Have you ever really asked yourself that question? We are living in highly partisan times, and far too often people either vote for a candidate based on whether or not they “like” the person or party. What this logic misses is the real reason why we should be voting for the candidate. First, you should ask yourself, “What is the purpose of government in the first place?” The key purpose of any form of government relates directly to the protection of the people. Every other act of government is secondary to this purpose. Have you ever really thought about this? Afterall, when you call 911, you are calling the government. Is your current local, state and federal government competent in protecting you? Have we improved our safety and security over the past few years, or not? I do not know any serious individuals today who think we have been moving in the right direction. Do you? When it comes to the upcoming November election, this should be what we are all asking. Any candidate you consider voting for should be making your safety and security their top priority.
Too many in Richmond are emotionally and ideologically driven, and sadly little action has been carried out based on facts. We are at a crisis point with our Public Safety. Does anyone doubt this? Consider the crime statistics we have. Every statistic has increased and nearly every department is short of sworn officers with little hope of meeting recruiting needs. This is also true with our military. We have a situation where in many cases the standards for recruitment have been dramatically reduced. Just consider the officers who were involved in the recent Memphis tragedy. In normal times these officers would not have been hired in the first place. Is this what we really want? Is there anyone happy with the direction we have been moving in? I don’t know of anyone who is.
In addition to a public safety crisis, we are facing an opioid epidemic, specifically with fentanyl. It is now public knowledge that the opioid crisis is bad. Frankly, through my work in a detox unit as an addictions counselor, I can tell you that the epidemic is far worse than you could imagine. If you spent one day with me in the detox unit, you would be shocked, and you would demand that our government do something immediately. You would wonder why this is not the top priority at every level of government. Fentanyl is everywhere, and I mean everywhere. If you don’t believe me, just ask your own kids. We are losing a generation, and interestingly enough, it also happens to be the very individuals in our country who are military age.
Do you think this lack of action is by accident or coincidence? I don’t. I am very aware of the National Security component of the opioid crisis. Just think about all of the fentanyl pouring across our borders with no demonstrable attempt to stop it. This should not be a political issue. The opioid crisis is an issue that affects every single one of us. I live in Virginia, and I have had people ask me, “Why are you concerned about border issues, as you don’t live on the border?”
I am concerned about a wide open border. The free flow of fentanyl, terrorism, human trafficking, and gang members coming through an open border is an issue that affects every state, including Virginia. If we are not careful, we may never be able to recover from the damages being done to our nation and Commonwealth. We must correct the course now. The upcoming November election represents one of the most critical junctures we have faced in our state. Elections really do matter. As a friend of mine recently said, “you do politics, or politics will do you.”
So, what does all of this mean? As November approaches, I ask you to look at the candidates who are running for office. I am grateful for the opportunity to run to serve you in the 33rd District of the Virginia State Senate. The current Virginia State Senate has blocked key initiatives of Governor Youngkin related to your safety and security in the Commonwealth of Virginia. We need adults and leaders – not self promoting politicians – to get to business and serve and protect our beloved Commonwealth.
Mike Van Meter is a candidate for Virginia State Senate District 33. which serves Burke, part of West Springfield and portions of Prince William County.
