Thank you for visiting.
The purpose of this website is to offer and share opinions as to how our 9th District Congressman, Rick Boucher, has represented us during his terms in the House. Over the years Mr. Boucher has repeatedly, and predictably, won re-elections while claiming ”conservative values” of the “majority” of folks in Southwest Virginia. However, the “Americans for Democratic Action”, which bills itself as “America’s oldest independent LIBERAL lobbying organization”, gives Mr. Boucher a “95%” approval rating.
Unfortunately, there has been an almost uncanny lack of factual information readily available as to how Mr. Boucher actually represents us in Congress. This website presents an overview of his key votes over the years which have resulted in his 100% approval rating from the likes of ACLU, Planned Parenthood, and NEA while receiving a 15% approval rating from Christian Coalition and a “zero” rating from National Right to Life Committe (NRLC).
Are our expressed opinions biased? Yes, of course.
However, information is presented on various issues so that you can form your own opinion. You can also confirm the facts from reliable sources such as the Congressional Record or a host of credible internet citizen watch dog groups such as Citizens for Responsive Politics, Taxpayers for Common Sense, Project Vote Smart (votesmart.org), OpenSecrets.org., sourcewatch.org, ontheissues.org, or even from some media sources like projects.Washingtonpost.com/congress/members.
You are encouraged to visit the website of Project Vote Smart (votesmart.org) and look at their background and track record. Its common ground is to protect us from the selfish interests that strip us of the most crucial component in our struggle to self-govern … access to abundant, accurate, and relevant information. They really are non-biased … really! … and have come under grave attacks from political candidates and parties (from BOTH sides). At the same time, they have been praised by both political sides, as well as prominent members of media. Project Vote Smart feels that “tolerance” will no longer be the only option available to the millions of us who are tormented by the issueless rhetoric and often misleading attacks that define contemporary American politics.
That organization, perhaps the most credible of its kind, distributes a voter’s “self-defense system” and a key component is its “Political Courage Test”. Major leaders of the media, major parties and Project Vote Smart repetitiously ask candidates one central question: “Are you willing to tell citizens your positions on the issues you will most likely face on their behalf?” The Political Courage Test is administered to all candidates for presidential, congressional, gubernatorial, and state legislative offices.
The Political Courage Test asks candidates which items they will support if elected. It does not ask them to indicate which items they will oppose. Through extensive research of public polling data, they discovered that voters are more concerned with what candidates support when elected to office, not what they oppose.
Here is what they had to say about our 9th District Representative: “Representative Rick Boucher refused to provide any responses to citizens on the issues through the 2008 Political Courage Test when asked to do so by national leaders of the political parties, prominent members of the media, Project Vote Smart president Richard Kimball, and Project Vote Smart staff.”
Well, since Mr. Boucher refuses to reveal his true beliefs on the issues to citizens of the 9th District through a political courage test, then this website is going to help do it for him.
Again, thank you for visiting.
Your comments and input are welcome. Please come back often because the information will be continually updated.