( – promoted by lowkell)

INTRODUCTION

Holidays offer us a chance to put our usual pursuits aside. But often, also, holidays provide a light to illuminate the meaning of our usual pursuits. So it is with this Christmas season and with our efforts to meet the challenge of the present crisis in America.

Over the generations, the holiday of Christmas has become deeply woven into American culture, expressing both the nature of our country and its ideals. Aside from the commercialization of the holiday, which of course reflects an important part of what America is about, there are also the deep moral values that gain expression in America during the Christmas season.

As a way into the moral meanings of Christmas in the context specifically of American culture, I’d like to look at four of the most prominent imaginative works that, over the years, Americans have found meaningful to include in their holiday celebrations.

These four are:

1) A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens, and the various movie versions of Scrooge;

2) Amahl and the Night Visitors, an opera by Menotti, broadcast every Christmas season, for many years, on NBC;

3) It’s a Wonderful Life, a 1946 Frank Capra movie starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed;

4) Miracle on 34th Street, a film with Edward Gwenn, Maureen O’Hara, John Payne, and the young Natalie Wood.

These works move us because of what they say about the way the world should work according to a moral vision of what life is about. They connect with Christmas, and they connect with the moral heart of America. And the issues they raise are central to the crisis that we Americans now face in the political realm, and that are at the heart of this campaign.

In the short essays to follow, I will briefly discuss each of these, and how they illuminate the challenge that faces us and how they should fortify us in our hope and resolve.

MONEY OR PEOPLE? THE ISSUE IN “A CHRISTMAS CAROL”

What is Dickens’ famous “A Christmas Carol” about? It’s about a man who has seriously misconstrued the question, “What is life about?”

To begin with, he is blind and unfeeling when it comes to interconnection: “”It’s not my business,” Scrooge returned. “It’s enough for a man to understand his own business, and not to interfere with other people’s. Mine occupies me constantly.”‘

Where have we Americans lately heard this point of view? The whole assault on government is a campaign launched by Scrooges of such a point of view. Let people attend to their own business, as disconnected social atoms in the market, they say, without having to concern themselves with the well-being of their fellows. “Every man for himself,” not “We’re all in this together.”

“His own business,” to Scrooge, was all about making money. He becomes rich, but pinched in spirit, small of heart.

Through the intercession of the ghosts of Christmases past, present, and future, he is changed. By the end, he has grasped that life is about our interconnectedness with other people. So many opportunities missed, but it is not too late to learn to open his heart.

What has this to do with Christmas? It is of course more than that those ghosts were connected with the holiday. It also connects with what the holiday is about. It celebrates the birth of one who said, “You cannot serve both God and Mammon.” (Matthew 6:24) And who said also, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another.” (John, 13:34)

The question that faced Scrooge is at the heart also of the present American crisis. Is the power wielded in the political realm to be about Money, or about People?

In my campaign, we’ve taken on the challenge to show how People Power can defeat Money Power. We are seeking to re-establish the kind of politics in which our interconnectedness is honored and cared for, not just every individual seeking to get what he can for himself. We want power in America not to grow out of the war of all against all, but in the service of love and compassion.

NEXT INSTALLMENT: “AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISTORS” & “IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE” (to be posted on Tuesday)

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Andy Schmookler is running for Congress in the 6th Congressional District of Virginia, challenging the incumbent Congressman, Bob Goodlatte.  An award-winning author, political commentator, radio talk-show host, and teacher, Andy moved with his family to Shenandoah County in 1992.  He is a graduate of Harvard University and holds a PhD from the University of California at Berkeley.  

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To learn more about Andy, please go to his website. You may also follow Andy on Facebook and on Twitter.  

by Paul Goldman

While the decision in Richmond Circuit Court on the Senate Democrats’ lawsuit was technically procedural, the results appear to make it impossible to force Bolling to appear before a court once he casts his tie-breaking vote (should that be necessary). As I read the Constitution and state law, the LG has the right to postpone a decision on the merits until after the General Assembly Session finally adjourns.

Today’s result is what was predicted in this space last month, based on the law and Constitution. If Senate Democrats want to sue someone in Richmond, I will point out later in this piece who that might better be, for the benefit of the very people who look to Democrats for such advocacy.

