Associated Press
Virginia Del. Bob Marshall (R)
Virginia sure has been a hotbed of activity on issues with national implications, hasn't it? Republicans in the commonwealth pushed a scheme to rig the electoral college (which failed soon after), launched an ugly redistricting scheme (which now appears doomed), and crafted an absurd voter-ID bill (which seems likely to become law).
And while all of those are clearly important, this is the one that amazes me.
Virginia Del. Robert G. Marshall fears that a financial apocalypse is coming and only one thing can save the Commonwealth: its own currency.
The idea that Virginia should consider issuing its own money was dismissed as just another quixotic quest by one of the most conservative members of the state legislature when Marshall introduced it three years ago. But it has since gained traction not only in Virginia, but also in states across the country as Americans have grown increasingly suspicious of the institutions entrusted with safeguarding the economy.
Marshall's proposal sailed through the House of Delegates this week, passing by a two-to-one majority.
No, seriously.
And why, pray tell, does Marshall see the need for Virginia to have its own currency? Because he and other stark-raving-mad lawmakers fear the wholesale collapse of American civilization, as precipitated by the Federal Reserve. The Washington Post noted that Bob Marshall believes it's possible the U.S. could look like "the Weimar Republic of Germany after World War I: a worthless currency, skyrocketing inflation and a crumbling government."
Of course, Sideshow Bob also believes in "death panels," equated the Recovery Act with slavery, and is convinced that women who have abortions subsequently have disabled kids because God is punishing them.
This is the man who wants to shape monetary policy in Virginia.
Mainstream economics maintains that America is in little danger of turning into postwar Germany. Inflation is below 2 percent even though the Fed has tripled the amount of money in circulation since the 2008 financial crisis. Investors view the dollar as a safe haven, buying up greenbacks when turmoil strikes around the globe. A single currency is one of the bedrock assumptions of modern economics.
But that doesn't mean Virginia shouldn't be ready, Marshall and his supporters believe. His proposal would create a 10-member commission to study "the need, means, and schedule for establishing a metallic-based monetary unit to serve as a contingency currency for the Commonwealth." The study would cost $17,440.
If you're thinking it's unconstitutional for states to print their own currencies, don't worry, Marshall has thought of that, too -- he thinks there's a legal loophole that would allow the commonwealth to mint silver and gold coins.
What a relief.
Before we move on, let's not forget that state House Republicans, when they weren't passing the currency resolution, were also attacking the non-binding Agenda 21 plan for sustainable development. The measure, championed in the chamber by Republican Scott Lingamfelter, argues that Agenda 21 threatens "infringement on the American way of life and individual freedoms and ability to erode American sovereignty."
Lingamfelter also hopes to be elected lieutenant governor later this year.
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Seriously? What type of brain dead people vote these people into office? All around the country the GOTP is caught up in the throes of insanity, and why because there is a black man in the White House - this is past deep, this is insanity! It's insanity that these people are even holding public office. Have WE as a people become so wedded to ideology and stupidity that WE have voted these people into office? And then WE wonder why they're doing the things that they do - it's because they are authoritarian thugs, that want white women to stay home having babies, because black people need to go back to the "good ole days of segregation", and LGBT well they just need to go back into the closet, and the rest of the "minorities" stay quiet! Really! This is a sad and sorry testament to who WE are as a people right now!
Snakes!
TM, #1.1
Where have you been? It is so odd, I was thinking about you this very morning and wondering why I never see you!
Snakes...why does it have to be snakes?
Cloud William, nice name.
VA has gone blue in the last two national elections. The only reason the GOP is holding on at the state level is because of their previous successful attempts at gerrymandering.
The Republican Party is proof that most white people (and the majority of southern whites) are morons.
Not all white people, but some are still VERY scared a black man is president. Too bad.
If the world indeed fails, who wants to hang around anyway and trade coins... I imagine most folks at that point will be trying not to starve to death, so this notion that Virginia will be just fine with it's own currency is laughable.
Virginia is for
loversloonies.I thought only Canada had loonies? (In case you don't know, that's what they refer to their dollar coins as.)
