XML FeedsPat Murphy – A Conservative?
By Wally on Jun 30, 2009 | In Politics, State | 12 feedbacks »
My fellow VNS blogger, Pat Murphy, has stirred up some doubt in my mind. That is, is he really a conservative? I tend to believe a conservative is one who favors traditional views and values; tending to oppose change. Yet Murphy has draped himself in the flag of conservatism, but in reality is advocating principles far removed from true conservatism.
Follow up:
I specifically point to the individuals he indirectly supports as General Assembly candidates. His technique is to deliver barbed humiliation at the candidate with whom he presumably disagrees. He leverages opinions on half-truths concerning complicated legislation that went through hours of mediation and concessions to get a bi-partisan consensus. Yet, his idea of politics is the stalemate of my way or the highway.
For one who professes to be a conservative, without party affiliation, he is quick to indirectly support any and every liberal who throws his hat in the ring. It almost looks like he has an agenda to have a liberal Governor and General Assembly.
He incorrectly states that an increase to the gas tax would solve the transportation problems. Revenue from the gas tax is now in fact lacking because of the increase in gas prices and lower consumer demand.. Raising the tax now would only further magnify the problem. Murphy fails to mention that our transportation short falls were not an inadequacy of revenue from taxes, but the raiding of the Transportation Trust Fund by prior liberal Governors.
That aside, I am concerned that anyone who doesn’t share Murphy’s opinion are liars, nitwits, boobs, and any other demeaning characterization that might he may feel as appropriate.
So whatta think? Is Murphy a conservative?
12 comments
Comment from: Mike Barrett [Visitor]
Interesting news; as one who has been attacked by Pat Murphy, I still cannot say I am delighted at his departure from VNS, especially for the reason indicated.
Wally's musings certainly had been hinted at earlier, and if Pat took that as an attack, he has much thinner skin than many he was attacked much more viciously.
No, the reason I am chagrined is that Murphy has at least shown an inclination to reassess where this Commonwealth is heading after domination for over a decade by the republicans in the House of Delegates. Wally regretfully has not.
Wally apperently is satisfied with the incompentence and neglect of this state's strategic issues that have been characteristic of the majority in the House of Delegates. Murphy is not. For all his other faults, he has this right on. MJB sends!
Wally's musings certainly had been hinted at earlier, and if Pat took that as an attack, he has much thinner skin than many he was attacked much more viciously.
No, the reason I am chagrined is that Murphy has at least shown an inclination to reassess where this Commonwealth is heading after domination for over a decade by the republicans in the House of Delegates. Wally regretfully has not.
Wally apperently is satisfied with the incompentence and neglect of this state's strategic issues that have been characteristic of the majority in the House of Delegates. Murphy is not. For all his other faults, he has this right on. MJB sends!
07/02/09 @ 07:49
Comment from: Wally [Member] 
I find it quite interesting in the realm of politics that finger pointing for short-comings becomes a partisan issue. On the other hand, accolades that are bestowed upon the Commonwealth such as a Triple-AAA, best in business, efficiently run, and awards usually gets credited to the executive branch; in actuality, it is the success or failure of bi-partisan cooperation at both the executive and legislative levels that gets credited with both success and failure. If the majority party is solely responsible for successes and failures then the minority party need not show up. Hence, finger pointing is the rhetoric used by partisans and consultants as an electioneering tactic that is transparent and shallow. It has nothing to do with the actual process of those individuals who take their legislative duties seriously regardless of party.
07/02/09 @ 09:20
Comment from: Mike Barrett [Visitor]
Frankly, the majority in the House of Delegates has presided over the greatest deterioration in the condition of our transportation infrastructure in the history of our Commonwealth. No blogger who is an actual "conservative" could abide by this derelection of duty.
For if conservatives stand for anything, it is conserving public resources and assets. This gang, led by Speaker of the House, Bill Howell, have by doing nothing actually accelerated the decline and decay of our bridges, streets, highways, rest stops, and maintenance facilities, all in the name of "no new taxes."
The condition of our infrastructure is a serious safety matter in its own right, but worse is the effect on the growth and development of future public infrastructure needed by citizens and businesses to conduct trade and commerce.
