Archives

There are several ways to locate past content from Bacon's Rebellion:

• By date of publication. Scroll through the past issues of Bacon's Rebellion listed chronologically below.

• By author. Go to "Wonks on the Web." Each author's past articles are listed on his or her personal page.

• By key word. Use our "Bring Home the Bacon" search engine (on the home page) to conduct key-word searches on the Bacon's Rebellion web site and an expanding selection of pages on the Web.

2008

- August 25 -

Salvaging Tysons. The Tysons task force on land use has articulated a compelling vision for the future of Virginia's largest -- and most dysfunctional -- business district. Just one problem: It's not clear who will pay for it. by James A. Bacon

Asphalt Deserts. The American addiction to Autonobiles and imported oil drains our economy of wealth in ways obvious and subtle. We convert green landscape into swaths of pavement, contributing to our own desertification. by EM Risse

Closing the Budget Shortfall. Virginia's secret weapon in the budget wars is a little-known agency, the Commonwealth Competition Council, that seeks savings through privatization and outsourcing. by Leonard Gilmore

State spending out of control? Enact a Tax and Expenditure Law that caps spending at the rate of inflation and population growth. If pols are unhappy with the limits, they can... Tell It to the TEL. by Norman Leahy

10 Annoying Things About Virginia. Sure, we're smart and prosperous, but some things still turn my crank. by Peter Galuszka

Saving Southside. It's too early to write off Southside Virginia's mill town economy. But the Tobacco Commission does need to re-think its strategic priorities. by Tom McLaughlin

Nice & Curious Questions. Cathedrals, Temples and Mosques: Spiritual Shrines in Virginia. by Edwin S. Clay III and Patricia Bangs

- August 4 -

Brainy Power. Dominion's proposed $600 million investment in a "smart grid" is the first step toward an electric power system in which conservation and renewables have equal standing with with coal and nukes. by James A. Bacon

Flash the Lights and Blow the Sirens. The NVTA is near death as legislators fail once again. by Doug Koelemay

Beyond the Headlines. A thread runs between many newspaper stories: Higher energy prices are reordering everything from international trade flows to housing affordability. Too bad our Institutions are responding so sluggishly. by EM Risse

Reviving the Great Melting Pot. A century ago, Americans expected immigrants to learn English and adapt to a new culture. Would it be politically incorrect to encourage today's immigrants to "Americanize"? by Chris Braunlich

This story has mysteriously disappeared. -Editor

Bogus Tax Break. The back-to-school tax break feels good -- for two days out of the year. Woopido. How about a tax break that provides relief 365 days a year? by Norman Leahy

The Netherworld of FDA Regulation . Getting the agency to oversee tobacco is creating strange bedfellows and will end up keeping the status quo – letting thousands more die. by Peter Galuszka

When All Else Fails, Try the Head Smackingly Obvious. Want to relieve traffic congestion? Stop funding pork barrel and prioritize transportation projects that... (drum roll)... relieve traffic congestion. by Ron Utt

Nice & Curious Questions. Riffles and Cascades: Waterfalls in Virginia. by Edwin S. Clay III and Patricia Bangs

- July 21 -

No Salvaging the Mill Towns. Ten years and $400 million has failed to transform the economies of Southside and Southwest Virginia. Until leaders confront dispersed human settlement patterns, they will never address root causes. by James A. Bacon

Thank You, Joe. Former state Senator Joe Gartlan left his fingerprints all over the Code of Virginia and boosted the future of the Commonwealth. by Doug Koelemay

Rocky Mountain Low. A WaPo story highlights the threat of converting Montana wilderness into masses of McLodges. But there's more to the story: Developers are destroying the land they exploit and, with rising energy prices, are creating the ghost (non) towns of tomorrow. by EM Risse

Democrats for (School) Choice. Putting the interest of the nation's children ahead of those of the teachers unions, an increasing number of Dems are supporting school choice. by Chris Braunlich

Summer Sweats. Tim Kaine looks like a long shot to get the VP nod from Barack Obama. But it's fun thinking about the what-ifs back in the Old Dominion if the governor were drafted into national politics. by Norman Leahy

My Lunch with Big Oil. Mr. Big Oil spilled the beans: Offshore oil drilling means bupkis for Virginia. He ginned up the flap here in the Old Dominion to win support for opening up California, Alaska and the Gulf where the big barrels are. by Peter Galuszka

