Since BRD is a rookie in 6th D blogging... staff from the Rasoul campaign were kind enough to send me this old article link... addressing my initial challenge to them regarding their support of Chesapeake Bay watershed improvements at the Federal level... And with no wise guy comments about my learning curve.
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From New Dominion June 8th 2007
By Sam Rasoul
"... Congressman Bob Goodlatte wrote in the Roanoke Times in an article titled “Trying to do more with less” that “Here in Virginia, the health of the Chesapeake Bay is of great concern to many of us.” He continues, “The Farm Bill affords us the opportunity to create policies that would positively impact the health of the bay without burdening farmers with superfluous regulations.”
Congressman Goodlatte continued to distract constituents with worthy praise for environmental considerations in his article: “The benefits of conservation programs are not solely realized by farmers. All of us benefit from improved air, water, and land quality.”
One week later, we read “Bay Bill Too Costly, Congressman Says” in the Daily-News Record. And “Unfortunately, (CHESSEA) is extra expensive …”, referring to the conservation plan known as Chesapeake’s Healthy and Environmentally Sound Stewardship of Energy and Agriculture Act of 2007. And Congressman Goodlatte executes this abrupt about-face as U.S. Sen. John Warner and Va. Del. Matt Lohr, both Republicans, continue to express support for CHESSEA. ...
... We do not know what went into this reappraisal and reversal. But we do know that Congressman Goodlatte owes us an explanation.,,,
Unless he turns over a new page, Congressman Goodlatte will be reluctant to offer that explanation because he seems to feel a lack of responsibility to his Virginia constituents. Why? Well, unexplained rhetorical position reversal maneuvers, from an eight-term incumbent congressman, who signed the Republican Contract with America, limiting congressmen to three terms, are not unprecedented."...
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H.R. 1766: Chesapeake's Healthy and Environmentally Sound Stewardship of Energy and Agriculture Act of 2007
"Timely and bold, CHESSEA represents the largest single federal investment—estimated at more than 200 million new dollars annually—for restoring water quality in the Chesapeake Bay and tributary rivers. If passed, it will provide the funds needed to meet nitrogen-pollution reduction goals from agricultural sources, as required by the Chesapeake 2000 agreement. With projected matches from states and farmers, this should translate into a 65 million pound annual reduction of nitrogen pollution entering the watershed, potentially 59 percent of the reduction goal. Combined with previously passed measures, CHESSEA can bring us within striking distance of the 2010 goal."
http://www.bayjournal.com/article.cfm?article=3093
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Again... almost one year later... CHESSEA is still "dead in the water".
So let me understand... spending over $500 BILLION in Iraq is "affordable"? And, We Taxpayers in the 6th District paid $260 million for the war in Iraq in 2007. But, spending $200 Million per year to Save the Bay and improve Western Virginia water quality is "too expensive"?
Seems like it's time to re-order "Our 6th District" Priorities, Mr. Goodlatte. We're still looking for someone to get the job done.
As Gen. George S. Patton often said, "Lead, Follow or Get the Hell Out of the Way!"
Ed. note: We will press Mr. Rasoul for more details, in weeks ahead , on how he would re-energize this legislation.
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