block the NVTC's legislative agenda in the Senate if they did not reverse their decision.

Unsurprisingly, thanks to his lack of knowledge, experience, or answers to any of the hard questions, Terry McAuliffe fell short of the Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC) endorsement. 

The NVTC responded plainly that their reasoning for the endorsement came from the Attorney General's ability to answer the tough questions, where Terry could only dodge them or hide behind platitudes. That doesn't seem too far off of the mark for a lifelong slime-ball fundraiser, whose one real attempt at running a business has gone down in flames and is under SEC investigation. 

From the Washington Post“Terry was his normal, flamboyant self,” said a board member present for both interviews. “He didn’t want to get pinned down to any details. He didn’t give any details. He was all about jobs, jobs, jobs — ‘I’m just going to take care of the situation when the time comes. I’m just going to do it.’ It was all [expletive].”



Friday, September 13, 2013

Sex, Lies, and Voter Fraud

Okay, we lied about the sex. But important developments in the Governor's race have just come to light.

Terry McAuliffe's latest scare tactics have hit the Washington Post. Unsurprisingly, even the Post, liberal leaning publication that it is, cannot go along with the blatant misrepresentation of the truth that T-Mack is spewing.

The McAuliffe Campaign's latest claims cite billions of dollars in budget shortfall, in a scenario that is hypothetical to the point of fabricationThe food fight continues here, and the Dem camp has made it clear that they are happier slinging mud than doing such trivial things as running a responsible government, or lightening the load on Virginian taxpayers. That would be too much like Ken Cuccinelli.

So I guess you thought that you could just assume a responsible tax plan to death? I suppose, speaking of taxes, you wouldn't mind releasing the rest of yours to match the Attorney General at ten years? You would think that would be enough embarrassment for one day...

BUT SOFT, WHAT STENCH FROM YONDER CAMPAIGN BREAKS? 

Maybe you wouldn't mind explaining why out of state voters are using the address of your campaign friend, Jeff Barnett

You may remember him from an embarrassing loss in the 10th Congressional against Frank Wolf in 2010. Seems a couple of friends of Jeff's decided that moving across the Potomac to Maryland was more of a detail when it came to helping out Barnett at the polls(didn't seem to work too well; though Terry's speech, afterward, about his friend is touching). Barnett has been close at hand, like any good Dem, for the election. Seems he helped throw Mark Herring a Fundraiser, not too long ago. The shocking amount of investigations into voter fraud grows ever higher, and...

As always, we will keep you updated as this investigation develops. 

VA GOP Caucus

vagopcaucus.blogspot.com

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Jeremy McPike: Following the Rules Gets You Fired

Jeremy McPike is running for the House of Delegates in the 31st District, which covers Prince William and Fauquier Counties.  After a distinguished City Architect tried to expose a developer’s potentially fraudulent invoices- totaling over $2 million- Jeremy McPike fired him…but only after verbally abusing him and threatening his job. 


HUGE SHOCKER: That's wrong; and an Alexandria judge agrees. You cannot just unilaterally dismiss, abuse, and fire someone for trying to expose possible fraud. Especially, when it is you being accused of that fraud. 

Are these the kind of people that Terry McAuliffe and the Democrats want in the General Assembly?  How can you claim to fight for working-class men and women? When a government employee with a sterling reputation comes forward with a concern that affects the taxpayers of a city, he should be listened to, not punished. If his "superior" simply bullies him before firing him, that man is showing a slew of the things wrong with politics today. Jeremy McPike is that man. 

Jeremy, it's going to be pretty hard to convince your potential constituents that they should trust you with their tax money when this is how you respond to a man trying to ensure responsible spending.  There is no reason to trust McPike with a seat in Richmond, when he is already proven to be a shady, opaque dictator in his own department. 


Wednesday, September 4, 2013

What Would Terry McAuliffe Do For Money, You Ask?

Terry McAuliffe is well-known to do just about anything for the money.

Uncle Si understands the meaning of "slimeball"

Politico reports that Terry met with Emperor of New York, Michael Bloomberg just last week to discuss the Virginia Governor's race. Bloomberg and his superPAC are fresh off of a win in Illinois. Assumedly, Terry went to Bloomberg asking for help; an interesting situation considering Terry may once have had to primary him.

