Open Challenge to Deeds & Moran

By Brian Kirwin | April 25, 2008
Filed Under Democrats, Transportation |

There is a reason that no transportation solutions, especially statewide ones, ever move forward. The reason is shared by Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, and if nothing changes, nothing else will happen. Sen. Creigh Deeds or Del. Brian Moran could change everything if they spoke three simple words, the lack of which from the mouths of Mark Warner or Tim Kaine has us where we are today. The three words are:

“I’ll Raise Taxes”

I’m sick of Republicans getting beat up for being the only ones who have the guts to say BEFORE election day what they honestly think about transportation and what solutions they’ll support. It’s time the Democrats do so.

Mark Warner promised not to raise taxes. Tim Kaine promised not to raise taxes. They got elected. Why are we surprised that tax increases for transportation proposed by people elected on no-tax promises are met with strong opposition from the people or the legislature?

That’s the system working!

If Democrats want a transportation solution, here’s what they do.

The Democratic nominee for Governor proposes a tax increase for transportation and campaigns on it. If he wins, he has a mandate and his solution is implemented. If he loses, then the solution is not what the people want.

Are Creigh Deeds and Brian Moran listening?

This bait-and-switch of pushing tax increases after winning elections opposing tax increases is what creates the political gridlock we’re in.

Open challenge to either Brian Moran or Creigh Deeds. For once, campaign on your actual ideas and let voters decide. 8 years of Warner/Kaine’s anti-tax campaigns have only resulted in angry voters and zero progress when transportation solutions need to be discussed.

So, will Democratic contenders for Governor continue to talk one way about taxes before election day, and act another way in office? Or can Deeds or Moran break the logjam and tell voters up front what they’re plans are?

Bearing Drift will be happy to print responses from either Del. Moran or Sen. Creigh Deeds.

Comments

One Response to “Open Challenge to Deeds & Moran”

LittleDavid on April 25th, 2008 12:45 pm

Yeah, and I hope they include “no switching existing freeways into tollways” and “no abuser fees that discriminate against our own citizens” in their promises. No more hiding behind that by increasing fees and fines they’re not really raising taxes.

I would hope that Virginia’s citizens realize that increased revenue is going to be necessary to fund needed improvements. Due to our state Constitution, we can’t become “borrow and spend” with our state budget to meet all of our needs like the Feds have done recently. I do not like most of the proposals that have recently been trotted out to increase revenue other then an increase in the fuel tax. An increase in the fuel tax is the most fair way of spreading the pain.

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