If you are a Republican these days radio talk show hosts like Kevin Lynn paint you with one eye on your forehead. Forget you could be a hard working Republican. Forget you can be a hard working Republican farmer who makes sure we are all fed by getting up at the pre-dawn hours. Forget you could be a blue collar Republican that is providing for your family. You are just plain bad because you are Republican.
Thank god the Democrats are to our rescue. Here is their latest brainstorm for healthcare reform. We will have to pay before we will see any benefits. That concept is not so foreign. Most of us have to pay our premium before the benefit is valid for the next month. Did I say month?
Obama and Company wants us to ante up three years ahead of time. Families will be required to get insurance whehter they can afford it or not. Isn't that why he started this process in the first place?
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Arianna Huffington Tells Rangel To Step Down
In a George Stephanopolous roundtable report he detailed Arianna Huffington's comment that Speaker Nancy Pelosi should demand that Ways and Means Chairman Charlie Rangel should step down as early as Monday morning.
“They should decide it on Monday morning,” Huffington said. “He should step down from his chairmanship of the Ways and Means Committee if they want to improve their chances for 2010. Otherwise, they might see their approval rating come down to single digits.”
Here was Speaker Pelosi's committment from November, 2006.
"This leadership team will create the most honest, most open, and most ethical Congress in history" - Speaker-Elect Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Press Release, November 16, 2006
Evidently Paul Kanjorski didn't agree with the Speaker when he attended Rangel's fundraiser last year.
“They should decide it on Monday morning,” Huffington said. “He should step down from his chairmanship of the Ways and Means Committee if they want to improve their chances for 2010. Otherwise, they might see their approval rating come down to single digits.”
Here was Speaker Pelosi's committment from November, 2006.
"This leadership team will create the most honest, most open, and most ethical Congress in history" - Speaker-Elect Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Press Release, November 16, 2006
Evidently Paul Kanjorski didn't agree with the Speaker when he attended Rangel's fundraiser last year.
The Wizard Of KOZ
In a recent column by Sam Galski for the Times Tribune Dr. Robert Childs wanted to revisit a vote on some KOZ (Keystone Opportunity Zones) extensions granted by the Hazleton Area School Board. For those not so familiar with the battle you can review the board's past actions here.
The point Dr. Childs missed in his argument over the vote is exactly the vote. Six directors approved the KOZ extensions although Childs and Steve Hahn voted against them. Carmella Yenkevich was not present for the vote last October. Does Dr. Childs want all the votes of the Hazleton Area School Board revisited? It happened last October and it is done.
But the bickering between members of the Hazleton Area School Board, which by the way should stop immediately, is not the purpose of this post. In Harrisburg there is more "stinkin thinkin" that we, as taxpayers, should tolerate from overpaid legislators. This report from the Legislative and Budget Finance Committee fails to support the need or the purpose of KOZ designation.
Deficiencies in program data prevent a comprehensive assessment of the KOZ Program’s effectiveness. The findings in this report are based largely on data from CY2006, as 2007 and 2008 data did not become available until the very end of our fieldwork. We also found significant problems with the reliability of the 2006 data we reviewed, including certain data that appeared to be duplicative and/or a mix of actual and esti-mated/projected figures. These and other data problems are detailed in the report.
Using 2006 DCED records, we found about 75% of KOZ participants reported no job creation activity. While to some extent the lack of job creation can be attributed to definitional reasons (e.g., what constitutes a “participant”), we found other examples of KOZ participants, including financial and investment services firms, where KOZ tax benefits are being re-ceived, but where no jobs have ever been created and no capital investments have ever been made.
DCED needs better guidelines and procedures to ensure that a KOZ participant is a qualified business. By law, KOZ businesses are to be “engaged in the active conduct of a trade or business.” This phrase has never been defined, and apparently no business has ever been deemed “not qualified.” As a result, KOZ partic-ipants include “businesses” such as real estate investment trusts, venture capital funds, and hedge funds that have FEIN numbers, but no employees.
