Saturday, August 30, 2008

NoTaxHikers.org launches



Check out this new blog set up by the National Taxpayers Union. It's time for Americans to take a stand up against free-spending politicians.

The government takes enough of your money. (Are you listening Barack Obama?)

Find out more about the campaign (and how to get a free bumper sticker) at http://www.notaxhikers.org/

Most Voters and Catholics Would Oppose a President Who Doesn't Know When Life Begins

Most Voters and Catholics Would Oppose a President Who Doesn't Know When Life Begins

Friday, August 29, 2008

Pennsylvania Revenue Department Releases August Collections

Pennsylvania Revenue Department Releases August Collections

ITS TIME FOR A CHANGE!

Barack Obama's relationship with domestic terrorist William Aye

American Issues Project Wraps Up First Phase of Ad Campaign Examining Relationship Between Barack Obama and Unrepentant Domestic Terrorist William Ayers

Former Presidential Candidate Gary Bauer Calls Choice of Sarah Palin for GOP Vice-President 'Historic and Energizing'

Former Presidential Candidate Gary Bauer Calls Choice of Sarah Palin for GOP Vice-President 'Historic and Energizing'

Conservative Women Rule

Conservative Women Rule

PA military members urged to prepare early to vote

Secretary Cortes, Maj. Gen. Wright Urge PA Military Members to Prepare Early to Vote

PA GOP leaders applaud McCain pick

This just in from the Republican Party of Pennsylvania:
HARRISBURG – Republican Party of Pennsylvania Chairman Robert A. Gleason Jr. and Vice-Chair Joyce Haas applaud John McCain's selection of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin to serve as our next Vice President.

"John McCain's selection of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin was the best choice for his campaign, our nation and most certainly is the best choice for Pennsylvania," Chairman Gleason said. "While Barack Obama chose the consummate Washington insider as his running mate, John McCain decided to select a reform minded maverick to run on the GOP ticket. Sarah Palin is the best choice to help John McCain implement his plans to change the agenda in Washington. Palin brings strong executive experience and I think she will be a great addition to our Party's ticket. I am positive that Pennsylvanians will get plenty of opportunities to visit with and learn more about Governor Palin as she is sure to be a frequent visitor to the Keystone State."

"This is certainly an exciting choice and as a woman I couldn't be happier with John McCain's selection,” Vice-Chair Haas added. "Governor Sarah Palin is a woman who wears many hats, a hard-working and reform-minded Governor, a devoted wife and loving mother. I am looking forward to the next few months and I am excited that Pennsylvanians will have the opportunity to elect the first woman to serve as our nation’s next Vice President."

2008 Republican National Convention's New Web Site Goes Live

2008 Republican National Convention's New Web Site Goes Live

Early reaction to Palin is positive

Here's what some Pennsylvania pundits are saying about Sen. John McCain's selection of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate:

Lowman Henry, writing at Lincoln Blog, calls McCain's pick of Sarah Palin, a "game changer," someone who shores up the GOP's conservative base plus appeal to women.

PAWaterCooler is warming up to the selection.

GrassrootsPA says conservative icon Pat Toomey calls Palin 'a principled reformer'

PolitckerPA.com says McCain's pick could attract suburban female voters.

And if you missed my post at TONY PHYRILLAS, I can't believe Sarah Palin is for real.

OBAMA'S TOP MISLEADING CLAIMS

If you missed Barack Obama's acceptance speech Thursday night, consider yourself lucky. The Chosen One promised everything short of a cure for cancer and eyesight for the blind. The McCain 2008 Campaign issued the following release listing BARACK OBAMA'S TOP MISLEADING CLAIMS:

MISLEADING CLAIM #1: Barack Obama Can Bring Democrats And Republicans Together. OBAMA: "America, our work will not be easy. The challenges we face require tough choices, and Democrats as well as Republicans will need to cast off the worn-out ideas and politics of the past." (Barack Obama, Remarks, Denver, CO, 8/28/08)

· NPR's Juan Williams: Barack Obama "Doesn't Have The Record" Of Bipartisanship That John McCain Has. NPR'S JUAN WILLIAMS: "You think about everything from campaign finance to immigration and on, and there's John McCain working across party lines. Senator Obama doesn't have a record. Now, he can make the claim and he can hold himself up as pure and trying to reach to a new generation of post partisan politics, but he has to do so largely based on rhetoric and wishful thinking because he doesn't have the record." (Fox News' "Special Report With Brit Hume," 5/7/08)

· Watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpPp2usgY6Y

· The Washington Post's Richard Cohen: "There Is Scant Evidence The Illinois Senator Takes Positions That Challenge His Base Or Otherwise Threaten Him Politically." "Obama might have a similar bottom line, core principles for which, in some sense, he is willing to die. If so, we don't know what they are. Nothing so far in his life approaches McCain's decision to refuse repatriation as a POW so as to deny his jailors a propaganda coup. In fact, there is scant evidence the Illinois senator takes positions that challenge his base or otherwise threaten him politically. That's why his reversal on campaign financing and his transparently false justification of it matter more than similar acts by McCain." (Richard Cohen, Op-Ed, "McCain's Core Advantage," The Washington Post, 6/24/08)

· Politico's Jonathan Martin: "He's pretty much a conventional liberal on the issues and has few examples of breaking with his own party, so how does Obama try to pull off being 'post-partisan?'" (Jonathan Martin, "Obama's Third Way: It's All In The Tone," Politico, 6/30/08)

· Rep. Dan Boren (D-OK): "His Record Does Not Reflect Working In A Bipartisan Fashion." "Boren, the lone Democrat in Oklahoma's congressional delegate, said that while Obama has talked about working with Republicans, 'unfortunately, his record does not reflect working in a bipartisan fashion.'" (Tim Talley, "Okla. Dem Calls Obama Liberal, Declines To Endorse," The Associated Press, 6/10/08)

· "The Record Shows Obama To Be A Fairly Doctrinaire Liberal Democrat ..." (Editorial, "Obama's Rhetoric Soars, But What Does His Record Suggest?" USA Today, 1/28/08)

· In 2007, Obama Voted With The Democrat Party 97 Percent Of The Time. (Congressional Quarterly Website, www.cq.com, Accessed 3/3/08)

· In 2006, Obama Voted With The Democrat Party 96 Percent Of The Time. (Congressional Quarterly Website, www.cq.com, Accessed 1/27/08)

· In 2005, Obama Voted With The Democrat Party 97 Percent Of The Time. (Congressional Quarterly Website, www.cq.com, Accessed 1/27/08)

MISLEADING CLAIM #2: Barack Obama Will Ensure That Our Troops On The Ground Have "The Equipment They Need In Battle." OBAMA: "As Commander-in-Chief, I will never hesitate to defend this nation, but I will only send our troops into harm's way with a clear mission and a sacred commitment to give them the equipment they need in battle and the care and benefits they deserve when they come home." (Barack Obama, Remarks, Denver, CO, 8/28/08)

· Barack Obama Voted Against Providing $94.4 Billion In Critical Funding For The Troops In Iraq And Afghanistan. (H.R. 2206, CQ Vote #181: Passed 80-14: R 42-3; D 37-10; I 1-1, 5/24/07, Obama Voted Nay)

MISLEADING CLAIM #3: Barack Obama Has Not Supported The President. OBAMA: "These challenges are not all of government's making. But the failure to respond is a direct result of a broken politics in Washington and the failed policies of George W. Bush. ... But the record's clear: John McCain has voted with George Bush ninety percent of the time. Senator McCain likes to talk about judgment, but really, what does it say about your judgment when you think George Bush has been right more than ninety percent of the time? I don't know about you, but I'm not ready to take a ten percent chance on change." (Barack Obama, Remarks, Denver, CO, 8/28/08)

· Barack Obama Says He Voted With President Bush "For The Most Part." REPORTER: "For a couple of days, they've been saying you voted to raise taxes something like 94 times. That seems to be the drumbeat that's going to happen during this campaign. Are you going to raise taxes in a big way for average Americans?" OBAMA: "I mean this is the standard fare of politics. And the truth of the matter is that the only bills that I voted for, for the most part, since I've been in the Senate were introduced by Republicans with George Bush. You know, they were the majority for a big chunk of the time I was there." (KMOV [St. Louis, MO], 6/10/08)

· Watch Barack Obama's KMOV Interview

· The New York Times' David Brooks: Democrats Saying McCain Represents The Third Bush Term Are "Just Factually Inaccurate." "Finally, the Obama people are too convinced that they can define McCain as Bush III. The case is just factually inaccurate. McCain will be able to pull out dozens of instances, from torture to global warming to spending, in which he broke with his party, as Rush Limbaugh will tell you." (David Brooks, Op-Ed, "Calling Dr. Doom," The New York Times, 6/3/08)

