Month: October 2024 - VisionRoot

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West Virginia Congressional District and Election Discussion
Richard and Steven discussed the upcoming election and Steven’s candidacy for the US House of Representatives in the Second Congressional District. Steven explained that the district, which covers 27 counties and spans 10,000 square miles, was redistricted in 2020 due to a loss in population. He also highlighted the unique aspects of West Virginia’s constitution, which makes gerrymandering of Congressional seats virtually impossible. Steven, who lives in Hardy County, expressed his love for the natural beauty of the area.

Addressing Political Division and Accountability
Richard and Steven discussed the political division in the US and the need for a return to moderate policies. Steven emphasized the importance of balancing the budget and criticized the lack of accountability among politicians. He suggested that Congress should be held accountable for not passing a budget on time and proposed a rule where Congress would be sequestered until a budget is passed. Steven also proposed transparency in his future political dealings, allowing constituents to view his calendar and meeting notes. Richard agreed with Steven’s points and suggested that the electorate needs to hold politicians accountable through elections.

Funding and Support for Ukraine War
Richard and Steven discussed the funding of the war in Ukraine. Richard questioned the overall idea of the conflict and whether they should support it, given that they are funding it to a large extent. Steven clarified that the US is not directly funding the war but is providing aid in the form of munitions from their own stockpiles. He emphasized that the US is replenishing these stocks, which provides jobs. He said that many munitions have an “expiration date”. Richard challenged the assertion that Ukraine itself is not receiving substantial US funds. Steven strongly supports the US involvement in the conflict, viewing it as a necessary measure to counteract the aggression of the Ukrainian dictator, Putin. He also expressed concern about Putin’s intentions to expand his influence beyond Ukraine. Richard disputed this idea, of ‘the next country to be attacked will be Poland’, for example.

Balancing Budget: Cutting Spending, Increasing Revenue
Richard and Steven discussed the issue of balancing the budget, with Steven emphasizing the need to decrease spending and increase revenue. He shared his experience from his time in the Pentagon, highlighting significant waste in the Department of Defense, and suggested that eliminating this waste could still maintain a strong military while providing funds for other programs. They agreed on the need for tax code simplification and the reduction of loopholes for the wealthy. Richard proposed a 10% cut across the board, including entitlements, to balance the budget. Steven emphasized the importance of addressing discretionary spending before mandatory programs and expressed concern about the privatization of government functions, arguing that it has led to inefficiencies and increased costs.

Future of Coal Production in West Virginia
Richard and Steven discussed the future of coal production in West Virginia. Steven argued that coal is not going to completely disappear, as it is needed for other purposes like steel manufacturing. He also pointed out that the number of jobs related to coal in West Virginia is only about 7%, and that Walmart contributes more to the economy than any coal mine. Steven suggested that policies should not be made based on coal, but rather on more efficient and cheaper energy sources. Richard brought up the topic of new regulations from Biden that could potentially shut down coal production, but Steven did not comment on this as he had not read the regulations. Steven also mentioned that some coal power plants are being converted into green energy.

Nuclear Fusion, Electric Cars, and Abortion
Richard and Steven discussed the potential of nuclear fusion as a sustainable energy source, with Steven emphasizing the need for a shift towards it. They also discussed the rapid transition to electric cars and the potential for a more gradual shift, with Steven arguing for the need to get off fossil fuels. The conversation then shifted to the decline of traditional two-parent families and its impact on society, particularly in the context of youth education. Steven said that a loving family of any type is needed. Richard emphasized the need for married two parent, male-female families and the need to shift the conversation away from abortion and toward abstinence before marriage and child bearing within marriage. Steven believes in “reproductive rights”, meaning abortion being available for women.

Hope Scholarship Program’s Impact on West Virginia
Steven and Richard discussed the impact of the Hope Scholarship program on public education in West Virginia. Steven expressed concerns about the program’s funding and its effect on teacher pay, while Richard focused on transparency in local property tax allocation and potential administrative waste. Steven expressed concern that private school tuition may go out of state. Steven does not support the Hope Scholarship. They also noted the challenges faced by Jefferson County due to rapid population growth. Richard suggested that the Hope Scholarship could be seen as a cost-saving measure, but Steven disagreed, highlighting that his opponent, a big supporter of the program, does not have children attending West Virginia public schools.

Family Structure and Vaccine Choice
Steven supports “choice” for aborting babies, but strongly believes in forcing all West Virginia students to receive vaccines. He said that science showing that vaccines are unsafe are “junk science”. He claimed that soldiers not taking the vaccine caused a readiness issue, a concept that Richard challenged. He said that soldiers are expected to follow orders to be vaccinated. Regarding family structure, Steven said the gender of the parents doesn’t matter as long as they are loving and supporting. Richard brought up his disagreement with Governor Justice’s veto on a bill that would have allowed parents to decide whether their children should be vaccinated or not Steven did not directly address this issue, but reiterated his stance on abortion “rights”.

