Monthly Archives: December 2009

Government, Inc. Leads to Red Ink for Our Nation’s Small Businesses

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Guest Post by Congressman Bob Goodlatte

Four years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its decision in the now-notorious case of Kelo v. City of New London, which authorized the government to take private property from individuals for nearly any reason under the guise of eminent domain, even to give to other private individuals or entities.  The public outcry over this decision was so great that it forced states to enact laws to significantly rein in their own eminent domain powers.

Unfortunately, House Democrats did not learn the lessons of the Kelo decision.  A few weeks ago, they passed H.R. 4173, the so-called “Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.”  This bill would allow a team of federal bureaucrats to decide that a private business poses a risk to the economy.  Incredibly, the bill then allows the federal government to take over that private business and even gives the government the right to sell off the business’ assets.  What’s worse, to pay for these takeovers, the bill sets up a permanent $150 billion slush fund.

While the alleged purpose of this bill is to prevent a concentration of money and power in a small number of large corporations, the bill would have the opposite effect.  Knowing that the federal government will swoop in and take over any companies that it deems “too big to fail,” creditors and investors will be drawn to lend money to the largest corporations because of the implied guarantee that the federal government will step in to repay these loans.  The flow of capital will thus go to the largest corporations rather than where the money is really needed – small businesses and entrepreneurs, which are the true innovators and job creators of the U.S. economy.

The bill also creates a separate, new bureaucratic agency and bestows upon it broad authority to impose burdensome regulations on any business that lends money, extends credit or enters into repayment plans with consumers.  These regulations would hit everyone from doctors and hospitals to furniture and department stores.

It is efforts like H.R. 4173 that prompted Ronald Reagan to warn us against those who would have us believe that a small intellectual elite can manage the people better than the people can manage themselves.

For all of these reasons I have cosponsored H.J.Res. 57, a Constitutional amendment prohibiting the United States government from owning or having any interest in any private company or corporation.  This bill will prevent future taxpayer-funded bailouts of private corporations and help get government out of the way so that small businesses and entrepreneurs can access capital to innovate and create the jobs that are so desperately needed today.

In this case, as in so many others, government is not the answer, government is the problem.  To contact me about this or any other matter, please visit my website at www.goodlatte.house.gov.

Worst Political Decade Ever?

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The decade of 2000…what can I say? In personal terms, I began the decade with graduating from high school and heading off to college. Midway through the decade (2004 to be exact), I graduated college and headed off to New York with hopes that I would complete graduate school and live the city life. Of course, as we knew fate kicked its golden heels in my plans for good reason, and I decided to first head back to Maryland, then set my sights on a policy related career that led me to Virginia. The decade was filled with successes and hard lessons for me.

Looking back politically, the crew at Reason.tv has a great video highlighting the decade as the “Worst Political Decade Ever.” I would have to concur with their analysis slightly from the national standpoint.

However, let’s look at things from the state level. Since I am a relatively new Virginian (been in Virginia for three years), I can only provide a synopsis from 2006-2009. Being from Maryland originally, the best part of the 2000s was the election of Bob Ehrlich and Michael Steele to Governor and Lieutenant Governor respectively.

2006 was an interesting year for a political newbie to discover. It began with George Allen in the lead for U.S. Senate and ended with Macaca, then Jim Webb as our Senator. 2007 was exciting, as we worked hard to elect State Senators and Delegates, in addition to county office holders. Needless to say, it was exhausting, but the hard work paid off for the GOP in the House of Delegates and certain county offices (depending on what county you lived in).

2008 was a blah year in my eyes. Of course, HB 3202 enraged me due to its unconstitutional nature. Del. Bob Marshall (R-Manassas) challenged it in the Virginia Supreme Court, where it was overturned. No more $1000 speeding ticket. From the Federal level, you read on my blog quite a few times, I was not (and still am not) a John McCain fan. After being burned out from 2007, I was not so enthusiastic as I was in years past. Barack Obama won, Gerry Connolly won, and the Democrats took Congress back…only to lead to falling polls.

That’s where 2009 came in. The honeymoon phase faded quickly and both Obama’s polls (along with Congress’ polls) dropped. Public satisfaction with the new administration was at an all-time low and is expected to continue the decline. The tea party movement grew rapidly with people being enraged at the excessive government spending and waste (thanks to Stimulus and Omnibus) and Obama’s health care plan. Rallies were held all across America, including several large ones in Washington, D.C. (including the 4-15 Washington Tea Party and the 9-12 rally). People flooded townhall meetings held by their elected officials (Congressmen and Senators) to demand accountability and responsibility at the federal government level.

2009 was also a referendum on Obama and the Democratic party with Bob McDonnell, Bill Bolling, and Ken Cuccinelli being elected to all three statewide offices in Virginia, and with Chris Christie and Kim Guadagno being elected as Governor and Lieutenant Governor in New Jersey. It was a great year for Republicans in the General Assembly races as well.