The New York Mayor has put out his threat to a wide variety of proponents and opponents of many a divisive social issue, and no doubt would love to get his hands into changing Virginia to suit his own personal ideals.  He is a Democratic Big Gun (no pun intended) without a doubt, and he could show up here with a big monetary stick, if Terry has found something that he could sell for Bloomberg's support.

 But at what cost to Virginians?


I have a feeling that Terry did not just smoothly skate to any help that he gets from Bloomberg. Remember, it was only a few years ago that he was thinking of running for Governor of New York, rather than Virginia. Fast Terry is up to something.

Virginia does not need Bloomberg Bloated Government, and getting into bed with Mr. Mayor may end up being no joke to Virginia.


Tuesday, September 3, 2013

House Dems Field Their Little League Team of Candidates

Recently, the Democrat House candidates got their chance to introduce themselves to the Virginia business community. Representatives from several key industries got their chance to see just what kind of a team that the DPVA was fielding this year. The result...was bad news bears.

Revenge of the Nerds
These candidates decided business could take a back seat. They thought these businessmen and businesswomen didn't show up to hear about jobs, business, or economic development. No, these candidates drove home social issues. In an election where the number one issue is jobs and the economy, these Democrat candidates focused on bottom-tier social issues. When put in front of important business leaders and representatives of some of the biggest job creators in the Commonwealth, these candidates drove home environmental regulation, abortion, and schools? 

A Few of the Highlights 
  • Atif Qarni (running for the 13th against Bob Marshall) extolls himself as an excellent football coach, but mentions virtually nothing even resembling policy or position in his written statement. Too bad the Wildcat formation can't get Virginians jobs. 
  • Jerry Foltz's (running in the 40th against Tim Hugo) claim to fame is a Labor Resource Center that even Democrats in his own sought-after district don't like.
  • Elizabeth Miller (vying for Tag Greason's seat in the 32nd) came to a business meeting with ONE thing in mind. Abortion. Top of the priority list, and the first sentence in her bio led with NARAL Pro-Choice.  Nothing like extremely uncomfortable and divisive social dogma to really shore up the business community, huh? 
    • Better yet is her reasoning for running this race, "I am running because a person like me could win and a person like him should lose." It has all the eloquence, evidence, and purpose of a 3rd grade essay on the topic.
  • James Harder (running in the 12th District, against Joseph Yost) had barely a paragraph for these ladies and gentlemen to get to know him by, and I hardly think they care about the fact that his grandmother was a Delegate. Sorry Little Jimmy, there is no legacy policy in legislature. 
  • Michael Abraham (running in the 7th District, against Nick Rush) (listed as running in the wrong district) had more to say about him and his wife staining glass than anything related to business. 
  • Marcus Simon (running in the 53rd, against Brad Tidwell) is the son of a friend of Ralph Nader. That completely irrelevant and unrelated fact is actually the most business-related thing in his entire bio
You had one job, DPVA
Let's look beyond the mis-numbering of your own candidates' districts, the rampant misspellings, grammatical errors, and repeat paragraphs. Let's look at the content. Could no one stop and inform them that they were not pandering to the progressive base? Was there no staffer on hand to clue in these sand-lot candidates? 

While giving these individuals credit for jumping into the political arena; endearing stories aren't going to put Virginians back to work. Some of these candidates aren't even focused on putting humans back to work. Raising a service dog (as is prominently featured in Robert Farinholt's statement) is admirable, but the only job you are creating is for the dog. Farinholt is running against David Yancey in the 94th District.

Why send these partisan candidates to Richmond, if they have made it perfectly clear that their fight is an ideological one?  

Dear Dem Candidates, 

Get real ideas about how to keep Virginia at the top of the business and employment food chain. Otherwise, you might as well hit the showers. 

Sincerely, 
Virginians 


Monday, August 12, 2013

This is How Unpopular Voter ID Laws Are

A poll analysis, posted yesterday by the Washington Post has confirmed that "nearly three-quarters of all Americans support the idea that people should have to show photo identification to vote."

This poll lends credence to what House Republicans have been saying on the matter for years, and reflects a heightened concern for the integrity of Virginia's elections. About half of people polled saw voter fraud as a "major problem" and the issue carried a majority of pollers when it was weighed against the risks of "voter suppression".

A majority of those polled discerned that keeping elections fair was the big motivator, as well. Three quarters of seniors, low-income subjects, as well as two thirds of non-whites support the measures.

