THE CENTRIST: September 2010

Thursday, September 30, 2010

9/11 Hard Hat Pledge Founder Andy Sullivan Calls on NYC Department of Buildings to Inspect Ground Zero Mosque's Non-Existent Permits

State Police: Crimes Reported in PA Dropped 5.4 Percent in 2009

Gallup: Distrust in Media Hits New High and Three Times as Many See Media as ‘Too Liberal’ Over ‘Too Conservative’ | NewsBusters.org

Gallup: Distrust in Media Hits New High and Three Times as Many See Media as 'Too Liberal' Over 'Too Conservative' | NewsBusters.org

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Desperate Democrats resort to class warfare

By Tony Phyrillas

Stop me if you've heard this one before: The Republican Party is the party of the rich. The Democratic Party represents working people.

That hogwash, perpetuated on behalf of Democratic candidates by rich and powerful labor unions and the equally rich and powerful elites who dominate the news media, has been an overriding theme in national elections for nearly a century.

Demonizing opponents makes for good politics, especially when you can pit "us" against "them." The problem with the "poor" vs. "rich" analogy is that it doesn't fit reality.

John Kerry, the 2004 Democratic Party nominee, was one of the richest men ever to seek the White House. With a personal fortune exceeding $200 million, Kerry wouldn't know a poor person if he stepped on him on his way to the country club. Kerry should have won the presidency against a George W. Bush weakened by unpopular wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, but he lost because he could not relate to the plight of most Americans.

Kerry is not alone. There are 237 millionaires currently serving in Congress, seven of them with net worths of more than $100 million each, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

The three wealthiest members of the Senate are Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wis.), worth about $215 million; Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), worth about $210 million; and Sen. Kerry (D-Mass.), worth about $209 million. Did you happen to notice the "D" after each of their names?

Among the 25 wealthiest lawmakers, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi (estimated worth of $32 million) — there are 14 Democrats and 11 Republicans, suggesting no clear wealth divisions between political parties, according to Political Hotsheet.

Democrat Barack Obama spent more money to win the presidency than any other candidate in U.S. history. Obama, a "community organizer" who worked his way up the Chicago political ladder, raised $750 million in 2008. That money wasn't sent to him $5 or $10 at a time by elderly grandmothers. It came from trial lawyers, labor unions, lobbyists and corporations.

Class warfare — pitting "us" against "them" or the "poor" versus the "rich" is among the most reliable tools in the Democratic Party's political arsenal, especially when your party has been in charge of Congress for the past four years and the White House for the past two years.

The result of Democratic leadership? Record unemployment, record home foreclosures and a record number of Americans in poverty.

Democrats can't run on their record of abject failure, so they need a diversion.

Take the closely-watched race for Senate in Pennsylvania, pitting Democrat Congressman Joe Sestak and Republican Pat Toomey.

Sestak's entire campaign so far has been to label Toomey as a "Wall Street insider," although Toomey has not worked on Wall Street since 1991. Unable to give voters any reason they should vote for Sestak, who has supported the Pelosi/Obama agenda 98 percent of the time, the Sestak campaign is working feverishly to paint Toomey as a real-life version of Gordon Gekko, the slimy corporate raider played by Michael Douglass in the two "Wall Street" films.

With the economy getting progressively worse under Democratic leadership (don't forget that Democrats took control of both houses of Congress four years ago) and polls showing a historic repudiation of the Democratic Party coming on Nov. 2, Democrats have fallen back on their favorite "rich vs. poor" campaign tactic.

Which brings us to the hottest debate in Washington, D.C., these days: Whether to extend the Bush tax cuts, enacted in 2001 and 2003, which are set to expire Dec. 31.

The Democrats keep saying the tax cuts benefited only the "rich" despite convincing evidence to the contrary.

While Americans earning more than $250,000 a year certainly benefited by the tax cuts, so did tens of millions of middle class Americans making less than $250,000.

Even the ultra-liberal and Democratic Party-friendly Washington Post admits that the Bush tax cuts have had a positive effect on the U.S. economy: "The cuts lowered tax rates across the board on income, dividends and capital gains; eventually eliminated the estate tax; further lowered burdens on married couples, parents and the working poor; and increased tax credits for education and retirement savings."

Obama wants to extend part of the Bush tax cuts, but not all of them, but Democrats do not appear to have the votes — or the nerve — to make a decision before Nov. 2. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced last week he will postpone a vote on extending the Bush tax cuts until after the midterm elections.

While playing it safe politically may help Democrats, it does nothing for the fragile U.S. economy. The Democrats' unwillingness to make a move on taxes takes away incentive for consumers to spend and businesses to hire. And that's a big reason the recession shows no signs of letting up.

'It's A Meaningful Life' VeggieTales Trailer

Politico: Congressman Joe Sestak has made false statements in yet another political ad.

POLITICO: AIPAC disputes Sestak ad - Ben Smith - AIPAC disputes Sestak ad

When Joe Sestak Went to Washington

More bad news for Democrats

Blue Dog Research Forum and Zogby Partner to Survey Key Voter Demographic: Likely Independent Voters

Empires of Collusion: First Shot Fired in Pulp Wars

Bullying Meets Its Match

Auditor General Jack Wagner Says Pennsylvania Faces $5 Billion Budget Gap in Fiscal Year 2011-12

Tony Phyrillas: Desperate Dems turn to class warfare

Check out my latest column at The Mercury website about desperate Democrats who have nothing to run on except a record of failure.

