Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Magazine pegs NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg an 'Enemy of Freedom'
Here is how New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg explained the importance of his widely derided 16-ounce limit on servings of sugar-sweetened beverages after a state judge overturned it last March: "We have a responsibility as human beings to do something, to save each other, to save the lives of ourselves, our families, our friends, and all of the rest of the people that live on God's planet." Bloomberg literally thinks he is saving the world one slightly smaller serving of soda at a time.45 ENEMIES OF FREEDOM
As grandiose as that may seem, it is consistent with Bloomberg's view of government. A few years ago in a speech at the United Nations, he declared that "to halt the worldwide epidemic of non-communicable diseases, governments at all levels must make healthy solutions the default social option," which he described as "government’s highest duty." On Bloomberg's to-do list for government, apparently, defending us against our own unhealthy habits ranks above defending us against foreign invaders or marauding criminals.
Public health is not the only area where Bloomberg's authoritarian tendencies are apparent. There is his enthusiasm for gun control, his illegal crackdown on pot smokers, and his unflagging defense of the New York Police Department's stop-and-frisk program, which portrays the Fourth Amendment as a gratuitous barrier to effective policing. But his determination to halt "epidemics" of risky behavior shows him at his most arrogantly ambitious.
Bloomberg has pursued that goal not only by meddling with people's drink orders but by banning trans fats, pressuring food companies to reduce the salt content of their products, imposing heavy cigarette taxes, severely restricting the locations where people are allowed to smoke (even outdoors), mandating anti-smoking posters in stores that sell cigarettes (a policy that, like his big beverage ban, was rejected by the courts), and proposing a rule that would require merchants to hide tobacco products from people who might want to buy them.
The attitude driving Bloomberg’s crusade to "make healthy solutions the default social option" is reflected in another comment he made after his pint-sized pop prescription ran into legal trouble. "It was not a setback for me," said the billionaire with degrees from Johns Hopkins and Harvard. "In case you hadn't noticed, I watch my diet. This is not for me." No, indeed. It is for those poor, benighted souls who think it is acceptable to drink a 20-ounce soda.
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Delay of employer penalties will cost taxpayers $10B
Obama's unilateral move to delay the penalties of his own Obamacare travesty will cost American taxpayers $10 billion. The delay was made to give Congressional Democrats cover in 2014. Voters should strike back by voting out every Democrat in Congress!!!
Delay of employer penalties will cost gov't $10B
Delay of employer penalties will cost gov't $10B
Monday, July 29, 2013
Pa. Turnpike tolls to increase again in 2014
Thanks to a 2007 law signed by former Gov. Ed Rendell, tolls on the Pennsylvania Turnpike will rise for the sixth consecutive year.
Pa. Turnpike tolls to increase again in 2014
Pa. Turnpike tolls to increase again in 2014
Is Diane Lane too sexy to play Hillary Clinton?
I have a pretty good imagination, but try as I may, I just can't picture sexy Diane Lane, 48, playing frumpy Hillary Clinton, 65. Check out these photos of Ms. Lane for yourself and tell me if any of them say Hillary "Pantsuit" Clinton to you. They're going to have to call in the makeup people from "Lord of the Rings" to make Lane look anything like Hillary.
The Daily Beast has the same problem with casting for the proposed NBC mini-series: Is Diane Lane Too Sexy for Hillary?
Growing signs of declining economic security
Welcome to Obama's America: Four out of 5 U.S. adults struggle with joblessness, near poverty or reliance on welfare for at least parts of their lives, a sign of deteriorating economic security and an elusive American dream.
Growing signs of declining economic security
Growing signs of declining economic security
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Friday, July 26, 2013
Seriously, Pennsylvania? This is the 'progressive' candidate for governor?
A columnist for the ultra-liberal Philadelphia Inquirer doesn't think much of Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz, a former abortion-clinic owner who is the leading candidate for the Democratic nod to run for Pa. governor in 2014.
Seriously, Pennsylvania? This is the 'progressive' candidate for governor?
