The high cost of living is hindering people from enjoying life.  Although Virginia is doing better than some states when it comes to living costs, we will be right up there with places like New York if things do not change.  Drilling for oil and gas off the coast of Virginia would go a very long way towards ensuring that Virginia never enters the completely different realm that New Yorkers have to endure.  Offshore drilling will create quality jobs and bring in revenue that will help keep taxes here low.  It is good for the economy all the way around, and there is no reason not to support it.

New York is where I was born, raised and lived until 18 years ago when the farmer's co-op corporate offices where I worked sent me to Virginia.  It was a win-win for me.  My pay increased, and the cost of living dropped dramatically.  My house payment in New York was not that bad at $534.00 a month, but the property taxes I paid annually of $2,600.00 and the high gas prices dug deep into my pockets.  Because of higher taxes, gas in New York is always at least $.35 more a gallon than the Virginia prices.  I have been very happy with the taxes I pay in Virginia and do not want to see them increase.  However, there are some actions being taken that cause me concern.  Drilling off the coast here will help ensure that the great state of Virginia can remain the place I call home.

Many companies here are letting people go and piling the additional work on other employees.  Most of them these days are all about the dollar, and I fear that our government is the same way.  I just want to see people succeed.  We need good jobs with benefits and our kids need quality educations.  It is time we all begin to actively care for others.  Think about all the people who would benefit from offshore drilling, and then take action to strongly support drilling off the coast.

Brenda Craner