The Times Leader reported Senator Robeert Mellow will once again serve as leader of the Senate Democratic Caucus. You might recall that Mellow was one of those government opportunists who refused to repay the illegal pay raise of 2005.
On November 19, 2008 the Time Tribune ran a story about a legislative watchdog group that file a Senate ethics request over Mellow's seat on the Board of Blue Cross. "A legislative reform group called Tuesday for an ethics investigation to determine whether Sen. Robert Mellow's recent appointment to the board of Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania and a subsidiary is a conflict of interest.
The formal request was made to the Senate Ethics Committee by Eric Epstein, coordinator of RockTheCapital.org, a group formed during the 2005 legislative pay raise controversy.
"His acceptance of a board seat with Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania is an obvious conflict of interest of the simple reason that the interests of the company are not necessarily those of the people," Mr. Epstein wrote in a 17-page document released to the media."
RocktheCapital.org issued a press release on November 24, 2008 asking for a suspension of legislative pay raises and future cost of living increases. Mellow responded to the Philadelphia Inquirer last Friday "Our members have the same family responsibilities as others."
I received a notice from BLue Cross NEPA in the mail. A $75.00 copayment for emergency accident services and emergency medical services obtained in Member Hospitals and in Non-Member Hospitals has been added. The co-payment per visit for certain Diagnostic Imaging Procedures has been increased from $15.00 to $75.00. Coverage for reversal of sterilization has been excluded.
Bob Mellow claims the $20,000-a-year BLue Cross board seat will provide him with insight he needs to further public policy.
The Times Tribune article goes on to state "The best way that Mr. Mellow can meet the public’s need for an effective health care policy is to use his power as a legislator to ensure that non-profit, tax-exempt insurers like Blue Cross fulfill their nonprofit charter obligations to meet their communities’ health care needs.
Senator Mellow, if you make it so I can't afford diagnostic services which might detect a disease state before it becomes more costly to treat how did you meet that policy?
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
George Bush You Aren't Done Until January 20th
As I watch television or read reports both on the net and in print I am stymied by the ineffective path George Bush is choosing to define his lameduck period. On this point I will agree with PEOB, Mr. President we have a crisis of historic proportions. It cannot wait until January 20,2009. It needs action and it needs it now. The thought processes to construct an effective plan need to be in place. If it means letting the PEBO team assume office before you leave then sobeit.
Please don't misconstrue this post to me I favor blind bailouts. I was calling the original plan a failout and still do. Everyone including Paul Kanjorski acted in haste to make the money available. Now it sits there like an able and willing player occupying the bench dying for the coach to put him in.
The auto industry was sent a strong message. Come back with a plan. Labor and management should be burning the midnight oils to author that document.
In 1990 and 1991 the Congress and the Senate took a $27,000 pay raise representing a 29.5% increase. Their raise was $4,100.00 this year. I believe the House and Senate can set an example by forgoing their raises this coming year as a symbolic joining with any union and management givebacks that will be necessary. With a shrinking economy there are going to be sacrifices all around, not just in the industries who are seeking help from the government. It is time to lead by example.
Please don't misconstrue this post to me I favor blind bailouts. I was calling the original plan a failout and still do. Everyone including Paul Kanjorski acted in haste to make the money available. Now it sits there like an able and willing player occupying the bench dying for the coach to put him in.
The auto industry was sent a strong message. Come back with a plan. Labor and management should be burning the midnight oils to author that document.
In 1990 and 1991 the Congress and the Senate took a $27,000 pay raise representing a 29.5% increase. Their raise was $4,100.00 this year. I believe the House and Senate can set an example by forgoing their raises this coming year as a symbolic joining with any union and management givebacks that will be necessary. With a shrinking economy there are going to be sacrifices all around, not just in the industries who are seeking help from the government. It is time to lead by example.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
The Whole World Is Mixing!
Russell Peters is one of my favorite comedians. This is a great routine on the whole world mixing.
PEBO Back Peddling On Bush's Tax Cuts
PEBO(President-elect Barack Obama) and Company have sent signals that the Bush tax cuts which were part of his election theme will expire in 2011, the exact time George Bush said they would. In a previous piece I talked about the wealth among the Democrats in the House and the Senate. I knew he would never be able to deliver on that promise.
It is reported on ABCNews.go.com. "But, the adviser says, the overall debate is NOT about whether President-elect Obama will "restore fairness in our tax code" -- just about "whether it happens in the year after next or the year after that."
Mr. President-Elect, the tax code if printed and stacked would be the height of seven bibles laid one on top of each other. Restore fairness?? You have got to be kidding me. If you truly want to restore fairness repeal every law that was enacted as a special tax treatment for every individual and corporation. If you want to sell the public that taxing the wealthy is restoring fairness you are earning the reputation of being a socialist as discussed in the humanevents.com article.
Let's hear from Michelle on the topic of pie.
It is reported on ABCNews.go.com. "But, the adviser says, the overall debate is NOT about whether President-elect Obama will "restore fairness in our tax code" -- just about "whether it happens in the year after next or the year after that."
Mr. President-Elect, the tax code if printed and stacked would be the height of seven bibles laid one on top of each other. Restore fairness?? You have got to be kidding me. If you truly want to restore fairness repeal every law that was enacted as a special tax treatment for every individual and corporation. If you want to sell the public that taxing the wealthy is restoring fairness you are earning the reputation of being a socialist as discussed in the humanevents.com article.
Let's hear from Michelle on the topic of pie.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
A Democrat With A Sensible Republican Approach To Healthcare
In a perfect world there would be perfect solutions. Coming from the healthcare world it is known that 40 different healthcare systems exist on this planet. Not one of them is perfect.
In a very interesting piece appearing in the Wall Street Journal today Governor Phil Bredesen of Tennessee writes a great article about a solution he orchestrated in his state in an attempt to address the problem of the uninsured.
He pens the following: What I realized was this: Everyone proposing solutions or criticizing unfairness was doing so from the comfortable vantage point of having good health insurance. While we work to build a better system, wouldn't it also be responsible to find a way to get something -- not a perfect solution, not even a long-term solution -- into the hands of the more than 46 million uninsured Americans who don't share our good fortune?
We need a national health-insurance solution, but isn't it sensible in the meantime to make sure everyone has a basic health plan before we give a few more people a perfect but expensive one?
CoverTN, which began in 2006, is a health-insurance plan for those who are self-employed, or who work for small businesses that can't afford a traditional policy.
It is not free health care. Rather it is a limited plan with shared costs. In devising this plan, we didn't start out the usual way -- by defining what benefits we wanted -- but instead set how much we wanted to pay. And then we began a competitive-bidding process to see how much health care we could buy. We initially set the amount we would pay at an average of $150 a month, and split the responsibility for that premium three ways. The company would be responsible for $50, the individual for $50, and the state for the final $50.
The bidding was vigorous. It was ultimately won by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee with a benefit package that meets a great many -- not all -- of the real needs of the uninsured at a cost far below conventional plans.
At these premium levels -- less than half of what a conventional plan might cost -- the benefits are limited. But the benefit structure is also different than in a conventional plan. Most limited plans achieve their savings with high front-end deductibles, requiring a person to spend often thousands of dollars out-of-pocket before benefits kick in. But when we asked our customers -- uninsured Tennesseans -- what they actually wanted, we found that they were most interested in some help with the more common things; a doctor's visit, prescriptions, a short hospital stay.
CoverTN emphasizes covering these front-end costs. It features free checkups, free mammograms and $15 doctor visits without deductibles, for example. And it achieves its savings on the back end, with relatively low limits on hospital stays and an overall $25,000 benefit limit in any one year. It does not cover truly catastrophic events.
This makes medical sense. Good access to a doctor and a drugstore when you first have a problem can avoid a lot of cost and heartache later.
Tom Daschel's writings so far are not in this direction. He wants to create the same type of bureaucracy known as Medicare and Medicare Part D. Ask any senior who navigated the Medicare Part D maze about the experience. Each and every year seniors have to search for a plan. It is an exercise in futility.
Obama would do himself a favor if he took a good look at this Tennessee plan. So would the Democrats in Pennsylvania. One last quote from Bredesen, "This fall we added some benefits: The number of primary care visits doubled from six to 12, for example. Best of all, we added them without increasing rates. When did you last hear of a health-insurance plan whose annual update was a benefit improvement but no rate increase?"
Another fair and balanced piece.
In a very interesting piece appearing in the Wall Street Journal today Governor Phil Bredesen of Tennessee writes a great article about a solution he orchestrated in his state in an attempt to address the problem of the uninsured.
He pens the following: What I realized was this: Everyone proposing solutions or criticizing unfairness was doing so from the comfortable vantage point of having good health insurance. While we work to build a better system, wouldn't it also be responsible to find a way to get something -- not a perfect solution, not even a long-term solution -- into the hands of the more than 46 million uninsured Americans who don't share our good fortune?
We need a national health-insurance solution, but isn't it sensible in the meantime to make sure everyone has a basic health plan before we give a few more people a perfect but expensive one?
CoverTN, which began in 2006, is a health-insurance plan for those who are self-employed, or who work for small businesses that can't afford a traditional policy.
It is not free health care. Rather it is a limited plan with shared costs. In devising this plan, we didn't start out the usual way -- by defining what benefits we wanted -- but instead set how much we wanted to pay. And then we began a competitive-bidding process to see how much health care we could buy. We initially set the amount we would pay at an average of $150 a month, and split the responsibility for that premium three ways. The company would be responsible for $50, the individual for $50, and the state for the final $50.
The bidding was vigorous. It was ultimately won by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee with a benefit package that meets a great many -- not all -- of the real needs of the uninsured at a cost far below conventional plans.
At these premium levels -- less than half of what a conventional plan might cost -- the benefits are limited. But the benefit structure is also different than in a conventional plan. Most limited plans achieve their savings with high front-end deductibles, requiring a person to spend often thousands of dollars out-of-pocket before benefits kick in. But when we asked our customers -- uninsured Tennesseans -- what they actually wanted, we found that they were most interested in some help with the more common things; a doctor's visit, prescriptions, a short hospital stay.
CoverTN emphasizes covering these front-end costs. It features free checkups, free mammograms and $15 doctor visits without deductibles, for example. And it achieves its savings on the back end, with relatively low limits on hospital stays and an overall $25,000 benefit limit in any one year. It does not cover truly catastrophic events.
This makes medical sense. Good access to a doctor and a drugstore when you first have a problem can avoid a lot of cost and heartache later.
Tom Daschel's writings so far are not in this direction. He wants to create the same type of bureaucracy known as Medicare and Medicare Part D. Ask any senior who navigated the Medicare Part D maze about the experience. Each and every year seniors have to search for a plan. It is an exercise in futility.
Obama would do himself a favor if he took a good look at this Tennessee plan. So would the Democrats in Pennsylvania. One last quote from Bredesen, "This fall we added some benefits: The number of primary care visits doubled from six to 12, for example. Best of all, we added them without increasing rates. When did you last hear of a health-insurance plan whose annual update was a benefit improvement but no rate increase?"
Another fair and balanced piece.
Barack Obama- A Clintonite Outburst Watched Round The World
Mr. President-Elect Barack Obama,
During your election you championed the cause of change in Washington. A sign on your podium read "Change We Can Believe In." Yet, you have taken a course of appointing Clintonite retreads(cloned Clinton people from the past)into the core of your think tank and administration.
I think you are missing a big point. The Democrats chose you over Hillary Clinton. In effect they made it abundantly clear they didn't want her, her husband, or anyone associated with his administration. You are allowing the Clintons to lead you down a wrong path. Kryptonite has detrimental effects on Superman and other Kryptonians. Clintonites possess the same damaging effects on humans. Eric Holder represents a true Clintonite, complete with a full Clinton scandal under his belt.