Newsweek's Michael Hirsh: "As We Now Know Nearly Four Years Later, McCain Was Dead On In His Analysis Of What Went Wrong In Iraq." "In early November 2003, at a time when Fred Dalton Thompson was playing a tough D.A. on 'Law and Order,' John McCain was cross-examining Donald Rumsfeld for real on Capitol Hill. It was still very early into the U.S. occupation of Iraq, but the as-yet-unacknowledged (by Rummy, that is) insurgency was already out of control. Alone among his fellow GOP senators, McCain blasted Rumsfeld for not putting enough U.S. troops on the ground, and for resorting too soon to 'Iraqification' -- that is, transferring security to ill-prepared Iraqi forces. In an extraordinarily blunt speech at the Council on Foreign Relations that grim autumn, McCain warned that ultimately Iraq could become another Vietnam 'if we lose popular support in the United States.' The next day, the secretary of Defense asked McCain to breakfast. 'I read y our speech,' harrumphed Rumsfeld (that 'must have been an enjoyable experience for him,' McCain later joked to me). Then Rummy patiently explained to his fellow Republican why he and his top civilian brass (Paul Wolfowitz, Doug Feith and the usual crowd of incompetents) would continue to do things the same way. They 'believed there was no need for additional troops,' McCain later related. McCain had already realized that Rumsfeld was a lost cause. The real question, the senator suggested to me back then, was whether George W. Bush himself would push Rummy to make changes. 'I'd like to see the president fully engaged,' McCain said. Bush needed to be on top of 'more details of what's going on.' As we now know nearly four years later, McCain was dead on in his analysis of what went wrong in Iraq. Right down to the need for Bush to get engaged and fire Rumsfeld. McCain was so right that, among military experts today, the emerging conventional wisdom about Bush's current 'surg e' is that if it had occurred back then -- when McCain wanted it and the political will existed in this country to support it for the necessary number of years -- it might well have succeeded." (Michael Hirsh, "Why McCain's Collapse Matters," Newsweek, 7/26/07)

· John McCain Voted Against The 2005 Bush-Cheney Energy Bill. (H.R. 6, CQ Vote #152: Motion Agreed To 92-4: R 53-1; D 38-3; I 1-0, 6/23/05, McCain Voted Nay; H.R. 6, CQ Vote #158: Passed 85-12: R 49-5; D 35-7; I 1-0, 6/28/05, McCain Voted Nay; H.R. 6, CQ Vote #213: Adopted 74-26: R 49-6; D 25-19; I 0-1, 7/29/05, McCain Voted Nay)

· John McCain Is "Widely Acknowledged To Have Charted A Course Independent Of Bush" On Climate Change. "On global warming, McCain is widely acknowledged to have charted a course independent of Bush. Immediately after the 2004 election, in which he stumped for Bush's re-election, he sharply distanced himself from Bush on climate change, calling the administration's stance 'terribly disappointing.' McCain had co-sponsored a bill with Sen. Joe Lieberman to curb greenhouse gases in 2003. Bush had opposed any such move, citing possible harm to the economy and doubts over global warming." (William March, "McCain Bucks Ties To Bush," The Tampa Tribune, 6/11/08)

MISLEADING CLAIM #4: John McCain Believes We've Made "Great Progress" And Families Aren't Hurting. OBAMA: "He said that our economy has made 'great progress' under this President. He said that the fundamentals of the e conomy are strong." (Barack Obama, Remarks, Denver, CO, 8/28/08)

· FactCheck.org: Obama Use Of Quote Is "Misleading" And "Distorts" John McCain's Words. "The second and third quotes the Obama campaign uses from McCain are more misleading. The ad shows McCain saying: '[T]here's been great progress economically.' The quote comes from an interview McCain did with Peter Cook at Bloomberg Television in April. ... McCain was making a case for what he believed were positive economic developments during Bush's time in office. However, the fuller quote shows McCain was saying that whatever progress had been made, it wouldn't be enough to comfort families 'facing these tremendous economic challenges.' His comments overall are pessimistic; he cites 'challenging times' and 'enormous difficulties.' The Obama campaign distorts his views by using just a snippet of his remarks." (D'Angelo Gore, "Distorting McCain's Remarks," FactCheck.org, 8/19/08)
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· In The Full Question And Answer Cited By Barack Obama, John McCain Clearly Said That We Are In "Tough Times" And Families Are Facing "Tremendous Economic Challenges." Bloomberg's Peter Cook: "I'm going to ask you a version of the Ronald Reagan question. You think if Americans were asked, are you better off today than you were before George Bush took office more than seven years ago, what answer would they give?" McCain: "Certainly, in this time, we are in very challenging times. We all recognize that. Families are sitting around the kitchen table this evening and figuring out whether they're going to be able to keep their home or not. They're figuring out whether they're -- why it is that suddenly and recently someone in their family or their neighbor has lost their job. There's no doubt that we are in enormous difficulties. "I think if you look at the overall record and millions of jobs have been created, et cetera, et cetera, yo u could make an argument that there's been great progress economically over that period of time. But that's no comfort. That's no comfort to families now that are facing these tremendous economic challenges. But let me just add, Peter, the fundamentals of America's economy are strong. We're the greatest exporter, the greatest importer, the greatest innovator, the greatest producer, still the greatest economic engine in the world. And, by the way, exports and free trade are a key element in economic recovery. But these are tough times, tough times, and nobody knows that more than American families including in small towns of Pennsylvania. They haven't lost their fundamental religious beliefs, their respect for the Constitution, their right to bear arms. They are still -- keep America as a beacon of hope and freedom throughout the world." (John McCain, Interview With Bloomberg TV, 4/17/08)

· Watch Video Of Obama Economic Attack Compared To John McCain's Full Response: http://youtube.com/watch?v=WynLgJFBxSs

· ABC News: Barack Obama Proved "He Knows How To Twist With The Best Of Them" When He Cited The McCain Quote. "Although Obama gets substantial mileage out of running against politics as usual, he provided a reminder on Friday that he knows how to twist with the best of them. Speaking in Erie, Pa., Obama charged: 'John McCain went on television and said that there has "been great progress economically" over the last seven and a half years.' Obama did not tell his audience, however, that McCain's Thursday reference to economic progress was quickly followed by him adding that such progress is 'no comfort' to struggling families." (Teddy Davis And Talal Al-Khatib, "Obama Twists McCain On Economy," ABC News, 4/18/08)

MISLEADING CLAIM #5: Barack Obama Will Pay For His Massive Spending Increase. OBAMA: "Now, many of these plans will cost money, which is why I've laid out how I'll pay for every dime -- by closing corporate loopholes and tax havens that don't help America grow. But I will also go through the federal budget, line by line, eliminating programs that no longer work and making the ones we do need work better and cost less -- because we cannot meet twenty-first century challenges with a twentieth century bureaucracy." (Barack Obama, Remarks, Denver, CO, 8/28/08)

· Barack Obama: "I Do Not Make A Promise That We Can Reduce [The Budget Deficit] By 2013." "'I do not make a promise that we can reduce it by 2013 because I think it is important for us to make some critical investments right now in America's families,' Obama told reporters this week when asked if he'd match McCain's pledge." (Nedra Pickler, "Analysis: Obama Won't Try For McCain's Budget Goal," The Associated Press, 7/8/08)

· Chicago Tribune: Barack Obama Has "No Interest In Eliminating Deficit Spending." "Since winning the nomination, Obama reportedly has been moving toward the middle of the political spectrum. But on the budget, he still sounds left of center, with no interest in eliminating deficit spending." (Editorial, "Failure Of Nerve," Chicago Tribune, 7/8/08)

· The Associated Press: Barack Obama Not "Even Trying" To Balance The Budget And "Frankly Says He's Not Sure He'd Bring It Down At All In Four Years." "Barack Obama says John McCain's plan to balance the budget doesn't add up. Easy for him to say: It's not a goal he's even trying to reach. Not only does Obama say he won't eliminate the deficit in his first term, as McCain aims to do, he frankly says he's not sure he'd bring it down at all in four years, considering his own spending plans." (Nedra Pickler, "Analysis: Obama Won't Try For McCain's Budget Goal," The Associated Press, 7/8/08)

· The National Journal's John Maggs: "[Obama] Has Rhetorically Committed To A 'Pay-As-You-Go' Approach By Offsetting New Spending And Tax Cuts With New Taxes Or Spending Cuts, But His Proposals Do Not Come Close To Meeting This Standard." (John Maggs, "Obama On The Economy," The National Journal, 5/31/08)

· Los Angeles Times: Barack Obama "Has Not Identified New Revenue Sources Or Spending Cuts To Pay For Some Of" His Proposals. "The Obama campaign responds that tax cuts, once enacted, are usually renewed and do not expire. Therefore, they say, Obama can legitimately claim to be recouping money for other purposes by scaling back the tax cuts. Obama has not identified new revenue sources or spending cuts to pay for some of what he wants to do." (Peter Nicholas, "Adding Up The Cost Of Obama's Agenda," Los Angeles Times, 7/8/08)

