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Mark Caserta: It will take every single voter to save Huntington on Nov. 3rd.

8 Oct
Mark Caserta is an opinion columnist and editor for Free State Patriot

October 8, 2020

“The devil went down to Georgia. He was looking for a vote to steal. He was in a bind, ‘cause he was way behind and willing to make a deal”.

This parody of the lyrics from Charlie Daniels’ legendary song seems to sum up the angle of most politicians today who seem willing to sell their soul for positional power.

The problem with positional power is that without wisdom and good intent, it’s very dangerous and negatively consequential for those subject to it.  It isn’t often that caring citizens have opportunity to literally save their city from such political embellishment.

 On November 3rd, local voters have an historic opportunity to participate in one of the “greatest comebacks in American history” in the healing of a city “ravaged by ruin.”

For 8 painful, arduous years, the city of Huntington has been on the decline. During that time, we’ve watched our city be overtaken by crime, drugs, and progressive ideology – all of which have a symbiotic relationship. 

What was once referenced as the Jewel City, is now one of the #1 crime and drug overdose cities in the nation.

Now, given the level of dissent among citizens and business owners remaining in Huntington, one would be compelled to expect a landslide victory was on the horizon for the conservative candidate, Scott Marshall Caserta, right?

Oh, but grandma, there’s a the fly in the buttermilk!

Mayor Williams and his complicit minions (which includes our share of fake news outlets) have focused the last 4 years on replacing hard-working, conservative voters who contribute to society, with downtrodden individuals caught in the liberal nets of benevolence and have little choice but to be beholden to the hand that feeds them.

It is a verifiable fact that some addiction facilities have gone outside our city and state to bring in addicts for treatment in Huntington rehab facilities.  I suppose we simply didn’t have enough of our own.  Supplemental to this madness has been an initiative to register the homeless to vote.

One might refer to it as election tampering through attrition.

What lies beneath the “spit shined” exterior of lifetime politicians who would feel emboldened to compromise the very heart of a city and her inhabitants simply to remain in power?

Would anyone who cared about our city and its citizens build an economic model around fewer jobs and a dependency upon government?

Only a liberal thinks that way.

And only a progressive aspiring to reign over disadvantaged subjects powerless to sustain themselves (much less contribute to an economy) would sell the jobs and futures of our citizens, simply to lavish longingly in the spotlight of spurious servitude.

I have nothing personal against Mayor Steve Williams. In fact, I’ve partially supported his decisions in the past, at the chagrin of those dear to me.

But the fact remains, his policies have crippled the city of Huntington in a devastating manner! Our city is now on life support emanating from the few remaining Huntingtonians willing to go down with their sinking ship as they struggle to correct her course.

Liberal larcenists stole the city of Huntington from us nearly 8 years ago.  It’s time to take her back.

But allow me to be perfectly and unapologetically clear.  It will take every single voter with the conviction of saving our city to get off their backsides and vote.  If you don’t vote – we lose – it’s that simple.

Not maybe!  Not if I have time!  Not if I can get off work!  If you don’t vote, you won’t have to worry about work!  It will be gone!

Understand, it will take more than a man to return our city to greatness.  It will take God.

Scott Caserta doesn’t have all the answers.  He will be the first to tell you that.  But He knows a God who does!  And I believe if we humble ourselves and seek God’s Face and Favor, He will heal our land and prosper our people. 

We can return to the city once known as a great place to live, work and raise a family.

The only conservative, Christian choice for mayor of Huntington is Scott Caserta.

Huntington won’t survive another term under our current mayor.  You know where to be on November 3rd. 

If you don’t…then ask someone.

  

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Mark Caserta: Where will Huntington, WV be in 5 years? The Shadow knows!

14 Apr

shadow

“The Shadow” lives in American history as a radio classic

 

me

Mark Caserta is an opinion columnist and editor for Free State Patriot

April 14, 2019

 

“Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!”

Such was the introduction from the mid-1930’s radio program, “The Shadow”, spoken by actor Frank Readick. While certainly before my time, it sparks a question extremely relative for society today.

Truth be known, if voters could see into the hearts of many politicians today, they certainly would not elect them. However, one does beg to wonder, “What would many of today’s politicians attempt to do if they knew they could not fail?

So, let’s ask the question!