How Tim Kaine Lost his Mojo. Tim Kaine campaigned as a liberal who would oppose tax increases. He has governed as a moderate who has advocated tax increases. Many Virginians feel betrayed. by Frank Kilgore

Nice & Curious Questions. The Developer's Daughter: Road Names in Virginia. by Edwin S. Clay III and Patricia Bangs

- July 7 -

The City of Squares. The historical core of Savannah, Ga., is one of the great urban places in the United States. Modern-day Virginia could learn a few lessons from James Oglethorpe's unique experiment. by James A. Bacon

The Wealth Gap. Sooner or later, an economy built on wildly unequal incomes, cheap energy and debt-fueled mass over-consumption will collapse. Mass denial will not change this reality. by EM Risse

Let the People Decide. It's time to fish or cut bait on the gas tax. Either pass a tax increase to pay for transportation projects or take it off the table so we can pursue other options. by Michael Thompson

Bread and Circuses. Governments dispense money for ends that the Constitution never envisioned. One way or another, we're all on the dole now. by Norman Leahy

Bubba Believes in Religion (and other true facts). by Barnie Day

Nice & Curious Questions. Running in Virginia: Triathlons, Duathlons, Adventure Races and More. by Edwin S. Clay III and Patricia Bangs

- June 23 -

The War on Sprawl. Andrew Jackson had his "kitchen" cabinet. Tim Kaine has his "sub" cabinet: five secretaries whose job is to marshal state resources to promote smart growth. by James A. Bacon

Finding Common Ground. There is no other way to conduct the public business successfully. Let us hope that the lawmakers convening in Richmond today take heed. by Doug Koelemay

Shaping a Functional and Sustainable Future in Greater Warrenton-Fauquier. by EM Risse

The following stories have mysteriously disappeared. -Editor

Another One Bites the Dust. Another toll-road myth -- that governments can access cheaper infrastructure financing than the private sector -- has been demolished. The proof? Transurban's experience in Northern Virginia. by Leonard Gilroy

A Transportation Reform Agenda. A comprehensive solution to transportation in Virginia requires a lot more than raising taxes and spending money. We have to change the way we fund and administer roads and rail. by Michael Thompson

On the Eve of Battle. Republicans are bracing for a confrontation this week over transportation taxes and spending. Here are the thoughts, extracted from the first Tertium Quids podcast, of some GOP leading lights. by Norman Leahy

Richmond vs. Charlotte: an Update. Charlotte, N.C., snarfed up Richmond's big commercial banks in the early '90s, a coup at the time. Fifteen years later, the sub-prime fiasco is pinching Richmond, but it's putting the Tarheels in a world of hurt. by Peter Galuszka

Audit Time. Before jacking up taxes and throwing money around, let's audit the plethora of Virginia transportation-related agencies and authorities, define clear goals and set priorities for spending. by Ron Utt

Power Surge. Big increases in electric rates are all but inevitable in Virginia. Consumers need to be educated about their options before they get shocked by their electric bills. by Barbara Kessinger

Nice & Curious Questions. Finding Felons in Virginia: Bounty Hunters in the Commonwealth. by Edwin S. Clay III and Patricia Bangs

- June 2 -

Personalities and Prosperity. Ever wonder why New York is full of neurotics and L.A. full of surfer dudes? In his latest book, Richard Florida suggests that regions, like people, have personalities -- with big implications for prosperity. by James A. Bacon

Riding the Tiger. Many citizens, abetted by the MainStream Media, are clinging to oil and autonomobile dependency to the bitter end. A dismal reality of ever-climbing energy awaits them. by EM Risse

Time for Systemic Reform. Crafted for the industrial, post-World War II era, Virginia's government institutions are failing. More money won't work. Tinkering won't work. We need systemic reform. by Chris Braunlich

Give Charters a Chance. The Richmond school board has just approved the state's fourth charter school -- a rare victory over political forces that sacrifice children's welfare at the altar of  left-wing ideology. by Norman Leahy

VCU and the Evil Weed. VCU President Eugene Trani blew Richmond ’s reputation by going along with a noxious Philip Morris research contract. by Peter Galuszka

Nice & Curious Questions. Big Government in Virginia: Does Size Really Matter? by Edwin S. Clay III and Patricia Bangs

- May 19 -

Cultivating Creativity. The da Vinci Center at Virginia Commonwealth University is elevating product development to an inter-disciplinary art. It may well be the future of American innovation. by James A. Bacon