· The New York Times' David Brooks Said For Barack Obama To Fund His Domestic Programs, He Will Have To Break His Pledge Not To Tax The Middle Class. "Both [Obama and Clinton] promised to not raise taxes on those making less than $200,000 or $250,000 a year. They both just emasculated their domestic programs. Returning the rich to their Clinton-era tax rates will yield, at best, $40 billion a year in revenue. It's impossible to fund a health care plan, let alone anything else, with that kind of money. The consequences are clear: if elected they will have to break their pledge, and thus destroy their credibility, or run a minimalist administration." (David Brooks, Op-Ed, "No Whining About The Media," The New York Times, 4/16/08)

MISLEADING CLAIM #6: Under Barack Obama, We Will Achieve Energy Independence. OBAMA: "And for the sake of our economy, our security, and the future of our planet, I will set a clear goal as President: in ten years, we will finally end our dependence on oil from the Middle East." (Barack Obama, Remarks, Denver, CO, 8/28/08)

· The Detroit News: Barack Obama's Energy Plan Will "Do Nothing To Answer The Nation's Long-Term Needs." "The latest additions to Sen. Barack Obama's energy plan, outlined during an appearance in Lansing Monday, may win the Democratic presidential candidate some votes from disgruntled consumers in November, but they'll do nothing to answer the nation's long-term needs." (Editorial, "Obama's Energy Plan Is Fueled By Populism," The Detroit News, 8/5/08)

· The Washington Post Editorial: Barack Obama Offering Gimmicks On Energy. "When his presumptive Republican opponent, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), proposed a gas tax holiday as a way to reduce the high cost of driving, Mr. Obama showed political courage and intellectual honesty by refusing to sign on to that obvious gimmick. 'It's an idea to get them through an election,' Mr. Obama said. Now he has two such gimmicks of his own." (Editorial, "Tapping Tired Wells," The Washington Post, 8/6/08)

· Barack Obama Opposes Allowing States To Decide If They Want To Drill Offshore To Increase American Energy Independence. Obama: "The politics may have changed, but the facts haven't. The accuracy of Sen. McCain's original position has not changed: Offshore drilling would not lower gas prices today, it would not lower gas prices next year and it would not lower gas prices five years from now." (Sen. Barack Obama, Remarks At Press Availability, Jacksonville, FL, 6/20/08)

· Barack Obama Opposes Immediate Gas Tax Relief For American Families. Obama: "I think John McCain's proposal for a three month tax holiday is a bad idea." (Sen. Barack Obama, Remarks At Campaign Event, Blue Bell, PA, 4/21/08)

· Barack Obama Called John McCain's $300 Million Prize For A Better Battery A "Gimmick." Obama: "In this campaign, John McCain is offering the same old gimmicks that will provide almost no short-term relief to folks who are struggling with high gas prices. Gimmicks that will only increase our addiction for another four years." (Sen. Barack Obama, Remarks At Campaign Event, Las Vegas, NV, 6/24/08)

· Barack Obama Criticized Expanding Nuclear Power. Obama: "That might make sense in Washington, but it doesn't make sense for America. In fact, it makes about as much sense as his proposal to build 45 new nuclear reactors without a plan to store the waste some place other than, guess where? Right here in Nevada at Yucca Mountain." (Sen. Barack Obama, Remarks At Campaign Event, Las Vegas, NV, 6/24/08)

· Barack Obama Is Proposing A Tax On Oil That Will Only Lead To Higher Prices At The Pump. "Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's proposal for a windfall profits tax on oil companies could cost $15 billion a year at last year's profit levels, a campaign adviser said." (Daniel Whitten, "Obama May Levy $15 Billion Tax On Oil Company Profit," Bloomberg News, 5/1/08)

· The Washington Post: Barack Obama's Tax On Oil Will Only Lead To "Higher Prices At The Pump." "But to add a five-year tax increase on top of that to pay for a one-year gift to voters would, indeed, increase the cost of doing business. That cost would be passed along in forgone investment in new production, lower dividends for pension funds and other shareholders, and higher prices at the pump -- thus socking it to the consumers whom the plan is supposed to help. If oil prices fall, there might be no windfall profits to tax. Then the Obama rebate would have to be paid for through spending cuts, taxes on something else or borrowing." (Editorial, "Tapping Tired Wells," The Washington Post, 8/6/08)

MISLEADING CLAIM #7: Barack Obama Will Cut Taxes. OBAMA: "I will eliminate capital gains taxes for the small businesses and the start-ups that will create the high-wage, high-tech jobs of tomorrow. I will cut taxes -- cut taxes -- for 95% of all working families." (Barack Obama, Remarks, Denver, CO, 8/28/08)

· Barack Obama Voted Twice In Favor Of The Democrats' FY 2009 Budget Resolution. (S. Con. Res. 70, CQ Vote #85: Adopted 51-44: R 2-43; D 47-1; I 2-0, 3/14/08, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 70, CQ Vote #142: Adopted 48- 45: R 2- 44; D 44- 1; I 2-0, 6/4/08, Obama Voted Yea)

· FactCheck.org: The Budget Resolution Would Have Allowed Most Of The Provisions Of The 2001 And 2003 Tax Cuts To Expire, Effectively Raising Taxes On Those Making $41,500 In Total Income. "What Obama voted for was a budget resolution that would have allowed most of the provisions of the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts to expire. In particular, the resolution would allow the 25 percent tax bracket to return to its pre-2001 level of 28 percent. That bracket kicks in at $32,550 for an individual or $65,100 for a married couple. ... But as those of you who have filled out a 1040 know, that's not actually how income taxes work. We don't pay taxes on our total earnings; we pay them based on our 'taxable income.' The Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center's Eric Toder told FactCheck.org that 'people with taxable income of $32,000 would have a total income greater than that.' In 2008, anyone filing taxes with single status would be entitled to a standar d deduction of $5,450, as well as a personal exemption of $3,500. So to have a taxable income high enough to reach the 25 percent bracket, an individual would need to earn at least $41,500 in total income, while a married couple would need a combined income of at least $83,000." ("The $32,000 Question," FactCheck.org, http://www.factcheck.org, 7/8/08)

· FactCheck.org: "Obama's Votes Indicate A Willingness To Raise Taxes." "Certainly Obama's votes indicate a willingness to raise taxes, and Obama has not been shy about saying explicitly that he will raise some taxes." ("The $32,000 Question," FactCheck.org, http://www.factcheck.org, 7/8/08)

· Obama Campaign: Barack Obama Voted For A Budget Resolution That Wouldn't Have Increased Taxes For Any Taxpayers Making Less Than $41,500. ROSEN: "Campaign aides to Senator Obama today, called the charge that he voted for tax hikes on people making only $32,000 a year, quote, 'bogus.' They circulated an analysis stating that the resolution that Obama had voted for would not have increase taxes on single taxpayer making less than $41,500 a year in total income." (Fox News' "America's Election Headquarters," 7/30/08)

· The New York Times: Barack Obama's "Vote Was On A Budget Resolution To Raise Taxes On People Making $41,500 A Year." "FactCheck.org, a nonpartisan Web site, said the vote was on a budget resolution to raise taxes on people making $41,500 a year; the $32,000 figure, it said, was the amount of taxable income those people had." (Michael Cooper, "McCain Goes Negative, Worrying Some In GOP," The New York Times, 7/30/08)

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Catch Tony Phyrillas on radio Thursday

A recap of the Democratic National Convention and a preview of next week's Republican National Convention will be among the topics of discussion on "Talking Politics with Tony Phyrillas and Mike Pincus" at 5 p.m. Thursday on WPAZ 1370 AM

Listeners can call in with questions or comments during the live broadcast at 610-326-4000.

You can also listen to the program online by going to www.1370WPAZ.com and clicking on the "live audio" button at the top of the page or you can listen to it at The Mercury Web site at www.pottsmerc.com

Focus Group: 'Change' and 'Experience' Messages Not Working

AARP Focus Group: 'Change' and 'Experience' Messages Not Working With Denver Swing Voters

Bob Casey Jr. throws stones from his glass house

Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey Jr. accused Sen. John McCain of voting with George W. Bush "90 percent of the time" during his speech to the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday. Casey offered no evidence to back up that assertion.

When it comes to partisanship, Sen. Barack Obama is a lockstep liberal who votes with party leaders 97 percent of the time!

