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By Marc, February 28, 2010 9:30 pm

Lost in all my other posts on the 1^st Congressional District race this week was the fact that the House voted overwhelmingly to pass, 406-19, the Health Insurance Industry Fair Competition Act. Can’t get more bi-partisan that that!

So what is the Health Insurance Industry Fair Competition Act all about? It once and for all repeals the antitrust exemption health insurance companies have held since 1945. You may wonder, “Why the heck did they have an antitrust exemption in the first place?” In 1945, antitrust law was much different. It was actually illegal for insurance companies to share any sort of information, including historical loss data that could be used by small insurance companies to share risk and set appropriate premium rates. To accommodate this, Congress decided to give a full exemption to the industry. In retrospect, a very narrow exception would have done the trick. Under current antitrust law, this sort of sharing of information is considered legal.

In a press release issued by Congressman Periello (D-Va.) and Congresswoman Betsy Markey (D-Colo.), who introduced this bill, they noted that since 1945 health insurance companies have enjoyed protections “from liability for antitrust practices like price fixing, dividing up market territories or bid rigging.”

As Rep. Periello explained

Today, Washington finally took a stand for patients, for the free market, and for common-sense, bipartisan principles of fairness. Today, we sent a simple message: health insurance companies must compete for business like everyone else…Working middle-class families are sick and tired of getting nickel and dimed by these companies while they rack up billions in profit and enjoy their monopoly protection…

I can’t say enough good things about the job that Rep. Periello is doing on behalf of his district, Virginia and the country. This guy gets it!

As Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas) notes in the Hill,

Profits for the ten largest insurance companies rose 250 percent between 2000 and 2009 — ten times faster than inflation. In the last 14 years, there have been 400 mergers in the health insurance industry, and in most states, one or two insurers dominate the market.

How these sort of anti-competitive practices were allowed to go on for as long as they did is truly amazing!  I hope that the Senate follows through and passes this immediately. It’s high time that consumers are protected against such practices.

Want a lesson in leadership? Check out Rep. Periello’s urging of the passage of the bill, which he authored, on the House floor:

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By Marc, February 28, 2010 10:42 am

Where do the democrats running for the nomination in the 1^st CD stand on the House health care bill that was passed and the public option? At the Stafford 1^st CD Candidate Forum on 02.20.10, Scott Robinson and Krystal Ball had the following to say:

If you were hoping to get a direct answer on the public option from Scott, don’t hold your breath. He starts out by saying that

I’m a type of person that I personally do not get so wrapped up on what the term is. What I believe is cut the deal. We’re looking for the perfect plan and as a result we have no plan.

Scott, we do have a plan. We need a partner in the Republicans that are willing to stop playing politics with health care and who are willing to work across party lines for the good of the nation. The Republicans have disintegrated into the party of “no.” What’s their plan? To start over! Health care reform is fundamental to our economic growth and now is not the time to start over. Personally, I’m more than open to suggestions on improving the current plan; however, that’s hard to do with an unwilling partner. Haven’t Democrats given up enough in the plan already? If elected, you’d have us give up more?

Scott goes on to say:

My positions on health care are very simple: if it lowers the deficit, if it is available to all Americans and if it is affordable. If it meets those three principles, I will back it. The House bill did that and the Senate bill that. As a result I would have backed either one of those bills.

The public option is a critical part in attaining the competition that is needed to meet those three principles. His answer actually provided for one of the more testy moments in the forum. As you can probably hear, a member of the audience prods him to answer the question and stop evading it. When asked again on whether he supported the public option, he simply shrugged, put his head down and refused to answer.

According to recent polling by the non-partisan Research 2000, 61% of all Virginias overwhelmingly support the public option that includes 62% of independents, 78% of Obama voters and 84% of Democrats. Blue Virginia had an excellent piece on the polling results here. If all of these groups support the public option, why can’t Scott answer the question?