The total cost of the KOZ Program is not known and currently cannot be reliably estimated. The major cost component of the KOZ Program is the amount of state and local tax exemptions, credits, and deductions that are granted to KOZ businesses, residents, and property own-ers. Neither DCED nor any other state or local agency currently knows what these tax abate-ments amount to, although a similar program in New York has estimated annual costs in excess of $650 million.
Most (70%) KOZ acreage has not yet been developed. Of the 46,853 acres included in the KOZ Program, only 13,944 (30%) has been de-veloped. Poor infrastructure, costly remediation, and inadequate marketing are some of the rea-sons for the lack of development.
DCED does not adequately track and monitor “relocation” and “residency” aspects of the program. Deficiencies were found in the DCED’s efforts to ensure that existing PA businesses that relocate to a KOZ meet statutory re-quirements and verify that PA residents living and receiving tax breaks in a KOZ comply with the statutory 184-day residency requirement.
Before taking any actions to further expand or extend the KOZ Program, the General Assembly should require that new participants make specific commitments to create jobs and/or make capital investments and that new KOZ zones be truly deteriorated rather than merely “underutilized.”
July 9, 2009
The Legislature was so consumed with the budget process that this report probably fell through the cracks. It is time to revisit KOZ and correct its severe deficiencies or end it altogether.
The total cost of the KOZ Program is not known and currently cannot be reliably estimated. If they can't define the total cost that problem should send up a big red flag.
That is the argument Childs should have put forth, not digging up old wounds. Childs characterized this report as downplaying KOZ. This report is more than a downplay.
The point Dr. Childs missed in his argument over the vote is exactly the vote. Six directors approved the KOZ extensions although Childs and Steve Hahn voted against them. Carmella Yenkevich was not present for the vote last October. Does Dr. Childs want all the votes of the Hazleton Area School Board revisited? It happened last October and it is done.
But the bickering between members of the Hazleton Area School Board, which by the way should stop immediately, is not the purpose of this post. In Harrisburg there is more "stinkin thinkin" that we, as taxpayers, should tolerate from overpaid legislators. This report from the Legislative and Budget Finance Committee fails to support the need or the purpose of KOZ designation.
Deficiencies in program data prevent a comprehensive assessment of the KOZ Program’s effectiveness. The findings in this report are based largely on data from CY2006, as 2007 and 2008 data did not become available until the very end of our fieldwork. We also found significant problems with the reliability of the 2006 data we reviewed, including certain data that appeared to be duplicative and/or a mix of actual and esti-mated/projected figures. These and other data problems are detailed in the report.
Using 2006 DCED records, we found about 75% of KOZ participants reported no job creation activity. While to some extent the lack of job creation can be attributed to definitional reasons (e.g., what constitutes a “participant”), we found other examples of KOZ participants, including financial and investment services firms, where KOZ tax benefits are being re-ceived, but where no jobs have ever been created and no capital investments have ever been made.
DCED needs better guidelines and procedures to ensure that a KOZ participant is a qualified business. By law, KOZ businesses are to be “engaged in the active conduct of a trade or business.” This phrase has never been defined, and apparently no business has ever been deemed “not qualified.” As a result, KOZ partic-ipants include “businesses” such as real estate investment trusts, venture capital funds, and hedge funds that have FEIN numbers, but no employees.
The total cost of the KOZ Program is not known and currently cannot be reliably estimated. The major cost component of the KOZ Program is the amount of state and local tax exemptions, credits, and deductions that are granted to KOZ businesses, residents, and property own-ers. Neither DCED nor any other state or local agency currently knows what these tax abate-ments amount to, although a similar program in New York has estimated annual costs in excess of $650 million.
Most (70%) KOZ acreage has not yet been developed. Of the 46,853 acres included in the KOZ Program, only 13,944 (30%) has been de-veloped. Poor infrastructure, costly remediation, and inadequate marketing are some of the rea-sons for the lack of development.
DCED does not adequately track and monitor “relocation” and “residency” aspects of the program. Deficiencies were found in the DCED’s efforts to ensure that existing PA businesses that relocate to a KOZ meet statutory re-quirements and verify that PA residents living and receiving tax breaks in a KOZ comply with the statutory 184-day residency requirement.
