Friday, December 31, 2010
Rep. Vereb calls for jail time for Sunshine Act violators
Elected officials routinely thumb their nose at the Pennsylvania Sunshine Law and conduct the public's business behind closed doors because they know the only punishment is a slam on the wrist. A little jail time might get thim to think twice about breaking the law, especially you school board members out there.
Vereb calls for jail time for Sunshine Act violators - timesherald.com
Vereb calls for jail time for Sunshine Act violators - timesherald.com
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Strange bedfellows seen sharing similar fates
The end of the road for Jim Matthews and Joe Hoeffel?
PhillyBurbs.com: Strange bedfellows seen sharing similar fates
PhillyBurbs.com: Strange bedfellows seen sharing similar fates
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Cleaning up Ed Rendell's mess
Amazing how much damage Ed Rendell has done to Pennsylvania over the past 8 years. Despite $8 billion in new spending and billions more in borrowing, Rendell failed to solve any of the state's major problems and is hading the mess to Gov.-elect Tom Corbett.
Rendell gives Corbett handbook of challenges ahead | PoconoRecord.com
Rendell gives Corbett handbook of challenges ahead | PoconoRecord.com
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Political End Runs
Thomas Sowell on how Barack Obama repeatedly bypasses Constitutional restrictions on executive power to enact his socialist agenda against the will of the American people.
Political End Runs - HUMAN EVENTS
Political End Runs - HUMAN EVENTS
Monday, December 27, 2010
Bureaucrats Secretly Implement ObamaCare
Government Death Panels will soon be deciding who lives and who dies as Obama's bureacrats begin to implement new Obamacare provisions starting Jan. 1
Bureaucrats Secretly Implement ObamaCare
Bureaucrats Secretly Implement ObamaCare
Why are teachers learning Spanish?
Teachers in the Reading School District are learning Spanish? Shouldn't the students be learning English?
City teachers learning Spanish
City teachers learning Spanish
14 places to slash federal spending
Democrats and their big-government allies are always arguing there's nothing to cut from the bloated federal budget.
The folks at Reason magazine beg to differ, offering 14 specific programs or agencies that could be slashed to save taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars every year.
My favorite:
End (or at Least Audit) the Fed:
The folks at Reason magazine beg to differ, offering 14 specific programs or agencies that could be slashed to save taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars every year.
My favorite:
End (or at Least Audit) the Fed:
The Fed is the biggest bastion of central planning in the American economy, and eliminating it would both move us toward a freer market and remove history’s most powerful enabler of government waste. If that’s politically impossible, auditing the Fed would at least peel away the bank’s veneer of inscrutable wizardry to reveal the feckless dithering at the heart of U.S. monetary policy.Read the full article, "How to Slash the State: 14 ways to dismantle a monstrous government, one program at a time," here.
Taxman spying from above
Pennsylvania State Rep.-elect Mark M. Gillen is troubled by the government's use of aerial reconnaissance to spy on property owners.
Young's column had powerful implications (12/26/10)
Young's column had powerful implications (12/26/10)
Sunday, December 26, 2010
20 years of giving: Operation Holiday delivers
Thanks to the Pottstown Mercury, 252 families, with a total of 701 children, were provided food and gifts in 2010 by the newspaper's Operation Holiday program.
20 years of giving: Operation Holiday delivers (video) - pottsmerc.com
20 years of giving: Operation Holiday delivers (video) - pottsmerc.com
Washington's Bureaucrats Are Overpaid, Inexpert And Cost Us Time And Money
Taxpayers can no longer afford to fund the political class and the minions who support them.
Washington's Bureaucrats Are Overpaid, Inexpert And Cost Us Time And Money - Investors.com
Washington's Bureaucrats Are Overpaid, Inexpert And Cost Us Time And Money - Investors.com
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Friday, December 24, 2010
1,200 followers on Twitter
I have 1,200 followers on Twitter but I'm always looking for more. Click on the blue Twitter link at the top of this page to follow my posts.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Pennsylvania Turnpike makes U-turn
Here's what we do know: Tolls on the Pennsylvania Turnpike will go up Jan. 2, 2011.
Up until today, motorists who pay cash would not know how much the tolls would be because the bureaucrats at the Turnpike Commission decided to print tickets without prices on them.
That controversial (and stupid) decision has been overturned.
But tolls are still going up thanks to a plan pushed a couple of years ago by Gov. Ed Rendell and Democrats in the state Legislature.
Turnpike makes U-turn, decides to print tolls on tickets - pottsmerc.com
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
Newspaper: Kill The Lame Duck
From Investor's Business Daily:
Governance: It is an anachronism a constitutional amendment tried to kill. It lets defeated legislators wreak political and economic havoc without consequence. Like the dodo, the lame duck should be extinct.