When George W. Bush compromised with Democrats in an attempt to lower Federal deficits, he reneged on his promise not to raise taxes, hurting his approval rating. In a winning election strategy Clinton repeatedly condemned Bush for making a promise he failed to keep. You might want to consider that fact as you go forward.
Sincerely,
The Nation
During your election you championed the cause of change in Washington. A sign on your podium read "Change We Can Believe In." Yet, you have taken a course of appointing Clintonite retreads(cloned Clinton people from the past)into the core of your think tank and administration.
I think you are missing a big point. The Democrats chose you over Hillary Clinton. In effect they made it abundantly clear they didn't want her, her husband, or anyone associated with his administration. You are allowing the Clintons to lead you down a wrong path. Kryptonite has detrimental effects on Superman and other Kryptonians. Clintonites possess the same damaging effects on humans. Eric Holder represents a true Clintonite, complete with a full Clinton scandal under his belt.
When George W. Bush compromised with Democrats in an attempt to lower Federal deficits, he reneged on his promise not to raise taxes, hurting his approval rating. In a winning election strategy Clinton repeatedly condemned Bush for making a promise he failed to keep. You might want to consider that fact as you go forward.
Sincerely,
The Nation
Project Labor Agreement
In an article that appeared in the Standard Speaker today "Elaine(Maddon)Curry said she wants to end the ongoing debate about construction labor agreements as much as anyone on the Hazleton Area School Board." There were numerous full page ads place in the SubStandard Speaker over the last couple of weeks urging passage of the PLA.
So I ask Elaine exactly what is a Project Labor Agreement? The Pennylvania Association of Builders and Contractors offers the following definition. A project labor agreement (PLA) is a signed commitment between the owner of the project (business or government)and area construction unions. These agreements generally require that a percentage of the workforce be hired from the specified labor union halls thereby prohibiting non-union employers (and employers whose employees are members of unions not signatory to the PLA) from utilizing its own employees on the project.
WOULD A PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENT BE CONSIDERED DISCRIMINATION?
Yes, Project Labor Agreements, which significantly limit (and in some instances prohibit) the majority of the construction workforce which has chosen not to belong to labor unions from working on a construction project (sometimes a government funded taxpayer project), is clearly a blatant form of discrimination.
What amazes me about this proposal centers on the cost of healthcare? How can a government entity seek out the cheapest options in purchasing healthcare but neglect their fiduciary duty on construction projects? This proposal would force a ratio of eight union members to one non-union member.
There are ways for a government entity to determine the qualifications of employees hired by a contractor. Let's look at plumbing for example. A person desiring to become a master plumber must work for a certain period under the supervision of a master plumber before seeking the position of journeyman plumber. A journeyman plumber must work for a period before becoming a master plumber.
Pennsylvania does not license plumbers however counties and municipalities have the authority to do so. Here are two examples in Pennsylvania; one from the Allegheny County Health Department and the other from South Whitehall Township.
Elaine is quoted in the article as saying “Anyone with questions or research to do — do it,” “I want this off the table and when we vote it’s off the table.” That sounds quite authoritarian to me. The board is comprised of nine members. If any member decided to bring it back to the table the chairman cannot prevent it. Just a tidbit on Robert's Rules of Order. It is called a motion to rescind and it must pass by two thirds of the members present.
Qualifications, not unionization, determine the fitness for employment of any individual. There's your research.
So I ask Elaine exactly what is a Project Labor Agreement? The Pennylvania Association of Builders and Contractors offers the following definition. A project labor agreement (PLA) is a signed commitment between the owner of the project (business or government)and area construction unions. These agreements generally require that a percentage of the workforce be hired from the specified labor union halls thereby prohibiting non-union employers (and employers whose employees are members of unions not signatory to the PLA) from utilizing its own employees on the project.
WOULD A PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENT BE CONSIDERED DISCRIMINATION?
Yes, Project Labor Agreements, which significantly limit (and in some instances prohibit) the majority of the construction workforce which has chosen not to belong to labor unions from working on a construction project (sometimes a government funded taxpayer project), is clearly a blatant form of discrimination.
What amazes me about this proposal centers on the cost of healthcare? How can a government entity seek out the cheapest options in purchasing healthcare but neglect their fiduciary duty on construction projects? This proposal would force a ratio of eight union members to one non-union member.
There are ways for a government entity to determine the qualifications of employees hired by a contractor. Let's look at plumbing for example. A person desiring to become a master plumber must work for a certain period under the supervision of a master plumber before seeking the position of journeyman plumber. A journeyman plumber must work for a period before becoming a master plumber.
Pennsylvania does not license plumbers however counties and municipalities have the authority to do so. Here are two examples in Pennsylvania; one from the Allegheny County Health Department and the other from South Whitehall Township.
Elaine is quoted in the article as saying “Anyone with questions or research to do — do it,” “I want this off the table and when we vote it’s off the table.” That sounds quite authoritarian to me. The board is comprised of nine members. If any member decided to bring it back to the table the chairman cannot prevent it. Just a tidbit on Robert's Rules of Order. It is called a motion to rescind and it must pass by two thirds of the members present.
Qualifications, not unionization, determine the fitness for employment of any individual. There's your research.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Obama Makes Treasury Secretary Pick That Is On Target
Today, President-elect Obama appeared to make his first untainted nomination in Timothy Geithner as Treasury Secretary. Geithner was appointed to head the New York Federal Reserve on October 15, 2003. His appointment by the New York Federal Reserve Bank's Board of Directors was approved by the Federal Reserve Board of Governors and announced by Mr. Peter Peterson, chair of the New York Federal Reserve Bank's Board of Directors and of the search committee that selected Mr. Geithner.
If you've been reading my blog I have been consistent that the problems with Washington are the Republicans and the Democrats, DemRepubagogues if you will. Peter Peterson wrote a book titled "Running on Empty: How the Democratic and Republican Parties Are Bankrupting Our Future and What Americans Can Do About It".
Here's a commentary to sum up the book-
"Peterson takes the role of an extraordinary flight attendant preparing 290 million passengers for a hard landing--but the landing he anticipates involves not jetliners hitting the tarmac but rather the entire American economy spiraling into insolvency. Basing his conclusions on one inescapable economic reality, Peterson argues that twin deficits in trade and government spending now require an astounding infusion of $4 billion in foreign capital every day just to avert economic meltdown in this country. And foreign investors are growing weary of propping up the U.S. economy while American political leaders ignore the perilously unbalanced government budget. Unfortunately, Peterson finds both major parties locked into pathologically rigid ideologies of denial. While Democrats push for ever-larger entitlements for ever-more interest groups, Republicans press for ever-deeper tax cuts. Neither party will initiate the reforms--succinctly outlined here by Peterson--essential to safeguard the country's long-term financial health. Sobering, urgent, and evenhanded. Bryce Christensen"
Let's pray that Daschle knows what the heck he is doing when he tries to fashion universal health care. More entitlement with no financial substance behind it will not serve any purpose for this country.
If you've been reading my blog I have been consistent that the problems with Washington are the Republicans and the Democrats, DemRepubagogues if you will. Peter Peterson wrote a book titled "Running on Empty: How the Democratic and Republican Parties Are Bankrupting Our Future and What Americans Can Do About It".
Here's a commentary to sum up the book-
"Peterson takes the role of an extraordinary flight attendant preparing 290 million passengers for a hard landing--but the landing he anticipates involves not jetliners hitting the tarmac but rather the entire American economy spiraling into insolvency. Basing his conclusions on one inescapable economic reality, Peterson argues that twin deficits in trade and government spending now require an astounding infusion of $4 billion in foreign capital every day just to avert economic meltdown in this country. And foreign investors are growing weary of propping up the U.S. economy while American political leaders ignore the perilously unbalanced government budget. Unfortunately, Peterson finds both major parties locked into pathologically rigid ideologies of denial. While Democrats push for ever-larger entitlements for ever-more interest groups, Republicans press for ever-deeper tax cuts. Neither party will initiate the reforms--succinctly outlined here by Peterson--essential to safeguard the country's long-term financial health. Sobering, urgent, and evenhanded. Bryce Christensen"
Let's pray that Daschle knows what the heck he is doing when he tries to fashion universal health care. More entitlement with no financial substance behind it will not serve any purpose for this country.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Washington Set Us Up For This
I have been rapid firing issues. Here is another that I think is important.
"U.S. power, influence will decline in future, report says Story Highlights
Report says China will have growing impact, second largest economy by 2025
There will be an unprecedented global transfer of power because of oil, report says
Indonesia, Iran, Turkey, will likely see power, desire for natural resources increase
"Unprecedented" growth means demand for basic resources will outweigh supply."
"U.S. power, influence will decline in future, report says Story Highlights
Report says China will have growing impact, second largest economy by 2025
There will be an unprecedented global transfer of power because of oil, report says
Indonesia, Iran, Turkey, will likely see power, desire for natural resources increase
"Unprecedented" growth means demand for basic resources will outweigh supply."
Hold Onto Your Wallets In Pennsylvania
From RockTheCapital.org here is a list of PA House members who did not repay the illegal pay raise from 2005.
House Members Who Will Not Repay: 25
• Rep. David Argall (R-Schuylkill)
• Rep. Louise Bishop (D-Philadelphia)
• Rep. Mark Cohen (D-Philadelphia)
• Rep. Angel Cruz (D-Philadelphia)
• Rep. H. William DeWeese (Greene)
• Rep. Robert Donatucci (D-Philadelphia)
• Rep. Todd Eachus (D-Luzerene)
• Rep. Dwight Evans (D-Philadelphia)
• Rep. Rick Geist (R-Blair)
• Rep. Gary Haluska (D-Cambria)
• Rep. Harold James (D-Philadelphia)
• Rep. Babette Josephs (D-Philadelphia)
• Rep. Bill Keller (D-Philadelphia)
• Rep. George Kenney (R-Philadelphia)
• Rep. Keith McCall (D-Carbon)
• Rep. John Myers (D-Philadelphia)
• Rep. Frank Oliver (D-Philadelphia)
• Rep. John Perzel (R-Philadelphia)
• Rep. Chris Sainato (D-Lawrence )
• Rep. Mike Sturla (D-Lancaster)
• Rep. John Taylor (D-Philadelphia)
• Rep. W. Curtis Thomas (D-Philadelphia)
• Rep. Ronald Waters (D-Philadelphia)
• Rep. Jewell Williams (D-Philadelphia)
• Rep. Rosita Youngblood (D-Philadelphia)
Here is the new Democratic leadership come January 2009.
Rep. Todd A. Eachus, of Luzerne County, will succeed Rep. Bill DeWeese as majority leader at swearing-in ceremonies in January.
DeWeese, 58, damaged but not charged in the ongoing Bonusgate corruption investigation, announced last week that he would not vie for the leadership post that he has held since 1995. Instead, he sought the title of whip.
Democrats also nominated Rep. Keith McCall of Carbon County as speaker -- the chamber's top post. The full House will vote on who will fill that job in January when the new session begins.
In other races, Rep. Dwight Evans, of Philadelphia, chairman of the powerful Appropriations Committee, retained his job unopposed, as did Rep. Mark Cohen, caucus chairman.
Here is what happened to the Republicans on that list.
For the second session in a row, Rep. John Perzel of Philadelphia, the former speaker, will remain out of the GOP leadership ranks. For weeks, he had lobbied fellow Republicans in a bid to replace Smith, but failed in the end.