Before taking any actions to further expand or extend the KOZ Program, the General Assembly should require that new participants make specific commitments to create jobs and/or make capital investments and that new KOZ zones be truly deteriorated rather than merely “underutilized.”
July 9, 2009
The Legislature was so consumed with the budget process that this report probably fell through the cracks. It is time to revisit KOZ and correct its severe deficiencies or end it altogether.
The total cost of the KOZ Program is not known and currently cannot be reliably estimated. If they can't define the total cost that problem should send up a big red flag.
That is the argument Childs should have put forth, not digging up old wounds. Childs characterized this report as downplaying KOZ. This report is more than a downplay.
Christopher Howard Paige
Christopher Howard Paige announced that he is going after the Republican nomination for the 11th Congressional district seat occupied by Paul Kanjorski.
So who the heck is Christopher Howard Paige?
Well, it appears he is part of the New York bar , not Pennsylvania. He has eight(maybe 9) years experience. He graduated from Yale Univerisity School of Law. You can view his registration with New York here. A search for his registration in Pennsylvania came up empty.
According to this site Chris Page is(was) director of the PACE Poll.
As the Director of The Pace Poll, Christopher Paige oversees its survey research, management, maintenance, and operations.
Before assuming the directorship, Mr. Paige had been the Assistant Director of The Pace Poll since December 2003. In that role, he co-authored all of The Pace Poll’s surveys and analyses. In addition, he supervised the construction of its state-of-the-art phone bank and led the recruitment and training of its student interviewers.
As a polling expert, Mr. Paige has appeared on many television and radio news programs, including WCBS Channel 2 New York, RNN, WNYC Public Radio, The Brian Lehrer Show, Brian Lehrer Live, The Charney Report, and The New Yorkers. In addition, he is a weekly guest on The Bill Mazer Show on WVOX. His opinion pieces have been published in The New York Times, The New York Post, and The Washington Times.
He earned a Masters Degree in Politics from New York University, a JD from Yale University, and a BA from the University of Virginia. He is a Director on the Board of Directors of The Union Settlement House, which provides health care, educational and recreational services to the East Harlem community, and a Director on the Board of Directors of Catholic Charities, Poconos, which provides health care, adoption services, and other assistance to the Poconos community. That information was last updated on November 7, 2006.
It coincides with this bio from the Citizen's Voice article.
Paige, who graduated from the University of Virginia, has a law degree from Yale University and a master's degree in political science from New York University. He grew up outside of Washington, D.C., but said he spent summers in the Poconos with his grandmother. He moved to Monroe County with his wife in the past three years to start their business.
Here is an interview with Chris and his wife, Michelle about their hedge fund, Paige Capital. Here's a link to a second interview from last December.
You can read a short bio about his wife, Michelle, here.
A check at www.fec.gov for donations definitely shows a Democratic supporter. So it begs the question, why didn't he run as a Democrat? There is an interesting piece of information on his bio and Corey O"Brien's bio.
CoreyAfter 10 years in Washington, D.C. serving as a political advisor and attorney, Corey returned with his family to his roots in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Chris- He grew up outside of Washington, D.C.,
McGruff & Co. thinks there is something to this but only time will tell the story. Two attorneys in Washington,D.C. both Democrats but one who suddenly wants to bolt over TARP???? I guess he can try to attack Kanjorski's support of TARP. But he's going to have a much rougher time trying convince Republicans in the 11th he is sincere, espcecially if there is a possible connection to O'Brien. Even Arlen Specter will have an easier time convincing Democrats, maybe.
So who the heck is Christopher Howard Paige?
Well, it appears he is part of the New York bar , not Pennsylvania. He has eight(maybe 9) years experience. He graduated from Yale Univerisity School of Law. You can view his registration with New York here. A search for his registration in Pennsylvania came up empty.
According to this site Chris Page is(was) director of the PACE Poll.
As the Director of The Pace Poll, Christopher Paige oversees its survey research, management, maintenance, and operations.