Here is the Pennsylvania Republican Party answer to Casey (backed by evidence):
Barack Obama Has A Scant Record Of Bipartisanship:

The Washington Post's Richard Cohen: "There Is Scant Evidence The Illinois Senator Takes Positions That Challenge His Base Or Otherwise Threaten Him Politically." "Obama might have a similar bottom line, core principles for which, in some sense, he is willing to die. If so, we don't know what they are. Nothing so far in his life approaches McCain's decision to refuse repatriation as a POW so as to deny his jailors a propaganda coup. In fact, there is scant evidence the Illinois senator takes positions that challenge his base or otherwise threaten him politically. That's why his reversal on campaign financing and his transparently false justification of it matter more than similar acts by McCain." (Richard Cohen, Op-Ed, "McCain's Core Advantage," The Washington Post, 6/24/08)

NPR's Juan Williams: Barack Obama "Doesn't Have The Record" Of Bipartisanship That John McCain Has. NPR'S JUAN WILLIAMS: "You think about everything from campaign finance to immigration and on, and there's John McCain working across party lines. Senator Obama doesn't have a record. Now, he can make the claim and he can hold himself up as pure and trying to reach to a new generation of post partisan politics, but he has to do so largely based on rhetoric and wishful thinking because he doesn't have the record." (Fox News' "Special Report With Brit Hume," 5/7/08)

The Weekly Standard's Fred Barnes: "Obama Has Been Anything But A Uniter" In The Senate. "But as a senator--and this surely is a more important test--Obama has been anything but a uniter. Instead, he's a reliable Democratic vote. He infuriates Republican senators when he campaigns as a Democrat willing and eager to compromise with them. It's practically never happened. The most notable instance of bipartisanship since Obama entered the Senate was the Gang of 14, seven Republicans and seven Democrats who reached agreement on judicial nominations. Obama lauded the group but didn't join it. Why not? Because the senators allowed several conservative nominees to be confirmed. Obama was a minor player in the bipartisan Senate bill on immigration that failed last year. But he violated the spirit of the compromise. After authors agreed to put an item in the bill at Obama's request, he proceeded to vote for poison pill amendments favored by liberal groups, amendments that, if passed, would have killed the bipartisan deal." (Fred Barnes, "To Tell The Truth," The Weekly Standard, 4/26/08)

Politico's Jonathan Martin: "He's pretty much a conventional liberal on the issues and has few examples of breaking with his own party, so how does Obama try to pull off being 'post-partisan?'" (Jonathan Martin, "Obama's Third Way: It's All In The Tone," Politico, 6/30/08)

Rep. Dan Boren (D-OK): "His Record Does Not Reflect Working In A Bipartisan Fashion." "Boren, the lone Democrat in Oklahoma's congressional delegate, said that while Obama has talked about working with Republicans, 'unfortunately, his record does not reflect working in a bipartisan fashion.'" (Tim Talley, "Okla. Dem Calls Obama Liberal, Declines To Endorse," The Associated Press, 6/10/08)

Barack Obama's Record Shows That He Is Little More Than A "Doctrinaire Liberal Democrat" Who Votes Party Line:

"The Record Shows Obama To Be A Fairly Doctrinaire Liberal Democrat…" (Editorial, "Obama's Rhetoric Soars, But What Does His Record Suggest?" USA Today, 1/28/08)

· In 2007, Barack Obama Voted With The Democrat Party 97 Percent Of The Time. (Congressional Quarterly Website, www.cq.com, Accessed 3/3/08)

· In 2006, Barack Obama Voted With The Democrat Party 96 Percent Of The Time. (Congressional Quarterly Website, www.cq.com, Accessed 1/27/08)

· In 2005, Barack Obama Voted With The Democrat Party 97 Percent Of The Time. (Congressional Quarterly Website, www.cq.com, Accessed 1/27/08)

Barack Obama Has No Interest In Eliminating Deficit Spending

Barack Obama: "I Do Not Make A Promise That We Can Reduce [The Budget Deficit] By 2013." "'I do not make a promise that we can reduce it by 2013 because I think it is important for us to make some critical investments right now in America's families,' Obama told reporters this week when asked if he'd match McCain's pledge." (Nedra Pickler, "Analysis: Obama Won't Try For McCain's Budget Goal," The Associated Press, 7/8/08)

Chicago Tribune: Barack Obama Has "No Interest In Eliminating Deficit Spending." "Since winning the nomination, Obama reportedly has been moving toward the middle of the political spectrum. But on the budget, he still sounds left of center, with no interest in eliminating deficit spending." (Editorial, "Failure Of Nerve," Chicago Tribune, 7/8/08)

The Associated Press: Barack Obama Not "Even Trying" To Balance The Budget And "Frankly Says He's Not Sure He'd Bring It Down At All In Four Years." "Barack Obama says John McCain's plan to balance the budget doesn't add up. Easy for him to say: It's not a goal he's even trying to reach. Not only does Obama say he won't eliminate the deficit in his first term, as McCain aims to do, he frankly says he's not sure he'd bring it down at all in four years, considering his own spending plans." (Nedra Pickler, "Analysis: Obama Won't Try For McCain's Budget Goal," The Associated Press, 7/8/08)

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Obama Campaign Efforts to Prosecute Political Opponents

American Issues Project Calls Obama Campaign Efforts to Prosecute Political Opponents 'Bullying' and 'Censorship'

'Country First': 2008 Republican National Convention Announces Full Program

'Country First': 2008 Republican National Convention Announces Full Program

Online Dangers to Kids Go Beyond Inappropriate Web Site Content

Online Dangers to Kids Go Beyond Inappropriate Web Site Content

More to be Done on Energy Independence, Pennsylvania Economic Development Executive Says

More to be Done on Energy Independence, Pennsylvania Economic Development Executive Says

Poll: It's Real - The Media Love Affair With Barack Obama

National Poll: It's Real - The Media Love Affair With U.S. Senator Barack Obama; Democratic Voters Agree

Richard Viguerie: Ron Paul Endorsement of Don Young 'Shocking and Disappointing;' Texas Congressman 'Put Pork Ahead of Principle'

Richard Viguerie: Ron Paul Endorsement of Don Young 'Shocking and Disappointing;' Texas Congressman 'Put Pork Ahead of Principle'

RNC: Romney, Cantor, Diaz-Balart, Blackburn Host 'Not Ready '08' Press Conference

RNC: Romney, Cantor, Diaz-Balart, Blackburn Host 'Not Ready '08' Press Conference

Monday, August 25, 2008

Programs Benefit Pennsylvania's Veterans

Programs Benefit Pennsylvania's Veterans

Conservative blogs dominate PA influence rankings

Don't look now, but 7 of the Top 10 spots on the BlogNetNews.com Influence Rankings are held by conservative bloggers in Pennsylvania.

TONY PHYRILLAS is back at No. 1, a familiar spot the blog has reached 16 times this year. Conservative blogs hold 4 of the Top 5 spots this week.

Here's this week's list

Rank Blog Prev
1 TONY PHYRILLAS 5
2 Pawatercooler.com 1
2 gunservatively! 2
4 Lehigh Valley Ramblings 3
5 Save The GOP 13
6 PolitickerPA 3
7 POLICY BLOG 7
8 Suburban Guerrilla 8
9 NEPALibWatch 9
10 GrassrootsPA 6
11 Philebrity 10
12 College OTR - PENN STATE: -
13 Keystone Politics 15
14 THE CENTRIST 12
15 molovinsky on allentown 17
16 A Lehigh Valley P. O. V. -
17 The Pennsylvania Progressive 14
18 Philadelphia Will Do -
19 2 Political Junkies 20
19 The Lu Lac Political Letter -

WashingtonWatch.com Weekly Update: Senator Biden's Priorities

WashingtonWatch.com Weekly Update: Senator Biden's Priorities

CHADD and AACAP Applaud Michael Phelps for Addressing Stigma of AD/HD

CHADD and AACAP Applaud Michael Phelps for Addressing Stigma of AD/HD

State offices closed for Labor Day holiday

PennDOT's Driver License, Photo Centers Closed Aug. 30, Sept. 1, in Observance of Labor Day

September Is National Preparedness Month

September Is National Preparedness Month

You2Gov.com Launches Convention Blogs From the Democratic National Convention

You2Gov.com Launches Convention Blogs From the Democratic National Convention

RNC Launches New Web Site: 'Obama Picks Biden'

RNC Launches New Web Site: 'Obama Picks Biden'

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Obama seems so ordinary now

Who let the air out of Barack Obama's campaign on the eve of the Democratic National Convention?

Oh, yeah, it was Barack Obama himself. The choice of Delaware Sen. Joe Biden for his vice presidential running mate was greeted with a deafening silence. I was at a soccer practice this morning with my son and there was about a dozen parents milling about waiting for the kids to finish. Not one word about Obama's pick. Nobody seems to care anymore.

All that suspense. All that excitement about the text message business. (By the way, if you're one of the millions of Obama-maniacs who thought you'd get the new first, don't you feel a little silly today? The news leaked out overnight, long before the Obama camp sent out its text message.)