The contrast in leadership between Scott and Krystal could not be any starker. Krystal had the following to say about the public option at the forum:

I’ve been a vocal supporter of the public option from the beginning. And I would have absolutely voted for the health care bill that passed the House. I think that the public option is a critical part of reform because it is one of the most serious efforts that we have in the House bill to actually cut costs and increase competition. It’s the exact sort of thing that a responsible Republican should be for. It’s not a left-wing socialist government takeover. It’s a responsible way to increase competition. And I think it is an important part of reform.

One thing is clear, we all know where Krystal stands on just about every question that she has ever been asked. On the other hand, we have not idea where Scott stands. This election is too important to gamble with our future. The sure bet is a vote for Krystal Ball!

Update: Blue Virginia has an excellent post up now that provides great additional insight on this topic. Also as Blue Virginia points out, “we’ve seen this movie before.” I have no interest in seeing a repeat in 2010.

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By Marc, February 26, 2010 4:31 pm

How do the democrats running for the nomination in the 1^st CD plan on creating jobs in the district? At the Stafford 1^st CD Candidate Forum this past Saturday, Scott Robinson and Krystal Ball had the following to say:

Given Krystal’s experience as a successful small business owner, she offered the following analysis:

This is an area where we know that the engine of growth ultimately is not going to be the government. The government is filling a gap right now and is helping to boost the economy and get it back on track. But what’s ultimately going to lead to our economic success in this district and others is small businesses. That’s something that I know a lot about.

Krystal has an impressive background. Her professional experience ranges from software design and implementation for the US Federal Courts to evaluating Indian start-ups in education. She currently owns an educational software company.

As a small business owner, she knows what it takes to create jobs. As Krystal explains,

as a CPA I know the sort of tax reform that will help small businesses, as a business owner myself I know the sort of incentives that can help small business owners, I know that access to credit is absolutely critical.

She not only knows that small businesses will play a critical role in our economic recovery, but also has a deep understanding of critical job-related issues effecting folks throughout the first district:

In the southern end of the district, the quadrennial defense review just came out and they are recommending that we move a carrier [that resides in] Norfolk down to Mayport, Florida. That would mean 11,000 job losses in Virginia. Some of those would be in the first and some of those would be in other districts. But that’s something that I’m tremendously concerned about that we are going to have to pay attention to and make sure that our representatives are arguing forcefully for keeping that carrier in Norfolk.

What’s Scott’s plan for creating jobs in the district and throughout Virginia? Broadband. He had the following to say:

I’ve been to D.C.; I’ve met with different leaders. They all say the same thing; Scott the First Congressional District is probably the best piece of real estate in the country for job development. You’ve got a great location. You’ve got Norfolk and Newport News down south, you’ve got Richmond, you’ve got DC up north. It forms a perfect triangle. You’ve got infrastructure, you’ve got rail, you’ve got airport, you’ve got a port, you’ve got four-lane highways going east, west, an educated workforce. You have an educated workforce. I’ll put my colleges up against any colleges in the country: Mary Washington, William and Mary, Christopher Newport, the community college, Rappahannock Community College. But the one thing that we don’t have and we are not going to create any jobs in the First Congressional District is until we bring technology to the district. I have been pressing that the entire 5-months. We have to bring broadband throughout the entire district.

While I agree that we’ve got some of the finest colleges within the country and that continuing to expand broadband throughout the district is a great idea, I feel that this is a very simplistic view of what conditions are necessary to create jobs. I’m certainly in favor of expanding broadband throughout the district as part of a comprehensive strategy to create jobs, but that can’t be the entire plan.

On a side note, fomer Gov. Kaine and Sen. Warner have done an outstanding job of expanding broadband access throughout Virginia. Former Gov. Kaine actually established the Office of Telework Promotion and Broadband Assistance, which works towards establishing affordable, accessible broadband services to underserved areas of the Commonwealth.

