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Much depends on how McCain runs against Barack Hussein Obama. McCain could sweep the country, but who knows which way, or which of his multiple personalities will run, as Mr. Maverick.

So, whither goest the Virginia Republicans in 08?

It depends on which Republicans you are talking about. There are the Republican members of Congress and candidates (like Jim Gilmore). There are the Republicans in the General Assembly. There is the chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia and his small but brand-labeling staff. There are the elected party officials, rank and file supporters, contributors and workers and the millions of folks who self-identify as Virginia Republicans.

I see all Virginia Republicans divided - very unevenly - into Establishment Republicans and Republican Conservatives. Both sides agree that political parties exist to win elections. The difference is in principles and power.

Establishment Republicans are often Conservative, more or less, but their first principle is to stay in power. They tax and spend. They grow government. They patronize the Party to stay in power. They serve their special interests first and foremost.

Republican Conservatives are always Conservatives who stay in the Republican Party as the closest home to their principles. Their principles are succinctly, but not completely, stated in Virginia Republican Creed. Politicians mouth it with theatric sincerity at every Republican gathering. Republican Conservatives seek power to push the issues-driven agenda - based on Conservative principles.

Virginia's Republicans will choose part of the way forward in several steps.

The election of RPV Chairman is between two authentic Conservatives. The edge for change is with Jeff Frederick.

The nomination for U.S. Senate doesn't fit the ER vs RC split. Jim Gilmore, ostensibly, would be the Establishment guy, except he is a true Conservative who had the Establishment Republicans in the GA stab in the back - every chance they got. Either candidate is Conservative. I support Jim Gilmore as true champion.

The GA's Special Session for Transportation will demonstrate in the GOP solution - if there is a GOP solution - clearly where the majority of the GA stands or slithers. For folks in Hampton Roads/Tidewater it is a quick litmus test.

-Regional government?
-Omit the HRBT?
-Same list of projects instead of a priority of what is affordable?
-New or raised taxes regionally?
-No fair share for the Port of Virginia and other users?

A 'Yes' to each question above is an Establishment Republican political suicide position.

Then, based on what kind of Republican transportation solution we have, we'll see what McDonnell, Bolling and Cuccinelli say about it. It will set the stage for their victory or defeat in 09.

From there - July to November is the daily slog of seeing what McCain does how Virginia Republicans respond - and how our candidates for Congress run their races as ERs or RCs.

In 2009 it is back to the intra-party political trench warfare we had in 2007. We'll see which ERs quit. And which RCs challenge. We'll see how the state-wide ticket runs - Establishment Republican or Republican Conservative. Then, The People of Virginia will judge for state wide offices and the House of Delegates.

So it goes. Thence goeth Virginia Republicans for now.
]]> General http://americancivilization.net/index.php?itemid=556 Fri, 16 May 2008 15:02:41 -0500 http://americancivilization.net/index.php?itemid=555
Iran, Syria, North Korea, Venezuela, FARC, Al Queada, Hamas, Hezbollah, Muslim Brotherhood, and 57 or so other Islamist terrorist groups aren't the same.

It matters when, where, how, and why the GOTUS talks to them.

Barack Hussein Obama was showing his Liberal naivete and how ill-prepared he is to lead when he spoke of unconditional talks with anyone.

The differences matter.

Of course, its best to talk to terrorists when you meet at the peace table to take their surrender.]]> General http://americancivilization.net/index.php?itemid=555 Fri, 16 May 2008 13:32:15 -0500 http://americancivilization.net/index.php?itemid=554
It's the same mix of silliness, bigotry, arrogance,and appalling ignorance to argue for homosexual marriage.

Name the place and time there was homosexual 'marriage'. Ever.]]> General http://americancivilization.net/index.php?itemid=554 Fri, 16 May 2008 13:20:32 -0500 http://americancivilization.net/index.php?itemid=553
The Six Day War in 1967 was at the end of my junior year at Yorktown HS, Arlington, VA. I remember some kids , all Protestants, were so jazzed at the victory that they went down the to the national Mall to dance in celebration. I was happy for Israel, but not that happy.

