The Real Uncertainty: The Future of Virginia's Bond Ratings

The Coronavirus 2020 shutdown ordered by Governor Ralph Northam (D) continues in the Commonwealth of Virginia with very little push back from the leaders in the Virginia General Assembly. Virginia continues to feel the effects of an "essential business only" Executive Order by Northam directly impacting every locality in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the underlying businesses in those localities that support them and provide the necessary revenue required for them to perform government services at the local level.

While so many questions remain,  the biggest one is why has the Governor nor any member of the General Assembly sought to address the evolutionary impact of this shutdown by calling for a summit or leadership round table meeting to address the direct impacts on small business and local and state government alike?

Where is the true leadership being demonstrated to take Virginia out of this crisis financially? Other than suspending the implementation of the new budget, what has been advanced as anything remotely appearing as a  bipartisan solution to come to the aid of Virginians?

Both the Commonwealth and local governments derive much of its operating revenues from consumer spending and the taxes that are derived from such activity. The Commonwealth requires "sales taxes" while many local governments require "food taxes" and other taxes joined with the Commonwealth to fund government services. As a result of lost revenue, small business operators will not make tax obligations nor continue to employ Virginians thus eliminating "payroll taxes". Transportation tolls (road taxes) have all but dried up as a result of the shutdown as well and with so few Virginians on the roads with "stay at home" orders the revenue generated from the "gas tax" has fallen substantially.

Why has their not been an economic team assemble to address how Virginia will come out of this shutdown now anticipated to be June or even July? Where are the plans to address the shortfalls experienced at the local level which desperately requires revenue to sustain itself. Revenue that Governor Northam is currently denying them with his executive orders.

The biggest question than no one in the Assembly is raising is what will be the impacts of the shutdown on the bonds issued by the Commonwealth and the ratings levels that these bonds had in late 2019 compared to what they will be at the end of this year. If those ratings decline and in all likelihood they will across the board in many states as well as local governments throughout Virginia, the capacity to borrow and the costs of borrowing will only increase thus costing the Commonwealth millions more than ever anticipated.


"Bonds are used in the Commonwealth of Virginia to finance the costs of long term capital improvements throughout the state. The Commonwealth does not use bonds to close budget gaps or fix cash flow problems. Virginia bonds are primarily used for new construction and improvements at our institutions of higher education, transportation and port facilities, schools and state park and correctional facilities. Investing in Virginia bonds supports these endeavors, and interest paid to bond holders is exempt from Virginia income taxation, and in most cases, federal income taxation.

The Commonwealth's general obligation bonds are currently rated AAA/Aaa/AAA by Fitch, Moody's and Standard and Poor's rating agencies respectively. Rating agencies focus on several key factors in assessing a state's credit quality: control of debt burden, economic vitality/diversity, fiscal performance, and administrative capabilities. Most of the Commonwealth’s appropriation supported bond programs, which require an annual appropriation for debt service, are rated one notch below the general obligation bonds at AA+/Aa1/AA+. This would include bonds issued by certain state authorities, such as the Virginia Public Building Authority and the Virginia College Building Authority" (Virginia Treasury, Virginia.gov)

The following is a typical rating scale for bonds issued by government entities:

Aaa	Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, subject to the lowest level of credit risk.
Aa	Obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.
A	Obligations rated A are judged to be upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.
Baa	Obligations rated Baa are judged to be medium-grade and subject to moderate credit risk and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.
Ba	Obligations rated Ba are judged to be speculative and are subject to substantial credit risk.
B	Obligations rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.
Caa	Obligations rated Caa are judged to be speculative of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.
Ca	Obligations rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.
C	Obligations rated C are the lowest rated and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.

This above scale happens to be for the reputable Moody's rating service.

Virginia Performs, originally developed by the Council on Virginia's Future (2004-2017), was a performance leadership and accountability system within the Virginia state government whose goal was to evaluate government financial performances and outcomes in order to inspire and support Virginians toward healthier lives and strong and resilient families. It basically evaluated the government independently.

Virginia Performs took the data and demonstrated how government was impacting the lives of Virginians and most especially the quality of life in Virginia. It focuses on all the aspects of government from education, work force, transportation to finance. If a role or function of government was performed than Virginia Performs examined the outcomes.

Today, where is the true oversight coming from regarding the actions that the Governor or the General Assembly are implementing?

Where is there an economic adviser summit being called for by Governor Northam or the Republican leadership in Richmond?

