Barnie Day was a Democratic delegate from Patrick County from his election in 1997 through the 2001 session. A former county administrator and business owner, he is now a banker.

Thanks for getting in. It's going to cost you money. Your personal life will suffer. Your home life will suffer. Your family life? Forgetaboutit. But thanks. For being willing.

And welcome. Welcome to the fray.

Politics is important. And this is politics.

A couple of tips. Actually four.

Decide now, today, on whether, if elected, you will vote your conscience or what you think to be the collective will of your constituents. There is really no right or wrong answer to this one. Lot of good arguments for both. But it will come up. Think about it and decide this one today if you can.

Run 'for' something, instead of 'against' something. If you can't figure out what I mean by that, you might want to reconsider. A lot of stuff is going to get by you.

Don't fill out surveys. They're all 'lazy'. By that I mean overly simplistic. All these groups that send them out are simply trying to get you in a box. Their box. If that's where you want to go, have at it. But know this. Once in, it's hard to get out. These things lay around for a thousand years. Don't legitimize them any further.

Same with pledges. Don't sign them. No matter the cause. Sooner or later they will only handcuff you.

As a candidate, you're going to be confronted with one in particular that will come back to you. The 'No Tax' pledge. Avoid that one like the plague. Unless, of course, you can divine the future. (In that case, you should be running for higher office. Much, much higher, if you get my drift.)

You will be beguiled. Resist. Shun it. Turn away. Don't bite of that apple.

Still, the temptation will be fierce. Maybe you will falter, stumble. You will need help.

I offer it here: The Top Ten Reasons Not To Sign A 'No Tax' Pledge. (Clip this column and slip it in your wallet for future reference.)

Number Ten

Virginia's 1,156,599 public school students deserve better. We are already $1.06 billion short in funding our Constitutionally-mandated obligation to elementary and secondary education in Virginia. If elected, you will take an oath to uphold this Constitution.

Number Nine

We are already shorting Virginia students attending our public colleges and universities by at least $300 million annually. Don't make that worse.

Number Eight

We already rank 42nd in the nation in per capita state and local spending for human services, for human needs. Is ninth from the bottom better than eighth?

Number Seven

We're already passing state obligations back to local governments, forcing them to raise local taxes. Who's fooling who on that one?

Number Six

What you 'give back' in taxes, you're going to take again in 'fees.' Practice, with a straight face, explaining to us what the difference is.

Number Five

What you 'give back' to us from higher education cuts, you take again in tuition hikes. Practice, with a straight face, explaining to us what the difference is.

Number Four

Virginia's sales tax rate and corporate income tax rate is already 42nd in the nation. And the state's tobacco tax is the lowest -- 50th in the nation.

Number Three

If the pledge is all you've got, you're probably going to lose anyway.

Number Two

Of the 50 states that make up this nation, there is only room for one Mississippi, and that slot is already taken.

And the Number One reason not to sign a 'no tax' pledge is:

At the moment, we may just think you're stupid. You don't have to prove it!