Vaccinations, Mandates, and Campaign Finance
Steven and Richard discussed the importance of vaccinations, with Steven emphasizing their role in societal protection, with Steven generally agreeing with West Virginia’s “no vaccinations, no school” policy. Richard emphasized the need for exceptions for those who choose not to vaccinate due to religious, medical or conscientious reasons. They also discussed the National Childhood Vaccination Act of 1986 and the issue of vaccine mandates in the military. Steven expressed his disapproval of pharmaceutical companies being protected from negligence or malfeasance. He also discussed his commitment to not taking money from special interests or PACs, his opposition to excessive money in politics, and his desire to limit campaign spending. Steven urged voters to examine the sources of their candidate’s funding, as it would reveal much about their true intentions.

Political Discussion and Campaigns
Steven expressed his appreciation for Richard’s efforts in educating voters and acknowledged the importance of having conversations about political issues. Candidate website: wendelinforcongress.com

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John’s Background and Policy Support Discussion
John shared his background, which includes graduating from Shepherd University, serving in the army in Vietnam, and being elected to the House of Delegates. He expressed his support for clean air and water, good public schools, reproductive freedom for women, an elected Public Service Commission, and the right to repair products. He also mentioned Delegate Kayla Young’s bill for the right to repair agricultural equipment and his intention to introduce a similar bill for all products if elected.

West Virginia’s Budget Challenges and Coal Industry
Richard and John discussed the challenges facing West Virginia’s upcoming legislature. John identified the biggest issue as balancing the budget, as he believes the state is entering a period of reduced surpluses. He attributed this to the cyclical nature of budgetary cycles and one factor being the increasing competition from the Australian coal industry. John also noted that while the natural gas industry is picking up, it doesn’t provide as much employment as the coal industry. Richard sought clarification on the factors driving the surpluses and their potential decline.

Eliminating Personal Income Tax and Property Tax Implications
John and Richard discussed the implications of eliminating personal income tax and the potential impact on property taxes. John explained that personal income tax currently contributes 40% to the general revenue fund of the state, and eliminating it would likely require a significant increase in property taxes. Richard shared his concerns about large property tax increases, particularly in his area where land values had risen by 130% in one tax year. Both agreed that protecting homeownership in the state is crucial and that any increase in property taxes should be carefully considered. They also touched on the issue of school taxes, with Richard expressing concerns about the lack of transparency in the accounting for the $23,000,000 plus raised by the school excess levy, which is 40% of local property taxes.

Levies, Election Integrity, Immigration, and Budget Balancing
Richard and John discussed various topics, including the timing of levies, election integrity, and immigration. Richard questioned John’s stance on making voting easier, to which John responded that he believes there are enough safeguards in place to ensure integrity. They also discussed the issue of non-citizens voting, with John suggesting that the system is equipped to handle it. Lastly, they touched on the topic of balancing the budget, with John confirming it as a top priority.

Family Breakdown and Societal Issues Discussion
Richard and John discussed the role of family breakdown in societal issues. Richard argued the high rate of children born outside of marriage is a major driver, while John saw it as one factor but not the driver. They debated whether education encouraging traditional family values is appropriate. John opposed laws enforcing behaviors but supported helping single parents.

Education Funding and Hope Scholarship Discussion
Richard and John discussed their differing views on education funding and the Hope Scholarship. John expressed his respect for his opponent, Patricia Rucker, but highlighted their differences on the issues. He voted against the Hope Scholarship, viewing it as a voucher, and does not support taxpayer money going to private schools or home schooling if the family can afford it themselves. He believes stronger controls are needed on the supervision of parents and children in home schooling and on how the money is spent. Richard clarified that the Hope Scholarship goes directly to the school chosen, not to the parents of the student..

Discussing Education and Risky Behavior Consequences
Richard emphasized the importance of educating young people about the consequences of risky behavior, while John expressed concern about the potential for indoctrination. They also touched on the issue of suicide, with Richard noting that sexually active girls are six times more likely to attempt suicide. The conversation ended with Richard asking John if he had any further points to make.

Solar Farms, Zoning, and County Planning
Richard and John discussed the issue of solar farms in their county. John expressed his opposition to the idea of solar farms being a matter of right, which he believes would destroy zoning. He suggested that the county planning commission should impose more restrictions on these industrial solar plants. John also criticized the county’s comprehensive plan, stating that it needs to be revised and more public hearings should be held. Richard agreed with John’s points and expressed his concern about the lack of transparency in the planning process. They ended the conversation with John encouraging people to consider his candidacy for the State Senate.