The outcome of the most recent elections demonstrates once again how divided we are as a nation and as a state. The clearest winner is gridlock as it is hard to see how progress can be made by Congress on important issues that await resolution. The Senate has not moved closer to a balance where a meaningful debate can occur and issues can be resolved. Rather, the Senate is polarized between opposing points of view with a willingness to compromise being seen as a sign of weakness. The current circumstance is much more complex than simply Democrats versus Republicans. There are at least three parties in the Congress: the Democratic, Republican and Tea Parties. On the Democratic side, the number of old-time liberals can be counted on your fingers. There are some Democrats who gravitate to the middle leaving themselves neither fish nor fowl in the eyes of their constituents. The "damn the torpedoes" Tea Partiers run the Congress. Old-time moderate Republicans defer to them for fear of a primary challenge from the right in the next election cycle. The goal of the Tea Party leaders is to stall the operation of government functions which they do not support.

 

My concern is that the same kind of election results we have seen at the federal level has permeated Virginia state elections as well. I am convinced that there are enough Democrats in the House of Delegates and enough moderate Republicans to pass Medicaid expansion in Virginia if it were not for the influence and threat of Tea Party primary challenges. Rather than realizing the fate of two Republican committee chairs that were defeated in primaries last election cycle, moderate Republicans are playing it safe and going along with Tea Party priorities as absurd as some turn out to be. The consequence is that Virginia leaves $5 million in federal money on the table each day just so that some politicians can continue to be elected. It seems like a high price to pay!

 

The other major factor affecting federal and state election outcomes is the incredible amount of money poured into campaigns. Americans for Prosperity, funded in part by the libertarian Koch brothers, are active in Virginia and were major players in refusing Medicaid expansion. They will keep the pressure on their Republican charges in next year's Virginia General Assembly elections.

 

I recently attended a workshop featuring one of my greatest heroes--Sister Simone Campbell of Nuns on the Bus fame. Sister Simone is one of the most effective spokespersons for the poor and those in need of medical services. She is harsh in her criticism of Congress for not raising the minimum wage and reforming immigration laws and of Virginia for not expanding Medicaid. She is insistent, however, that both sides must engage in a conversation in order to find common ground and reach compromises that are so important for the public. As tough as it seems, I am going to take her advice and get myself in that frame of mind for the General Assembly session starting in January to help it be productive. 

If you haven't seen this new 16-page guide for military families with children in special education, download it today! It addresses frequently asked questions about transfers in school divisions, including records, services, and parental consent. Printed copies have been distributed to Army, Navy, Air Force & Marine school liaison officers as well as school special education directors and military family coordinators.

Click on the images for more information

Today: Wednesday, November 12 through Friday, November 14, Governor's Transportation Conference, at the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center. See details at vatransconf.org.

Thursday, November 13, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., The Initiative for Public Art-Reston (IPAR) annual reception. The team responsible for the successful temporary public art project at Lake Thoreau in Reston, "The Pyramid of Light," will be honored. The reception will include hors d'oeuvres and desserts, catered by South Lakes High School culinary students; music by the South Lakes High School String Quartet, wine and a live auction. Ticket information is at IPAR annual meeting. For information, contact Anne Delaney, IPAR executive director, at 703-467-9797.

Saturday, November 15, 7:00 to 9:30 p.m., A Taste of Fall with FACETS at the Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center, 3740 Old Lee Highway in Fairfax. Click here to purchase tickets. For more information contact Josh D'Antonio at 703-352-3268 or JDantonio@FACETSCares.org.

Sunday, November 16, 4:00 p.m., Reston Community Orchestra Season Opening Concert "West Comes East" at Reston Community Center, Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. Admission is free, but bring canned or non-perishable goods to support Reston's annual Thanksgiving food drive. Details are at Season Opening Concert. 

 

Monday, November 17, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Understanding Medicare (55 years and older), RCC Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. FREE, Registration Required. Medicare is complex and oftentimes confusing. Come hear Mari de Leon, with the Fairfax County Area Agency on Aging, explain even some of the most archaic aspects of the program.

Wednesday, November 26, 7:30 p.m., Community Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, at United Christian Parish, 11508 North Shore Drive, Reston. For more information visit the church's website or call the church office at 703-620-3065.

Friday, November 28, 11:00 a.m., Reston Holiday Parade with the theme "Home for the Holidays." Details are at Holiday Parade.

Friday, November 28, at 6:00 p.m., Reston Chorale's Carol Sing-Along, at Reston Town Center in front of the tree on Market Street with the annual tree lighting ceremony followed by a sing-along of holiday favorites led by members of The Reston Chorale with a brass quintet. FREE - all are welcome! For further information, contact The Reston Chorale directly at 703-834-0079 or info@restonchorale.org. 

 

Saturday, November 29, 9:00 a.m., Vale United Methodist Church of Oakton opens its Christmas Tree Lot. Proceeds from the sale will be donated to Stop Hunger Now. Vale Church is located at the corner of Vale Road and Fox Mill Road in Oakton (11528 Vale Road). The tree lot is open weeknights from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For details contact (703) 620-2594 or send email to vale.church@verizon.net. 

 

Thursday, December 11, "Practices of Promise for Schools in Challenging Environments" Summit, at VA Commonwealth University (VCU) in Richmond. The summit is being presented by the Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA) Task Force on Schools in Challenging Environments, the Office of Governor Terry McAuliffe, the VCU School of Education, the Virginia Department of Education, and the Virginia Association of School Superintendents. The Task Force's full report is available at www.vsba.org.