Maybe Joe Morrissey should bring a ballot box onto the House Floor for his next stunt.

VA GOP Caucus

vagopcaucus.blogspot.com

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Herring and McClellan Neglect Abused Veterans

Delegates McClellan and Herring, your silence regarding the multiple and sickening sexual harrassment charges that have been surfacing in the news lately is deafening. The time came long ago to do as you said you would; to stand against sexual harrassment and mistreatment of women everywhere. Does this only count when the people who perpetrate it have an (R) next to their name? 

The NWVAA (National Women's Veteran's Association of America) is supposed to be a safe and healing place for female veterans who have been sexually assaulted during their service. So WHY is it that the Mayor of San Diego, a former U.S. Congressman was using it like CraigsList personals?!

This is headline news, Delegates. There is no way that you have not heard about it, either by the media like the rest of us, or through back channels in the Democratic Party. 

To fill you in, Filner had been using his affiliation with the NWVAA for years to hit on women, harass women, and in more than one case actually force himself on them. Those actions would be unacceptable in and of themselves, but the context puts Mayor Bob Filner down with the lowest of the low. It was not enough, that while these women were serving our country that they were the targets of abuse, and Filner's way of repaying them is more?! 

Jennifer, Charniele, rebuke Weiner, Filner, and sexual harrassment perpetrators. And do it soon. 

To use the suffering of others as a tool for political capital is despicable enough, but then to blatantly disregard the suffering of victims just because they were targeted by Dems is an entirely different ballpark of hypocrisy and each moment that passes is another insult to that integrity that you used to be so fond of speaking on. 

For God's sake, say something


Wednesday, August 7, 2013

The House of Delegates Loses a Good Man

Congratulations to Delegate John Cosgrove of Chesapeake, who just won the special election for Harry Blevins' Senate seat in the 14th District! 

Delegate Cosgrove has been an outstanding legislator for the past 11 years, and and will continue his service to his constituents and the Commonwealth in the Senate.

VA GOP Caucus

vagopcaucus.blogspot.com

Monday, August 5, 2013

Terry is on the Ropes


His campaign has denied all knowledge of an investigation, and say that this has nothing to do with their candidate, but Terry's actions as Chairman of Green Tech are EXACTLY what the SEC is probing into. 


The company's use of the EB-5 Visa program, a federal program aimed at wealthy foreign wallets and offering green cards in exchange, has come under fire. The program is highly questionable within itself, but past that, these incentives are saved for the specific purpose of creating jobs, and stimulating economic growth through investment, which are things that McAuliffe's "company" simply has not produced. 

I call it a company. It is really more of a visa mill. Since it employs few more than 100 people, and has not produced one ready for sale vehicle, it is basically a ghost company; eating foreign funds, churning out more visas than cars. The EB-5 program has been hotly debated by legislators as: 1) a weak point in the immigration system, possibly being an opening for dangerous individuals to enter the country, and 2) a scam by failing businessmen that can take investment money for the visas and mislead investors. 

Not only is Green Tech under investigation, but Gulf Coast Funds of McLean (funny title for its location) which is run by Anthony Rodham, long-time friend of McAuliffe's and brother of Hillary Rodham Clinton, is also being looked into. The SEC is looking into Green Tech's return-on-investment (or lack thereof, more specifically) to his foreign investors, and just who those investors are. 

This gets stickier by the minute when you take into account that Green Tech was a company that Terry BOUGHT solely to beef up his political resume, oh and also as a FUNDRAISING BLITZ THAT GOT HIM OVER 80,000 DOLLARS IN 2009. , that actually backfired and to this day is an albatross around that candidate's neck because he failed to deliver anything even close to what he was promising, to people he did not make that promise to. 



Terry's California Compadre Wants to Cripple Virginia Coal

Thomas Steyer, the wildly successful, and controversial hedge fund manager from California, and staunch environmentalist is coming with a dose of new-fashioned California environmentalism aimed right at one of Virginia's oldest, most essential, and hardest hit industries. Steyer announced his target yesterday; Virginia's coal industry is in the crosshairs.

Regardless of the recent advances that have been made in environmentally safe mining, processing, and utilization,  Steyer has already made up his mind. Coal=BAD. His own statement on a trip here was that “It doesn’t matter if you’re telling them to tie shoes...the people don’t want to be told what to do. Hasn’t that been the cliché since they were shooting IRS agents?” speaking of Virginia Coal Country(a region that Terry has already made clear that he does not care about). 