Krystal knows what it will take to jumpstart job creation in the district, having created jobs herself. She wants to invest in green technology and provide incentives for companies and entrepreneurs to locate their business within the district, especially in Economic Empowerment Zones.

She will also propose necessary tax reforms to help spur job creation and make sure that these same businesses are able to get critical access to credit. Many small businesses have struggled mightily in securing adequate credit to make payroll in these difficult times, so access to credit is critical.

She also wants to invest in smart grid technology, which would allow alternative energy sources to become viable and potentially lead to individual’s ability to become energy entrepreneurs through selling their excess energy through the grid. This is the out-of-the-box thinking that we need to create 21^st century jobs!

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By Marc, February 26, 2010 2:20 pm

For those not paying attention, Sky Blu of the electro-funksters LMFAO was recently involved in an incident with Mitt Romney aboard a Vancouver flight after the group performed at the 2010 Winter Olympics.

From TMZ:

According to a video confessional from LMFAO’s Sky Blu, it all started when he leaned his seat back while the plane was still on the tarmac … and Romney, who was sitting behind him, started yelling at him to put his seat back up.

Sky Blu claims Romney then reached forward and grabbed his shoulder … and in turn, he hit the Presidential wannabeen’s forehead. Shortly after, authorities boarded the plane and escorted Sky Blu off the flight … and the other member of LMFAO got it all on tape.

In a recent visit with MTV, Sky Blue and fellow bandmate Redfoo (who played the part of Romney) decided to reenact the events (an entertaining, but not a factual depiction of the event itself). Enjoy!

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By Marc, February 26, 2010 11:06 am

Where do the democrats running for the nomination in the 1^st CD stand on gun control? At the Stafford 1^st CD Candidate Forum this past Saturday, Scott Robinson and Krystal Ball had the following to say:

Scott and Krystal are supporters of the 2^nd Amendment. In case their was any doubt in your mind on where Scott stands on guns, he wants you to know that he guesses he is “a big supporter of guns.”

Both candidates were asked on where they stood on guns in bars. Scott is “uneasy” about guns in bars and does not ultimately support it. Krystal left no doubt in anyone’s mind on where she stands on guns in bars:

Guns in bars is just a bad idea. Anybody knows that beer and guns are probably not a good mix.

In typical Scott fashion, on the issue of gun legislation in general, he refused to stake out any real, concrete positions. Instead, he kept repeating that

it’s not really a federal issue; it’s really a state issue.

What a cop out! Can he provide any straight answers or opinions on issues? With current federal and state gun legislation on the books and several bills pending in the 111^th Congress, what is Scott’s position and what, if any, legislation would he support at the federal level? Simply saying that it is a state issue helps him avoid taking any positions. This has become an all too familiar theme in his campaign.

On a quick side note, the Supreme Court is set to take up, on Tuesday, a constitutional question that depending on the ruling may have far reaching implications on current urban gun laws throughout the country.  I’ll actually go into a little more details about this under a separate post.

So while Scott waffles and weaves, Krystal leaves little doubt in folks mind on where she stands. She explains that

we need to focus on how do violent criminals get their weapons. By and large they do not get them from retail outlets, they are getting them on the black market, they are getting them from friends who bought them on the black market. And what we really need to focus on to cut down on violent crime, which is absolutely a plague of this nation, is anti-trafficking legislation.

Krystal points to recent anti-trafficking legislation introduced by Sen. Gillibrand (D-NY) as being “on the right track.” Krystal explains that

anti-trafficking legislation at the federal level is the way to really have an impact in cutting down on violent crime.

Krystal also understands a thing or two about prioritizing needs. She actually pointed to a recent bill introduced by state Sen. Creigh Deeds that would allow lifetime hunting licenses for children younger than 2. She explains that

with all the problems that we’re facing in the state, is this really what we want to be spending our time debating. Infant hunting licenses. So, my daughter Ella for her second birthday in two weeks I can get her a hunting license.

