Democrats who control the Pennsylvania House of Representatives are in no hurry to fill the vacant seat of former state Rep. Bob Mensch. The special election won't be held until May 2010.
The public rational is that a special election would be too costly, but let's face it. Having one less Republican in the House does help the Democrats in close votes.
Mensch's House vacancy won't be filled until May - The Mercury News: Pottstown, PA and The Tri County areas of Montgomery, Berks and Chester Counties (pottsmerc.com)
Posted using ShareThis
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Great Cover Songs: 'Racing In The Streets' by Roger Taylor
Yes, that's Roger Taylor, the drummer for Queen, singing lead vocals on "Racing In The Streets" by Bruce Springsteen. In addition to his duties with Queen, Taylor has released a couple of terrific solo albums and was lead singer/guitarist for the British hard-rock band, The Cross. A very talented singer-songwriter-musician.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Recount in Close Superior Court Election Will Cost PA Taxpayers $1.3M
Republican Temp Smith finished 3,534 off the pace for four open seats on the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court, but he wants a recount. That will cost Pennsylvania taxpayers $1.3 million.
Two other candidates, including one who finished higher than Smith, waived their right to a recount but state law says all candidates must agree to opt out ... or an automatic recount kicks in.
Secretary of the Commonwealth Pedro A. Cortes Orders Recount in Close Superior Court Election
Two other candidates, including one who finished higher than Smith, waived their right to a recount but state law says all candidates must agree to opt out ... or an automatic recount kicks in.
Secretary of the Commonwealth Pedro A. Cortes Orders Recount in Close Superior Court Election
Coming soon to a neighborhood near you
.jpg)
Khalid Sheik Mohammed, the accused mastermind of the Sept. 11 attacks will soon be arriving on U.S. soil thanks to Barack Obama and his left-wing attorney general who want to give the mass murderer a fair trial in a civilian courtroom in New York City.
The Bush Administration has been holding Khalid Sheik Mohammed at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.
Newspaper: PA Legislature a 'cesspool of corruption'
The Philadelphia Inquirer doesn't mince words about the latest corruption scandal in Harrisburg, calling the Legislature a "cesspool of corruption" in today's editorial.
From the editorial:
Read the full editorial at the newspaper's Web site.
From the editorial:
Taken together, these indictments on both sides of the aisle allege that key members of the House leadership over the past decade were corrupt and ripping off taxpayers. The allegations paint a picture of systematic theft of taxpayers' money by both parties to help them win elections and strengthen their grip on power.All 203 House seats and 25 Senate seats will be up for reelection next year. If you want more of the same, keep sending the incumbents back to Harrisburg.
It's not just a few bad apples.
It's an indictment of an accepted culture in the legislature, where protecting incumbency matters more than anything. Meanwhile, the taxpaying public that legislators are elected to serve gets the shaft.
It's the same crowd that accepts bundles of money from special interests and thwarts reform at nearly every turn. Maybe 2010 will be the election year when voters finally wise up.
Read the full editorial at the newspaper's Web site.
Newspaper: 'State of Corruption'
Ten Republicans with ties to the Pennsylvania Legislature, including former Speaker of the House John Perzel, are facing corruption charges. That's on top of 12 Democrats, including former House Democratic Whip Mike Veon, charged last year with corruption by the Pennsylvania Attorney General.
Do you sense a pattern here?
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review asks in an editorial when Pennsylvania residents will finally say they've had enough of public corruption.
From the editorial:
Perzel & Co. charged: State of Corruption - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Do you sense a pattern here?
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review asks in an editorial when Pennsylvania residents will finally say they've had enough of public corruption.