I really think this derelection of duty is more about taxes and less about traqnsportation infrastructure. And of course, these so called conservatives actually agreed, passing HB 3202, but structuring it so they could say others actually set the new tax rates.
Anyone, conservative, liberal, libertarian, or moderate, who votes another time for one of these republicans who voted with Bill Howell, should never complain again about our roads, for you will have complicit in their decay. MJB sends!
For if conservatives stand for anything, it is conserving public resources and assets. This gang, led by Speaker of the House, Bill Howell, have by doing nothing actually accelerated the decline and decay of our bridges, streets, highways, rest stops, and maintenance facilities, all in the name of "no new taxes."
The condition of our infrastructure is a serious safety matter in its own right, but worse is the effect on the growth and development of future public infrastructure needed by citizens and businesses to conduct trade and commerce.
I really think this derelection of duty is more about taxes and less about traqnsportation infrastructure. And of course, these so called conservatives actually agreed, passing HB 3202, but structuring it so they could say others actually set the new tax rates.
Anyone, conservative, liberal, libertarian, or moderate, who votes another time for one of these republicans who voted with Bill Howell, should never complain again about our roads, for you will have complicit in their decay. MJB sends!
07/02/09 @ 12:17
Comment from: Wally [Member]
A little of the apples and oranges concept by mixing "decline and decay of our bridges, streets, highways, rest stops, and maintenance facilities, all in the name of 'no new taxes'" and the infamous HB 3202 .
The latter was dedicated to new projects under the auspicious of reducing traffic congestion. The former had nothing to due with the lack of revenues requiring a tax increase. Candidly, the raiding of the Transportation Trust Fund by the Executive Branch is cause for the shortage of funds. Local municipalities, such as Virginia Beach, were burdened by the unexpected issuance of bonds to provide road repairs when the Commonwealth reneged on its commitments.
As a tongue-in-cheek aside, the major project in HB3202, " The Third Crossing" wouldn't have assisted in today's traffic snare of one open west bound HRBT and a closed northbound MMBT due to a crash. The 12 mile traffic backup to Bower's Hill would still have existed. The "Third Crossing", in actuality a T-connector of the two approaches to the tunnels, still only provides two holes in the water, and does nothing for congestion.
The latter was dedicated to new projects under the auspicious of reducing traffic congestion. The former had nothing to due with the lack of revenues requiring a tax increase. Candidly, the raiding of the Transportation Trust Fund by the Executive Branch is cause for the shortage of funds. Local municipalities, such as Virginia Beach, were burdened by the unexpected issuance of bonds to provide road repairs when the Commonwealth reneged on its commitments.
As a tongue-in-cheek aside, the major project in HB3202, " The Third Crossing" wouldn't have assisted in today's traffic snare of one open west bound HRBT and a closed northbound MMBT due to a crash. The 12 mile traffic backup to Bower's Hill would still have existed. The "Third Crossing", in actuality a T-connector of the two approaches to the tunnels, still only provides two holes in the water, and does nothing for congestion.
07/02/09 @ 13:43
Comment from: Not Pat [Visitor]
Pat Murphy was known for his name calling and brash attacks. For him to "resign" from whatever position he had at VNS really shows how shallow and thin skinned he really was. Good job Wally!
07/02/09 @ 14:07
Comment from: Mike Barrett [Visitor]
Well Wally, once again you are simply wrong. The completion of the S.E. Parkway and 460 would have provided an alternative, and the widening of the midtown tunnel would have provided relief even in today's debacle.
That said, the objective of Legislators should have been to provide funds for improvements to local roads, and to have adopted funding strategies to develop the necessary interstate projects. Of course, they did neither.
As a result, local road building is at a virtual stand still, maintenance funds are being curtailed, and we are at risk for our share of federal funds going to other states because we can't afford the match.
Now Wally, I cannot conceive of a single scenario in which even a responsible conservative like yourself could support this denial of responsibility. In fact, they don't; they just make up some absurd accusation to cover their own shame at what has occured in the name of conservatism.
But I think the tide has turned and our citizens are outraged at Legislators who have taken the oath of office and failed us miserably in the requirement for transportation infrastructure. Now is the time for voters to throw the bums out of office and elect responsible members who will pass new fees and taxes for transportation. MJB sends!
