What Makes Virginia Supposedly Business Friendly? The Legal Framework is Hostile to its Residents

Virginia politicians like to brag that Virginia ranks as one of the best states for businesses (a night view of Richmond is at left). Which is true because the interest of the state's human citizens is typically placed far behind the interests of big business. The latest CNBC.com survey of the best states for businesses put the Old Dominion in second place behind Texas, a slight downgrade from grabbing the top spot in 2009. Be it consumer protection laws or equality for all of its citizens - of the human kind, at least - and any number of issues that concern looking after the quality of life and social safety net for citizens, then Virginia's way down in the rankings. A Washington Post op-ed looks at the darker side of this "pro-business" state. Here are highlights:
*
Virginia officials such as Gov. Robert F. McDonnell bragged about cheaper corporate taxes, fewer regulations and anti-union right-to-work laws.
*
On the dark side, Virginia sucks up to business by coming on as anti-union and anti-gay in the sense that it doesn't provide the same level of recognition and protection for gay couples that Maryland and the District do.
*
Another cloud is education. Decades ago, Gov. Mills Godwin had the foresight to beef up the state's community college system and make public colleges such as the University of Virginia and William & Mary world-class. Doing so gave the Old Dominion a much better training base for company employees. The recession and the stubborn refusal to support education by mostly Republican legislators is putting this golden asset in jeopardy.
*

As I said before, once our elderly parents pass away, all bets are off in terms of the boyfriend and I remaining in Virginia. Indeed, our remaining in the USA is debatable at present. And in terms of my advice to LGBT citizens or progressive businesses contemplating a move to Virgina? Don't do it.