Wednesday, July 31, 2013

American Dream fading for many in U.S. under Obama

American Dream fading for many in U.S.

Magazine pegs NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg an 'Enemy of Freedom'

Reason Magazine on why NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg is its No. 1 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.
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. 
45 ENEMIES OF FREEDOM

Great Disasters Through History


Gov. Corbett: Montco violated Pa. law by granting same-sex marriage licenses

Gov. Corbett: Montco violated Pa. law by granting same-sex marriage licenses

CBO: Obamacare 'delay' will add $12B in debt, put another 500,000 on welfare

CBO: Obamacare 'delay' will add $12 billion in debt, put another 500,000 on welfare | Human Events

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

Watchdog requests IRS review of group that is promoting ObamaCare

Watchdog requests IRS review of group that is promoting ObamaCare - The Hill's Healthwatch

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?

Bill Clinton on the Anthony Weiner scandal


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

State Sen. David Argall sees progress in fight to eliminate Pa. school property taxes

Tax proposal making progress

US Rep. Charlie Dent: Editorial inaccurate and unprofessional

Editorial inaccurate and unprofessional

Friday, July 26, 2013

IRS employees refuse to get shoved into Barack Obama's crappy health care system

IRS employees refuse to get shoved into Barack Obama's crappy health care system | Human Events

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?

Obama economy emphasis is all talk

Michael Barone: Obama economy emphasis is all talk

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

Stop Hillary PAC Releases Video

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

Sen. Toomey urges that funding bill abide by law, spending caps

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:
    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.
The statement below: explains our position and the reasons for our actions:
    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.
 Read more about the controversy in The Mercury

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

The Left's 'crumbling infrastructure' myth

David Harsanyi: The Left's "crumbling infrastructure" myth

The job creation strategy Americans agree on: repeal Obamacare

The job creation strategy Americans agree on: repeal ObamaCare | Human Events

Friday, July 19, 2013

Rep. Ros-Lehtinen Introduces Bipartisan Bill Seeking Reunification of Cyprus

Ros-Lehtinen Introduces Bipartisan Bill Expressing Support For the Reunification of Cyprus, and Emphasizing the Importance of the U.S.-Cyprus Bilateral Relationship | Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen

FactCheck: Obama overhypes health savings

What's this? Obama caught lying again?!? I'm beginning to lose count.

FactCheck: Obama overhypes health savings

Could Philly be the next Detroit?

John Featherman: Could Philly be the next Detroit?

Obama's radical nominee for UN representative

Thanks to Obamacare, doctor shortages set to quintuple

Thanks to Obamacare, doctor shortages set to quintuple

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

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

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'

Jake Tapper trounces Rolling Stone defenders; Offers poignant idea for a cover

Jake Tapper trounces Rolling Stone defenders; Offers poignant idea for a cover [pic]

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

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Under Oath

Faces of ObamaCare

Study: Obamacare could cause 1 million low-income Americans to move from work to welfare

Study: Obamacare could cause 1 million low-income Americans to move from work to welfare

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%

Sen. Inhofe: Obama is using his administration to 'advance a radical agenda'

Inhofe: Obama is using his administration to 'advance a radical agenda' - The Hill's Floor Action

Mainstream Media: Perpetuating 'Lie' About Race

Pilot Error


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

Columnist: PA Attorney General Kane forcing her same-sex beliefs on all of us

Christine Flowers: Raising Kane over A.G. forcing her same-sex beliefs on all of us - delcotimes.com

Obamacare could push 1 million people onto welfare

ObamaCare could push a million people onto welfare | Human Events

Monday, July 15, 2013

Pension, pay raise votes by Legislature still haunt Pa. taxpayers

Pension, pay raise votes still haunt taxpayers - News - Citizens' Voice

Unions denounce Obamacare's 'hollow promises'

Unions denounce ObamaCare's "hollow promises" | Human Events

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.

Hypocrite Kathleen Kane says politics don't belong in Attorney General's office

Obama's environmental agenda will crush small businesses

Obama's environmental agenda will crush small businesses

Liberal newspaper admits Obamacare delay gives cover to Democrats in Congress

Editorial: Obamacare delay gives cover to Democrats in Congress (7/15/2013)

Op-Ed: Rewarding a vote for property tax reform

Op-Ed: Rewarding a vote for property tax reform

Friday, July 12, 2013

Unhinged! Crowd threatens lawmakers with feces

Unhinged! Crowd threatens lawmakers with feces

School Property Tax Elimination HB/SB 76 Legislation in Pa.

