To the Editor:

I’m writing in response to Mr. Volkert’s letter to the editor ["Author Offers No Real Solution," Connection, Aug. 19-25]. I have hosted a meet and greet and have donated to Barbara Comstock's campaign. Mr. Volkert has hosted a meet and greet and has donated to Mrs. Vanderhye's campaign. But unlike Mr. Volkert, I prefer to outline why I support Barbara Comstock and why I oppose his party at the federal and state level, rather than specifically criticize Mrs. Vanderhye's record.

I was a Democrat during my early years, and later registered as a Republican. But over the years, I have never actively campaigned for any candidate. Instead, I just wrote checks. This year, I'm talking to neighbors, sponsoring fund raisers, and writing a letter to the editor. And this year, I became a delegate to the Virginia Republican convention (another first) because I am opposed to the profligate government spending in the pork-laden stimulus and budget which has driven the federal deficit to an unimaginable all-time high. Government control of banks and businesses and a fully-government-controlled health care program are more wrong-track initiatives. I had also opposed the big spending of the Bush administration and their bank bailouts. But they were pikers compared to the current administration.

As a retiree largely on fixed income, my taxes will increase and my health care will decrease if these spending initiatives are not curtailed. The specter of Virginia following the spend and tax paths of California, Illinois and New Jersey is frightening. I have talked to fiscally-conservative Democrats, Independents and previously-disaffected Republicans who share my concerns.

Barbara Comstock will oppose profligate spending and increased taxes. Her Web site [www.comstockfordelegate.com] outlines her positive solutions on all other important issues in this campaign, from creating jobs to improving education to getting a fair share for Northern Virginia to better roads. Mr. Volkert attacked the transportation solutions that Barbara had outlined in a mid August article in The Connection. He did not propose an alternative to Barbara's plan, but it's pretty obvious that the alternative will be higher taxes. As for bipartisanship, which Mr. Volkert mentioned, the bipartisan commission championed by Barbara was also endorsed by House of Delegates Minority Leader Ward Armstrong. Similarly, offshore drilling has bipartisan support, including, until recently, Gov. Kaine who has since changed his mind. On the other hand, Gov. Kaine's proposal to spend $94 million on weatherizing homes is an example of unwise spending priorities. Barbara's letter to the governor is also on her Web site. 

Our family has known Barbara and her family for many years. We can verify that Barbara is a highly intelligent and very hard working lady with great common sense and a wonderful sense of humor who is dedicated to public service. 


Karl E. Pierson 

Great Falls

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