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Longyear
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debilitating and episodes could be triggered by high levels of exertion and stress, say experts.
Whatever the perceived handicaps, Longyear believes he has a compelling message. “My focus is on families. All aspects of my political platform are drawn from that,” he said.
“Two-income families shouldn’t have to struggle,” Longyear declared, stating that the current “surplus only means that people have been overtaxed.” Tax cuts will be a legislative priority, he said.
Tax credits to allow families broader educational options are another. He would also like to see educational reforms, among them, a mechanism to hold back students with poor academic performance. “We shouldn’t be graduating people who can’t read or write. It’s unfair. Unemployment,” he states, “is largely due to illiteracy.”
He is advocating remedial training programs for those currently on welfare rolls. “I look at it as offering a hand to people to help themselves and not be dependent on government forever.”
Virginia is currently enjoying lower crime levels due to the abolishment of parole, he said, but the crime rate still needs to be lower. “Our jails used to be full of those who committed poor people’s crimes, you know, bad checks and the like. Now, practically everyone in jail is there because drugs are a factor. They’re stealing to support a habit,” Longyear observed.
“It’s a proven fact that kids from a strong family environment, going to church, synagogue or mosque, won’t be doing drugs,” Longyear said.
By contrast, “there are just no easy answers after the fact” to address the problems of single mothers, he opined. “In most cases, they’re destined to poverty. That’s a terrible thing to do to a child.” He spoke in favor of ensuring that putative fathers’ names are entered into the birth certificate of every child to “establish responsibility.”
It was a kinder, gentler Longyear that comes across for the most part; he insists that he has been unfairly depicted as belligerent. “Liberals have a hard time being friends with you if you disagree with them,” he remarked.
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