Seriously, Pennsylvania? This is the 'progressive' candidate for governor?
Roses to Pa. taxpayer coalition for drive to win tax reform
From the editorial page of The Mercury in Pottstown, Pa.:
ROSES to the Pennsylvania Coalition of Taxpayer Associations (http://www.ptcc.us) for continuing to push for school property tax reform. The coalition, which is made up 80 grassroots taxpayer advocacy groups across the state, has been lobbying Pennsylvania legislators to support House Bill 76. David Baldinger, administrator of the coalition, reports that House Bill 76 has received 20 additional supporters since the Legislature adjourned for its summer hiatus on June 30, bringing the total number of co-sponsors in the House to 88. A bill needs 102 votes to pass the House. A companion bill in the state Senate has 22 co-sponsors. A bill needs 26 votes to pass the Senate. Thanks to the efforts of the taxpayer groups, that goal is achievable.Roses to Pa. taxpayer coalition for drive to win tax reform
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Hillary Clinton among Reason Magazine's 'Enemies of Freedom'
Reason Magazine celebrated its 45th anniversary by publishing a list of 45 "Enemies of Freedom." Among them is Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Here's what the magazine had to say about the presumptive 2016 Democratic nominee for president:
"It takes a village," Hillary Clinton famously wrote, and we've learned since that her meaning encompassed villages in Iraq and Afghanistan to house American troops, villages of taxpayers to fund her favored programs, and villages of snoops to staff a national security state. Those villages must be prudish, too, given Clinton's longstanding fear of video-game sex. To Hillary's credit, she does advocate Internet freedom for villages overseas. Too bad she doesn't promote the same idea at home.Check out the full list online at the link below:
45 ENEMIES OF FREEDOM
Pa. conservative group organizes 'Pray-In' to oppose same-sex marriage
Mike
McMonagle, president of the Pro-Life Coalition of Pennsylvania, has
announced his group will hold a Pro-Marriage Pray-In to Occur at the
Montgomery County Register of Wills Office in Norristown, Pa., on
Friday, July 26, 2013 at Noon. Montgomery County made national headlines
on Wednesday when the Democratic Register of Wills, D. Bruce Hanes,
backed by the two Democrats on the Montgomery County Board of
Commissioners, decided to defy state law by issuing marriage licenses to
same-sex couples.
The following press release was issued by Pro-Life Coalition of Pennsylvania:
The following press release was issued by Pro-Life Coalition of Pennsylvania:
The statement below: explains our position and the reasons for our actions:We urge the Register of Wills, Bruce Hanes, to stop issuing marriage licenses to homosexual couples. We urge Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Ferman to charge Bruce Hanes for his violation of state law by issuing marriage licenses to homosexual couples.We urge Governor Corbett to cease his timid public responses and zealously defend Pa's marriage law.
Read more about the controversy in The Mercury.A SUCCINCT CASE FOR PA.'S MARRIAGE LAW PROTECTING MARRIAGE IS PART OF STOPPING THE WAR ON CHILDREN
Pennsylvania should continue the legal definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman because the primary purpose of civil marriage is to unite children with their mother and father. Such an arrangement best ensures the welfare of future Americans and advances the purposes of civil government.
"Marriage Equality," which is the slogan of the "homosexual marriage" supporters, is oxymoronic, i.e. self-contradictory. "Homosexual marriage" is inherently unequal to the union of one man and one woman because homosexual relationships are incapable of producing children.
Furthermore, the drive for homosexual marriage is a continuation of the war on children. This war began by preventing the conception of children by contraception and sterilization, killing children conceived but not yet born by abortion and now intentionally denying born children a mother and a father through "same sex marriage."
Numerous recent actions by "homosexual marriage" supporters indicate that they are also willing to violate existing laws and trample on the freedom of religion, speech and assembly of other Americans to achieve their goal. Pro-life Pennsylvanians need to protect Pa's marriage law and oppose the ongoing war on children with greatly increased clarity and zeal.