Desperate Dems turn to class warfare - The Mercury

Pat Toomey at the Chamber Forum

Natural Gas Drilling: West Virginia vs. Pennsylvania

Obama Refers to Illegal Aliens as 'Us' As He Renews Call for Amnesty

Obama Refers to Illegal Aliens as 'Us' As He Renews Call for Amnesty | CNSnews.com

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Attack ad over the top? Alan Grayson compares opponent to Taliban.

Attack ad over the top? Alan Grayson compares opponent to Taliban. - CSMonitor.com

Recession officially over: Somebody tell the unemployed

From The Christian Science Monitor: Unemployment lasts longer than ever before, home values keep declining, foreclosures abound and people are growing poorer. This is the rebound?

No wonder the Democratic Party is headed for historic loses in the Nov. 2 elections.

Democrats have controlled both houses of Congress for four years and the White House for nearly two years.

It's the Obama Recession and it's not ending as long as Dems control the federal government.

Read more at the link below:

Recession officially over: Somebody tell the unemployed. - CSMonitor.com

Passage Now of Safe Teen and Novice Driver Uniform Protection (STANDUP) Act Would Stem Reckless Annual Tide of Thousands of Teen Car Crash Deaths

Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex Honored for 'Going Green'

Pennsylvania Ranks Among Top Four in Digital States Survey

Additional Pennsylvania State Forest Roads to Open for Hunting Seasons

Pennsylvania State Police: 139 Trucks Placed Out of Service through Enforcement Effort

Report Says Health Reform Can Keep More Older Adults Out of Nursing Homes

Bryan Lentz's Bad Choices

Kampf Opens New Campaign Headquarters

From the Warren Kampf for State House Campaign:

PAOLI – Surrounded by nearly 50 friends, volunteers and supporters, Warren Kampf today opened a new, bigger campaign headquarters. Kampf is the Republican candidate for State Representative in Pennsylvania's 157th Legislative District, and current Tredyffrin Township Supervisor.

"Our old space simply was not big enough to accommodate the volunteers and supporters who continue to join our campaign every day," said Kampf. "The outpouring of support I have received throughout this process is humbling, and I hope that I can repay it by getting to Harrisburg to instill real fiscal discipline and get our economy back on track."

Kampf is running on a record of proven fiscal responsibility. As a Tredyffrin Supervisor for nearly seven years, Kampf has delivered four no-property tax increase budgets and held total tax increases to less than 1% a year on average during his tenure.

Kampf has also reduced township debt to save taxpayers at least a quarter of a million dollars a year in debt service payments.

In 2009, Kampf led the successful effort to cut government spending by 15%.

He has done all this while continuing to provide citizens with needed services and nearly tripling funding for emergency responders and fire departments.

"The differences in this election couldn't be more clear," said Kampf in a short speech given at the grand opening. "I have brought real fiscal discipline to government. My opponent has voted to raise spending by a billion dollars and increase debt by more than half-a-billion in the worst economy in generations."

After his speech, Kampf worked with volunteers on various projects. He then left the celebration early to continue his door-knocking effort that has seen him visit nearly 8,000 homes already this year, but more than 30 volunteers stayed to help stuff envelopes, prepare literature drops and more.

Rebuild The “Ground Zero Church”

Rebuild The “Ground Zero Church” - The Philadelphia Bulletin

Monday, September 27, 2010

Know the Drill: The Truth about Natural Gas | Community Impact

Report: Obama Tax Hike Will Devastate Middle Class

The Heritage Foundation has released a new report detailing the devastating effects on middle class families if Barack Obama and Congressional Democrats allow the Bush Tax Cuts to expire.

Democrats, who control both houses of Congress and the White House, have refused to extend the middle class tax cuts, which are set to expire on Dec. 31, 2010. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said no vote will be taken until after the Nov. 2 election.

The Heritage Foundation says the Democrats' attempt to spin the tax cuts as class warfare is an insult to voters. Failing to extend the Bush Tax Cuts will result in higher taxes for most Americans.

From the report:

The President and his supporters are calling for tax increases, primarily on upper-income taxpayers and businesses— including small businesses, the primary job creators in the country. Those who will be most burdened if this plan becomes law are the millions of Americans just starting their economic lives and the millions more trying to find work after the worst recession in 60 years.

The rest, whose lives are affected by the investments and business decisions of those taxpayers in the high-income classes, will share the burden.

No income earner will be unscathed. Instead of extracting more income from the private economy, Congress should immediately reduce its spending and enact fundamental entitlement reform that supports strong economic growth.

Economic conditions, already in a death spiral under Obama, will get worse, according to the report:

• Slower economic growth: Inflation-adjusted gross domestic product (GDP) would fall by a total of $1.1 trillion between FY 2011 and FY 2020. GDP in 2018 would fall by $145 billion alone. The growth rate of the economy would be slower for the entire 10-year period.

• Fewer jobs: Slower economic growth would result in less job creation. Employment would fall by an average of 693,000 per year over this period

* 238,000 fewer jobs in the critical economic recovery year of 2011;
* In one year alone, 2016, job losses top 876,000.

• More unemployed Americans: Slower growth in employment translates to a higher unemployment rate, which would rise more each year during the 10-year period than it would without the Obama tax hikes.

* In other words, for Americans who are unemployed now, their prospects of employment would worsen under the Obama tax plan.

You can view the report by clicking here.

