It is not often that Virginians get the opportunity to hear from former governors, especially on topics other than pure politics. They get trotted out for endorsements but that’s about it. Kudos to Rhew for taking this on.

The video can be viewed here.

I have long advocated for a full-time legislature, most recently in conjunction with the Hamilton affair.

As I argued more than three years ago, I believe that we are past the point of having a part-time legislature. Virginia is no longer an agricultural society, needing our legislature to meet between planting seasons. And let’s be honest: even though the legislature formally meets for certain sessions each year, there are many more days in which service is required, particularly for committee meetings.

The paltry salary – about $17,000 – despite the demands on the legislators’ time eliminates far too many from the pool. And more than that, it puts in place a system of entitlement that permeates Virginia far more than anyone is willing to admit: high profile appointments or elections to state jobs that allow legislators to “retire,” draw big salaries and then boost their retirement pay when they do finally retire.

Waldo Jaquith – independent of my post – came to eerily similar conclusions.

And how much do we pay legislators for performing this duty that is the centerpiece of their lives?$17,640. That’s the annual salary for members of the House of Delegates. By my math, that’s something like twelve bucks an hour. I know people who make better money assembling sandwiches at Bodo’s.

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Generally speaking, for a legislator to live within the minimal ethical boundaries established by the General Assembly, he must be a) an attorney b) independently wealthy or c) poor. Hamilton clearly had grown tired of option C, and figured that the state owed him for all of the time he’d put in for the public good. Had Hamilton done the correct thing and retired from his seat to earn some more money, he would have been in good company. I’ve never made a study of it, but it seems to me that a great many members of the legislature have stepped down because they simply couldn’t afford it anymore.

Sean Kenney, prompted by Waldo’s post, comes to a different conclusion.

The problem isn’t one of part-time/full-time lawmakers.  Nor is the problem that of self-sufficient farmers vs. self-serving individuals taking slices out of the public trust.  The problem is the culture, that somehow legislators are expected and somehow entitled to a slice of the pie.  Let’s face it, when you have so many people at the trough, with so much money being squeezed out of taxpayers and doled back out, is it so hard to see the temptation?

I would prescribe the exact opposite — avoid the near occasion of sin.  Personally, I would shorten the session.  And I’d reduce every delegate’s and senator’s pay to zero and cut their staff to nothing.  Why?  Because I do believe that public service is just that — a service to the public.

… If you aren’t personally successful — at least enough to take 60 days out of your schedule — then your focus should be on your family or career.

Jim Hoeft isn’t quite sure that we need to do anything just yet.

Therefore, I’d like to first see an investigation across the board in the GA to see if I’m right.

How widespread are these deals?

That’s the logical first step. Before we begin using Hamilton’s example to leap to conclusions about the nature and compensation of service in the General Assembly – and call for widespread reform of a 400 year institution – we should probably have a firm understanding of what we’re dealing with first.

Hoeft may get his wish, depending on what the federal probe into the Hamilton affair uncovers. But it is clear from the discussion that our current system is not working.

The overall idea that the internet continues our existing various divides rang true for me.

There’s a concept in sociology called “homophily.” It means birds of a feather stick together. Whites know whites. Democrats know Democrats. Urbanites know urbanites. Tech people know tech people. Rich people know rich people. And before you immediately start listing the people you know that aren’t like you, realize that this is the auto-reaction to an uncomfortable reality (more colloquially noticeable when people refer to “my black friend…”). Structurally, social networks are driven by homophily even when there are individual exceptions. And sure enough, in the digital world, we see this manifested right before our eyes.

I think it is fair to say that is pretty much what we have all experienced in the Virginia blogosphere. I’m hoping that the Virginia Free Press changes all that.

Although we are just getting started, we can count amongst our editorial group Democrats, Republicans and Libertarians. We are young and not so young, white and black, Catholic, Protestant and non-religious, urban and rural. What we have in common is an interest in many things, with politics at the top of that list, and a desire to conduct a civil conversation about them. We can – and we will – disagree, but without being disagreeable. And perhaps we can learn a thing or two from each other.