Obama dismisses scandals as 'phony'
With all due respect Mr. President, I don't consider the death of 4
Americans in Benghazi, the harassment of conservative groups by the IRS,
the Dept. of Justice tapping media phones or the spying on US citizens
by the NSA as "phony scandals."
Obama dismisses scandals as 'phony' - The Hill's On The Money
Obama dismisses scandals as 'phony' - The Hill's On The Money
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Newspaper: Kane doesn't get to pick, choose which laws to defend
Another Pennsylvania newspaper, the ultra-liberal Reading Eagle, hammers Democratic Pa. Attorney General Kathleen Kane for failing to do her job.
Kane doesn't get to pick, choose which laws to defend
Kane doesn't get to pick, choose which laws to defend
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Monday, July 22, 2013
NSA revelations reframe digital life for some
Americans are being more careful about what they post on Facebook and Twitter knowing that the Obama Regime is spying on them.
NSA revelations reframe digital life for some
NSA revelations reframe digital life for some
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Friday, July 19, 2013
FactCheck: Obama overhypes health savings
What's this? Obama caught lying again?!? I'm beginning to lose count.
FactCheck: Obama overhypes health savings
FactCheck: Obama overhypes health savings
Thorns to PA Attorney General Kathleen Kane for refusing to do her job
From the editorial page of The Pottstown Mercury:
THORNS to Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane for her refusal to defend Pennsylvania’s version of the Defense of Marriage Act against a federal lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union because she believes it’s unconstitutional. “By law, one of the fundamental duties of her office is to represent the commonwealth against lawsuits. Any attorney general swears to support, obey and defend both the U.S. and state constitutions and, most pertinently, discharge the duties of the office with fidelity,” wrote the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The Democratic attorney general’s actions, whether you agree with the opinion or not, abandon impartiality and constitute a refusal to do her job. That’s just not acceptable.Roses for flowers in the heat; thorns to Kathleen Kane
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Pennsylvania Pastors Network objects to Pa. AG Kane's stance on same-sex marriage
Pennsylvania Pastors Network President Sam Rohrer on controversial
Pa. Attorney General Kathleen Kane's refusal to defend the state's ban
on same-sex marriage: "It sends signals to citizens at large who say, if
those in positions of authority can choose which laws they prefer, why
can't they? That's tyranny when that happens on the government level. On
an individual perspective, that's anarchy."
Clergy group objects to Kane stance
Clergy group objects to Kane stance
Obama poll worker gets 5 years for illegal votes
This Democrat is going to jail for voter fraud, something Democrats claim doesn't exist. Go figure.
Ex-Ohio poll worker gets 5 years for illegal votes
Ex-Ohio poll worker gets 5 years for illegal votes
Expert: Social Security disability program 'backdoor welfare'
Pennsylvania is turning into a socialist paradise, but what happens when the government runs out of other people's money?
Expert: Social Security disability program 'backdoor welfare'
Expert: Social Security disability program 'backdoor welfare'
Editorial: Kathleen Kane's job as attorney general is to enforce all laws
A surprising editorial from a liberal Pennsylvania newspaper criticizing Democratic Pa. Attorney General Kathleen Kane for playing politics with her office.
Editorial: Kane's job as A.G. is to enforce all laws - delcotimes.com
Editorial: Kane's job as A.G. is to enforce all laws - delcotimes.com
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Number of Pa. residents getting disability jumps by 50%
The number of people in Pennsylvania getting monthly disability benefits through Social Security has risen by 50 percent in the past decade, high above the national average. Social Security Administration data show more than 390,000 Pennsylvanians qualified for disability payments in 2011, the most recent year for which data is available, according to PA Independent.
Number of Pa. residents getting disability jumps by 50%
Number of Pa. residents getting disability jumps by 50%
Inaction on Pensions Leads to Downgrade for Pennsylvania
Democrats (and the union bosses who pull their strings) kept saying there's no reason to deal with the state's growing public pension crisis. They were wrong ... and Pa. taxpayers will pay the price.
