Martin Niemoller & Us

The ongoing firearms phobia and also the current obsession with hateful and divisive "Identity Politics" by much of our national mainstream media and even some of our elected representatives continues to alarm and worry me.

These perverse perspectives of social justice endanger all of our collective and individual liberties.

Many of these folks seem confusedly convinced that undermining our "American Excellence", by trampling upon our sacred Constitutional rights, somehow will eliminate the dreadful depredations of those who are morally corrupt, malevolent, or even mentally ill.

And so it went that I continued to pray and ponder about this instant assault upon all of our citizen rights and liberties, especially those provided by those amendments that comprise our Constitution's "Bill of Rights".

Then, I remembered my days long ago, as the student editor of "The Night Crier" campus newspaper at Hagerstown Junior College, and how I was inspired by a wall poster about Martin Niemoller.

Martin knew first hand why it's so important for each and every one of us to stand up and be counted in our collective pursuit of liberty and individual rights for each and every one of us, regardless of our differences.

He was a German and a Protestant pastor, who spent the last seven years of World War II as a prisoner in various Nazi concentration camps.

Martin spoke contemporaneously, and different versions abound about what he said, but it went something like this:

"First, they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out -- Because I was not a Socialist.

Then, they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out -- Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then, they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out -- Because I was not a Jew.

Then, they came for the Catholics, and I did not speak out -- Because I was not a Catholic.

Then, they came for me -- and there was no one left to speak for me."

For more of this about other good governance issues, see my other posts at this site, and also visit www.facebook.com/LarryDKump.

Please share this message with others,and ask them to go and do likewise with even more others!


And, for sure and for certain, may God bless you all real good!

West Virginia Delegate Larry D. Kump,
District #59 (Berkeley-Morgan counties)

Postscript: My maternal Grandfather's family were German Jews.

Montani Semper Liberi & More!

Here are just a few fascinating facts about West Virginia:

*Montani Semper Liberi!” (“Mountaineers are Always Free!”) is our official State Motto. Oft times, our elected officials struggle to understand and preserve this precious liberty. Also, my friend Tom Price, while lamenting the efforts of our West Virginia elected officials to impose even more taxes upon us, recently exclaimed, "Montani Semper Impensa!" (Mountaineers Always Pay the Fee!)

*“Vandalia” was the first name suggested for West Virginia, as part of a proposed 14th colony, which also included Eastern Kentucky and Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. The first name proposed for the current State of West Virginia was “Kanawha”, although that proposal did not include the current Eastern Panhandle as part of West Virginia.

*The West Virginia “State Fruit” is not our elected public officials. It is the Golden Delicious Apple.

*Romney (Hampshire County) and Shepherdstown (Jefferson County) fiercely contest which was the first incorporated municipality in West Virginia, but Hedgesville (Berkeley County) was soon founded thereafter.

*Civil War General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson was born in West Virginia.

*The Grandparents of famous frontiersman and hero of the Alamo, Davy Crockett, lived in Spring Mills (Berkeley County). Their home still stands, just a few scant miles from my home in Falling Waters.

*“Pepperoni Rolls” were created by West Virginia coal miners, as a handy meal to take with them into the depths of coal mines. West Virginia Delegate Joshua Nelson authored a resolution naming pepperoni rolls as the official West Virginia State Food in the 2013 session of the West Virginia Legislature.

*One of the smallest parks in the United States is “Berkeley Springs State Park”, which is right smack downtown in the West Virginia town of “Bath”. Nope, the name of the town of Bath is not Berkeley Springs. Berkeley Springs only is the name of the Post Office which serves the town of Bath.

Also, visit www.facebook.com/LarryDKump & www.LarryKump.us for information about good governance issues

Please share this message with others, asking them to also go and do likewise!

And, for sure and for certain, may God bless you all real good!

-West Virginia Delegate Larry D. Kump, District #59 (Berkeley-Morgan counties)

The Genesis of West Virginia?

God was nowhere to be seen for six days.

Finally, Michael, the Archangel, found him resting on the seventh day.

Michael asked God, "Where have you been?".

God smiled with deep satisfaction and pointed downward through the clouds, saying, "Michael, look what I created!".

Puzzled, Michael asked, "What is it?".

"It's a planet", replied God, "and I'm going to call it Earth, and it has balance."

"Balance?", said Michael, "What's that?".

God then explained, pointing out the different areas of Earth.

"For example, this area is a place of great forests, but this other area is covered with rocky mountains. Over there is a region of many lakes and streams, but over here is a broad grassland.".

He continued, "This area is hot and humid, but over here it is cold and covered with ice.".

Michael, impressed with God's handiwork, then pointed to one particular spot and said, "What about that area?".

