A new poll shows a majority prefer to raise taxes and/or raise the retirement age for Social Security rather than cutting benefits. All of this angst over Social Security cold have been avoided had two things been done. First, the federal government should have never been allowed to borrow the surpluses in the Social Security … Continue reading Fixing Social Security
My latest op-ed, title above, appeared in The Virginian-Pilot Thursday. I attended a forum in Portsmouth for the candidates for city council and mayor. (Pilot reporter Dave Forster was there, too.) As someone who doesn't live in Portsmouth but who tries to follow the issues facing all of the cities in Hampton Roads, I found … Continue reading ICYMI: In Portsmouth, a break from the discord
"Martin Luther King, Jr. was a Republican." That is a true statement. But he wasn't alone. A lot of blacks were Republicans, not a surprise considering it was President Abraham Lincoln who issued the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing the slaves in the states of the Confederacy where Union forces were not in control, including areas in … Continue reading The missing link
But not for a debate. The Virginian-Pilot reports that the two former governors will appear separately at a luncheon hosted by the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce on October 19. The event will be held at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott. I saw this two-step in 2009 when gubernatorial candidates Bob McDonnell and Creigh Deeds appeared … Continue reading Allen-Kaine in Hampton Roads
Ben Hudson of Fluvanna has thrown his hat in the ring for the congressional seat now held by Robert Hurt, and sought also by General John Douglass of Faquier. (5th CD) Hudson, a retired Lieutenant Colonel, is 51 and has two grown children. He is married to his wife Brenda. His candidacy will be a … Continue reading New candidate in the 5th Congressional District
The Virginia Legislative Black Caucus is hosting a fundraising reception next week in Norfolk with the mayors of Norfolk, Hampton, Newport News and Portsmouth. (Click on picture to enlarge.) Sponsorships are available starting at $50. RSVP by Monday, August via email or make payment using ActBlue.
I can only assume Rep. Todd Akin, now the Republican Senate candidate from Missouri, failed 10th grade biology. That's the only excuse I can come up with for somebody saying what he did in an interview Sunday. But that wasn't the worst of his comment. Yeah, you heard right. ...first of all, from what I … Continue reading “Legitimate” rape?
... Mitt Romney gets elected and Gov. Bob McDonnell resigns to take an appointment in his administration? Well, we all know that would elevate LG Bill Bolling to the governor's mansion. But what of the LG position? Julian Walker of The Virginian-Pilot provides the answer. Article V, Section 7 vests with the governor the "power … Continue reading What if ….
My latest op-ed, title above, appeared in The Virginian-Pilot Wednesday. For some reason, this piece seemed to have the caught the attention of a lot of folks, as evidenced by the emails to me. Maybe it was just that folks are fed up with the nastiness of today's political climate. I even received an email … Continue reading ICYMI: Changes start at the bottom
In an opinion last month (pdf), Attorney General Ken Cucinelli concluded that weekend-only sentences are not available for those convicted of a felony. The opinion was requested by Virginia Beach Commonwealth's Attorney Harvey Bryant, by way of Sheriff (and former state senator) Ken Stolle. According to this article, the ruling affects 229 people statewide. The … Continue reading Weekends-only jail time: a no-no for felons
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 