Overall, I am glad to see the end of the 2000s and am eager to welcome decade 2010-2019. Who knows what the new decade will bring both politically and personally?

Stimulus Outrage: What will the Government waste our money on next?

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What will the Federal Government waste the taxpayers’ money on next? It goes without saying that the government bureaucrats in Washington will find creative ways to utilize the money coming from the Stimulus. After all, the American people thought that the funds would create more jobs and help boost our economy, but unemployment numbers continue to rise (and will continue to rise, especially if the “finalized” health care reform bill is passed). However, the American taxpayer would be livid to know what exactly the stimulus will be boosting…pet projects. Let’s just take a look at the pet projects that will be created under the stimulus. Thanks to Senator Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) for uncovering these projects.

  • How does an “Almost Empty” Mall being awarded an energy grant sound? Price tag: $5 Million
  • If you’re interested, Digital Television Advertising Agency will create three jobs…but you better apply fast, as they will be gone in a flash. Price tag: $5.9 Million
  • If working for a Digital Television Advertising Agency does not float your boat, then how does researching in the development of supersonic corporate jets sound or studying the learning patterns of honeybees sound? Price tag: $4.7 Million for the corporate jets study and $210,000 for studying honeybees
  • It looks like the Stimulus will also create a program to control household appliances from a remote location. Awesome, huh? Price tag: $787,250
  • How would you like to climb aboard the wine train and get your groove on? Price tag: $54 Million
  • Perhaps, while you are on the wine train, your children can watch anti-capitalist, socially-conscious puppet shows. Entertainment with a cause…yeah right Price tag: $100,000
  • Do you live in Buffalo? If so, the Stimulus will create a job in your city that involves journaling your malt liquor and marijuana usage. I guess this will help soothe you after the horrible 6-14 record of the Buffalo Bills. Price tag: $389,357
  • Lastly, how does a visit from Bobber the Water Safety Dog sound? I hear he is quite the hit at birthday parties. Price tag: $21,116

What other wasteful programs will the government spend the taxpayers’ money on next? I guess we will have to wait to find out.

Let the Fighting Begin…

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Perhaps, this health care reform bill will hit the skids as it reaches the conference committee between the House and Senate. According to Fox News, the U.S. Senate is urging the House committee to use their version of the health care bill. While the Senate version is slightly better due to the fact that it does not have the public option portion in its bill, the House version had the government-run public option. Aside the options mentioned, there are other differences including how the health care plans would be paid for, etc.

With both the House and Senate meeting in conference committees to discuss the final version of the health care bill, there is a chance that there will be enough infighting to prevent the health care reform legislation from becoming reality.

Scrooges of the Year: Virginia's U.S. Senators

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What were you doing 7:16 a.m. on Christmas Eve? I know I was sleeping with the thoughts of the upcoming day filtering into my head. However, the United States Senate had a different agenda and passed a health care bill in a margin of 60-39, which would cost Americans $871 billion over the next decade. This was a jumbo lump of coal in each Americans’ stocking. Of course, the Senate Democrats believes that this will solve our health care coverage woes, yet they ignore the simple facts that this will harm small businesses and implements new taxes.

In fact, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce released a statement denouncing the U.S. Senate’s passage of the health care bill. Bruce Josten, executive vice president for government affairs at the Chamber said,

“Despite numerous polls showing the majority of Americans are opposed to the Senate health care bill, sixty senators chose to ignore their objections. The business community has been consistent in calling for health care reform, but the bill that was passed by the Senate today is counterproductive, does little to lower the cost of health care, and it is not reform. It implements crippling new taxes, and hurts our ability to create jobs at the worst possible time for the economy.

“At every stage of the legislative process the business community has stood ready to work to improve health care legislation, but at almost every stage our concerns have been ignored.

“We recognize that the health care debate is not over yet. We are hopeful that a conference between the Senate and House can bring all stakeholders back to the table. Since employers are the ones who will be responsible for putting this reform into practice, their concerns must be addressed. It is not too late for Congress to stop this bill from becoming law and start over with the goal of truly reforming our health care system.”

This was a bill that a majority of Americans and even those in the Commonwealth did not want. Instead of listening to the concerns of those who did not want this bill, Virginia’s Senators Jim Webb and Mark Warner voted along with the Senate Democrats to make this bill a reality. For their vote, they have been officially named “Scrooges of the Year.” Both Webb and Warner have been receiving calls from many opposing this legislation and asking them to stand on principle by voting against the bill. So, what was their reason for voting on the Senate health care bill?

According to the Daily Press, their reasons for voting on this bill did not make sense. They claim that the health care legislation will lower federal budget deficits.

Warner also said he was not pleased with all parts of the bill.

