How Much Is Too Much For A Legitimate Fundraiser?

This email was sent out to invite persons to a $5,000 per
Sponsor fundraiser for Todd Eachus. Forget the average Joe, how many small businesses could legitimately afford a ticket to this event? Fundraisers like this only fuel the distrust of the voters against legislators who lost their way in upholding that trust. If you are the average Joe this event will only set you back $1,000.00.

This fundraiser is not about the 116th district which Todd represents. SOP feeels people or organizations who pay this amount of money for a state representative fundraiser fall must be looking for a place in the front of the line for access to that legislator. Too bad for the average citizen.

Dan Onorato is campaigning on reform within the Pennsylvania Legislature. "Cut the size and cost of the Legislature, stop them from being able to raise their own pay, and term limits."

Fundraisers such as this one are designed to help the incumbent fight against such ideas and ultimately to work against the public interest. Tarah Toohil should campaign to the voters of the 116th and tell them she is not for sale.

Kanjorski Is Out Of Touch

In today's Standard Speaker Paul Kanjorski wants to remind Americans that the Democrats should be proud of what they accomplished.

"First, and foremost, when I say Democrats, stand up tall, be proud. My God, the Democratic Party did everything that was good for this country and good for the working individuals of this country, and good for the middle class of this country. We have nothing to apologize for."

"You know why I'm charged up?" Kanjorski said in an interview later. "Because I think it is one of the most definitive elections in our lifetime. And that's why I'm in it. Because I think we can't afford to make the mistake of going in the wrong direction. And all of these people who are talking about going in another direction, they're (like) pre-Franklin Roosevelt people."

Evidently this chart is what he means.

"They want to go back to when Wall Street billionaires or millionaires controlled this country and their kids could just slosh around, didn't have to work, didn't have to produce and they were guaranteed their membership at the country club and their membership at the yacht club," Kanjorski said. "I don't believe in that. I believe in a merit society.

Paul, are you talking about the firms that gave you $4 million in political contributions? Paul, are you talking about the people who had American working?

This statement by Kanjorski is going to resonate over the next few days.

"The fight's not about the damn mosque in New York," he tells the Democrats at Waldorf Park. "All of us are annoyed at the fact that ... they want to build that mosque, but it's not going to have an effect on our lives.

Kanjo, you tell that to these people.

I feel sorry for you. When you are used to this it is hard to remember the sacrifices I guess.

Kanjorski Ignores Bloomsburg Univeresity Students

Apparently Charlie Rangel wasn't invited to the event so Kanjorski decided to stay away. J/K. Bloomutoday.com is reporting that the congressman that claims to represent Bloombsburg University students blew off Constitution Day, "an opportunity for students to become more knowledgeable about their rights and opportunities as American citizens.”

After making demands of Bloomsburg University officials to allow him to speak at Thursday’s Constitution Day event, Congressman Paul Kanjorski didn’t even bother to show up. Kanjorski’s staff was not present, and there were not even surrogates speaking on his behalf.

Mayor of Hazleton and Congressional candidate Lou Barletta accepted and attended his alma mater’s invitation to speak. Mayor Barletta fielded questions from students on topics ranging from constitutional issues to the current economic crisis.

“A majority of questions I received were related to concerns about the job market and how to stop Washington’s out-of-control spending. The first stimulus package and now Obama’s proposed second stimulus package have everyone scared. Americans are worried about putting food on the table and paying their mortgage. Washington’s reckless spending is adding to an already difficult situation,” Mayor Barletta said.

Mayor Barletta expressed his gratitude to the students and faculty of Bloomsburg University for being allowed to participate in this very important event. “It’s always an honor to be invited to speak at Bloomsburg. I have such great memories from here while I was a student.”

It's Time For Eachus To Answer To His Constituents

In today's Standard Speaker the following Letter To The Editor appeared from Tiffany Cloud, local resident and an Eachus constituent.

Eachus should answer Toohil's questions
Published: September 18, 2010

Editor,

Candidate Tarah Toohil provided State Rep. Todd Eachus a deadline of 5 p.m. Sept. 9 to answer a series of questions related to Bonusgate and various investigations of misuse of legislative time and funding, as was reported in this newspaper.

A week has passed and Eachus has yet to answer those questions, and I feel it is his obligation to do so and, as his constituents, our absolute right to know. And all in the community should keep demanding Eachus respond to every single question until all they are answered to our satisfaction. This is not an election about him. It is an election about us, the people and we have rights to know the ethics and practices of those in office.

