Over 300 jobs will be lost in Hampton Roads thanks to recently declared layoffs by major defense contractors, according to an article in HRMilitary. Lockheed Martin has notified the Commonwealth that they will be letting go of 150 employees, 92 in Norfolk and Suffolk, in addition to 65 in Hampton, while Luke and Associates will most likely layoff 182 at Langley Air Force Base.

Craig Quigley, Executive Director of the Hampton Roads Military and Federal Facilities Alliance, insists that these job losses are not an ominous precursor to others yet to come, but rather the expected result of the U.S. Joint Forces Command (JFCOM) closure. “These actions represent arriving at something of an equilibrium from the disestablishment of Joint Forces Command. When that organization ended in August 2011, no existing contracts were cancelled. Rather, they were allowed to run their course and some of them are now ending. One of four things will happen as contracts expire: the work will be re-competed, the work will be done in-house, the work will be transferred elsewhere, or the work will no longer be done.”

An article on the job losses in The Virginian-Pilot said that 1,200 military personnel and civilians, and about 700 private contractors work in Joint Staff Hampton Roads. For those seeking new work during these job losses, a transition center, funded by a DoD grant, was set up in Suffolk a year ago.

I fervently believe America’s best days are ahead of us, that the entrepreneurial DNA inherent in all  Americans can solve any problem facing this nation. The collective wisdom of the people in deciding their leaders remains the boldest and most successful experiment in the history of the world. The people’s voices, beliefs and ideas were intended to be the basis of “The People’s House” and the halls of the United States Congress as a whole. However, for too long, Congress has abdicated both its power and responsibilities to the executive branch to the point it is no longer relevant in many of the most important issues facing our nation. The power to declare war, confirm appointments, ratify treaties and, in many cases, to legislate have all be usurped by the Executive Branch.

Many of you have reviewed the first three legislative bills I will submit as your U.S. Senator. These initiatives seek to rein in a massive, unaccountable government, secure the borders of the United States, and strengthen the value of the dollar. These legislative initiatives show exactly where I stand on the issues and how I will represent you in the United States Senate.

My fourth bill will seek to restore the checks and balances to our federal government by reining in the excessive use of executive orders by the President. For decades, the executive branch has sought to usurp the Constitutional powers of Congress—We the People—through the use of executive orders. Just last week, President Obama amended an executive order from 1950 to grant himself the power to control all national resources, food and energy supplies, all transportation systems, and businesses in the United States during any emergency crisis. Previously, President Obama used an executive order to amend the No Child Left Behind Act without Congressional approval. In perhaps the most egregious abuse of authority, President Roosevelt used Executive Order 9066 to detain over 100,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry.  President Clinton used Executive Order 13112 to implement major components of the United Nation’s Agenda 21 Treaty, thereby bypassing the Constitutionally-mandated approval of this dangerous treaty by the Senate.

Our founding fathers knew our Republic could only survive if strong checks were placed on the power of all branches of government. Unfortunately, Congress has remained silent and inactive as the executive branch has continuously grown the size and scope of its own power. As your Senator, I will seek to reverse this disturbing and unconstitutional centralization of power in the Office of the President. After all, the only title in the nation superior to that of President is that of Citizen.

My fourth legislative initiative is introducing the following bill to the United States Congress, “All Executive Orders pertaining to any legislation, be it original legislation or acts of amending legislation, shall first be reviewed and approved by Congress or a special committee appointed by Congress.” (The same would apply to the President’s attempts to amend other unconstitutional executive orders.  

Writers coming on board include readers such as yourself who have knowledge of an issue or topic that they wish to impart to the rest of us.  Among them are some of the movers and shakers of Hampton Roads industry, organizations, politics, religion, and education.  Most important though, this is for everyone, not just “leaders” but also anyone with a perspective on issues of interest to the citizens of Hampton Roads.

Feel the urge to write for our blog?  Contact us.  We’re always seeking writers.