Hang on – and enjoy the ride!

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Hans von Spakovsky is likely to be confirmed to a volunteer post on a commission that advises the US Commission on Civil Rights (USCCR), along with a attorney who is a member of the Republican National Lawyer’s Association, to serve on the State Advisory Committee for Virginia.

Spakovsky has long been a controversial figure in voting-rights circles. He has consistently championed voter ID laws and other measures that, the evidence suggests, make it disproportionately harder for poor people and minorities to vote. As a senator in 2007, Barack Obama assailed Spakovsky’s “efforts to undermine voting rights” and his “record of poor management, divisiveness, and inappropriate partisanship” during his tenure as an official at the Bush DOJ. Spakovsky was nominated by President Bush to be an FEC commissioner but his nomination was withdrawn last year when Democrats refused to confirm him.

Well, as a resident of Virginia, I, for one have no interest in seeing Spakovsky appointed to anything that resembles a position of responsibility in my state or any other. The voter-suppression guru and fan of ‘National ID’ has no place anywhere near the Civil Rights Commission.

Commissioner Todd Gaziano, a Spakovsky backer who is also the director of the conservative Heritage Foundation’s Center for Legal and Judicial Studies, told TPMmuckraker that he was “at least one of the people” who recommended both Spakovsky and Quinn for the advisory committee — which is an unpaid, volunteer position — calling both “well-qualified to serve”. As we reported last year, it was also Gaziano who recommended Spakovsky for a gig as a “consultant and temporary full-time employee” at USCCR in the run up to last fall’s election.

According to the commission’s website, the state advisory committees are “composed of citizens familiar with local and State civil rights issues.” They’re designed to “assist the Commission with its fact-finding, investigative, and information dissemination functions.” Gaziano — himself a former state advisory committee member for Virginia — noted that the commission’s rules require an “intellectually diverse” slate of state of advisory committee members, and said he believes the Virginia panel is “especially balanced and diverse.”

How many times do we have to get rid of this excess baggage of a Republican? What does it take?

Finally!  A position for Spakovsky that does not require confirmation and will ensure that his viewpoint lingers, now as it pertains to the Civil Rights of citizens in Virginia. Gaziano evidently wanted to keep appointing or recommending Spakovsky until he actually got a job gumming up the works in an area that is reeling from inattention and under-staffing in the last eight years. They are just one big happy family, huh?

Amazing.

Fourteen million dollars.

That is what [Goldman Sachs] paid in taxes in 2008, an effective tax rate of exactly one, read it, one percent. The bank paid out $10 billion in compensation and benefits that same year and made a profit of more than $2 billion – yet it paid the Treasury less than a third of what it forked over to CEO Lloyd Blankfein, who made $42.9 million last year.

And:

It’s not always easy to accept the reality of what we now routinely allow these people to get away with; there’s a kind of collective denial that kicks in when a country goes through what America has gone through lately, when a people lose as much prestige and status as we have in the past few years. You can’t really register the fact that you’re no longer a citizen of a thriving first-world democracy, that you’re no longer above getting robbed in broad daylight, because like an amputee, you can still sort of feel things that are no longer there.

But this is it. This is the world we live in now.

You might not be able to change it, but you should know it.  And it should inform all of your civic choices and votes.  I understand how we ended up here.  And step by step?  It doesn’t seem so ridiculous.  But stepping back?  Fundamentally fucked up.

For $25,000 to $250,000, The Washington Post is offering lobbyists and association executives off-the-record, nonconfrontational access to “those powerful few” — Obama administration officials, members of Congress, and the paper’s own reporters and editors.

The astonishing offer is detailed in a flier circulated Wednesday to a health care lobbyist, who provided it to a reporter because the lobbyist said he feels it’s a conflict for the paper to charge for access to, as the flier says, its “health care reporting and editorial staff.”