"That's West Virginia, the most glorious spot on earth. There are beautiful mountains, rivers and streams, lakes, forests, hills, and plains. The people I've placed there are good looking, modest, intelligent, and humorous. They are sociable, hard-working, high achievers, peaceable, and producers of good things.".

Gasping in awe and wonder, Michael then asked, But what about balance? You said that there would be balance.".

God ruefully smiled and explained, "Over there, just East of West Virginia is Washington, D.C.. Wait until you see those people and that place!".

For information about good governance issues, take a moment to visit www.LarryKump.us and  www.facebook.com/LarryDKump,  asking others to also go and do likewise.

Meanwhile, and for sure and for certain, may God continue to bless West Virginia all real good!

-West Virginia Delegate Larry D. Kump, District #59 (Berkeley-Morgan counties)

The View from Our Front Porch

 This woodsy view was photographed from our front porch (see photo below), early in the misty morning by my wondrous wife Cheryl.

 For sure and for certain, I love our "sacred grove" Falling Waters home, but not as much as I love my wife Cheryl.

 Meanwhile, may God bless Cheryl, our Bodacious Bob (the Wonder Dog), our new English Red Tick Coon Hound puppy (Lady Sadie-Belle von Kumpff), our home, and all of you all real good!

-West Virginia Delegate Larry D. Kump, District #59 (Berkeley-Morgan counties)

Visit www.LarryKump.us & www.LarryKump.com about good governance issues.

"Animal Farm" & Our Times

Was George Orwell a secular prophet for our times?

This August was the anniversary month of the publication of George Orwell's "Animal Farm" novel.

I read Orwell's book many years ago, as a high school student, but, now, I am even more concerned than ever, about the increasingly destructive and contentious voices within our nation.

 Perhaps those, who so shrilly celebrate and endorse "Identity Politics", while also assaulting our law enforcement officers and burning and looting our cities, should dust off a copy of Orwell's book, read it, and apply its chilling message of angry divisiveness to today's political and media frenzy?

 God made all of us brothers and sisters, but "Identity Politics" obscures us from this Eternal Truth.

Anger and divisiveness truly is a noxious cancer. It eats away at us and our nation's heart and soul.

Please visit www.LarryKump.com about other good governance issues, and also www.LarryKump.us.

Better yet, also share this post with others, asking them to go and do likewise!

And, for sure and for certain, may God bless you all real good! 

-West Virginia Delegate Larry D. Kump, District #59 (Berkeley- Morgan counties)

...and a little child will lead them!

A good many years ago and after our local church services, the eight year old daughter of Tom and Jennifer Merrill asked me about government.

She wondered why our government makes so many rules that interfere so much with our right to make personal choices in our own lives.

After we discussed the dynamics of that issue, she simply declared, "That isn't fair!".

I agree.

That's why it's my personal political passion to work for our individual liberty, personal accountability, and personal empowerment.

Meanwhile, and for sure and for certain, may God bless you all real good!

-West Virginia Delegate Larry D. Kump, District #59 (Berkeley-Morgan counties)

Visit www.LarryKump.us & www.LarryKump.com for more about good governance issues.

"Granfalloon" & More...

Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., in "Cat's Cradle", described a meaningless event as a "Granfalloon", and, sadly, some view their own lives in that way.

 Indeed, Henry David Thoreau once also that "the mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation".

  In the 1992 movie, "Leap of Faith", starring Steve Martin and Deborah Winger, there is a musical number which tugs at heartstrings.

 I don't now remember the name of the song or even most of its lyrics, but part of the chorus went something like this:

"I've been lonely.
I've been cheated.
I've been misunderstood.
I've been washed up.
I've been put down,
and told I'm no good,
but..."

The rest of the song's lyrics are intensely uplifting and go on to strike powerful and positive chords about finding joy in the purpose of life.

 A better and even more accurate perspective of how we should approach life is embraced in the song "Hallelujah" by "The Canadian Tenors" (click here for a link to the musical video).

 And so, we all stumble, but it is our compassion for others, as well as our perseverance in works of faith, that lifts us up to be more than we otherwise ever could imagine that we could become.

 Meanwhile, and for sure and for certain, may God bless you all real good!



-West Virginia Delegate Larry D. Kump, District #59 (Berkeley-Morgan counties)

Visit www.LarryKump.us & www.LarryKump.com for more about principles over politics.

Benefited by Ben

Previously, Ben Kelkye traveled to West Virginia for our Berkeley County Republican Club meeting, and, among other topics, this Master Training Counselor shared his expertise and insight about teaching citizens how to avoid becoming victims.

