THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, November 19, 1994 TAG: 9411190442
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Short : 48 lines
Virginia Gov. George Allen lauded the new Republican-run Congress but warned his GOP colleagues Friday that they must now change the way Washington works.
``The Republicans have a tremendous opportunity, but the people are watching,'' Allen told the National Taxpayers Union.
``They aren't just going to say, `We're happy we changed leadership.' They want to see action, they want to see results. That's what they demand, that's what they deserve.''
Allen assailed Washington's bureaucracy and lamented that his first year in office has been marked by the ``constant battle with our friends across the Potomac.''
He urged the new Congress to cut back on the ``meddling and pestering'' and return more responsibility to the states, particularly on such issues as welfare and education.
``The federal government is getting into a lot of places that are none of their business,'' Allen said.
``We will not have freedom and liberty, not in any meaningful sense, if our liberty and our freedom is at the sufferance of the federal Congress, the federal judges and the federal bureaucrats.''
The Nov. 8 elections were about ideas and philosophy, he said, and he took a shot at those who say voters no longer care about issues.
``The people clearly last week were frustrated and they certainly reached out,'' Allen said. ``And it wasn't a gentle massage - it was a heck of a good wallop for those folks in Washington, D.C.''
Allen also pushed a proposal that would allow three-quarters of the states to amend the Constitution and repeal federal laws, which he said would give the people greater power. ``We did not secede from a monarchy across the ocean to reinstitute such a thing on the banks of the Potomac,'' Allen said.
During the speech, Allen even let his anti-Washington rhetoric turn for a moment on his hosts, a conservative group that promotes lower spending and taxes.
``Why in the heck are you meeting in Washington, D.C.?'' Allen asked. ``You all could be right across the river.'' by CNB