Your free press hard at work. Meanwhile, Dana Milbank is still whining about the Internets asking questions.

The press release (below the fold) includes the names of members – so far – of this steering committee. The group consists of members from throughout the Commonwealth.

In a  telephone conference just after the press release, remarks were offered by Deeds, Warner, Leonsis and Richard S. “Major” Reynolds III of Richmond, Managing Director of Reynolds Trust.  The latter focused on Deeds’ rural background as well as knowledge of the issues of the urban areas, saying he brings “a unique perspective” to the governing that needs to take place in the next four years.

In a question from Bob Lewis, Deeds reiterated his support for the right to work law as well as the rights of people to organize. He said that card check, despite Republican Bob McDonald’s efforts to make it otherwise, is not a state isse. The focus of the next governor, according to Deeds, should be on rebuilding Virginia’s economy.

A second question related to the series of debates that McDonald put out yesterday. Deeds said that the campaigns will work out a debate schedule and that all of Virginia will have an opportunity to hear from the two guberatorial candidates.

DEEDS ANNOUNCES “BUSINESS LEADERS FOR DEEDS”
~ U.S. Senator Mark Warner helps launch bipartisan group ~
~ To be led by Caps owner, ex-AOL executive Ted Leonsis ~

ARLINGTON — Democratic candidate for governor Creigh Deeds today announced the formation and leadership of “Business Leaders for Deeds,” a broad-based group of bipartisan, statewide business leaders who have agreed to advise and promote Deeds’ candidacy. “Business Leaders for Deeds” will be led by Ted Leonsis of McLean, the majority owner of the Washington Capitals and Washington Mystics. Leonsis also is a former AOL vice chairman, a venture capitalist and philanthropist.

U.S. Senator Mark R. Warner joined Deeds and Leonsis at today’s announcement. Warner is a former telecom executive who’s pragmatic approach during his term as Virginia Governor (2002-06) resulted in Virginia’s designation as the nation’s “best managed state” and “best state for business.”

“I appreciate the support and the expertise these business executives will bring to our effort, because these men and women recognize that their businesses are only as strong as the people who power them,” Senator Deeds said. “Our administration will be working hard every day to create opportunity and jobs for Virginians, and these business leaders will be a key part of our bipartisan efforts to better position the Commonwealth to emerge stronger from our economic challenges.”

“I am impressed by Creigh’s focus on quality education, technology and innovation as the cornerstones of Virginia’s economic future,” Mr. Leonsis said. “’Business Leaders for Deeds’ will bring together leading executives from across the state to advise Creigh during the campaign – and, more importantly, after his election this fall.”

“I have known and worked closely with many of these community and business leaders, and I appreciate their willingness to step-up and support Creigh’s bipartisan focus on producing real results that move Virginia forward,” Senator Warner said. “We cannot leave any region of Virginia behind as we work together to strengthen our economy and position the Commonwealth to compete in this global economy.”

Other members of “Business Leaders for Deeds” so far include:

Douglas M. Adams of Maiden, Retired President of The Country Vintner, Inc.;

Jane Inskeep Barrell of Culpeper; Co-Owner of Culpeper Management, LLC;

Robert M. Blue of Richmond, Senior Vice President of Public Policy & Corporate Communications for Dominion Corporation;

The Honorable Sandra Bowen of Richmond, former Senior Vice President of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, former Virginia Secretary of Administration and Commonwealth;

William M. Camp, Jr. of Franklin, principal of Holliknoll Farm;

James K. Candler of Lynchburg, Chairman of Candler Oil Company, Inc.;

Judith P. Carter of Orange, Principal of Germanna Title Company;

Laurie C. Crigler of Madison, Vice President of L&D Associates, Inc.;

Edward C. Dalrymple of Mineral, Vice President of Chemung Contracting;

Charlotte B. Dammann of McLean, Associate Broker of Faulconer Realtors Inc.;

Joseph R. Daniel of Culpeper, President of Jefferson Homebuilders;

