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With prayers, promises, passion, "USA" chants, and a military flyover, the state of Virginia, which gave America 12 Founding Fathers and 4 presidents---gave us a close-up look at what "progress" really looks like.
Wallowing in the blue malaise of Democrat leadership in recent years, the state decided to break with the so-called "progressives" and embrace the founding principles and the political leaders who have promised to embrace those same principles in their leadership.
The new Republican leadership---Governor, Lt. Governor, and Attorney General---were sworn-in Saturday.
There's a thread of hope in this for every conservative who lives in a "blue" state.
Be informed and inspired, not misled.
The day began with prayer--- a lot of prayers: A prayer breakfast at 8 a.m. in the morning and public prayers during the day with the citizens of Virginia.
Each of Virginia's new top leadership is said to be "deeply religious." I've heard some of their comments about their personal faith in God. I have been inspired.
They are also deeply qualified for the office to which they've been elected.
Gov. Youngkin goes to work. So does the new Attorney General
Youngkin said, "It's Day One, and we are going to work just like we promised," directing an end to "the divisive concepts, including Critical Race Theory, in public education" with his first executive order.
He further made good on his promise to parents with his second-order by "empowering [them] in their children's education and upbringing by allowing them to make decisions on whether their child wears a mask in school."
He said, "In Virigina, it is clear under the law that parents have a fundamental right to make decisions for their children's upbringing, their education and their care...we're providing them the ability to make right decisions for their child with regard to their child's well being."
His fourth order was directed at keeping his promise to investigate the recent sexual assault case in Loudoun County.
We have talked about on our daily radio program and written about here, the issues in Loudoun County public schools over the past several years.
Recently, a boy claiming to "identify" as a girl, raped a girl in the girl's restroom at one of their schools.
He had previously done the same thing in another school in the same district. The school board---at least the board chairman---was aware of the first episode and had chosen not to inform the district parents.
Younkin said:
"There is one fundamental tenet between government and those who we serve, to keep them safe. And when it comes to our children, it is paramount our school systems live up to that value. What we see here, strong, strong, strong evidence that in fact as not only, not taken seriously, it was hidden, and so we have asked the attorney general to go to work. We are going to get full transparency and make sure we hold this school board accountable for the decisions that were made."
The new governor also said, "I do believe there has been a dereliction of duty so all actions in order to hold this school board accountable should be taken."
New Attorney General also goes to work.
A spokesperson for Miyares said, "During the campaign, it was made clear that now-Attorney General-elect Miryares and former Attorney General Herring have very different visions for the office."
He told the local news, "We're restructuring the office, as every incoming AG has done in the past."
Former AG Herring spent the day bemoaning the loss of those who were fired--- "These dedicated and professional public servants who do important work," His former spokesperson said, "their absence will be a significant loss to the mission of the Office of Attorney General."
What is apparently lost on these people, not only in Virginia but across our country is that not everyone shares the radical left's "mission."
The new Lt. Governor is not new to public service.
Sears said yesterday "that America is not systemically racist and that she is the 'embodiment' of what America hopes to accomplish as the first woman of color to hold statewide office in the commonwealth."
She says:
"I am so tired of those who look at life as being a glass half empty. What a negative way to continue to view life because you know, life is going to hit you hard and you have to be prepared for it. You come out of the womb screaming. That ought to be an indication of how things are going to be, the rich suffer--yes--the poor suffer, and everybody in-between. We can make it."
The 57-year-old Sears immigrated to the US from Jamaica at age six, served in the Marines before launching her political career.
She says she is a deeply committed Christian.
Takeaway
Things have dramatically changed in Virginia.
Democrats have been using their power to usher in policy changes like legalizing marijuana, ending the death penalty, taking more control of the voting process, and addressing climate change.
There will be resistance to Youngkin's agenda, but former Gov. George Allen says he's confident Youngkin will succeed in many areas and will find some Democrats will support some of his agenda.
As these new leaders were sworn in Saturday, it was chilly in Richmond, Virginia. A snowstorm was approaching, threatening to be the first challenge of this new state administration.
It didn't arrive until later.
Youngkin, like Ronald Reagan, stuck with the upside, the sunny side---"Morning in Virginia."
He told the state and the country, "Today we stand together on behalf of Virginians who have never lost faith, even when they've suffered a loss. Of Virginians who have not stopped dreaming of a better life, even in the midst of trials and tribulations. My fellow Virginians, the spirit of Virginia is alive and well. And together we will strengthen it."
What had been a steady march to the Left has been suddenly halted. And reversed. The power has been taken from Democrats in the most powerful seats in the state and handed to conservative, Christian Republicans.
It can happen. It has happened in Virginia, and it could happen in other radical left states.
It all comes down to this:
James Madison, himself a Virginian, said:
"We have staked the whole future of the American civilization, not upon the power of government, far from it. We have staked the future...upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves, to sustain ourselves, according to the Ten Commandments of God."
Be Informed. Be Engaged. Be Discerning. Be Bold. Be Prayerful.