Sunday, January 29, 2012

Turns out the rich make good presidents

The liberal media is up-in-arms about Mitt Romney's personal wealth. But what's wrong with a successful person holding the nation's top job.

If Mitt Romney were elected president, he would rank No. 4 on the all-time list of richest presidents. He would also be in good company.

Here's is Forbes magazine's ranking of the 10 richest presidents:

George Washington
Herbert Hoover
Thomas Jefferson
John F. Kennedy
Andrew Jackson
Theodore Roosevelt
Zachary Taylor
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Lyndon Johnson
James Madison

The Mercury - How rich is Mitt Romney?

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Democrat challenger lives outside of new 16th district

Democrat challenger lives outside of new 16th district

Obama TV ratings drop to all-time low

Obama's SOTU speech attracts fewer TV viewers

Nebraska pays state lawmakers $12,000; Pennsylvania pays its lawmakers $82,000

Lawmakers: Time right to revisit pay raise - Omaha.com

Tell the Truth! - National Debt Rose $4.6T Under Obama

Bill Maher Falsely Claims Debt Only Increased $1.5 Trillion Under Obama - Tell the Truth! | NewsBusters.org

NewsBusted 1/27/12

Dumb Things Liberals Say

Eleanor Clift Says Something So Dumb Mort Zuckerman Does Double Facepalm In Disbelief | NewsBusters.org

Poll: Over Half of Americans Still Not Likely to Vote for Obama

Over Half of Americans Still Not Likely to Vote for President Obama This Fall

Actuaries Back End of ObamaCare

Actuaries File Amicus Brief with Supreme Court on Health Reform Challenge

New Pennsylvania Regulations for Commercial Drivers to Take Effect Jan. 30

New Pennsylvania Regulations for Commercial Drivers to Take Effect Jan. 30

Sen. Marco Rubio: Obama Has Made Everything Worse

America's future explored in 'Monumental'

Friday, January 27, 2012

CCRKBA Says Hypocritical, Anti-Gun San Francisco Sheriff Should Quit Over DV Charges

CCRKBA Says Hypocritical, Anti-Gun San Francisco Sheriff Should Quit Over DV Charges

U.S. Border Control Joins Louisiana in Opposing Flawed Census Data

U.S. Border Control Joins Louisiana in Opposing Flawed Census Data

Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail Bridge Over Pennsylvania Turnpike to Open Jan. 28

Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail Bridge Over Pennsylvania Turnpike to Open Jan. 28

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett Signs New Commercial Driver Safety Law

Pennsylvania Governor Corbett Signs New Commercial Driver Safety Law

Newspaper: Is Obama Creating A Nation Of Dependents?

Is Obama Creating A Nation Of Dependents? Nearly Half Now Get Government Benefits - Investors.com

Taxpayers Still In Hole $133B From Gov't Bailouts

Bailouts Still $133 Billion Short Of Being Fully Paid Back — And May Never Be - Investors.com

IRS: 36 Obama aides owe $833,000 in back taxes

As Obama demands rich Americans pay more in taxes, the IRS reveals 36 Obama aides are far behind in their taxes by Andrew Malcolm - Investors.com

74,000 visitors to THE CENTRIST

My site counter has recorded 74,000 unique visitors to THE CENTRIST. Thanks for checking us out ... and come back again.

Comedian-In-Chief

Gov. Corbett Announces Recent Confirmations, Nominations, Appointments

Governor Corbett Announces Confirmations, Nominations, Appointments

Pew: New Reforms in 47 States and D.C. Improve Military and Overseas Voting

Pew: New Reforms in 47 States and D.C. Improve Military and Overseas Voting

Thursday, January 26, 2012

"I'm Spending And I Know It," A New Hit Song By Barack Obama

MRC's Bozell Announces Launch of 'Tell the Truth! 2012' Campaign

MRC's Bozell Announces Launch of 'Tell the Truth! 2012' Campaign | NewsBusters.org

NBC's Todd Desperately Tries to Spin 30% Seeing Country on Right Track as Good News

NBC's Todd Desperately Tries to Spin 30% Seeing Country on Right Track as Good News | NewsBusters.org

Study: State Taxpayers Pay 14% Higher Prison Costs Than Budgets Reflect

First-of-Its-Kind Study Finds State Taxpayers Pay 14 Percent Higher Prison Costs Than Budgets Reflect

Pennsylvania Launches Justice Reinvestment Initiative

Pennsylvania Launches Justice Reinvestment Initiative

New NRCC Web Ad: Every Day of Democrats

Opinion: Pennsylvania Needs Voter ID Law

Voter Photo ID bill must become law - dailylocal.com

Poll: Obama job approval at 40% in Pa.

