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To the Editor:

Anyone paying attention to current events has to be concerned for our nation and our state. With the election of President [Joseph] Biden, we have seen our nation take a hard lurch left. Spending is out of control, there is no respect for our military services or law enforcement, energy independence along with thousands of jobs has been given away, our southern border has been weakened to allow massive illegal immigration, legal late-term abortions are allowed, boys can compete as girls in girls sports whenever they’re feeling feminine, and this is just the start. What are our options?

Our governor and Democrat-controlled legislature is no better. Virginia is one of if not the most historic state in our union. The mother of presidents. Our governor advocated for and orchestrated the destruction of one of the most iconic monument avenues in the nation. Attacks continue on our 2nd amendment rights. The state response to the COVID virus has lacked vision and lacked respect for the civil rights of our citizens. At one point Virginia ranked 49th in use of the new vaccines. At no time in our past history have healthy citizens been ordered to self-quarantine. What are our options?

What are our options? We can bend over and quietly take what comes or we can stand up, be involved and convince a majority of our citizens there is a better way. Since the defeat of President [Donald] Trump in a questionable election I have heard some say they would never be involved again. In my opinion this is a terrible mistake. This guarantees the demise of our state and country as we know it.

How do we take our state and ultimately our nation back? The closest opportunity on our horizon is our coming state elections. It is imperative we take the governor’s mansion and control of both legislative houses back so the values of the majority of Virginians can be respected. Virginia is a state of approximately 8.5 million people. Over 3 million of those are concentrated in six urban areas; Fairfax County, Prince William County, Virginia Beach, Loudoun County, Chesterfield County and Henrico County. Historically, the majority of rural and suburban voters have voted for conservative Republican values. Urban areas go to liberal Democrats. Why? I argue that the conservative values of the Republican Party are the values shared by the Black, Asian and Hispanic communities who make up a large percentage of the population in these urban areas. While not successful in the last election, we need to build on the work done by Leon Benjamin, John Collick, Daniel Gade and others. We will win our state and nation one vote at a time, convincing our citizens that conservative values are their personal values. Truth and conservative values can prevail. It will take work. It takes commitment. Your state needs you. Please get involved.

J.W. Ballard
Ivor