The Council of Virginia's Future existed from 2004-2017. It began with a vision to guide the future taking into account responsible economic growth, quality of life, good government and all well educated electorate seeking to shape the future of Virginia in a dedicated, positive manner and direction.

"Virginia Performs" performed an essential role in informing Virginians as to the financial health of the Commonwealth of Virginia and provided a website as part of the Virginia.Gov site to dissimilate information to Virginians regarding State finances.

Virginia Performs however was "sunset" on July 1, 2017. This was done while the Republicans in Virginia controlled the majority of seats in the Virginia General Assembly in Richmond. This begs the question now whether this was in fact in the best interest of the Commonwealth.

A state's bond rating influences how much taxpayer money the state can save by securing competitive loans; it also serves as a measure of a state's financial and administrative status. Virginia's AAA bond rating, the best rating possible, is a reflection of the confidence placed in the Commonwealth's fiscal health.

"Virginia's bond rating allows it to borrow money at the most competitive rates available. Having a good credit rating means Virginia can save millions of taxpayer dollars in interest payments when it finances debt, such as borrowing for construction costs. With less interest to pay, Virginia's resources can be used where needed, and the state can maintain its favorable tax rates for citizens and industries.

Bond ratings are also a measure of a state's financial reputation. Finance professionals conduct a rigorous examination of a state's fiscal management practices over a significant period of time and express their level of confidence in that state’s ability to safely meet its scheduled interest and principal repayments. A bond rating of AAA is highest (best), and D is lowest (worst). A high bond rating makes the state's bonds more attractive to investors.

Note: A bond is an investment instrument through which an investor loans money to a public or private entity in return for earning interest. Typically, the interest a bond issuer must pay the purchaser is higher when the risk that the issuer will not be able to repay the loan is greater. Three major rating firms conduct research and set a rating based on their assessment of the risk that the loan will not be repaid as scheduled. This rating then influences the amount of interest the bond issuer must pay the investor" (Virginia Performs 2017)

A variety of factors can influence a bond rating, including:

• The amount of debt a state holds in relation to the size and health of its overall economy.
• A state's long-term financial management practices, including whether it meets its interest and principal repayments on time and has a back-up plan to make sure it can meet its obligations.
• Changing economic conditions that result in lower state revenues.
• Inaccurate forecasting that fails to anticipate revenue shortfall.

Virginia's bond rating is the responsibility of its governmental leadership. The executive and legislative branches must cooperate to ensure that Virginia's practices are sound by:

• Planning strategically.
• Independently studying problem areas and recommending sound improvement strategies.
• Accurately forecasting expenditures and revenues.
• Borrowing prudently.
• Objectively monitoring fiscal processes and procedures.

No one is talking about the impact this shutdown will have long term on Virginia financials and in effect its bond ratings. This fact should scare every Virginian because as ratings on bonds fall it is historically significant that taxes rises on citizens both at the state and local levels.

J.Scott

Chas(e)ing the Nomination in Virginia: State Senator Amanda Freeman Chase (R)

Seeking to capitalize on the growing level of "Virginia Populism" all across the Commonwealth of Virginia, State Senator Amanda Freeman Chase (R) has announced her intention to run for the Republican nomination for Governor of Virginia four months ago on the steps of the State Capital.

Discussions here Chase for Governor: https://www.facebook.com/Chase-for-Governor-2021-115057180190139/

Senator Chase announced her intentions on Monday standing on the historic steps of the Virginia State Capital on the very afternoon that the Virginia Senate Judiciary Committee voted down one of the most radical, extremist gun control measures ever introduce in Virginia political history. House Bill 961 that was sponsored in the Virginia House of Delegates by Progressive Delegate Mark Levine representing the 45th House District located in Arlington and Alexandria. HB 961 in effect would ban all "assault" style weapons or as Delegate characterizes as "weapons of war" as well as any and all sale of magazines that could hold twelve rounds or more of ammunition. Possession of these items would constitute a felony.

House Bill 961 was simply a similar version of Senate Bill 16 sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw of Fairfax County that the Senator had pulled from consideration thus avoiding any debate on the matter in the Senate. Instead, Virginia Democrats in Richmond used the Levine Bill as a vehicle in the House first and then reviewed in committee by the Senate. The bill failed in committee 10-5 after four Democrats moved right and joined Republicans in opposition.