Highlights from the January 2012 Franklin and Marshall College Poll:

1. Most (47%) of the state’s voters believe Pennsylvania is headed in the wrong direction, a sentiment little changed during the past two years. The last time a majority of the state’s registered voters believed the state was headed in the right direction was September 2006.

2. More voters report they are worse off financially than are better off financially (26% and 15%, respectively) compared to one year ago, although most (60%) say their finances are the same as last year. Fewer voters expect to be worse off financially next year (13%) than they were last March (26%), the last time this question was asked. Most (51%) respondents report economic and financial issues are their most pressing personal problems.

3. President Obama has seen a minor improvement in his job performance ratings compared to the October 2011 Franklin and Marshall College Poll, rising from 37% positive to 40% positive. Voters’ rating of his handling of the economy, with only 29% providing a positive rating, is lower than his overall job performance rating. Generally speaking, more voters in Pennsylvania still believe it is time for a change (49%) than believe the president deserves re-election (44%).

4. Despite President Obama’s tepid job approval ratings, he continues to lead his Republican challengers in the state. Obama’s lead over both Romney and Santorum is still more than 10 points. The president is up two points on Romney from October; however, his lead over Santorum has remained stable at 13 points.

January 2012: Obama 41%, Romney 30%, other 8%, don’t know 24%
October 2012: Obama 35%, Romney 26%, other 10%, don’t know 30%
January 2012: Obama 43%, Santorum 30%, other 8%, don’t know 19%
October 2012: Obama 38%, Santorum 25%, other 11%, don’t know 26%

5. The explanation for the president’s current advantage may stem from several sources. First, less than half (46%) of voters are very interested in this year’s election; in January 2008, three in five (60%) voters were very interested in that year’s election. Second, President Obama is more personally appealing than either of the two Republican challengers tested with nearly half (45%) of voters having a “favorable” opinion of the president compared to around one-quarter who have a favorable opinion of Mitt Romney (25%) and Rick Santorum (29%). Importantly, this pattern holds true among independent voters.

Read the full poll results here.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

AHI to Secretary Clinton: Turkey Is an Unreliable NATO Ally

AHI to Secretary Clinton: Turkey Is an Unreliable NATO Ally

Bad news for bad teachers

States weaken tenure for teachers - Washington Times

FACT CHECK: Obama pushes plans that flopped before

FACT CHECK: Obama pushes plans that flopped before

Pennsylvania Department of Health to Move Office for Birth, Death Certificate Requests

Pennsylvania Department of Health to Move Office for Birth, Death Certificate Requests

Governor Corbett Announces $98 Million Investment in Water Infrastructure Projects in 19 Counties

Governor Corbett Announces $98 Million Investment in Water Infrastructure Projects in 19 Counties

PA Insurance Department Announces 2011 Enforcement and Market Conduct Actions

PA Insurance Department Announces 2011 Enforcement and Market Conduct Actions

Has Barack Obama learned nothing in three years?

John Stossel: The real State of the Union - HUMAN EVENTS

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Gov. Mitch Daniels Delivers GOP Response to the State of the Union

Sen. Toomey responds to State of the Union address 2012

Creating Jobs at Home | House GOP Twitter Response

Mitch Daniels' Response to the State of the Union

Mitch Daniels's Response to the State of the Union The Weekly Standard

New York Times Ignores Massive Pro-Life March for Fifth Year in a Row

New York Times Ignores Massive Pro-Life March for Fifth Year in a Row | NewsBusters.org

Editorial: Obama 'A Disaster for American Workers...'

EDITORIAL: Obama's pipe-dream economy - Washington Times

Editorial Backlash Against President Obama’s Job-Destroying Keystone Decision Continues

Editorial Backlash Against President Obama’s Job-Destroying Keystone Decision Continues | Speaker of the House John Boehner | speaker.gov

1,000 Days Without A Budget Under Democrats

Illegal Aliens Can Get Free Government Cell Phones?