Our group was particularly impressed and deeply moved by his personal account of his previous duty as a chief security operative for the former Shah of Iran, and how he later discovered and embraced the principles of liberty and personal accountability as a naturalized citizen of the United States of America.

His observation that Americans enjoy liberty, but mostly fail to appreciate the depth and value of that blessing was an incredible personal testimony.

We were rapt.

For more about good governance issues, visit www.LarryKump.us and www.LarryKump.com.

Meanwhile, and for sure and for certain, may God bless you all real good!

-West Virginia Delegate Larry D. Kump, District #59 (Berkeley-Morgan counties)

From a State Police Troop Commander

This heartening and personal note, from several years ago, truly warmed my heart.

"Good afternoon Delegate Kump,

This is just a quick note to say thanks for your service in the West Virginia Legislature.

If you need anything from the Panhandle while you are away from home, please do not hesitate to call (feel free to share this invitation with all Panhandle representatives).

Also, thanks for your obvious strong support of our Constitution, more particularly our 2nd Amendment right to keep and bear arms. I believe this amendment allows us to protect and secure all other rights given to us by our Creator.

Furthermore, I know you have always supported West Virginia State Police issues, and I appreciate your solid efforts on our behalf concerning future matters that will allow the West Virginia State Police to continue our longstanding service to the citizens of this great State.

Hope all is well in Charleston.
Montani Semper Liberi!

Respectfully,

Captain Rob Blair
Troop 2 Commander
West Virginia State Police"


Meanwhile, and for sure and for certain, may God bless you all real good!

-West Virginia Delegate Larry D. Kump, District #59 (Berkeley-Morgan counties)

Visit www.LarryKump.us & www.LarryKump.com for more about good governance issues.

Travel & Troopers

As I recently re-read this previous post of mine from 2012 (see below), I was reminded anew of the dangerous nature of the jobs that our overworked and underpaid law enforcement officers do to serve and protect us, and how much more dangerous it is now to take our life in hand to travel on Interstate I-81.

-West Virginia Delegate Larry D. Kump, District #59 (Berkeley-Morgan counties)

 Please read the below exchange of concerns (re-published now from 2012 and in listed in  reverse chronological order):

Captain Blair,
You guardians of our safety are overworked and underpaid.
Please pass along my gratitude to all of your staff for all that all of you do for all of us.
-Delegate Larry D. Kump

-----Original Message-----
From: State Police Captain Robert A. Blair
Sent: Aug 3, 2012
To: Delegate Larry D. Kump
Subject: Reckless Drivers

Thank you Sir. We have been getting numerous calls in this area and as you so correctly stated, we are stretched very thin. I will pass this on and see if we can get a few patrols and possibly catch a few of the offenders. The other issue we have is where to initiate a traffic stop in the construction zone (no place to safely stop a vehicle). I appreciate your support and how you handle these citizen complaints. We want to get the reckless drivers just as much or more than the citizens that call in. Again thanks and please do not hesitate to call upon the WVSP if you need anything.

Captain Rob Blair
Troop 2 Commander
West Virginia State Police

----Original Message-----
From: Delegate Larry D. Kump
Sent: Friday, August 03, 2012
To: Jeff

Jeff,
The law is clear.
It's mostly a matter of citizen good sense and responsibility.
Police coverage is already stretched thin on other pressing public safety concerns, but I will pass along your alert.
Larry

cc: State Police
--------------------------------------------------------------
Citizen Concern Voiced:

Hey Larry.
More and more drivers are blowing thru construction zone merge ramps on to 81 from Spring mills up and down. Almost got swiped. Anything we can do to alert the staties. I see this all the time.
Jeff

Footnote: Please visit www.LarryKump.com & www.LarryKump.us for more about good governance issues. 

A Life Lesson

 On a previous Saturday morning, I was a guest on Elliot Simon's "Common Sense" radio broadcast from Shepherd University, and also had accepted his invitation to join him  that morning for a tasty breakfast at the famous Shepherdstown "Betty's" restaurant.

 And so it was, earlier that morning and while walking through the West Virginia village of Shepherdstown, that an elderly couple crossed my path.

 They were holding hands while they were taking their morning stroll, which prompted me to compliment them on their mutual affection.

With a twinkle in his eye, the old gentleman smiled, then gently pointed out to me that they held hands to keep each other from stumbling (see the Bible, Old Testament, Book of Ecclesiastes, Chapter 4, Verse 10).

 What a wondrous example they were and are, and a life lesson for all of us, in all our activities and relationships.

Please share this post with others, asking them to also go and do likewise.

Meanwhile, and for sure and for certain, may God bless you all real good!


