The Road Back To Capitalism

What will you be doing on April 1st? Let me guess, you will be pulling pranks on people. Wouldn’t you rather listen and partake in a conversation about a panel discussion about the free market economy and the threats facing our economy by the Obama administration?

Well, the America’s Future Foundation (AFF) will be holding their first meeting in Fairfax at Auld Shebeen Irish Pub to discuss how we can return the country back to believing in the power of the free market economy. Come join your fellow conservatives and libertarians as we discuss how to return back to capitalism. Here’s the details:

THE ROAD BACK TO CAPITALISM, a panel discussion.

Free food as well as hard and soft drinks will be provided.

Date:Wednesday, April 1, 2009
7:00pm – 9:00pm

The Auld Shebeen Irish Pub, Downtown Fairfax
3971 Chain Bridge Rd
Fairfax, VA

Drinks start at 7:00pm and the panel discussion begins at 7:30pm

Guest speakers include:

• Ed Goeas – President/CEO, Tarrance Group
• Kerri Houston Toloczko – Senior Vice President, Institute for Liberty
• Anthony Bedell – Executive Director, FCRC
• Keith Fimian – Former Congressional candidate

Topic of conversation:
The Obama Administration is off and running. In the past two months we have seen a slew of new big government programs and unprecedented spending. Since the loss of the election in November capitalists from across the nation have started to think about the road back not only to power, but how to return the country to believing in free-market principles.

With a plummeting economy, do free market ideas stand a chance? Can the defenders of capitalism find new and creative ways to express their ideas in opposition to Obama’s socialist vision? Have Republicans discovered a comeback strategy based on ideas and principles that libertarians and conservatives can support? What does John Cook’s recent victory in the Braddock Supervisor special election say about Fairfax County’s political climate going forward?

In short, what is the road back to capitalism?

**Cross Posted at Crystal Clear Conservative

Do you think RPV Chairman Jeff Frederick Should Step Aside?

There has been a considerable amount of buzz within the blogosphere and mainstream media about whether or not Jeff Frederick should step aside as Chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia. There has been some convincing arguments from both sides, but I feel that we cannot remain unified as a party or win races with such infighting. This is why I have decided to remain neutral in even reporting this material and have kept my opinions silent on this matter. The decision now lies in the hands of the State Central Committee, and they will ultimately vote on what will be in the best interest of the party.

I have decided to create a poll gauging whether or not Jeff Frederick should step aside as the Chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia.

Check out the poll at Crystal Clear Conservative.

Personally, I supported Jeff Frederick at last year’s convention, because I felt that he would lead our party in the right direction. I am now left wondering how he will be able to lead our party after all of the accusations and be able to work with the State Central Committee to ensure victory in November for all of our statewide candidates and retain a strong majority in the House of Delegates. We need to be unified or we will continue to lose. While Jeff Frederick has defended his record and submitted his rebuttal to the accusations, I am uncertain if we can work together with this cloud of controversy.

Now, I am not calling for anyone to resign, rather it falls on the hands of the State Central Committee, who decide to ignore the grassroots and not allow for Frederick to redeem himself in the 2009 elections. While I am a grassroots activist, it will become difficult to lead effectively with everyone going against you. Sometimes, when there is dissension, it can bring out true leadership. This will be interesting to watch how this plays out, if Frederick remains as the RPV Chairman.

While we have lost some major races in 2008, most of this had to do with a bad candidate at the top of the ticket (John McCain) and just a referendum on the Republican party at the national level. While many would argue on the real reasons why Virgil Goode and Thelma Drake lost last November, I would say it was the general attitude that many Americans held about the Republicans in Congress. It is not necessarily Jeff Frederick’s fault.

Then, we move onto the recent special election races, where two Republican candidates won (John Cook in Fairfax’s Braddock District and Barry Knight in the 81st HOD race) and three Republican candidates lost (Joe Murray in the 47th House District, Pat Herrity, who ran for Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors seat, and John Coggeshall for the Norfolk’s Commonwealth Attorney). There were lots of reports that the RPV did not provide adequate assistance with these races, and the sole pressure was placed on the unit chairmen (many of them, with the exception of Alexandria signed this letter). I always thought these local races were supposed rely on the strong leadership of the unit chairmen.

We can not always call for someone to step aside when things go awry. This is when real teamwork becomes essential. Maybe, it is time for all Republicans to work together for the common revival of our core principles of being advocates for limited government, lower and fair taxation, and calling the Democrats on their flawed policies. Attacking each other from within accomplishes nothing, and this is a lesson I have learned from observation.

It’s time to unite for the good of the Republican party. The decision will made on April 4th on who will emerge victorious in this fight, and whatever the outcome, it is time to work together to ensure victory in November.

Braddock Supervisor Debate

Since last week was extremely hectic, I forgot to share some highlights from the Braddock Supervisor Debate between Republican John Cook and Democrat Ilyrong Moon. Cook has addressed the budget issue, as well as his involvement within the Braddock District, while Moon has not been very open on many of the important issues that face Braddock residents.

On the Fairfax County Budget:

On Community Involvement:

On the SLEEP Issue:

On Illegal Boarding Houses:

Hopefully, these videos will help residents of the Braddock District decide who will best represent them on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, March 10. John Cook has been a strong community activist, who has always looked out for the best interest of the Braddock District. He will fight to keep your property taxes lower, be a voice of reason when it comes to fiscal matters, and help keep Braddock a safe place to live.