Kill The Lame Duck - Investors.com
Governance: It is an anachronism a constitutional amendment tried to kill. It lets defeated legislators wreak political and economic havoc without consequence. Like the dodo, the lame duck should be extinct.
Kill The Lame Duck - Investors.com
65,000 unique visitors
My site counter has recorded 65,000 unique visitors to The Centrist. Thanks for checking out this blog ... and come back again.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Ousted Lawmaker Energized By New Job
Hey, Pennsylvania taxpayers, your tax dollars will now go to ousted state Rep. David Kessler to study using algae as an alternative fuel. Pork-barrel spending at its worst.
Ousted Lawmaker Energized By New Job - Regional News - Berks Story - WFMZ Allentown
Ousted Lawmaker Energized By New Job - Regional News - Berks Story - WFMZ Allentown
Krauthammer to headline Pennsylvania Leadership Conference
The 2011 PA Leadership Conference, featuring the largest gathering of conservatives in Pennsylvania, has lined up one of the sharpest conservative thinkers in the world for this year's event.Charles Krauthammer, Pulitzer Prize winning columnist and a Fox News commentator, will be the dinner speaker at the 2011 Pennsylvania Leadership Conference to be held April 8-9 at the Radisson Penn Harris Convention Center in Camp Hill, Pa.
From a press release announcing Krauthammer's appearance:
"We are excited to have Dr. Krauthammer as the next in a long series of influential conservative speakers to address the annual Pennsylvania Leadership Conference," said Lowman Henry, President of the Pennsylvania Leadership Council which organizes the event. "In an era when many commentators offer only shop worn analysis, Dr. Krauthammer stands out as a thoughtful voice of reason who injects logic and perspective into the public debate."Complete information and registration for the 2011 Pennsylvania Leadership Conference can be found at the conference's newly redesigned website, www.paleadershipconference.org
The Pennsylvania Leadership Conference is the premiere annual gathering of public policy conservatives from through the commonwealth and beyond. The conference features well known national speakers, and a who's who of state-level government and policy leaders offering commentary and panel presentations.
Dr. Krauthammer was named by the Financial Times as the most influential commentator in America. Since 1985 he has written a syndicated column for the Washington Post, winning the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished commentary in 1987. His column now appears in more than 250 newspapers worldwide.
A contributing editor to the Weekly Standard and to the New Republic, Dr. Krauthammer is a Fox News contributor appearing nightly on Fox's evening news program Special Report with Bret Baier. He is also a weekly panelist on Inside Washington.
Newspaper: Repeal automatic COLA for politicians
From the editorial pages of The Pottstown Mercury:
THORNS to the state Legislature for continuing the practice of automatic cost-of-living adjustments even though many legislators give them back or donate the money to charity. We don't want our tax dollars going to the charity of choice for lawmakers; we want the money to stay in the state coffers. The Legislature, along with members of the executive branch, including the governor, and judges receive an automatic cost-of-living adjustment each year under a 1995 law. This year, the COLA for lawmakers kicked in Dec. 1, while the higher pay for judges begins Jan. 1. Pay for rank-and-file legislators increased from $78,315 to $79,623 on Dec. 1, while higher-ranking officials are paid more. Instead of legislators giving it back, the law should be repealed.Roses for soliciting public input in schools' chief search - pottsmerc.com
Tax Deal Passes, GOP Wants Permanent Cuts
Take a look at the final votes to extend the Bush Tax Cuts - 277-148 in the House and 81-19 in the Senate, with solid Democratic majorities in both chambers. But this only a two-year extension. When more Republicans join Congress in January, let's push for a permanent extension to get the U.S. economy moving again.
Tax Deal Passes, GOP Wants Permanent Cuts - HUMAN EVENTS
Tax Deal Passes, GOP Wants Permanent Cuts - HUMAN EVENTS
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Dems driving businesses under with high taxes
The United States leads the world in something - the highest corporate income tax. And Democrats wonder why we've had 10% unemployment for the past two years?
A Rate Which Lives In Infamy - Investors.com
A Rate Which Lives In Infamy - Investors.com
Corbett Inaugural website launches
Gov.-elect Tom Corbett and Lt. Gov.-elect Jim Cawley's Inaugural website has launched at www.CorbettCawleyInaugural.com
The theme of the new Republican administration is "Rebuilding Pennsylvania," which is a big task after the disastrous eight years of the Rendell administration.
The website provides detailed information on the Inaugural activities. Pennsylvania residents can also find information on how to reserve and purchase tickets for Inaugural events.
The site will be updated right up until the January 18, 2011, Inauguration.