Rep. Mario Civera of Delaware County was reelected ranking Republican of the Appropriations Committee, while Rep. Mike Turzai of Allegheny County was elected minority whip, replacing Rep. David Argall of Schuylkill County.
And this state gave more seats to the Democrats in this election. Are they nuts or what? Remember these are the same guys who also tried to raise their pay 22%.
The last time that happened on a federal level was 1989. Actually it was a 29.5% raise from $96,600.00 to $125,100.00 for the House of Representatives. You will never guess who voted for that raise. Oh yeaaahhh. None other than Paul Kanjorski.
The name of HR 3660 that passed and authorized the raise was "The Government Ethics Reform Act of 1989". Doesn't it just make you wee your extremities.
House Members Who Will Not Repay: 25
• Rep. David Argall (R-Schuylkill)
• Rep. Louise Bishop (D-Philadelphia)
• Rep. Mark Cohen (D-Philadelphia)
• Rep. Angel Cruz (D-Philadelphia)
• Rep. H. William DeWeese (Greene)
• Rep. Robert Donatucci (D-Philadelphia)
• Rep. Todd Eachus (D-Luzerene)
• Rep. Dwight Evans (D-Philadelphia)
• Rep. Rick Geist (R-Blair)
• Rep. Gary Haluska (D-Cambria)
• Rep. Harold James (D-Philadelphia)
• Rep. Babette Josephs (D-Philadelphia)
• Rep. Bill Keller (D-Philadelphia)
• Rep. George Kenney (R-Philadelphia)
• Rep. Keith McCall (D-Carbon)
• Rep. John Myers (D-Philadelphia)
• Rep. Frank Oliver (D-Philadelphia)
• Rep. John Perzel (R-Philadelphia)
• Rep. Chris Sainato (D-Lawrence )
• Rep. Mike Sturla (D-Lancaster)
• Rep. John Taylor (D-Philadelphia)
• Rep. W. Curtis Thomas (D-Philadelphia)
• Rep. Ronald Waters (D-Philadelphia)
• Rep. Jewell Williams (D-Philadelphia)
• Rep. Rosita Youngblood (D-Philadelphia)
Here is the new Democratic leadership come January 2009.
Rep. Todd A. Eachus, of Luzerne County, will succeed Rep. Bill DeWeese as majority leader at swearing-in ceremonies in January.
DeWeese, 58, damaged but not charged in the ongoing Bonusgate corruption investigation, announced last week that he would not vie for the leadership post that he has held since 1995. Instead, he sought the title of whip.
Democrats also nominated Rep. Keith McCall of Carbon County as speaker -- the chamber's top post. The full House will vote on who will fill that job in January when the new session begins.
In other races, Rep. Dwight Evans, of Philadelphia, chairman of the powerful Appropriations Committee, retained his job unopposed, as did Rep. Mark Cohen, caucus chairman.
Here is what happened to the Republicans on that list.
For the second session in a row, Rep. John Perzel of Philadelphia, the former speaker, will remain out of the GOP leadership ranks. For weeks, he had lobbied fellow Republicans in a bid to replace Smith, but failed in the end.
Rep. Mario Civera of Delaware County was reelected ranking Republican of the Appropriations Committee, while Rep. Mike Turzai of Allegheny County was elected minority whip, replacing Rep. David Argall of Schuylkill County.
And this state gave more seats to the Democrats in this election. Are they nuts or what? Remember these are the same guys who also tried to raise their pay 22%.
The last time that happened on a federal level was 1989. Actually it was a 29.5% raise from $96,600.00 to $125,100.00 for the House of Representatives. You will never guess who voted for that raise. Oh yeaaahhh. None other than Paul Kanjorski.
The name of HR 3660 that passed and authorized the raise was "The Government Ethics Reform Act of 1989". Doesn't it just make you wee your extremities.
The Question To Ask Ford, Chrysler, and GM
The order of the Big 3 in that title is the order of their financial health according to United Auto Workers President Ron Gettelfinger.
While Toyota may be struggling with a shrinking economic forecast it is still turning a profit. The people in Anna, Ohio seem to think Honda is doing well with its engine manufacturing plant.
["I don't think they should bail them out because ... obviously something's not right in the way they're running their business, and why should the American people have to bail them out if they can't figure out how to do it right?" September Quinn, the busy waitress, said after the lunch rush at the Inn Between.] I think September needs should be a consultant for the boards of the Big 3.
Ohh..the question. If your competitors are doing it right why should be help continue doing it wrong?
While Toyota may be struggling with a shrinking economic forecast it is still turning a profit. The people in Anna, Ohio seem to think Honda is doing well with its engine manufacturing plant.
["I don't think they should bail them out because ... obviously something's not right in the way they're running their business, and why should the American people have to bail them out if they can't figure out how to do it right?" September Quinn, the busy waitress, said after the lunch rush at the Inn Between.] I think September needs should be a consultant for the boards of the Big 3.
Ohh..the question. If your competitors are doing it right why should be help continue doing it wrong?
Did Joe Biden Understand Change You Can Believe In
In an article that appeared on ABCNews.Go.Com it appears that Joe Biden subscribes to the philosophy of politics as usual. Barack Obama has resigned his Senate seat. Joe Biden has yet to follow suit.
The outgoing Governor of Delaware is a Democrat but so is the incoming leader. So what's the big deal. It appears Biden is jockeying for position so his son, Beau Biden, eventually will mount that seat. Since when are Senate seats of the government of the United States of American legacy seats? Why do we tolerate legacy in a democracy?
"A similar maneuver was used to keep John F. Kennedy’s Senate seat in the family, and 48 years later, Ted Kennedy is still representing Massachusetts in the Senate.
But the timing of installing a Biden replacement could harm Delawareans: The newly elected senators will take office Jan. 3, and all will have seniority over Biden’s replacement if Biden stays in office beyond then."
Obama was an empty suit with empty promises. Anybody and anything that has to do with the Clintons are lining up and getting appointments. As the article states it's change Washington can believe in, not Change We Can Believe In.
The outgoing Governor of Delaware is a Democrat but so is the incoming leader. So what's the big deal. It appears Biden is jockeying for position so his son, Beau Biden, eventually will mount that seat. Since when are Senate seats of the government of the United States of American legacy seats? Why do we tolerate legacy in a democracy?
"A similar maneuver was used to keep John F. Kennedy’s Senate seat in the family, and 48 years later, Ted Kennedy is still representing Massachusetts in the Senate.
But the timing of installing a Biden replacement could harm Delawareans: The newly elected senators will take office Jan. 3, and all will have seniority over Biden’s replacement if Biden stays in office beyond then."
Obama was an empty suit with empty promises. Anybody and anything that has to do with the Clintons are lining up and getting appointments. As the article states it's change Washington can believe in, not Change We Can Believe In.
Why Did We Eventually Play Ball on the PA Pay Raise Issue?
In these troubling economic times here is some great news from Harrisburg.
"Pennsylvania lawmakers have a scary budgetary hole to deal with in 2009.
On Wednesday, they learned exactly how much more they'll be paid trying to plug it.
House and Senate members will receive a 2.8 percent raise, setting lawmakers' base pay at $78,315.
The 30 legislative leaders will receive more. Their pay will range from $89,300 for caucus administrators, secretaries and policy-committee chairmen, to $122,254 for the speaker of the House and Senate president pro tempore.
The legislative raises will kick in Dec. 1. They will be based on the annual change in the federal Consumer Price Index for the Mid-Atlantic region for the 12-month period ending in October.
The same 2.8 percent increase is due judges statewide, though their raises won't take effect until Jan. 1.
The judiciary's pay will run from $191,876 for Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronald Castille to $161,850 for county judges and $80,927 for local magisterial district justices.
The cost-of-living adjustment also applies to Gov. Ed Rendell and his Cabinet secretaries, effective Jan. 1. Their new salaries were not available yesterday, but based on 2008 pay levels, the governor's salary would jump to $174,956.
Rendell said Wednesday he might consider suspending the executive-branch raises in keeping with his frugality plan. The plan was brought on by slumping state revenues that might finish the current fiscal year between $1 billion and $2 billion below projections.
Rendell did forego his automatic pay raise in 2004, shortly after he negotiated a pay freeze for all state workers under his jurisdiction. At that time, he also "recommended" that his Cabinet secretaries and senior staff members pass on their raises, and they did."
It's pretty amazing that the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court makes more than the Governor of Pennsylvania. A Democratically controlled House is going to be the downfall of this state. The important question to ask of the Majority Leader and the Speaker is why they kept the pay raise even after it was repealed.
As I stated before, according to the 2004 census California had 35 million residents and Pennsylvania had 12 million. California has 120 total legislators. Pennsylvania has 256 legislators. Losing 171 legislators (1/3 of 256) would save the state a minimum of $13 million per year. That figure would greatly increase when you consider the staff, support personell, and benefits that would not be needed in such a streamlining effort. It's okay to laugh at the suggestion. But there are many people losing their jobs right now due to an economic downturn. Why should our government be spared from shrinking when its tax base is evaporating before its very eyes?
The only hope I see in this entire mess is that Tom Corbett continues in his quest to remove public officials who take advantage of public trust. Did we really become that complacent in our state to accept the pay raise issue as business as usual?
"Pennsylvania lawmakers have a scary budgetary hole to deal with in 2009.
On Wednesday, they learned exactly how much more they'll be paid trying to plug it.
House and Senate members will receive a 2.8 percent raise, setting lawmakers' base pay at $78,315.
The 30 legislative leaders will receive more. Their pay will range from $89,300 for caucus administrators, secretaries and policy-committee chairmen, to $122,254 for the speaker of the House and Senate president pro tempore.
The legislative raises will kick in Dec. 1. They will be based on the annual change in the federal Consumer Price Index for the Mid-Atlantic region for the 12-month period ending in October.
The same 2.8 percent increase is due judges statewide, though their raises won't take effect until Jan. 1.
The judiciary's pay will run from $191,876 for Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronald Castille to $161,850 for county judges and $80,927 for local magisterial district justices.
The cost-of-living adjustment also applies to Gov. Ed Rendell and his Cabinet secretaries, effective Jan. 1. Their new salaries were not available yesterday, but based on 2008 pay levels, the governor's salary would jump to $174,956.
Rendell said Wednesday he might consider suspending the executive-branch raises in keeping with his frugality plan. The plan was brought on by slumping state revenues that might finish the current fiscal year between $1 billion and $2 billion below projections.
Rendell did forego his automatic pay raise in 2004, shortly after he negotiated a pay freeze for all state workers under his jurisdiction. At that time, he also "recommended" that his Cabinet secretaries and senior staff members pass on their raises, and they did."
It's pretty amazing that the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court makes more than the Governor of Pennsylvania. A Democratically controlled House is going to be the downfall of this state. The important question to ask of the Majority Leader and the Speaker is why they kept the pay raise even after it was repealed.
As I stated before, according to the 2004 census California had 35 million residents and Pennsylvania had 12 million. California has 120 total legislators. Pennsylvania has 256 legislators. Losing 171 legislators (1/3 of 256) would save the state a minimum of $13 million per year. That figure would greatly increase when you consider the staff, support personell, and benefits that would not be needed in such a streamlining effort. It's okay to laugh at the suggestion. But there are many people losing their jobs right now due to an economic downturn. Why should our government be spared from shrinking when its tax base is evaporating before its very eyes?
The only hope I see in this entire mess is that Tom Corbett continues in his quest to remove public officials who take advantage of public trust. Did we really become that complacent in our state to accept the pay raise issue as business as usual?
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
I Say NO to Detroit
Before I delve into this topic I want everyone to know that I was a union member during college for 5 years. I saw firsthand how union can benefit as well as bankrupt a business. If you don't believe me I worked for Spaulding Bakeries. Having sad that I also saw how management that charts the course of a company sticking its head in the sand while enjoying lavish benefits could do more damage than any union's capability.
