Yesterday, I quoted Mudcat as saying that "This is a 'frustration' election," that "people are not only frustrated, they're confused and afraid," that "they've never been through anything like this economy." Because of all this, according to Mudcat, "The candidate who calms their fears the most will win." I agree, but only in part. True, people want their anxieties - economic and otherwise - addressed. Having said that, however, I believe people want more than just having their fears calmed. I believe they also want hope, and they very much want change. The following breaking news is a case in point.Virginia's strained state budget will be cut a minimum of $700 million or up to $1.5 billion later this month as the state copes with the worst economy since the 1930s, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine said Wednesday.Given this (bad) situation, it's going to be very difficult for Democrats this year to argue that voters should opt for "continuity." Frankly, why would Virginia voters want to continue a situation that's resulting in huge budget cuts, gridlocked traffic, and "the worst economy since the 1930s?" At first glance, that might sound like terrible news for Virginia Democrats, since we've held the governor's mansion the past 8 years. However, I'd argue that most of the fault for this situation stems from disastrous Republican economic policies at the national level, and a completely recalcitrant bunch of flat-earth Republicans in the House of Delegates here in Virginia. I'd also argue that the "change we need" is not change away from the Democrats, but the exact opposite: throw out the obstructionist flat-earth Republicans once and for all and let Democrats give it a shot.
Kaine is lowering the official forecast for revenue collections on which government spending is based for a record fourth time since September, and he said layoffs are possible.
No, I'm not arguing that Democrats are perfect. No, I'm certainly not arguing that Tim Kaine didn't make a lot of mistakes. However, what I am arguing is that most of Kaine's failures - on transportation, education, etc. - were the result of people like Bob McDonnell, Bill Bolling and Ken Cuccinelli. That's why I believe strongly that the last thing we want to do in November is elect those people to the top leadership positions in Virginia. That's also why I think it would be a huge mistake to continue allowing the do-nothing, say-no-to-everything House Republicans to stay in power.
Yes, it most certainly is time for a change in Virginia - a change away from Republican obstinacy, rigid ideology, Bush-o-nomics, divisive social issues, and general looniness. It's time for the voters of Virginia to remove the obstacles and allow pragmatic Virginia Democrats to get things done for the citizens of this great Commonwealth. That's exactly the kind of change we need.