I heard from my Mother that my Dad had seen some of the camps at the end of WWII and still had nightmares.

I never heard an anti-semetic word until I had Yankee friends (8th grade) in Europe. My Grandmother had Jewish friends in Tucson, AZ and Memphis, TN. My family respected Jews. My mother's best friends were Jewish ladies who worked with her at the U. Va extension office (now GMU) in Arlington.

I learned in church that the Jews were God's chosen People. We, Christians, were adopted into the family.

I wrote a piece in 2002, "I Choose the Jews", which, as remarkable as it was for its subtlety, also had the cynical snip of what I heard from all the soldiers and Marines who had served with the Israelis.

In August 2003 I spent two nights and three days in Israel on a business trip visiting an Israeli defense firm. My traveling colleague was an Orthodox Jewish American. We picked up his son from Yeshiva in Jerusalem to visit his parents' grave outside the town. I was thrilled every minute there.

I went a respectful distance away, opened my Bible and prayed in great joy. Overwhelming, tearful joy to be there.

Can't wait to go back -someday.

I brought back sand because someone from the Bible might have walked on it.

I pity Arab Christians. I am so sorry that they are in such a bind. They have to choose the God of the Jews and the Christians or being Arab. Religion or race.

Yet, when push comes to shove on every issue of security for Israel, I choose Israel and the Jews. Bar none.

I know Israel isn't Israel of old. I support the survival of new Israel totally -no matter what.]]> General http://americancivilization.net/index.php?itemid=553 Thu, 15 May 2008 20:51:55 -0500 http://americancivilization.net/index.php?itemid=552
Democrats — Boucher, Y; Moran, Y; Scott, Y.

Republicans — Drake, Y; Forbes, Y; Goodlatte, Y; Wittman, Y;

Fiscal Conservative Republicans - Goode, N;Cantor, N; Davis, Tom, N; Wolf, N.

Wolf, Goode and Cantor have farmers in their districts, yet they voted "No". Good job, guys.

And, yet, still some Republicans wonder why there is a threat that Republicans will lose seats in November.]]> General http://americancivilization.net/index.php?itemid=552 Thu, 15 May 2008 10:13:46 -0500 http://americancivilization.net/index.php?itemid=551
40% of the electorate is reliably Republican and 40% is reliably Democrat. Agreed. (In Virginia I believe those numbers are 45% R/35 % D)

So, for the 20 % in the middle - call them Independents or Moderates or whatever - McCain is looking for 40% of this 20%. "My math suggests that he is chasing about 8% of the electorate, while ignoring or angering about 40% - the self-identified Conservatives," Mr McKenna said.

Okay, so the best world is 40 C + 8 I = 48%. 48% nationally - loses. McCain must have done terribly in math to be so low in his class rank at the Naval Academy.

Except, if McCain gets enough Inds in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Iowa and Florida - while not losing too many Cs in Colorado, Virginia, North Carolina, Arkansas, Georgia... the electoral math might add up to a win.

It is a huge gamble on the math. How many C's have to stay home for McCain to lose states that Bush carried in 00/04?

Yet, it should all work if Barack Hussein Obama is the candidate. And, McCain doesn't pick the wrong guy - like Romney or, possibly, Huckabee for VP. Because Obama is so Liberal that fewer Cs will stay home.

HRH Hillary I could beat McCain.

IMHO]]> General http://americancivilization.net/index.php?itemid=551 Wed, 14 May 2008 09:27:11 -0500 http://americancivilization.net/index.php?itemid=550
This district is one of the 20 most Conservative districts in the Nation. Top 20 out of 435. Also, Tidewater is home to the Tidewater sub-culture (Duh). What began as English Cavaliers and gained its definition under Gov. Berkeley has changed but there are still ideas that live on.

This is not the hotbed of Populism. A political brushfire from Augusta County won't burn the same hereabouts. It's different by just enough degrees to matter in important respects. I may not know anyone who is still frustrated that Charles I was 'done wrongly' by Parliament, but I wouldn't be surprised if someone said that, or merely pointed with pride to the loyalty of the Old Dominion.