Inaction on Pensions Leads to Downgrade for Pennsylvania
Inaction on Pensions Leads to Downgrade for Pennsylvania
Monday, July 15, 2013
180,000 Page Views
My site counter has recorded 180,000 Page Views from 87,000 Unique Visitors to THE CENTRIST. Thanks for checking out the blog ... and come back again.
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Friday, July 12, 2013
Archbishop Chaput: Wisdom and Christian witness
Archbishop Chaput on modern-day martyrs (mostly at the hands of Muslims): More than 100,000 Christians are killed worldwide for reasons related to their faith.
Archbishop Chaput: Wisdom and Christian witness
Archbishop Chaput: Wisdom and Christian witness
Thursday, July 11, 2013
PA GOP Chairman's statement on Kane's refusal to defend Pennsylvania law
Republican Party of Pennsylvania Chairman Rob Gleason released the
following statement regarding Attorney General Kathleen Kane's refusal
to defend Pennsylvania law:
"The people of Pennsylvania elect citizens to carry out constitutional responsibilities based on the tradition that no one is above the law. It is unacceptable for Attorney General Kathleen Kane to put her personal politics ahead of her taxpayer-funded job by abdicating her responsibilities. She is blatantly politicizing the highest law enforcement office in our Commonwealth at the expense of a core responsibility of the Attorney General's office. Kathleen Kane is failing our citizens and this situation leaves a gaping doubt in her ability to fairly execute her job. Pennsylvanians are left with the question, if the Kathleen Kane's political beliefs are the standard for law enforcement, what law will she ignore next?"See more at: http://www.pagop.org/2013/07/pa-gop-chairman-statement-on-kanes-refusal-to-defend-pennsylvania-law/#sthash.fH09YJfL.dpuf
Pa.'s top law enforcement officer refuses to uphold the law
Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane, the state's top law enforcement official, has decided not to defend the state's ban on same-sex marriage because it goes against her personal views. Typical liberal Democrat: Pick and choose which laws to uphold. Just do your job Madam Attorney General.
Kane: I won't defend Pa. law banning gay marriage
Kane: I won't defend Pa. law banning gay marriage
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Tuesday, July 09, 2013
Gallup: TV Tops Web, Print As News Source
Some depressing news for people who still think newspapers matter. From a new Gallup poll: Some 55% of Americans turn to TV first to get the news, according to Gallup. The Internet was the second-most popular news source at 21%, followed by newspapers (9%) and radio (6%).
Gallup: TV Tops Web, Print As News Source
Gallup: TV Tops Web, Print As News Source
Help Available for Pennsylvania Job-Seekers
Governor Corbett Unveils JobGateway(SM) , State-of-the-Art Job-Matching Website (via PR Newswire)
HERSHEY, Pa., July 9, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Tom Corbett, along with Department of Labor & Industry Secretary Julia Hearthway, today announced the latest release of JobGateway.pa.gov, a website created to better connect people looking…
HERSHEY, Pa., July 9, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Tom Corbett, along with Department of Labor & Industry Secretary Julia Hearthway, today announced the latest release of JobGateway.pa.gov, a website created to better connect people looking…
Monday, July 08, 2013
WHP 580's Bob Durgin to retire after 24 years on-the-air
I had the pleasure of being a guest on Mr. Durgin's radio program a few years back. A true gentleman. He will be missed on the airwaves.
WHP 580's Bob Durgin to retire after 24 years on-the-air
WHP 580's Bob Durgin to retire after 24 years on-the-air
Lawmakers in Pa. collecting pensions before retirement
There's a lot of double-dipping and some triple-dipping by career politicians in Pennsylvania.
State lawmakers collecting pensions before retirement - abc27 WHTM
State lawmakers collecting pensions before retirement - abc27 WHTM
Guest Column: No Tax Should Have The Power To Leave You Homeless
By
Pa. State Senator David G. Argall (R-29), Pa. State Senator Mike Folmer
(R-48), Pa. State Senator Judy Schwank (D-11), Pa. State Senator John
Yudichak (D-14)
Despite renewed special interest attacks at the capitol
in Harrisburg, the fight for eliminating the unfair school property tax begun
by 79 grassroots taxpayer groups across the state is making some real progress.