From the editorial:
Tragically, these likely are not the last charges to be lodged in the investigation into a state Legislature that has been operating a continuing criminal enterprise. So, Pennsylvanians, are you now ready to demand reforms that will return your government to you?Read the full editorial at the link below:
Perzel & Co. charged: State of Corruption - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
GOP: 'Irresponsible Decision' to Try 9/11 Mastermind in Federal Court
From CNSNews.com:
Posted using ShareThis
House Republican Leader John Boehner (Ohio) says the Obama administration is putting "liberal special interests before the safety and security of the American people" in deciding to bring the 9/11 mastermind to the United States for trial in federal civilian court.CNSNews.com - Republican Leader: ‘Irresponsible Decision’ to Try 9/11 Mastermind in Federal Court
Boehner issued the statement on Friday, shortly before Attorney General Eric Holder formally announced the decision to bring Kahlid Sheikh Mohammed and four other Guantanamo Bay detainees to New York City.
"The possibility that Khalid Sheik Mohammed and his co-conspirators could be found 'not guilty' due to some legal technicality just blocks from Ground Zero should give every American pause," Boehner said. "These men are part of a global terrorist network dedicated to attacking America and civilization itself, and on that awful day nine years ago, they succeeded in killing nearly 3,000 innocent men, women, and children.
"These terrorists were already being tried by military commissions, which were specifically designed to prosecute such heinous acts. This decision is further evidence that the White House is reverting to a dangerous pre-9/11 mentality – treating terrorism as a law enforcement issue and hoping for the best.
"We need a real strategy for fighting and winning the war on America’s terrorist enemies that includes an effective, credible, and consistent plan for all terrorist detainees," Boehner concluded.
Posted using ShareThis
John Perzel in handcuffs
If you've been waiting for the day to see John Perzel in handcuffs, your ship has come in. Check out The Philadelphia Inquirer's Web site for the latest on Perzel, including having to turn in his passport so he won't flee the country pending his trial on corruption charges.
The former Pennsylvania Speaker of the House and longtime Ed Rendell ally was released on $100,000 bond after a court appearance on 82 counts of corruption filed Thursday by the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office.
See at the newspaper's Web site.
The former Pennsylvania Speaker of the House and longtime Ed Rendell ally was released on $100,000 bond after a court appearance on 82 counts of corruption filed Thursday by the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office.
See at the newspaper's Web site.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Pew Survey: Widespread Anti-Incumbent Sentiment But Growing Enthusiam Among Republicans
A new survey by Pew Research Center for the People & the Press finds widespread anti-incumbent sentiment among the American electorate.
From the survey:
The mood of America is glum. Two-thirds of the public is dissatisfied with the way things are going in the country. Fully nine-in-ten say that national economic conditions are only fair or poor, and nearly two-thirds describe their own finances that way -- the most since the summer of 1992.What does this mean for the party in power, aka Democrats? Unless there is a dramatic turnaround in the economy and Afghanistan in the coming year, Democrats will face a political massacre in the 2010 midterm elections.
An increasing proportion of Americans say that the war in Afghanistan is not going well, and a plurality continues to oppose the health care reform proposals in Congress.
While President Obama's approval rating hovers around 51%, Congressional incumbents are in serious trouble, according to the Pew Research Survey.
From the survey:
About half (52%) of registered voters would like to see their own representative re-elected next year, while 34% say that most members of Congress should be re-elected.And then there's the "enthusiasm" factor. While the Democratic Party base is losing patience with Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid & Co., Republicans are feeling much better about their party's chances next year.
Both measures are among the most negative in two decades of Pew Research surveys. Other low points were during the 1994 and 2006 election cycles, when the party in power suffered large losses in midterm elections.
Support for congressional incumbents is particularly low among political independents. Only 42% of independent voters want to see their own representative re-elected and just 25% would like to see most members of Congress re-elected. Both measures are near all-time lows in Pew Research surveys.
Currently, 47% of registered voters say they would vote for the Democratic candidate in their district or lean Democratic, while 42% would vote for the Republican or lean to the GOP candidate. In August, 45% favored the Democrat in their district and 44% favored the Republican.
From the survey:
Fully 58% of those who plan to vote for a Republican next year say they are very enthusiastic about voting, compared with 42% of those who plan to vote for a Democrat. More than half (56%) of independent voters who support a Republican in their district are very enthusiastic about voting; by contrast, just 32% of independents who plan to vote for a Democrat express high levels of enthusiasm.In other words, the Republican base that stayed home in 2008 because it could not bring itself to support John McCain has realized what a mistake it was to turn the country over to Barack Obama and Congressional Democrats. Republicans (and independents) are poised to take corrective action in 2010.