They should either cede the name to VA or sue them for royalties...or defamation
The new Virginia Tea-shirt?
As a resident of Virginia, I would like to apologize to the other 49 states and the world in general.
The majority of people I meet in the internet from Va are freaking obnoxious , bigoted and crazy , which is unfortunate for all the normal people who live there
Ms Ratcliffe, no need to apologize. VA doesn't have the wack job market cornered. Washington is as blue as you can get, and some gun packin' citizens just attended a city council meeting, armed for bear, protesting for the right to carry concealed weapons to city council meetings.
If anyone should apologize, it should be me and the other boomers for playing video games and reading Tom Clancy instead of keeping these people in sight for the past several decades.
Let's hope we (boomers) woke up in time.
Will it have the face of Jefferson Davis on it? The first president of his Confederacy?
I wonder what the denominations would be...
I can see them going with a system where it's based on 5ths...
wonder what 3/5ths of a VA Dollar would be worth...
Heck no, it'll be the bust of Ronny Raygun!
Last time I checked, Virginia doesn't have any gold or silver mines. So, if they're going to coin their own money, they'll have to buy bullion on the open market.
So the question arises, what, exactly, are they going to buy that bullion with? Gold and silver coins? That's seems counterproductive. The despised fiat Obamadollar federal reserve notes? Who in their right mind would give up their precious gold and silver for something as meaningless as that?
Plastic coins....
LOL exactly Kathy , it is such a complete joke fiscal wise , only a winger would ever think it up
the 1 st thing their little committee can come up with , is how much it will cost tax payers to have a committee waste its time studying this snake oil
"Plastic coins...."
No Kathy chocolate coins mmmmmm! At least chocolate coins would be worth something. What will they do when no one outside their state (of lunacy) doesn't accept their currency as legal tender?
I really don't see what advantage having a separate currency would provide. (I'm thinking about it in the abstract, theoretically). Maybe I don't understand enough about economics or monetary policies to "get it." I know this issue really has little to do with actual economics, but what's the concept behind it? Anybody?
honestly, and I'm not just trying to be snarky here. I don't think there is any real macro economic theory behind this. I think this is 100% a "look at me I'm using my position to make a clear statement about my feelings about the federal government and it's phantom rampant spending." if the US economy tanks and other countries refuse to purchase US bonds because it's a poor investment I sincerely doubt they'll go "wait VA has a currency I'm sure that it's stable lets buy that instead."
Exactly right, ta247. Bob Marshall wants to create a "just in case" currency...just in case, the U.S. becomes Turkey or Greece or something. After that, the thinking just kinda spins off into outer space.
Does he have the VA gold standard to back the currency, because you know coal isn't...
The other 49 states will have to recognize the currency or VA currency holders will find themselves having to visit exchanges at the VA borders...
VA money, It's Nowhere You Want to Be.
The Federal government is the only government that can issue currency. That is specifically provided for in the US Constitution. Marshall is peeing up a tree.
Is that the stampede of small business owners from the Republican party I hear? Paying lower taxes is one thing, but having them accept a probably worthless currency is quite another.
and all those small business's would have to pay extra taxes , to pay for the worthless currency
this is what the confederates call GOVERNING
Article I, Section 10 of the constitution: "No State shall ... ;emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts;..."
If it ain't made of gold or silver, the states can't do it. The signors of the constitution had experience with states, municipalities and banks printing money. It was actually one of the reasons behind ending the Articles of Confederation.
Va can stamp all the gold and silver coins they want. No paper. None. No copper, no platinum, no lead, no steel no nothing.
If you want to know what happens to a gold based economy, look at the US econonmy from 1880-1900. It great for bankers and rich people. For farmers, poor people, and small business? A complete disaster.
They cannot mint coins. The provision was included to force states to accept a national currency and not allow rogue states to mandate use of anything but US currency.
Why is it whenever I hear idiotic stuff like this I come to two conclusions about the people who think it up
First that they have never heard of "The Articles of Confederation"and second that they think Jefferson Davis was on to something...
Or he actually won that war.....