Joshua P. Darden, Jr., of Norfolk, President of Darden Properties Inc.;

Carlos Del Toro of Stafford, President & CEO of SBG Technology Solutions, Inc.;

Susan Y. “Syd” Dorsey of Mechanicsville, Director of Sales & Marketing at Astyra Corporation;

G.S. “Sandy” Fitz-Hugh, Jr., former President of the Bank of America – Virginia;

David Goode of Norfolk, former Chairman, President and CEO of Norfolk Southern Corporation;

Mark Goodwin of Richmond, former Senior Vice President of UPS Freight;

William C. Hall, Jr. of Richmond, Vice President of Corporate Communications & Community Affairs for Dominion Corporation;

Robert D. Hardie of Charlottesville, Managing Director of Level One Partners, LLC;

Cabell S. Harris of Richmond, President of WORK Labs;

Jimmy Hazel of Oakton, principal of Angler Environmental;

John T. “Til” Hazel, Jr. of Broad Run, founder and former chairman of the Virginia Business Higher Education Council;

William R. Hedrick of Bluefield, President of Fort Chiswell Construction Corporation;

Ted Hontz of Stafford, Vice President of Basic Commerce and Industries, Inc.;

Kenneth Jones of Richmond, Owner and President of Prestige Construction Company;

James L. Keen of Vansant, CEO of Keen H.R. Services, Inc.;

Austin Ligon of Richmond, co-founder and retired CEO of CarMax Inc.;

Mark C. Lowham of McLean, Senior Vice President of WEST*GROUP;

Charles H. Majors of Danville, President & CEO of American National Bank & Trust Company;

John F. Malbon of Virginia Beach, CEO of Papco, Inc.;

Mark R. Merhige of Richmond, President of Shockoe Properties;

Bittle Porterfield, III of Roanoke, President of Rice Management Company;

Richard S. “Major” Reynolds III of Richmond, Managing Director of Reynolds Trust;

Gilbert “Gil” Rosenthal of Richmond, retired owner of Standard Drug Company;

Tom Rosenthal of Richmond, CEO of Med Outcomes, Inc.;

Walter Rugaber of Meadows of Dan, former President and Publisher of The Roanoke Times;

The Honorable Elliot Schewel of Lynchburg, Former President of Schewel Furniture Company and former State Senator;

Ranjit K. Sen of Richmond, President & CEO of CXI;

R. Chris Walters of Abingdon, financial advisor;

Naomi Weathers of Chester, Owner and President of Weathers Engineering Inc.;

Blair K. Williamson of Charlottesville, President of S.L. Williamson Company, Inc.;

Alan S. Witt of Newport News, CEO of Witt Mares, PLC;

Linda Zecher of Charlottesville, Corporate Vice President, Worldwide Public Sector of Microsoft Corporation.

From the time it was announced Jackson had died through the end of the day Friday—a little more than 28 hours—60% of the news coverage studied across 55 different news outlets was devoted to Jackson’s death. And that does not include the broadcast network prime time specials devoted to the singer’s demise—two of them for two hours Thursday night and one for a single—the extra hours of morning news and more.

All media sectors covered Jackson heavily, but it was cable news channels that led the way. Fully 93% of cable coverage studied on the Thursday and Friday following his death was about the King of Pop. On the front pages of Friday morning newspapers, 37% of their coverage was Jackson-related compared to 55% of the leading online coverage.

If anyone needed proof of how much the media culture has changed it might be this. When Elvis Presley died in 1977, CBS News was criticized for choosing not to lead its newscast with it.

By comparison, the story about legislation that will most seriously affect the daily lives of American citizens was virtually ignored:

Breaking late in the week, Friday, the House passage of historic legislation to impose limits on global warming received relatively marginal coverage, roughly 2%.

I’m not sure if this misplaced sense of priorities reflects more badly on the news media or on news consumers, the American people.

H/T: TVNewser.  Crossposted from RickSincere.com.