Virginia Lynch Graf for Congress

Who is Virginia Lynch Graf?

Innovator, Educator, Activist

It's time for new ideas, energy, and strong leadership! An idealist and a realist, I will work with all of you to discover what's possible, and to make it happen! I ask for your vote as your new 2nd district US Congressional Representative. West Virginians want to work together with other West Virginians. Partisan gridlock has to go!

1. Leadership in Innovation - I always size up a situation and lead! Senator Byrd did the same bringing job opportunities to West Virginia. Here are a few of my ideas.

• Lead towards "the common good."

• Enact environmentally sound practices to protect water and air, recreation areas and mountains.

• Act responsibly by using natural resources wisely.

• Diversify industry to restore technological leadership.

• Educate with new exciting paradigms for learning.

• Reform foreign relations by more engagement.

• Set in place secure principles of financial oversight.

• Honor constituents by listening to their needs and concerns.

• Innovate with new technologies for our future.

• Probe new sources of energy and finance the research.

** Did you know Sen. Byrd's record on job creation? Here are some examples just in the Eastern Panhandle: National Center for Cool & Cold Water Aquaculture, Leetown; IRS Computing Center in Martinsburg; Leetown Science Center; US Customs & Border Protection Advanced Training Center,Harpewrs Ferry; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives Operations in Martinsburg: US Fish & Wildlife Training Center, Shepherdstown; Health Professions Education Center at City Hospital, Martinsburg; National Guard 167th Airlift Wing, Martinsburg; Coast Guard Operation and Systems Center, Martinsburg; Veterans Affairs Medical Center,Martinsburg; Fruit Research Station, Kearneysville; Expansion of Harpers Ferry National Park, in Harpers Ferry.

2. Leadership in Education - Education is often the great equalizer among citizens. With committed leadership and vision, it can provide opportunities for all. Find some of my ideas here.

• Engage citizens in an overall strategic plan to improve the quality of life in local communities.

• Define clear connections among educational, innovative and civic responsibilities.

• Meet periodically with local officials and citizens to review implementation progress.

• Train and re-train for jobs.

• Provide incentives for job creation.

• Work with local banks to free money for investment.

• Involve colleges and technical schools in community efforts.

• Value apprenticeships.

• Uncover the reasons for record drop-outs from schools, and find tenable solutions.

• Recognize the value of multi-sensory learning for all ages.

• Create an outreach at local colleges and technical schools to support alternative learning styles.

• Recognize and reward educational achievement.

• Address local community needs by developing a spirit of volunteerism.

• Fund special events to recognize contributors to the educational life of the community.

Did you know? Morgantown has been recognized as an ideal place to live? We can create similar havens all over West Virginia by working together for the common good.

3. Leadership through Activism - With your help, I am determined to move West Virginia from the bottom third ranking in salaries, population growth, education and industry up to the top third. By uniting together these ideas can make a difference.

• Insist that political candidates have many opportunities to address citizens. Closing them out of club meetings dismisses valuable opportunities for citizens to know candidates' positions. Campaign ads on TV become mere tools of propaganda by those with special interests.

• Stay attuned to local, state and federal legislation.

• Unite as a community to expect research and valid news from media. Don't be satisfied nor swayed with the views of pundits.

• Insist on available broadband for all.

• Stand together for just wages and job opportunities.

• Protect our beautiful state and its resources while encouraging new investors and more tourism.

Did you know? In the 1920's West Virginia began its mission to protect its natural resources, to provide wholesome recreation areas, and to establish a wonderful system of state parks. We need to continue to build on this legacy for future generations.

My candidacy reflects what is best in a democratic republic - voters choosing representatives by the content of their character, not by family name, wealth, political party, nor privilege. A democracy can only be of the people, by the people, and for the people when the people choose their representatives, and the representatives use their votes to represent the people. What is happening today to the people's voice? As the US Public Interest Research Group puts it, "The sheer quantity of money that's sloshed around Washington is drowning out the voices of citizens. ... The blitz by lobbyists carries a risk for the public."

Industry Ratio of Lobbyists to Congress

Banking 5 to 1

Insurance 6 to 1

Defense 2 to 1

Do Lobbyists Help You? The Washington based US Chamber of Commerce, the nation's largest business lobby, spent $26 million during the first 6 months of 2009 lobbying against government-financed healthcare. The Chamber lobbied against your interests when they railed against competition to lower insurance premiums. Their name, US Chamber of Commerce, confuses Americans. This is not a government-sponsored program looking out for individuals. It is a business group, financed by business to represent business interests. In this case, they chose insurance interests over your interests. Quite a price tag to keep you from thinking you deserve a choice in healthcare!