10 Surprising Facts About Free Government Cell Phones

Consumers Face Higher Food Costs, Thanks to Congress

Consumers Face Higher Food Costs, Thanks to Congress

Monday, January 23, 2012

11 stunning revelations from Larry Summers' secret economics memo to Barack Obama

11 stunning revelations from Larry Summers' secret economics memo to Barack Obama

1,000 Days Without A Budget

Lancaster County Girl Crowned as 2012 Pennsylvania Fair Queen



Lancaster County Girl Crowned as 2012 Pennsylvania Fair Queen

Study: The Real State of the Union, Big Three Networks Covering Up Obama's Failures

MRC Study: The Real State of the Union, Big Three Networks Covering Up Obama's Failures | NewsBusters.org

Number of Registered Sex Offenders in the U.S. Nears Three-quarters of a Million

Number of Registered Sex Offenders in the U.S. Nears Three-quarters of a Million

White House Pressed On Past Failed State Of The Union Promises

James R. Billman, leader of Berks Patriots, seeks state House seat

Leader of Berks Patriots seeks state House seat

Missing Rick Perry Already

Top 6 Policy Issues Affecting Seniors in 2012

Top 6 Policy Issues Affecting Seniors in 2012

Survey Finds Unity Among Americans on Abortion Restrictions

Survey Finds Unity Among Americans on Abortion Restrictions

Rick Santorum: 40 million babies killed in the U.S.

Rick Santorum on the 39th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade:
This anniversary is both a day of sadness for the more than 40 million babies who have been killed since Roe v. Wade and a day of hope as more and more Americans embrace a culture of life and as more and more young people march in Washington and around the country in support of life.

Read the full column in The Wall Street Journal.

Pennsylvania Partners With Foursquare to Offer Groundhog Day Badge

Pennsylvania Partners With Foursquare to Offer Groundhog Day Badge

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Record Bank Failures Under Obama

More U.S. banks have failed during the first three years of the Obama Administration than in all eight years of the George W. Bush Administration.

Three banks have already failed in 2012, following the 92 banks that went under in 2011 and the 157 banks that failed in 2010 and the 140 banks that failed in 2009, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

Regulators Shut Bank In Pennsylvania, Georgia & Florida; First Failures Of 2012 - NASDAQ.com

Newspaper: First Obama Re-Election Ad Filled With Fibs

Obama's Energy Claims Are Dishonest - Investors.com

Weekly Republican Address: Obama policies making our economy worse

Top 10 things we want to hear in Obama's State of the Union address

Top 10 things we want to hear in Obama's State of the Union address - HUMAN EVENTS

Editorial: Obama wrecked U.S. economy

EDITORIAL: It's the economy, stupid - Washington Times

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Richard Viguerie Says Rick Santorum is the Natural Home for Rick Perry Voters

Richard Viguerie Says Rick Santorum is the Natural Home for Rick Perry Voters

January 21st is National Squirrel Appreciation Day

January 21st is National Squirrel Appreciation Day

2 Pennsylvania Casinos Fined $50,000

$50,000 in Fines Levied Against Two Casinos by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board for Regulatory Violations

Pennsylvania Proclaims Jan. 22 - 28 National School Choice Week

Governors of 12 States Officially Proclaim Jan. 22 - 28 National School Choice Week

President Obama Rejects Keystone Pipeline, Job Growth

Obama Kills More Jobs

Obama Administration Rejects Keystone XL

Obama's Dream Debate

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Obama Sacrifices Pawns for Politics

Pennsylvania Supreme Court to televise legislative redistricting arguments

The Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN) will provide gavel-to-gavel coverage of the state Supreme Court’s hearing on Pennsylvania’s legislative redistricting plan on Monday.

From PCN:
The state's highest court, for the first time, agreed to LIVE coverage by PCN beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, January 23 in Harrisburg. The state Supreme Court is scheduled to hear appeals to the legislative redistricting plan as proposed by the Pennsylvania Legislative Reapportionment Commission.

The justices will hear oral arguments of 11 prospective appeals filed in response to the redistricting plan that was approved in December of 2011. The state’s legislative districts were redrawn by a constitutionally-mandated commission to offset population shifts reflected in the 2010 census. A successful appeal will prevent the plan from becoming law.

PCN has been providing gavel-to-gavel coverage of the state’s Supreme Court proceedings since September of last year. The state’s highest court decision to allow PCN cameras into the courtroom is an historic first.

New procedures set forth by the high court regarding the broadcast of court proceedings now allows PCN to choose which session days to record, but all proceedings must be aired in their entirety. The January 23 session will be the first time LIVE coverage has been permitted during a state Supreme Court session.

PCN continues to record the En Banc coverage of the state’s Superior Court as well as the state’s Commonwealth Court. State Supreme Court proceedings are also recorded in their entirety.

Coverage of this session concerning the legislative redistricting plan is also tentatively slated to re-air on PCN at 8:00 p.m. on Monday, January 23.

State Supreme Court to televise legislative redistricting arguments - delcotimes.com

Opinion: Pennsylvania Democrats wrong about IDs for voters

Senator wrong about IDs for voters - dailylocal.com

PA Casinos Close 2011 With Gross Revenue Nearly 22% Higher Than in 2010

PA Casinos Close 2011 With Gross Revenue Nearly 22% Higher Than in 2010

Which Governments Pay Their Public Employees the Most?