Poll Reveals Government Spending is Personal to Voters

Most U.S. Adults Unfamiliar with Sepsis, One of Nation's Leading Causes of Death

Sunday, September 26, 2010

The Breaking Point

Video: Power of 10

John Kerry on Voters: They Aren’t Influenced By ‘Facts or the Truth’

John Kerry on Voters: They Arent Influenced By 'Facts or the Truth' | NewsBusters.org

Obama Promises More of the Same Failed Policies

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Rep. Joe Pitts on backs 'Pledge to America'

A Pledge to America

By Congressman Joe Pitts

This week, House Republicans released a governing agenda that clearly shows the American people what we are working to accomplish in this Congress and in the future. The Pledge to America is grounded in timeless values and the needs of America today. We looked to the Constitution for guidance on the role of the federal government, and we listened to the American people through town hall meetings, phone calls, letters, and new technologies.

We know that the priority of every American is resurrecting this flagging economy. Despite a stimulus bill that will cost taxpayers over $1 trillion, unemployment soared to nearly 10 percent. Each report of new unemployment claims confirms that American workers and families are hurting.

There is a fundamental disagreement between Republicans and Democrats about the best way to move our economy forward. In the past two years, the solutions offered by the Administration and Congress have been government takeovers of the banking, healthcare, student loan, energy, and automotive industries.

I opposed bailouts and government takeovers when they were pushed by President Bush, and I've continued to oppose President Obama's efforts. The American economy doesn't succeed because of crafty government policies. It succeeds because Americans are free to innovate and invest.

The first objective of the Pledge to America is to create jobs, end economic uncertainty, and make America more competitive. This means standing against job-killing tax hikes that are due to take effect on January 1, 2011. Our plan calls for growing new and existing small businesses through a tax deduction equal to 20 percent of their business income. We also need to repeal the burdensome new tax-reporting requirement created by the health care reform bill. Finally, we need to make sure that bureaucracy is not strangling businesses seeking to create new jobs.

One of the greatest causes of uncertainty in the business community is the threat of massive tax increases to pay for a government that is growing fast. The Pledge calls for an immediate stop to stimulus spending. Over $200 billion remains unspent and we must act quickly to prevent more waste. This also means permanently cancelling the TARP bailout program and returning the money to the Treasury.

The federal government has grown at an extraordinary rate in the last two years. We must put the breaks on and revert to fiscal year 2008 levels. Once we've pared back spending, we need hard caps of the same type that allowed us to balance the budget in the 1990s. When I came to Congress, I co-wrote four consecutive balanced budgets that each paid down the debt. This wouldn't have been possible without hard restraints on the growth of government.

One way to get back to balanced budgets is to repeal the healthcare law. Contrary to White House claims, the Congressional Budget Office and Medicare’s own actuaries have shown that Obamacare will not pay for itself. This new law will be an extraordinary weight on government, businesses, and, most importantly, doctors and patients. We are committed to repealing the law and replacing it with free market solutions.

Every poll shows that trust of Congress is at a record low. The Pledge commits our party to giving Members and the American people time to thoroughly read legislation before it is considered. Congress needs to stop ignoring the Constitution and the limits it places on legislative power. We would require a statement explicitly citing the Constitutional authority that justifies a piece of legislation.

Finally, Congress has a responsibility to keep our nation safe. The Pledge commits House Republicans to strengthening our border, keeping detained terrorists out of the U.S., funding missile defense, and requiring tough sanctions on Iran.

I wholeheartedly endorse these policies, but my work also goes beyond what is in the Pledge. I'm listening to my constituents in the 16th District and introducing bills based on what I'm hearing from them. The recently introduced COBRA Affordability Act came about because of the struggles many have had paying for health insurance after losing a job.

Republicans are going to press for these policies to be enacted immediately. We're going to keep listening to the American people and offering clear solutions that put them in charge, not government bureaucrats.

Congressman Joe Pitts is a Republican who represents Pennsylvania's 16th Congressional District in parts of Berks, Chester and Lancaster counties.

Weekly Republican Address 9/25/10: Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA)

An Open Letter to President Obama | NewsBusters.org

Friday, September 24, 2010

2010 Delaware Senate TV Ad - "Unafraid"

Organize4Palin launches new webiste

A new website designed to rally voters behind candidates Sarah Palin has endorsed has launched today.

Although Sarah Palin is not directly involved with www.organize4palin.com, her image is all over the site, including snapshots of Palin with more than 30 candidates Palin has endorsed for various races across the country.

Palin knows about the site and apparently approves because she informed her 282,000-plus followers on Twitter of the launch: "Check out this grassroots effort to help commonsense conservatives get elected this year!"

And speaking of Sarah Palin, her new book, "America by Heart: Reflections on Family, Faith, and Flag," is scheduled for release this November.

Berks Patriots urged to rally around conservatives

African American Likely Voters' Support for Tea Party is Significant in Recent Poll

The Tea Party Impact on GOP's "Pledge to America"

Rep. Ron Paul to Appear at Inaugural Virginia Tea Party Patriot Convention

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Another clueless Democrat

Heckler did not know what he was up against

GOP's Pledge to America laced with 'tea party' slogans

GOP's Pledge to America laced with 'tea party' slogans - CSMonitor.com

Paul Ryan on House Republicans' Pledge to America

PA Historical and Museum Commission Releases New Book Focused on Civil War Soldiers Who Became PA Governors

Bipartisan Poll Shows Small Businesses Concerned About Economy, Lawsuits, Effectiveness of Government Actions

Gangsta Government Rap

PennDOT Reminds Motorists of Fall Driving Hazards

Republicans unveil 'A Pledge to America'

Republicans today released "A Pledge to America," a 48-page blueprint for real hope and change ... not to mention undoing the damage Obama/Pelosi have done to America.

You can download a PDF version of the document here.

