Monday, October 08, 2007

"Defending the American Dream:" Sen. Mark Obenshain

Shenandoah Valley State Senator Mark Obenshain (R-Harrisonburg) addressed the Virginia delegation during our lunch session at Friday's "Defending the American Dream" summit. Sen. Obenshain is not my senator but I admire his conservative views on social and financial issues. I have heard him speak a number of times over the years ... but Friday was one of his best speeches. Perhaps buoyed by the enthusiastic crowd around him, he was on his game, punching all the conservative issues and receiving applause and/or laughter throughout his remarks.

Unabashedly conservative, Sen. Obenshain said he could not believe the tax increase that was proposed in 2004 at a time when the state was doing well. He has stood against the tide of the State Senate with three or four other conservative Senators against Republican Senators who backed the democrat governor's tax increase proposal -- and the 2004 tax increase was no exception. Obenshain stood his ground against the tax increase.

He proposed letting businesses operate without the yoke of government regulations ... cracking down on illegal immigration ... being mindful of government's use of eminent domain.

He reminded folks that April 30 was informally known as "Tax Freedom Day" because that was when they finally had worked enough to pay their income taxes.

He received loud applause and cheers when he said we need to stop government from driving God and faith from our schools and society ... and reiterated the conservative values of the Shenandoah Valley, the reddest part of Virginia.

His message is what conservatives want to hear ... our electeds standing up and saying what they believe in ... and Senator Mark Obenshain did not disappoint. We are grateful for his conservative leadership in the Virginia State Senate.

No comments: