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By O.Hank!, January 29, 2013 4:39 am

January 29, 2013 — This past week, we witnessed a Republican Party that is becoming increasingly out of touch – and desperate to hold on to power and the past!

On the state level in Virginia, GOP leaders continued their attempts to change the rules on voting and how Presidential elections are tallied.  They are still simmering over the President’s SECOND victory in Virginia, which propelled him to a second term. This happened even after GOP leaders spent last year passing legislation to disenfranchise minorities, college students and the poor.  So, this year, the GOP ramped up their efforts to make it even HARDER for these voters to exercise their Constitutional rights.

As if that weren’t bad enough, GOP leaders in the state Senate, split evenly between 20 Republicans and 20 Democrats, snuck in a redistricting bill on Monday, January 21, Inauguration Day, when Sen. Henry Marsh (D-Richmond), a noted civil rights leader in Virginia, went to D.C. to attend the Inaugural ceremonies.  With the Senate now divided 20-19, the GOP had the advantage and rammed through this bill.  Even Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, Republican, was ashamed.  Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell distanced himself from the Senate action, but whether or not he will veto the bill remains to be seen.

And as if THAT weren’t bad enough, Virginia GOP Sen. Bill Carrico led the fight to change the electoral rules of Presidential elections from winner-take-all to proportional allotments by Congressional Districts, which the Tea Party/GOP Congress gerrymandered in 2011 and which would give the GOP the advantage.  This paralleled action in other states controlled by the GOP that were won by Obama.

With these actions, the GOP motto has become: If you can’t beat ‘em, cheat ‘em.  Remember, this is the “values” Party….

Let’s face it, Republican leaders are mad!  They HATE the fact that Obama is President – and won again!  They will do anything to gain and keep power, including lying, cheating and stealing.  They and their shrinking base of old white guys HATE the fact that the face of America and Virginia is changing, so they fuel the flames of fear and use lies to divide people, and pass laws that keep people from voting and change the rules so they can win.  They continue to call the President names, and on and on and on….

Sadly for the country, it’s SOS from the GOP – a bunch of Grumpy Old Pfarts.

The day after the Inauguration, GOP Speaker John Boehner accused the President of trying to “annihilate” the GOP.   At the rate they are going, Boehner and his GOP/Tea Party right-wingers will accomplish this feat all on their own.  Here’s to their success!

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By Marc, October 31, 2011 8:42 pm

On Sunday, Sen. Mark Warner appeared at a rally in support of Virginia State Senator Edd Houck’s (D-VA-17th) re-election campaign.

Sen. Warner noted how Sen. Houck has been critical in helping to maintain and protect Virginia’s AAA bond rating. He also talked about how if Washington doesn’t deal with its’ huge debt in a fair and balanced way that there would be cuts that disproportionally effect education, infrastructure, law enforcement and research. This trickle down effect will have a devastating effect on local communities.

Virginia, under Gov. Bob McDonnell, has already cut billions of dollars in education and health care the past couple of years. This is all while his biggest donors get hefty tax breaks while Virginians struggle.

Combine what’s happening on the federal level and on the state level and you have a recipe for disaster. Virginia’s AAA bond rating has been assigned a “negative outlook” by Moody’s. Sen. Edd Houck has consistently supported a balanced approach to our state budgets, which has helped to preserve Virginia’s AAA bond.

As Sen. Warner put it, “the last thing we want to do is turn Richmond into Washington.” He went on to say:

If we turn Richmond over to all one party and not the John Chichester types because their voices will not be heard in a legislature where compromise is not viewed as an essential trade of government, but compromise is somehow viewed the way it is now in Washington as a sign of weakness.

Sen. Houck’s Koch Brothers backed opponent doesn’t comprehend the words “balance” and “compromise.” The Republicans have lurched so far to the right that moderate’s in the party, who understand “balance” and “compromise,” have no home.

One such person is former State Senate Finance Chairman John Chichester (R-VA) who recently endorsed Sen. Houck. In his endorsement, he had the following to say:

Senator Houck worked closely with me and other Republicans to pass common sense legislation that helped to protect and create jobs, make create jobs, make critical investments in core services, and cut taxes.

Party labels are not as important as someone’s commitment to principle and willingness to work in a bipartisan fashion to find solutions. Edd will continue to be a leader on issues important to Virginias like improving our economy and keeping taxes low…I strongly encourage all of my fellow Republicans and other friends in the 17th District to send Edd Houck back to the State Senate.

Vote on November 8 to re-elect Virginia Sen. Edd Houck, our futures depend on it! The 17th District consists of all or parts of the counties of Albermarle, Culpeper, Louisa, Orange, and Spotsylvania and the City of Fredericksburg.

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By Marc, October 18, 2011 8:23 pm

You can read more about Cindy Colasanto’s emotional struggle to change the way emergency responders drive through red light intersections here – after her daughter was killed in a tragic car crash with a Fairfax County police officer. It’s a truly heartbreaking story with a happy ending. Ashley’s Law was signed into law on July 26, 2011, in large part to 3 years of hard work by Cindy and the help of Sen. Toddy Puller.

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By Marc, October 17, 2011 6:00 pm

Former State Senator John Chichester (R-VA) has endorsed Toddy Puller (D-VA), per the following press release:

Former Virginia Republican State Senate Finance Chairman John Chichester endorsed Senator Linda T. “Toddy” Puller for reelection to the 36th Senatorial District of Virginia. Senator Chichester said: “We need more senators like Toddy Puller. She is fair, has integrity, listens and has no agenda except to represent the people of Virginia in the best way possible.”

Senator Chichester represented the 28th District of Virginia in the Fredericksburg area for almost 30 years. He also served eight years as the President Pro Tem of the Senate.

“During my service in the Senate,” Senator Chichester said: “Senator Puller did not approach issues as a Republican or a Democrat but considered what would work best for the people of Virginia. She carefully considers the facts about the issues and works to keep the state fiscally strong by ensuring Virginia is able to provide the core services government is tasked to do. Her common sense, effective approach to government has helped to make Virginia the ‘best governed state, the best state in which to do business, and the best state to raise a child.’”

“Senator Puller is well respected for her leadership on veterans issues, education, and transportation. She has been very successful in addressing concerns and supporting legislation to make great strides in these areas.”

In conclusion, Senator Chichester stated that: “it was a pleasure to serve with her in the Virginia Senate and I am pleased to endorse Senator Toddy Puller for reelection to the Virginia State Senate. I know she will continue to serve the 36th District and our great Commonwealth well.”

I couldn’t have said it any better myself. Toddy is the consummate professional. I couldn’t agree with Chichester more, “She is fair, has integrity, listens and has no agenda except to represent the people of Virginia in the best way possible.”

Go Toddy!