| There are least four things that will never happen in | | | | Republican parties have to much control over the |
| my lifetime because they would simply be too good to | | | | electoral process to ever let that happen. Voters |
| be true. These things are: cable TV subscriptions sold | | | | always say they want change, and many of them |
| on an a-la-carte basis, a federal sales tax replacing the | | | | agree with the libertarian point of view, but they never |
| federal income tax, the election of a Libertarian | | | | opt for very much change at any given time. In |
| president, and a major league sports franchise coming | | | | addition, since most don't believe a third party |
| to Virginia.Congress and the FCC have begun to talk | | | | candidate could win, they won't vote for one, thus |
| about the idea of forcing cable (and satellite) | | | | making it a self-fulfilling prophecy. Is voting like a day at |
| companies to offer channel subscriptions to the public | | | | the race track? Is politics only about picking a winner? |
| on an a-la-carte basis. But, mark my word, it'll never | | | | Obviously, I don't think a third party candidate could win |
| happen. Fearing that it might actually happen, cable and | | | | either, but that's never stopped me from voting |
| satellite companies will soon begin to offer "family" tiers | | | | Libertarian anyway. Too bad there are not enough |
| of channels which do not contain a lot of harsh | | | | people who have the moral integrity to follow my |
| language, violence, near/implied/partial nudity, or sexual | | | | example!In the past, various groups have tried and |
| situations. This, of course, will probably appease the | | | | failed to bring major league sports franchises to the |
| "family" advocate groups, at least to the extent that | | | | state of Virginia. They will continue to fail. This is true |
| they will stop pushing so hard for a-la-carte. Shortly | | | | for several reasons. First, we have too many NIMBYs |
| after that, the whole concept of a-la-carte will fizzle | | | | in Virginia (especially in the northern part of the state) |
| out. Too bad for me. I only subscribe to basic cable for | | | | who do not want a sports stadium or arena anywhere |
| the sports and news channels. I don't have much use | | | | near them. Second, too many people in Virgina are |
| for boob tube anymore, so I rarely watch any of the | | | | content just to be "near" major league sports |
| other channels I'm forced to pay for. I'd love to be able | | | | franchises like those in DC, Maryland, and North |
| to put the kibosh on channels like AMC, Bravo, The | | | | Carolina. They see no need to have any of our own. |
| Disney Channel, E!, Comedy Central, F/X, MTV, | | | | Third, Virginians are willing to spend tax dollars on |
| Lifetime, VH-1, USA Network, and many of the rest. | | | | anything and everything except a little to defray the |
| However, I'll be stuck with them as long as I feel the | | | | costs of a new sports stadium or arena. Fourth, while |
| need for ESPN and CNN.President Bush and many in | | | | Virginia is the 12th most populous state in the Union, it |
| Congress have talked about the idea of replacing the | | | | has no metro areas of its own that rank in the USA's |
| Federal Income Tax with a national sales tax. That | | | | top 30. Pro sports leagues use this along with the fact |
| would take all the paperwork burden off taxpayers, | | | | that Virginians can be "served" by the teams in DC, |
| but it won't happen. There are too many powerful | | | | Maryland, and North Carolina as a reason to always |
| people who benefit from keeping the current system. | | | | pass over Virginia when it comes time for expansion |
| They will do whatever they have to do to punch holes | | | | or relocation.Terry Mitchell is a software engineer, |
| in the concept of a national sales tax. They will say | | | | freelance writer, amateur political analyst, and blogger |
| that it isn't fair to the poor (regressive), it would cause | | | | from Hopewell, VA. On his blog - - he posts |
| a budget disaster, and it would be a nightmare to | | | | commentaries on various subjects such as politics, |
| implement, none of which are true. Unfortunately, their | | | | technology, religion, health and well-being, personal |
| strategy will work and chance to get of the Federal | | | | finance, and sports. His commentaries offer a unique |
| Income Tax will be foiled again.No one from the | | | | point of view that is not often found in mainstream |
| Libertarian Party (or any other third party) will be | | | | media. |
| elected President in my lifetime. The Democratic and | | | | |