The theme of the new Republican administration is "Rebuilding Pennsylvania," which is a big task after the disastrous eight years of the Rendell administration.
The website provides detailed information on the Inaugural activities. Pennsylvania residents can also find information on how to reserve and purchase tickets for Inaugural events.
The site will be updated right up until the January 18, 2011, Inauguration.
Cost of PA Legislature: $318M a year
It costs $318 million a year to operate the Pennsylvania Legislature. Anyone think they're getting their money's worth?
Commission: Legislature's spending fell last year - pottsmerc.com
Commission: Legislature's spending fell last year - pottsmerc.com
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
DCED Secretary Says Harrisburg is 'Financially Distressed' Under Act 47
Another U.S. city run into the ground by Democrats.
DCED Secretary Says Harrisburg is 'Financially Distressed' Under Act 47
DCED Secretary Says Harrisburg is 'Financially Distressed' Under Act 47
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Rep.-Elect Kristi Noem: Businesses need certainty to start hiring
Rep.-Elect Kristi Noem: Businesses need certainty to start hiring
Monday, December 13, 2010
65,000 Visitors to The Centrist
My site counter has recorded 65,000 unique visitors to The Centrist. Thanks for check out the blog ... and come back again.
You call this pension reform?
This is Ed Rendell's idea of pension reform. The bill, which was backed by the teachers union, was passed with the support of Rendell and the Democratic majority in the state Legislature.
From The Associated Press:
From The Associated Press:
Structural changes passed last month in Pennsylvania's large pension plans for state government workers and school district employees will still leave taxpayers on the hook for billions of dollars in new costs in the coming years.Pension law leaves taxpayers with $5B annual cost - pottsmerc.com
The cost to the state government and school districts will go from $1.25 billion this year to just under $2 billion next year, but the average annual price tag for the coming decade amounts to $5.3 billion.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Bank failures under Obama set record
Bank failures continue at a record pace as Obamanomics take its toll. The feds have shut down banks in Michigan and Pennsylvania, bringing the number of U.S. banks that have failed in 2010 to a record 151. Heckavu job, Barack.
Thursday, December 09, 2010
Wednesday, December 08, 2010
Newspaper: Bush job approval rating higher than Obama's
How the mighty have fallen. Americans are waking up from their Kool-Aid induced stupor and realizing what a huge mistake they made in electing Barack Obama president.
A new Gallup Poll shows the job approval rating for "The Anointed One" has dropped below that of President George W. Bush.
Check it out at the liberal New York Daily News and at Politico
A new Gallup Poll shows the job approval rating for "The Anointed One" has dropped below that of President George W. Bush.
Check it out at the liberal New York Daily News and at Politico
Tuesday, December 07, 2010
Cuckoo In Cancun
The global warming crowd may be suffering from hypothermia.From Investor's Business Daily:
Still think those who continue to push the idea of man-made climate change are well-grounded and rational? Think again.Read the full editorial at the link below:
Consider Christiana Figueres, executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. She opened the U.N's global warming conference last week with a prayer to Ixchel, the Mayan goddess of the moon.
This mythological supreme being of fertility is supposed to be good for sending rain for crops. Maybe that's the sort of blessing Figueres had in mind when, from Cancun's — no joke — Moon Palace, she called Ixchel "the goddess of reason, creativity and weaving" and hoped delegates would be inspired by her.
And did we mention that the multitasking Ixchel is also some kind of jaguar? Given her many roles, is it really reasonable to ask her to also save the planet from global warming?
But then if she did that, the alarmists wouldn't have to take junkets to balmy resorts in December to save the world from mankind.
Cuckoo In Cancun - Investors.com
Obama Unravels…
NRO's Jim Geraghty: "Watching Barack Obama in a press conference discussing the tax deal, it feels like we’re watching his presidency lose all coherence."
Obama Unravels… - By Jim Geraghty - The Campaign Spot - National Review Online
Obama Unravels… - By Jim Geraghty - The Campaign Spot - National Review Online
Obama's New Theme Song: 'Surrender'
A dedication to Barack Obama for caving in on the Bush Tax Cuts. Maybe we can repeal Obamacare while we're on a roll?
Monday, December 06, 2010
Pa. leads nation in teacher strikes
Pennsylvania has more teacher strikes than in all other states combined!!!
