2009.11.01
Trejbal: We get the government we deserve
Voters have only themselves to blame
By Christian Trejbal
Trejbal is an editorial writer stationed at the papers New River Valley.
New River Valley governments recently experimented with two types of parenting. In Radford, the city council prefers tough love; in Montgomery County, supervisors shelter their charges.
The constitutional officers in both localities have fallen on hard financial times thanks to revenue shortfalls in Richmond.
Commonwealth's attorneys, sheriffs, circuit court clerks, commissioners of revenue and treasurers get most of their money from the state, and four rounds of state budget cuts in two years have taken a toll.
The most recent cuts, to help make up a $1.35 billion statewide shortfall, could break them.
These offices ran lean operations before the state started slashing. Now they must provide essential services without adequate resources.
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Deeds cannot win in Virginia, He made the mistake of telling Virginians the truth about their freeloading ways, about the need to fix transportation, and about the need to pay for it.
Virginians, used to their free lunch at the transportation buffet, booed Deeds down, and raised high the man who tells them the sweet lies they love to hear, "you can have it all for free" Mickey-D.
Oh, sure Virginians cry and complain, about transportation, about gridlock, but the truth is? when the time comes to face up to responsibilities, to pay for what they use, to make plans for the future,, Virginia's voters are like little children waiting to be tucked into bed. They want to continue the fantasy of their fairy tales, instead of growing up, and becoming responsible adults, responsible members of society.
They won't vote Deeds -they would rather live a freeloading lie, than face the truth about their freeloading at the transportation buffet - And Mickey-D says they can continue to have it for free.
But then Virginia is all about "lip Service" So this election it will be to paraphrase the old movie "Delta Force" motto:
"Words, not Deeds".
Comment by joe Mostowey — November 1, 2009 @ 11:46 am
Your characterization of Radford Commonwealyh's Attorney Chris Rehak as heartless is interesting. The state and the city are painted as making tough choices based on tough economic times, but when Rehak does the basically the same thing, carrying out the mandates handed down by the state and local governing bodies, he is heartless? It makes me wonder what part of Rehak's politics you find objectionable but have neglected to mention.
Comment by Another Chris — November 1, 2009 @ 11:56 am
@2 I couldn't tell you the first thing about Rehak's politics. I had to check the state board of elections site just to find out he's a Democrat. He's running unopposed on Tuesday.
I don't fault Rehak for making tough choices. He simply chose a heartless one. The column recognizes that he and the other constitutional officers ran fiscally tight offices to begin with.
Comment by C. Trejbal — November 1, 2009 @ 12:46 pm
Rehak is not heartless. In the real world--not subsidized by taxpayer dollars--folks are laid off all the time.
Comment by Glen Franklin Koontz — November 1, 2009 @ 12:49 pm
Take a drive any direction on a compass. West Virginia turnpike is now $2 instead of $1.25, but there's plenty of bridges being fixed up. Ohio, PA, TN, NC and SC all have road construction and maintenance projects going on. Maybe some stimulus dollars, maybe resident's taxes following some good fiscal policies, too. Joe has it right that Virginian's seem to expect a free lunch and our grandchildren will pay for this or move away for a better life (including more affordable college educations in a local economy that pays a salary higher than a year's tuition). Feels more and more like LA or MS 'round these parts.
Comment by NRV Citizen — November 1, 2009 @ 9:52 pm
The flip side is that Virginia's job market has withstood the 0bama recession far better than every other state of comparable size in terms of employment rate. If Virginia were like, say, Michigan, the tax base would be way down Credit strong state Republicans here for holding the line on taxes despite articles like this one.
So you can pick your poison. The real culprits, of course, are state and federal politicians who spend so much money on unnecessary programs. I have a feeling those people will find themselves being held very accountable next November.
Comment by Suzie — November 1, 2009 @ 10:11 pm
Amazing how the "Obama recession" began in the third quarter of 2007 - but the Clinton Recession didn't start until March 2001.
The contortion some will engage in to avoid accepting responsibility is quite amazing.
Comment by Dan Radmacher — November 1, 2009 @ 10:27 pm
Equally amazing is the fact that some omit the fact that 0bama was an integral part of Democratic Congress that oversaw the recession, although I wasn't aware we had two consecutive losing quarters by Sept, 2007. But we were speaking of contortion, weren't we?
Comment by Suzie — November 1, 2009 @ 10:37 pm
SW VA remains consistent with this recession as with all others. No business in periods of growth, no business in periods of recession. The vast conservative party here has done wonders for SW VA. No jobs , no growth, no future. This should be the model for the great Republican economy, No, No, No, None. Suzie, you should be proud of your success.
Comment by Richard — November 1, 2009 @ 10:52 pm
Suzie, that the blind may see, please enlighten us to how your party did not lead us into the greatest recession since 1929 and how yor party has the answers to pull us out. Show us how the republican wisdom varies from that of 1930 which has proven to be wrong, wrong, wrong.
Comment by Richard — November 1, 2009 @ 10:57 pm
Richard,
Democrats orchestrated this crisis with their mortgage loan policies, with Fannie Mae at the lead. They ignored all GOP warnings and attempts at reform. It's as simple as that.
The Great Depression would have ended years sooner had Hoover's early plan on non-intervention been followed. Hoover himself raised taxes on the wealthy, but it was nothing compared to the great socialist damage FDR wreaked on the economy, which didn't recover until the 1940s.