Before assuming the directorship, Mr. Paige had been the Assistant Director of The Pace Poll since December 2003. In that role, he co-authored all of The Pace Poll’s surveys and analyses. In addition, he supervised the construction of its state-of-the-art phone bank and led the recruitment and training of its student interviewers.
As a polling expert, Mr. Paige has appeared on many television and radio news programs, including WCBS Channel 2 New York, RNN, WNYC Public Radio, The Brian Lehrer Show, Brian Lehrer Live, The Charney Report, and The New Yorkers. In addition, he is a weekly guest on The Bill Mazer Show on WVOX. His opinion pieces have been published in The New York Times, The New York Post, and The Washington Times.
He earned a Masters Degree in Politics from New York University, a JD from Yale University, and a BA from the University of Virginia. He is a Director on the Board of Directors of The Union Settlement House, which provides health care, educational and recreational services to the East Harlem community, and a Director on the Board of Directors of Catholic Charities, Poconos, which provides health care, adoption services, and other assistance to the Poconos community. That information was last updated on November 7, 2006.
It coincides with this bio from the Citizen's Voice article.
Paige, who graduated from the University of Virginia, has a law degree from Yale University and a master's degree in political science from New York University. He grew up outside of Washington, D.C., but said he spent summers in the Poconos with his grandmother. He moved to Monroe County with his wife in the past three years to start their business.
Here is an interview with Chris and his wife, Michelle about their hedge fund, Paige Capital. Here's a link to a second interview from last December.
You can read a short bio about his wife, Michelle, here.
A check at www.fec.gov for donations definitely shows a Democratic supporter. So it begs the question, why didn't he run as a Democrat? There is an interesting piece of information on his bio and Corey O"Brien's bio.
CoreyAfter 10 years in Washington, D.C. serving as a political advisor and attorney, Corey returned with his family to his roots in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Chris- He grew up outside of Washington, D.C.,
McGruff & Co. thinks there is something to this but only time will tell the story. Two attorneys in Washington,D.C. both Democrats but one who suddenly wants to bolt over TARP???? I guess he can try to attack Kanjorski's support of TARP. But he's going to have a much rougher time trying convince Republicans in the 11th he is sincere, espcecially if there is a possible connection to O'Brien. Even Arlen Specter will have an easier time convincing Democrats, maybe.
Corey O'Brien- Roderick Explores Winning And Losing
In this week's Roderick Random notes veteran politics reporter BORYS KRAWCZENIUK opines on the merits of an O'Brien challenge to Paul Kanjorski's seat in the 11th Congressional district. Corey O'Brien, Lackawanna County Commissioner, is taking a bold step in his political career by challenging Kanjo's 24 year occupation of that seat.
Borys details the winning percentage points by Kanjorski against Lou Barletta. He highlights many reasons why O'Brien may be able to unseat Kanjorski. However, Jeff Brauer, a political science professor at Keystone College sums up the argument against an O"Brien win with this statement.
"I can't imagine why he thinks he can win,"
I spoke with a potential candidate for the 116th seat in Pennsylvania. I told him that loses are as important as wins. Kanjorski lost to Ray Musto, Jim Nelligan, and Frank Harrison before he beat Harrison for the seat. Those loses built notoriety. Of course after winning the seat Kanjorski built notoriety of his own but that is another story. You are the company you keep, Charlie Rangel, John Murtha, etc.
If O'Brien loses it isn't a devastating loss. Just the fact the he wants to run against Kanjorski shows that there is more than one sector of voters who really want Kanjorski out. Corey's statement on WILK that those who have benefited from Kanjorski's seniority the most was Paul Kanjorski and family sums up the sentiment behind the challenge.
Kanjorski is proud of his association with Barack Obama. If anything was learned from the Luzerne County mess it should be that one party political dominance is never a good thing for the citizens. I am sick of hearing how bad the Republicans are, that they are contrarians right now. Well, someone should be questioning policies and legislation. IF that questioning is quelled and suppressed you end up with the mess in Luzerne County that is beyond comprehension.
