[01LUGrad]

Sorry guys. Looks like Webb has this one.

Notice I didn't use the word "won" when refering to Webb. Allen lost this one. He had a 20 point lead about 2 months ago. Then came macaca. That was probably the most disasterous statement in Virginia campaign history. Mr. Allen, next time you try for public office, please think before you speak!

[A.G.]

Since I am the one who always looks for the silver lining in the dark clouds, I saw this which will make a few folks smile:

Democrats promise new direction
With the House already in hand, Democrats promised a sharp challenge to Bush.

Pelosi has outlined a “First Hundred Hours” agenda that promises to reform lobbying, enact the recommendations of the bipartisan 9/11 commission, raise the minimum wage to $7.25 an hour, cut the interest rate on student loans in half, streamline Medicare’s prescription drug program and expand federal funding for stem cell research.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15603424/

[El Scorcho]

Scorcho--up at 330? Were you on baby feeding duty or something?

Nope. Working.

However, now I'm on baby feeding duty.

[LUconn]

Since I am the one who always looks for the silver lining in the dark clouds, I saw this which will make a few folks smile:

Democrats promise new direction
With the House already in hand, Democrats promised a sharp challenge to Bush.

Pelosi has outlined a “First Hundred Hours” agenda that promises to reform lobbying, enact the recommendations of the bipartisan 9/11 commission, raise the minimum wage to $7.25 an hour, cut the interest rate on student loans in half, streamline Medicare’s prescription drug program and expand federal funding for stem cell research.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15603424/

sigh

[A.G.]

Raise the minimum wage? That means another tuition hike so that LU can afford to meet the increase to pay their faculty and staff.

[jcmanson]

I think the minimum wage should be raised, but $7.25? That's way too much.

[LUconn]

seriously, a kid gathering carts at your local kroger is going to make $145 for a 20 hour week. I think I could train a dog to do that.

[01LUGrad]

Has anyone heard of the word "INFLATION"?
Minimum wage increases should be a state issue. Cost of living varies by state. How much you get paid to flip burgers should as well.

[A.G.]

seriously, a kid gathering carts at your local kroger is going to make $145 for a 20 hour week. I think I could train a dog to do that.

Union labor. They may make more than that at Kroger.

[LUconn]

ok, at Walmart then. Way to be difficult, while at the same time hilighting a different problem.

[Realist]

Thank you Virginia! It's looking like you and Montana are going to win the Senate for the Democrats as well.

[jcmanson]

I understand inflation, but 7.25 is too much right now. 6.15 or so is better than 7.25.

[TDDance234]

Yes, Realist, Virginia proves its idiocy once again.

[PAmedic]

it also means manufacturers will raise the cost of goods to consumers to cover the pay hikes. So the avg middle class making 30-50k sees NO wage increase, while paying MORE as the end user.

GREAT

[A.G.]

it also means manufacturers will raise the cost of goods to consumers to cover the pay hikes. So the avg middle class making 30-50k sees NO wage increase, while paying MORE as the end user.

GREAT

BUT it also means that there will be more low paying jobs BELOW the federal minimum for all the illegal aliens collecting unemployment and getting food stamps and other social services on our dime.

[TIMSCAR20]

Actually AG the illegal aliens do not get those sort of benefits. You need a SS# or an alien residential number to receive those sorts of things. That is a common misconception. People also think that unemployment insurance saps tax dollars but the truth is you only get out what you contribute to unemployment as an individual. I see your point though.

[bigsmooth]

George Allen can only blame himself for this one. i hope that the republican party will rebound from "black tuesday" and gets it's act together. i would like to formally annex northern va. into DC!!!...at least the marriage amendment passed!

[LUconn]

I'd like to annex my acre of land into it's own independant country. How do I accomplish this?

[FlamingYalieWahoo]

Look ya'll VA's not quite as bad as it appears - look at the congressional delegation - mostly Republicans. (plus 2 of the top 3 positions are held by Republicans, the legislature is Republican-controlled, two of the last 4 governors were Republicans, Kaine and Warner ran as moderates and are do-nothings - that's exactly why they seemingly "succeeded" - although they got a little happy about raising taxes - the legislature decided to resist Kaine since there's a huge surplus.) The only way the Dems have accomplished anything is by being deceptive - running as moderate to right of center Dems who pretend that they will stand up to their party leadership in Washington and the party leadership allowing this ruse so that they could get the power back. Plus most of those who won have never held office or for only brief periods so they had no real voting record to attack. Pelosi and whoever the Senate leader will put on their leather and whip Webb, Shuler et al into line. Hopefully over the next two years not much policy will actually change but the extremist lefties who take control of the various committees will make themselves out to be the buttheads they really are. They can't help themselves - they'll do it. So the Republicans - at least the true conservatives can get their act together and start advocating restrained fiscal spending policy with better tax policies which they were on the way to accomplishing.

But if we have a terrorist attack within the next 2 years I'll be the first in line to kick the nearest lefty Democrat in the butt!