Read the full survey by clicking here.
Attorney General announces criminal charges in second phase of legislative investigation
Just posted on the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Web site:
HARRISBURG - As part of an ongoing public corruption investigation into the Pennsylvania Legislature, agents from the Attorney General's Public Corruption Unit today filed criminal charges against Representative John Perzel and former Republican Representative Brett Feese. Also charged are eight current or former aides to Perzel and Feese.Read the full release at the link below:
Attorney General Tom Corbett said the charges are part of an ongoing grand jury investigation into the misuse of public resources and employees for campaign purposes in the Pennsylvania Legislature.
Corbett said the grand jury issued a 188 page presentment recommending that he file criminal charges against the defendants.
Among those charged, in addition to Perzel and Feese, are Perzel's former Chief of Staff, Brian Preski; his current Chief of Staff, Paul Towhey; Perzel's brother-in-law and former House employee, Samual "Buzz" Stokes; Perzel legislative aide John Zimmerman; Perzel campaign aide Don McClintock; Feese aides Jill Seaman and Elmer Bowman; and former House Republican Information Technology Deputy Director Eric Ruth.
The defendants are each charged with numerous theft, criminal conspiracy and conflict of interest charges. Additionally, Perzel, Preski, Feese, Seaman, Towhey and Zimmerman are each charged with obstruction of justice.
Corbett said that in the first phase of the investigation his agents charged 12 defendants in July of 2008. Trials are scheduled for December and January 2010.
Press: The Attorney General's Press Office - Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General
Posted using ShareThis
ACORN wants its (your) money back
Chutzpa:File this under chutzpa in the dictionary.
1. unmitigated effrontery or impudence; gall.
2. audacity; nerve.
ACORN has sued the federal government demanding that it give back taxpayer dollars to the corrupt agency that Congress voted to deny it earlier this year.
From POLITICO:
ACORN claims that the legislation was of "malicious and punitive intent." The suit also claims Congress violated the Fifth Amendment by skirting due process before doling out the punishment of the funding cut. OMB Director Peter Orszag and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner are listed as co-defendants in the suit.This is what America has come to in the Age of Obama. Criminals are suing the government demanding that taxpayers continue to fund their corrupt ways.
ACORN sues over funding cut - Jake Sherman - POLITICO.com
10 Republicans, including John Perzel, charged in corruption probe
The other shoe has dropped.Ten Republicans connected to the Pennsylvania Legislature, including former Speaker of the House John Perzel, have been charged in a wide-ranging corruption case, Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett announced today.
A grand jury found that Perzel was the architect of an illegal scheme in which more than $10 million in taxpayer money was spent to help win political campaigns, according to The Associated Press.
Also charged in the ongoing grand jury probe were Perzel's former chief of staff, Brian Preski, and former House GOP counsel Brett Feese, the news service reports.
The charges come 16 months after 12 Democrats were charged in what became known as the Bonusgate case.
Just four years ago, Perzel was arguably the most powerful politician in Pennsylvania, with more influence than Gov. Ed Rendell. But the pay raise fiasco of 2005 and Republican loses in the House (which Perzel had a hand in) cost Perzel his post as Speaker. Now he is facing criminal charges and a lengthy jail sentence if found guilty.
Perzel, who has represented parts of Philadelphia in Legislature since 1979, was Republican Whip in 1993-94; Majority Leader from 1995 to 2003; and Speaker from April 15, 2003, to the end of 2006, when a half-dozen Republicans joined with Democrats to deny him another term as Speaker.