Labeling an entire region of Virginia as essentially ignorant is not a good way to start, Tom. 

Terry is taking the cues from his many investors; investors who will not have to feel the consequences of his actions, as few of them are Virginians. Virginians will, though. McAuliffe snubbed the area in 2007 for his "plan" to create jobs(lucky, since what he delivered in Mississippi was miles short of what he touted) and now he is turning his back on the region for a check from California.

Times are hard already in Western Virginia. Unemployment is up, and the economic "recovery" has yet to make its way there. People would love to talk real solutions to unemployment in these counties, but green energy just is not it. If McAuliffe wins, Steyer (like all of Terry's out of state friends) is going to come looking for some return on his investment. Virginia cannot afford to risk the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of citizens on the financial quicksand that today's green energy start-up market is resembling.

The GAO is now reporting that on the Federal level, 501 Million Dollars of green job training have basically been poured into jobs that don't exist. Only about half of trainees were able to find a job at all afterwards, let alone a green job. That is the kind of risk that Virginians in hard-hit coal country cannot afford. But McAuliffe is taking the check, and all of the implication that comes with it.

Terry's list of insider friends from outside the Commonwealth continues to grow; and Virginians ought to be seriously concerned about all of the "mandates" in the hands of these donors. Because those "mandates" are no more Virginian than Terry McAuliffe is. 

VA GOP Caucus

vagopcaucus.blogspot.com



Friday, July 26, 2013

McClellan and Herring Suddenly Silent



In an election that is about jobs, and the economy, Democrats realize that their record leaves a lot to be desired. So, they go back to the same old well with the same old talking points about the "War on Women". Well what do Virginia's own Woman Warriors think when their colleagues get caught , harrassing, whoring, or otherwise disrespecting women? The simple answer is that we don't know. They have maintained silence. Do Delegates McClellan and Herring think that sexual harrasment is wrong only when Republicans do it? 

Democratic Party officials have(now) called for the resignation of San Diego Mayor Bob Filner after he was outed for sexually harrassing seven women, all of whom brought the story to light on national television. Del.'s Herring McClellan have been notably silent on this. 

 Bob is not the only example, either, by a long-shot. How about New York Governor Eliot Spitzer or Anthony Weiner? (Still can't get over that name). Weiner is right now embroiled in a sexting scandal, and boldly refusing to drop out of his race for New York Mayor. The 45 year old politico was caught sending the pics of the full package to a 23 year old woman from Indiana. Spitzer is trying to revive his political career as well, running for New York's comptroller after the devastating prostitution scandal that he went through just a few years ago. Do these chauvinists get a free pass because they vote blue? Where is the righteous condemnation now? 

Delegates Herring and McClellan, I look forward to hearing from you about this in the upcoming legislative session. The war on hypocritical talking points is on. 




Friday, July 19, 2013

For Medicaid, Cuccinelli is the Hero not the Villain

I'm not mad, Terry...I'm disappointed.


Whoa! Whoa! Whoa, guy. That's pretty compelling. Does Ken Cuccinelli actually want to do away with Medicaid and Social Security? Much like the other claims that the McAuliffe camp has made, this requires some verification. 

To begin with, admittedly, the commercial is more professionally done than I expected. All of that out-of-state money can really buy some production value. I can't speak much on...you know...if there is even cursory validity in the statement that it makes, but at least Terry didn't misspell anything.

Sadly, though, it took all of two days for even the Washington Post to rate the claims that this article made FALSE, giving it three well-deserved Pinocchios. Along with FactCheck.org, the WaPo uncovered that this is the textbook definition of petty cherry picking.

When it comes to Medicaid, Ken Cuccinelli is the only one who has a leg to stand on.
As AG, Ken has led what has been called the "one of the...most effective Medicaid fraud units in the nation" by the Richmond Academy of Medicine(RAM). Cuccinelli's MFCU(Medicaid Fraud Control Unit) makes sure that the Medicaid program is run properly and with integrity. The RAM notes "Medicaid fraud takes place in some surprising venues, and ultimately it‘s the most vulnerable and poorest people who lose out." In 2011 they opened nearly 150 cases in Virginia against those accused of trying to con the system.