Bottom line: The Senate needs to settle this inherently political question, the organization of a co-equal branch’s internal rules, themselves.

This was the Democratic position in 1995, until the politics of the Senate forced Senate Democrats and Democratic Lt. Governor Don Beyer to do a power-sharing deal.

Power-sharing is the right thing for Virginia right now too. But it is not constitutionally required should the Republicans prefer to go 100% partisan.

The upside of such a GOP move is this: It will make the Democrats stronger in 2012 and 2013.

 

Admittedly, life in the minority will be the pits for Dick, Donald, and the other 18 Democrats.

I get that. But it seems to me they’ll still have it a lot easier than a whole lot of other people in Virginia right now. Take the school children of Richmond, a city that Donald represents, and where Mrs. Saslaw also has responsibility based on her post on the Board of Education. The average Richmond high school graduate can’t read at a 10th grade level, based on national statistics.

While Warner and Webb and Kaine, and even McDonnell, Cantor and Allen, are actually trying to get them some needed help, Richmond’s Mayor, School Board and City Council are doing effectively nothing. Indeed, a case can be made that they are making it harder; even criticizing those who dare question the real performance of the schools and the bigotry of low expectations.

Precisely how do America and Virginia move forward as a house divided, poor African American kids denied a fair opportunity at an education because their city leaders don’t seem to care, while others from different circumstances have leaders who do. Blame those that care? Hell, you should be applauding them. The problem is with the city officials of Richmond, and the fact they feel they will not be publicly challenged by anyone in state government or the federal government.

If Senate Democrats want to sue in a Richmond court to help the people, then let me humbly suggest there might be a better lawsuit. For if Senate Democrats can shake up a school system that effectively denies African-American kids a fair chance at life – and get some real change going – it will be far more beneficial in the long run to those who have historically relied on Democrats to stand tall than whatever the outcome any suit against Mr. Bolling might bring.  

IG Report Recommendations also Mandated

Washington, DC – Today Congressmen Jim Moran, Gerry Connolly and Senators Jim Webb and Mark R. Warner applauded House passage of language both to cap the number of parking spaces at the Mark Center and require that the Army implement the IG’s most recent recommendations. The parking cap is set at roughly 2,000 spaces and the IG recommendations require the Army to complete a new traffic study, with accurate data, and revise and update their transportation management plan to preserve existing levels of service.  Both provisions were included in the FY’12 Omnibus Appropriations Bill set for passage in the Senate this afternoon.  

“The parking cap is a long fought victory for Northern Virginia commuters, employees at the Mark Center and nearby residents. We cannot stop the Defense Department from fully occupying the building, but we now have assurance they will do so in a way that will mitigate the projected gridlock on I-395,” said Rep. Moran. “This success would not have been possible without the efforts of Congressmen Hal Rogers, Norm Dicks, John Culberson and Sanford Bishop.”

“It’ll be two-to-four years before the I-395 ramp project is completed, and this parking cap should compel the Army to more aggressively work to promote telework, staggered schedules and shuttles to help alleviate the congestion that’s already obvious to anyone who lives or travels in this region,” Sen. Warner said. “Two IG reports now have raised concerns about the quality of the traffic data the Army relied on, so I am pleased we also were able to incorporate language into the conference report requiring the Army to produce more credible traffic data before this cap is lifted.”

“We worked diligently to establish this parking cap in order to limit BRAC’s impact on Northern Virginia’s already strained transportation infrastructure and to allow time for necessary improvements to the roadways servicing the Mark Center” said Senator Webb.  “I continue to appreciate the leadership of Congressman Moran on this issue and have every confidence we will ultimately resolve the region’s BRAC-related transportation needs properly.”

“This legislation was truly a team effort.  Congressman Moran, our senators, and I were singularly focused on making the federal government shoulder its responsibility in relieving the transportation challenges created by BRAC.  The legislation will ensure the Pentagon takes the necessary steps to rectify its flawed traffic analysis at the Mark Center,” Rep. Connolly said.  “The parking cap will provide meaningful relief while the Army works to implement recommendations from the recent Inspector General’s report, including revising its traffic management plan and improving coordination with the Virginia Department of Transportation.”