Apparently, not answering is a trend with Mr. Eachus. Ms. Toohil also sent him a certified mail request for a debate in early August and, an entire month later, no response.

So, why so mum? Why can't he answer the Bonusgate questions? And why is he so afraid to debate?

Granted, perhaps he's too busy paying off the mortgage of his Harrisburg home with per diems he took ($27K last year alone, in fact...on top of his salary) to answer questions and debate?

Or maybe he is too busy campaigning at events that are legislative events (such as his campaigning at the Senior Expo at the mall - he took an interview on Channel 13 at that event to discuss his opponent and the campaign.

But, as the man apparently keeps his campaign team working out of the same space as his legislative team in Hazleton, I suppose the concept of "separation" of legislation and campaigning has never quite registered with our state representative?

Answer Ms. Toohil's questions. Agree to a debate so your positions vs. Ms. Toohil's can be heard by all.

I'm really not asking for much. Just what I'd expect of any representative.

Tiffany Cloud,

Conyngham

Eachus had no problem self promoting on the parking decks for Hazleton's Intermodal Center. He should have told the public that project won on its own merits, not any influence from a legislator.

I truly believe that Mr. Eachus actually believes what he says. It's just that the rest of us don't trust him anymore.

Kanjorski And Carney "Dumped" By DCCC

DCCC scales back NEPA ad buys

Democrats are slightly pulling back the TV help they’ll be giving to Congressmen Chris Carney (D-10) and Paul Kanjorski (D-11).

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has made some changes to its airtime reservations in northeast Pennsylvania, cutting off half-a-week’s worth of its planned TV buys in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre media market.

The move came as speculation builds among political insiders that Democrats are preparing to cut Kanjorski loose as part of their so-called triage plans to preserve a majority in Congress. When the DCCC recently posted a fundraising list of candidates in its Frontline Program for defending incumbents, Kanjorski’s name was nowhere to be found (Carney was on the list).

In June, 2010 it was reported that Kanjorski failed to pay his $250,000 in dues to the DCCC.

I guess the DCCC has a rule. No pay, No play.

Home Foreclsoures Five Year High

Pennsylvania home foreclosure filings, bank seizures hit five-year highs

HARRISBURG, Pa. — The number of Pennsylvania homeowners falling behind on mortgage payments and the number of homes seized by banks hit five-year highs in August.

New figures out Thursday from foreclosure listing firm RealtyTrac Inc. showed 6,500 Pennsylvania homes received at least one foreclosure filing in August, while banks repossessed 2,300 properties.

President Barack Obama:

“In just 20 months, this movement has accomplished a tremendous amount,” Obama wrote in an e-mail. “But we couldn’t have done it without the Democrats in Congress who were willing to take a stand and fight for policies that would move America forward.

“And with so much still left to be done, and too many families struggling to get by, we need to keep America moving forward -- which means I need you to support Paul Kanjorski for Congress.

Kanjorski, Pelosi, and Obama own this mess. It is time to clean it up and send them clean out of Washington

Commentary In The Times Leader- Stephen M. Alinikoff

Election will offer clear philosophical choices for U.S. COMMENTARY Stephen M. Alinikoff

I CONSIDER myself an average citizen, lucky enough to be born in a country that has bestowed bountiful gifts to my family and to me. I have lived my entire life in the Wyoming Valley and was born in the waning days of World War II. The country has changed dramatically since then and I must say in most respects not for the better. I honestly feel that we will not be leaving our children a country in which their generation will be better off and better equipped to surpass the achievements of previous generations.

If I were not so angry with what is happening with my beloved country I would have merely passed over an article in The Times Leader, which reported a meeting that Congressman Paul Kanjorski hosted at the East Mountain Inn on Sept. 8.

What Kanjorski was reported to have said is emblematic of one of, if not the major problems facing this nation: a dysfunctional Congress totally out of touch with the desires, needs and history of this country.

Kanjorski related his defense of the bailout packages over the last two years: “Those days will be remembered as the most instrumental moments of the 21st century.” Kanjorski, Nancy Pelosi, Charley Rangel and Maxine Walters were the ones standing between us and the total financial collapse of the United States. Yes, he honestly believes that and expects us to believe it.

The congressman went on to say: “If you recall gun sales were way up, America was weaponed up, that’s what the times were like two years ago.” He then said something that has yet to be followed up by our local or national media. He told the group “8,000 troops stood at the ready” in North Carolina to come to Washington to guard the White House and the Capitol.

I certainly was not aware we were so close to an armed insurrection. My question is: from whom?

