If there is one issue which is critical to the 9th District, it is that of jobs.  Who hasn’t lamented the loss of jobs over the last 26 years?  There are various and sundry reasons and opinions as to why, and no single issue or individual can be solely blamed.  However, it has seemed as though our District lags in job creation as compared to other areas of Virginia.

It has been confounding, to say the least, to watch nearly ONE BILLION dollars of  federal “pork” brought to the 9th District by Mr. Boucher.  He gets re-elected.  Yet the job losses have continued to mount even while we offer one of the best work forces in America.  Further, during Boucher’s terms in office, an estimated 15,000 of our college graduates have left the area due to lack of job opportunities.

To read some of Mr. Boucher’s press releases over the years, carried as “news stories” by many local newspapers, one might conclude that we have the highest-paying jobs and lowest unemployment of any place in America!  Mr. Boucher’s website boasts that, “During his years as a member of Congress, Rick Boucher’s top priority has been bringing jobs to Southwest Virginia.” 

Any, and all, new jobs are readily welcomed.  Yes, “tourism” is, well, nice.  ”Call Centers” are billed as “high tech” by Mr. Boucher even though they offer instability, relatively low wages, limited advancement, and are subject to leaving the area on the turn of a dime (which has already happened in some of our areas).  It has been pointed out that such “call centers” are not so much “recruited” to an area as much as they seek out areas in which to locate.  In many cases, after they have “exhausted” the “perks” of a locality, they then pick up and move.  For example, In Clintwood, Virginia Travelocity.com flew the coop for India after exhausting $10 million dollars in “corporate welfare”.

Mr. Boucher says that “small businesses are the cornerstone of the economy in the 9th District.”  (See below the ratings given to Mr. Boucher by various pro-business PAC’s).  One example of Mr. Boucher’s innovation in new job creation is the renovated Jacksonville Center in the Town of Floyd.  “The Center will serve as a small business incubator with a cultural focus, providing space for small businesses which primarily emphasize arts, crafts, and other tourism related endeavors.  It will also serve as a theatre and community center.  The new facility will house TWENTY small business tenants”.  Also, a dormitory on the premises will have the capacity to house between 8 and 10 students from other localities who will participate in week-long craft seminars.”  At last count, a total of $461,794.00 in taxpayers’ money had been invested in that project.  Do you feel that twenty small tenants specializing in arts and crafts will significantly impact “job creation” in Floyd County?   

Anyway, why does it seem as though whatever new jobs are being created in the state go elsewhere in Virginia?  Well, here is a staggering and sobering reality to consider.

Instead of listing Mr. Boucher’s votes and activities in Congress (not to mention tens of millions of dollars in pork-barrel spending) as they relate to ”pro-business”, let’s reveal what others are saying …. outside of our District …. as a result of Boucher’s track record.

BUSINESS-INDUSTRY Political Action Committe (BIPAC), located in D.C., is a political action committe whose mission is:  “identifies and supports PRO-BUSINESS candidates who have demonstrated skill and leadership necessary to fuel pro-business Congress”.  For 2007, they give the following ratings to elected Representatives in Virginia:  John Warner (80), Thelma Drake (100), James Randy Forbes (92), Virgil Goode (83), Robert Goodlatte (92), Eric Cantor (100), Frank Wolf (71).  Are you ready for this? …. RICK BOUCHER …… “7″.  Any questions?  (To help ease the pain, Jim Webb was given a “20″ and Robert Scott and James Moran were also given a “7″).

Here’s more.  The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MANUFACTURERS has the following mission:  “The NAM’s mission is to enhance the competitiveness of manufacturers and to improve American living standards by shaping a legislative and regulatory environment conducive to U.S. economic growth and to increase understanding among policymakers, the media and the public about the importance of manufacturing to America’s economic strength.”   They rate VIRGINIA Representatives the following:  Warner, Drake, Forbes, Goodlatte and Cantor each got “100″ ratings.  Goode received an “88″ rating and Wolf an “83″.   RICK BOUCHER received …. “46″.  Again to ease the pain somewhat, Moran got a “38″ and Scott an “8″.

Or how about this one?  The “AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY” has a mission statement as follows:  “AP is guided by a vision of greater economic growth, opportunity, and prosperity through strong ethical foundations, government restraint, and private sector productivity and competition.  Educates citizens about economic policy and mobilizes citizens to achieve fiscal and regulatory restraint by government and a return of federal government to its constitutional limits.”  For 2007, it gives a “100″ rating to Cantor, a “90″ rating to Drake, Forbes, and Goode, an “81″ to Goodlatte and “83″ to Warner.  To RICK BOUCHER it gives a ……. “0″.

Here is another.  The “National Federation of Independent Business” is a “key business resource for small and independent business in America.  By pooling the purchasing power of its 600,000 members, NFIB gives access to many business products and services at discounted costs.  Also provides timely information designed to help small businesses succeed”.  By contrast, Virginia’s Warner, Drake, Forbes, Goodlatte, and Cantor all received “100″ approval ratings.  Wolf … “86″.  Over the last four years Rick Boucher has received an average score of … “43″.  

In putting the pieces together, does there seem to be a “trend”?

Surprised?

If you were a manufacturer or a company looking for pro-business locations, to whom would you look first?  To someone who has a high pro-business rating … or to someone who has a 100% approval rating by, say,  ACLU, NEA and NARAL, etc.?

You are encouraged to look at Rick Boucher’s corporate sponsors for his campaign financing.  (That information is listed in the “Campaign Finances” section of this website).

You be the Judge.