Anyway, here's what some of my favorite blogs have to say about the Obama-Biden ticket:

PAWaterCooler says the Obama/Biden pairing is the "Contradiction Ticket."

Gunservatively! says "It's an admission that Obama's inexperience has finally begun worrying voters."

Is This Life? says by picking Biden, Obama "throws in the towel."

Page 13 News brags that he predicted the Obama/Biden ticket 10 days ago.

From NEPALibWatch: NEPAConservative says: "As if Tony Rezko and William Ayers wont be enough of a problem, now Barack has got Joe Biden’s mouth to contend with."

Along the same lines, SAVE THE GOP says "Biden's Own Words To Bite Him."

Also check out the Obama's Con blog for comments Joe Biden made about Obama last year.

And check out my earlier post, "Joe Biden? You're kidding, right"

Choice of Biden Re-Opens Catholic Wound

Choice of Biden Re-Opens Catholic Wound

Democratic National Committee 2008 Convention: Public Schedule

Democratic National Committee 2008 Convention: Public Schedule

Friday, August 22, 2008

Blunt: America Deserves More Than a Part-Time Congress

Blunt: America Deserves More Than a Part-Time Congress

RNC Announces Additional Details for 2008 National Convention Committee Meetings, RNC Summer Meetings

RNC Announces Additional Details for 2008 National Convention Committee Meetings, RNC Summer Meetings

Obama camp removes felons sign

A week after opening its downtown Pottstown office and placing a large sign in the window encouraging felons to register to vote, the Obama campaign abruptly removed the sign from its storefront window.

As I pointed out in a previous post, the Obama campaign was courting felons in communities like Pottstown and Norristown, which have high minority populations.

There was no mention of felons in the Obama headquarters in a more affluent community like West Chester.

A spokesman from Obama's Philadelphia campaign office told The Mercury that the decision to remove the sign was made at the local level.

"They just realized maybe it was sending the wrong message and took it down themselves," Sean Smith told the newspaper.

Read more about the felon signs controversy in today's edition of The Mercury.

Lobbyist-Funded Reception for House Freshmen at Democratic National Convention

Statement of Democracy 21 President Fred Wertheimer on Reported Lobbyist-Funded Reception for House Freshmen at Democratic National Convention

RNC Statement Obama and Health Care

RNC Statement Obama and Health Care

The media loves Obama

If you need further proof of liberal media bias, here it is.

Sen. Barack Obama has received nearly 40 percent more media coverage this summer than Sen. John McCain, according to LexisNexis, which monitors 2,700 media outlets that includes virtually all major newspapers, magazines, Web sites, television and radio networks in the United States.

LexisNexis is a pioneering "global provider of business information" and has developed something called the "Media Coverage Sentiment Index" that evaluates quantity and tone of coverage, according to the company.

From LexisNexis Analytics press release:
In the past six weeks leading up to the two major U.S. political parties' national conventions, Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) was the subject of 38 percent more media coverage in the United States than Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), but the tone of each presidential candidate's coverage was remarkably similar during that same time frame, according to the LexisNexis(R) Analytics Media Coverage Sentiment Index.
LexisNexis evaluated 17,455 stories that discussed Obama during the period of July 7 to August 17 in U.S. print, broadcast and online media outlets found that 34% of the coverage was positive, 35% was neutral and 31% was negative, the company says.

Of the 12,665 stories that discussed McCain during the same time frame and in the same U.S. media outlets, 33% were positive, 34% were neutral and 33% were negative, the company says.

More from the company release:
The findings support the assumption made by many U.S. political observers that Sen. Obama's campaign is attracting an unprecedented amount of media attention this year.
I can't vouch for the company's conclusion that the "tone" of coverage of Obama and McCain is basically evenhanded, but the fact that Obama is getting nearly 40 percent more coverage says a lot about who the media is pushing to be the next president.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Good stuff at PA blogs

With schools about to open, POLICY BLOG takes a look at what motives teachers unions. Hint: It's the title of an ABBA song.

POLICY BLOG also supports reforming PHEAA.

Gunservatively! laments the fact that Hallmark is now pushing same-sex wedding cards.

PolitickerPA says that Craig Williams, the Republican candidate for Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District, can fall back on a comedy career if he doesn't win in November.

SAVE THE GOP looks at Barack Obama's disturbing track record on the abortion issue and also senses desperation in the Obama camp.

TONY PHYRILLAS has a post on how Obama has received 40 percent more coverage in the media than McCain over the past six weeks. There's also more on the need to reform PHEAA.

Most Voters Disagree With Obama on Affirmative Action, Workers' Rights, and Self-Defense

Most Voters Disagree With Obama on Affirmative Action, Workers' Rights, and Self-Defense

Catch Tony Phyrillas on radio today

Montgomery County Commissioner Bruce L. Castor Jr. will be the guest on "Talking Politics with Tony Phyrillas and Mike Pincus" at 5 p.m. Thursday on WPAZ 1370 AM

Castor will discuss county finances and his plan to restructure county government. Listeners can call in with questions or comments during the live broadcast at 610-326-4000.

You can also listen to the program online by going to www.1370WPAZ.com and clicking on the "live audio" button at the top of the page or you can listen to it at The Mercury Web site at www.pottsmerc.com

Knights of Columbus Donates Additional $1 Million to Protect Marriage in California

Knights of Columbus Donates Additional $1 Million to Protect Marriage in California

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Democrats = Corruption

Puerto Rico Gov. Aníbal S. Acevedo Vilá, a Democrat, has been charged with 19 criminal counts, including conspiracy to violate federal campaign laws, wire fraud and illegally using campaign funds for his personal use, according to a federal indictment

Gov. Acevedo Vila is seeking re-election and we all know that Democrats tend to vote the party line even if their candidate is facing a long prison sentence.

In addition to the governor, the Department of Justice indicted 12 of his political associates.

Puerto Rico Governor, Senior Aide and Former Campaign Director Indicted on Wire Fraud and Money Laundering Charges

Knights of Columbus back Califorinia measure to protect marriage

Proposition 8 to Protect Marriage Receives $1 Million Donation From the Knights of Columbus Catholic Organization

Richard Viguerie: Conservatives are Making Liberals Pay a Political Price for the High Costs of Gas, Food, and Other Goods

Richard Viguerie: Conservatives are Making Liberals Pay a Political Price for the High Costs of Gas, Food, and Other Goods

Friend Update Added To 'BarackBook'

Friend Update Added To 'BarackBook'

Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation Releases Data Supporting Mandatory Use of Motorcycle Helmets

Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation Releases Data Supporting Mandatory Use of Motorcycle Helmets

PennDOT Launches Keystone Line Web Site

PennDOT Launches Keystone Line Web Site

RNC Accuses Obama Bundler of Supporting Iraq Insurgency

RNC Accuses Obama Bundler of Supporting Iraq Insurgency

Pennsylvania DCNR Strategic Plan Focus of Statewide Public Meetings

Pennsylvania DCNR Strategic Plan Focus of Statewide Public Meetings

Monday, August 18, 2008

CHIP Can Help PA Children Have a Healthy School Year

Pennsylvania Governor Rendell Reminds Parents that CHIP Can Help Children Have a Healthy School Year

Why is Obama courting felons?



This is wrong in so many ways, I hardly know where to begin.

The Barack Obama campaign opened an office in Pottstown. Nothing unusual about that. The Obama camp is flush with money, some of it from questionable sources, so it can open an office in just about every city, township or borough in the United States.

If you're walking by the Obama office on High Street in downtown Pottstown, you may notice a sign in the window that encourages people to register to vote (presumably as Democrats). But right next to the bold letters "REGISTER TO VOTE," there's also this: "FELONS CAN VOTE"

Who in their right mind would be encouraging convicted criminals to register to vote? The Obama campaign for one. Is Obama that worried about the outcome of the Nov. 4 election that he's courting felons?

And why is this particular sign on display in downtown Pottstown? Is the borough known for its large "felon" population? Would the Obama campaign put up a similar sign in a more affluent community?

Pottstown residents should take offense at the implication that "felons" are walking down the street on any given day.

Some people may be under the impression that convicted felons are not allowed to vote. That's not the case in Pennsylvania.

From the Pennsylvania Department of State Web site:
The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania ruled on December 26, 2000, that the Pennsylvania law prohibiting convicted felons from registering to vote for five years after their release from prison is unconstitutional. Consequently, if completing an older version of the Voter Registration Mail Application (VRMA) form, a convicted felon who has been released from prison may make application to register to vote by striking through the felony conviction line at Section 9(2) on the VRMA and signing his or her name.

[Please note that convicted felons who are incarcerated on the date of a primary or election are not eligible to vote, irrespective of whether they are registered. However, pretrial detainees and misdemeanants are eligible to apply to register to vote and/or to vote by absentee ballot if they otherwise qualify to vote under law.]
So the law is clear. If you've committed a crime and served your sentence, you are eligible to vote. If you're still doing time, you can't vote. (But that hasn't stopped the Democratic Party from sending volunteers into prisons to register voters. This happened in 2004 right before the Bush-Kerry election.)

