With regard to the article, the answer is clearing out the Ruling Party, or at showing them a little opposition. In the last election, half of the Republicans who ran for state office in W.Va. were elected, and were able to stop the Democrat-controlled Legislature from some of its usual bone-headed, do-nothing actions, especially in the area of worker's compensation. Some of the incumbent Dems who lost their seats did so because they didn't bother to campaign. They never had to in the past, and the Republican candidates beat them.
The people are ready for a change. Several Republicans are running for the gubernatorial nomination (I've already indicated my choice), and the GOP party is actively seeking candidates for the Legislature in 2004. There's room for hope!
Byrd is addled by dementia; his anointed successor (whenever he pegs off) is likely Alan Mollohan. A friend of FR, Jay Wolfe, may run for Congress against Mollohan.
I, too, see positive change afoot. Shelley Moore's election, Jay Wolfe's presence and hopeful election -- and the state going for Bush. Nobody wishes the state would vote out both Byrd and Rockefeller, and get a right to work law than I. I grew up there! I go back often! But,the unions have ruined WV economically and the state will always be downtrodden until they are out of power.