The bailout program passed by Congress to save the failing financial services sector has become the target of every major business in this country. Insurance companies are buying small banks so they can qualify as a financial institutions thereby qualifying for federal money from the financial rescue program. The insurance industry bought some of the subprime mortgage packages exposing them to losses, of course starting with the greed that came with high interest mortgages.
The Big 3 automakers went to Capital Hill yesterday to make their case for a portion of the bailout money. They called it a loan. The Big 3 CEOs had a PR problem from the moment they touched down in Washington. It seems they took private jets to ask for public money. That action is symbolic of the thought processes in the executive suites of each company.
David Yermack, a professor of finance at New York University's Stern School of Business, wrote a great essay on the need to let the Big 3 die a happy death. He discussed the two main arguments being used to justify some sort of bailout. "Two main arguments are being raised to justify a government rescue of the auto industry. First, large numbers of jobs may be at stake, perhaps as many as three million if one counts all the other firms that supply the Big Three. This greatly overstates the situation. Americans are not going to stop driving cars, and if GM, Ford and Chrysler disappear, other companies will expand to soak up their market share, adding jobs in the process. Many suppliers will also stay in business to satisfy the residual demand for spare parts even if the Detroit manufacturers go under. If the government wants to spend $25 billion to protect auto workers, it would do better to transfer the money to them directly (perhaps by cutting each worker a check for $10,000) rather than by keeping their unproductive employer in business."
Mitt Romney wrote an Op-Ed piece in today's New York Times titled "Let Detroit Go Bankrupt".
"Without that bailout, Detroit will need to drastically restructure itself. With it, the automakers will stay the course — the suicidal course of declining market shares, insurmountable labor and retiree burdens, technology atrophy, product inferiority and never-ending job losses. Detroit needs a turnaround, not a check.
The American auto industry is vital to our national interest as an employer and as a hub for manufacturing. A managed bankruptcy may be the only path to the fundamental restructuring the industry needs. It would permit the companies to shed excess labor, pension and real estate costs. The federal government should provide guarantees for post-bankruptcy financing and assure car buyers that their warranties are not at risk.
In a managed bankruptcy, the federal government would propel newly competitive and viable automakers, rather than seal their fate with a bailout check."
When the automakers were faced with auto emission controls in the 1970's two things happened. The Japanese left the table, flew home, and starting working on meeting the standards. The American manufacturers left the table, flew home, and called their Congressmen to try to stop the legislation.
"Industry immediately said the standards could not be met. Lee Iacocca of Ford said that a one year extension was needed to “keep us in business for another year.” A General Motors executive named Ernie Starkman told the EPA that requiring catalytic converters on its 1975 MY vehicles would pose “unreasonable risk of business catastrophe” and could conceivably lead to “complete stoppage of the entire production.”
In response to the Clean Air Act, Lee Iacocca at Ford issued a press statement saying that the provisions “could prevent continued production of automobiles after January 1, 1975. Even if they do not stop production, they could lead to huge increases in the price of cars. They could have a tremendous impact on all of American industry and could do irreparable damage to the American economy. And yet, in return for all of this, they would lead to only small improvements in the quality of air.”
As it later turned out, auto industry cost estimates for the 1970s catalytic converter requirements were two times higher than the actual cost. Industry estimates claimed a price tag of nearly $3,000, but actual costs turned out to be only about $1,300.
In 1975, with the passage of the Environmental Policy and Conservation Act, CAFE
standards further changed the face of the American automobile, and led to reductions in size and weight to improve fuel economy. Fuel economy was increased by 40 to 50
percent by MY 1980. General Motors and Ford quickly filed protests, contending the standards would require new, unproven technologies and would negatively impact consumers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rejected the automakers’ claims and concluded that the standards could be met without a significant change in the mix of cars being sold."
The point of this piece centers on auto executives and the union both working against a solution to survive. Instead its time to go back to the government and get a bailout. I, for one, say no. In the shortterm there will be pain but in the long run the industry will be a stronger, more focused machine.
The bailout program passed by Congress to save the failing financial services sector has become the target of every major business in this country. Insurance companies are buying small banks so they can qualify as a financial institutions thereby qualifying for federal money from the financial rescue program. The insurance industry bought some of the subprime mortgage packages exposing them to losses, of course starting with the greed that came with high interest mortgages.
The Big 3 automakers went to Capital Hill yesterday to make their case for a portion of the bailout money. They called it a loan. The Big 3 CEOs had a PR problem from the moment they touched down in Washington. It seems they took private jets to ask for public money. That action is symbolic of the thought processes in the executive suites of each company.
David Yermack, a professor of finance at New York University's Stern School of Business, wrote a great essay on the need to let the Big 3 die a happy death. He discussed the two main arguments being used to justify some sort of bailout. "Two main arguments are being raised to justify a government rescue of the auto industry. First, large numbers of jobs may be at stake, perhaps as many as three million if one counts all the other firms that supply the Big Three. This greatly overstates the situation. Americans are not going to stop driving cars, and if GM, Ford and Chrysler disappear, other companies will expand to soak up their market share, adding jobs in the process. Many suppliers will also stay in business to satisfy the residual demand for spare parts even if the Detroit manufacturers go under. If the government wants to spend $25 billion to protect auto workers, it would do better to transfer the money to them directly (perhaps by cutting each worker a check for $10,000) rather than by keeping their unproductive employer in business."
Mitt Romney wrote an Op-Ed piece in today's New York Times titled "Let Detroit Go Bankrupt".
"Without that bailout, Detroit will need to drastically restructure itself. With it, the automakers will stay the course — the suicidal course of declining market shares, insurmountable labor and retiree burdens, technology atrophy, product inferiority and never-ending job losses. Detroit needs a turnaround, not a check.
The American auto industry is vital to our national interest as an employer and as a hub for manufacturing. A managed bankruptcy may be the only path to the fundamental restructuring the industry needs. It would permit the companies to shed excess labor, pension and real estate costs. The federal government should provide guarantees for post-bankruptcy financing and assure car buyers that their warranties are not at risk.
In a managed bankruptcy, the federal government would propel newly competitive and viable automakers, rather than seal their fate with a bailout check."
When the automakers were faced with auto emission controls in the 1970's two things happened. The Japanese left the table, flew home, and starting working on meeting the standards. The American manufacturers left the table, flew home, and called their Congressmen to try to stop the legislation.
"Industry immediately said the standards could not be met. Lee Iacocca of Ford said that a one year extension was needed to “keep us in business for another year.” A General Motors executive named Ernie Starkman told the EPA that requiring catalytic converters on its 1975 MY vehicles would pose “unreasonable risk of business catastrophe” and could conceivably lead to “complete stoppage of the entire production.”
In response to the Clean Air Act, Lee Iacocca at Ford issued a press statement saying that the provisions “could prevent continued production of automobiles after January 1, 1975. Even if they do not stop production, they could lead to huge increases in the price of cars. They could have a tremendous impact on all of American industry and could do irreparable damage to the American economy. And yet, in return for all of this, they would lead to only small improvements in the quality of air.”
As it later turned out, auto industry cost estimates for the 1970s catalytic converter requirements were two times higher than the actual cost. Industry estimates claimed a price tag of nearly $3,000, but actual costs turned out to be only about $1,300.
In 1975, with the passage of the Environmental Policy and Conservation Act, CAFE
standards further changed the face of the American automobile, and led to reductions in size and weight to improve fuel economy. Fuel economy was increased by 40 to 50
percent by MY 1980. General Motors and Ford quickly filed protests, contending the standards would require new, unproven technologies and would negatively impact consumers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rejected the automakers’ claims and concluded that the standards could be met without a significant change in the mix of cars being sold."
The point of this piece centers on auto executives and the union both working against a solution to survive. Instead its time to go back to the government and get a bailout. I, for one, say no. In the shortterm there will be pain but in the long run the industry will be a stronger, more focused machine.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Republicans Turn In The Bonusgate Pit
In an email exchange I had with a fellow blogger I told him that I believe in fair and balanced reporting. Due to my volunteer work on the Barletta campaign I focused on the Democrats. Today it is the Republicans turn to face my research. I am a Republican who believes the only way we are going to change the party image is by cleaning it up for starters. In a Fox43 report new allegations surfaced that the PA House Republican leaders used a $9 million database paid for with Pennsylvania taxpayer's dollars for campaign purposes.
These "leaders" are either blind or stupid. They have a Republican Attorney General who arrests and convicts former House Member Jeff Habay, one of their own, in 2005 for basically the same crime.
"Corbett said the investigation, prosecution, conviction and prison sentence of former Republican Representative Jeff Habay in 2004 and 2005 by the Attorney General's Office for using his legislative staff for campaign and fundraising purposes should have put legislative leaders and their staffs on notice that the Attorney General's office and the courts take a stern view of such illegal activity."
Harrisburg, wake up. You were put on notice yet the arrogance continues.
These "leaders" are either blind or stupid. They have a Republican Attorney General who arrests and convicts former House Member Jeff Habay, one of their own, in 2005 for basically the same crime.
"Corbett said the investigation, prosecution, conviction and prison sentence of former Republican Representative Jeff Habay in 2004 and 2005 by the Attorney General's Office for using his legislative staff for campaign and fundraising purposes should have put legislative leaders and their staffs on notice that the Attorney General's office and the courts take a stern view of such illegal activity."
Harrisburg, wake up. You were put on notice yet the arrogance continues.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Donovan McNabb's Stunning Admission
This one is for the G man over at Gort42. Donovan McNabb didn't know that NFL games could end in ties. Tsk, Tsk, Tsk.
Obama's Broken Promise No.3
According to an ABC news story things inside the Beltway are beginning to look a lot like...well business as usual:
"One of Obama's top transition team members, Thomas Donilon, oversaw an aggressive, backdoor lobbying campaign by mortgage giant Fannie Mae to undermine the credibility of a probe into the firm's accounting irregularities, according to a 2006 government report on the company.
The effort -- which reportedly included attacks on the funding for the oversight agency, the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, and an attempt to launch a separate investigation into OFHEO itself -- was ultimately unsuccessful, and regulators eventually discovered top Fannie Mae executives had been manipulating the company's financial reporting to maximize their bonuses.
Facing accusations of misstating its earnings from 1998 to 2004, Fannie Mae settled with the Securities and Exchange Commission for $400 million in 2006, although it did not admit any wrongdoing."
Faces change but the games continue. Obama's win was about marketing a brand not selling a substance.
"One of Obama's top transition team members, Thomas Donilon, oversaw an aggressive, backdoor lobbying campaign by mortgage giant Fannie Mae to undermine the credibility of a probe into the firm's accounting irregularities, according to a 2006 government report on the company.
The effort -- which reportedly included attacks on the funding for the oversight agency, the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, and an attempt to launch a separate investigation into OFHEO itself -- was ultimately unsuccessful, and regulators eventually discovered top Fannie Mae executives had been manipulating the company's financial reporting to maximize their bonuses.
Facing accusations of misstating its earnings from 1998 to 2004, Fannie Mae settled with the Securities and Exchange Commission for $400 million in 2006, although it did not admit any wrongdoing."
Faces change but the games continue. Obama's win was about marketing a brand not selling a substance.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Obama Broke His Promise
Tonight Obama said that he would raise the national debt if necessary. Why did he take this position about George Bush? Steve Kroft and the rest of the media is going to give him a Pass!!!
From ABC news:
"He suggested that the billions should be spent despite the effect it would have on the country's deficit.