Three Little Words. The phrase "no cheap energy" embodies an economic reality that is shaking the foundation of First World Civilization. But citizens and politicians still act as if they can ignore it. by EM Risse

A Simple Solution. Here is an easy way to resolve Virginia's political stand-off over transportation funding: Empower local governments to enact the same taxes that the Supreme Court invalidated regionally. by Michael Thompson

So Much for Transparency. Throwing a bunch of budget numbers onto a website does little to improve local government transparency. The adage "Garbage In, Garbage Out" applies in spades. by Norman Leahy

The Weird World of Massey Energy. Controversial, Richmond-based coal firm enjoys energy boom times while wielding political clout and beating back critics with an in-your-face style. by Peter Galuszka

Nice & Curious Questions. And What Happened Here? Historical Markers of Virginia. by Edwin S. Clay III and Patricia Bangs

- May 5 -

Second Battle of Fredericksburg. A Yankee invader... er, investor... wants $30 million in incentives to build a giant waterpark in Fredericksburg. Local foes say they are fighting to save the city's tax base -- and its soul. by James A. Bacon

The Beltway to Easter Island. Like the Eastern Islanders who built the big-eared moia, the engineers of the well-treed Capital Beltway are oblivious to the signs of impending ecological collapse. by EM Risse

Stretching the Highway Dollar. We can get more mileage out of transportation spending by prioritizing congestion relief, using  performance-based planning and outsourcing maintenance. by Len Gilroy

Mountain Women Die Younger. A national study shows females in poor areas like Radford and Pulaski have diminished life expectancies. Poor diet and lack of insurance are likely culprits. by Peter Galuszka

Throwaway Lives. We know that public health in Appalachia is a national disgrace. We don't need more studies. We need to teach young people to take control of their own health. by Frank Kilgore

A Modest Proposal. Think of all the pressing problems we could solve -- climate change, traffic congestion, parking meters -- if we required city employees to walk, bike or ride the bus to work. by Marc Montoni

Nice & Curious Questions. The Waterman's Legacy: The Shores and Islands of Virginia. by Edwin S. Clay III and Patricia Bangs

- April 21 -

The Tribune of the People. In two high-profile lawsuits, Patrick McSweeney has defended the interests of the common citizen against power grabs by the political class. Virginians owe him a bigger debt than they'll ever know. by James A. Bacon

There's a Hole in the Bucket. It's called road maintenance, and it's draining the Transportation Trust Fund of revenue for new construction. by Doug Koelemay

The End of Flight as We Know It. Between fuel prices, terrorism and the environment,  air travel is losing altitude fast. In the not-too-distant future, plane rides will be a luxury for those at the top of the economic pyramid. by EM Risse

Fund Reading First. Congressional politicking could eviscerate one of the few federal programs proven to help at-risk children in Virginia learn to read. by Chris Braunlich

And Now, a Kind Word about Tolls. The public prefers tolls to taxes as a method to fund transportation improvements -- as long as the public sees a clear benefit and politicians do not divert revenues to other projects. by Norm Leahy

The Kaine Mutiny. Is Dominion’s coal-fired plant destroying the Governor’s political future? by Peter Galuszka

A Response to Norman Leahy. Our call for an alternative transportation policy is indeed "conservative" -- organized around free markets, an aversion to subsidies and devolution of government power to the local level. by Pat McSweeney

The New American Revolution. Virginia citizens achieved a momentous victory with the defeat of regional transportation authorities. Now is the time to press their advantage and hold politicians truly accountable. by Ron Utt

The Thrill of No-Till. Adopting the tried-and-tested agricultural practice of no-till farming could be Virginia's simplest, most cost-effective strategy for restoring the health of the Chesapeake Bay. by David Schnare

Nice & Curious Questions. Beyond Bluegrass: Virginia's Rock 'n' Rollers. by Edwin S. Clay III and Patricia Bangs

- April 7 -

First, Shoot All The Cars. While Virginians seem hell bent upon raising taxes and building roads, Ameri-kiwi Claude Lewenz shows a different way to reduce traffic congestion and save the environment: Build car-free villages. by James A. Bacon

Newseum. The D.C. attraction opening this week celebrates freedom of the press, the rise of the news and the decline of the newspaper. by Doug Koelemay

Space to Drive and Park. Cars consume huge amounts of space for roads and parking, which disaggregates human settlement patterns, co-opts transportation alternatives, and... increases dependence upon cars. by EM Risse

