37 Comments so far

1. A. Newcomb on July 27, 2007 10:14 am

   Glad to see the blog, and look forward to reading it.

   I have recently read The Fair Tax Book, and have to say I’m sold on the idea. What is your position on the Fair Tax?

   Thanks, and best wishes.

2. JGilmore on July 27, 2007 10:24 am

   I support tax simplification. I am frustrated with the tax system that seeks to direct peoples’ conduct through the tax code. My primary focus is now and has been controlling government spending to enable tax cuts for regular people. When people get to keep more of their own money they are empowered to determine their own lives. The Fair Tax is a consumption tax meant to replace all other taxes. Before adopting the Fair Tax, we must ensure that the Fair Tax doesn’t become a mere add-on to other taxes. If you have any hope of tax simplification and reduction, you must choose a candidate with a clear track record of cutting taxes, not simply raising taxes every time a demand is placed upon a state or a local government.

3. Brian, The Squeaky Wheel on July 27, 2007 10:28 am

   Bearing Drift (bearingdrift.com) posted that you had a blog.

   Good stuff and I look forward to being a regular reader. You are bookmarked, Gov!

4. JGilmore on July 27, 2007 10:43 am

   Thank you for the comment and mention on your blog. I really appreciate it.

5. Darel on July 27, 2007 10:43 am

   I also noticed the other day an important article about taxes. The person won their case because their is no law to require an income tax. Keep in mind our local and state taxes support our bacis needs in regards to schools, highways, etc. In fact I have noticed over 127 taxes are charged either by a direct tax or a vol tax. What this means is that even a flat tax is unlawful.
   http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=56855</

   [Admin: Please avoid pasting full articles into a comment]

6. Publius on July 27, 2007 10:48 am

   Welcome to the blogosphere. I hope more public servants such as yourself get involved. We need more leaders that appear more accesable to the public and discuss what the average citizen really cares about. Just sent you an email. We would love to see what you have in mind to discuss. I look forward to reading.

7. JGilmore on July 27, 2007 10:52 am

   Thank you for the email. I’ll be sure my scheduler sees it.

8. Matthew Clark on July 27, 2007 11:35 am

   I too look forward to reading your blog. It looks like you will be taking on some of today’s really difficult issues. I hope this open dialogue will bring forward some insightful solutions. Is there any particular audience you hope to influence?

9. James Atticus Bowden on July 27, 2007 11:36 am

   Welcome to the blogoshere and welcome home after your surgery.

   You may enjoy the fact that it’s a lot easier to handle hecklers on-line than in person.

   Best wishes.

10. JGilmore on July 27, 2007 11:51 am

    I plan on addressing the people of Virginia and the United States about the important issues of the day.

    If you feel an issue needs to be addressed, please send me an email.

11. Cato on July 27, 2007 11:55 am

    Keep up the great work Governor. As a transplanted citizen of the Commonwealth, and a blogger, I’m happy to see a conservative leader such as yourself take the plunge into the blogosphere. I hope this sets an example for others to follow.

12. Buddy Gilmore on July 27, 2007 12:00 pm

    Jim,

    Thanks for the heads-up regarding your blog. I agree with Publius - I hope more public servants look in and present some fresh ideas, which I think is thoroughly lacking with the current presidential field. I look forward to healthy discussions on the topics the so called frontrunners hope to avoid.

13. JGilmore on July 27, 2007 12:04 pm

    James,

    Thanks for stopping by. I have always been a firm believer in the sanctity of the constitution and free speech. People have the right to express themselves whether it’s online or in person. I encourage people to express that right even if it’s something I disagree with.

14. Brian, The Squeaky Wheel on July 27, 2007 1:40 pm

    This many comments and all he did was a roll out announcement! This is going to be a great and activeblog.

    Looking forward to reading your virtual coffee house, as we like to call it.

    Exciting

15. Selma on July 27, 2007 1:59 pm

    I am sorry that the “tier” approach to reporting on people running for President of the United States of America is causing the best of the lot to bow out. However, I understand the reasoning and am overwhelmingly happy that you set up this blog area because I think “the people” need real facts, conversation, analysis, and information on which to base their decision this coming 2007 (in VA) and in 2008. Thank you, Gov. Gilmore, for setting up this site.

16. American Daughter on July 27, 2007 2:28 pm

    Welcome to the Blogosphere. Sorry you aren’t running for prez. We had endorsed you.

    Our Best Shot

17. JGilmore on July 27, 2007 2:35 pm

    Thank you for your kind words. I plan to continue talking about the issues through this blog and I welcome your input as a fellow blogger.

18. Douglas V. Gibbs on July 27, 2007 3:56 pm

    I am looking forward to reading your posts and discussing the issues you bring up. Thank you for your recent appearance on Political Pistachio Radio last Saturday, it was a pleasure having you on. God Bless.

19. Chris Beer on July 27, 2007 4:22 pm

    Welcome, Governor! Look forward to see whats tougher, electoral poltiics or the blogosphere!

20. Shaun Doherty on July 27, 2007 6:10 pm

    Great idea for a blog! It was great to meet you when you came to NH, please keep fightin’ the good fight!

21. Riley, Not O'Reilly on July 27, 2007 7:05 pm

    Welcome to the blogsphere, Governor, from all of us at Virginia Virtucon. We hope that you are feeling better.

22. "Politics with Pam" Brown on July 27, 2007 7:06 pm

    Welcome to the free wheeling 21st century method of political discussion. No consultants required!