Much has been made of the judges in Luzerne County. Forget that. Take a look at all the other persons involved who had nothing to do with judiciary. The culture of corruption pervaded the halls of an institution that took an oath to protect and serve, not injure and profit.
To rally behind Paul Kanjorski over seniority is like supporting a false prophet. Paul has developed an arrogance in office like the culture that infected Luzerne County. I am not saying he is guilty of any crime, just that he feels his seniority allows him to ignore constituents and still be elected.
He didn't want to host town hall meetings on healthcare reform because, as he stated on WILK, he could reach more constituents by phone. Paul, you need to face your people, see their expressions, look at their body language. That is how you gauge what they really feel. It's hard to do that by land line.
Borys details the winning percentage points by Kanjorski against Lou Barletta. He highlights many reasons why O'Brien may be able to unseat Kanjorski. However, Jeff Brauer, a political science professor at Keystone College sums up the argument against an O"Brien win with this statement.
"I can't imagine why he thinks he can win,"
I spoke with a potential candidate for the 116th seat in Pennsylvania. I told him that loses are as important as wins. Kanjorski lost to Ray Musto, Jim Nelligan, and Frank Harrison before he beat Harrison for the seat. Those loses built notoriety. Of course after winning the seat Kanjorski built notoriety of his own but that is another story. You are the company you keep, Charlie Rangel, John Murtha, etc.
If O'Brien loses it isn't a devastating loss. Just the fact the he wants to run against Kanjorski shows that there is more than one sector of voters who really want Kanjorski out. Corey's statement on WILK that those who have benefited from Kanjorski's seniority the most was Paul Kanjorski and family sums up the sentiment behind the challenge.
Kanjorski is proud of his association with Barack Obama. If anything was learned from the Luzerne County mess it should be that one party political dominance is never a good thing for the citizens. I am sick of hearing how bad the Republicans are, that they are contrarians right now. Well, someone should be questioning policies and legislation. IF that questioning is quelled and suppressed you end up with the mess in Luzerne County that is beyond comprehension.
Much has been made of the judges in Luzerne County. Forget that. Take a look at all the other persons involved who had nothing to do with judiciary. The culture of corruption pervaded the halls of an institution that took an oath to protect and serve, not injure and profit.
To rally behind Paul Kanjorski over seniority is like supporting a false prophet. Paul has developed an arrogance in office like the culture that infected Luzerne County. I am not saying he is guilty of any crime, just that he feels his seniority allows him to ignore constituents and still be elected.
He didn't want to host town hall meetings on healthcare reform because, as he stated on WILK, he could reach more constituents by phone. Paul, you need to face your people, see their expressions, look at their body language. That is how you gauge what they really feel. It's hard to do that by land line.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Where Is The GOP Healthcare Proposal?
Numerous articles and commentaries examined and dissected the Democratic health proposals. But this article on ABCnews.com asks the question "Where is the GOP proposals?" Here is the answer.
Elements of GOP plans include:
• Tax credits to individuals who purchase health insurance on their own.
• Incentives for states and small businesses to band together and offer health insurance at lower costs.
• Tort reform to reduce costly "defensive medicine."
• Incentives to save through health savings accounts.
• Incentives to promote prevention and wellness.
• Reforms to end discrimination on the basis of preexisting conditions.
• Breaking down barriers to purchasing health insurance across state lines.
"Why don't we put forward our own 1,000-page bill? Because then with one vote they can defeat it," says Sen. Michael Enzi (R) of Wyoming, a member of the two panels that worked on healthcare legislation – the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee and the Finance Committee.
GOP's healthcare vision: light on mandates
What GOP plans have in common are elements to increase competition and defend against government deciding terms of healthcare or insurance.
"You ought to be able to pick your plan as opposed to having Congress dictate," Senator Enzi adds, noting that Massachusetts – which requires universal healthcare – has 1,200 mandates; Wyoming has 23.
"Congress is going to say what the minimum insurance is that you have and if you don't like it you pay a fine, and if you don't pay the fine you go to jail," he says.
Amendments ignored
As congressional panels drafted bills, Republicans also proposed hundreds of amendments, most of which were rejected.
