http://princessanneindy.com/2021/02/07/knight-reelection/

Today, we are going to hear or are hearing from many about how great things are going in our Commonwealth Things are going good for some, not so much for most of us.

A recent study ranked Virginia as the worst state for workers.

It seems our minimum wage of $7.25 an hour for a full time employee only equates to 26% of a living wage needed for a family of four

We ranked 49th in the country for worker protections. The Commonwealth has no provisions that require accommodations for pregnant workers, nor is family or sick leave required.

The so called “right to work” law is cited as keeping Virginia down to a 48th ranking in the right to organize.

If elected I will sponsor legislation in the State Senate to repeal the, calling it what it is, the right to work for less law.

Interestingly enough, Virginia was also recently ranked number 1 as the best state for business. I would say the scales, are definitely weighted in the business communities favor.

Healthcare in our Commonwealth could be much more affordable, for instance, Maryland has an “all payer” system where government and private insurers all pay the same rate. This dramatically cuts cost and Maryland as a result leads the nation in healthcare approval ratings. We look at the financial records and see countless contributions to our elected officials from hospitals, insurers and executives who have an interest in maintaining the status quo.

The “Virginia Way” has a lot to do with such inaction that affects the people that actually carry the financial taxation and economic burden of Virginia. A quick look at contributors to our State Legislators tells us why the people are not getting the attention that they deserve

In Chesapeake and Norfolk, we pay taxes and elect people to represent us, instead, they give us dangerous fracked gas pipelines that go by our schools, homes, churches and businesses. They also hand out eviction notices to people in public housing who have very few options as to where to go and decimate the multi generational sense of community that was had.

Again, a look at the contributions reveal big donations to our legislators from the pipeline partners and builders. Contributions from developers, builders and those who put profit before people and their homes are likewise many, and great.

I could go on about toll roads, industries that intentionally prey upon the lower income folks and the seeming collusion between parties to keep certain seats in certain hands, but time is a concern.

I pledge to take no corporate money at all. I am Jeff Staples, I am an Independent Candidate for the 5th Va. Senate District and I want to work for you, the people.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1O7lv4o7lW-G317OWRoEfIJNPyRSRX1ZwtOKji-fAiJ8/edit?usp=sharing

Some more of “what to expect before the upcoming election”:

Many of you know of my history of environmental activism. I have been part of some huge environmental victories and have been in some of the most spirited resistances to environmental blights.

But, I do not expect the "Big Green" organizations to endorse me. They like to play it safe. They generally back or stay silent about the legislators who will help them on some watered down legislation and betray them on others. They come out with scorecards that make these "topical" environmentalist legislators look good. Again, as with the Unions (discussed last week), the status quo is maintained.

So at best, I can hope that they decide not to endorse my opponent, or me. But who knows? Maybe they are over the need to have big, aristocratic names at their NOVA fundraisers? I hope so.

Regardless, I'll carry the torch.

It will be close to 5 months before the November 5th election. I thought I had better tell you you folks how I expect that time to go. This is the 1st installment. Tonight, we will discuss Unions.

 

The establishment is going to try and ignore my candidacy. Unions will continue to endorse the establishment candidate even though I am a worker and I am the most pro blue collar candidate.

The Union leadership in most locals has fallen into a cloud of the past. They benefit from having their old line establishment guys in there, but the membership does not. The leadership pretends that the membership supports their candidates, but they do not. Also, the leadership turns a blind eye to the fact that the industry that the union folks work in, contribute at least 10 times more to the establishment candidate than the union does. Who is that candidate really going to try and make happy?

Since I do not take corporate or union money, the Unions should consider endorsing me. I don't want their money and I will be on their side anyway. The workers, will hopefully recognize this and vote for me despite their leaderships endorsement.

https://pilotonline.com/opinion/letters/article_e6577d1e-50ea-11e9-ad68-43f8f9453ff2.html

http://altdaily.com/op-ed-the-atlantic-coast-pipeline-and-how-it-got-to-this-point/

http://altdaily.com/op-ed-the-atlantic-coast-pipeline-and-the-consequences-for-virginia/

http://altdaily.com/open-letter-senator-warner-please-oppose-rex-tillerson-scott-pruitt/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/va-ethics-panel-wants-to-ban-using-campaign-funds-for-personal-expenses/2015/10/19/376d7c32-7695-11e5-b9c1-f03c48c96ac2_story.html