473 folks registered as delegates. 182 showed up to be delegates. I recall be elected at 2 past conventions that had 250-400 or more folks.

No one showed up from Hampton. I know their main rep is ill, but someone should have been there from Hampton.

One of Bob Marshall's political mendicants was working the crowd telling all that Jim Gilmore wasn't pro-life. Not good. Gilmore addressed the point in his remarks. Just unseemly to have these folks working for Marshall - who is a good guy.

Morton Blackwell bothered to come and speak - when he is running unopposed. Factoid: He is one of 166 members of the RNC.

Cong. Rob Wittman contrasted the Democrats to the Republicans in Congress in his remarks. One of his applause lines was about cutting spending. Oddly enough, Wittman didn't mention his role in just a few months to increase spending with his millions in earmarks and the $6.2B for Democrat/Socialist make work programs.]]> General http://americancivilization.net/index.php?itemid=550 Wed, 14 May 2008 09:05:39 -0500 http://americancivilization.net/index.php?itemid=549
Just excuse him. Unless, of course, McCain wins the presidency.]]> General http://americancivilization.net/index.php?itemid=549 Tue, 13 May 2008 11:23:55 -0500 http://americancivilization.net/index.php?itemid=547
The Republicans need to add these points in their promises as they criticize the Democrat tax and spend plan. I have yet to hear from our statewide elected officials on how they are going to kill the unelected, unaccountable, unseparated powers and UN-CONSTITUTIONAL Regional Governments - the same ones we rejected at the polls twice - that were key to HB 3202. Likewise, I haven't heard how Virginia's Republican leaders are going to add the HRBT as a transportation priority.

Okay, start the clock...

]]> General http://americancivilization.net/index.php?itemid=547 Mon, 12 May 2008 17:25:18 -0500 http://americancivilization.net/index.php?itemid=546
HAMPTON ROADS TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY: RESTATED GUIDELINES, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR THE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE COLLECTION AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE FEES AND TAXES AUTHORIZED FOR USE BY THE AUTHORITY UNDER LAW AND BY RESOLUTION OF THE AUTHORITY ADOPTED AUGUST 10, 2007

Effective Date: May 1, 2008

The Transportation Funding and Reform Act of 2007, HB 3202 (the Act), authorized the Hampton Roads Transportation Authority (HRTA) to impose seven fees and taxes to generate revenues for designated transportation projects in the Hampton Roads counties and cities embraced by the HRTA, namely the cities of Suffolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Hampton, Poquoson, Newport News and Williamsburg, and Isle of Wight County, York County and James City County (the HRTA Jurisdiction). It also requires that the HRTA develop guidelines, policies and procedures for the efficient and effective collection and administration of the fees and taxes authorized for use by the HRTA. This document constitutes such policies, guidelines and procedures.

Policies

It shall be the policy of the HRTA to charge and collect the fees and taxes set forth below and in the Act to the fullest extent permitted by law and in a uniform, transparent, efficient and effective manner and to apply the revenues generated thereby in accordance with the Act. The HRTA shall assist and cooperate with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, the Virginia State Police, the Virginia Commissioner of Revenue, the Virginia Department of Tax Administration and the Virginia Department of Taxation, and the Clerks of the Circuit Courts in the HRTA Jurisdiction to the fullest extent necessary to charge and collect the fees and taxes set forth herein and in the Act. The HRTA shall provide such information and coordinate with the above state agencies and Clerk’s offices at such times as may be reasonably necessary to successfully implement these policies, guidelines and procedures.

Guidelines and Procedures
Motor Vehicle Rental Fee
The HRTA approved a two-percent increase in the motor vehicle rental fee within the HRTA Jurisdiction. This fee should be collected by rental car companies and transmitted to the Virginia Department of Taxation. The Virginia Department of Taxation should then remit these revenues to HRTA’s designated bank account. The Virginia Department of Taxation should document the jurisdiction in which the tax is collected.

