See how Rick Boucher votes.

**MikMo** · June 2nd, 2005, 03:02 PM

http://cabinet.ontheissues.org/VA/Rick_Boucher.htm

**beamer_ball** · June 3rd, 2005, 12:43 PM

Upset by Boucher's vote
TriCities.com
May 15, 12:23 AM EDT

Once again, we can see that U.S. Rep. Rick Boucher does not hold the same values as Southwest Virginia, regardless of what he and his party may say. In a recent vote on House Bill 748, Boucher voted not to notify parents if the underage child went across state lines to kill her baby. In a related bill, Boucher voted to allow the grandparents or even clergy to disregard the wishes of the parents and take the underage child across state lines for an abortion.

How can we possibly continue to vote for a man who so blatantly disregards the rights of parents to raise their child? It would seem Boucher has decided that we, as parents, have no say in raising our children or that he has the final say when it comes to values. How arrogant can a man become when he chooses to ignore those who have the only right to make such a decision?

Boucher should resign and take his poor values with him. I urge all Southwest Virginians to call him and express your displeasure with his values and voting record and urge him to resign.

Michael Hollon
Meadowview, Va.

**beamer_ball** · June 3rd, 2005, 12:44 PM

Boucher brought jobs
TriCities.com
Jun 3, 12:40 AM EDT

The writer of a May 15 letter, "Upset by Boucher's vote," wails that U.S. Rep. Rick Boucher does not share his values. He even claims that the congressman does not have Southwest Virginia values. I find this latter charge to be both curious and narrow-sighted, especially in light of Boucher's recent efforts on behalf of his constituents in Lee County.

In May, a new company brought to Southwest Virginia by Boucher announced that it would open a center in Pennington Gap and create more than 100 new jobs. This is great news for Lee County, and it is typical of the excellent work we have come to expect from Boucher.

If providing the opportunity to earn a fair wage for an honest day's work is a Southwest Virginia value, Boucher's your man. If access to health-care and a good education are Southwest Virginia values, Boucher's your man. If improving the quality of life for residents of the region is a Southwest Virginia value, Boucher is clearly your man.

Through a long history of job creation ? the Lee federal prison, Verizon, AT&T Wireless (now Cingular) and many others, we have learned to expect that Boucher will deliver for us. He has truly made a difference in our lives. Appreciation for a job well done is also a Southwest Virginia value, and I appreciate what he has done for us.

Claude Ray
Dryden, Va.

**1inStripes** · June 3rd, 2005, 01:58 PM

That goes to show how little they understand about the "job creation" Boucher has done. First he has very little to do with where companies decide to place thier facilities. That burden is more on the counties shoulders than anything.

Second according to Boucher's release about job creation in his two previous elections, the amount of jobs "HE" has created for the people of his district since his first election has been fewer than 200 a year. That is spread from Bath County to Lee County. Pretty few in my opinion considering the jobs that were lost. I guess those were his to if he is going to take credit for bringing in as well.

**steer** · June 3rd, 2005, 02:10 PM

my grandfather says it best... he always brags about the jobs he's created and so forth, but never mentions how many jobs pack up and leave or just shut down.

**MikMo** · June 3rd, 2005, 02:15 PM

Yeah, he helped bring Sykes to town....thanks for that. (sarcasm)

**R0cketer** · June 3rd, 2005, 02:41 PM

While I'll agree that he can and probably does take to much credit for jobs and such, by the same token I think they try to give to much blame when he votes for bills or against bills. The way things tend to be, there always seems to be provisions and junk attached onto so many bills, its hard to get a straight view or vote on anything. It's funny, if it's something that we perceive as 'bad' or 'against our personal opinions', can totally lay into him (or any politician) for their votes/choices/action or non-action. If it's something good or beneficial, then they of course don't deserve any credit for it or such.

There are plenty of things that Boucher has voted for that I do not agree with. I'm not really a fan of his, but I also won't be a zealot because he is for something that I'm against when there are other things that I'm for that he's been for or good that they have done. That's one thing that kills me (and not just about him, nearly any politician). If Southwest Virginia gets a new factory, we get Boucher gets to much credit, but we should be thankful for our president helping to get people working, from one side. While the other side says Boucher is doing so much for our area and the president is out to help the rich from the other side. It's really quite funny and sad. The very people who will say that Boucher isn't that involved will somehow convince themselves that people who are less involved with our area are involves did it and it goes both ways. I don't care what your politics are, or who you support, if you think that someone being a Republican makes them good, and being a Democrat makes them bad, or vice versa, then you need to climb out of the box a bit more. There are good people, trying to do good things on both sides, just like there are people who are purely out for their special interests and friends on both sides as well.

**NotSoSilentBob** · June 3rd, 2005, 02:54 PM

We have Rick Boucher to thank for a lot of the so-called "copyright" issues of the day.

DMCA anyone?

I try to think out of the box when it comes to local politicians. Just because one is listed as a D or an R shouldn't really matter. Their platform is what should matter.

But with Boucher there are a lot of things that I cannot overlook. But by the same token, none of his opponents over the last 15 years have been any better.

Rick is strong in some areas, weak in others. And it seems as though he follows his own agenda quite often.

I've sent him quite a bit of correspondence over the last couple of years and have yet to get a response. It is as if he or his staff can't take the time to respond to the serfs.