When the Role is Called, or It's Responsible Government, Stupid!

When the Roll is Called up Yonder

When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound and time shall be no more
And the morning breaks eternal bright and fair
When the saved on earth shall gather over on the other shore
And the roll is called up yonder I'll be there

When the roll (when the roll) is called up yonder
When the roll (when the roll) is called up yonder
When the roll (when the roll) is called up yonder
When the roll is called up yonder, I'll be there
...Old Gospel Tune, Recorded by Johnny Cash

There are defining moments in our lives; first steps, first days of school, first dates, the first time you stand up for something fine and true.  In Virginia politics the Warner-Kaine budget reform of 2003 is the defining moment of a commonwealth renaissance.  Those like Tim Kaine and the vast majority of Virginia lawmakers,  Republican and Democratic, stood up on that defining moment.  In that defining moment, Mark Warner, Tim Kaine, and those who stood up to be counted, stood up for Responsible Government.  They stood up to Invest in the Future of the comonwealth.  They stood up for strong communities, healthy families, education, transportation, and law enforcement.

When the role was called in 2003, Tim Kaine was among those who stood for right, responsibility, and the future.  When the role was called in 2003, Jerry W. Kilgore, inspired by a knee-jerk, anti-revenue ideology  stood against the best interests of the commonwealth.

The Washington Post today has this to say about Tim Kaine's action, and Jerry Kilgore's weakness:

The essential difference between Mr. Kaine and his main rival, Jerry W. Kilgore, a Republican and former attorney general, is that Mr. Kaine backed a wide-ranging overhaul and increase in state taxes last year and Mr. Kilgore opposed it. That was a defining event, forcing officials to choose between knee-jerk anti-tax orthodoxy and moderate pragmatism that would safeguard Virginia's reputation for financial probity.  Mr. Kaine chose wisely, supporting Gov. Mark R. Warner in what looked like a serious political gamble. Mr. Kilgore blew it, even as plenty of lawmakers from his party got it right. Washington Post Editorial 10/11/05

When voters go to the polls on November 8, they may consider any number of issues.  There are divisive issues like reproductive rights, responsible gun ownership, immigration, and efficient government.  There are powerful issues like transportation, education, healthcare, and environmental stewardship. 

The single issue that none of us dare forget, is that when Virginia's house was falling apart, Jerry W. Kilgore weakly stood up to be counted as an irresponsible radical, while Tim Kaine bravely stood up to be counted for Responsible Government.

More comments here.

Comments