MSM Prepares for Zimmerman Verdict


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

Byron York: White House determined to start Obamacare money flow

Byron York: White House determined to start Obamacare money flow

The latest ObamaCare casualty: Wegmans grocery employees

The latest ObamaCare casualty: Wegmans grocery employees | Human Events

Violence against Egypt's Christians grows

Violence against Egypt's Christians grows | Human Events

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Pennsylvania attorney general refuses to defend state's gay marriage ban

Pennsylvania attorney general refuses to defend gay marriage ban | Human Events

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

Tea party petition to prosecute Eric Holder nears 1 million signers

Tea party petition to prosecute Eric Holder nears 1 million signers - Washington Times

New PennDOT Videos Aim to Educate Pennsylvanians on Pedestrian Safety

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

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

2001 Pa. lawmaker pension hike far more costly than infamous 2005 pay raise

2001 lawmaker pension hike far more costly than 2005 pay raise - abc27 WHTM

TRIFECTA - Obama Breaks Law and Delays ObamaCare

IRS dumps up to 100,000 Social Security numbers on the Internet

IRS dumps up to 100,000 Social Security numbers on the Internet | Human Events

'Big government party' blocks bold Pa. reforms

Op-Ed: Big government party blocks bold Pa. reforms

$2.5 billion in early retirement health claims to go unpaid, Fed says

$2.5 billion in early retirement health claims to go unpaid, Fed says

Keep the beast caged a little longer


PA Gov. Corbett blames House Dems for failure to pass transportation bill

Transportation fallout continues - News - Citizens' Voice

D.A.: Berks County a dumping ground for Pa. sex offenders

Too many sex offender parolees dumped in Berks, DA says

Numbers don't add up on Obama's pledge to deport more illegal immigrants

Numbers don't add up on Obama's pledge to deport more illegal immigrants - Washington Times

Dr. Ben Carson joins The Washington Times as weekly columnist

Dr. Ben Carson joins The Washington Times as weekly columnist - Washington Times

Tuesday, July 09, 2013

Obama 'hypocrite of century' video goes viral

Obama 'hypocrite of century' video goes viral

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

Ohio Kidnap Survivors Thank Public for Support

SUPERMAN JOINS A UNION!!

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…

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

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

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.

Columnist: Rewarding a vote for Pa. property tax reform

Stan Huskey: Rewarding a vote for property tax reform

Obama economic agenda stuck on stupid

Ralph R. Reiland: Obama economic agenda stuck on stupid

Buyer's Remorsi


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.

The Mindset of the Left

Thomas Sowell: The Mindset of the Left

The Mindset of the Left: Part II

Thomas Sowell: The Mindset of the Left: Part II

The never-mind presidency

George Will: The never-mind presidency

Saturday, July 06, 2013

Gallup Poll: Founding Fathers would be ashamed of America under Obama

Founding Fathers would be ashamed of America, 71 percent say in Gallup poll - Washington Times

Will Tom Corbett be sunk by his own party?

Will Gov. Tom Corbett be done in by his fellow Republicans in the Pennsylvania Legislature?

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.

Weekly GOP Address: Dems Allow Student Loan Rates To Double

Student Loans Targeted To Fund Obamacare

Gena Michael: Yum, Yum! The Price of Pie: Student Loans Targeted To Fund ObamaCare

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

Historic Days


Obamanomics: 54 Straight Months of 7.5%+ Unemployment

54 Months: Record Stretch of 7.5%+ Unemployment Continues | CNS News

Opinion: Pennsylvania needs referendum on eliminating school property taxes

Pennsylvania needs referendum (7/5/13)

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

Wednesday, July 03, 2013

A government out of control

Scandals at NSA and IRS Are Equally Alarming

Sen. Ted Cruz Wishing a Happy Independence Day

Abraham Lincoln Gettysburg speech (Jeff Daniels)

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

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

Pew: Obama less 'honest,' more 'incompetent' than Bush

Pew: Obama less 'honest,' more 'incompetent' than Bush | WashingtonExaminer.com

Who will protect our borders?


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

Springtime for Hitler and MSNBC

Springtime for Hitler and MSNBC