It really is hard to believe, if nothing else Congressman Kanjorski is at the top of his game when it comes to political hyperbole on the campaign trail. History and its facts do not lie. The facts are that over the last 77 years, we have seen an undeniable march of one-party rule and that party’s philosophy being legislated into statutory policy.

It is the undeniable philosophy of central government growth at the expense of federalism and individual rights.

It is an undeniable fact that we are on the verge of a national bankruptcy, which, if continued, will have consequences for our national security and ability to remain the world’s preeminent power.

It is an undeniable fact that all legislation concerning matters of revenue, taxes, spending and finance must constitutionally originate in the House of Representatives.

From 1933, (the 73rd Congress) to the present (the 111th Congress) there have been 38 sessions of Congress. Thirty-one of the sessions – 81 percent – have been controlled by the Democratic Party. In the most recent 26 sessions the percentage in Democratic control has been 85 percent – even higher.

Kanjorski, one of the most senior Democrats, has served since 1985. He has worked to bring us public projects such as: an inflatable dam; some sort of shooting range/training facility to be placed somewhere. He also was successful in steering over 5 million in taxpayer funds to a failed business owned by family members. As one of the most senior members, he was one of the leaders in bringing us “Obamacare,” which will create the single largest bureaucracy by any Congress in our history.

In his meeting at the East Mountain Inn, he also heralded his role in passing Wall Street reform although he didn’t mention that the two main culprits – Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac – were left noticeably untouched in this new legislation. Those agencies have been used by Congress for years as a repository for political jobs and bad loans.

After reading the article, I do not for one moment doubt that Congressman Kanjorski believes in what he said and has done and is proud of where he has taken us. He is not only one of the leaders of the present majority in Congress, but also one of its most outspoken defenders.

So, our choice seems clear. If you are satisfied with the politics of Kanjorski, Pelosi, Walters and Rangel, and where they are taking us, your choice is easy.

However if you feel anger about the half truths, the lack of integrity, the self serving attitude and arrogance as well as the downright incompetence of our elected representatives, the choice is also yours.


Stephen Alinikoff lives in Kingston. He is a managing principal in a local insurance and investment firm.

Obama Supports Kanjorski- There Go Our Jobs

Unemployment Locally By Gary Visgaitis, Times Leader

The Times Leader is reporting that Barack Obama is urging voters to support Paul Kanjorski in the 11th district.

“In just 20 months, this movement has accomplished a tremendous amount,” Obama wrote in an e-mail. “But we couldn’t have done it without the Democrats in Congress who were willing to take a stand and fight for policies that would move America forward.

Gort put up a post containing Kanjorski's press release about the Obama support.

Let's explore how Obama and Kanjorski moved America forward but first let's take a look back. Here are some unemployment charts that distinguish the pre-Barack Obama presidencies from his own. Everyone complains about George Bush. This chart shows what happened to unemployment during his last term.

Let's take a look at the impact when Republican majorities and Democratic majorities have control.

Now let's look at a graph that depicts what happened to unemployment when Barack Obama tried to fool the American public that "We are beginning to turn the corner, the worst is over".

Obama and Kanjorski said they were going to fix America. How did they do?

Kanjorski To Announce Energy Institute Formation Today

Later today Paul Kanjorski is expected to announce ANOTHER 1,000 jobs coming to our area via an Energy Institute he proposed earlier in the year. In this Citizen's Voice article by Michael Sisak Kanjorski shared the details of his plan on April 10, 2010.

Kanjorski, D-Nanticoke, envisions a public-private partnership between the federal government and regional colleges and universities which would support a "smart growth" approach to the gas drilling and infuse the region with more than 1,000 jobs. The institute would initially be funded through a five-year allocation of federal energy funds, he said.

Pay carefull attention to the ultimate players in this Energy Institute. Its more of our "Free Money".
"I have had the desire to have something that really manages the development, the smart development, of an energy field such as ours," Kanjorski said Friday.

Without planned development, the drilling of the Marcellus Shale could develop haphazardly, with rival gas companies crisscrossing the four-state shale footprint with independent pipelines, roads and waterways.

"At the state level, everyone's walking around saying, 'well, the state government is the only one with jurisdiction,' and the state government isn't doing very much about it," Kanjorski said. "At the federal level, we're looking at this."

Did I just read that Paul Kanjorski was telling Todd Eachus he is not doing his job?

Wilkes and the 12 other colleges and universities within Kanjorski's Congressional district could partner to shape the institute's long-term research, policy development and impact on the Marcellus Shale.