Pa. leads nation in teacher strikes - pottsmerc.com
Pa. leads nation in teacher strikes - pottsmerc.com
Saturday, December 04, 2010
Friday, December 03, 2010
Newspaper: Thorns to greedy PA judges
From the editorial pages of The Pottstown Mercury:
THORNS to Pennsylvania judges for disregarding the tax burden on Pennsylvania residents by leasing luxury automobiles including Cadillacs, Mercedes and high-end SUVs. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported Sunday that 25 jurists in the state lease cars under a provision that reimburses them up to $600 a month; 13 opt not to lease vehicles. The state began paying for cars for appellate judges in 1990, and the practice continues despite other elected and appointed state officials who use cheaper fleet vehicles to keep costs down. The state's top judges are among the nation's highest paid. Some make in excess of $175,000 a year, yet lease high-end vehicles at taxpayer expense. Among the judges' cars are $568 a month for a 2010 Cadillac driven by Chief Justice Ronald Castille and $450 a month for a 2010 Mercedes Benz driven by Superior Court Judge Sallie Updyke Mundy. Supreme Court Justice Max Baer leases a 2010 GMC Acadia from his brother's Washington dealership for $510 a month. One person quoted in the news article called it symbolic of a "culture of arrogance." Sound like Harrisburg?Roses to state rep for helping remodel Boyertown office - pottsmerc.com
Unemployment Rate Climbs to 9.8%
The failure of Barack Obama's economic policies is complete. The U.S. unemployment rate for November rose to 9.8% - with the number of unemployed Americans climbing from 14.8 million to 15.1 million.All this despite trillions of dollars in federal spending to "stimulate" the economy and reduce unemployment.
Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele released the following statement today:
"Today's jobs report showing unemployment jumping to 9.8 percent only confirms that President Obama's agenda of out-of-control spending, higher taxes, and bigger government has the economy moving in the wrong direction. Despite the clear message sent in last month's elections, Democrats continue to ignore the American people by remaining focused on enacting a host of liberal priorities that will do nothing to create jobs. All the while, they have left a massive job-killing tax increase hanging over the heads of every single American family and small business, prolonging the existing economic uncertainty that has kept employers from hiring. Instead of continuing the same wish-list mentality that pushed through big government Democrat programs in the face of high unemployment and record deficits, Democrats should work with Republicans to start putting the American people's priorities first – getting our country back on a path to economic prosperity and making sure no one sees a tax hike on January 1st."
Roses to State Rep. David Maloney for helping remodel Boyertown office
Republican David Maloney hasn't taken office yet in the PA Legislature, but he's already saving money for constituents in Berks County's 130th District.
Roses to state rep for helping remodel Boyertown office - pottsmerc.com
Roses to state rep for helping remodel Boyertown office - pottsmerc.com
Thursday, December 02, 2010
Wednesday, December 01, 2010
Does Pennsylvania Consider Actor Mark Ruffalo a Terrorist?
Another reminder of the disastrous Rendell Administration.
Does Pennsylvania Consider Actor Mark Ruffalo a Terrorist?
Does Pennsylvania Consider Actor Mark Ruffalo a Terrorist?
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Rep.-elect David Maloney turns down pay raise
Republican David M. Maloney won't take office until January, but he's already paying dividends for constituents in the 130th State House District.Maloney announced Tuesday he will not accept the automatic 1.7% cost-of-living adjustment increase that members of the Pennsylvania Legislature gave themselves.
The automatic COLA raise was enacted in 1995 and gives a yearly pay raise for state legislators, members of the executive branch, including the governor, state judges and other state officials. (Gov.-elect Tom Corbett has also announced he will not accept the raise.)
Maloney issued the following statement: "Taking the increase is simply not the right thing to do. I have met so many people in our district this year who are truly struggling to pay bills, taxes and keep their homes. With Pennsylvania's high unemployment at nearly 10% and many of those out of work will be seeing the end of their unemployment benefits soon and as the Social Security Administration said there will be no increase again for our seniors, this is not the time for a COLA increase."
Maloney said he will return the COLA to the taxpayers of Pennsylvania.
"It is the people's money. We also have a nearly $5 billion dollar hole in our budget coming next year so every belt needs tightening. The State Legislature needs to lead by example."
Maloney, a reform candidate who unseated Democratic incumbent Rep. David Kessler, represents the 130th district, which includes Boyertown, Birdsboro, Fleetwood and Earl, Douglass (Berks), Ruscombmanor, Amity, Rockland, Pike, Oley, Union and Colebrookdale townships and parts of Exeter Township.
Rep. Toepel District Office Moving to Red Hill
State Rep. Marcy Toepel, R-147th Dist., will move her district office from Schwenksville to Red Hill, effective Dec. 1.The address of the new district office is 80 Gravel Pike, Unit A, Red Hill, PA 18076.
Toepel's district office phone and fax numbers will also change. The new phone number will be 215-679-3082. The new fax number will be 215-679-3156.
