The best Sunday newspaper editorial this morning, and the best line in one of those editorials,
comes from the Staunton News Leader. Check out what they have to say in
"We chose budget cuts."The electorate voted for it when it elected conservative Bob McDonnell and his cabal to office in November. They rewarded his "no-taxes-at-any-cost" promise with their votes. And he's living up to his promises.
[...]
So we worsen mental health care. We spend less on higher education. We roll back primary education standards. Spend less on public safety. De-emphasize teen pregnancy prevention. Cut aid to local governments. Write off the homeless.
At the end of the day, Virginia will be a different place. But it's a place we picked with our votes, so bring it on. Voters (and non-voters) will feel the result of their choices. Cause and effect, something often absent in the rhetoric-driven world in which we live.
Welcome to the new Virginia. Looks a lot like the old West Virginia.
In short, if you think West Virginia is one of the "best managed states" or "best places to raise a child" or whatever, then you're going to love Virginia after Bob McDonnell, Ken Cuccinelli, and the flat-earth-Republican-controlled House of Delegates get done with it. Yes, "we" collectively voted for this, and "we" collectively deserve what we get, but somehow that doesn't make me feel any better thinking about it.