Jack Chielli, a spokesman for Wilkes University, confirmed the school's involvement in the proposed institute, but said, "it is a bit premature to be able to be commenting on this in any substantive way, because it's in the development stage.

Just as Joe Sestak lied about using non-profits to hide earmarks in his latest scandal it appears Kanjorski is following the same path. Earlier this year he hid an earmark for Schott Glass through the University of Scranton.

As this article points out some for profit companies are forming non-profit entities so they can circumvent the congressional ban on earmarks. Kanjorski appears to use a little different twist with Schott Glass and announced a "partnership" between the non-profit and the for-profit Schott Glass to skirt the rules. After all it was Paul Kanjorski who said "we have our own rules and we allocate this money."

If Paul Kanjorski is bringing all these jobs to Northeastern Pennsylvania why is our jobless rate at an all time high, why did our foreclosure rate jump 74%, and why are our home sales the lowest in 15 years?

Paul, we are patiently waiting for your answer.

Update: Like I said. Fiber optics, high speed rail, moving sidewalks, embassy training center, Wall Street West, Cornerstone Technologies..blah, blah, blah, blah. The catch-all phrase. The institute could continue receiving $1 million in DOE funding for the next few years, based on performance, need, and on the annual federal budget If it such a great idea Paul with the utomost significance to the area why is it that funding is guaranteed only for this year? Hmmmm...race..behind..yep that outta do it.

How Does The Media Let Eachus Spokesman Get Away With His Comments

Back in 2009 Eachus Spokesman Brett Marcy made this statement to the press about Todd Eachus and Bonusgate.

HDC spokesman Brett Marcy said Eachus was not among the legislators who testified before the grand jury, nor was he interviewed by any law enforcement officials regarding the Bonusgate case.

In the very same article Todd Eachus had this to say.

Eachus wanted to make it clear that the subpoenas were not served by the attorney general or any law enforcement agency, but by the defense. He said he and current HDC staff have “cooperated fully” with the attorney general’s investigation.

On Decembere 4, 2009 Dennis B. Roddy and Tom Barnes of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wrote this article, House leadership invited to testify to grand jury.

HARRISBURG -- A statewide grand jury has invited the state House majority leader, the man he displaced in that job and the state secretary of revenue to appear before the panel, a move that has presaged charges against others who received such letters in an ongoing corruption probe.

The letters went to State Rep. Todd Eachus, D-Luzerne, the House majority leader; State Rep. H. William DeWeese, D-Greene, who served as majority leader until Mr. Eachus succeeded him in a caucus shakeup; and Revenue Secretary Stephen Stetler, a former eight-term Democratic House member from York.

Eachus never testified. So let's get this straight. Eachus makes the claim he fully cooperated but his spokesman says Eachus was not among the legislators who testified before the grand jury, nor was he interviewed by any law enforcement officials regarding the Bonusgate case.

The deception doesn't stop there. Statements are being made about Michael Manzo, admitted participant in the Bonusgate proceedings.

In February, 2010 Fox News 43 out of York ran this story.

HARRISBURG - The former chief of staff to the House Democratic floor leader testified Monday that none of the people who were given bonuses out of state funds for working on campaigns ever turned down or returned the money.

Mike Manzo spent a fifth day on the stand in the theft, conspiracy and conflict-of-interest trial of former Democratic Whip Mike Veon and three of his ex-aides.

Manzo also told the jury he never asked any of the caucus lawyers directly about the legality of handing out cash rewards from the state treasury for election efforts.

"I knew what the answer would be," said Manzo, who previously testified that he knew what he was doing was wrong.

There were months when 90 percent of his e-mails concerned campaigns, Manzo said.

He said he has run his own public relations and communications company, Hurzo LLC, for about a year.

"I still design strategies for folks who work in the House," Manzo said.

Brett Marcy, a spokesman for current House Democratic Leader Todd Eachus, said Manzo has not been doing work for the caucus and is not being paid by the caucus.

That isn't what Michael Manzo said Mr. Marcy. He said he worked for folks who work in the House. However, Michael Manzo was former chief of staff for the House Democratic Caucus.

So we have a spokesman who states Eachus was never approached by law enforcement but Eachus stating he fully cooperated. We have a former chief of staff testifying about his role in Bonusgate but a spokesman stating he doesn't work for the Caucus now.

Keep the count. Brett Marcy is the spokesman for Eachus as Majority Leader. David Georges is his campaign spokesman. In this article we have a new spokesman for the House Majority Leader, Bill Thomas.

Three people need to tell us what Todd Eachus has to say. But the one person, Attorney General Tom Corbett, who asked Eachus to speak for himself was met with silence.