I think Colbert does a great job of explaining all of this:

This election will come down to one of ideas and prioritization of needs. Krystal clearly has the best ideas and understands how to prioritize needs. With regards to electability, I believe that Scott is the 2010 version of Creigh Deeds. Let’s not make the same mistake twice.

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By Marc, February 25, 2010 6:18 pm

On March 2, 2010, Fairfax voters will go to the polls to fill David Mardsen’s recently vacated House seat. David Marsden was recently elected to the state Senate.

Yesterday, the Washington Post endorsed Eileen Filler-Corn (D-41) to fill this seat. I know Eileen Filler-Corn well and can’t think a better person to represent the 41^st. She is currently running against Kerry D. Bolognese (R-41). Both are not strangers to running for office. Eileen ran for this same seat in 1999 and Kerry ran just last year.

The Washington Post noted Eileen’s experience serving in the Warner and Kaine administrations in their endorsement. This experience would make her the “more effective delegate.”

They went on to say that

she has a much more fluent grasp of Virginia issues than Mr. Bolognese, having been deeply involved in education issues in Fairfax County. In addition to having served five years on the PTA Board for the county schools, she helps develop after-school programs as a member of the school system’s Child Care Advisory Council.

They contrast Eileen’s experience to Kerry’s experience by noting that

Mr. Bolognese’s main claim to involvement in state and local issues is that he pays taxes. A higher education lobbyist and former congressional staffer, he has little personal experience in public affairs in Fairfax or Richmond. That shows in his vague pronouncements about state government, which follow a doctrinaire script (cut waste, shrink government) unburdened by the facts.

In addition to this Washington Post endorsement, former Delegate Jim Dillard (R-41) has recently endorsed Eileen.

Jim noted in his endorsement that

as a Republican I am willing to cross party lines to support a moderate who cares strongly about providing excellent educational opportunities for our children in our public schools and institutions of higher learning. Unlike her opponent, who believes we spend ‘excessive’ amounts on public education, Eileen will fight to get our fair share of education dollars to maintain our superior schools in Fairfax County. That is why I am proud to support Eileen Filler-Corn for Delegate.

Jim held the 41^st House seat from 1972 to 2005.

The choice is clear, on March 2, 2010 (or before) vote for Eileen! She will make an outstanding new member of the House of Delegates.

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By Marc, February 25, 2010 6:04 pm

Where do the democrats running for the nomination in the 1^st CD stand on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell?” At the Stafford 1^st CD Candidate Forum this past Saturday, Scott Robinson and Krystal Ball had the following to say:

Simply put, Krystal supports Adm. Mike Mullen’s, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, opinion that “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” should be repealed. Adm. Mike Mullen provided some pretty powerful testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee recently. He said that

allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly would be the right thing to do.

He went on to say that

no matter how I look at this issue, I cannot escape being troubled by the fact that we have in place a policy which forces young men and women to lie about who they are in order to defend their fellow citizens or me personally,  it comes down to integrity, theirs as individuals and ours as an institution.

With regards to repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” Scott will support whatever the results of a study currently being conducted on this very question.  If there is one thing I have learned is that people, rightly or wrongly, support leaders that are principled and wiling to take stands on difficult issues. Scott seems neither principled nor willing to take a stand on this issue (let alone any).

Heck, even former Vice President Dick Cheney has weighed in on the subject. In an interview on “This Week,” he was quoted as saying that

When the chiefs come forward and say, ‘We think we can do it,’ then it strikes me that it’s – it’s time to reconsider the policy.

Sen. Joe Lieberman plans on introducing a bill next week to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Yes, Joe Lieberman.

In a recent Washington Post-ABC News poll, 75% of all Americans said that they support openly gay people serving in the military.  This same poll also indicates that this is widely supported by folks of all parties. 82% of Democrats, 77% of independents and 64% of Republicans support repealing it.

As John C. Maxwell once said, “a leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” Krystal is just that leader.

UPDATE: Lowell has additional insight on this subject at Blue Virginia.