Why is it that these people who wrap themselves in the flag and Constitution seem so intent on destroying the union which is the United States? They want to mint their own currency; they want to secede; they want to ignore federal law; they want to amend most of the Constitution. They decry alleged tyranny they perceive on the part of the Feds but the policies they want to institute are more tyrannical than anything currently being proposed at the federal level. They want to control every aspect and decision of one's personal life.
It's really getting tiresome. Maybe we should cut them off. It's they, not the Feds, which threaten our economics, union and liberty.
A few pertinent questions:
Where would they get the silver and gold? (I don't recall there being large deposits of either in them thar hills.)
Would they use U.S. currency to buy it? Really?
Who do they think would accept it as legal tender in lieu of U.S. currency?
I am SOOOOOO glad I moved from Virginia to Maryland before these deranged people were so vociferous in the legislature. Someone really ought to check into what they put on their Post Toasties in the morning.
My thought exactly.
They say they can 'coin' money. Silver and gold coins. Not print paper 'currency'.
How will they get gold, buy it ahead of time? Does VA really have that much surplus $US laying in its coffers to do that?
Totally nuts.!!
Glen Beck will sell it to them.
Lord---these comments are too funny!! Thanks folks, you all made my day! Just when I think there isn't a sane person left--Rachel Maddow viewers prove me wrong!
If I recall correctly, Prince William County was the center of the Massive Resistance to desegregation in VA in the 50's. They shut down their school system for at least a year rather than let black kids and white kids go to school together. If this loon grew up in that environment, it explains a lot. Too bad for him Prince William is now considered part of Northern VA, which, sooner or later has to follow West VA's example and form its own state;>
No Martininal -- That was Prince Edward County. We have enough to be ashamed about here in Prince William County (Lorraina Bobbit cutting of her husbands genitals, boyhood home of George Zimmerman, alleged killer of Trayvon Martin, etc) without adding stuff that didn't happen here. And 6 of the 7 Republican Delegates from Pr Wm voted against Tracy Thorne-Begland -- both times
These people are fu ked up. There is just no end to this stupidity. (Note the desire for commodity money.)
If the U.S. wasn't such dangerous dolt of a country, the rest of the world would be laughing it's ass off at the clown show Republicans give us every day.
Good god, make it stop. Just make it stop.
Hello, this is Glenn Beck for Virginia Gold Coins.
Glenn Beck couldn't get his face on a Virginia penny.
But think how magnificent it would be - Beck looking off in the distance, and around his face, two Latin phrases.
Liber ab Rationalis Cogitatio
( Beck's Face)
In Beckus nos Confídimus
It would be appropriately packaged for collectors and wait - if you order now, we will include ....
The phone lines would be buzzing.
Adam Selene, Did I get the Russian word right? Uncultured is what my Russian dictionary said.
Love your Latin! LOL I have no confidimus in Beck either.
Ding..ding...ding..
Adam, I would have put, below Glen Beck's picture: non compos mentis.
India,
Yes "uncultured" is correct - DC is NOT uncultured - I'm starting , however, to wonder about myself - these articles are bringing out my dark side. Let's put non compos mentis on the flip side of the coin along with the representation of - hummm what should be on the flip side - not a torch, not an eagle? If his face is on the front ...
The sad thing is, I could sell them like hotcakes especially if I throw in the Sarah Palin silver dollar. Picture a Winged Victory with AR15 in outstretched hand - raised high.
But pat robertson could lol
#11.5 Adam,
I couldn't find any photos of Beck's derriere for the back of the coin.
E Pluribus waco
#ll.7 India
No problem - glad to help. Contrary to what you might think - I think #5 would be appropriate - just change the color to red.
http://www.designswan.com/archives/animal-planet-9-funny-animals-butt.html
Delegate Marshall is a real loon. Go and look at some of the issues he raises on his website. He's basically nothing more than a conspiracy nutter. One of those guys who think Glenn Beck is spreading the Gospel.
Virginia's voting process has been completely screwed up in the last several years. We used to have these nice mechanical lever machines. They were quick, easy to understand, offered total privacy while voting, and never ever broke. You could take a baseball bat to them and they wouldn't break.
