Two Virginians among richest members of Congress

Roll Call's annual list of the 50 richest members of Congress includes two Virginians -- U.S. Senator Mark Warner and Congressman Scott Rigell.

Warner, a Democrat worth $96.3 million, was ranked #3 behind #1 Rep. Darrell Issa ($355 million), a Republican from California, and #2 Rep. Michael McCaul ($114 million), a Republican from Texas. Rigell was ranked #28 with $12.6 million.

The list includes 29 Republicans and 21 Democrats. Roll Call provided brief bios including the source of their wealth ... makes for an interesting read.

Italy ... socialist government decides when you can run your air conditioner

A sign of things to come in America if Barack Obama, Al Gore, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and others continue on their socialist path?

A friend just returned from vacation in Italy and shared the cultural experiences of traveling in that part of the world. But she also stressed that it was wonderful to come back home to America for a number of reasons.

She told how the final weeks of April were hot in Italy and, although the places they stayed were air conditioned, it could not be used. Why? The government allows residents to use their air conditioning only in the months of July and August.

Will that some day be the law of the land in America?

"Give a man a fish and feed him for a day...."

My Blogger and Facebook profiles feature a quote I grew up with:

"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."

When my children were young, they asked the difference between Republicans and Democrats, and I used that quote as a springboard into a conversation that continues to this day with my two conservative young people.

Today I received an email from a reader, Paul Ross, and with his permission I share it:

I just wanted to drop you a line and say that I love your quote, "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."

When I am teaching around the country, I say it like this:

"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. Teach a man how to own the fishing pond and you’ll feed his children’s children. Teach him to own fishing ponds in multiple markets and you’ll feed his family to the fourth generation."

Gotta love our free enterprise system. Just an interesting thought – be blessed.

I worry for the future of our free enterprise system with our government that is intent on funding everyone and everything, taking over private companies, and will soon be unanswerable to anyone if a filibuster-proof Senate is in place.

We need more who are willing to pull themselves up by their bootstraps, work hard, take personal responsibility, and strive for the American dream.