Unemployment Figures--courtesy of Virgil Goode

Virgil is taking credit for all the fine work he’s done for the district. He even has his friends write letters to support him and tell what a wonderful job he’s done for the 5^th District. Some of us are a little harder to convince, however.

His stand on several key issues reminds me of what David Brooks (a right wing conservative) put in a March 15, 2006, editorial piece in the Farmville Herald:

“…Call for less foreign adventurism and more spending at home to win the Democratic base. Go hard against illegal immigration to win the working class. Rail against China and free-trade deals to build support…” (permalink unavailable)

Of course, Brooks was talking about how someone can win a seat at the White House table; but, the premise is still the same: Keep dragging out the party agenda whenever someone will listen. Virgil must be following that party line. On his own website, he says:

Economic Development: We need a greater federal investment in the economy of the Fifth District of Virginia… Measures that I have secured… have been important to keep and attract business and industry to the Fifth District.

Immigration: We need to stop illegal immigration...

International Relations: I oppose the placement of our Armed Forces under United Nations command. We need to curtail expenditures to the World Bank, the IMF, and to many foreign nations.

Trade: Agreements like NAFTA and the trade provisions in fast track authorization lead to the erosion of this country's vital manufacturing base. I do not favor international trade agreements such as these that result in a loss of American sovereignty and jobs.

Well, it all sounds good, but here’s the real deal. Following is a table of unemployment rates for January 2006 in the counties and cities of the 5^th District. Included are the averages for the 5^th District and the state of Virginia. Where does your locality fall?

January 2006 figures	Unemployment Rate (%)
Greene County	1.9
Fluvanna County	2.2
Nelson County	2.8
Bedford County	2.9
Franklin County	3.1
Virginia	3.3
Cumberland County	3.3
Campbell County	3.4
Appomattox County	3.8
Buckingham County	3.8
Bedford City	4.4
Albemarle County	4.9
Prince Edward County	4.9
Fifth District	5.0
Brunswick County	5.0
City of Charlottesville	5.0
Lunenberg County	5.3
Henry County	5.5
Halifax County	6.2
Pittsylvania County	6.2
Mecklenberg County	6.3
City of Martinsville	8.1
Charlotte County	9.2
City of Danville	11.3

Thanks, Virgil—this table wouldn’t have been possible without you.