Blue Ridge Leader
By Michael Oberschneider, Psy.D. A person’s political beliefs are determined by several factors. How you were raised, your life experiences, your current circumstances, your age, and other things, all contribute to your values and beliefs and the choices you make in life – including how you vote. But what if political issues, or at…
Dear Editor: Voting has started and election day will arrive swiftly. “We the people” are charged to select the civil servant who will represent us in the U.S. Senate. This is a crucial election, and control of the Senate is at stake. Our choice will clearly reveal the values, and morals of the residents of…
Michael L. Chapman, the popular, outspoken, and very forward-thinking Sheriff of Loudoun County, is considering a run for the governorship of Virginia in 2021. The Blue Ridge Leader & Loudoun Today interviewed Sheriff Chapman in late October. While Chapman had not made a final decision about his possible run, he did not hold back, providing…
By Joe Lafiandra If you accept a lie told to you, it changes you. You own the lie and it becomes part of your personality. Denying the truth and accepting lies corrupts you. If you think accepting lies is a passive activity, think again. If you accept one lie, there is no turning back, you…
Dear Editor: America faces challenging times as a nation. This is a time to unify and protect our neighbors, our economy, and our nation. This is not a time for partisan bickering. Aliscia Andrews brings the priorities of a mom, a community volunteer, and a Marine who appreciates our nation and the sacrifices necessary to…
Dear Editor: I grew up in Loudoun when Round Hill was still a small, sleepy farming town. People had political differences, but we operated from a common set of facts learned from the same newspapers, and the same network TV coverage. Today, we need to work harder to reach outside our cable news, talk radio,…
Dear Editor: Before we know it, the future of our nation will be decided. President Trump has officially been running for office since Feb 2017 so, yes, I am exhausted by all the rallies. I hope that I can contribute to the discourse by endorsing, as a retired library assistant and ordinary voter, Joe Biden,…
Dear Editor: When I moved from California to Virginia thirty-four years ago, I knew I was moving to a “red state”. To be honest, it didn’t even factor into my decision because politics in the ’80s wasn’t the blood sport it seems to be today. Truthfully, I was more of a moderate Democrat – happy…
Dear Editor: Election day is fast approaching, and it will be one of the most impactful in our lifetime. As a citizen, it is your right to participate in our Democracy and vote for who will represent us in Congress, and lead the nation as President. However, this right also comes with a sacred responsibility. …
By Andrea Gaines Jennifer Wexton (D-VA 10) and newcomer Aliscia Andrews debated in an in-person meeting at The National Conference Center’s West Belmont Place on Oct. 15. Wexton serves in the US Congress. Andrews is a former Marine who now serves as a cyberspace security consultant. The debate was part of the Loudoun Chamber Policymaker Series. It was moderated…