"We shouldn't worry about the deficit next year or even the year after. That short term, the most important thing is that we avoid a deepening recession," Obama said.
I thought he campaigned against George Bush's debt. The backpeddling has already started.
From ABC news:
"He suggested that the billions should be spent despite the effect it would have on the country's deficit.
"We shouldn't worry about the deficit next year or even the year after. That short term, the most important thing is that we avoid a deepening recession," Obama said.
I thought he campaigned against George Bush's debt. The backpeddling has already started.
Ed Mitchell Admits Paying Camerman to Follow Lou Barletta
But does the story end there.
My peer, Gort, once requested in his blog that if anyone knew Lou Barletta's campaign whereabouts let him know and he would post it. I was almost tempted to answer that request from May 21, 2008. However, circumstances known to me prevented releasing information ahead of time.
Lou Barletta was confronted by at least five camera-toting persons during this election at any given time at his campaign office, City Hall, Funfest, Scranton City Council, various speaking engagements like the American Legion in Wilkes Barre, and fundraisers including one at Damon's in Hazleton(I will post a special story on this one) plus a private, invitation only affair at the Stegmaier Manson.
It appears Ed Mitchell was so desparate in his quest to get Paul Kanjorski re-elected that he allowed and permitted himself to transcend levels lower than a snake. His first political commercial proffered Paul was a family man with "middle class values". Ed didn't waste any time to destroy the Barletta family, the DeAngelo famly, and all the friends and employees involved with subsequent commercials. Ed, those are not the values my parents taught me. The first question to Ed Mitchell...Did Paul know you paid someone to harass, videotape, and follow Lou Barlettta?
I will publicly name the photographers that went after Lou because I have photographs of them to back me up. The first person to approach Lou with a camcorder was identified as Mike Quinn, a bartender at The Bog in Scranton. You can see his work as LoserLou2008 on Youtube.com. Unfortunately for Mike an employee of Lou's campaign readily recognized him when the campaign captured pictures of him. There's a CIA saying. Don't worry about who you are watching, worry about who is watching you.
Ed Mitchell made the claim that these people were only sent to fundraisers. As you will see videographers showed up at official City Hall business which had nothing to do with the campaign.
If you visit Mike's Youtube page you will see a girl who I refer to as Lucy Lu. She claimed to be an aspiring journalism student but, wow, did she have her facts screwed up. You can read a post on the Youtube site that expalins the meaning of that sentence. She was the second to confront Lou in her failed attempt to get a "gotcha" moment. It was curious that both of them throughout the rest of the campaign remained in obscurity.
One young man showed up at Scranton City Hall to videotape Lou during a speaking engagement. The campaign has pictures of him but were unable to identify the videographer.
The next person, who is featured in the Times Leader story, was Joseph Van Wie, part owner of Agapic Films. Ironically the company's first film was titled "Gentleman Jack." Mr. Van Wie filled out a volunteer card and asked for a yard sign as part of his infiltration into the Barletta campaign. Watergate comes to mind.
At the Stegmaier event Joe was noticed hiding in some bushes. Campaign personnel brought Lou's car around the back of the mansion to try to avoid him. When Joe noticed Lou was leaving by a different route he jumped out of the bushes and proceeded to chase after Lou's car. He shouted "Mayor, Do you think you are sexy?" I would say not Joe's brightest moment in filming.
One late afternoon Lou and Vince Galko, his campaign manager, were driving in Scranton coming from an event when they noticed Van Wie sitting at the counter of a local eatery. He spotted the car outside the window and pretended he was videtaping them with his hands. It was a light-hearted moment for both as each took it in stride. Lou and Vince both smiled and laughed at Joe's humor. Joseph Van Wie commented to Vince at one point in the campaign that his candidate was good because he was not finding the "gotcha" moment he NEEDED.
Here are two pictures from Funfest 2008 in Hazleton showing Joe Wie following Lou. Joe is seen at the immediate left of Lou's left shoulder wearing the yellow hat. Take notice that Joe was following Lou at the Funfest event, yet another example of Lou acting in his official capacity of Mayor of Hazleton. These pictures do not corroborate Ed Mitchell's story. At the end of this piece I am posting more pictures so the reader can get a real flavor for Ed Mitchell's lies.
If you go to Open Secrets at this link you will see a campaign expenditure for AGAPIC Films for $9,420.00. Let's hold Paul's feet to the fire. Paul, why would you let your media guy stoop to such a distasteful tactic? Lou's wife was with him at times. If you weren't a part of this I believe it is time you come out and say so. Otherwise, to me, you were as complicit as all get out. How is this episode going to play out among your peers in Washington? Was this tactic their suggestion? Did Nancy Pelosi grant permission for a tracker to be deceiving including wearing the opponents campaign button? Or was Rahm Emanuel the strategist?
In the next edition I will write about Accountability Moments, Michael Stark, and his visit to Damon's restaurant after coming all the way from Virginia.
Here are the pics.
My peer, Gort, once requested in his blog that if anyone knew Lou Barletta's campaign whereabouts let him know and he would post it. I was almost tempted to answer that request from May 21, 2008. However, circumstances known to me prevented releasing information ahead of time.
Lou Barletta was confronted by at least five camera-toting persons during this election at any given time at his campaign office, City Hall, Funfest, Scranton City Council, various speaking engagements like the American Legion in Wilkes Barre, and fundraisers including one at Damon's in Hazleton(I will post a special story on this one) plus a private, invitation only affair at the Stegmaier Manson.
It appears Ed Mitchell was so desparate in his quest to get Paul Kanjorski re-elected that he allowed and permitted himself to transcend levels lower than a snake. His first political commercial proffered Paul was a family man with "middle class values". Ed didn't waste any time to destroy the Barletta family, the DeAngelo famly, and all the friends and employees involved with subsequent commercials. Ed, those are not the values my parents taught me. The first question to Ed Mitchell...Did Paul know you paid someone to harass, videotape, and follow Lou Barlettta?
I will publicly name the photographers that went after Lou because I have photographs of them to back me up. The first person to approach Lou with a camcorder was identified as Mike Quinn, a bartender at The Bog in Scranton. You can see his work as LoserLou2008 on Youtube.com. Unfortunately for Mike an employee of Lou's campaign readily recognized him when the campaign captured pictures of him. There's a CIA saying. Don't worry about who you are watching, worry about who is watching you.
Ed Mitchell made the claim that these people were only sent to fundraisers. As you will see videographers showed up at official City Hall business which had nothing to do with the campaign.
If you visit Mike's Youtube page you will see a girl who I refer to as Lucy Lu. She claimed to be an aspiring journalism student but, wow, did she have her facts screwed up. You can read a post on the Youtube site that expalins the meaning of that sentence. She was the second to confront Lou in her failed attempt to get a "gotcha" moment. It was curious that both of them throughout the rest of the campaign remained in obscurity.
One young man showed up at Scranton City Hall to videotape Lou during a speaking engagement. The campaign has pictures of him but were unable to identify the videographer.
The next person, who is featured in the Times Leader story, was Joseph Van Wie, part owner of Agapic Films. Ironically the company's first film was titled "Gentleman Jack." Mr. Van Wie filled out a volunteer card and asked for a yard sign as part of his infiltration into the Barletta campaign. Watergate comes to mind.
At the Stegmaier event Joe was noticed hiding in some bushes. Campaign personnel brought Lou's car around the back of the mansion to try to avoid him. When Joe noticed Lou was leaving by a different route he jumped out of the bushes and proceeded to chase after Lou's car. He shouted "Mayor, Do you think you are sexy?" I would say not Joe's brightest moment in filming.
One late afternoon Lou and Vince Galko, his campaign manager, were driving in Scranton coming from an event when they noticed Van Wie sitting at the counter of a local eatery. He spotted the car outside the window and pretended he was videtaping them with his hands. It was a light-hearted moment for both as each took it in stride. Lou and Vince both smiled and laughed at Joe's humor. Joseph Van Wie commented to Vince at one point in the campaign that his candidate was good because he was not finding the "gotcha" moment he NEEDED.
Here are two pictures from Funfest 2008 in Hazleton showing Joe Wie following Lou. Joe is seen at the immediate left of Lou's left shoulder wearing the yellow hat. Take notice that Joe was following Lou at the Funfest event, yet another example of Lou acting in his official capacity of Mayor of Hazleton. These pictures do not corroborate Ed Mitchell's story. At the end of this piece I am posting more pictures so the reader can get a real flavor for Ed Mitchell's lies.
If you go to Open Secrets at this link you will see a campaign expenditure for AGAPIC Films for $9,420.00. Let's hold Paul's feet to the fire. Paul, why would you let your media guy stoop to such a distasteful tactic? Lou's wife was with him at times. If you weren't a part of this I believe it is time you come out and say so. Otherwise, to me, you were as complicit as all get out. How is this episode going to play out among your peers in Washington? Was this tactic their suggestion? Did Nancy Pelosi grant permission for a tracker to be deceiving including wearing the opponents campaign button? Or was Rahm Emanuel the strategist?
In the next edition I will write about Accountability Moments, Michael Stark, and his visit to Damon's restaurant after coming all the way from Virginia.
Here are the pics.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Voting Irregularities? You Decide
According to a National Campaign for Fair Elections publication they have the following to say about persons who come to the polling booth but are unable to read or write the language:
"Any voter requiring assistance at the polls for any of these reasons must have a declaration recorded upon her/his registration card that, by reason of blindness, disability, or inability to read or write, s/he is unable to read the names on the ballot or on the voting machine labels, or that s/he has a physical disability that renders him/her unable to see or mark the ballot or operate the voting machine, or to enter the voting compartment or voting machine booth without assistance. The exact nature of the voter’s condition must be recorded on the registration card. The voter will only be allowed to receive assistance if the election officers are satisfied that she/he still suffers from the same condition. A voter who is entitled to receive assistance under these provisions will be permitted to select a person of the voter’s choice (except the judge of elections, the voter’s employer or an agent of the employer, or an officer or agent of the voter’s union) to enter the voting compartment or voting machine booth with him/her to assist him/her in voting."
There are widespread reports that people were offering assistance in the voting booth throughout Luzerne County without having the proper documentation. Judges of Elections were not requiring a Declaration of Assistance card to be on file or filled out at the time of signing in to vote even after notification of the requirement. What did you notice in your polling place?
"Any voter requiring assistance at the polls for any of these reasons must have a declaration recorded upon her/his registration card that, by reason of blindness, disability, or inability to read or write, s/he is unable to read the names on the ballot or on the voting machine labels, or that s/he has a physical disability that renders him/her unable to see or mark the ballot or operate the voting machine, or to enter the voting compartment or voting machine booth without assistance. The exact nature of the voter’s condition must be recorded on the registration card. The voter will only be allowed to receive assistance if the election officers are satisfied that she/he still suffers from the same condition. A voter who is entitled to receive assistance under these provisions will be permitted to select a person of the voter’s choice (except the judge of elections, the voter’s employer or an agent of the employer, or an officer or agent of the voter’s union) to enter the voting compartment or voting machine booth with him/her to assist him/her in voting."
There are widespread reports that people were offering assistance in the voting booth throughout Luzerne County without having the proper documentation. Judges of Elections were not requiring a Declaration of Assistance card to be on file or filled out at the time of signing in to vote even after notification of the requirement. What did you notice in your polling place?
George Bush vs. Barack Obama Elections Update
As an update to my post on the slight differences between the Obama election and George Bush's re-election of 2004 I wanted to list the population estimates for each year. In 2004 the population of the U.S. is estimatedto be 293,655,404 . In 2008 the population estimated increase rose to 305,645,134. Almost 12 million people were added to our nation in just 4 years. If you look at George Bush's popular vote figures vs. Barack Obama's most of the difference can be accounted for due to population growth, not a shift in philosophy.