FRC Hosts Symposium on Relationship Between Economic and Social Conservatism

Worrisome Keystone State Polls For Dems

Worrisome Keystone State Polls For Dems - Hotline On Call

FRC Hosts Symposium on Relationship Between Economic and Social Conservatism

U.S. Competitive Position Has Further Declined in Past Five Years, Report Says

Judicial Watch Sues Labor Department

Judicial Watch Sues Labor Department for Records Regarding Federal Program That Helps Workers Earn a 'Rightful Wage' 'Regardless of Immigration Status'

The Pledge to America: The Basics

63,000 Visitors

My site counter has recorded 63,000 unique visitors to The Centrist. Thanks for checking out this blog ... and come back again.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Woman at Town Hall Meeting Tired of Defending President Obama

Lois Herr #10: Left of Obama

Video: Mourning In America

PA Probation and Parole Board Selected as Model to Help Other States Improve Practices

Nat Hentoff: Health czar: 'Zero tolerance' for Obamacare critics

What You Need to Know About Ethanol Policy

Three weeks remain for Legislature to act on teen driving laws

Three weeks remain for Legislature to act on teen driving laws - The Mercury

Two Decades of Sen. Reid Translate into Escalating National Debt, Higher Taxes

Judicial Watch Sues DOJ for Documents Detailing White House Involvement in Black Panther Case Dismissal

A New Jersey: Remember November Part I

Tokyo Rove

Group denounces erroneous taxpayer-financed terror report

This latest Rendell scandal is not getting the play it deserves from Pennsylvania media. I applaud groups like COOL for taking a stand.

From The Constitutional Organization Of Liberty (COOL):

(Lebanon, PA) - The Constitutional Organization Of Liberty (COOL), a conservative, non-partisan political action committee registered with the Pennsylvania Department of State, is denouncing the inclusion of its organization in a controversial report prepared for the Pennsylvania Office of Homeland Security by the Institute of Terrorism Research and Response (ITRR).

Mark Thomas, Chairman for COOL, said he was shocked that the educational group was being considered a terror threat to the Commonwealth.

"It is stunning that some obscure group included COOL in its report," Thomas said. "Our objective and primary focus is, and always has been, educating the people of Pennsylvania about the principles our country was founded on."

"If teaching the Constitution is now considered terrorist activity, then I guess we’re guilty as charged," he said. “But at least we're in good company – like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Ben Franklin."

State Senator Mike Folmer, one of the original organizers of COOL and a current Board member, expressed frustration when he learned that the group had been included in the report.

"I'm really not happy about this," Folmer said. "We have a governor who has spent our state into near bankruptcy, who has driven countless businesses out of the state, and who is forever trying to take more out of the taxpayers wallet – and now we learn that he used public money to finance a report that attacks people who are trying to educate citizens about the very document he swore to uphold and defend."

"This is not a Republican thing or a Democrat thing, it is a liberty thing," he said. "When law abiding citizens become the target of suspicious government because the people in government don’t like what they are saying, then the 1st Amendment is in greater jeopardy than we realize."

Folmer said he intends to help push for legislative hearings to find out exactly who authorized the ITRR report and how ITRR was designated to complete the report.

Louis Petolicchio, who serves as a course instructor for COOL, said he found the inclusion of the group in the ITRR report ironic since COOL had nothing to do with the activity which was deemed as 'terrorist.'

"According to the report, COOL was sponsoring the 2nd Annual State Capitol Taxpayers' Protest in Harrisburg on June 8 of this year," he noted. "Problem is that COOL had nothing to do with that rally as it was organized by State Representative Darryl Metcalfe."

According to published reports, Metcalfe, a lawmaker from western Pennsylvania, has demanded that Governor Ed Rendell explain why the taxpayer rally was included on the bulletin intended to identify terror threats.

"What's most disturbing about this report is the sloppy research that went into it on the part of the ITRR," Petolicchio said. "They completely screwed up the parties involved on this particular item in their report."

"And, if they couldn’t get their facts straight on this 'threat', then what else did they screw up in their report," he asked.

"It is amazing that the ITRR managed to do enough research to quote the COOL website which makes it very clear that we teach the constitution as the rule of law but then completely muddled the facts about the rally and proceeded to identify COOL as a threat," Petolicchio added. "The two questions now are how do they correct the mess they have made and why are our tax dollars funding such incompetence."

Follow Tony Phyrillas on Twitter

I had no idea Twitter limits the number of people you can follow to 2,000. I hit that number today and I got the message that I'm done ... unless more people follow me. So why don't you head over to Twitter and start following me at http://twitter.com/TonyPhyrillas

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Pennsylvania could lead GOP tidal wave on November 2

Obama Pushes Amnesty for Illegals

RealClearPolitics - Video - Obama: "Mexicans" Were Here "Long Before America Was Even An Idea"

CRNC | The "Break Up"

Video: Tea Party

23 Million Seniors to Receive Lower Social Security Payments Next Year

VFW Files Motion to Intervene in Mojave Desert Memorial Case: This is Our Land, Our Memorial. We Want it Back!

Pennsylvanians Urged to Turn in Unwanted Prescription Drugs for Disposal

Top Obama DOJ Officials Involved in Decision to Drop Black Panther Case According to Evidence Obtained by Judicial Watch

The American Legion Wins Long Fight on Behalf of Gold Star Parents

68% in Pennsylvania Believe Cutting Taxes, Not Increasing Spending, Will Create More Jobs

Almost 7 in 10 Pennsylvania voters reject the Obama/Pelosi/Reid Agenda. Pennsylvania could lead the GOP tidal wave on Nov. 2 with Pat Toomey winning US Senate seat and 6-8 House seats switching to Republicans.