    Your Friend in Norfolk

23. Eston Melton on July 27, 2007 8:43 pm

    Looking forward to reading your musings, Mr. Gilmore.

24. David on July 28, 2007 4:21 am

    Who are you endorsing? In the front runners I don’t see a clear cut conservative. I think the Republican party is in trouble. It has continually not stood for conservatism.

25. Josh Sullivan on July 28, 2007 7:08 am

    Governor Gilmore,
    Sorry you dropped out. I hate it when strong conservatives get pushed out of the way in this party for more moderate, or dare I say, liberal candidates.
    I am a Texan and on the front lines of the illegal immigration hoorah. Recently, the Compean/Ramos case has really been picking up steam. Where do you stand on the issue? Was Johnny Sutton right in how he handled it? Was the punishment handed down to the agents appropriate? How would you handle it? Would you consider running for Senate?

26. Bob Gibson on July 28, 2007 7:10 am

    Virginians are still mighty upset about the abusive driver fees in the state’s transportation compromise this year. Should the fees be abolished? If so, what other revenue might be substituted for them?

27. Wendell on July 28, 2007 7:42 am

    Governor, I look forward to your thoughts on a range of issues from property rights to free speech.
    Let the blogging begin!

28. Not Larry Sabato on July 28, 2007 8:18 am

    Governor, thanks for starting this blog. I see you are moderating comments (they come up together in groups). What is your policy for approving comments?

29. admin on July 28, 2007 8:27 am

    Comments are moderated to filter out spam, irrelevant comments, and posted news articles. They detract from the discussion.

    Comments furthering the conversation are always approved. Links to news articles are welcome.

    Admin

30. Brick Bagley on July 28, 2007 11:52 am

    Gov. Gilmore -

    Welcome to the blogosphere, and kudos for your willingness to respond directly to comments.

    Now that you have ruled out a run for President, I hope you will maintain an open mind about the prospect of pursuing Sen. Warner’s seat in the near future.

    Regards,

    Brick

31. D D Crabb on July 28, 2007 6:27 pm

    Delighted to see you join us in the blogosphere, Governor! Though I’m sure you had very valid reasons, I too am sorry to see you leave the presidential race (though there is another spot on the ticket, isn’t there?
    I look foreward to hearing what you have to say, and will be adding your link on my blog.
    Godspeed, sir.

32. Buddy Gilmore on July 28, 2007 7:43 pm

    I’d like to toss out a topic for discussion. In my mind, we really don’t have a vision for an enery policy, and that disturbs me. While I am never for expansion of gov’t, I consider energy a matter of national security, and fits within those narrow bounds of national Constitutional authority. I’m saddened that our leadership has not taken this to the level of the “man on the moon” project of the 60s. Instead, we keep finding ourselves in “questionable” relationships with tinhorn dictators.

    We have the finest energy minds in the world tied up in the Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) and they are doing work more suitable for competitively-priced contractors. Those FFRDCs include Sandia Labs, Los Alamos, Lawrence Livermore, MITRE, etc. Most people don’t know that you (the people)are paying for that high-priced talent (in excess of $250/hr) that can be supplied at a much lower rate, freeing up those “big thinkers” to find local, regional, and national solutions to our energy problems.

33. NotNotJayHughes on July 29, 2007 8:11 am

    Gov. Gilmore:

    Congratulations on your entry to the Virginia Blogosphere. I’m looking forward to some very good discussions and debates here.

    Buddy:

    In my opinion, we need to understand that we are entering the time where fossil fuels are not going to meet our energy needs. So we need to start thinking “out of the box” in terms of new energy sources. I’m working on a post to go up on Virginia Virtucon tonight or tomorrow with more details.

    Also, I agree with you, in principle, that private sector endeavors produce superior results with lower costs than public sector endeavors.

34. Buddy Gilmore on July 30, 2007 7:56 am

    I think the REAL problem with energy policies is the same problem we have with many other efforts: we “the people” don’t have confidence that our government can tackle the hard problems and develop solutions, and we don’t hold them accoutable to provide solutions. Immigration reform? Dead. And when is the last time you heard anything about Social Security? We should be outraged that that Congress is spending more time on Gonzales than tackling the looming issues that confront us as a nation. I should also point out that this crisis of leadership is not reserved for D.C.; it’s also at the state and local levels. What we need are leaders who aren’t afraid to generate new ideas, even in the face of criticism; we “the people” also need a swift kick in the rear so we wake up, become actively involved in our governments, and demand the very best from our elected officials.

35. David Adams on July 30, 2007 12:45 pm

    Looking forward to reading your future posts. I have added a link to the blog on the Virginia Shooting Sports Asssociation (the state NRA affiliate association) web site (www.myvssa.org).

36. Patrick N. Washington on July 30, 2007 2:47 pm

    Governor Gilmore (hopefully one day Senator Gilmore),

    Thanks for your service to the Commonwealth of Virginia and to the Republican Party. It is good to see an actual political figure committed to the conservative principles of limited government, low taxes, and a strong moral code.

    Welcome to the blogosphere!!! I will be reading your blog often.

37. William F on August 24, 2007 8:58 am

    I know I’m a little late but I wanted to thank you for starting up your bog Governor. Its great to see people like you engaging the public in new ways like this - especially here in Virginia which is quickly becoming a battleground state. I’m also happy because other members of the party are also starting to do the same even if they are candidates for office like the finance chair Fred Malek. He’s also started his own blog over at fredmalekblog.com which is also great to see. Thanks again and good luck!