Mark my words. The Democrats are going to push for amnesty as a way to increase their voting base, not because it is right for America. Our increase in healthcare costs, educational costs, etc. can be directly linked to increases in utilization as a result of the 1986 amnesty.
Mark my words. The Democrats are going to push for amnesty as a way to increase their voting base, not because it is right for America. Our increase in healthcare costs, educational costs, etc. can be directly linked to increases in utilization as a result of the 1986 amnesty.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Pennsylvania is Okay For Gas Exploration But for Obama Utah and Montana are Off Limits
Here is the kinda crap I read everyday. Below is an article about the state of Pennsylvania leasing state lands for gas exploration.
"At a press conference Thursday, the governor(Ridge) called the total $190 million in high lease bids submitted by oil and gas companies a positive development when Pennsylvania has economic troubles. As state tax revenues drop, Mr. Rendell recently put a state government hiring freeze in effect.
The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources opened the competitive bids earlier this month from companies seeking drilling access to 74,000 acres of state forest land in Tioga, Lycoming and Clinton counties. This leased acreage covers about 4 percent of the 2.1 million acres of state forest land."
Then I read this garbage in the Mercury News. "Among the best is Obama's opportunity to overturn some of Bush's worst executive orders... Obama shouldn't wait long to stop the federal Bureau of Land Management from opening about 360,000 acres in Utah to oil and gas drilling. The president-elect's transition chief, John Podesta, told reporters Sunday that Obama regards the acreage as too environmentally fragile to support drilling."
Has anybody bothered to look out the window in Pennsylvania? Envrionmentally fragile??
The 19 million acre Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) lies in the northeast corner of Alaska. The entire refuge lies north of the Arctic Circle and 1,300 miles south of the North Pole.
The Coastal Plain area, comprising 1.5 million acres on the northern edge of ANWR, is bordered on the north by the Beaufort Sea, on the east by the U.S. Canadian border, and on the west by the Canning River. The Kaktovik Inupiat Corporation and Arctic Slope Regional Corporation (both Alaska Native corporations) own 94,000 acres in the Coastal Plain surrounding the village of Kaktovik.
You can watch this movie to see that the area they are talking about exploring for oil is barren land. Prudoe Bay, which lies 100 miles west of ANWR taught the Inuits that responsbile oil and gas exploration and development can coexist in their homeland.
"At a press conference Thursday, the governor(Ridge) called the total $190 million in high lease bids submitted by oil and gas companies a positive development when Pennsylvania has economic troubles. As state tax revenues drop, Mr. Rendell recently put a state government hiring freeze in effect.
The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources opened the competitive bids earlier this month from companies seeking drilling access to 74,000 acres of state forest land in Tioga, Lycoming and Clinton counties. This leased acreage covers about 4 percent of the 2.1 million acres of state forest land."
Then I read this garbage in the Mercury News. "Among the best is Obama's opportunity to overturn some of Bush's worst executive orders... Obama shouldn't wait long to stop the federal Bureau of Land Management from opening about 360,000 acres in Utah to oil and gas drilling. The president-elect's transition chief, John Podesta, told reporters Sunday that Obama regards the acreage as too environmentally fragile to support drilling."
Has anybody bothered to look out the window in Pennsylvania? Envrionmentally fragile??
The 19 million acre Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) lies in the northeast corner of Alaska. The entire refuge lies north of the Arctic Circle and 1,300 miles south of the North Pole.
The Coastal Plain area, comprising 1.5 million acres on the northern edge of ANWR, is bordered on the north by the Beaufort Sea, on the east by the U.S. Canadian border, and on the west by the Canning River. The Kaktovik Inupiat Corporation and Arctic Slope Regional Corporation (both Alaska Native corporations) own 94,000 acres in the Coastal Plain surrounding the village of Kaktovik.
You can watch this movie to see that the area they are talking about exploring for oil is barren land. Prudoe Bay, which lies 100 miles west of ANWR taught the Inuits that responsbile oil and gas exploration and development can coexist in their homeland.
Overstating Barack Obama's Win
2004 Election Results
George W. Bush Republican Home State Texas
Running Mate Dick Cheney
Electoral Vote 286 States Carried 31
Popular vote 62,040,610
Percentage 50.7%
John Kerry Democrat Home State Massachusetts
Running Mate John Edwards
Electoral Vote 251 States Carried 19+DC
Popular Vote 59,028,444
Percentage 48.3%
2008 Election Results
John McCain Republican Home State Arizona
Running Mare Sarah Palin
Electoral Vote 162 States Carried 21
Popluar Vote 58,018,321
Percentage 46.2%
Barack Obama Democrat Home State Illinois
Running Mate Joseph Biden
Electoral Vote 365(Projected) States Carried 28+DC+NE-02
Popluar Vote 66,354,771
Percentage 52.7%
The country is so gleeful over Barack's win but where is the big mandate. Just seems like a flip flop to me. You can view more results on the CNN website or Wikipedia. George Bush carried more states in his win of 2004 than Barack Obama did in 2008. Can't wait for the Euphoria dust to settle.
George W. Bush Republican Home State Texas
Running Mate Dick Cheney
Electoral Vote 286 States Carried 31
Popular vote 62,040,610
Percentage 50.7%
John Kerry Democrat Home State Massachusetts
Running Mate John Edwards
Electoral Vote 251 States Carried 19+DC
Popular Vote 59,028,444
Percentage 48.3%
2008 Election Results
John McCain Republican Home State Arizona
Running Mare Sarah Palin
Electoral Vote 162 States Carried 21
Popluar Vote 58,018,321
Percentage 46.2%
Barack Obama Democrat Home State Illinois
Running Mate Joseph Biden
Electoral Vote 365(Projected) States Carried 28+DC+NE-02
Popluar Vote 66,354,771
Percentage 52.7%
The country is so gleeful over Barack's win but where is the big mandate. Just seems like a flip flop to me. You can view more results on the CNN website or Wikipedia. George Bush carried more states in his win of 2004 than Barack Obama did in 2008. Can't wait for the Euphoria dust to settle.
Emanuel was a John Belushi Fan
Does the following account sound familiar?
It was there that Emanuel, then Clinton's chief fund-raiser, repaired with George Stephanopoulos, Mandy Grunwald and other aides to Doe's, the campaign hangout.
Suddenly Emanuel grabbed his steak knife and, as those who were there remeber it, shouted out the name of another enemy, lifted the knife, then brought it down with full force into the table.
''Dead!'' he screamed.
The group immediately joined in the cathartic release: ''Nat Landow! Dead! Cliff Jackson! Dead! Bill Schaefer! Dead!''
It was there that Emanuel, then Clinton's chief fund-raiser, repaired with George Stephanopoulos, Mandy Grunwald and other aides to Doe's, the campaign hangout.
Suddenly Emanuel grabbed his steak knife and, as those who were there remeber it, shouted out the name of another enemy, lifted the knife, then brought it down with full force into the table.
''Dead!'' he screamed.
The group immediately joined in the cathartic release: ''Nat Landow! Dead! Cliff Jackson! Dead! Bill Schaefer! Dead!''
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Honoring All Veterans- Those With Us And To Our Absent Veterans
This song says it all for me. A link to the Department of Veteran Affair's Veteran's Day information.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Pinocchio, Obama and Campaign Finance
Hilary Clinton was right. Obama reversed his pledge to take public financing. With the amount of money he raised in this election he can never claim that private interests were never part of his campaign.
In February 2007, I proposed a novel way to preserve the strength of the public financing system in the 2008 election. My plan requires both major party candidates to agree on a fundraising truce, return excess money from donors, and stay within the public financing system for the general election. My proposal followed announcements by some presidential candidates that they would forgo public financing so they could raise unlimited funds in the general election. The Federal Election Commission ruled the proposal legal, and Senator John McCain (R-AZ) has already pledged to accept this fundraising pledge. If I am the Democratic nominee, I will aggressively pursue an agreement with the Republican nominee to preserve a publicly financed general election.
The Obama campaign has said different things at different times on the issue of public financing. While there may have been a little wriggle room in some campaign statements, Obama's affirmative answer to the Midwest Democracy Network seems unequivocal. Now that Obama is raising $1 million a day, his enthusiasm for public financing appears to have waned."
It didn't wane. It evaporated into thin air like most of what he said during this campaign. If you check the QVC site you can probably buy a packaged Obama. He has little experience, lacks the knowledge to run the most powerful economy on the planet, no military experience yet he will be in charge of the most powerful military powerhouse on the third rock from the sun, knows little about healthcare, never championed energy conservation to my knowledge, etc. etc. etc.
When the euphoria settles and the realities of a time in this country never experienced before rises above the fairy dust America will once again search for answers. Already the second stimulus package is doomed in this lame duck session.
We will be waiting for our money just like we've been waiting for Ed Rendell's tax rebate from the casino money. While we were distracted from our state affairs by this national election a sobering story emerged about Pennsylvania's finances. Senators predict $3 billion budget shortfall in wake of national economic crisis
"Minority Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Vince Fumo, a Democrat from Philadelphia, says a tax increase is inevitable with a $3 billion dollar hole in the $28.3 billion dollar state budget."
Let's see. Democratic Governor, Democratic Controlled House... I guess the euphoria is setting into some stern realities. BTW. how are those Democrats doing in Luzerne County?
Please don't take this post to be a Republican vindication. It is exactly the opposite. For you see, these facts follow what I have been saying all along. Our problems are neither Repulican or Democrat created. They have been created by both parties. Washington and Harrisburg are the problems. The sooner we all stay on the same side rather than bickering about George Bush or Nancy Pelosi the sooner we can return our government back to us.
If you do end up with an economic stimulus check I suggest that you save it. Vince already told us it's spent.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Kanjorski Fingered Emanuel Over War Comments
From Politico:
"As chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Emanuel was the relentless architect of the Democrats' House takeover in 2006, and some Republicans said the choice sends a partisan signal at time when Obama is promising a new politics."
From The Hill:
In a video , posted to YouTube on Thursday, Kanjorski reflects on the Democrats’ approach to the war in 2006 and said they pushed the rhetoric “as far as we can to the end of the fleet — didn’t say it, but we implied it — that if we won the congressional elections, we could stop the war.
“Now, anybody who’s a good student of government would know it wasn't true,” he said. “But you know, the temptation to want to win back the Congress — we sort of stretched the facts.”
“For Paul Kanjorski to admit that Democrats campaigned in ’06 on a fraudulent agenda to end the war not only exposes his own calculated efforts to fool the voters of his district, but it also raises the question of whether this was a coordinated effort by the Democratic Party as a whole,” said a spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, Ken Spain.
So I guess it is just coincidental that Obama picked the Emanuel to be Chief Of Staff and he would be the same person who Paul Kanjorski said lied to America. Great first step out of the gate, Pres-Elect.
"As chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Emanuel was the relentless architect of the Democrats' House takeover in 2006, and some Republicans said the choice sends a partisan signal at time when Obama is promising a new politics."
From The Hill:
In a video , posted to YouTube on Thursday, Kanjorski reflects on the Democrats’ approach to the war in 2006 and said they pushed the rhetoric “as far as we can to the end of the fleet — didn’t say it, but we implied it — that if we won the congressional elections, we could stop the war.
“Now, anybody who’s a good student of government would know it wasn't true,” he said. “But you know, the temptation to want to win back the Congress — we sort of stretched the facts.”
“For Paul Kanjorski to admit that Democrats campaigned in ’06 on a fraudulent agenda to end the war not only exposes his own calculated efforts to fool the voters of his district, but it also raises the question of whether this was a coordinated effort by the Democratic Party as a whole,” said a spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, Ken Spain.