68% in Pennsylvania Believe Cutting Taxes, Not Increasing Spending, Will Create More Jobs

Ground Zero Imam's Group Trained NY Times Mosque Reporter

Ground Zero Imam's Group Trained NY Times Mosque Reporter | NewsBusters.org

Monday, September 20, 2010

Church at Ground Zero Overshadowed by Mosque

Harry Reid's 'Pet'

If you live in Delaware, would you really vote for a politician known as Harry Reid's "pet"? That's what Democrat Chris Coons is know as, somebody's pet. Send a message to the establishment: Elect Christine O'Donnell to the US Senate.

Harry Reid's 'Pet' - Stephen Spruiell - National Review Online

Michael Moore: The New Face of Jihad?!

Bryan Lentz's Bad Choices

Recovery Act Created Green Jobs Costing $273,723 Each!

PennDOT's 511PA System Celebrates One-Year Anniversary

Political Appointee Involved in Obama Justice Department Decision to Drop Black Panther Case According to Documents Disclosed to Judicial Watch

4 Republicans rise to 'Contender' status

How Pennsylvania votes on Nov. 2 could determine how big the anticipated GOP landslide will be. Republicans could pick up 6-7 additional Congressional seats in Pennsylvania alone if the anti-incumbent mood continues at the polls.

There are fewer safe Democratic seats, including a handful in Pennsylvania that the National Republican Congressional Committee says could be had be Republicans.

Four Pennsylvania candidates are among the 13 added to the NRCC's "Contender" list this week.

They are Dee Adcock (PA-13); Tim Burns (PA-12); Tom Marino (PA-10) and Keith Rothfus (PA-04).

All four were considered long shots against established Democratic incumbents, but things are changing quickly as voters are about to punish Congressional Democrats for four years of failure.

By reaching the first and second step of the three-step "Young Guns" program, the GOP candidates have reached the fundamental benchmarks to place them on the road to victory, according to an NRCC press release.

"These candidates have worked hard to meet the benchmarks that have been laid out before them and are determined to hold Washington Democrats accountable this November," said NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions (R-TX). "Middle-class families are tired of watching the Democrat majority spend this country deeper into recession while they have been forced to tighten their belts. With Americans desperate for change, these 23 candidates are determined to reign in reckless spending, cut taxes and return the economy back to a state of vitality."

Read more about the surging GOP candidates at the link below:

News - NRCC Announces New "On the Radar" and "Contender" Candidates

Corbett: Onorato a replica of Rendell

If you liked the last 8 years of runaway spending, high taxes, massive debt and lost jobs under Gov. Ed Rendell, Democrat Dan Onorato would like to give Pennsylvania residents four more years of the same failed policies.

PhillyBurbs.com: Corbett: Onorato a replica of Rendell

Kathy Dahlkemper Sold Out Pennsylvania

Fifty years of wasted time - Cyprus Mail

Rendell Regime Spies on Critics

See related editorial, State spying, at The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review website.

Rally to rebuild Greek Orthodox Church destroyed by 9/11 terrorist attacks

Poll: Toomey Over Sestak by 9 Points

A new PoliticsPA/Municipoll finds Republican Pat Toomey (R) leading Democratic Rep. Joe Sestak (D) by 9 points, 45% to 36% with 19% undecided in the race to replace Arlen Specter in the U.S. Senate.

Read more poll results here.

Dog lovers outraged by new Pa. law

The Rendell Administration has watered down a tough new law designed to protect dogs, upsetting many animal lovers.

Dog lovers outraged by new Pa. law - The Mercury

Defeating the Obama Machine

Conservatives Like Rep. Mike Pence for President

Conservatives Like Rep. Mike Pence for President | CNSnews.com

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Why can't Greek church rebuild at site of 9/11?

We're going to keep asking until NYC bureaucrats come up with an answer.

Why can't Greek church rebuild at site of 9/11? - NashuaTelegraph.com

Taxpayers Paid At Least $9 Million for Signs Promoting Obama's Economic Stimulus

Taxpayers Paid At Least $9 Million for Signs Promoting Obama's Economic Stimulus | NewsBusters.org

Weekly Republican Address 9/18/10: Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR)

Sarah Palin at Iowa GOP Reagan Dinner 9-17-10 PART ONE

Runaway Slave Movie Teaser

Friday, September 17, 2010

'GASLAND' Trailer 2010

US adds 3.8 million more to ranks of the poor as poverty rate jumps

US adds 3.8 million more to ranks of the poor as poverty rate jumps - CSMonitor.com

Legion: GI Bill Needs Non-Degree Coverage

States See Steep Rise in Poverty and Income Loss

'What Happened to Hope and Change?'

Reid's Intent to Use Defense Bill to Pass DREAM Act Amnesty Denounced as Cynical and Divisive by FAIR

Come Celebrate International Observe the Moon Night

Pennsylvania DEP Accepting Home Heating Rebate Applications for Unclaimed Funds

More Than Just Cookies: Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania's 'Nuts About Reading' Program Runs Through October 25

PennDOT Announces Changes in Accepting Puerto Rican-Issued Birth Certificates as Credentials for Driver's Licenses/ID Cards

PA Department of Health Marks Sept. 19-26 as 'Health, Wealth and Wellness Week'

DEP Issues Drought Warning for 24 Counties; Drought Watch for Remainder of State

Two L.A. departments get $111 million in stimulus funds but have created only 55 jobs

This is Obamanomics at work. Spend $111 million to create 55 jobs. No wonder 25 million Americans are unemployed and 44 million are living in poverty.