Office hours for the new district office will remain the same, opening Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays 9 a.m to 4:30 p.m., and Tuesdays and Thursdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Toepel's current district office located in Schwenksville is closed as of Nov. 30.
Toepel, who won a special election in May to fill the remainder of former state Rep. Bob Mensch's seat, won a full two-year term to the state House in November.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Rep.-elect David Maloney to relocate district offices
Here's one way to save taxpayers a few bucks: Do-it-yourself.Newly-elected state Rep. David Maloney, a contractor by profession, will pitch in to re-do his two district offices in an effort to save his constituents some money.
In addition to relocating his two offices in the 130th House District, Maloney will pick up a hammer and nails and help with the interior refurbishing of the facilities.
Maloney, a Republican, ousted two-term Democratic incumbent David Kessler to represent the Eastern Berks County seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
From a press release issued by Maloney:
State Rep.-elect David Maloney says he will offer constituent services for residents of the 130th House District at two new offices.
The southern part of the district will be serviced at a new office at 515 Old Swede Road (Rt. 662) Douglassville in the Old Swede Office Complex.
"This office will allow easier access to the residents of Amity, Douglassville, Birdsboro, Exeter and Union townships," Maloney said.
The Boyertown office will move from South Warwick Street to 46 E. Philadelphia Ave., next to the landmark Bause’s Drug store.
"Rent and utilities for the two new locations will be less expensive than what was offered to us to stay at the old locations," Maloney said. "Neither of the old offices were wheelchair accessible. Now both offices will be."
Maloney, who has a background in construction, said he will help re-fit the Boyertown office space himself to save taxpayers some money.
Move-in dates for the Douglassville office will be Dec. 6 but phone and computer lines may not be in place by then.
"The Boyertown office phone number will remain the same as before, 610-369-3010 and we will do our best to retrieve messages and return calls until we are fully functioning at 46 E. Philadelphia Ave. We hope to have our Boyertown re-fit done by the end of December for sure. We will have a new phone number for Douglassville and new email addresses. Our offices will also have a new 130th District website that we will make public as soon a possible," Maloney explained.
Maloney does not take office until Jan. 4 when he takes his oath in a ceremony at the Capitol in Harrisburg.
Open House dates for both offices will be announced when they are both fully operational.
Editorial: Just say no to automatic hike in pay for state officials
If your Pennsylvania legislator does not turn down the automatic pay raise coming their way on Dec. 1, you should vote them out of office next time around.
Just say no to automatic hike in pay for state officials (11/29/10)
Just say no to automatic hike in pay for state officials (11/29/10)
Saturday, November 27, 2010
America's Standard (Before Obamacare Ruins It)
From Investor's Business Daily:Health Care: Those who wish to nationalize medicine point to America's low position in world health rankings. But when a rich Saudi who could go anywhere for treatment chose, where did he go? America, of course.So why is Barack Obama trying to dismantle the best health-care system in the world? Read the full editorial at the link below:
When King Abdullah flew out of Saudi Arabia Monday to be treated after a blood clot had complicated a slipped disc, he didn't choose France, Italy, Britain, Canada, Morocco, Oman or Cyprus, all nations that stand higher than the U.S. in the World Health Organization's ranking of health care systems.
Neither did he stay in Saudi Arabia, travel to relatively nearby Malta or Greece. He avoided Andorra, Spain, Monaco and the United Arab Emirates, again, all judged by WHO to have better health care than the U.S.
America's Standard - Investors.com
Bill O'Reilly: The Borrowed Buck Stops Here
From Bill O'Reilly's latest column:
Bill O'Reilly: Bill's Column - The Borrowed Buck Stops Here
"It is one thing for a loopy newspaper columnist to demand socialist reform. It is quite another if a sitting president buys into it."Read the full story at the link below:
Bill O'Reilly: Bill's Column - The Borrowed Buck Stops Here
Friday, November 26, 2010
Economy Isn't The Key Factor In All Elections
Interesting column by Jeffrey H. Anderson on how The New York Times was so far off in predicting the outcome of the midterm elections.
Economy Isn't The Key Factor In All Elections - Investors.com
Economy Isn't The Key Factor In All Elections - Investors.com
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Guest Column: Giving Thanks In America
Giving Thanks in AmericaBy Congressman Joe Pitts
While we typically associate the Pilgrims in Massachusetts with the first American Thanksgiving, the first recorded day set aside for thanks was decreed in the Virginia colony in 1619. The settlers recognized the day their ship landed in the new world as an annual day of thanksgiving to God for a safe journey.
Two years later the settlers at Plymouth Colony would commemorate their first Thanksgiving. Our nation's early history is filled with religious and civil observances of thanks — from annual recognitions of a good harvest to General Washington’s declaration following the battle of Saratoga.
