Virginians, how many of you have heard the following quotes, “Virginia ends at Roanoke”, or “Virginia stops at the Blue Ridge”, maybe even “Virginia stops at Richmond or the Fall Line”.
These expressions are not new. In fact, they are quite old. They didn’t start with our grandparents, or even their grandparents, but they’ve existed for generations.
“What, do you think that slavery was the only reason for the counties which are now West Virginia to have left the state?” Our West Virginian brethren simply recognized the abuse in the 19th Century, and took decisive action to stop it.
“Domestic-abuse”. I challenge Virginians to consider our current “relationship” with Richmond. I’m going to throw out some of the signs of abuse that can easily be found on an internet search. Many of these signs are easy to relate to, with respect to the actions of Virginia’s present government upon it’s citizens. Here are a few:
- Humiliating or embarrassing you.
- Refusing to communicate.
- Ignoring or excluding you.
- Saying things like “If you don’t _____, I will_____.”
- Domination and control.
- Guilt trips.
- Making everything your fault.
- Using money to control.
Can you relate any of these signs of abuse to what Richmond is doing to us now? How can you not?
So, how do we leave an abusive relationship? First, we need to recognize it! How many people have you known to be in such a relationship, if only they would see and do something about it.
Sometimes we need help, both to see and then do something about it. I see it, and many other Virginians, who are peacefully assembling and redressing their grievances, also see it. Hopefully what I’m saying here will help others to see it too.
But what do we do then? We need a plan. Some say, “vote the @#%&’s out”. To that, I need to point out that we Virginians have been doing that for decades, even centuries. How’s that been working out for us?
We are just the latest generation of Virginians who have, and are continuing to suffer, the “Elitists” in Richmond, NoVA, and the large metro areas in the east. An earlier generation took a decisive action. Like many who are in abusive relationships, they left.
It took Virginia’s secession from the United States, and a Civil War, both instances of the state “breaking” from the United States Constitution, to make it possible for West Virginia’s statehood.
Now, with all of the unconstitutional bills, laws, and policies coming out of Richmond, along with the West Virginia Legislature’s invitation to join them, comes an opportunity for like-minded Virginians to leave this longtime “abusive-relationship”.
Instead of “voting the @#%&’s out” again, why don’t “WE” get out! In order to stop the recurrence of this state’s “domestic abuse”, we must have the courage to take real action! Virginia’s unconstitutional actions in the 19th century made the precedent-setting formation of West Virginia possible, and we need to use Virginia’s present unconstitutional actions as justification to join our brethren in that state.
Some people are saying, “what’s the hurry” or “let’s talk about it”.
I say, that if you are aware of your ancestors struggles within the state, and also consider the exponential increase in the abuse that we are now experiencing, then my reply is, “what hurry, this has been building for a very long time, and it’s time to take real action!”
If you agree, then you need to contact your county Board of Supervisors, or your city/town Council. Tell them to take advantage of a plan that will allow us to leave this generational abuse, once and for all!
Let them know not to wait until the next general election, because that would effectively take away this plan to no longer be the abused party. These boards and councils need to have a special referendum by July 2020, so that they may beat the deadline that the West Virginia Legislature have set of August 1, 2020. The legislature is not intentionally being difficult, they simply need our requests in order for them to have time to legally place this on their ballot, in time for November’s 2020 elections.
Many of West Virginia’s legislators, both Democrats and Republicans, have recognized our plight and have stated that they would be happy for us to join them. But to do so, we must act, and quickly.
– West Virginia Is Waiting. Let’s Go! –