Do you want two more years of this? For real change, vote out every Democrat in Congress on Nov. 2.

Two L.A. departments get $111 million in stimulus funds but have created only 55 jobs - latimes.com

PA First Lady Celebrates Constitution Day

PA First Lady Judge Rendell Celebrates Constitution Day, Teaches Civics Lesson via Virtual Classroom

Thorns to Gov. Rendell for hiring firm to spy on activists, critics

Thorns to Gov. Rendell for hiring firm to spy on activists, critics - The Mercury

Constitution Day

Endangered Site: Famagusta Walled City, Cyprus

Chris Coons: Bearded Marxist Of The Delaware Senate Race

Chris Coons: Bearded Marxist Of The Delaware Senate Race » Right Pundits

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Signs of a Failed Stimulus: Be A Citizen-Watchdog

Newspaper: Sestak distorts Toomey record

Another Pennsylvania newspaper has chided Democrat Joe Sestak for distorting Republican Pat Toomey's record in television ads.

The Lancaster New Era joins The Philadelphia Inquirer in pointing out blatant errors and intentional lies about Toomey in ads paid by the Sestak campaign and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

From the New Era editorial:

Democrats' attempt to link GOP Senate candidate Pat Toomey to the worst of Wall Street excesses is disingenuous, at best. At worst, it's not true.

A recent political ad from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee attempts to link Toomey to the use of risky derivatives "that wound up nearly destroying our economy."

Toomey was, in fact, a derivatives trader in the 1980s. Only they weren't the same sort of derivatives. They were currency derivatives, not the "credit default swaps" that many say caused the 2008 financial meltdown. Swaps came only after Toomey had left Wall Street.

Sestak needs to clean up his act, and he should disavow the deceptive ads pedaled by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

Read the full editorial, Sestak distorts Toomey resume, at the newspaper's website.

Down and out in Obama's America

Rep. Joe Pitts, who represents Pennsylvania's 16th Congressional District, released a statement today in response to new government numbers that show nearly 44 million Americans are living in poverty. That's 1 in 7 Americans. How's that for hope and change? The poverty rate leaped to 14.3 percent, the highest rate since 1994.

Rep. Pitts' statement follows:

"This underscores that this recession is not just about banks, bureaucrats, and statistics. I've seen the effects of increased poverty first-hand as I've visited food banks throughout the district. Real people are hurting and there should be no margin for error in our efforts to help people, revive the economy, and create jobs.

"Washington's response to the recession has so far been ideological, partisan, and ineffective. Good ideas have been ignored while Congress has been distracted by other fights that should have waited. This is the No. 1 reason Americans are so angry right now."

The full report is available at: http://www.census.gov/prod/2010pubs/p60-238.pdf

Public Reading of U.S. Constitution

Boyertown Residents Take Part in Nationwide Readings of the Entire United States Constitution

When: September 18, 2010 @ 11:00 AM

Where: Nancy's Front Porch @ 120 N. Walnut St. Boyertown, PA 19512

In an effort to help revitalize the nation's civic culture, residents of Boyertown will come together at 11:00 AM at 120 N. Walnut St., Boyertown for a public reading of the U.S. Constitution.

The event will be held at the home of Nancy Kline, event organizer.

David M. Maloney (R) candidate for the PA State House 130th District, will be on hand to do a partial reading.

Although this is not a political event, it is one of hundreds to be held on the same day in cities and towns all across the United States.

Kline said, "This event, and the hundreds like it across the country, is our way of expressing our respect for the importance of the nation's founding charter and its relevance today. This is a real grassroots effort, of ordinary Americans talking to each other in person and on the Internet, to show there are people who think the nation's civic culture is important. Everyone should be familiar with the Constitution and what it says. It needs to be read, aloud!"

In addition to the local organizers, the We Read the Constitution Project is backed by national groups including Let Freedom Ring and Constituting America.

Rendell releases details of anti-terror monitoring

Top 25 Most Creative Tea Party Signs

Top 25 Most Creative Tea Party Signs - mcall.com

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Latest Rendell scandal unfolds

The Rendell Administration paid a Philadelphia firm $125,000 to spy on citizen activists and critics of Rendell's policies. Should that surprise anyone?

A Philadelphia newspaper reported about the questionable activities of The Institute of Terrorism Research and Response in July, but Rendell pulled the old Sgt. Schultz defense: I know nothing!

Rendell said at a news conference Tuesday he didn't know what kind of reports the Philly terrorism watchdog group was providing to his administration.

However, if you read some of the articles below, it appears Rendell's top aides were receiving information about citizen activists and administration critics all along. They had to know that the information they were buying (with taxpayer dollars) was bogus.

Did they not tell their boss? What was the point of the spying?

Just the latest example of the culture of corruption and fiscal mismanagement surrounding the Rendell Administration.

From The Harrisburg Patriot-News: Gov. Ed Rendell's top staffers knew of Homeland Security tracking protesters in July

Also in The Patriot-News: State tracks anti-Marcellus Shale drilling groups, notifies law enforcement and Rendell ends tracking of opponents of natural gas drilling

From The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Lawsuit planned after protesters put on terror list

From The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Philadelphia firm wrongly targeted activists

From The Philadelphia Inquirer: Rendell 'appalled' by state's tracking of activists

Tom Corbett's newest TV ad.