As recently as June, pressure from the AG's office on the Federal government got Virginia a well-deserved 115 million dollars to continue protecting Virginia's Medicaid recipients and enforcing the law. Instead of spending his time on attacks, Ken uses the AG's office to help the people of Virginia that honestly rely on Medicaid and other programs for their quality of life.


The unit is about more than just fraud. They employ special nurse investigators that specifically investigate allegations of senior abuse in nursing homes, as well as going after unscrupulous medical employees trying to scam the system with phantom charges and fraudulent billing. They prosecute in civil and criminal court, and they work harder on a smaller budget than any other unit like them in the nation. Let's get that straight, Terry. You can't just go around trying to scare the populous into taking one sentence in a book out of context.

Later in the same book, Cuccinelli clarifies the point that he was originally making. According to himself:
“The Last Line of Defense,” pages 237-238: A simple example of how private-sector spending increases economic growth more than government spending does would be a business that smartly spends $100 and expects to earn that amount back plus a return on its investment, so it turns $100 into, let’s say, $115. That’s economic growth. 
In contrast, despite how many times you may hear politicians talk about “investments” in government programs, government spends very little on what you could call “investments” that result in economic growth. For example, in 2011, the biggest programs in the federal government were Social Security (20 percent of the budget), national defense (20 percent), and Medicare (13.5 percent). There is no monetary return on these investments in any traditional business sense (that is, one invests money with a goal of getting a return in the form of interest, income or appreciation in value), although there are obviously other reasons America spends money on these programs.
I’m not questioning here the existence of these programs nor the wisdom of how much money is spent on them. What I’m trying to illustrate is that most dollars that government spends do not create economic growth but instead take money out of the hands of the people who do create economic growth.
So after lying(again) to Virginians about the true nature of this election, your feeble and false attacks have(again) been proven to be shallow tripe that is not worthy of Virginians' attention. Instead of talking about the jobs we need, the roads that we need, or the education that our children need, you pit one sentence in a book against a career record of standing up for Medicaid recipients.


Lying doesn't cut it, Terry. Misleading the public doesn't cut it. 

When will you start campaigning on your own laurels (what few and rotten they are), rather than tilting at straw men you conjure up and wave in the face of the public?  



Wednesday, July 17, 2013

The ACA Comes Back to Haunt Unions



Those are the haughtily-spoken, blatantly-incorrect words of Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, while the 2,163,744 word Affordable Care Act was being shoe-horned through Congress in late 2009 and 2010. 

Fast forward a few years to 2013, and the date of implementation is right around the corner. What states like California and Ohio are discovering already is that implementing this amount of government apparatus is going to cost the average American time, money, and hassle. Premiums on the individual market could more than double. The IRS, unimpeachably fair institution that it is *cough, cough*, will be given 46 new powers to collect information, levy taxes, and determine eligibility among other things. Now, even the very muscle that pushed Obamacare forward is coming to regret it. 

In an open letter to Congresswoman Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Mr. James Hoffa of the Teamsters' Union (yes, the name caught our eye too), as well as James Hanson of the UFCW and D Taylor of UNITE-HERE delineate the reasons that their organizations can no longer support this law. Many of the promises made about Obamacare during its controversy by the administration are now being proven false when the rubber meets the road. 

The Union bosses now realize that the law incentivizes businesses to cut workers' hours to below the minimum 30-hour line at which Obamacare dictates an employer must cover an employee with a healthcare plan. Less hours AND no healthcare for workers are just the beginning of the consequences of the bill. Past that, the non-profit healthcare plans that were made possible by the Hartley-Taft Act would suffer under the ACA since it subsidizes for-profit plans, but taxes the two at the same level. This will drive non-profit plans under, and funnel employees to the more expensive for-profit plans to which they fought so hard for an alternative. 

This is nothing new, as Mr. Hoffa reminds the two legislators in the letter...
"As you both know first-hand, our persuasive arguments have been disregarded and met with a stone wall by the White House and the pertinent agencies."
The manifold problems with the Affordable Care Act have been constant concerns for the GOP in the last three years. Not in a long time has a law met with this kind of resistance AFTER it has already passed. 




Now that the regulatory ceiling is coming down on the American people, more and more are realizing that that opposition was based on wise principles, and valid predictions. I expect more to come out against the law as the deadline nears. But this is a HUGE blow to what amounts to the crown cubic-zirconium in the Obama Presidency.