During the Campaign of 2019, Amanda Freeman Chase was one of the very few Republicans who did not run away from President Trump. Chase defeated a heavily funded challenger afer which Chase decided to no longer caucus with the Republican Party.

This means in effect Chase really is not recognized nor treated as a GOP legislator and does not meet with the others in the caucus nor is part of the communication. Chase was stripped of all her previous committee assignments save one once the Democrats took control. Chase in essence is a island in the Virginia Senate like Sander's in the U.S. Senate who in truth is an independent not a Democrat. Chase has done little to reunite with the GOP in 2020 and recent statements from the GOP appear to illustrate hat they remain unsupportive of her .

Chase's decision was made when the Republican leadership that lost control of the majority of both chambers in the Virginia General Assembly for the first time in almost two decades remained intact post election. The Republicans determined in effect to continue with "business as usual". The Leadership had failed to understand just how poor the messaging was in 2019 and determined to run the campaigns in the same manner they always had while the Democrats had evolved and implemented new innovative campaign mechanisms and infrastructure.

One other major factor little reported by the media is the failure of the Republican leadership to even fund the re-election bid of Senator Amanda Freeman Chase. While supporting other Republican Senate candidates the leadership chose not to assist Chase in her efforts. There were even rumors in early 2019 that the leadership was attempting to find someone to primary Senator Chase in a Republican primary. Chase had defeated long time friend of the leadership in Senator Steve Martin (R) in a primary before the 2015 election cycle. The Chase victory in that primary came has as one of the most historic local races and only surpassed in Virginia politics by Congressman David Brat's upset of them Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R) in a Congressional Republican primary.

If you examine the campaign contributions in 2019 amidst one of the most heated political campaign seasons in thew history of Virginia, it is clear that the Republican leadership was unwilling to provide the level of support to Senator Amanda Freeman Chase that leadership provided others. Some have attempted to argue that this was a direct result of polling throughout the campaign that indicated that Chase had at least a four point lead in her race as late as August 2019, however it was after this polling that the Republican Party of Virginia in fact made several contributions in the amount beginning in September through October totally seventy seven thousand. That being said, the leadership and Senate political action committees failed to support Chase at all while supporting multiple other Republican candidates,

State Senators right next door to Chase's district in both the 10th and 12th  were provided support via the  Republican Party of Virginia and received enormous support from Republican State Leadership Committee and the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus. In fact Senate Majority Leader Thomas "Tommy" Norment's Senate Leadership/Candidate Committee failed to support Chase yet made heavy contributions in the districts next door to Chase's.

These are the facts relating to the level that the State GOP failed to support Senator Amanda Freeman Chase:

The Norment for Senate committee supported Senator Dunnavant VA12 with 231,00 and Senator Sturtevant VA10 with 709,750. Zero for Chase.

The Republican State Leadership Committee contributed 345,000 to Senator Dunnavant and
to Senator Sturtevant 631,957. Zero for Chase.

The Virginia Senate Republican Caucus contributed 460,500 to Senator Dunnavant and
to Senator Sturtevant 591,059. Zero for Chase.

**Dunnavant would win her re-election bid by about 1% over Delegate Debra Rodman while Sturtevant lost his seat in the Senate by 9 points**

There is little indication that the Va GOP will support Chase in 2021 thus far.

Many Virginians  following Chase's lead have grown very suspicious of Senator Dunnavant who in 2020 General Assembly session appeared to betray the contingent of Second Amendment supporters that campaigned on her behalf and supported her in Hanover County which is were the precincts that thrust her to re-election. Many supporters now on social media have flooded groups with buyers remorse given Dunnavant has cast votes that her challenger in 2019 very well would have cast.

The questions regarding the failure to support Senator Chase are rampant on social media. Chase supporters have become enraged at the Republican Party and the failure of leadership to contribute last November merely double downed on constituent suspicions of the State GOP that resulted after Senator Chase resigned from the Chesterfield County Republican Committee over committee rules relating to membership being required to support/endorse any GOP nominee within the county. Chase failed to endorse a GOP nominee in Karl Leonard for Sheriff instead opting for another option thus alienating herself from her own local committee.

Nevertheless and without any true party support, Senator Amanda Freeman Chase won re-election in 2019 by about nine points over Progressive Amanda Pohl. The race for the seat was one of the most contentious on social media in 2019. One thing that supporters love about Chase is her determination to never back down in a fight. This character trait has never bode well for the "good ole boy" establishment which  behind the scenes has always wish to in effect silence Chase who never seemed capable in their eyes of staying in line with the leadership.

