For far too long the process of electing our Representatives in Washington and Virginia has been more focused on party politics and less on what matters the most - the needs of constituents. Voters need, and should want, candidates who will put partisan politics aside in order to move critical issues forward for the betterment of its citizens. In order to do that, voters need candidates with proven track records of working across party lines to get things done. We deserve representatives who will stand up and speak out when the issues and causes are right; even when speaking out is not the popular thing to do.
We firmly believe Virginia voters want a change in attitude among our elected officials. The politics of personal destruction has changed the debate in Washington and Richmond from that of policy to cheap sound bites. Our nation is facing unprecedented challenges and we need leaders who put their constituents first. That is why I started OurVirginiaNow because we believe we need to elect people who are more concerned about the needs of the people rather than the needs of any one party.
OVN is not built solely on the idea of changing the "politics as usual" mentality in Virginia. This belief has to play a role in the much larger vision of providing higher paying jobs to our workforce; bringing jobs into the Commonwealth; creating an educational system that is built on our children succeeding, not failing; providing quality, affordable healthcare for all families in Virginia; supporting small business innovation, not stifling it; promoting family; and creating a tax system that allows families to bring home more of their hard-earned paychecks.
OVN believes families are better equipped to decide how their money should be spent than are Washington or Richmond. It is estimated that most families work the first six-months out of every year in order to pay their taxes. We are working harder and harder each year, not to make our lives easier, but to send more money to the Federal and State governments to pay for, in many cases, failed programs. We need to make sure that any taxes paid by families go to fund needed programs. We need to ensure that the money you earn goes directly into your pockets and not into the coffers of a bloated bureaucracy.
We know the challenges facing families in the Commonwealth. I can remember graduating from college and working at a job for minimum wage. For a single person living with his parents, this was a struggle. For a family, it is impossible. Families should not have to live paycheck to paycheck. Families should not have to have two or three jobs just to provide for their families. When this happens, the family unit breaks down. We need to ensure that we are fiscally responsible, while at the same time, providing opportunities for all families to live securely without worrying about how they pay their mortgage or healthcare bills.
Our goal is simple: elect candidates in Virginia who put voters first. We want candidates who will offer real solutions to the problems we face. With your help we can achieve this simple goal. With your help we can bring about the real change voters want. With your help we can provide a bright future for all Virginians.
Regards,
Paul A. Miller
Founder & President
What Kind of Representative is Dave Marsden?
Del. Dave Marsden is moving on to bigger and better things. Nearly two weeks after winning reelection to the House of Delegates, Del. Marsden has decided to run for the 37th State Senate seat. Of course, he must move into the District first, but he announced late last week he intended to seek the seat being vacated by Attorney-General Elect Ken Cuccinelli. As Paul Miller, President of OurVirginiaNow stated, "I think Marsden ought to resign his house seat immediately. He owes us that. He was elected to produce results for his constituents, not continue to seek other elected positions he may deem more attractive for his career."If Dave Marsden were to win the Senate Special Election, it would trigger another Special Election to fill his Delegate seat. This unfortunate situation would cost Virginia taxpayers thousands of dollars, and would leave citizens in the 41st District without representation in the House of Delegates. As Jason Chung, Chairman of OurVirginiaNow stated, "I think it is only fair since Dave Marsden has put the citizens of the 41st House District in such a position, and in an attempt to limit the costs of another Special Election that could have been avoided, Mr. Marsden should personally cover the cost of the election should he win the Senate seat and resign his Delegate seat."
OurVirginiaNow encourages residents of the 41st House District to contact Del. Marsden and ask him to resign the seat he just won if he is going to pursue another office. Residents in the 41st deserve better than a politician that simply looks for more attractive positions that will further his/her career rather than fulfilling the promise they made to voters.
From the Washington Post: OurVirginiaNow Asks Del. Marsden to Resign His Delegate Seat