Across the 11 counties we represent, the number one
question we hear at our town hall meetings is: When will the legislature
eliminate school property taxes?
Last year, we introduced a similar proposal drafted by the
Pennsylvania Coalition of Taxpayer Associations. The Senate Finance Committee
held a public hearing on this proposal and we asked for a nonpartisan analysis
of the bill to provide detailed funding projections. The Independent Fiscal
Office (IFO) identified several problems in the original proposal. Special
interest groups have used the report as a weapon against our efforts but we
view it as a roadmap to achieve true property tax reform and we have moved
quickly to amend the bill.
Last year's proposal garnered 13 co-sponsors, or 26
percent of the total state Senate. This year’s proposal, Senate Bill 76, corrects the defects in the
original bill, as detailed in the 80-page analysis provided by the IFO.
Even more importantly, as a result of the grassroots efforts of the
Pennsylvania Coalition of Taxpayer Associations this year, 22 Senators have now
co-sponsored the bill – 12 Republicans and 10 Democrats – an increase of 9
Senators from last year. We continue to forge new coalitions and pick up
support from all corners of the state. Groups like the Western Pennsylvania
Coalition of Taxpayers, the Wilkes-Barre City Taxpayers Association, and the
South Eastern Tax Reform Coalition are leading the charge to eliminate this
tax.
The Senate and House Finance Committees have asked the
IFO to complete an updated analysis of Senate Bill 76 in the next few months.
The issue of funding public schools is a $13 billion problem and we welcome
their nonpartisan, professional analysis to ensure we provide a
dollar-for-dollar match for basic education.
In the last few months, because of growing grassroots
efforts across the state, support for the bill has grown from 13 to 22 State
Senators. The number we need to achieve in the Senate is 26 votes for passage,
and then it heads over to the House of Representatives, where we need 102
votes. Representatives Jim Cox and Mark Gillen have discussed this proposal
with the Governor, and he is on the record with them stating he would sign the
bill when it reaches his desk.
We look forward to continuing our bipartisan fight to
advance this issue. In our local newspapers, we frequently read about the
thousands of sheriff’s sales that occur each year across the state. We hear
this fundamental principle every day, from Marietta all the way to West
Pittston: No tax should have the power to leave you homeless.
Newspaper: Legislature fails to act on issues important to Pa.
The Pottstown Mercury gives the Pennsylvania Legislature an 'F' for the recently concluded session in which career politicians failed to take action on any of the major issues facing the state.
Legislature fails to act on issues important to Pa.
Legislature fails to act on issues important to Pa.
Saturday, July 06, 2013
Will Tom Corbett be sunk by his own party?
The first-term Republican offered an ambitious reform agenda this year as he gears for a re-election bid in 2014, but the permanent political class in Harrisburg is only interested in maintaining the status quo, not making the lives of Pennsylvania residents any easier.
No pension reform, no liquor privatization, no transportation funding, no property tax reform. That's what Pennsylvania taxpayers got from their $300 million legislature, which adjourned for a three-month summer vacation without action on any of the priorities pushed by Corbett or the perennial issue of school property tax elimination.
Corbett came to the governor's mansion after two terms as Pennsylvania attorney general, but many political observers doubted Corbett's political acumen. He simply doesn't know how to wheel-and-deal with legislators and hasn't figured out that public relations is a big part of being governor. Corbett's job approval numbers have been low from the start and he has done little to improve his image with Pennsylvania voters. (Liberal media bias among the Harrisburg press corps does have something to do with Corbett's inability to get his message across, but he deserves some of the blame because there are many avenues to reach the public besides the Harrisburg press corps.)
