Opinion

Black Out of Touch
By Bruce A. Kaiser, Sterling

[Jan. 26, 2003] I see that my state delegate, Richard H. Black (R-Loudoun), has decided that he can best represent his constituents' interests by working to keep a statue of President Abraham Lincoln out of our state capital. This shows remarkable consistency when you consider other positions Black has taken as a state delegate:

• He didn't support the apology on Virginia's 1924 eugenics laws, which, among other things, outlawed interracial marriages.
• He hopes to see the Confederate flag on state license plates. This really doesn't bother me, but I never had to experience the oppression that this flag unfortunately came to represent for so many people.
• He wants to do away with all hate crime laws.

While all this makes for fascinating speculation regarding Black's core values and will most likely net him extra campaign dollars, I'm really more interested in how all of this effort furthers the cause of those of us in the 32nd District concerned about such mundane matters as:

• Improved funding for public education, which by all accounts Black never supports.
• Help in acquiring and equipping parks so our exploding population of kids has a place to play.
• Better funding for law enforcement and public safety.
• Relief for transportation problems.
• Getting more of our share of state income tax dollars back to Loudoun County. We get back about 20 cents for every dollar we send to Richmond, about 50 percent worse than when Black entered the legislature. This translates into millions of dollars that you and I must make up through additional property taxes.

I guess I'm just not in tune with the real issues in my district here in Sterling.

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extreme. ineffective. dick black.