In early June I wrote about the “Mailgate” scandal in the West Virginia House of Delegates concerning allegations reported in the press that certain Democrats in the legislature had used, or some say abused, their franking privileges to electioneer. Franking is a time honored tradition in which public funds are available to enable legislators to communicate with constituents and to provide information. However, there were questions raised regarding the timing and sheer volume of the mailings. Additionally, based on his research through documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, WVGOP consultant Rob Cornelius believes that the mailings were targeted by Democrats in the legislature to constituents that are Democrats and that GOP voters were systematically excluded. According to WVGOP chair Conrad Lucas this is both unethical and illegal.

As I’ve said before, I’m a big fan of home rule, also known as local control. I believe that the government that is closest to the people is the most relevant. Municipal and county government should have greater autonomy as local elected officials theoretically are more accountable to local voters. However, there is a caveat - constituents must keep a close eye on them and there must an unwavering dedication to the rule of law supported by a strong legal system.

As I have said before in this space, the no. 1 party affiliation in America is now independent. Voters have become more skeptical than ever with regard to the two major parties. The Democrats have done a good job of purging their party of their moderate and conservative members and have moved to the extremities of the political spectrum, while the GOP has done an equally good job of discouraging these disaffected Democrats from registering Republican. Here in West Virginia the pattern is similar — the party of the Democrats is shrinking, the ranks of the independents are swelling and the GOP is treading water.

As a youngster growing up, values, moral and ethical were an important part of any discussion with clergy, teachers, coaches, parents and friends. Television shows of the day were almost as inane as they are today. Except that I remember, perhaps nostalgically, that often shows attempted to incorporate a “moral to the story” into the script or attempted to grapple with an ethical problem. I remember in particular Sheriff Andy Taylor teaching his son values like honesty, integrity, respect for a person’s property, respect for the rule of law, due process - as well as respect for the value of human life. Call me old fashioned - I don’t mind. Values seem to be mere quaint notions today. I’ve come across so many outrageous stories lately that it is difficult for me to reconcile them with my upbringing. I’ll share with you a few:

There’s been a lot of chatter in print lately as to whether or not, in the next election cycle or two, West Virginia is going to change from “blue state” to “red state”. Over the weekend this headline appeared in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette with a dateline posted from Clarksburg, WV: “GOP hopes to end Dems’ hold on W.Va. - The party’s recent policies, including those on the environment, seem to be helping turn blue state red.” It included a quote from Congressman David McKinley who represents West Virginia’s first congressional district, “I don’t think West Virginia is leaving the Democratic Party as much as the Democratic Party is leaving West Virginia”.

There is a story that has received considerable attention in other parts of West Virginia but not around here. The Washington Post even ran a piece on it. It’s been dubbed “Mailgate” and it is about the recent revelations regarding the use of taxpayer funds by members of the West Virginia House of Delegates to communicate with constituents - or perhaps rather a select group of voters.