Our nation has always had so much to be grateful for. We have been blessed with a rich and beautiful country, with a government directed by the American people, and with courageous individuals who stand up and protect our liberty.
When the early English settlers first came to America, they hoped to find rich deposits of gold and silver to rival Spanish colonies. The original colonies were not rich with jewels and precious metals, but they were abundant in farmland, fish and game. These rich lands have made our nation the breadbasket to the world.
Later, our nation was able to take full advantage of the Industrial Revolution because of plentiful energy resources: coal, oil and natural gas. At the same time we appreciate the natural beauty of our forests, mountains, and wetlands. Today, we must concentrate on responsibly developing resources to protect the natural gifts given our nation.
Especially in an election year, we must give thanks for a constitutional government that is directed by the American people. It's easy to forget that fair and free elections are actually the exception and not the rule. In Burma, the ruling military junta recently held a sham election where it disqualified the political party of the Nobel Peace Prize winner, Aung San Suu Kyi.
Our recent election saw a number of incumbents defeated. Right now, these Members are moving out of their offices on Capitol Hill. Every single one of them is peacefully transitioning to their political opponent. Come January, Speaker Nancy Pelosi will hand the Speaker's gavel over to Republican Leader John Boehner. Just a few years ago, it was Boehner who was handing it to Pelosi.
We should be grateful that our country settles differences at the ballot box. For all the harsh words spoken before elections, we share a common recognition that power should not be achieved or maintained through violence. Sadly, this does not hold true in many nations.
Because there are enemies of freedom who seek to settle arguments with violence and terrorism, we need brave young men and women to take up arms in defense. We are grateful for our service members and veterans, especially those who are serving far away this Thanksgiving.
The recent Medal of Honor ceremony reminded us all about the sacrifices being made in Afghanistan right now. Staff Sergeant Salvatore Giunta was honored for the incredible bravery he showed when his squad came under attack from the Taliban.
Giunta acted quickly to help two wounded teammates and then ran into enemy fire to rescue another wounded colleague who was being dragged away by two insurgents. At the White House ceremony awarding him the decoration, Giunta accepted the award with the utmost humility, recognizing the efforts of his squadmates and the families of those who didn't survive the battle.
Because of brave military personnel working around the globe, we are able to enjoy liberty and prosperity. We must be thankful for those willing to put their life on the line to defend our nation.
God has granted us many good gifts here in the United States: a bountiful and beautiful country, a democratic and peaceful government, and individuals serving to protect our nation. It is only proper that we express our gratitude as we gather with family members over the holiday.
U.S. Rep. Joe Pitts is a Republican who represents Pennsylvania's 16th Congressional District, which includes portions of Berks, Chester and Lancaster counties.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Columnist: Living in Reading a pricey choice
Here's something you don't see every day in a left-leaning newspaper: A scathing indictment of the Democratic administration that ran the City of Reading into the ground.
Don Spatz: Living in Reading a pricey choice
Don Spatz: Living in Reading a pricey choice
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Local lawmakers talk about pay raise coming their way
Tom Caltagirone and Dante Santoni, the last two Democratic state House members left in Berks County, do not appear to have a problem with taking a pay raise while their constituents suffer.
Local lawmakers talk about pay raise coming their way
Local lawmakers talk about pay raise coming their way
Monday, November 22, 2010
Pay raise for PA politicians kicks in Dec. 1
Christmas comes early for members of the Pennsylvania Legislature, already among the highest paid "public servants" in the United States.
An annual automatic cost-of-living increase kicks in Dec. 1 for state lawmakers, judges and other elected officials.
From The Associated Press:
An annual automatic cost-of-living increase kicks in Dec. 1 for state lawmakers, judges and other elected officials.
From The Associated Press:
Pennsylvania's legislators, judges and top state officials are about to get automatic pay raises of 1.7 percent. Newly elected and returning legislators will get their raises starting Dec. 1, officials said Monday.Read the full story here.
The annual salaries for rank-and-file legislators will increase from $78,315 to $79,623. Salaries for legislative floor leaders will rise from $113,468 to $115,364.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010
Six Movies I Never Want To See Again
By Tony PhyrillasI will sit though just about anything, but if you're thinking of renting on of these films, take my word for it and pick something else.
Robin Hood (2010) - How could Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe, who gave us "Gladiator" in 2000 sink to this level in just 10 years? The absolute worst re-telling of the Robin Hood legend since Mel Brooks' "Robin Hood: Men In Tights." Crowe looks bored throughout this insufferably long and dark movie. He has no chemistry with Cate Blanchett as Maid Marian and there are so many bad actors with bad accents impersonating French and British noblemen that you have no idea who anybody is or how they fit into the plot. Paging Kevin Costner.
