Byrd Earns Our Gratitude
By The IntelligencerFew politicians earn the description "beloved." But the adjective fits Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., in the minds of many of his fellow West Virginians.
Byrd has distinguished himself in service to the Mountain State and the nation. Today, he reaches another milestone in his career, becoming the longest-serving member of Congress in history. First elected to the House of Representatives in 1953, Byrd moved on to the Senate. He has served on Capitol Hill for nearly 57 years.
During that time Byrd has been a conscientious servant of the people. He cast more than 18,500 roll call votes in the Senate, more than any other member in the history of that august body.
Many members of Congress are able to simply "show up," however. Byrd has accomplished far more than that, serving as a guardian of the interests of West Virginians and of the Constitution of the United States of America. He has proclaimed that the Constitution is "always close to his heart." That is accurate both figuratively and literally; the senator carries a copy of the Constitution in his pocket.
His reverence for the Constitution and for the Senate as an institution critical in protecting the interests of Americans has served the nation well. Byrd, a staunch Democrat, does not hesitate to confront powerful leaders of his own party when he believes they are mistaken about the best interests of our country.
Our senior senator has been criticized severely for helping to bring federal funds to the Mountain State. He has been very successful in doing that, insisting that West Virginians receive a fair share of spending approved by Congress. But a perusal of federal spending items in which Byrd has taken an interest reveals that he has shepherded projects from many other states through the Senate, simply because he believed they were beneficial to Americans as a whole.
Today, Gov. Joe Manchin and the West Virginia Legislature will recognize Byrd's service. We join them in praise for the senator. At the same time, we think it is important to point out that today marks merely a milestone in length of service by Byrd. It is not that alone, but also the quality of his service, that has made Byrd the most beloved public servant in West Virginia. Today, then, it is appropriate to both honor and thank Sen. Robert C. Byrd.
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EllisWyatt
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11-19-09 8:10 PM
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How many private sector jobs has Byrd brought in? Has Byrd ever run a business or made a payroll? What was the obesity percentage when he took office vs. now? What about out of wedlock births? What about poverty rates? What about literacy rates? Answers: West Virginia is one of the fattest, poorest, illegitimate birth states in the nation. Its economy is a mess, which is made even more embarassing by the fact that Virginia, right next door, is the # 1 place in which to do business-in the US. Has Byrd made West Virginians smarter, richer, healthier or more moral? Answer: NO. And, yes, I do know that.
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EllisWyatt
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11-19-09 8:06 PM
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someonesmom Well, there's this new invention called the internet, which enables people to find information anywhere in the world, in an instant, and to communicate globally. Have you heard of it? As for my figures, here is the site: w w w DOT taxfoundation DOT COM. It is all there in black and white. Now, how are you able to watch Steeler games if you live in West Virginia? How do you know about the federal budget deficit if you don't live in DC? How do you know about the war if you aren't in Afghanistan? That's right-THE INTERNET!
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someonesmom
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11-19-09 4:27 PM
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Ellis, where do you get your figures? And, if you don't live here, how do you know what Mr.Byrd has done for the state of WV? He has done many things - gotten us funding for better roads, helped establish medical schools in Morgantown and Huntington, and has helped bring in new businesses to the state. Since you don't live here - you wouldn't know that, would you?
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Donald12
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11-19-09 3:39 PM
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wonderwhy 11-19-09 9:05 AM »Report Abuse ellis- you mean like how the out of staters fund alaska right? And you do know that red states receive more federal dollars than blue, right? wonderwhy?>>> I see that you post your usual anti-GOP screed to ANY editorial. Aren't you tired of being made fun of? Keep up the good work, I need the laughs. Are you going to try to track me down and have me fired for laughing at you again? Or will you wait until I really make a fool out you, once more. Been gone for six months and you are still posting the same thing over and over. That is sad. Get a new song, or at least some FACTS so you don't look so desperate.
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wonderwhy
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11-19-09 9:05 AM
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ellis- you mean like how the out of staters fund alaska right? And you do know that red states receive more federal dollars than blue, right? wonderwhy? thank you Senator Byrd. there are many WV residents that are thankful for your service.
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EllisWyatt
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11-18-09 11:06 PM
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From 1981-2005, West Virginia received $60 billion more in federal spending than it paid in federal taxes. That means that every resident of West Virginia received $137.78 per year, for 24 consecutive years, in welfare spending funded by other states. So, hooplehead, whenever you whine about out of state taxpayers commenting on West Virginia topics, keep in mind the fact that out of staters finance West Virginia. KKK Byrd has done nothing for WV. Compare the education, poverty, unemployment, obesity and out of wedlock birth rates from then till now. 57 years, 18,500 votes, tens of billions of stolen dollars = NOTHING. Has Byrd improved West Virginia's lot? The evidence doesn't seem to bear this out.
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wvhoopie
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11-18-09 10:30 PM
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Bryd will deliver his vote for health care reform soon. The Senate Democrats are posting their bill online for all to see. Let's see, where did the Rethugs post thiers online? Hmmmmm. They don't have one. Is Bonehead a liar? Hmmmm. LOL
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Shark88
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11-18-09 2:52 PM
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Byrd is a tough old bird!
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