Sales Tax on Auto Repairs
The HRTA approved a five-percent sales and use tax on the labor associated with automobile repairs within the HRTA Jurisdiction. This sales and use tax should be collected by repair
companies and transmitted to the Virginia Department of Taxation. The Virginia Department of Taxation should remit these revenues to HRTA’s designated bank account. The Virginia Department of Taxation should document the jurisdiction in which the tax is collected.
Annual Motor Vehicle Registration Fee

The HRTA approved a $10 annual motor vehicle registration fee increase within the HRTA Jurisdiction. This fee should be collected by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). DMV should remit these revenues to HRTA’s designated bank account. DMV should document the jurisdiction in which each vehicle is registered.

Initial Motor Vehicle Registration Fee
The HRTA approved an initial one-percent motor vehicle registration fee that applies the first time a motor vehicle is registered by its owner in the HRTA Jurisdiction. There are four scenarios for the collection of this fee: vehicle registration associated with a purchase from a dealer; vehicle registration associated with a purchase from an individual; vehicle registration associated with a Virginia resident moving into the HRTA Jurisdiction; and vehicle registration by a non-Virginia resident moving into the HRTA Jurisdiction.

Each of these scenarios will need to be handled a little differently. For most vehicles purchased from a dealer, the dealer, if permitted by law, should collect the initial registration fee as part of the sale and remit it to DMV. The fee will apply based on the HRTA Jurisdiction in which the purchaser of the vehicle resides regardless of where the vehicle is purchased. If the dealer does not collect the fee, however, DMV should note that the initial registration fee has not been collected and should bill the vehicle owner, either directly or using a contractor.

For vehicles purchased from an individual, the fee will apply based on the HRTA Jurisdiction in which the purchaser of the vehicle resides regardless of where the vehicle is purchased. The new owner should visit DMV to register the vehicle, and DMV should collect the initial registration fee at the time of initial registration.

For vehicles owned by Virginia residents who move into the HRTA Jurisdiction, the owner should visit DMV to register the vehicle, and DMV should note that the initial registration fee has not been collected. DMV should bill the vehicle for the initial registration fee either directly or through a contractor.

For vehicles owned by non-Virginia residents who move into the HRTA Jurisdiction, the owner should visit DMV to register the vehicle, and DMV should collect the initial registration fee at the time of registration.

In some cases, the vehicle owner may not change his or her address on the vehicle registration. In these cases, the local Commissioners of the Revenue or Department of Tax Administration may be the first to know the owner has moved into the HRTA Jurisdiction. In these cases, the Commissioner of the Revenue or Department of Tax Administration should flag the registration in the DMV system. DMV, or its contractor, should bill the vehicle owner for the initial registration fee.

This fee will apply even if the new vehicle owner is moving within the HRTA Jurisdiction or already resides in the HRTA Jurisdiction where an initial vehicle registration fee may already have been collected from the prior owner of the same vehicle.

DMV should remit all revenues it collects less its transaction fees to HRTA’s designated bank account. DMV should document the HRTA Jurisdiction in which each vehicle is registered.
Safety Inspection Fee

The HRTA approved a $10 annual motor vehicle safety inspection fee increase within the HRTA Jurisdiction. This fee should be collected by service stations performing inspections. The inspection station owner should remit the fee directly to an HRTA lock box to be established. The State Police should inform each inspection station in the HRTA Jurisdiction that it must collect the additional $10 fee for HRTA. The State Police should also provide HRTA a list of the number of inspections conducted by each inspection station on a regular basis.

Congestion Relief Fee (Grantor’s Tax)
The HRTA approved a $0.40/$100 valuation congestion relief fee on the sale of real property in the HRTA Jurisdiction. The Act specifies that this Congestion Relief Fee will be collected by the Clerk of Courts in each HRTA Jurisdiction. The Clerks should remit this fee to HRTA’s designated bank account.

Retail Tax on Motor Fuels
The HRTA approved a two-percent retail tax on motor fuels. This tax should be collected by the Virginia Department of Taxation and remitted to HRTA’s designated bank account.
]]> General http://americancivilization.net/index.php?itemid=546 Sun, 11 May 2008 20:25:06 -0500