Date Night - Steve Carell and Tina Fey are best enjoyed in small doses on TV screens. Neither can carry a film, especially this cliche-filled remake of "The Out-of-Towners" about a suburban couple getting into misadventures in New York City. There's a scene where Carell and Fey attempt to entertain a mobster in a strip club that is so painful to watch, you have to cover your eyes. The only mildly-amusing part of this 1 hour, 28-minute snooze-fest is a cameo by Mark Wahlberg. Go out on a real date instead of wasting time with this awful movie.
Hot Tub Time Machine - It's as dumb as the title, but not in a good way. I did not laugh once during this 1 hour, 40 minute disaster of a movie that is so desperate for laughs it keeps bringing in Chevy Chase, who hasn't made anyone laugh in 20 years. Nothing works in this "Back To The Future" for slobs rip-off. And what is John Cusak doing in this movie? He should fire his agent.
Repo Men - An interesting premise that falls apart quickly in this disappointing sci-fi/action film starring Jude Law and Forest Whitaker as futuristic "repo men" who take back internal organs from people who can no longer afford to keep up with their payments for life-saving medical treatments. This might be a sneak-peek at ObamaCare, but I'd rather watch Nancy Pelosi reading the 2,000-page bill than sit through this clunker again.
Harry Brown - I wonder which studio executives green-lighted this project: Let's remake "Death Wish" with an geriatric British cast headed by 77-year-old Michael Caine playing the part of Charles Bronson. That's "Harry Brown" in a nutshell. You worry throughout the movie that one of the cast members will break a hip. In one scene, Caine collapses on the sidewalk with shortness of breath as he chases after a young punk. I kid you not. This might play well in a retirement home, but it will put everyone else to sleep.
Valentine's Day - An all-star cast (Julia Roberts, Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, Patrick Dempsey, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner, Anne Hathaway, Ashton Kutcher, Queen Latifah) phoning in their performances in a movie that will swear you off romance for good. Nothing funny, nothing romantic, nothing you haven't seen before. Just a stale box of assorted chocolates.
For more movie-related news and reviews, check out my latest blog, Film Fanatic
Berks County Patriots urged to keep up political pressure
Sound advice from Nathan Benefield to the Berks County Patriots: "In the November 2nd election we sent a message. That's only the beginning. We need to be vigilant and make sure Governor-elect (Tom) Corbett keeps the promises he made in the campaign."
Berks County Patriots urged to keep up political pressure
Berks County Patriots urged to keep up political pressure
Newspaper: Fire Eric Holder
From Investor's Business Daily:
Fire Eric Holder - Investors.com
The acquittal of a Gitmo detainee of the murder of 224 people shows the stupidity of civilian trials for those at war with us and the blind incompetence of an administration that believes in them.Read the full editorial at the link below:
Attorney General Eric Holder should be fired. Failing that, he should have the decency to submit his resignation, which should be promptly accepted. He is the architect of a policy that treats mass murder like a bank robbery and gives perpetrators the functional equivalent of a slap on the wrist.
Fire Eric Holder - Investors.com
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Democratic state lawmaker busted on marijuana charge
On the same day most Pennsylvania newspapers ran a story from The Associated Press that revealed that 19 members of the state Legislature had criminal records, a Democratic state representative was busted for allegedly smoking marijuana at a tailgate gathering at a Pittsburgh Steelers game.From the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:
State Rep. Paul Costa faces a court hearing on a citation accusing him of smoking marijuana during a tailgate party outside a Pittsburgh Steelers game, his lawyer said Tuesday.Rep. Costa has represented the 34th House District since 1999. He ran unopposed for re-election to a new term on Nov. 2.
Undercover Pittsburgh police Officer Alex Lee Myers was patrolling the parking lots outside the Oct. 3 game at Heinz Field, which the Steelers lost to the Baltimore Ravens, and said he saw Costa, 51, a Democrat from Wilkins, sharing a joint with another man.
"He adamantly denies that he smoked any marijuana," said Costa's attorney, Phil DiLucente. "No narcotics of any kind were found on him. In fact, he detests marijuana."
Read the full story at the newspaper's website.
Krauthammer to headline Pennsylvania Leadership Conference
The 2011 PA Leadership Conference, featuring the largest gathering of conservatives in Pennsylvania, has lined up one of the sharpest conservative thinkers in the world for this year's event.Charles Krauthammer, Pulitzer Prize winning columnist and a Fox News commentator, will be the dinner speaker at the 2011 Pennsylvania Leadership Conference to be held April 8-9 at the Radisson Penn Harris Convention Center in Camp Hill, Pa.