The parking cap provision, will limit the number of usable parking spaces to roughly 2,000 unless the Department of Defense can demonstrate for 90 consecutive days that congestion hasn’t reached failing levels of service.  If traffic doesn’t materialize, the DOD could partially lift the cap if they and VDOT agree on the number of additional spots that can be used without causing gridlock.  

The Inspector General’s recommendations would require the Army to conduct a new traffic study utilizing accurate, reliable and sufficient data.  Further, the IG would require the Army to revise and update their transportation management plan to identify the required infrastructure improvements with associated costs and programming to maintain existing levels of service.

Owing to the persistent efforts of Northern Virginia lawmakers, the Defense Department Inspector General released two separate reports denouncing the Mark Center’s environmental assessment and transportation plan. Additionally, the Virginia Department of Transportation has dedicated $80 million for construction for a direct access ramp from the I-395 HOV ramp to Seminary Road. The Defense Department has dedicated $20 million to the short- and mid-term improvements that will be completed in December 2013.

Selected in 2008, the Mark Center facility will accommodate the 2005 Base Closure and Realignment (BRAC) recommendation #133 endorsed by then-Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. Approximately 4,000 Defense Department employees have already moved into the building with an additional 500 expected to be relocated by the end of the month. When fully occupied next September, the Mark Center will host 6,400 Defense Department employees.

To read the Parking Cap language in the Appropriations bill, please visit: moran.house.gov/sites/moran.house.gov/files/documents/ParkingCapLanguage.doc  

To read more on BRAC #133, please visit: http://moran.house.gov/issue/b…

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As the holidays approach many area seniors are struggling to pay the bills, let alone afford gifts for their loved ones.

That's why Danville seniors and Virginia Organizing chapter members lined up in front of Rep. Robert Hurt’s Danville office on Thursday to call on him to protect Social Security, a program that makes the holiday season brighter by keeping thousands of Danville’s seniors out of poverty. Despite being one of America’s most successful social programs and contributing nothing to the deficit, many members of Congress continue talking about deep cuts to Social Security.

So, where does Rep. Hurt stand on cutting Social  Security? His constituents would like to know. Especially after his April 2011 vote for the Ryan Budget,  which would pave the way for cutting Social Security and raising the  retirement age, had it not been rejected by the Senate. Virginia Organizing has repeatedly requested a public meeting with Rep. Hurt so that local seniors can share their concerns about potential cuts to Social Security. Surprising to no one, he has not committed to a meeting and continues to skirt the issue. 

Well, at least we tried.

A Richmond Circuit Court judge has denied a top Senate Democrat’s request for a temporary injunction that would keep Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling from casting the tie-breaking vote to give Republicans working control of the evenly-divided Senate.

In an opinion issued this morning, Judge Beverly Snukals concluded that “the public interest would not be served by having a deadlocked Senate that is unable to agree on organization.”

So, with that news – and barring a successful appeal at a higher level – it now looks like Republicans will have control of the Virginia State Senate, making Dick Saslaw Minority Leader (unless he’s deposed, which he should be by all rights, but which appears highly unlikely). The only questions at this point are: how badly will Virginia Republican’ts overrreach, and if they do, how bad will the backlash be? Stay tuned…

UPDATE: Sen. McEachin has issued a statement. Based on this analysis, I may have been wrong that Dems “lost” the lawsuit. Not sure; any thoughts?

“While I respectfully disagree with  the outcome, it was purely a procedural decision. The judge determined that the matter was not ripe for a final determination on the merits. The opinion was not a decision on the merits of whether the Lieutenant Governor can vote on Senate organization.

“I call on the Republicans to respect the will of the voters and past history. The senate is evenly divided, 20-20 so committees and responsibilities and power should be divided to reflect that even split, just as the Republicans said in 1996.  Even then Governor Allen spoke to the need for parity under these same circumstances.

“The Senate Democratic caucus will continue to explore all its options, both legal and procedural, to resolve this issue in a way that reflects the actual outcome on election day, not an arrogant partisan power grab, totally to the benefit of one Party that does not reflect a majority of the Senate,” Senator McEachin concluded.