Elements of GOP plans include:
• Tax credits to individuals who purchase health insurance on their own.
• Incentives for states and small businesses to band together and offer health insurance at lower costs.
• Tort reform to reduce costly "defensive medicine."
• Incentives to save through health savings accounts.
• Incentives to promote prevention and wellness.
• Reforms to end discrimination on the basis of preexisting conditions.
• Breaking down barriers to purchasing health insurance across state lines.
"Why don't we put forward our own 1,000-page bill? Because then with one vote they can defeat it," says Sen. Michael Enzi (R) of Wyoming, a member of the two panels that worked on healthcare legislation – the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee and the Finance Committee.
GOP's healthcare vision: light on mandates
What GOP plans have in common are elements to increase competition and defend against government deciding terms of healthcare or insurance.
"You ought to be able to pick your plan as opposed to having Congress dictate," Senator Enzi adds, noting that Massachusetts – which requires universal healthcare – has 1,200 mandates; Wyoming has 23.
"Congress is going to say what the minimum insurance is that you have and if you don't like it you pay a fine, and if you don't pay the fine you go to jail," he says.
Amendments ignored
As congressional panels drafted bills, Republicans also proposed hundreds of amendments, most of which were rejected.
OnLine Petition To Reduce Pennsylnvania's Legislature To 70
According to an article by David Pierce in the Pocono Record Schuylkill County resident Norman Bertasavage has started an online petition to reduce the size of Pennsylvania's legislature to 70.
A petition asks the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to invoke a provision of the state constitution to dissolve the General Assembly within 45 days and convene a constitutional convention to establish a new elective body.
Proponents want to replace the current crew — 50 state senators and 203 house members — with a single chamber of no more than 70 members. Current assembly members would be barred from serving as delegates to the convention and prohibited from returning as legislators for five years
In prior posts I talked about the enormous size of our legislature and its staff. Bonusgate highlighted the size of the staff to foster a political agenda and win elections, nothing more. The budget problem demonstrated that no matter what size of legislature and staff the leadership could not get the job done on time.
You can view the petition here.
You can sign the petition here.
A petition asks the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to invoke a provision of the state constitution to dissolve the General Assembly within 45 days and convene a constitutional convention to establish a new elective body.
Proponents want to replace the current crew — 50 state senators and 203 house members — with a single chamber of no more than 70 members. Current assembly members would be barred from serving as delegates to the convention and prohibited from returning as legislators for five years
In prior posts I talked about the enormous size of our legislature and its staff. Bonusgate highlighted the size of the staff to foster a political agenda and win elections, nothing more. The budget problem demonstrated that no matter what size of legislature and staff the leadership could not get the job done on time.
You can view the petition here.
You can sign the petition here.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Groundhog Day- Budget Impasse Finally Over
Headline from September 18, 2009
Pa. budget deal ends impasse with cuts, taxes
Headline Ocotober 9, 2009
Pennsylvania Legislature sends $27.8 billion budget to Gov. Ed Rendell for enactment
Just like the movie "Grounghod Day" the same events just keep happening over and over and over.
In philosophy, Groundhog Day has been considered a tale of self-improvement, to look inside oneself and realize that the only satisfaction in life comes from turning outward and concerning oneself with others rather than concentrating solely on one's own wants and desires
When Pennsylvania Leadership gets its head out of its ass and realizes it works for the people, not the other way around. Children in daycare, the hungry, the elderly, the poor, and the challenged will not endure the suffering caused by these men and women behaving irrationally. They not only deserve but actually earned all of the media bashing that has and will occur over taking 101 days to reach a deal.
DemocracyRising sees a constitutional convention on the horizon to examine shrinking the size of the legislature as well as whether it should be full time or part time. Bonusgate has proven it really is a part time legislature. The impasse has proven that its size cannot get the job done.
Nathan Benefield over at the Commonwealth Foundation opines that is about time to have "An Honest Debate About State Spending."
The Daily Review called Pennsylvania's Ineffective Leadership a Disgrace." That was at day 65.