Two Spheres of Fraud. While the media salivates over the subprime lending fiasco, journalists are overlooking the main reason why Americans can't afford housing:  the building of the wrong kind of housing in the wrong places. by EM Risse

How to Save $1 Billion Without Even Trying. Think Virginia lawmakers are serious about restraining state government spending? Consider this: Simply freezing 7,627 vacant positions could have saved $1 billion in the next two-year budget! by Mike Thompson

You Call This Conservative? A self-proclaimed "conservative" transportation plan appears to be animated by the conviction that Virginians really don't know what's good for them. When did conservatives become central planners? by Norm Leahy

Creating a New Segregation. When Richmond combined Jim Crow with urban planning in the 1940s, the result was expressways, the destruction of African-American neighborhoods and white flight. by Peter Galuszka

Reaching the Promised Land. In his lifetime, Martin Luther King empowered African-Americans. By his death, he stimulated Southern, evangelical whites to search their hearts and embrace all children of God. by James Atticus Bowden

Nice & Curious Questions. Bottled Poetry: Wine Trails of Virginia. by Edwin S. Clay III and Patricia Bangs

- March 24 -

User Pays. Virginia's transportation system needs more money. But how we raise the money is just as important as how much. Only a user-pays system can break the political gridlock. by James A. Bacon

Good News, Bad Reporting. As the economy weakens, you can count on the MainStream Media to defend MassOverconsumption and Business As Usual in a desperate bid to keep the advertising dollars flowing. by EM Risse

Learning from Big Boxes. Consumers love big box stores for their "bargains" and "everyday low prices." What they don't see are the costs imposed by hidden subsidies and the scatteration of human settlement patterns. by EM Risse

Extend Foot, Pull Trigger. The unilateral rewriting of the Dulles Greenway legislation sends a bad signal to potential investors in Virginia roads: When times turn tough, lawmakers renege on deals. by Leonard Gilroy

Pork and Transparency. The Commonwealth is slowly, grudgingly opening up its books to citizen scrutiny. Putting credit-card bills on a Web-accessible database is a big step forward, but it raises more questions than it answers. by Norm Leahy

The War Bill Comes Due. The hidden costs of the Iraq war are a bigger economic debacle than the sub-prime mess. by Peter Galuszka

Juice Junkies. The Day household is addicted to electricity. Our careless consumption has consequences beyond the light bill: pollution, mountaintop removal and greenhouse gases among them. by Barnie Day

I'll Take the Two BMWs, Please. Rail to Dulles is so expensive that we could lease two BMWs per rider with the money. The Feds were right to turn down funding, and Virginia Congressmen should leave well enough alone. by Wendell Cox and Ron Utt

Smokes, Litter and Drugs. Youngsters who smoke cigarettes are more likely to litter and abuse drugs as well. The campaign to snuff out smoking is not just a public health issue, it's a crusade to save our children. by Frank Kilgore

More Roads Are Not the Answer. The unraveling of Virginia's transportation funding plans could be a blessing if it prompts lawmakers to wean the Commonwealth from its auto-centric, sprawl-inducing policies. by Michael Cecire

Nice & Curious Questions. Doggie Happy Hours, or Virginia is for Canine Lovers. by Edwin S. Clay III and Patricia Bangs

- February 25 -

Curriculum VITA. The overhaul of the Commonwealth of Virginia's antiquated IT system is a textbook study of how government can improve performance and save money -- without a dime of taxpayer investment. by James A. Bacon

Learning from the Mouse. Why do people travel halfway around the world to visit Disney World and Octoberfest? One big reason: Both are places where you don't need cars to get around. by EM Risse

Fund the Child, Not the Bureaucracy. Virginia's formula for distributing state aid to schools is indecipherable. A little common sense would make the system more transparent. by Chris Braunlich

The Big Lie? Headlines tie immigrants to sex crimes as politicians like GOP gubernatorial hopeful McDonnell cash in on the xenophobia they stir up. by Peter Galuszka

The Untold Story. House Republicans warrant much of the criticism they get, but give them credit for this: They share power more fairly with minority Democrats than the Dems ever did with them. by Frank Kilgore

Nice & Curious Questions. The Physics of Incentives. Or, Enterprise Zones in the Old Dominion. by Edwin S. Clay III and Patricia Bangs

- February 11 -

The Innovation Gap. There are compelling reasons for people to ditch their cars and use mass transit. Unfortunately, auto companies are reinventing themselves while the transit sector stands still. by James A. Bacon