From a press release announcing Krauthammer's appearance:
"We are excited to have Dr. Krauthammer as the next in a long series of influential conservative speakers to address the annual Pennsylvania Leadership Conference," said Lowman Henry, President of the Pennsylvania Leadership Council which organizes the event. "In an era when many commentators offer only shop worn analysis, Dr. Krauthammer stands out as a thoughtful voice of reason who injects logic and perspective into the public debate."Complete information and registration for the 2011 Pennsylvania Leadership Conference can be found at the conference's newly redesigned website, www.paleadershipconference.org
The Pennsylvania Leadership Conference is the premiere annual gathering of public policy conservatives from through the commonwealth and beyond. The conference features well known national speakers, and a who's who of state-level government and policy leaders offering commentary and panel presentations.
Dr. Krauthammer was named by the Financial Times as the most influential commentator in America. Since 1985 he has written a syndicated column for the Washington Post, winning the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished commentary in 1987. His column now appears in more than 250 newspapers worldwide.
A contributing editor to the Weekly Standard and to the New Republic, Dr. Krauthammer is a Fox News contributor appearing nightly on Fox's evening news program Special Report with Bret Baier. He is also a weekly panelist on Inside Washington.
Newspaper: Time for PA to make teacher strikes illegal
Pennsylvania continues to lead the nation in teacher strikes. Thirty-seven other states have banned teacher strikes. It's time for Pennsylvania to do the same.
Time for state to make teacher strikes illegal - pottsmerc.com
Time for state to make teacher strikes illegal - pottsmerc.com
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Special AP report: 19 lawmakers in Pa. have arrest records
Drug offenses, gun charges, theft and drunken driving turned up in the backgrounds of some state lawmakers when the entire Pennsylvania General Assembly was checked against public records, news accounts and other sources, according to reporter Mark Scolforo.
Special AP report: 19 lawmakers in Pa. have arrest records - pottsmerc.com
Special AP report: 19 lawmakers in Pa. have arrest records - pottsmerc.com
Pa. workplace fatalities down in 2009
At last, we can thank Barack Obama and Ed Rendell for something.
According to the Philadelphia Business Journal, Pennsylvania had 166 workplace fatalities in 2009, down from 241 in 2008.
I'm guessing the reason workplace fatalities in Pennsylvania were down last year is the fact that hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians lost their jobs and had no workplace to go to thanks to the failed policies of Ed Rendell and Barack Obama.
Read more: Pa. workplace fatalities down in 2009 at the Philadelphia Business Journal website.
According to the Philadelphia Business Journal, Pennsylvania had 166 workplace fatalities in 2009, down from 241 in 2008.
I'm guessing the reason workplace fatalities in Pennsylvania were down last year is the fact that hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians lost their jobs and had no workplace to go to thanks to the failed policies of Ed Rendell and Barack Obama.
Read more: Pa. workplace fatalities down in 2009 at the Philadelphia Business Journal website.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Union pension bailout bill awaits Rendell signature
The Pennsylvania House overwhelmingly passed a flawed pension "reform" bill Monday that does little to reform the golden pension plans enjoyed by government workers and teachers and will end up costing Pennsylvania taxpayers billions of dollars.A number of Republicans joined the lame duck Democrats in pushing the bill through.
The Commonwealth Foundation, an independent, non-profit public policy research and educational institute based in Harrisburg, offers some insight into HB 2497:
HARRISBURG, PA — The Commonwealth Foundation expressed disappointment with today's passage of House Bill 2497, which defers significant pension costs on to future generations while failing to adequately reform the state's largest defined benefit pension systems.The only silver lining on this cloudy day is the fact that the Legislature can revisit the pension fiasco in 2011 when both chambers will be controlled by Republicans and Gov.-elect Tom Corbett will take office.
"We attempted to bring fiscal sanity to the pension discussion, but the reality was that self-interested unions were successful in drowning out the voice of the taxpayers," said Matthew J. Brouillette, president and CEO of the Commonwealth Foundation. "Despite arguments to the contrary, this bill didn't 'save' the taxpayers any money. Taxes will still be going up with this 'reform' next year — $646M more just to pay for PSERS and SERS — and every year thereafter. But it did prevent moving new employees into a Defined Contribution plan — a major victory for labor unions like PSEA, AFSCME and SEIU."
"Yet we remain hopeful that a new administration and new legislature will begin the process of fully reforming Harrisburg to protect the taxpayers in the future," said Brouillette. "Many lawmakers voted for HB 2497 as the 'first step' to pension reform. We look forward to working with lawmakers who understand this cannot be the final action, and with new leaders who understand the need for real pension reform and controlled spending."
The Commonwealth Foundation has posted a complete roll call of how the House voted here.
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