That said, the objective of Legislators should have been to provide funds for improvements to local roads, and to have adopted funding strategies to develop the necessary interstate projects. Of course, they did neither.
As a result, local road building is at a virtual stand still, maintenance funds are being curtailed, and we are at risk for our share of federal funds going to other states because we can't afford the match.
Now Wally, I cannot conceive of a single scenario in which even a responsible conservative like yourself could support this denial of responsibility. In fact, they don't; they just make up some absurd accusation to cover their own shame at what has occured in the name of conservatism.
But I think the tide has turned and our citizens are outraged at Legislators who have taken the oath of office and failed us miserably in the requirement for transportation infrastructure. Now is the time for voters to throw the bums out of office and elect responsible members who will pass new fees and taxes for transportation. MJB sends!
07/02/09 @ 15:21
Comment from: Wally [Member]
Ah yes, the notorious road to Zuni.
So then, do deny that the executive raid of the Transportation Fund had already resulted in a tax increases at local levels? Further, an increase in State taxes to replenish the fund, without a "lock box", was prudent?
And please, there are some who take offense to the characterization of a duly elected legislator who has earned the title the "Honorable" as a "bum". It not only shows disrespect for the individual; it displays irreverence and contempt for our Commonwealth.
So then, do deny that the executive raid of the Transportation Fund had already resulted in a tax increases at local levels? Further, an increase in State taxes to replenish the fund, without a "lock box", was prudent?
And please, there are some who take offense to the characterization of a duly elected legislator who has earned the title the "Honorable" as a "bum". It not only shows disrespect for the individual; it displays irreverence and contempt for our Commonwealth.
07/03/09 @ 12:52
Comment from: Mike Barrett [Visitor]
Well yes, I do categorically deny that accusation. In fact, past republican Governors like Gilmore's did borrow from the General Fund, but Gilmore like others were required to pay it back.
I guess it was not surprising that you did not object to the transfer of $300 M from the General Fund to Transportation two years back that was supported by the majority in the GA. Sort of one way thinking, don't you think? What happened to the lock box in that case?
And regretfully Wally, only small and inconsequential thinkers focus on the mosquito on the ass of the elephant. Point is, the debacle yesterday in Hampton Roads is the result of a decade of republican intrasigence in the House of Delegates because a majority of those Delegates have signed the "no new tax" pledge made famous by Grover Norquist.
Frankly, signing that pledge, and taking the oath of office, to me are mutually exclusive. And the circumstance yesterday that brought Hampton Roads to a virtual stand still is all the proof any voter should need. MJB sends!
I guess it was not surprising that you did not object to the transfer of $300 M from the General Fund to Transportation two years back that was supported by the majority in the GA. Sort of one way thinking, don't you think? What happened to the lock box in that case?
And regretfully Wally, only small and inconsequential thinkers focus on the mosquito on the ass of the elephant. Point is, the debacle yesterday in Hampton Roads is the result of a decade of republican intrasigence in the House of Delegates because a majority of those Delegates have signed the "no new tax" pledge made famous by Grover Norquist.
Frankly, signing that pledge, and taking the oath of office, to me are mutually exclusive. And the circumstance yesterday that brought Hampton Roads to a virtual stand still is all the proof any voter should need. MJB sends!
07/03/09 @ 13:49
Comment from: Wally [Member]
Interesting that you would use a simile like a dipterous insect upon a pachyderm's derrière. Would that be a Loxodonta africana or an Elephas maximus? :) The tax pledge is not solely about taxes; in the macro sense it is about borrowing and debt. Your liberal fiscal approach is an artificial expansion of the money supply. The tax pledge is acceptance that there are sufficient sources of revenue to accomplish the needs and services of the Commonwealth. It is the expansion of superfluous, discretionary spending that misdirects the pressing needs of the Commonwealth. It is the Ponzi scheme of uncontrolled borrowing and spending like that which has put us in this present day economic situation. I believe, your suggested approaches only exasperate the circumstances.
07/03/09 @ 15:00
Comment from: Mike Barrett [Visitor]
Oh, you mean supply side economics and the Laffler curve? Give me a break, Wally, I am talking about transportation, a function of government so basic that George Washington was involved in it even before he became President and Commander and Chief.