What Is the Problem with Cars? Cars are a 20th century answer to a 19th century problem. Tweaking our auto-centric transportation system will not address the 21st century realities of traffic congestion, escalating energy prices and Global Warming. by EM Risse

Let the Sun Shine In. Getting the political establishment to agree to budget transparency is like pulling teeth -- from a saber-tooth tiger. But Virginia is slowly making progress. by Michael Thompson

Virginia Is for Lovers - Behind Closed Doors. Virginia has been roiled of late by a sex workers' show, mildly racy Abercrombie & Fitch displays and trailer hitches that look like bull testicles. What's going on? by Norm Leahy

Call for Philip Morris. Richmond’s elite lauds the cigarette maker for putting its R&D center downtown. But its newly spun-off sister unit still aims to make butts the old-fashioned way, endangering the lives of millions around the world. by Peter Galuszka

A Transit Network for NoVa. The odds look good for the General Assembly to study a rapid transit network covering Northern Virginia to points as far flung as Winchester and Fredericksburg. by William Vincent

Toro! Toro! Tim Kaine is upset that the Federal Transit Administration turned down funding for Tysons-Dulles heavy rail. But the project had more red flags than a bull-fighting ring. by Ken Orski

Nice & Curious Questions. Virginia: Home of the Outdoor Privy Race. Or, Whatever Happened to Outdoor Plumbing? by Edwin S. Clay III and Patricia Bangs

- January 28 -

Tomahawk Chop. The departure of the R-Braves baseball team is no great loss to Richmond. Indeed, the region should take the tomahawk to other groups of marginal value and invest in institutions of knowledge creation. by James A. Bacon

Who Killed Rail-to-Dulles? Many people share the blame for the collapse of the Rail-to-Dulles financing scheme. The feds are only the first in a long line of guilty parties. by EM Risse

Lottery Options. Virginia should consider leasing out rights to operate the state lottery. Privatization could generate a steady income stream, reducing risks of revenue variability. by Leonard C. Gilroy

Baptists and Bootleggers. When good intentions collide with self interest, self interest almost always wins. You can't go wrong betting on politicians, whatever their high-minded principles, to do what's expedient. by Norm Leahy

A Matter of Exquisite Balance. In a world where the only constant is change, the State Corporation Commission is the keeper of economic balance in Virginia. A judgeship is open, and I would like to fill it. by Barnie Day

A Sensible Tax. A 5-cent hike in Virginia's gas tax as a way to fund transportation improvements is vastly preferable to the motley mash of taxes, fees and fines enacted last year. by James V. Koch

Nice & Curious Questions. Millions of Kilowatt Hours: Nuclear Power in Virginia. by Edwin S. Clay III and Patricia Bangs

- January 14 -

Brain Gain: Building Human Capital. Human capital is the driving force of prosperity in a  globally competitive economy. Soon, regions will vie for it like they compete for investment capital. Will Virginia be prepared? by James A. Bacon

Gray Matter Migration. A chart ranking the 50 states by net in-migration.

Virginia Migration Winners and Losers. A spreadsheet ranking Virginia localities by net in-migration.

Hypercompetition. Here's the sub-text of Tim Kaine's state of the commonwealth speech: Invest in Virginia's economic future. We can afford it. Our economy is still out-performing the nation's. by Doug Koelemay

The Road Ahead. As the MainStream Media fails to provide information citizens need to function as voters and consumers, a citizen-driven media will emerge to fill the void. It's not yet clear what that new media will look like. by EM Risse

Unleash the Private Sector. Many localities are too financially strapped to execute Tim Kaine's pre-K initiative for at-risk tots. He could bypass that bottleneck by engaging private daycare providers. by Chris Braunlich

Rooting for Hillary. Hillary Clinton has friends in strange places. Among the millions of Americans who reveled in her New Hampshire primary comeback, there were quite a few in Virginia's Republican Party. by Norm Leahy

Strife in the Coalfields. Dominion’s plans to build a coal-fired plant stir worries about greenhouse gases, ozone, smog, dirty coal trucks and mountaintop removal. by Peter Galuszka

Hot Air or Cold Logic? The Governor's Commission on Climate Change could guide Virginia's energy and environmental policy for years to come. One option it needs to consider: geo-engineering. by David Schnare

Nice & Curious Questions. Birdies, Bogies and the Back Nine: Golfing in the Old Dominion. by Edwin S. Clay III and Patricia Bangs