One comment from that editorial.
A bipartisan group, a majority, in the PA House has brought forward a budget. The group includes Republicans and moderate Democrats from all across PA. This budget could pass the PA Senate, as well. But the radical ultra-liberal Democrat leadership in the PA House will not bring the bipartisan budget to a vote. They will not allow House members to vote. Their reason: they know the bipartisan budget would pass, and it does not include sufficient new taxes and spending to satisfy the liberals.
It will be hard for Eachus, McCall, and Evans to explain their role in this disaster. However, it will remain to be seen whether public sentiment will last until the next election. The leadership should not be suprised at a Veon Style repeat where unexpected election results were not a lesson learned.
You can say what you want but AG Corbett arrested a Republican first for actions as described in the Bonusgate indictments. Nobody listened to him. If history repeats itself the legislature will not listen to the Veon outster over the pay raise scandal.
Pa. budget deal ends impasse with cuts, taxes
Headline Ocotober 9, 2009
Pennsylvania Legislature sends $27.8 billion budget to Gov. Ed Rendell for enactment
Just like the movie "Grounghod Day" the same events just keep happening over and over and over.
In philosophy, Groundhog Day has been considered a tale of self-improvement, to look inside oneself and realize that the only satisfaction in life comes from turning outward and concerning oneself with others rather than concentrating solely on one's own wants and desires
When Pennsylvania Leadership gets its head out of its ass and realizes it works for the people, not the other way around. Children in daycare, the hungry, the elderly, the poor, and the challenged will not endure the suffering caused by these men and women behaving irrationally. They not only deserve but actually earned all of the media bashing that has and will occur over taking 101 days to reach a deal.
DemocracyRising sees a constitutional convention on the horizon to examine shrinking the size of the legislature as well as whether it should be full time or part time. Bonusgate has proven it really is a part time legislature. The impasse has proven that its size cannot get the job done.
Nathan Benefield over at the Commonwealth Foundation opines that is about time to have "An Honest Debate About State Spending."
The Daily Review called Pennsylvania's Ineffective Leadership a Disgrace." That was at day 65.
One comment from that editorial.
A bipartisan group, a majority, in the PA House has brought forward a budget. The group includes Republicans and moderate Democrats from all across PA. This budget could pass the PA Senate, as well. But the radical ultra-liberal Democrat leadership in the PA House will not bring the bipartisan budget to a vote. They will not allow House members to vote. Their reason: they know the bipartisan budget would pass, and it does not include sufficient new taxes and spending to satisfy the liberals.
It will be hard for Eachus, McCall, and Evans to explain their role in this disaster. However, it will remain to be seen whether public sentiment will last until the next election. The leadership should not be suprised at a Veon Style repeat where unexpected election results were not a lesson learned.
You can say what you want but AG Corbett arrested a Republican first for actions as described in the Bonusgate indictments. Nobody listened to him. If history repeats itself the legislature will not listen to the Veon outster over the pay raise scandal.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Kanjorski Didn't Know He Was "Rangled" At Fundraiser
Last year during his courtship of Democrats in his bid to save his career he attended a fundraiser for Charlie Rangel. You may recall Rangel is involved in failure to report income and other misdeeds credited to him. He was also known for trying to get a $4 trillion dollar tax increase. Kanjorski accepted a contribution from Rangel and, according to the video, refused to return it.
The House Ethics Committee voted to expand their investigation into Rangel's financial transactions.
The House Ethics Committee voted unanimously on Thursday to expand its probe of Rep. Charlie Rangel, D.-N.Y., chairman of the powerful Ways and Means Committee who is at the center of an investigation into a long and stinging list of alleged wrongdoing.
The committee said Thursday that it has reviewed more than 12,000 pages in documents, conducted 34 interviews and held 30 hearings into Rangel's alleged misdeeds, which include failure to pay taxes and disclose income -- as much as $1.3 million -- he earned from multiple properties. But the committee did not specify how the investigation would change.
Paul, why did you accept his donation? Was it a "Specter Bustamove"(meaning a desparate move to save a career or go bust)?
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