Which Governments Pay Their Public Employees the Most?

Occupy Mob Turns on Obama

White House Locked Down After Democrat Occupy Mob Tosses Smoke Bombs - HUMAN EVENTS

National Constitution Center to Celebrate Constitution's 225th Anniversary

Freedom is Calling: Answer It at the National Constitution Center During an Extraordinary Celebration of the Constitution's 225th Anniversary

Pennsylvania Game Commission Posts Agenda for Jan. 22 Meeting

Pennsylvania Game Commission Posts Agenda for January Meeting on Website

Obama Then and Now


Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Pennsylvania High School Students Invited to Enter Distracted Driving PSA Contest

PennDOT Invites High School Students to Enter Distracted Driving PSA Contest

The Real Legacy of Margaret Thatcher, Britain's Iron Lady

'Occupy Congress' March Fizzles, AP Tries to Spin It Away

'Occupy Congress' March Fizzles, AP Tries to Spin It Away NewsBusters.org

Chris Matthews Lies In Boast About His 'Number One' Bestseller on JFK | NewsBusters.org

Chris Matthews Lies In Boast About His 'Number One' Bestseller on JFK NewsBusters.org

American Red Cross, Nature Conservancy, Consumers Union and AARP are Organizations Inside the Beltway Most Trusted by Public

American Red Cross, Nature Conservancy, Consumers Union and AARP are Organizations Inside the Beltway Most Trusted by Public

NewsBusted 1/17/12



"President Obama said his New Year's resolution is to do whatever it takes to grow the economy.. so that MUST mean Obama is not running for reelection." - Jodi Miller

PA Governor's Advisory Council on Privatization and Innovation Holds First Meeting

Advisory Council on Privatization and Innovation Holds First Meeting

Center for Safe Schools Launches New Toolkit to Help Parents and Educators Address Bullying

Center for Safe Schools Launches New Toolkit to Help Parents and Educators Address Bullying

Watchdog Group: Obama NLRB Recess Appointments 'Unconstitutional'

CDW: President's NLRB Recess Appointments "Unconstitutional"

ConservativeHQ Chairman Richard Viguerie Endorses Rick Santorum for President

ConservativeHQ Chairman Richard Viguerie Endorses Rick Santorum for President

Indiana Judge Upholds Constitutionality of Sweeping Voucher Program

Indiana Judge Upholds Constitutionality of Sweeping Voucher Program

Reagan responds to Obama and his supporters

Pennsylvania Income Tax E-Filing Options to Start This Week

Pennsylvania Income Tax E-Filing Options to Start This Week

DEP Reminds Pennsylvanians that January is National Radon Action Month

DEP Reminds Pennsylvanians that January is National Radon Action Month

Distracted Driving and Teen Driver Safety Top AAA's State Legislative Safety Priorities for 2012

Distracted Driving and Teen Driver Safety Top AAA's State Legislative Safety Priorities for 2012

Monday, January 09, 2012

DEBT LIMIT DEBATE EXPLAINED



Terrific video that Barack Obama and Congressional Democrats should be forced to watch.

Rep. Connie Mack to Obama: 'This is What Happens When You Coddle Dictators'

Mack to Obama: "This is What Happens When You Coddle Dictators."

Career politician Dante Santoni calls it quits

After 20 years of drawing a pay check from state taxpayers (not to mention voting himself numerous pay raises and voting to double his pension), Democrat Dante Santoni Jr. has decided it's time to start collecting that lifetime pension from taxpayers.

Santoni won't seek re-election

Pa. Legislature campaign cycle kicks off

Are you getting your money's worth from the Pennsylvania Legislature, one of the largest and most expensive legislative bodies in the United States? The annual cost of running the Legislature tops $300 million. Pennsylvania taxpayers can send a strong message about state government in 2012 when all 203 House seats and 25 Senate seats are up for grabs?

Pa. Legislature campaign cycle kicks off - pottsmerc.com

Why Ron Paul Is Not Going To Be The Next President

Gary Bauer Endorses Rick Santorum

Gary Bauer Endorses Sen. Rick Santorum Sunday at South Carolina Event

Stonycreek River Voted Pennsylvania's 2012 River of the Year

Stonycreek River Voted Pennsylvania's 2012 River of the Year

Friday, January 06, 2012

Obama: The Mask is Off

Obama: The Mask is Off

Safe Kids Pennsylvania Raises Injury Prevention Awareness at 2012 Pennsylvania Farm Show

Safe Kids Pennsylvania Raises Injury Prevention Awareness at 2012 Pennsylvania Farm Show

Poll: Percentage of Americans who identify as Dems at 22-year low

Millions of voters have left the Democratic Party since Barack Obama was elected president. The rest? They're walking around with bags over their heads.