What separates a conservative like you, and a conservative like Pat Murphy, is that Murphy is willing to step back and assess the situation after a decade of deterioration, decay, and denial, and you are not. You, and the leaders of the VBTA like Dean, Moss, Greenmun, and Krause continue to deny we have a problem after the situation in Hampton Roads two days ago, and of course to deny that the VBTA has a problem after being trounced so badly at the polls that I doubt that the organization any longer has a pulse.
No, wise conservatives remain true to principles but analyze and adjust to the changing environment. The attitudes of the VBTA haven't changed in the face of two momentous events. Hang it up Wally. Time for Moss, Dean, Greenmun, et al to get off the stage and encourage others to lead.
What separates a conservative like you, and a conservative like Pat Murphy, is that Murphy is willing to step back and assess the situation after a decade of deterioration, decay, and denial, and you are not. You, and the leaders of the VBTA like Dean, Moss, Greenmun, and Krause continue to deny we have a problem after the situation in Hampton Roads two days ago, and of course to deny that the VBTA has a problem after being trounced so badly at the polls that I doubt that the organization any longer has a pulse.
No, wise conservatives remain true to principles but analyze and adjust to the changing environment. The attitudes of the VBTA haven't changed in the face of two momentous events. Hang it up Wally. Time for Moss, Dean, Greenmun, et al to get off the stage and encourage others to lead.
07/04/09 @ 06:59
Comment from: Wally [Member]
One can care to call it, supply side, trickle down, or any host of rhetorical pseudonyms. I subscribe to the economical velocity theory, where upon the faster a dollar moves through the economy the stronger and more robust that economy becomes. Excessive governmental interference and levies hamper and slow that velocity.
That there is basis of my conservative fiscal philosophy. You and Mr. Murphy obviously subscribe to a different economic theory and why I raised the question as to Murphy's conservatism. Your support of his position of an increase of the gas tax only strengthens my positional query of his conservative credentials.
My posts in this exchange are my opinions and mine alone. They do not reflect nor intend to reflect the suppositions of any other individuals or non-partisan organizations.
Clearly, we will not be able reach a semantically coherent definition of conservative and the posts are now going far afield. I have enjoyed your exchange and appreciate the visit.
You have the hammer.
That there is basis of my conservative fiscal philosophy. You and Mr. Murphy obviously subscribe to a different economic theory and why I raised the question as to Murphy's conservatism. Your support of his position of an increase of the gas tax only strengthens my positional query of his conservative credentials.
My posts in this exchange are my opinions and mine alone. They do not reflect nor intend to reflect the suppositions of any other individuals or non-partisan organizations.
Clearly, we will not be able reach a semantically coherent definition of conservative and the posts are now going far afield. I have enjoyed your exchange and appreciate the visit.
You have the hammer.
07/04/09 @ 08:42
Comment from: Mike Barrett [Visitor]
Wally, you are starting to sound like Bob Purkey; that is, awash in economic theory when all we need is better roads.
I certainly think the Bush administration was a strong proponent of your favorite economic velocity theory; that is, remove red tape and government regulation so they could speed up the velocity of large amounts of money being transferred from those that worked for it to those who would steal it from them by securitization of assets they knew nothing about.
Wally, I am an advocate for funding the basic functions of state government like education, public safety, courts and justice, and transportation. I support a balanced budget, and frankly if the Commonwealth does those things well, we business people can create economic prosperity. It is not rocket science, but one thing I do know; ignore the basic functions and reality catches up real quick.
Our reality hit us two days ago. Will we learn? MJB sends!
I certainly think the Bush administration was a strong proponent of your favorite economic velocity theory; that is, remove red tape and government regulation so they could speed up the velocity of large amounts of money being transferred from those that worked for it to those who would steal it from them by securitization of assets they knew nothing about.
Wally, I am an advocate for funding the basic functions of state government like education, public safety, courts and justice, and transportation. I support a balanced budget, and frankly if the Commonwealth does those things well, we business people can create economic prosperity. It is not rocket science, but one thing I do know; ignore the basic functions and reality catches up real quick.
Our reality hit us two days ago. Will we learn? MJB sends!
07/04/09 @ 10:06
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