Comments on: Messy Stuff in Norfolk http://vbdems.org/2010/03/messy-stuff-in-norfolk/ blogging our way to democratic wins in virginia beach Sat, 04 Feb 2012 00:48:36 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: Brian Kirwin http://vbdems.org/2010/03/messy-stuff-in-norfolk/comment-page-1/#comment-1101 Brian Kirwin Sat, 13 Mar 2010 12:22:54 +0000 http://vbdems.org/?p=626#comment-1101 How does limiting the campaign season not restrict free speech? How does limiting the campaign season not restrict free speech?

]]> By: J. Tyler Ballance http://vbdems.org/2010/03/messy-stuff-in-norfolk/comment-page-1/#comment-1067 J. Tyler Ballance Wed, 10 Mar 2010 03:17:14 +0000 http://vbdems.org/?p=626#comment-1067 One of the strengths of Virginia politics is the way in which our citizens can drift from one political party to another, depending on the needs of the citizens. Anyone who wants to win elections here in Virginia can forget about loyalty oaths, or enforcing party codes that demand fidelity to a particular party label. In Virginia, if you are on the team during this election; that is wonderful. If you are on the other side, those who know this grand game of Virginia politics, know that today's adversary may likely be tomorrow's ally, so we tend to treat everyone with the Golden Rule. It baffles the carpetbaggers from up North when Virginians blend their politics, but to old Virginia families, this is the way we have often dealt with politics. It is great that we have so many non-partisan races, and it is to our citizens' benefit that our primaries are open to everyone and voting is not restricted members of the host party. Our system forces both parties to have to make their appeals to a much broader range of our citizens, and not to just a small segment of their own party. One area where both Rs and Ds should unite to work together is, campaign finance reform. We need to restore the representative relationship between elected officials and the citizens. To achieve this, we need to: 1. Restrict contributions to only those whose primary residence is in the district. 2. Ban corporate contributions. 3. Ban PAC contributions. 4. Cap contributions to equal the federal limits for individuals. 5. Limit campaign season to ninety days before the election. Such changes will not restrict free speech of the citizens, but will amplify the voices of those who actually live within the district where each election is to be held. One of the strengths of Virginia politics is the way in which our citizens can drift from one political party to another, depending on the needs of the citizens.

Anyone who wants to win elections here in Virginia can forget about loyalty oaths, or enforcing party codes that demand fidelity to a particular party label.

In Virginia, if you are on the team during this election; that is wonderful. If you are on the other side, those who know this grand game of Virginia politics, know that today’s adversary may likely be tomorrow’s ally, so we tend to treat everyone with the Golden Rule.

It baffles the carpetbaggers from up North when Virginians blend their politics, but to old Virginia families, this is the way we have often dealt with politics. It is great that we have so many non-partisan races, and it is to our citizens’ benefit that our primaries are open to everyone and voting is not restricted members of the host party. Our system forces both parties to have to make their appeals to a much broader range of our citizens, and not to just a small segment of their own party.

One area where both Rs and Ds should unite to work together is, campaign finance reform. We need to restore the representative relationship between elected officials and the citizens. To achieve this, we need to:

1. Restrict contributions to only those whose primary residence is in the district.
2. Ban corporate contributions.
3. Ban PAC contributions.
4. Cap contributions to equal the federal limits for individuals.
5. Limit campaign season to ninety days before the election.

Such changes will not restrict free speech of the citizens, but will amplify the voices of those who actually live within the district where each election is to be held.

]]> By: Scott Cohen http://vbdems.org/2010/03/messy-stuff-in-norfolk/comment-page-1/#comment-1066 Scott Cohen Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:48:33 +0000 http://vbdems.org/?p=626#comment-1066 In this spirit of council, these people should be independents. I'm guessing Mr. Wright is a true independent. I honestly do not believe that you have to support every political position or candidate to be considered a member of that party. If people keep doing that, it will drive people away from parties and add more independents to the mix. In Va Beach, many Dems voted for Bob McDonnell because they knew him from his many years of service in Va. Beach. Many dems also on that same ticket voted for Jody Wagner. I think what people want is more leadership and less bickering. In this spirit of council, these people should be independents. I’m guessing Mr. Wright is a true independent. I honestly do not believe that you have to support every political position or candidate to be considered a member of that party. If people keep doing that, it will drive people away from parties and add more independents to the mix. In Va Beach, many Dems voted for Bob McDonnell because they knew him from his many years of service in Va. Beach. Many dems also on that same ticket voted for Jody Wagner. I think what people want is more leadership and less bickering.

]]> By: Sarah Yoder http://vbdems.org/2010/03/messy-stuff-in-norfolk/comment-page-1/#comment-1061 Sarah Yoder Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:18:00 +0000 http://vbdems.org/?p=626#comment-1061 Exactly, Scott. City council is non-partisan. I don't live in Norfolk, but I have family in Wright's district. He has broad-based support among Republicans and Democrats. And though I've never met Mr. Smiegel, I'm sure he's a very nice person. However, just because he has worked on several campaigns in the past doesn't mean he will make a good law maker. I have worked on campaigns for dozens of years, and that does not, by definition, make me qualified to run for public office or be an effective legislator. Here's a thought. Maybe the Norfolk Democrats believe the Randy Wright is actually the better candidate. I'm just saying. Exactly, Scott. City council is non-partisan. I don’t live in Norfolk, but I have family in Wright’s district. He has broad-based support among Republicans and Democrats.

And though I’ve never met Mr. Smiegel, I’m sure he’s a very nice person. However, just because he has worked on several campaigns in the past doesn’t mean he will make a good law maker. I have worked on campaigns for dozens of years, and that does not, by definition, make me qualified to run for public office or be an effective legislator.

Here’s a thought. Maybe the Norfolk Democrats believe the Randy Wright is actually the better candidate. I’m just saying.

]]> By: Scott Cohen http://vbdems.org/2010/03/messy-stuff-in-norfolk/comment-page-1/#comment-1060 Scott Cohen Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:46:45 +0000 http://vbdems.org/?p=626#comment-1060 I dont see any significance in this... The City Council really has no "democratic" or "republican" politics. It doesn't matter who he endorses or supports. I dont see any significance in this… The City Council really has no “democratic” or “republican” politics. It doesn’t matter who he endorses or supports.

]]> By: William Bailey http://vbdems.org/2010/03/messy-stuff-in-norfolk/comment-page-1/#comment-1056 William Bailey Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:23:35 +0000 http://vbdems.org/?p=626#comment-1056 Unless the Dems put an end to this type activity, it will continue. Mark Warner should call him on the carpet and cancel the fundraiser. Unless the Dems put an end to this type activity, it will continue. Mark Warner should call him on the carpet and cancel the fundraiser.

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