Poll: Percentage of Americans who identify as Dems at 22-year low - The Hill's Ballot Box

Name That Party: Local Media Largely Omit Democratic Affiliation of Criminal D.C. Councilman

Name That Party: Local Media Largely Omit Democratic Affiliation of Criminal D.C. Councilman | NewsBusters.org

PA House Democrats call for higher gasoline tax

House Democrats call for higher gasoline tax - pottsmerc.com

ACLJ: Nearly 30% of U.S. House & 100,000 Americans Urge Supreme Court to Reject ObamaCare

ACLJ: Nearly 30% of U.S. House & 100,000 Americans Urge Supreme Court to Reject ObamaCare

PA Department of State Announces Disciplinary Actions Taken Against 104 Licensed, Commissioned Professionals, Organizations

PA Department of State Announces Disciplinary Actions Taken Against 104 Licensed, Commissioned Professionals, Organizations

Tuesday, January 03, 2012

Pennsylvania State Police: 10 People Killed, 172 Injured in New Year's Holiday Crashes

Ten people were killed and 172 others were injured in the 552 crashes investigated by Pennsylvania State Police during the four-day New Year's holiday driving period, PSP Commissioner Frank Noonan announced Tuesday.

"Although the number of fatalities decreased by one compared to last year's holiday driving period, the number of child safety seat violations and DUI arrests increased," Noonan said.

From Dec. 30, 2011 through Jan. 2, 2012, State Police investigated a total of 552 crashes. Of those crashes, 79 were alcohol-related and involved two fatalities. Also, six of the 10 people who died in crashes were not wearing seat belts.

Troopers made 285 arrests for driving under the influence and issued 3,408 speeding citations during the holiday period. State Police also cited 379 individuals for failure to wear seat belts and issued citations to 51 drivers for failing to restrain children properly in child safety seats.

During last year's four-day New Year's holiday driving period, 11 people were killed and 220 others were injured in 693 crashes investigated by State Police.

The crash numbers cover only those incidents investigated by State Police and do not include statistics on crashes to which other law-enforcement agencies responded.

Tim Tebow Named Most Desirable Celebrity Neighbor for 2012, Cast of Jersey Shore Voted Worst Neighbors for Second Year

Tim Tebow Named Most Desirable Celebrity Neighbor for 2012, Cast of Jersey Shore Voted Worst Neighbors for Second Year

AAA Foundation Challenges Motorists to Adopt Responsible Driving Habits in 2012

AAA Foundation Challenges Motorists to Adopt Responsible Driving Habits in 2012

Monday, January 02, 2012

Rep. Warren Kampf announces re-election bid

Freshman state Rep. Warren Kampf, R-157th Dist., announced Monday he will seek a second two-year term in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

“During my first year in office, I have answered the public’s call to restore fiscal discipline to state government and have focused on making our state more competitive in the national marketplace,” Kampf in a prepared statement. “I am proud of my efforts thus far, but know there is still much to be done. Restoring our economy by reversing the failed policies of over-spending and over-borrowing of the previous administration will take time.”

Kampf said he is running again because “there is more work to be done both to fulfill his pledge to the people of the 157th District, as well as to keep Pennsylvania on a course toward economic recovery.”

“I am continuing to develop comprehensive legislation to address the pension issue in our state by creating a defined contribution retirement plan, like those in the private sector have, for all new state hires and will introduce it early this year,” Kampf said. “I will continue to work to ensure education funding remains a top priority in the budget, and push for further reforms to our state’s tax structure to help lure new job creators to our state and encourage current businesses to expand and create more jobs.”

During his first term, Kampf kept his pledge to lead by example on reform and fiscal discipline, refusing perks like a state-paid automobile and per diems, as well as not accepting the salary COLA for both 2011 and 2012, and not enrolling in the legislature’s defined benefit pension system.

“I ran for this office to try and make a difference for local residents and Pennsylvania, not to take part in the perks of office. I promised to turn my back on those perks in these difficult times and have kept that promise,” Kampf said.

A lawyer by profession, Kampf served for seven years as a Tredyffrin Township supervisor before his election to the state Legislature.

The 157th House District covers portions of Chester and Montgomery counties.

Top Ten Politically Correct Offenses on Campus

2011: YAF's Top Ten Politically Correct Offenses on Campus - HUMAN EVENTS

American Right To Life Rejects Ron Paul's Pledge

American Right To Life Rejects Ron Paul's Pledge