Corbett needs to emulate his predecessor, Democrat Ed Rendell (aka "Fast Eddie"), who managed to get most of his agenda passed in the Legislature even though Republicans controlled both chambers for most of Rendel's eight years in office. Remember the legalization of casino gambling and passage of the second largest income tax hike in state history? Rendell made enough deals with Republicans to get both bills passed. Corbett doesn't want to play politics, so he's suffering for it.
Rendell was a master at PR and enjoyed high approval numbers despite a checkered record, which included leaving office with a $4 billion deficit. Rendell also had the dubious distinction of eight consecutive late budgets. On the other hand, Corbett has delivered three straight balanced budgets on time without a tax increase.
Corbett can't or won't cajole members of his own party to get his agenda moving in the legislature. He doesn't seem to grasp that legislative leaders are entrenched in gerrymandered districts and will remain in Harrisburg long after Corbett's tenure is up. They control the agenda, not the governor. He needs them. They don't need him. And time is running out for Corbett. There's already a half-dozen Democrats lining up to challenge him next year.
Read more about the governor's inability to get any major initiatives passed in the Republican-controlled state legislature at PA Independent.
Friday, July 05, 2013
Some Lawmakers Unhappy Pa. Legislature Won't Return Until Sept. 23
Who wouldn't want a part-time job that pays $83,802 a year, with top-of-the-line benefits and 3 months of vacation every summer? $300 million Pa. Legislature in session for less than 80 days each year.
Local Lawmakers Unhappy Pa. Legislature Won’t Return Until Sept. 23 « CBS Pittsburgh
Local Lawmakers Unhappy Pa. Legislature Won’t Return Until Sept. 23 « CBS Pittsburgh
The real unemployment rate is 14.3%
James Pethokoukis of the American Enterprise Institute on Obama's
inability to deal with unemployment: There are 28 million part-time
workers in U.S. vs. 25 million before Great Recession. There are 116
million full-time workers in U.S. vs. 122 million before Great
Recession. The U-6 rate (unemployed, discouraged, underemployed) surges to 14.3% from 13.8% in June.
June Jobs: An employment report only a central banker could love
June Jobs: An employment report only a central banker could love
Thursday, July 04, 2013
Wednesday, July 03, 2013
Pennsylvania Democratic Congressional Delegation at All-Time Low
Despite the popularity of Barack Obama at the top of the Democratic
ticket in 2012, Pennsylvania voters tossed out most of the Democrats
representing the state in the U.S. House of Representatives. Republicans
hold 13 of the state's 18 Congressional seats and most political
pundits say there is little chance of Democrats taking back any of the
13 GOP seats in 2014.
The Historically Undersized Pennsylvania Democratic US House Delegation
The Historically Undersized Pennsylvania Democratic US House Delegation
Pennsylvania state highway system ranked 39th in the nation
Reason.com takes a look at the terrible shape of Pennsylvania roads,
something anyone who has driven through the state can attest to:
Pennsylvania's state highway system is ranked 39th in the nation in overall highway performance and efficiency in the latest Annual Highway Report by Reason Foundation. It is a slight decline from the previous two reports, where it ranked 38th. Pennsylvania ranks last, 50th, in rural lanes that are too narrow, 48th in deficient bridges, 27th in fatality rate, 27th in urban interstate congestion, 32nd in rural interstate pavement condition, and 20th in urban interstate pavement condition. With 43,612 miles under the state highway control, it is the 4th largest highway system in the country. The state spent $149,813 per mile in 2009.20th Annual Highway Report on the Performance of State Highway Systems
Military Leaders Oppose Samantha Power for U.N. Ambassador
And you thought Susan Rice was bad? Nearly 50 military leaders, national security officials urge Senate in letter to reject the nomination of Samantha Power as UN ambassador.
Military Leaders Oppose Samantha Power for U.N. Ambassador
Military Leaders Oppose Samantha Power for U.N. Ambassador
Monday, July 01, 2013
Government workers can't spell
The sign is supposed to say: Ephrata. Didn't anybody look at it before it went up?
PennDOT makes misnakes, two
PennDOT makes misnakes, two
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