The division between leadership and Chase intensified following the 2019 election. Given nothing according to Chase was addressed by the leadership with regard to the lost majority, Chase walked away. The Republicans would keep the status quo even after the leadership failed to keep control of the Assembly and failed to advance true conservative agendas in the 2019 Assembly session. In fact, the leadership remained quiet regarding Governor Northam's racist "blackface" circumstance as well as Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax had sexual assault allegations levied against him by two women from his own party. Republicans sat on their hands. Failed to push for investigation by committees in the Assembly they controlled. Meanwhile, Republicans all over Virginia sat watching the House of Representatives in Congress levy investigation after investigation against President Trump.

While  Chase never ran away from Trump in 2019 many others did. Nor did she shy away from calling out Governor Northam and Lt. Governor Fairfax and the Democratic hypocrisy relating to those politicians. Chase won handlily in a pro-Trump 2016 district in 2019.

The announcement to run for Governor in 2021 certainly raises Senator Amanda Freeman Chase's profile across Virginia but it also highlights the beginning of a splintering of the Republican Party of Virginia at large. Chase has an ability to speak to those that are frustrated with the State GOP and there is certainly a new coalition forming. The movement mirrors that of the Tea Party Movement back in 2010-12 in Virginia and the Republican leadership should take notice.


It has been Senator Amanda Freeman Chase that has been leading much of the opposition. Chase recently was scolded by Senator Janet Howell (D) of Fairfax County for using her social media to communicate Assembly business to Virginians. The truth is the transparency is not something that either leadership in the Assembly prefer but Chase has determined to deliver it. Chase has in effect made political enemies on both sides of the aisle. Chase asserted that anyone in the Assembly supporting such draconian measures like red flag laws could only be characterized as "traitors to Virginia". Howell's response has been to see to it that Amanda Freeman Chase's sponsored bills have been shelved.

The response by Senator Howell is indicative of the manner in which the new majority is conducting business in the Virginia General Assembly. Supporters of Chase were quick to point out that Howell ultimately was disenfranchising representation of Virginians that live in the Virginia 11th by not permitting the bills sponsored by Chase in committee for consideration.  These tactics may be acceptable in Fairfax County by its overwhelming Democrat majority but all across Virginia this is not how the "Peoples House" is supposed to work and how Virginia business is to be conducted. Howell actually has fueled even grater opposition to her Party and contributed to the awakening that is underway going into the elections of 2020 this Fall.

 

VA07 GOP Primary Contenders 

There is little doubt that Chase will be out this Summer.There is some uncertainty whether the State GOP leadership will get behind Trump this summer. Trump lost Virginia to Hillary Clinton in 2016 but won many of the Congressional Districts like the Virginia 7th held by Democrat Abigail Spanberger since 2018.  Spanberger appears vulnerable for the Democrats in 2020 as Spanberger supported impeachment, supports gun control measures pushed in Richmond and failed to support a pay raise for the military through the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in Congress. Spanberger will need support of Chesterfield County in the 2020 Election. As it stands today, Tina Ramirez and Andrew Knaggs appear to be the front runners for the GOP nomination to face Abigail Spanberger however Nick Freitas is gaining ground and funding.

The 2021 Governor's race is almost twenty one months away so Senator Chase has amble time to form her own coalition while building bridges of support with others in the upcoming 2020 Election all across the Commonwealth of Virginia. Chase would be wise to campaign across Virginia in 2020 and connect with other areas of the Commonwealth. Supporters have already taking to social media to drive her brand and raise her identification across the state. A facebook group was created in late January called "Chase for Governor 2021" and already has over eleven thousand members and growing.

Follow here on social media tot stay informed.

https://www.facebook.com/TurnVARedAgain/   The Conservative State

https://www.facebook.com/Chase-for-Governor-2021-115057180190139/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/999287823791649/

From Opposition to Resistance: The Virginia Awakening

The current political environment in the Commonwealth of Virginia today can only be described as being a state of  "opposition".

Competing views, philosophies and more importantly interpretations of the United States Constitution in the public square and social media relating to the current Virginia political dynamic has not been at this fever pitch since Revolutionary era.

It may seem hyperbolic but the truth is the level of contempt for the Virginia Progressives dominating the Democratic Party of Virginia that exist today rivals that of the Tories and the fact that the majority of these Progressives come from the same region once dominated by those favoring allegiance to England is not lost on those paying attention.

