Happiness is a Republican Governor
By D.J. McGuire | Tuesday, May 10th, 2011 | Policy, Politics, VirginiaLike most Americans, Virginians are not very happy about the direction of the country, according to the Washington Post. Only 31% of Comonwealthers think the nation is on the right track.
So, naturally, said dissatisfaction would be expected at the state level as well.
Only it doesn’t: “Fifty-two percent of adults polled think that the state is generally moving on the right course.”
Since both state and nation have a divided legislature (lower house, GOP; upper house, Dems), the difference is even more clear: Bob McDonnell – a Governor willing to bite the bullet and cut spending – vis a vis Barack Obaam – who has stubbornly and maddeningly refused to do the same.
If anything, that number may be too low, in the Post‘s interviews with respondents, the only anti-McDonnell Virginian cited got her facts wrong (contrary to her view, McDonnell has redirected at least some surplus funds back to education).
Yet another reminder that limited government has more backing than people think.
Cross-posted to the right-wing liberal
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Former candidate for Board of Supervisors in Spotsylvania, current blogger, economics teacher, and long-rumored windbag. There are two causes closest to the heart: steering the country away from the social democratic nonsense that is sinking Europe, and convincing the rest of the "rightosphere" that the NBA really is a joy to watch.
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13 Responses to "Happiness is a Republican Governor"
Git R Dun Bob
https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Draft-Bob-McDonnell-for-President-in-2012/182559595128064
I guess we Virginians believe in fairy tales. McDonnell has used federal money to withstand the recession, showing absolutely that he likes others to show the political courage necessary in times of stress, but he lacks that in his own decisions. Better to cut education, social programs, courts and justice, public safety, and count on local officials to deal with this the best they can. In one thing McDonnell earns four stars; public relations. He has the uncanny ability to make people think he has done the right thing when in fact he has simply done the easy thing. Like taking credit for fixing transportation when he simply borrowed with no way plan to pay it back. Let the next Governor deal with the tough issue.
Actually, supporting Creigh Deeds for Governor is truly believing in fairy tales.
BK,
I supported Creigh Deeds very strongly and I still believe we would have been better off had we elected him as Governor.
Somehow I very much doubt that Creigh Deeds, while a very nice individual who wants to do what is best for the Commonwealth, was able to look himself in the mirror during the campaign and answer the question “Why do I want to be Governor of Virginia?”
Nate, the problem was most Virginians asked “Why would we want him to be Governor of Virginia?”
David, if he won, the Commonwealth would be (rhymes with trucked).
Yes, Brian’s quip shows his support for borrowing to pay for roads, borrowing instead of paying the obligation to VRS, borrowing from the feds for unemployment insurance, taking federal stimulus money while criticizing Congress and the President for making it available, and “supporting” higher education by reducing state support and making tuition go up at about four times the rate of inflation, and cutting support for local government services but making Mayors make those decisions. But hey, we paid a billionaire for a film to be made in Virginia. What else could we dream for?
Brian,
I would definately concur!
Not being able to articulate why he should be governor, as opposed to why McDonnell should not, certainly cost Deeds in the election. That said, knowing both guys, I don’t think there would be a great deal of difference in the policy the state has followed over the last two years.
Actually Steve, I agree, except that I think Deeds would have pursued a gas tax to fund transportation improvements instead of requiring a future Governor to do so. Would it have passed the House? Perhaps not, but in the end, Virginians need to know that you don’t get anything for nothing.
MB – I disagree. Deeds said he’d only proceed with a gas tax for transportation, IF a consensus was there for it in the legislature. So it probably wouldn’t have happened, given the nature of the opposition to it in the House.
One major difference I can think of is that we wouldn’t have had the ABC privatization fiasco. I’m in favor of privatizing the stores, but Team McDonnell made just about every mistake they could make in trying to make that happen. End result, no difference, but Deeds wouldn’t have had to waste time on the effort.
Perhaps you are correct. The Speaker is adamant about any tax increases and seems just fine with requiring those that follow to pay for the new initiatives for which he can take credit.
This must also be why people are always happy with their Congressional representation and yet dissatisfied with Congress as a whole.
Brian,
Why don’t you comment on Mike’s first or second post? Don’t you disagree with all those nasty statements about our Governor or are you just continuing to ignoring reality?
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