There's a certain "win-at-any-cost" mentality among Democrats that is unseemly. Barack Obama may become our next president after Nov. 4, but does he really want the "felon" vote to put him over the top?

I've said before in many posts about Barack Obama that you have look at the company he keeps. Anti-American loons like Rev. Jeremiah Wright. Former members of the Weather Underground terrorist group. Indicted politicians and political contributors from the Chicago political machine. And now convicted felons.

Barack Obama keeps telling us that he's a new style of politician. He can bring the nation together. The rhetoric doesn't match the reality.

Barack Obama voted 97 percent of the time with Democratic leadership in the Senate in 2007, according to Congressional Quarterly. You can't get more partisan than that.

All that talk about a new style of politics is just talk. Obama craves power. Obama craves influence. He'll take money from anyone. He'll take votes from anyone ... including convicted felons.

Friday, August 15, 2008

McCain, Obama Take Different Roads on Tax Policy

McCain, Obama Take Different Roads on Tax Policy

Pennsylvania Game Commission Posts Bear Age Data on Website; WMU 1B Sells Out of Antlerless Deer Licenses

Pennsylvania Game Commission Posts Bear Age Data on Website; WMU 1B Sells Out of Antlerless Deer Licenses

Good reads from Pennsylvania bloggers

A lot of good reading at Pennsylvania blogs.

Here's a sample:

GrassrootsPA says Bill DeWeese's days are numbered.

Gunsvertively! reports that gun owners are backing William Russell against that pinhead, John Murtha.

SAVE THE GOP has a long-shot candidate for McCain's VP.

TONY PHYRILLAS says throwing more money at education (The Ed Rendell Plan) doesn't make students any smarter. There's also a post about how the left-wing media hasn't been able to stop interest in a new book exposing Barack Obama.

NEPALibWatch makes a case for home schooling.

POLICY BLOG says Pennsylvania ranks near the bottom for business climate under Gov. Ed Rendell.

Sen. Landrieu: Enemy to Louisiana Workers

Sen. Landrieu: Enemy to Louisiana Workers

National Poll: Americans Say T. Boone Pickens' Energy Independence Plan Can Work. But Most Expect Congress to Sink the Plan

National Poll: Americans Say T. Boone Pickens' Energy Independence Plan Can Work. But Most Expect Congress to Sink the Plan

Pa Gaming Control Board Unanimously Approves Pittsburgh Casino Ownership Change

Pa Gaming Control Board Unanimously Approves Pittsburgh Casino Ownership Change

RNC: 1 Million Donors Strong

RNC: 1 Million Donors Strong

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Contest offers free gasoline for a year to winner

American Solutions Launches 'Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Nothing' YouTube Contest

Number of Pennsylvania Students on Grade Level Up 29 Percent Since 2002, But Challenges Remain

Number of Pennsylvania Students on Grade Level Up 29 Percent Since 2002, But Challenges Remain

RNC Announces 2008 National Convention Committee Meetings, RNC Summer Meetings

RNC Announces 2008 National Convention Committee Meetings, RNC Summer Meetings

Pelosi-backed bills help billionaire investors

Pelosi Backed Bills Let Billionaire Investors Hijack Small Business Contracts, According to the American Small Business League

Viguerie: Washington Covering Up True Size of Federal Deficit

Richard Viguerie: Washington Politicians Again Covering Up True Size of Federal Deficit

Phyrillas returns to radio today

"Talking Politics with Tony Phyrillas and Mike Pincus" returns at 5 p.m. Thursday on WPAZ 1370 AM

The show was bumped last week by American Legion playoff coverage on WPAZ. (The Boyertown Bears won the state championship. Go Bears!)

The one-hour program is hosted by Tony Phyrillas, city editor and political columnist for The Mercury, and Mike Pincus, a political strategist based in West Chester.

Call with comments or questions during the live broadcast at 610-326-4000.

You can also listen to the program online by going to www.1370WPAZ.com and clicking on the "live audio" button at the top of the page or you can listen to it at The Mercury Web site at www.pottsmerc.com

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

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More than 16,000 unique visitors have spent time at THE CENTRIST.

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The lockstep liberal: Barack Obama

Sen. Barack Obama has made a big deal about his ability to unite people, to reach across the aisle and work with Republicans, to bring the nation together.

Those words sure sound nice, but the reality is that Obama has one of the most partisan voting records during his brief time in Congress.

In 2007, Obama Voted With The Democrat Party 97 Percent Of The Time. (Congressional Quarterly Website, http://www.cq.com, Accessed 3/3/08)

In 2006, Obama Voted With The Democrat Party 96 Percent Of The Time. (Congressional Quarterly Website, http://www.cq.com, Accessed 1/27/08)

In 2005, Obama Voted With The Democrat Party 97 Percent Of The Time. (Congressional Quarterly Website, http://www.cq.com, Accessed 1/27/08)

Obama's rhetoric doesn't match the reality.

Read more about Obama's liberal voting record at the link below.

Obama: Weak on Bipartisanship, Says Republican National Committee

Nothing gets accomplished in Harrisburg

Interesting letter originally published in the Reading Eagle about the most expensive state Legislature in the country:

Nothing gets accomplished

Editor:

In 2005 when our state legislators voted themselves a pay raise, many of them were voted out of office by a public that felt they did nothing to deserve a raise. But here we are again with a state government where nothing major is ever accomplished.

Time and again the property-tax issue emerges and then disappears. Sen. Michael A. O'Pake formulated an excellent alternative to eliminate property taxes, but it, too, joined the list of missing legislation. Perhaps it will turn up on a milk carton.

Most officials who hold our welfare in their hands are out of touch with reality, such as our school boards that raise our taxes and perhaps think that the taxpayers simply can wave a magic wand and pull the money out of a hat.

Sure, our teachers deserve to be well paid with full benefits, but if the taxes no longer are affordable what can be expected of the taxpayer?

The land of opportunity is no longer the industrial giant it once was. We live in a smoke-and-mirror global economy, in debt for $500 billion.

Ronald D. Primavera
Wyomissing

House Republicans to Hold Press Conference on Energy Call to Arms

House Republicans to Hold Press Conference TOMORROW on Energy Call to Arms

C-SPAN Debuts Online 'Convention Hub' for Upcoming Democratic and Republican Conventions

C-SPAN Debuts Online 'Convention Hub' for Upcoming Democratic and Republican Conventions

Nation's Largest Nonpartisan Voter Protection Coalition Launches 2008 General Election Hotline in Advance of Historic Election

Nation's Largest Nonpartisan Voter Protection Coalition Launches 2008 General Election Hotline in Advance of Historic Election:

2008 Pennsylvania Career Guide Now Available in Spanish

2008 Pennsylvania Career Guide Now Available in Spanish

Torsella news PA Board of Education Chairman

Pennsylvania Governor Rendell Names Joseph Torsella State Board of Education Chairman

Friday, August 08, 2008

Are you a maker or a taker?

I've been reading a terrific book this summer called "Makers and Takers" by Peter Schweizer.

That's the short title. The subtitle is a bit longer: "Why conservatives work harder, feel happier, have closer families, take fewer drugs, give more generously, value honesty more, are less materialistic and envious, whine less … and even hug their children more than liberals"

Schweizer's previous best seller was "Do As I Say (Not As I Do): Profiles in Liberal Hypocrisy," in which he details how many of the best known liberals in the country don't live the lifestyle they promote in public.

Liberal icons like Michael Moore, Hillary Clinton, Ralph Nader, George Soros, Ted Kennedy and Nancy Pelosi simply don't practice what they preach.

For example, Michael Moore, the crusading do-gooder who denounces oil and defense contractors as war profiteers, owned stock in Halliburton, Boeing and Honeywell.

Nancy Pelosi accepted a "champion of labor" award from the United Farm Workers but she and her millionaire husband own a Napa Valley vineyard that won't hire union workers.

"These do-as-I-say liberals don't actually trust their ideas enough to apply them at home," Schweizer wrote in the book. "Instead, when it comes to the things that matter most in their personal lives, they tend to behave — ironically — more like conservatives than liberals. Which can only make one wonder: If their liberal prescriptions don't really work for them as individuals, how can they work for the rest of us?"

The natural progression for Schweizer's argument is to go beyond the political arena in his latest book. What about everyday liberals and conservatives? What makes them different — beyond their political affiliation?

"It is my contention that liberalism and conservatism are not simply political ideologies, but represent divergent ways of life," Schweizer writes in the new book. "For those on both sides, their political views are just the tip of an encompassing worldview that addresses the biggest questions about life. This worldview influences the decisions they make about family, work, community and life."

"Makers and Shakers" divides America into liberal and conservative camps but the kind of people who fall into these categories will surprise you.