The "opposition" in Virginia held a massive State House rally last month where close to 80,000 citizens rallied before the Virginia General Assembly in Richmond only to be all but ignored by the new majority in Virginia. This majority much like its brethren in Congress north of the Potomac is being led by an angry Progressive minority. The Republicans had controlled the majority in the General Assembly in Richmond for almost three decades and lost it last November in a decisive defeat.

The election in 2019 proved just how outmatched the Republican Party of Virginia has become. After years holding the majority the party morphed left in truth and having the opportunity and the votes to pass sweeping legislation to limit government, reduce spending, call for formal audits of the bloated State Government and especially hold the Governor to the fire for ever increasing budgets the Republicans hardly mustered much of a fight or any "opposition" to the Governors Terry McAuliffe (D) or Ralph Northam (D).

During the 2019 General Assembly session the Republicans controlling both the House of Delegates  and the Virginia Senate failed to demand of itself oversight over the Executive. Governor Northam was found to have worn "blackface" and his Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax was accused  by two respected women from his own party of sexual assault and the Republicans did nothing. No hearings and no investigations. Republican leadership sat on its hands.

Meanwhile, Virginia Republicans witnessed a never ending assault on President Trump by Democrats in Washington that  by 2019 had gone on almost two full years. Virginia Republicans could not even muster a hearing. Republican leadership is said have feared backlash by voters in the 2019 elections had they pressed the issues formally in Richmond. Not only did many Republican campaigns fail to even mention the Governor in their ads and direct mail pieces but many even ran away from the successes of Trump and how his tax cuts benefited Virginians.

The establishment types today will cry out that it should be the Democrats that Virginians focus on and not blame the Republican leadership or Party for the result of 2019, however most Virginians understand given Virginia history that when you are so soundly defeated by the opposition that leadership must change.

Virginians with their long history of fights and battlefields a plenty understand the purpose of duty and the solemn oath of honor. How many times did Lincoln change his commanding General in the face of Virginians during Virginia campaigns during the Civil War? How many times did Jefferson Davis replace Robert E. Lee? Republican leadership saw little to no consequence whatsoever for its failures in 2019 but the fact is these failures were foretold years prior.

The Republican Party today now must redefine itself in the face of defeat. The same leaders that oversaw the majority are now operating in an environment they are unaccustomed. Now the minority party in Richmond, Republicans are forced to be the opposition. However, no such leader has step forward in Richmond as of yet to command the messaging for the Republicans. A vacuum is developing with each passing day the Assembly remains in session without an unifying leader stepping forward.

Meanwhile, outside Richmond throughout Virginia there is a two front battle being waged.

On one front, Virginians are mobilizing and utilizing the very vehicle that the Republican Party of Virginia has been so inept at utilizing; social media. Literally dozens of "Gun Sanctuary"  and pro Second Amendment groups have formed that did not exist before the November elections. The total number of citizens engaged in this groups is growing and has eclipsed over one hundred thousand from all parts of the Commonwealth.

This front is an opposition movement to Governor Northam's and Michael Bloomberg's gun control doctrine. Bloomberg now seeking the Democratic nomination for President is using states like Virginia has a springboard highlighting the success of his gun control advocacy groups he has personally funded with millions.

Given that Super Tuesday is mere weeks away in Virginia, the Bloomberg campaign is the most organized and funded of any of the potential nominees. Most of the Democrats in the running have not even been to Virginia yet while Bloomberg's Moms Demand Action and Everytown for Gun Safety are out in force. Bloomberg is bent on securing the nomination at a brokered convention this summer and will accumulate Super Delegates the old fashion way; he will buy them. Super Delegates are traditionally elected officials who also have campaigns of their own to run that require funding. Virginians understand all to well the power of Bloomberg funding.

The second front is being launched against the Republican Party itself. Many believe that the leadership of the party must go. They have ignored the will of the rank and file for far too long and yet at the same time taken them for granted. Whether justly or unjustly, the leadership is being held to a very different standard that it has in years past. The failure to run candidates in over 30 Assembly races illustrates a defeatist attitude that Virginians refuse to accept. Many of these races that failed to have a Republican on the ballot were in Fairfax County. The perception now is that the party leadership ceded Fairfax to the Democrats who now hold every single seat in the Assembly represented by Fairfax residents.