West Virginia Delegate Larry D. Kump, District #59 (Berkeley-Morgan counties)

Visit www.LarryKump.us and www.LarryKump.com for good governance issues.

The Doctor was "IN"

Previously, James "Doc" Warner  traveled across the Potomac River, to speak to the Berkeley County Republican Club at the Holiday Inn in Martinsburg, West Virginia. This was a number of years ago, but is worth recounting herein.

He shared some of his insights and experiences, including being shot down while flying a mission during the Vietnam War.

As a Prisoner of War (POW) with John McCain, Doc recounted some of his personal trials and tribulations, and how they persuaded him to disavow atheism and become a man of faith.

He then related other experiences and insights, including his successful participation in arguing a case, based on the principles of the 10th Amendment to our United States Constitution, before the United States Supreme Court.

Meeting participants were spellbound as Doc wove his own personal tapestry of how his life's journey taught him about faith, Constitutional rights, and our God given liberties.

Meanwhile, and for sure and for certain, may God bless you all real good!

-West Virginia Delegate Larry D. Kump, District #59 (Berkeley-Morgan counties)
Visit www.LarryKump.us & www.LarryKump.com for other good governance issues.

A Grass-Roots Education Reform Proposal

This previous 2013 letter of mine still makes lots of sense to me, especially here and now.
What do you think?

"Dear Senator Unger,

Your suggestion, that we amend the West Virginia Constitution to make the West Virginia State Board of Education directly accountable to voters via non-partisan elections, scythes through the chaff from the often bloviated and byzantine blathering of numerous nattering nabobs (with a vengeance).

Count me in as an enthusiastic supporter of this proposal, preferably to be implemented in General elections, as I similarly have proposed for local county school board elections (HB 2555, House of Delegates Political Subdivisions Committee).

Let's give Mountaineer voters a direct say in our children's education.

Yours for better governance,

West Virginia Delegate  Larry D. Kump, District #59 (Berkeley-Morgan counties)"

Visit www.LarryKump.us & www.LarryKump.com for more on good governance issues.

Meanwhile, and for sure and for certain, may God bless you all real good!

Bar Stool Economics?

Suppose that every day, ten men go out for beer and the bill for all ten comes to $100. If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this:

The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing.
The fifth would pay $1.
The sixth would pay $3
The seventh would pay $7.
The eighth would pay $12.
The ninth would pay $18.
The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59.

So, here's what happened next...

Those ten men drank in the bar every day and didn't question or even think about the arrangement, until one day, the owner threw them a curve.

 "Since you are all such good customers," he said, "I'm going to reduce the cost of your daily beer by $20."

Drinks for the ten now cost just $80.

The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes so the first four men were unaffected. They would still drink for free. But what about the other six men - the paying customers?

How could they divide the $20 windfall so that everyone would get his 'fair share?' They realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33. But, if they subtracted that from everybody's share, then six of the men would each end up being paid to drink his beer.

So, the bar owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man's bill by roughly the same amount, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay. And so:

The fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing (100% savings).
The sixth now paid $2 instead of $3 (33%savings).
The seventh now pay $5 instead of $7 (28%savings).
The eighth now paid $9 instead of $12 (25% savings).
The ninth now paid $14 instead of $18 (22% savings).
The tenth now paid $49 instead of $59 (16% savings).

Each would be better off than before, and now five (instead of the just first four)  would drink for free.

But once outside the restaurant, the men began to compare their savings. "I only got a dollar out of the $20,"declared the sixth man. He pointed to the tenth man, "but he got $10!"

"Yeah, that's right," exclaimed the fifth man. "I only saved a dollar, too. It's unfair that he got ten times more than I did!"

"That's true!!" shouted the seventh man: Why should he get $10 back when I got only two? The rich guys get all the breaks!"

"Wait a minute," yelled the first four men in unison: "We didn't get anything at all. The system exploits the poor!"

The nine men then surrounded the tenth man and beat him up.

The next night the tenth man didn't show up for drinks, so the nine sat down and had beers without him. But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important: They didn't have enough money between all of them for even half of the bill!

And that, boys and girls, journalists and college professors, is how our tax system works.

Tax citizens too much, or attack them for making more money, and they just may not show up anymore.

In fact, they might start drinking overseas where the atmosphere is somewhat friendlier.


Footnote: Delegate Kump continues to advocate on behalf of the principles of economic freedom,  Constitutional liberties, and personal accountability. As long as he continues to breathe in and breathe out, he will stand where he is planted, striving to serve and protect those principles.

-West Virginia Delegate Larry D. Kump, District #59 (Berkley-Morgan counties)
Visit www.LarryKump.us & www.LarryKump.com for more about good governance issues.