Peeling away the propaganda fed to the public by the liberal-dominated media, Schweizer poured through tax records, scholarly research, opinion surveys and private records to develop a profile of the typical liberal and the typical conservative.

What did Schweizer find?
Liberals are, in the aggregate:

… more selfish. Liberals are much more likely to think about themselves first and less willing to make sacrifices for others. They are less interested in caring for a physically ill or elderly family member, and more concerned with ensuring that their own needs are met.

… more focused on money. Liberals are much more likely to report that money is important to them, that they don't earn enough money, and that money is what matters in a job. They are also more likely to be envious of others.

… less hardworking. When considering a new job, liberals are more interested in job security and vacation time than their conservative counterparts. They also tend to value hard work less and embrace leisure as more desirable. Conservatism on the other hand is directly associated with the so-called Protestant Ethic.

… less emotionally satisfied. Liberals are much more likely to suffer from a nervous breakdown, attempt suicide, suffer from depression and be chronically angry.

… less honest. Liberals are more likely to believe that it's okay to be dishonest or deceptive, cheat on their taxes (and their spouse), keep money that doesn't belong to them, and sell a used car with a faulty transmission to a family member.

… less knowledgeable about civic affairs and economics. Despite claims that conservatives are ignorant, studies and surveys show that conservatives and Republicans tend to know more about public affairs, have a better understanding of economics, and do better on word association tests.

Schweizer found that conservatives are, again in the aggregate:

… happier and better adjusted. Conservatives are more satisfied with their lives, their professions, and even their health, even when compared to liberals with the same demographics (age, income, etc.)

… generally more successful parents. Obviously there are many exceptions, but conservatives in general are more willing to make sacrifices for their children, and their children in turn are less likely to take drugs, smoke, or drink at a young age. Conservative families are closer. They are more likely to stay in touch with each other on a regular basis and trust each other more.

… more generous. For all the talk of liberal compassion, the reality is that conservatives are much more likely to donate money and time to charitable causes. Also, the reasons that liberals and conservatives get involved in charities tend to be different. Liberals support charities to "make a statement." Conservatives want to improve the lives of the people they are trying to help.

… less angry. Conservatives are less likely to become angry at someone, less likely to seek revenge, and less likely to throw or break things in a temper.
"The research is clear," Schweizer says. "Looking at data gathered by the most authoritative and reliable academic research centers in the country as well as academic studies published in refereed journals, a pattern emerged that has until now been completely ignored. When compared to conservatives on a long list of personality and moral traits, modern liberals consistently come up short."

"Makers and Takers" is a fast read at 258 pages and the conclusion that "liberalism not only leads to social decay, but can also lead to personal decay" is backed by a wealth of research.

"Liberalism promotes a way of thinking, a way of life, and a pattern of living that are destructive on many levels," Schweizer says.

Olympic Games bringing more abuses, China expert says

Olympic Games Bringing More Abuses, China Expert Says

Richard Viguerie: Obama and McCain Proposals Would Jeopardize Future Social Security Payments

Richard Viguerie: Obama and McCain Proposals Would Jeopardize Future Social Security Payments

Thursday, August 07, 2008

Blunt on Fox News Channel's America's Newsroom: Democrats Must Return to Congress to Pass a Comprehensive Energy Plan for the American People

Blunt on Fox News Channel's America's Newsroom: Democrats Must Return to Congress to Pass a Comprehensive Energy Plan for the American People

Conservationists Recognized In Pennsylvania

Conservationists Recognized In Pennsylvania

Solutions to Pennsylvania's biggest problems

Rob Wonderling has the answers. Really, he does. It's all right there in his book.

"Talking Pennsylvania: 21 Conversations for the 21st Century" offers practical solutions to most of the major problems facing the Keystone State.

From health care to education to open space preservation to economic opportunity, the goal of the book and its companion Web site is to "help the people of Pennsylvania build a better 21st Century."

That may sound like a tall order, but it can be done, Wonderling argues.

Instead of telling people how government can solve all their problems, Wonderling took a different approach.

The two-term state senator went to the people of Pennsylvania and asked them to offer solutions. Real Pennsylvanians — 21 in all — who have the daily challenge of running their homes, farms and businesses.

If you want to address about farmland preservation, sit at the kitchen table with a farm couple trying to save the family dairy farm for their children.

How to keep young people from leaving Pennsylvania after they graduate from college? Talk to a recent graduate who says she will probably need at least a decade to pay off her student loans.

Welfare reform? Talk to a 21-year-old single mother of two who is trying to move off welfare by earning an associate's degree from a community college.

How to improve public education in Pennsylvania? Talk to the principal of a charter school about why the educational establishment is still trying to undermine Pennsylvania's charter school movement despite a decade of success.

Wonderling collected the conversations he had with everyday Pennsylvanians into a slim, 147-page book available free of charge through his offices or online at the companion Web site, www.talkingpa.com

Before you start complaining about how your tax dollars are being spent, the project was paid for by Friends of Rob Wonderling, which funded the senator's successful 2002 and 2006 election campaigns.

Wonderling spent a year traveling to all parts of Pennsylvania. He listened to people. He took notes. He recounts what he learned in 21 short (5-7 pages long) chapters in the book.

The best hope of building a brighter future for Pennsylvania lies not politicians but with the people of Pennsylvania, Wonderling says.

"While they are not politicians in any sense of the word, their lives intersect with matters of public concern in Harrisburg," Wonderling writes. "In a very real sense, their stories can serve as a road map for our collective future as citizens of this Commonwealth."

What did Wonderling learn during his journey? The solutions to many of the state's most pressing problems are here already.

The problem is that state government doesn't listen. It's a one-way street with "ideas" coming from Harrisburg instead of the other way around. In the end, politicians need to talk less and listen more. And most importantly, they have to stop talking down to the rest of us. What are the chances of that happening?

Visit the TalkingPA Web site for more information.

GOP lawmakers call for Constitutional Convention

Rep. Curt Schroder (R-Chester), Rep. RoseMarie Swanger (R-Lebanon), Rep. Scott Boyd (R-Lancaster), and state Sens. Jeffrey Piccola (R-Dauphin/York) and Mike Folmer (R-Lebanon/Berks) are calling for Constitutional Convention to reform state government.

"I am sponsoring House Bill 2723, which would place a question on the November 2009 ballot seeking voter approval for a Constitutional Convention," Schroder said at a Capitol news conference. "My legislation would enlist citizens of the commonwealth to become delegates to the convention who would draft recommendations for changes to the state's constitution. These recommendations would then be presented to the voters for approval."

Schroder said recent scandals concerning bonuses for legislative staffers, grand jury investigations and charges against state officials signal a need for change in the way business is conducted in Harrisburg.

"The citizens of Pennsylvania are losing faith in state government and I believe they deserve better," said Schroder. "My bill aims to restore integrity in Harrisburg by putting the power in the hands of the citizens."

Swanger said it is time to put things into the hands of the people for whom members of the General Assembly work. The last constitutional convention was held in 1967.

"In the history of Pennsylvania, the longest we have gone between Constitutional Conventions is 47 years," Swanger added. "While the time elapsed since the last convention falls short of that number, the gravity of our current situation and the need for such a gathering eclipses it."

Two Pennsylvania state senators have authored similar legislation calling for Constitutional Conventions.

"Article I, Section 2 of the Pennsylvania Constitution states that 'all power is inherent in the people…they have at all times an inalienable and indefeasible right to alter, reform or abolish their government in such manner as they may think proper,'" Piccola said. "If the citizens of this Commonwealth truly want to address the systemic problems that we face, the best approach is to convene a constitutional convention."

Folmer offered the reminder that House and Senate members are merely employees of the voters for whom they work.

"Both the United States' and Pennsylvania's Constitutions begin with three very important words, 'We The People.' A Constitutional Convention will give the people more of a say in the reforms that are important to them, which will go a long way to restoring their faith and trust in state government," Folmer said.

According to a recent poll conducted by Quinnipiac University, only 32 percent of Pennsylvania voters approve of the way that the state legislature is handling its job.

Barack Obama: My Pop-Culture Favorites

Who says Barack Obama is a lightweight?

Republican National Committee: Barack Obama: My Pop-Culture Favorites

Keeping Your Car Can Save You Money

Keeping Your Car Can Save You Money

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

Most Popular Stamp Series of All Time Makes Final Curtain Call

Most Popular Stamp Series of All Time Makes Final Curtain Call

House Republicans to Hold Press Conference on Energy

Nancy Pelosi is on vacation, but House Republicans are still calling for Congress to return to deal with the nation's energy crisis.

House Republicans to Hold Press Conference Tomorrow on Energy Call to Arms

They get it in Texas

A comprehensive energy plan that excludes new oil drilling, nuclear plants and clean coal is just a bunch of hot air from the environmental cult.