The Speaker of the House in Eileen Filler-Corn (D-41) and Majority leader of the Virginia Senate Dick Saslaw (D-35) both come from the Fairfax County allocation of representation now in Richmond. Fairfax currently has (17) Delegate seats and (9) Senate seats controlled by Fairfax Democrats. The majority of the extreme gun control legislation being proposed and supported in Richmond is being patroned by officials from Fairfax. State Senator David Marsden (D-37) with Delegate Marl Levine (D-45) are some of the most extreme Progressives on the Democrat side joined by Kathy Tran (D-42) who authored the late term/infanticide abortion bill in the 2019 session.

The power of Fairfax County and Northern Virginia in general has led to great suspicion by Virginians living outside the region. Just suspicion and opposition to the very proposals being advanced has led to many Virginians to consider the growing movement in western Virginia called "Vexit". If Northern Virginia is going to control the direction the Commonwealth of Virginia's future, many Virginians consider leaving Virginia for West Virginia a viable option given the culture and politics are more similar to West Virginia than Northern Virginia. There are many hurdles to over come of course for "Vexit" to take root but the West Virginia legislature has already approved the acceptance of those Virginia counties wishing to join West Virginia.

Most Virginians have given little consideration to leaving the Commonwealth but with each passing bill this session in Richmond sentiment grows. The perception in rural Virginia is that Richmond no longer represents its interests let alone even listens to it. It does not help that you have a national Democrats continuing the "deplorable" narrative coupled with the "white nationalist" theme while they see a Governor who wears "blackface" with no consequence. It reinforces the notion there truly are two classes; the Richmond political elites and the rest of Virginia. At no time has the Governor of Virginia defended rural Virginians. This failure on Northam's part is fueling the contempt rural Virginia that is growing that will result in the transitioning from "opposition" to "resistance".

Democrats largely ignored the rally on Lobby Day in Richmond. Given the majority they now have many would see this as inevitable but what Democrats are underestimating is just how far Virginians are willing to resist Richmond. Its one thing to oppose the direction Richmond is going but resistance is entirely a different scenario. In many ways the Progressives of Northam's party have provided a road map of sorts to Virginians. Progressives are masters of the "protest", the "boycott"  and dare one say "doxxing" anything and anyone they oppose.

Northam and the Democrats expect the opposition to return to normalcy. The expectation is post rally in January that the opposition will wither away and die and Virginians will simply just accept the new laws and direction that the Progressives are taking Virginia into. Many Democrat officials have pointed to the example of the Tea Party movement and question the sustainability of any "resistance".

The question remains whether Virginia Republicans have learned anything from the Tea Party movement but one thing is certain and that is there has not been this level of engagement in decades. What this level of engagement will translate into or whether it transitions from mere "opposition" to "resistance" remains to be seen. The result will depend on each and every individual remaining committed and staying engaged in a new movement sweeping Virginia and see the new political paradigms before them. It is clear that while Northern Virginia continues to prosper other regions of the Commonwealth continue to lag behind with little to no assistance from Richmond.

While there exists loud outrage via social media today coming for the opposition, the fear for Virginia Democrats is that a unified voice takes root throughout Virginia or Virginians may coalesce behind a new leader from their ranks that will unite the movement. A leader for example with the will to transition the movement from opposition to resistance. In the face of Northam ignoring Virginians and the Democrats in Richmond calling pro-2a Virginians "delusional" and referring to them as mere "children", calls by some to defund the government very well may be heeded.

The issue Democrats face is that over one hundred counties and cities all across the Commonwealth of Virginia have passed or affirmed "gun sanctuary" status in direct opposition to the Northam Bloomberg Doctrine. Consider if every citizen living in these areas in protest sought extension to pay income taxes or withheld the filing all together. True Virginian resistance.

The reality is that Richmond only recognizes two things; power and money. The question remains just how determined Virginians are in truth and just how deeply they believe in their Constitutional rights. As it stands the opposition to truly transition to resistance will have to move from social media to action. Democrats are betting that as they strip more and more rights and assault liberty with every bill that the stomach for real resistance will never materialize.

It is anyone's guess just how far the Democrats in Richmond are willing to alienate a significant number of Virginians to achieve absolute power over Virginia. This November will demonstrate the true strength of the opposition in Virginia given every all eleven Congressional Districts are on the ballot as well as the Presidential race.

"There is snakes in the garden" and the questions remains just how long many Virginians will wait for the Virginia awakening.

#2AStrong in Virginia:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/578238489390036/