Pa. Homeland Security chief warns against groups 'fomenting dissent'

Breaking: In private email, Pa.'s Homeland Security chief pledges "support" to gas drillers, warns against groups "fomenting dissent." :: The Clog :: Blog Archive :: Staff Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper

Tea Party Across America Opening Video - TeaPartyPatriots.org

Dem. Congressman Signs on to Repeal Obamacare

Dem. Congressman Signs on to Repeal Obamacare | Red Dog Report

Pennsylvania Senate: Toomey (R) 49%, Sestak (D) 41%

Election 2010: Pennsylvania Senate

Just Like John McCain ...

Newspaper calls Lentz attack ad 'misleading'

One of the most liberal newspapers in Pennsylvania calls out liberal Democrat Bryan Lentz for a misleading attack ad against Republican opponent Pat Meehan in the race for Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District.

Lentz, like so many lockstep liberals who buy into the failed Obama/Pelosi agenda, has nothing to tell voters so he resorts to lying about his opponent's record.

Read the Philadelphia Inquirer account of Lentz's misleading ad at the newspaper's website.

GERRYMANDERING Trailer

PA Liquor Control Board Awards Nearly $1 Million in Grants to Aid Fight Against Underage, Dangerous Alcohol Use

Lowman Henry to headline Berks County Patriots meeting

The September meeting of Berks County Patriots will feature guest speaker Lowman S. Henry, chairman and CEO of Lincoln Institute for Public Opinion Research Inc., a Harrisburg-based non-profit, educational foundation.

Henry, one of the leading political commentators in Pennsylvania, is also host of Lincoln Radio Journal and American Radio Journal. Henry will discuss the Nov. 2 General Election in a speech headlined, "November's elections could change the course of America."

The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 23, at 6:30 PM at the Leesport Farmers Market, Route 61, Leesport.

For more on Berks County Patriots, visit the group's Web site at http://berkscountypatriots.org/

For more on Henry, visit http://www.lincolninstitute.org/

Lentz MIA from Legislative Duties

State Rep. Bryan Lentz is a Democrat who represents the 161st House District in Delaware County. He gets paid a very generous salary to show up for work in Harrisburg, but Lentz is also running for Congress. It appears his priority is winning election to Congress, not doing the job voters in the 161st District elected him to do.

From the Meehan for Congress campaign:

DREXEL HILL, PA - Over the last two days, State Rep. Bryan Lentz missed several votes during the legislative session in Harrisburg. This current session will only last twelve days, and Lentz is unable to commit even this short span of time to do the job the voters in his district pay him to do.

"For most of Monday and Tuesday, the 161st Legislative District did not have a voice in Harrisburg," said Bryan Kendro, Meehan for Congress campaign manager. "What was Bryan Lentz doing that was more important than his job of representing his district? His constituents deserve to know why he played hooky both days. And Bryan Lentz should disclose whether or not he collected his full per diem for only doing part-time work in Harrisburg."

On Monday, Lentz was present for a roll call vote and two other ceremonial votes, but for six later votes he is listed as absent from the floor. On Tuesday, Lentz was present for several votes on resolutions, but then missed another five legislative votes.

Journalists, Media Professionals Donating Frequently to Federal Political Candidates this Election Cycle

Journalists, Media Professionals Donating Frequently to Federal Political Candidates this Election Cycle - OpenSecrets Blog | OpenSecrets

Center for Responsive Politics: Journalists Give to Dems Over GOP By Nearly 2 to 1 Margin

Center for Responsive Politics: Journalists Give to Dems Over GOP By Nearly 2 to 1 Margin | NewsBusters.org

O'Donnell tops Castle for GOP Senate nomination

Delaware voters saw through the GOP establishment smear machine. The Nov. 2 election is not about Democrats and Republicans. It's about the American people taking their country back ... from anyone who stands in the way, regardless of party.

O'Donnell tops Castle for GOP Senate nomination, Urquhart wins House nod - Dover, DE - Dover Post

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

November 2, 2010 --- JUDGEMENT DAY!

'33 Minutes' Trailer

Exeter School Board drops plan to buy office building

Nothing like 250 angry taxpayers showing up at a meeting to put the fear of God (or re-election) into a Berks County school board.

The administration's proposal to spend $5.7 million to buy a 'Taj Mahal' office building for themselves was a bad one all along. At least five of the nine board members came to their senses and voted down the proposal.

Exeter School Board drops plan to buy office building

Bryan Lentz has voted against us now it's time for us to vote against Lentz.

Medicare Czar for Rationing Before He Was Against It

Medicare Czar for Rationing Before He Was Against It - HUMAN EVENTS

'Third Year of Falling Crime Proves Gun Grabbers Wrong' -- CCRKBA

Pennsylvania Game Commission Offers Advice on Avoiding Bear Conflicts

Pennsylvania Corrections Department Reminds Public to Register for AlertPA Service to Continue Receiving Emergency Notifications

Another Endorsement for David M. Maloney

From the Maloney for State House campaign:

Pike Township, PA - C. E. Pfeifer, President of Eagle Forum of PA, announced Monday Sept. 13th that his group has endorsed David M. Maloney, (R) candidate for the 130th State House seat. Maloney lives in Pike Township.

Eagle Forum is a national organization (website: eagleforum.org) with about 80,000 members, of whom there are several thousand in Pennsylvania. Eagle Forum is a leading pro-family group that defends traditional family values.

"We are pleased to support David Maloney because he supports the principles of limited government and lower taxes. David is pro-life and he is committed to supporting the marriage protection amendment that was passed in the PA state house in 2006 by an overwhelming vote of 136-61 but has died in the state senate in 2006 and again in 2008 and again in 2010." said Pfeifer.

Maloney commented "I am very appreciative that Eagle Forum has offered support to my campaign for the PA 130th District. As the father of four, I will say that defending the American family is the duty of our elected representatives. I see the need right now stop the overreaching of our federal government in Washington DC and state government in Harrisburg who increasingly encroach on our freedoms."

