1. Foreign Policy and Domestic Consumption: Some commentators have suggested that there may be a connection between terrorist attacks and the US propensity for over-consumption and other excesses in our own domestic and foreign policies. Do you think there is an open enough climate in the Virginia legislature to honestly question basic economic and cultural priorities?

Answer: I don't think Americans are ready to question their economic and cultural priorities under the immediate threat of terrorists. Legislators will not take the lead on this, nor should they.

What legislators should do is work to reduce energy consumption by the appropriate mix of tax and economic incentives. We should work to direct the spending of our incomes a bit more on the commonweal and a bit less on a larger SUV. We should recognize, encourage and support sustainable development initiatives. We should work to raise public consciousness about the misuse of land, misallocation of resources in our transportation policies, and the dangers of increased consolidation in agriculture.

I don't think America should put on an economic hair shirt because the governments in the lands that nurture terrorism have failed to use their own resources to provide their own people hope in life. I am not sure to what "cultural priorities" you might be referring.

2. Domestic Safety and Sustainability: Do you think there are sufficient contingency plans in place in case the distributions of food, energy, and other basic goods and services were temporarily halted by terrorism or some other emergency? How might the state encourage the development of self-sufficient, sustainable communities?

Answer: These are two sets of questions. The first relates to immediate threats to basic goods and services. Some of the fever around the Y2K preparations might give us an idea how we might proceed now. I do not believe the State is prepared for widespread breakdown of the power grid, loss of telecommunications and disruption of food and fuel distribution systems. More importantly, I don't believe the public has confidence that our leaders have a clue about all this. This is an area where the Governor must lead, and the legislature must provide informed support. The capability for non-partisan evaluation of proposed legislation will be invaluable. My answer to question one actually answers part two of this question.

Al Weed (electronic mail, November 6, 2001)