Ever since we switched to electronic voting, things have gotten more worse every election cycle. I started early voting in 2004 just to avoid the lines. Now the early voting lines takes 2 hours. In 2012, they required each and every voter's voter registration to be checked with the state before voting. Even with a dedicated staff of a dozen people, lines poured out the doors at the DMV, resulting in 2 hour wait times.
Talk about a circus. And now they want to add voter ID on top of this, when we already required that you show ID?
You know how it used to work? Each polling place would have a print out of all the voters registered to vote at that polling place. That state issued a voter Id card, much like a social security card that you got when you registered to vote. You'd go in there, show them your voter card, they would ask you to verify your home address from memory, and you'd use the dead accurate, never fails lever machine. The longest wait times I ever had with this method was 10 minutes.
They seem to be obsessed with making it "hard to vote" for everyone Alva , here in Iowa they make it more efficient every year tho , go figure?
Yeh, Pat. It started to get really hard around the time Virginia became a swing state. There are two things I don't believe in: Cloud beings and coincidences.
I have some Old Confederate era Virginia Dollars is anyone is interested. Probally worth as uch as the new "State" currency will be.
Good one.
And VA money'd better be counterfeit-proof, because everyone with a color copier would suddenly be going to VA for gas and cigarettes.
Not that they don't make matters worse but the loons are a symptom not a cause.
nothing strange going on here. these are profoundly unhappy people (people who are suspicious of the very concept of 'happiness'), given to and obsessed with apocalyptic fantasies, the 'red dawn', rapture, end of civilization as we know it crowd, convinced that some how if jeebus or the ruskies ever show up, the monopoly on happiness (now held by liberals, hippies, and people who don't look like them) will be broken up and their own miserable lot changed forever.
P.S. That is not supporting the sanity of that guy, who is pretty clearly nuts.
Makes as much sense to me as Reaganomics.
You want economic sense?,, try MMT.
http://agonist.org/modern_monetary_theory_an_overview/
Bozo lives!
...more like the clown from IT.
Don't pick on Bozo the Clown! He was funny.
I apologize to Bozo! That was a no-no.
Thank you, Tony. Apology accepted.
I thought they all hated even the idea of "printing money" why would they think being able to print their own is a good idea. If the country does it we're all doomed, but a local gov, no problem. I thought you couldn't just print your way outta a recession.
Apparently they want to bring back the company store, and pay their miners with vouchers like they did in "the good old days" The people need to refresh their memories about how great their lives were in those times.
Is it even legal for a state to issue its own currency? If so, but no other state would accept it, VA citizens would end up like coal miners in WV used to be, where the only place their company scrip was accepted was the company store, which gouged them so badly that they were usually in debt to the store. How would they pay federal income tax? Would national or international companies have to pay their employees in VA dollars, or accept VA dollars only in VA? I lived in VA for a few years, and it is even nuttier now than when I lived under the thumb of Jerry Falwell.
Please don't completely knock this idea, I have seen this work in small towns, it keeps the money locally and the small business owners have a better chance of surviving the big stores. I can't see this working at a state level but for small towns it does give an economic boost. Believe me agreeing even a little bit with this joker hurts but...
Oh, various "city bucks" among retailers in local/county area is fine to promote business and occurs all over.
This, being state-wide for post-apocalyptic reasons is plain stupid. Big difference.
We have that economic advancement already. They're called coupons.
What are you talking about? What "small town" has minted its own money? Sources please!
If you listen to AM radio you may have come across one of the various Gold Standard shills. Their schtick is based on the conviction that all real money is based on gold, and that all that soshulist paper money is a lie. It'd be charmingly quaint if the nutters weren't starting to infiltrate actual governments (albeit only at the state level so far).
This proposal comes out of the same mindset.
The dollar hasn't been based on gold since 1971.
What a great idea! They could mint trillion-dollar coins! ;-)
The Limbaugh coin.
That would be one big fat coin.
with an inscription of ' OC' on the reverse....
Maybe Bob Marshall should plan to move The Citadel in the Idaho panhandle. They worry about the collapse of american society as well.
aaaaaaaahahahahahaha, this is stupid funny!!