“While this legislation is far from perfect, I believe it will start to curb soaring health care costs for consumers and businesses, reduce our federal budget deficits over time, and extend the life of the Medicare program.”

Webb stressed the Congressional Budget Office projection that the Senate bill will help to lower the deficit by over $133 billion over the next decade. But he also faulted the Obama administration for declaring national health care ” a major domestic objective,” but not providing the Congress with a bill, leaving it to committees to generate their own. He said that led to unnecessary confusion and “contradictory information.”

It is interesting that Webb mentioned the CBO projection, as they went back and found that the Senate health care bill will not reduce the deficit dramatically.

Flawed reasoning does not justify a vote that will drive Americans further from liberty in their health care coverage. Hopefully, Virginians will remember this in 2013 (Webb’s re-election) and 2015 (Warner’s re-election).

Merry Christmas!

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‘Twas the night before Christmas

and all through CCC’s house

not a creature was stirring

not even the keyboard mouse.


CCC was all snug in her bed

with visions of a New York Yankees victory dancing in her head

When out on the roof she heard such a clatter

CCC got out of her bed, armed with a baseball bat to see what was the matter.


Out in the driveway, what to her curious eyes appeared

eight reindeer, a fat man in a red suit with a bag full of gifts, and a laugh so jolly that the neighbors could hear

CCC was like, “Whoa…no way!  I wasn’t good enough this year.”


The jolly old elf jumped in his sleigh so quick

I knew right away that it must be St. Nick

Then she heard him yell

Now Dasher, Now Dancer

Now Prancer, Now Vixen

On Comet, On Cupid

On Donner, On Blitzen!

Now get up in the air before anyone else sees us

We have got a lot of work to do before the government gets us.


Merry Christmas!

By the way, this is also the 2nd Blogiversary here at CCC. Hopefully, CCC will get an extra present for being “well behaved” this year.

Is the Health Care Bill Repealable?

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Yes, Virginia, the Senate Democrats are simply out of control. I know this is not exactly the news that puts you in the Christmas spirit, but the Senate health care bill continues to prove their reckless behavior. With one more procedural vote, the Senate will be voting on their version of the health care bill on Christmas Eve and compromising the very liberties and freedoms we have when it comes to selecting the right health coverage for our needs.

However, what happens if it passes? Can certain aspects of the bill be repealed? It will be difficult, but there is one provision that will not be able to repealed by future Congresses. Senator Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) indicated that on page 1020 of the Senate health care bill, there is a provision that says, “it shall not be in order in the Senate or the House of Representatives to consider any bill, resolution, amendment, or conference report that would repeal or otherwise change this subsection.” This would make the Independent Medicare Advisory Board permanent.

Basically, this would compromise everything our Founding Fathers had envisioned for our country and for the legislative bodies. If a legislative body can not go in and modify previously passed legislation, then what good is it? Not very good or serviceable.

Michael McPadden, who is running for the Republican nomination in the 5th District of Virginia released this statement.

“No Congress has the right to tell future Congresses what to do. Un-repealable, just watch us Harry.”

I agree with McPadden. Perhaps, it is time to throw Harry Reid and the corrupt Democrats out come November 2010 and start with a clean slate of patriots willing to do the work for the people.

Will Dave Marsden Support Tim Kaine's Budget?

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If Dave Marsden’s record as Delegate is any indicator, there is no doubt that Marsden will be likely to support outgoing Governor Tim Kaine’s budget. As reported before, Marsden voted in favor of Kaine’s $2 Billion tax increase in 2008, which is especially odd considering that the taxes coming from Northern Virginia would receive less from Richmond.

Why is Kaine considering the tax increase (which is ironically $2 billion as well)? Could it be from the overly optimistic budget projections from his administration?

Marsden should do what’s right by coming out and taking a stand on whether or not he would support the tax increase proposed by Kaine. Residents of the 37th District, especially in the current economic climate, can not afford the possibility of tax increases.

Welcome to Socialized Medicine, America!

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It is 1:21 a.m., and the U.S. Senate just voted in a party line vote, 60-40, to approve cloture on the manager’s amendment. All of the usual so-called Moderate Democrats voted with Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to approve cloture: Sen. Evan Bayh (Ind.), Blanche Lincoln (Ark.), Claire McCaskill (Mo.), Ben Nelson (Neb.). This is the deal that will serve as a substitute for the 2,074-page health care bill that the Senate has been debating for weeks. Ironically, Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) voted to approve cloture.

What a sad day for liberty in America? After all, this will not be the end all solution to America’s health care crisis. In fact, this legislation will impact medical advancements, create longer waits to see a physician, and will pass along more debt to our future generations.

We still have time to stop this health care travesty bill from being passed. There will be more procedural votes with the final vote for passage on Thursday. Call your Senators today 202-224-3121!