Archive for April, 2006

Did Senator Bowman inadvertently collect illegal contributions?

Apr26

April 15th is the deadline for all candidates to file their contribution and expenditure reports with the Secretary of State. These filings are of extreme interest because it helps us see the inner workings of their campaign. Even though the election season is still early, we can get a good feel for a candidate’s chances.

This article is the first in a series that examines the first primary filings for the West Virginia Senate.

All of this information must be considered with past elections in mind. In 2002 Senator Steve Harrison (R-Kanawha) handily defeated incumbent Democrat Senator Mitchell and only spent $38,000 dollars in contrast to Mitchell’s $96,000 dollars. Senators Barnes and Weeks were also outspent and they won regardless.

Full story

The 42nd anniversary of failure

Apr24

Exactly 42 years ago today, President Lyndon B. Johnson landed in the Tri-State Airport in Huntington, WV, to detail his plan on fighting the war on poverty in the Appalachians. Johnson’s solution was the same as any other liberal and democrat: more government. After all these years it is good to look back and see what a classic democrat solution has really done for West Virginia. Are we any better since 1964?

In Johnson’s term, he increased federal aid to education, shoveled funds into the Appalachia region, created the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Medicare, and Department of Transportation, as well as increased Social Security benefits by 13-percent, liberalized unemployment compensation, and expanded the food stamp program.

So how did Johnson’s “unconditional war on poverty,” his 100% liberal panacea succeed?

Full story

The scam of withholding taxes

Apr17

By now all of us have either paid our taxes or filed for extensions. If you have not done either and it is Monday, stop reading this article and do it. If it is Tuesday, I have bad news: the IRS man cometh.

I did my taxes last week and I have to admit it was not in the least bit painful, thanks to the 32nd President. I find that fact very disturbing. F.D.R. had the most brilliant idea of all the Presidents to painlessly extort taxes from Americans: he called it “withholding.”

Full story

Senator Jeff Kessler doubts a sex predator problem

Apr13

Senator Jeff Kessler (D-Marshall) recently told reporters that he does not believe there is a sexual predator problem in West Virginia and he “adamantly opposes” making increased penalties mandatory.

His shocking statements to the press reveal his absolute ignorance of what is happening in West Virginia in general and his home county in particular. While the rest of the Senate is trying to work out a bill, Senator Kessler is still dazed and confused, asking for someone to tell him if there is a problem.

Full story

Random thoughts for the week

Apr9

“Random thoughts” is where I loosen up a little bit and discuss some of the less serious things of the week. In this article I write on the opening day of the West Virginia Power, Erik Wells, John Raese, Hiram Lewis, and close with a personal thank you.

Full story

Musculoskeletal issues

Apr4

I have a pain in the neck — quite literally — and no, it’s not from the democrats.

Last Thursday I stopped on Route 34 as the car in front was waiting to turn into his driveway. A truck came behind me and stopped as well, but I suddenly heard a squeal of tires as a car hit the truck, which slammed into me and then made me smack the car in front. It was like a macabre game of tag without all the jolly, rollicking fun.

Full story