If Huntington’s Mayor, Steve Williams knew he could successfully turn our city into a “sanctuary city”, (as many of the mayors across the nation have done) would he do it?

For a couple of years now, Mayor Williams has integrated into his agenda an “Open to All” anti-discrimination campaign. Admittedly, I’m shamefully unaware of many potential tangibles related to the policy. I am, however, aware of the acceptance of Drag Queen’s reading to our young children attempting to “broaden” their acceptance of alternative lifestyles.

So, from where I stand, the success of the campaign is ambiguous, at best. But, I believe the intent is much clearer.

A January 2018 column in The Herald Dispatch attempted to explain that the goal of Mayor Williams’ anti-discrimination campaign is to “promote diversity and inclusion by broadening views beyond race, gender and sexual orientation.”

Many readers know I’ve been on a mission for well over a decade to promote our nation’s founding principles and expose the progressive movement for the treasonous enterprise it’s become. So, understand, this piece has nothing to do with what I believe to be the liberal mindset of our local paper.

But it has everything to do with illuminating the ethos of the progressive movement.

Let me be perfectly clear. The goal of liberals is NOT to promote diversity and inclusion. I can expunge that argument simply by asking why they are so averse to Christians and the views of Christianity? While some lay claim to adhering to the precepts of God’s Word, don’t be fooled by their “sheep’s clothing” or poetic oratory.

Progressives “loathe” the boundaries and prescriptions of Christianity. God’s Word is the antithesis of liberalism and the progressive movement. And trust me when I tell you it is the only barrier between liberals and achieving all of their goals!

Additionally, don’t allow liberals to “muddy” the water by allowing them to argue from a premise that doesn’t even exist, simply to validate their bogus “compassion” for the “alienated and downtrodden.”

Case and point. Let’s look at the premises on which Mayor Williams’ campaign builds its case for his policies of inclusion.

By embarking upon a mission to promote diversity and inclusion in Huntington, WV., Mayor Williams is asserting that our city has traditionally done otherwise. His desire to “broaden views beyond race, gender and sexual orientation” suggests there is currently a narrow focus among our city’s residents.

By encouraging “maintaining a safe and welcoming environment” for all inhabitants of the River City, one must surmise the mayor believes we currently do not have a safe and welcoming environment for those of certain races, religions, ancestries, sexes, ages, sexual orientations, genders or varying income status.

Based on these assumptions, city leadership feels there is a case for “fundamentally changing” Huntington.

Gee, that sounds so familiar. Where have I heard that before???

For those knowledgeable of our city history, Huntington was long considered a wonderful city in which to raise a family or work. The quagmire in which we now find ourselves is simply the handy work of liberal Democrats – period.

The goal is not to bring social justice to Huntington. The goal is to get votes by garnering support from those who subscribe to the tenets of liberalism.

The goal isn’t to “broaden views,” the goal is to “broaden the power” for the Deep State lurking in the shadows of City Hall.

Understand, where politicians are concerned, my humor is questionable, at best. It often borders on sarcastic disgust.

Recently, I read an April article by Richard Cowan of Reuters that shared President Donald Trump’s tweet last Friday which stated he was considering sending immigrants illegally entering our country to the various “sanctuary cities”, rather than deport them.

Frankly, I laughed out loud.

Well, why not? They want them, don’t they? The wisdom and political incorrectness of President Trump drives liberals crazy! It’s such a beautiful thing.

Trump’s tweet read as follows:

“Due to the fact that Democrats are unwilling to change our very dangerous immigration laws, we are indeed, as reported, giving strong considerations to placing Illegal Immigrants in Sanctuary Cities only,” Trump wrote on Twitter.

Mayors of sanctuary cities across the country were reportedly incensed, yet many continued to hide behind inclusiveness and defiantly declared “everyone” would be welcomed to their city.

Now, I know these must be intelligent people. After all, they got themselves elected to the position of mayor. But they sure don’t act intelligent!

But their commonality is that their policies don’t reflect the best interests of their citizens and constituents! And they incessantly seem to strive to provide more rights and privileges for those from whom they are seeking support, than other law-abiding, indigenous citizens.

That, my friends, is not inclusiveness.

