Democracy may not be working

As the Roman poet Juvenal wrote almost 2000 years ago,

“… Already long ago, from when we sold our vote to no man, the People have abdicated our duties; for the People who once upon a time handed out military command, high civil office, legions — everything, now restrains itself and anxiously hopes for just two things: bread and circuses.”

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Juvenal was pointing out that the Romans were voting self-interest rather than in the best interests of the country and other citizens.

This week the masses voted against the few. Representatives from the heavily populated Northern Virginia areas just voted to allow hunting on Sunday.

The issue isn’t hunting on Sunday. The issue is those who live in rural (lightly populated) areas should have the final say on how our land is used.

An amendment to the Sunday hunting bill that would have allowed each county to decide the issue was voted down.

Proponents of the bill were city dwelling hunters who must travel to rural areas to hunt. They claim they are missing a day of hunting due to the law and travel time to rural areas.

Well there, city boys. You chose to live in the city. You make more money than we rural folks. You have better and more hospitals, restaurants, museums and public services. Those of us who choose to live in the country should not be subject to YOUR wants.

Interestingly, these “We want it all” folks have been joined by the Anti-God contingent who somehow see a day of rest for animals as a religious statement.

This isn’t about religion, it is about choice. When you make a decision on where to live you should consider all factors. You should not force those who made other decisions to change to suit you.

Many rural hunters like the Sunday hunting ban because it allows access to the woods without the concern of other hunters.

This is similar to the water pipelines from rural lakes to cities. The cities have outgrown their resources. Instead of dealing with the real problem the cities forced the rural areas to give them their resources.

A more reasonable option would have been to let rural areas own and manage their own resources. Factories that need large quantities of water would locate near water sources increasing the tax bases and employment opportunities in rural areas. Rural Virginia does not exist simply to support Northern Virginia.

The next thing will be a demand that we allow the cities to put in a pipeline to pump our nice air to the cities.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 29.1-521 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 29.1-521. Unlawful to hunt, trap, possess, sell or transport wild birds and wild animals except as permitted; exception; penalty.

A. The following shall be unlawful:

1. To hunt or kill any wild bird or wild animal, including any nuisance species, with a gun, firearm. or other weapon, or to hunt or kill any deer with the aid or assistance of dogs, on Sunday, which is hereby declared a rest day for all species of wild bird and wild animal life, except. The provision of this subdivision that prohibits the hunting or killing of any wild bird or wild animal, including nuisance species, on Sunday shall not apply to (i) raccoons, which may be hunted until 2:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings; (ii) any person who hunts or kills waterfowl, subject to geographical limitations established by the Director and except within 200 yards of a place of worship or any accessory structure thereof; or (iii) any landowner or member of his family or any person with written permission from the landowner who hunts or kills any wild bird or wild animal, including any nuisance species, on the landowner’s property, except within 200 yards of a place of worship or any accessory structure thereof. However, a person lawfully carrying a gun, firearm or other weapon on Sunday in an area that could be used for hunting shall not be presumed to be hunting on Sunday, absent evidence to the contrary.