For more on the Maloney campaign, visit his website at www.MaloneyForPAHouse.com

DCH Auto Group Launches 'InTEXTicated' Teen Safe Driving Campaign

U.S. poverty rate on track to post record increase

Welcome to Obama's America.

U.S. poverty rate on track to post record increase- The New Haven Register - Serving New Haven, Connecticut

Monday, September 13, 2010

Ray Stevens - Come to the USA

Faiz Khan, associate of Ground Zero mosque imam Feisal Abdul Rauf believes 9/11 was 'inside job' - NYPOST.com

Faiz Khan, associate of Ground Zero mosque imam Feisal Abdul Rauf believes 9/11 was "inside job" - NYPOST.com

Ground Zero Mosque Group Includes 9/11 Denier

Armenian Natl Committee of America -- Ask your Senators to Oppose the Bryza Nomination

Health Care Law

Liberal Lois Herr wants to legalize marijuana

'Silent Majority' of Doctors Speak Out, Submit Challenge to the AMA

Obama's Proposed Oil and Gas Tax Hikes to Cost U.S. Economy 154,000 Jobs in 2011

In Search Of: People Of Color

Hugh Hewitt: Markets have taken the measure of Barack Obama

Hugh Hewitt: Markets have taken the measure of Barack Obama | Washington Examiner

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Gingrich: GOP Could Gain 60 Seats; Pelosi Has To Decide To Stay Or Go

RealClearPolitics - Video - Gingrich: GOP Could Gain 60 Seats; Pelosi Has To Decide To Stay Or Go

Recovery Summer?

TV Ad: Christine O'Donnell - Common Sense Conservative for U.S. Senate (...

Andrew Breitbart 912 Rally 2010

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Check out my newest blog

We can't talk about politics all the time.

Check out my newest blog, Film Fanatic, at http://filmphanatic.blogspot.com/

Obama Bumper Sticker Removal Kit

I Want Your Money Trailer (2010) HD

Newspaper: 41 Obama White House aides are tax cheats

41 Obama White House aides owe the IRS $831,000 in back taxes -- and they're not alone

Weekly GOP Address: 'Remember the victims of 9/11 and their families'

Friday, September 10, 2010

Another Obama scheme comes crashing down

Tax credits for homebuyers: the downside of stimulus - CSMonitor.com

Meet Rhashea Harmon, Candidate for the PA State Senate – 8th

Pennsylvania FOP backs Toomey in Pa. Senate race

Pennsylvania FOP backs Toomey in Pa. Senate race - The Delaware County Daily Times : Serving Delaware County, PA (DelcoTimes.com)

Bryan Lentz Abandons His Own Tax Policy to Jump on Obama's Economic Bandwagon

PA Farmers in 38 Counties Eligible for Emergency Assistance Loans

Governor Rendell Orders U.S. and Pennsylvania Flags at All State Facilities to Be Flown at Half-Staff on Sept. 11

Mike George, Founder of Strong America Now, to Speak at 'Gateway to November' Tea Party Rally

Americans to Honor Sept. 11 with Acts of Service Across the Nation

FRC Action PAC Launches Radio Ad Campaign Calling Out GOP Candidate Charlie Bass for His Deficit Spending, Pro-Abortion Voting Record

Immigration Hostility Widespread in U.S. and 5 Largest European Countries

Just How Liberal Is Joe Sestak?

Asterisk Alert: AP Story on Jobless Claims Doesn't Note Labor Dept. Report Missing Data of Nine States

Asterisk Alert: AP Story on Jobless Claims Doesn't Note Labor Dept. Report Missing Data of Nine States | NewsBusters.org

Thursday, September 09, 2010

U.S. Health Care Costs Projected to Continue to Climb

New Health Law Puts Seniors at Risk

New study says seniors are most vulnerable under Obamacare. Sounds like Obama and his czars have decided older Americans are expendable.

New Health Law Puts Seniors at Risk

The corrupt liberal media exposed ... again

Media Bias: The Chasm Widens - Investors.com

Castro's Confession: Socialism Doesn't Work

Castro's Confession - Investors.com

Liberal Hypocrisy Alert

Investor's Business Daily on liberal hypocrisy: When the U.S. Army burned Bibles in Afghanistan, no one said a word. When churches burn around the world, crickets chirp. Burning Qurans in Florida is stupid and offensive, but so is the double standard.

Burning The Quran - Investors.com

Andrew Klavan: Does Islam Suck?

Candidate David M. Maloney schedules Town Hall meetings

From the David M. Maloney for State House campaign:

Oley, PA - David M. Maloney, the Republican candidate for the 130th State House seat, has announced a series of four “Town Hall” Meetings within the district beginning this month.

Maloney said “We feel that these meetings are a good way for some people to get to ask questions and tell me what they expect from state government. I’ve met thousands of people in the last seven months who are worried about the direction of state government, property taxes and this bad economy. The job of state representative is to listen to the residents and take their concerns to Harrisburg.”

The locations and times are:

September 22 at 7PM - Stonersville Fire Company, Rt. 562, 5580 Boyertown Pike

October 7 at 7PM – Boyertown Borough Hall, 100 S. Washington Street, Boyertown

October 14 at 7PM – Rockland Township Building, 41 Deysher Road, Fleetwood

October 20 at 7PM – Birdsboro Borough Hall, 101 E. Main Street, Birdsboro

Call 484-269-9824 for more information or directions.

www.MaloneyForPAHouse.com