So, beyond the lofty ambitions and jaded words, where are we as a city and where will we be in 5 years? Could we evolve into a sanctuary city?  I’m not sure.  But…

The Shadow knows!

 

 

 

 

 

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Mark Caserta: Tensions mounting in Huntington, WV. – Concerned citizens wary of pending future

2 Mar

huntington, wv

me

Mark Caserta is an opinion columnist and managing editor for Free State Patriot

March 3, 2019

huntington, wv. stats

In my 45 years of following politics, presidential administrations and the “to and fro” power of Congress, I can honestly record I’ve never been as disgusted and unimpressed as I am now with liberal Democrats on Capitol Hill.

I’m convinced far-left-leaning Democrats are willing to “turn over” America’s multiple wins under President Donald J. Trump simply to foil his successes for the American people and discredit him as the man who soundly defeated their liberal queen, Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election.

Not only is it childish, it’s borderline treasonous. As I’ve often alleged, the current nest of verminous Democrats in power, hate Donald Trump more than they love their country.

For representatives of the people, duly elected and hired to represent the interests of their constituents, to defy such a salient calling of servanthood to the people is simply despicable.

The irony behind these disloyal Americans calling for the impeachment or removal of a president who has in every way, put America first, is the epitome of hypocrisy and must cost them dearly at the polls.

Equally concerning is the fact most Republicans are sitting on the sidelines allowing Democrats and the liberal media to attack the very man, who may have helped seal their re-election in 2020.

Last week, Republicans successfully scored a rare victory in a Democrat-controlled House, passing legislation requiring authorities to notify U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) any time an illegal immigrant tries to purchase a gun.

Per ICE reporting, an average of more than 10 illegal immigrants attempt to purchase a gun every day in the U.S., ignoring yet, another law.

Earlier in the month of February, Democrats had approved legislation to require background checks for essentially all sales and firearm transfers, but rejected GOP-led efforts to amend the legislation to alert law enforcement when illegal immigrants failed those background checks.

Thank goodness, the Democrat suggestion for authorities to turn their heads on calling out illegal immigrants attempting to purchase guns was so outlandish, 26 Democrats (no doubt fearing “election retribution”) joined in support of the GOP amendment, with legislation ultimately passing on a 220-209 vote.

Now, I understand Washington, DC. Seems a long way from Huntington, WV. But folks, our city leaders and local media have the very same stench of liberalism as those progressives on Capitol Hill.

They are, indeed, cut from the very same bolt of cloth. The results of their policies support this conclusion.

The city of Huntington, WV., reportedly has a population of 48,735, yet only employs 19,494 people per Data USA, a free platform that allows users to collect, analyze and visualize shared U.S. government data. It is an ongoing partnership between Deloitte, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Macro Connections Group and Datawheel.

Both statistics are on the decline.

Our city’s primary employers include Healthcare and Social Assistance, Educational Services, and Accommodation and Food Service.

The Median Household Income is just under $30,000.00 with a poverty rate of 30.8 percent.

In comparison, the nation’s Median Household Income is $57,617.00 with a poverty rate of 14 percent.

With Huntington’s crime rate now among the highest per capita per U.S. cities, per Neighborhood Scout and our city leader’s apparently lacking any tangible plan of action, the lack of light at the end of the tunnel is troubling, to say the least.

Data shows that only 3 percent of cities across the nation are more dangerous than Huntington, WV. This is a far cry from the city in which I was born and raised.

We are now less than 5 months away from the end of the 18-month period during which Mayor Steve Williams promised, “We would be managing our way out of this…”, speaking of our fiscal mess resulting from the apparent mismanagement of funds.

It’s been my experience, politicians only understand the language of engaged voters. If Huntington’s citizens are to see any improvements in our crime rate, economy, jobs, and drug abuse, it isn’t going to happen with our current leadership.

This isn’t a personal attack on any individual. It’s a conservative assault on progressive polices that promote a self-centered approach to advancing political careers and liberal ideologies in a town spiraling downhill in nearly every single metric.

And don’t doubt me when I say, this effort to expose our local progressive leadership and their failing policies is just beginning. Conservatives are building their own movement and are determined to take our city back and return it to greatness.

Frankly, we’ve been backed into a corner, forced into taking matters into our own hands.

Our number one weapon? Our vote.

Get ready for a huge change in 2020.

 

 

 

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