So I guess it is just coincidental that Obama picked the Emanuel to be Chief Of Staff and he would be the same person who Paul Kanjorski said lied to America. Great first step out of the gate, Pres-Elect.
Friday, November 7, 2008
On the Lighter Side
Murphy's Lesser Known Dictums...
1. Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
2. He who laughs last, thinks slowest. (my personal favorite)
3. Those who live by the sword get shot by those who don't.
4. Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool.
5. The 50-50-90 rule: Anytime you have a 50-50 chance of getting something right, there's a 90% probability you'll get it wrong.
6. The things that come to those who wait will be the things left by those who got there first.
7. Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will sit in a boat all day drinking beer.
8. The shin bone is a device for finding furniture in a dark room.
9. A fine is a tax for doing wrong. A tax is a fine for doing well.
10. When you go into court, you are putting yourself In the hands of 12 people who weren't smart enough to get out of jury duty.
1. Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
2. He who laughs last, thinks slowest. (my personal favorite)
3. Those who live by the sword get shot by those who don't.
4. Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool.
5. The 50-50-90 rule: Anytime you have a 50-50 chance of getting something right, there's a 90% probability you'll get it wrong.
6. The things that come to those who wait will be the things left by those who got there first.
7. Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will sit in a boat all day drinking beer.
8. The shin bone is a device for finding furniture in a dark room.
9. A fine is a tax for doing wrong. A tax is a fine for doing well.
10. When you go into court, you are putting yourself In the hands of 12 people who weren't smart enough to get out of jury duty.
Paul Kanjorski, Rahm Emanuel, and Freddie Mac
The ink isn't dry on this election before we start to hear the horror stories. Here is the latest about Rahm Emanuel.
Emanuel Was Director Of Freddie Mac During Scandal By BRIAN ROSS and RHONDA SCHWARTZ
November 7, 2008
New Obama Chief of Staff, Others on Board, Missed "Red Flags" of Alleged Fraud Scheme
President-elect Barack Obama's newly appointed chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, served on the board of directors of the federal mortgage firm Freddie Mac at a time when scandal was brewing at the troubled agency and the board failed to spot "red flags," according to government reports reviewed by ABCNews.
According to a complaint later filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Freddie Mac, known formally as the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, misreported profits by billions of dollars in order to deceive investors between the years 2000 and 2002.
Emanuel was not named in the SEC complaint (click here to read) but the entire board was later accused by the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO) (click here to read) of having "failed in its duty to follow up on matters brought to its attention."
Paul Kanjorski is part of the fraud perpetrated on American citizens. It is not coincidental that all the players live in the same House.
Emanuel Was Director Of Freddie Mac During Scandal By BRIAN ROSS and RHONDA SCHWARTZ
November 7, 2008
New Obama Chief of Staff, Others on Board, Missed "Red Flags" of Alleged Fraud Scheme
President-elect Barack Obama's newly appointed chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, served on the board of directors of the federal mortgage firm Freddie Mac at a time when scandal was brewing at the troubled agency and the board failed to spot "red flags," according to government reports reviewed by ABCNews.
According to a complaint later filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Freddie Mac, known formally as the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, misreported profits by billions of dollars in order to deceive investors between the years 2000 and 2002.
Emanuel was not named in the SEC complaint (click here to read) but the entire board was later accused by the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO) (click here to read) of having "failed in its duty to follow up on matters brought to its attention."
Paul Kanjorski is part of the fraud perpetrated on American citizens. It is not coincidental that all the players live in the same House.
Pennsylvania Democrats Receive a "C" Grade
According to a November 3, 2008 article in the Northeast Pennsylvania Busniess Journal no matter what way you cut it Pennsylvania gets a "C".
[Pennsylvania is a "C" state for economic growth and competitiveness. University researchers working for the Pennsylvania Business Council found the Keystone State's business climate is - on the whole - "average" across more than 200 competitiveness variables included among eight different and independent reviews that ranked states against one another.
Pennsylvania's "average" grade represents outside opinion of the state's strengths and weaknesses.
Murry S. Gerber, chair and CEO of Pittsburgh-based Equitable Resources and chair of the Pennsylvania Business Council (PBC), said "Earning a 'C' is unacceptable for the sixth most populous state in the nation. Pennsylvania has the resources necessary - access to the Atlantic Ocean, 'keystone' position along the East Coast, major cities, good schools, and historically productive farmland - to be considered better than average."
"Anyway we sliced the data, we're a 'C' state," said David W. Patti, PBC president and CEO. "One college student involved in the research said, 'My parents wouldn't be happy with grades like this.'"
I would like to congratulate Ed Rendell, Todd Eachus, and all those who TELL us the great job they are doing. The Democrats blamed George Bush for the national conditions because he was President. Its your turn in the pit Ed Rendell.
[Pennsylvania is a "C" state for economic growth and competitiveness. University researchers working for the Pennsylvania Business Council found the Keystone State's business climate is - on the whole - "average" across more than 200 competitiveness variables included among eight different and independent reviews that ranked states against one another.
Pennsylvania's "average" grade represents outside opinion of the state's strengths and weaknesses.
Murry S. Gerber, chair and CEO of Pittsburgh-based Equitable Resources and chair of the Pennsylvania Business Council (PBC), said "Earning a 'C' is unacceptable for the sixth most populous state in the nation. Pennsylvania has the resources necessary - access to the Atlantic Ocean, 'keystone' position along the East Coast, major cities, good schools, and historically productive farmland - to be considered better than average."
"Anyway we sliced the data, we're a 'C' state," said David W. Patti, PBC president and CEO. "One college student involved in the research said, 'My parents wouldn't be happy with grades like this.'"
I would like to congratulate Ed Rendell, Todd Eachus, and all those who TELL us the great job they are doing. The Democrats blamed George Bush for the national conditions because he was President. Its your turn in the pit Ed Rendell.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Is This Recognition Something Barack Should Immediately Rebuke
Iranian leader: Holocaust a 'myth'
Wednesday, December 14, 2005; Posted: 7:30 p.m. EST (00:30 GMT)
TEHRAN, Iran (CNN) -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has described the Holocaust as "a myth" and suggested that Israel be moved to Europe, the United States, Canada or Alaska.
Iran Leader Offers Obama Landmark Congratulations
Ahmadinejad offers congratulations to Obama, first to US leader by Iranian president
By NASSER KARIMI Associated Press Writer
TEHRAN, Iran November 6, 2008 (AP
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Thursday congratulated Barack Obama on his election win — the first time an Iranian leader has offered such wishes to a U.S. president-elect since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Ahmadinejad sent a message to Obama in which he congratulated the Democrat on "attracting the majority of voters in the election."
Or is it simply one Muslim congratulating another?
Wednesday, December 14, 2005; Posted: 7:30 p.m. EST (00:30 GMT)
TEHRAN, Iran (CNN) -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has described the Holocaust as "a myth" and suggested that Israel be moved to Europe, the United States, Canada or Alaska.
Iran Leader Offers Obama Landmark Congratulations
Ahmadinejad offers congratulations to Obama, first to US leader by Iranian president
By NASSER KARIMI Associated Press Writer
TEHRAN, Iran November 6, 2008 (AP
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Thursday congratulated Barack Obama on his election win — the first time an Iranian leader has offered such wishes to a U.S. president-elect since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Ahmadinejad sent a message to Obama in which he congratulated the Democrat on "attracting the majority of voters in the election."
Or is it simply one Muslim congratulating another?
So Much For Uniting America
DR. AGAPITO LOPEZ, Hazleton LATINO ASSOC.: We will never convert ourselves into Anglos. We will aculturize. We will learn the language. We will learn the laws. We will follow the laws. But we will never assimilate.
Standard Speaker November 4, 2008 Dr. Agapito Lopez, a commissioner for the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs, said Latinos are strong supporters of Obama.
"Oh definitely, they’ll go toward him," he said. "He’s a more diverse person. (Obama) represents people of color in the country. The Latinos will go for color."
I wonder what would have happened if a caucasion person made that statement.
Standard Speaker November 4, 2008 Dr. Agapito Lopez, a commissioner for the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs, said Latinos are strong supporters of Obama.
"Oh definitely, they’ll go toward him," he said. "He’s a more diverse person. (Obama) represents people of color in the country. The Latinos will go for color."
I wonder what would have happened if a caucasion person made that statement.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Tomorrow I will traveling the 11th district with Lou Barletta. I wanted to leave you with this letter from Lou released today.
Dear Friend,
Throughout this campaign, I've seen and heard from the good people of Pennsylvania's 11th Congressional District. You are excited about the prospect for change and ready for true leadership in Washington.
You've had enough of entrenched Washington politicians who put their interests above yours. You've had enough of the excuses.
Now is the time to take action ... TOGETHER! I will always fight for you in Washington, the way I have fought for the city of Hazleton as Mayor. I will always be accountable to your concerns and your best interests.
On Election Day tomorrow, I would be humbled and grateful for your vote.
Thank you,
Lou
P.S. Please encourage your friends and family of Pennsylvania's 11th Congressional District to vote "Lou Barletta" tomorrow. They may visit LouBarletta.com to learn more about me.
Dear Friend,
Throughout this campaign, I've seen and heard from the good people of Pennsylvania's 11th Congressional District. You are excited about the prospect for change and ready for true leadership in Washington.
You've had enough of entrenched Washington politicians who put their interests above yours. You've had enough of the excuses.
Now is the time to take action ... TOGETHER! I will always fight for you in Washington, the way I have fought for the city of Hazleton as Mayor. I will always be accountable to your concerns and your best interests.
On Election Day tomorrow, I would be humbled and grateful for your vote.
Thank you,
Lou
P.S. Please encourage your friends and family of Pennsylvania's 11th Congressional District to vote "Lou Barletta" tomorrow. They may visit LouBarletta.com to learn more about me.
Lou Barletta Represents The Gentle Wind of Change
Nothing I am going to write today will influence any voter at this point. I believe the mission now is to convince the people that their vote does matter.
Thomas Friedman over at the New York Times opined this column with the following words.
"Since the last debate, John McCain and Barack Obama have unveiled broad ideas about how to restore the nation’s financial health. But they continue to suggest that this will be largely pain-free. McCain says giving everyone a tax cut will save the day; Obama tells us only the rich will have to pay to help us out of this hole. Neither is true."
"We are all going to have to pay, because this meltdown comes in the context of what has been “perhaps the greatest wealth transfer since the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia in 1917,” says Michael Mandelbaum, author of “Democracy’s Good Name.” “It is not a wealth transfer from rich to poor that the Bush administration will be remembered for. It is a wealth transfer from the future to the present.”
"We wasted a huge amount of time pretending that we could punish Wall Street without punishing Main Street — when, in fact, they are intricately intertwined."
In the end it doesn't matter whether you believe that greedy people from Wall Street are at the nexus of the financial crisis. There are plenty people to blame including every day people. Learning fiscal responsiblity is more important than espousing we need it. The road to recovery will be a long one regardless of what ANY politician t(s)ells you.
Ralph Nader said it right about this bailout. “There are no bailouts for the working people of this country!" We will fund this bailout; Congress and the President pledged it.
“Oh yeah, it’s got everything,” Mr. Nader said in an interview after the rally. “Taxation without representation, no public hearings. This is the worst yet, procedurally and substantively.”
According to Tom Freidman "We are all going to be paying the government more and getting less until we grow out of this hole."
When you go to the polls tomorrow please realize we need leaders in Washington. They are so desparately lacking. Washington has lost its way and we need to remind them of that fact. They have their own culture and their own rules. If we send the same people there we can only get the same results.