I wish the media had done its duty and reported the disaster of FDR economic policy. Then, perhaps Americans wouldn't have done the exact same thing 76 years later, and elected a socialist. The media has really abdicated its job in relation to 0bama. It's tragic for the country.
Comment by Suzie — November 1, 2009 @ 11:34 pm
As much as I enjoy the the debate about the national recession, they are off topic for this thread. Let's try to focus on local and state finances and voters responsibility for them. You know, the stuff the column was about.
Comment by C. Trejbal — November 2, 2009 @ 12:07 am
Sorry to stay off topic Christian, but since this was the direction of the thread, this seems more appropos here than in any of the other threads. It appears that the grand economic recovery that the left claims Obama is leading may not have been as effective as they would like us to believe. Our recovery seems to be lagging behind the rest of the world.
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/Extra/9-signs-that-america-is-in-decline.aspx
Of course the rest of the world may have actually used sound economic practices to confront the recession rather than devoting most of their efforts to blaming Bush and then trying to spend their way out of debt.
Comment by Another Chris — November 2, 2009 @ 12:26 am
Say Suzie,
is that tricky little thing you do, using a zero instead of the letter "o" whenever you write Obama's name something Rush Limbaugh thought up, or was it Glenn Beck's idea?
Comment by Tarleton Empth — November 2, 2009 @ 12:31 am
Its so funny. History shows the economy always ends up in the dumper after a few years of Republican control, then has to be rescued by the Democrats. I wonder why people never seem to remember this, and have to learn the same sad lesson over and over. Republican's selfish ways always come back to bite them (and us) in the ass.
Comment by Tarleton Empth — November 2, 2009 @ 12:33 am
Mr. Trebal, I think the meandering this post has taken speaks directly on point to the title of your article. Like any other article involving politics, it has degenerated into lemmings from the left and right taking potshots at each other. With government being of the people, it seems to be an accurate, albeit embarrassing, representation. This is the government we deserve.
Comment by MikeC — November 2, 2009 @ 7:08 am
12, Christian. Good idea. I don't know who split us off on the national recession, but maybe an interoffice memo is in order.
Comment by Suzie — November 2, 2009 @ 8:01 am
@17 Suzie, I didn't realize you worked for The Roanoke Times.
Comment by C. Trejbal — November 2, 2009 @ 8:52 am
Christian,
My post #6 mentioned the national economy in the context of your topic.
Your Dan pulled out the "0bama recession" quote and spiked the thread in a different direction. Thanks.
Comment by Suzie — November 2, 2009 @ 9:05 am
Sorry, Suzie - and Christian. But I felt compelled to point out the hypocrisy of laying this recession on Obama when it officially began a year before he was elected.
Comment by Dan Radmacher — November 2, 2009 @ 9:48 am
#20,
I can't wait to see how much slack you give to McDonnell. I am sure it will consistent with that given to the president....
Not.
Comment by Bob H — November 2, 2009 @ 10:16 am
Bob,
We certainly will not blame McDonnell - if he wins - for the impacts of a nationwide recession that began a full two years before he takes office.
Comment by Dan Radmacher — November 2, 2009 @ 10:27 am
However, Bob, you noted in another post, you blame Kaine for not getting things done that he promised while running, yet his whole administratin has been dealing with the worldwide recession. You seem to want to hold him responsible, but do not want us to hold McDonnel responsible. We will hold him responsible for how he deals with his circumstances. As Obama brings out of recession, I feel sure McDonnell will get lots of accolades from you for saving us.
Comment by Richard — November 2, 2009 @ 10:41 am
Tarleton #14
Thanks. I got it from my friends, T. Witten and Patrick. It's very appropos that 0bama's name starts with a cipher. It fits his experience, accomplishments, and character.
Comment by Suzie — November 2, 2009 @ 8:23 pm
I'm very glad to hear the leftwingers in here are absolving Bush of any responsibility for 9-11 since plans were made and terrorists arrived under Clinton's watch. Thanks, guys!!
Comment by Suzie — November 2, 2009 @ 8:25 pm
@6...Suzie...
You might want to poll the population on the south side of the state before you make such glowing remarks about the employment numbers.
Henry County - 13.4%
Pittsylvania County - 10.3
Martinsville City - 20.0%
Danville City - 13.0%
These folks might have a bit of a different take.
Comment by Will — November 2, 2009 @ 10:23 pm
Know what's funny Will? The whole state of California has unemployment numbers comparable to your handpicked Virginia localities.
Thanks for making my case.
Comment by Suzie — November 2, 2009 @ 10:54 pm
@14 havent you noticed that we all use a 0 instead of a o for 0bama, there is a reason..its pretty obvious to us all
Comment by pammala — November 3, 2009 @ 1:29 pm
@28
We don't "all" use it. Only the Beckerheads.
Comment by Art Hill — November 3, 2009 @ 1:34 pm
#28 See, that is what you guys do...kind of remembrances me of high school.You know yell at each other, I know you are but what am I, thing. I think most of those on fixed network are about that level. But that is just pushing buttons and those that are now in power have to go about trying to fix the mess and find solution. It is not going to be a fast fixed.
Comment by Bill Hudson — November 3, 2009 @ 1:49 pm
Beckerheads? The crowd is booing that one.
Can't you think of something pornographic and insulting and then claim ignorance like the Tea Party goers.
Comment by Uptheriver — November 3, 2009 @ 1:51 pm