The folks in Texas get it. The U.S. needs to consider all sources of energy to become independent from foreign energy.

Nuclear Energy for Texans' Statement in Support of Governor Perry's 2008 Texas State Energy Plan

Supreme Knight Calls on Catholics to Say 'No' to Pro-Abortion Politicians

Not good for Barack Obama, the most pro-abortion candidate to ever seek the presidency.

Supreme Knight Calls on Catholics to Say 'No' to Pro-Abortion Politicians

Pennsylvania Swing Voters Weigh in on the Race for The White House: Top Voter Concerns

Pennsylvania Swing Voters Weigh in on the Race for The White House: Top Voter Concerns

Is your lawmaker in the Hall of Shame?

This just in from our good friend Russ Diamond:

PACleanSweep, a non-partisan organization aimed at reforming state government in Pennsylvania, today revived its online Hall of Shame feature to pressure lawmakers into signing a petition to call a special session of the General Assembly focusing on ethics and reform in Harrisburg.

The Web page lists all incumbent legislators who have not signed the petition launched on July 21st by Senator Jeffrey Piccola. Also listed are the Harrisburg and district office phone numbers of the legislators to enable Pennsylvanians to easily contact them.

"We're stunned that more legislators have not yet signed the petition," said Russ Diamond, chairman of the group. "There are 55 freshman legislators in Harrisburg, most of whom were elected in 2006 based on their campaign promises of reform. We're especially disappointed with the individuals that PACleanSweep backed who have not signed on."

In the wake of the first round of "Bonusgate" indictments, Pennsylvanians are increasingly calling for reform in Harrisburg. A recent Quinnipiac University poll conducted in the Commonwealth reported that 76 percent of voters believe such a special session is in order. The poll results were fairly consistent across all regions of the state on the issue of reform.

Diamond anticipates that some lawmakers will claim to have not been in Harrisburg to have an opportunity to sign the petition, but are intent on signing it at a later date.

"Intent is not good enough. We all know where the road paved with good intentions leads," said Diamond. "The road to reform is paved with action. Pennsylvanians clearly want action and their elected servants ought to comply."

PACleanSweep previously used a similar web page to successfully pressure legislators into agreeing to pay back the unconstitutional "unvouchered expenses" received as a result of the ill-fated 2005 pay raise. The group also added support for a special session to the list of criteria for its online Legislative Report Card, a scoring system for all incumbent lawmakers.

Although a special session would not guarantee the enactment of any actual reforms, it would put the General Assembly in a position where reform is a priority. Overhauling the way the institution operates is a key component in moving Pennsylvania beyond its current crisis of confidence.

"Many compare the art of making law with the art of making sausage," Diamond added. "If that's the case, then our sausage machine is contaminated with salmonella. Until we disinfect the machine, all sausage produced is guaranteed to make Pennsylvanians ill."

PACleanSweep Hall of Shame

Senator Piccola's Petition for a Special Session


PACleanSweep Legislative Report Card

Quinnipiac Poll

Democratic Party Brings Final Platform Meeting to Pittsburgh

Democratic Party Brings Final Platform Meeting to Pittsburgh Saturday

Majority of PA residents say DeWeese must go

A day after a leading House Democrat called for the resignation of House Democratic Majority Leader Bill DeWeese, a new Quinnipiac University poll finds that a majority of Pennsylvania residents also want DeWeese to hit the road.

The poll says 53 percent of Pennsylvania residents want DeWeese to step down from his leadership post. (DeWeese is not facing criminal charges in the Bonusgate scandal, but his former chief of staff, Michael Manzo, and his former No. 2 man, Mike Veon, were among 12 Democrats indicted.)

Some other findings from the poll: Only 24 percent of voters have confidence that the Legislature can deal with corruption on its own. A whopping 76 percent of those polled want Gov. Ed Rendell to call a special session of the Legislature to deal with reform.

More than half of those polled (51 percent) disapprove of the Legislature's job performance.

"Pennsylvania voters are clearly fed up with the Legislature; say both parties are responsible for corruption, even though only Democrats were indicted in Bonusgate, and want House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese to step down for his role in the scandal," said Clay F. Richards, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "They are looking to Gov. Ed Rendell to convene a special session to handle corruption, but have no faith that lawmakers can clean their own house."

I wonder if Josh Shapiro saw the poll numbers early when he called a Monday press conference to demand DeWeese resign from his leadership post.

Shapiro gave five reasons why he wants DeWeese to go, but the key reason is that Democrats are worried that DeWeese has become the symbol of state corruption. The longer he remains in power, the more likely Democrats will lose their thin majority in the House.

Read the full Quinnipiac University poll at the school's Web site.

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Commission on Presidential Debates Announces Moderators

Commission on Presidential Debates Announces Moderators

PA Mentored Youth Hunting Program

New Year Underway for PA Mentored Youth Hunting Program

End of the line for Bill DeWeese?

Bill DeWeese has been in the state House for more than 30 years, having risen on more than one occasion to the Majority Leader post.

But his days in Harrisburg could be coming to end because he is liked to the Bonusgate scandal which occurred under his watch.

Here are some links about DeWeese's future:

Lowman Henry at Lincoln Blog says the fat lady is singing for DeWeese.

John Baer at the Philadelphia Daily News writes that Rep. Josh Shapiro's call for DeWeese's ouster could be the tipping point for the state's stalled reform movement

John Micek weighs on on the Shapiro call for DeWeese to go at his Capitol Ideas blog

Tony Phyrillas says that Shapiro is working on behalf of Gov. Ed Rendell in launching a mutiny against DeWeese. It's the only way to save the Democrats from losing control of the House in Novemember.

POLICY BLOG also has a roundup of DeWeese/Shapiro/Reform news.

Republican National Committee: Friend Updates Added to BarackBook

Republican National Committee: Friend Updates Added to BarackBook

ATR Commends McCain's Anti-Tax Vows

ATR Commends McCain's Anti-Tax Vows

Pennsylvania's Most Influential Political Blogs

Ten conservative blogs are among the Top 20 in this week's ranking of Pennsylvania's Most Influential Political blogs at BlogNetNews.com

TONY PHYRILLAS continues to dominate the summer, holding the No. 1 spot for eight of the past nine weeks.

Rank Blog Prev
1 TONY PHYRILLAS 1
2 PolitickerPA 2
3 gunservatively! 3
4 Lehigh Valley Ramblings 4
5 Suburban Guerrilla 6
6 Capitol Ideas 10
7 GrassrootsPA 8
8 Pawatercooler.com 5
9 The Pennsylvania Progressive 14
10 POLICY BLOG 9
11 Pennsyltucky Politics -
12 THE CENTRIST 7
12 NEPALibWatch 11
12 PowerBlog! 19
15 Philadelphia Will Do -
16 Mark Rauterkus -
17 Philebrity -
18 molovinsky on allentown 17
19 page13news -
20 Booman Tribune 13

Saturday, August 02, 2008

Pennsylvania Revenue Department Releases July Collections

Pennsylvania Revenue Department Releases July Collections

RNC Chairman Applauds House Republicans

RNC Chairman Applauds House Republicans

National Night Out is Aug. 5

At the very least, turn on all your outdoor lights on Tuesday, Aug. 5, to celebrate National Night Out, the annual crime prevention celebration.

Many communities are hosting block parties, carnivals or other events.

It's all designed to get people out to meet neighbors and local law enforcement and send a message to criminals that they're not wanted.

For more information about the 25th anniversary of National Night Out, visit its Web site, http://www.nationaltownwatch.org/

Friday, August 01, 2008

Blunt: Democrats' Workplace Bill Focused More on Blurring Existing Law than Improving It

Blunt: Democrats' Workplace Bill Focused More on Blurring Existing Law than Improving It

So-Called Medicare Pay Hike Doesn't Mean More Money for All Physicians, Report Finds

So-Called Medicare Pay Hike Doesn't Mean More Money for All Physicians, Report Finds

Bon Voyage! Blunt: Congress Leaves Town Without Doing a Thing to Bring Down Price of Gasoline

Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid have adjourned Congress for a five-week vacation having done absolutely nothing to address the energy crisis in the U.S.

Despite a dismal 9 percent job approval rate, the Do-Nothing Democratic Congress continue to live up to its name.

Voters have a chance on Nov. 4 to send Democrats a message: Thanks for nothing! I'm voting for somebody else.

Bon Voyage! Blunt: Congress Leaves Town Without Doing a Thing to Bring Down Price of Gasoline

Voters' Choice: 'Drill Dammit!'

Voters' Choice: 'Drill Dammit!'

Lack of a Comprehensive Global Energy Security Roadmap Putting The U.S. At Risk

Lack of a Comprehensive Global Energy Security Roadmap Putting The U.S. At Risk

Obama Audacity Watch Web site

RNC Launches New Web Site: 'Obama Audacity Watch'