Whether the issue that inspires your passion is the economy, healthcare, finances, student loans, or mortgages one thing is for certain. Those in Washington brought us to the brink of these disasters. They would be the last persons I would "hire" if I were an employer to help my company(country) out of this mess.
If you are a passionate Democrat and believe its the Republicans' fault I feel you are wrong. If you are a passionate Repbulican and believe its the Democrats' fault you are equally wrong. It is our fault as voters for letting Washington drift out to sea and not reeling them back in.
The long road ahead should not come without consequences. WE NEED TO SEND A CLEAR MESSAGE. We need people to hold us together as we try to recover, not the people who sent us to the emergency room in the first place. We need leaders who can inspire us once again to stand behind America, not rip its fabric apart. Keeping us separated is what our enemies want. Don't be so disillusioned that our enemies are not within our borders for they are. After the election it is not time to hear what's wrong with our country, it is time to hear what we are going to do about it. The road will be a collaborative one.
When a person needs help it is a lone voice that alerts us and sets the wheels in motion. It is our lone voice that tells our children why they can or can't do something. Have you ever gone to a concert where the lone voice starts the chorus? Don't be afraid of a lone voice. The lone voice starts the gentle wind of change. Once it starts everything will fall into place. It was one lone voice that talked about illegal immigration. That voice is now known nationally.
VOTE FOR LOU BARLETTA FOR CONGRESS! "I believe the United States of America is the greatest nation on Earth."- Lou Barletta, 2008
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Paul Kanjorski You Did Vote To Give Illegal Aliens Social Security And Amnesty
The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006 HR 4437 was voted on by the House of Representatives on December 16, 2005 at 10:33P.M. Paul Kanjorski is running a commercial stating that Lou Barletta is lying when he states Kanjo voted to give illegal aliens Social Security benefits.
From the Wikipedia link above: It would allow illegal immigrants who later become legal to collect Social Security benefits based on social security credits earned while they were illegal.
From the GovTrack.us link above recording that vote:
Pennsylvania
Aye PA-11 Kanjorski, Paul [D]
Paul Kanjorski is running a commercial stating that Lou Barletta is lying when he states Kanjo voted to give illegal aliens amnesty. His statement in the only debate was recorded over at the LuLac Political Letter.
The Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) of 1986. This legislation (S. 1200) granted amnesty to roughly three million illegal immigrants for the stated purpose of solving the immigration problem and securing our border. The enactment of the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) dramatically eroded border control not only by granting citizenship to millions of illegal immigrants but by encouraging millions more to enter into the United States illegally in the hope that they too would eventually receive legal status.
Here is how Paul Kanjorski voted:
11 Kanjorski(D) Y
Paul is incapable of thinking, Paul is incapable of governing, Paul is incapable of telling the truth.
The DeAngelo Brothers Respond To Kanjorski's Lies
I personally received a copy but you can view this letter online. I wonder if Kanjo can "hear" what they are saying.
INEXCUSABLE ACTIONS OF MR. KANJORSKI
We (Neal and Paul DeAngelo) would first like to start by thanking our families, friends, employees and their families, the business community and each and every one of you in our community who have given us your overwhelming support over the last several weeks as Mr. Kanjorski ran numerous (too numerous to mention) political advertisements in various forms (TV, radio, mailings) that have been false, inaccurate, damaging and misleading.
We made a conscious decision to stay out of the public media so as not to increase this frenzy, especially since we are not running for any public office. However, we feel it is time to let everyone know the real facts surrounding the issues that Mr. Kanjorski has so badly distorted.
First, neither DBI, our companies, nor ourselves ever bought anything from Mr. Barletta; not even one single share of any stock he owned in any business. The business we believe Mr. Kanjorski is referring to is a business where we purchased one hundred percent (100%) of the stock in November of 2000 from Mr. Barletta’s wife and other family members.
Second, the reference to over one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) still paid to the Barlettas is grossly misleading, and to us is simply lying by omission. The business we purchased from Mr. Barletta’s wife had been operating on a five acre parcel of land, including a few buildings, in the City of Hazleton for many years and has been owned by the Barletta’s since then. When we purchased the stock of this company back in November of 2000, this property was not owned by the business but by the Barletta’s, and we continue to lease this property from them to this day for approximately one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) per year.
Third, the mistakes we made that Mr. Kanjorski is referring to actually happened in the 1986 to 1988 time frame, now over 20 years ago. This is another important fact that Mr. Kanjorski failed to point out in his advertisements. We paid for these mistakes dearly at the time in many ways. These are not mistakes we will ever be proud of, as a matter of fact, just the opposite is true. We learned some very very valuable lessons from this that still guide all of our decision making today. There are no short cuts in life, and the wonderful thing about our country is that for those who learn from their mistakes, work hard and have ambition, you can still succeed.
Today we are very fortunate to run our Corporate headquarters and two Regional offices out of the City of Hazleton where we were born and raised and both our families still live. We currently employ over two hundred thirty (230) people in Hazleton alone and over one thousand (1,000) nationally. We do business throughout North America with many of these dollars coming back into the Hazleton community both through our employees’ salaries and through all the business we do with many local companies. Even in the current economy we continue to grow our business significantly and will continue to create many additional local jobs and opportunities for local businesses.
We have, since the beginning of our business, given back countless dollars to many local charities, frequently anonymously. We truly believe there are many people in this area that are much better off because of our efforts and that the entire Hazleton area has benefitted. We will continue to do this and again thank each and every one of you for your continued ongoing support as we continue to share our successes in the communities throughout Northeast Pennsylvania.
We find it interesting that throughout our thirty (30) years in business and Mr. Kanjorski’s numerous years in Congress he has never even spoken to either of us, let alone done one single thing that contributed to any of our successes. Furthermore, it is disappointing that any individual, especially an elected official, would take a good story (a mistake made many years ago turned into positive contribution to the community) and distort it into a twisted story that disparages our family, employees and our accomplishments simply for their own political gain in an effort to get re-elected.
We are proud to know Mr. Barletta and his family. The Barlettas have really shown us their true character and what kind of people they are throughout this process. It would have been very easy for them to throw us under the bus; instead they have continued to support us. Additionally, Mr. Barletta has supported our business over the years and has done things that have contributed to our success and for that we thank him.
Mr. Kanjorski’s actions are completely inexcusable, incomprehensible and disappointing and have greatly hurt our families, our employees and our employees’ families. We cannot understand why a man would lower himself to this level or what any of Mr. Kanjorski’s negative and mistaken campaign against us has to do with what he will accomplish for the community if re-elected.
Again, we very much appreciate all the overwhelming support we have received from family, employees, friends and our community who know the real Neal and Paul DeAngelo. We wish the Kanjorski campaign had gotten to know us prior to this pathetic attempt to discredit our accomplishments, because if they did, they probably would not have used us as pawns in the negative politics of their campaign.
Neal and Paul DeAngelo
CEO, President and Founders Since 1978
DeAngelo Brothers, Inc./Interstate Road Management Corp.
Shame On Kanjorski For Smearing The DeAngelo Brothers
Editor,
I am writing this letter to Paul Kanjorski to find out how he can live with himself and do anything for his own self gain. Shame on you for bringing Neal and Paul DeAngelo into your battle for re-election.
This is a story about how two people who have learned from their mistakes. Lou Barletta once said, “Every community should have a Neal and Paul DeAngelo in it.” Well, here is why.
Neal and Paul have made it a goal in their lives to help others less fortunate than more people in the world. They have and continue to support and give thousands of dollars to charities that ask for their help.
Serento Gardens, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center, receives thousands of dollars for the Season of Change event to help people with drug and alcohol addiction.
The American Cancer Society every year receives donations toward their Relay for Life, Daffodil Days and Season of Hope Charity Ball.
Big Brothers and Big Sisters, the Salvation Army, The Second Mile Program for children all benefit from their generosity.
Shame on you Paul Kanjorski for bringing two respected people in their community to your level after all they do to give back to people who need their help.
Shame on you Paul Kanjorski; now Paul’s wonderful wife, who is fighting the battle of her life, has to deal with this. It seems, Paul Kanjorski, you will do anything to win, no matter who you hurt. Shame on you Paul Kanjorski.
I have known Neal and Paul for the past five years. They are going to be upset with me for writing this letter, but I feel in my heart it is the right thing to do. They don’t deserve what you are doing to them and their good name.
The last thing I want to mention to you about Paul and Neal DeAngelo is that years ago, Mother Teresa founded a convent named The Sisters of Charity in Mahanoy City. For the past two years, Neal and Paul have taken care of seven sisters of Mother Teresa’s order. The sisters live in Mahanoy City. They provide transportation, money to purchase food and anything else the sisters need to help them take care of the convent. Paul Kanjorski, talk to the sisters and find out how they feel about Paul and Neal DeAngelo.
The sisters held a retreat in the Bronx recently. There were 40 nuns present for eight days. They said it was the first time that they all had enough to eat for the eight days. They did not have to worry about there not being enough food because of Neal and Paul’s generosity. Shame on you Paul Kanjorski.
Shame on you Paul Kanjorski for bringing two wonderful, caring and most giving individuals who learned from their past mistakes into your selfish world. You obviously do not care what it takes to be re-elected, even if it means hurting innocent people along the way.
Shame on you, Paul Kanjorski.
David Paul Kostic,
Hazleton
I am writing this letter to Paul Kanjorski to find out how he can live with himself and do anything for his own self gain. Shame on you for bringing Neal and Paul DeAngelo into your battle for re-election.
This is a story about how two people who have learned from their mistakes. Lou Barletta once said, “Every community should have a Neal and Paul DeAngelo in it.” Well, here is why.
Neal and Paul have made it a goal in their lives to help others less fortunate than more people in the world. They have and continue to support and give thousands of dollars to charities that ask for their help.
Serento Gardens, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center, receives thousands of dollars for the Season of Change event to help people with drug and alcohol addiction.
The American Cancer Society every year receives donations toward their Relay for Life, Daffodil Days and Season of Hope Charity Ball.
Big Brothers and Big Sisters, the Salvation Army, The Second Mile Program for children all benefit from their generosity.
Shame on you Paul Kanjorski for bringing two respected people in their community to your level after all they do to give back to people who need their help.
Shame on you Paul Kanjorski; now Paul’s wonderful wife, who is fighting the battle of her life, has to deal with this. It seems, Paul Kanjorski, you will do anything to win, no matter who you hurt. Shame on you Paul Kanjorski.
I have known Neal and Paul for the past five years. They are going to be upset with me for writing this letter, but I feel in my heart it is the right thing to do. They don’t deserve what you are doing to them and their good name.
The last thing I want to mention to you about Paul and Neal DeAngelo is that years ago, Mother Teresa founded a convent named The Sisters of Charity in Mahanoy City. For the past two years, Neal and Paul have taken care of seven sisters of Mother Teresa’s order. The sisters live in Mahanoy City. They provide transportation, money to purchase food and anything else the sisters need to help them take care of the convent. Paul Kanjorski, talk to the sisters and find out how they feel about Paul and Neal DeAngelo.
The sisters held a retreat in the Bronx recently. There were 40 nuns present for eight days. They said it was the first time that they all had enough to eat for the eight days. They did not have to worry about there not being enough food because of Neal and Paul’s generosity. Shame on you Paul Kanjorski.
Shame on you Paul Kanjorski for bringing two wonderful, caring and most giving individuals who learned from their past mistakes into your selfish world. You obviously do not care what it takes to be re-elected, even if it means hurting innocent people along the way.
Shame on you, Paul Kanjorski.
David Paul Kostic,
Hazleton
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