Read more details at the link below:
Perzel charged with theft, conspiracy in $10 million scheme - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
The Big Lie (About Social Security)
Economist and author Allen W. Smith is on tour to promote his book, "THE BIG LIE: How Our Government Hoodwinked the Public, Emptied the Social Security Trust Fund, and caused The Great Economic Collapse"
Read more about his efforts at the link below:
Social Security 'Voice Crying in the Wilderness' Touring Florida
Read more about his efforts at the link below:
Social Security 'Voice Crying in the Wilderness' Touring Florida
Seniors advocacy group targeting Pelosi bill supporters
Attention Democrats who supported the Pelosi Health Care Bill that guts Medicare to pay for expanded coverage to younger people: Seniors have long memories and they tend to vote in every election.
The 60 Plus Association is targeting 15 Democrats, including two from Pennsylvania.
New $1.5 Million Campaign Targeting 15 'YES' Votes on House Health Care Reform
'Talking Politics' on the radio today
Tune in to "Talking Politics with Tony Phyrillas & Mike Pincus" today at 5 p.m. on WPAZ 1370 AM
You can call the station with questions or comments at 610-326-4000.
If you can't receive the radio signal, you can listen to the broadcast online at www.pottsmerc.com or www.1370wpaz.com'
You can call the station with questions or comments at 610-326-4000.
If you can't receive the radio signal, you can listen to the broadcast online at www.pottsmerc.com or www.1370wpaz.com'
Where's the flu vaccine Obama promised?
It's amazing how much trouble the Obama Administration has with basic arithmetic.
The Centers for Disease Control has been reporting for weeks that just 1,000 Americans have died as a result of the H1N1 virus, but the actual number is 4,000.
And that's expected to go much higher because at least 6 million Americans have the swine flu. That's if you trust the government numbers. It could be 24 million based on their earlier math problems.
The Obama Administration promised 100 million does of the H1N1 vaccine by October, but has delivered about 22 million does so far.
People are dying because of the incompetence of Washington.
And wait until the government takes over all of the health care system.
The $787 Billion Flop
A new poll finds two-thirds of Americans have concluded that the "stimulus" package Barack Obama signed in February is a flop. Somebody should inform the Obama Administration and their media allies.
Investors.com - The $787 Billion Flop
Investors.com - The $787 Billion Flop
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Pelosi bill eliminates CHIP program
Funny how nobody mentioned this before Democrats passed the Pelosi Health Care Bill, which eliminates the Children's Health Insurance Program, better known as CHIP.
Did anybody read the 2,000-page bill? Oh, wait. This is Congress we're talking about. They never read a bill before voting for it.
The advocacy group Children's Health Fund faults Congressional Democrats for eliminating one of the few government health programs that works.
Congressional Health Reform Bill Falls Short on Comprehensive and Affordable Coverage for Low-Income Children
Did anybody read the 2,000-page bill? Oh, wait. This is Congress we're talking about. They never read a bill before voting for it.
The advocacy group Children's Health Fund faults Congressional Democrats for eliminating one of the few government health programs that works.
Congressional Health Reform Bill Falls Short on Comprehensive and Affordable Coverage for Low-Income Children
Employment Policies Institute: Rethink Health Care Reform
"With the national debt about to top $12 trillion and a debilitating unemployment rate exceeding 10 percent, an impenetrable 2,000 page health care reform plan, such as the one under debate in Congress, poses grave dangers for our economy," said Richard Berman, executive director of the Employment Policies Institute. "Politicians who claim these reforms won't dig us deeper into debt are using, as Dr. June O'Neill says in our commercial, 'accounting gimmicks.'"
Berman continued, "Only in Washington could a plan that hurts seniors, young workers and millions of job creators still be called reform."
Employment Policies Institute Launches $10 Million Campaign Urging the Public to Rethink Health Care Reform
Berman continued, "Only in Washington could a plan that hurts seniors, young workers and millions of job creators still be called reform."
Employment Policies Institute Launches $10 Million Campaign Urging the Public to Rethink Health Care Reform
.jpg)
Pelosi's New Payroll Tax: A Whip for Socialized Medicine
From CNSNews.com on the hidden taxes in the Pelosi health care plan:
CNSNews.com - Pelosi’s New Payroll Tax: A Whip for Socialized Medicine
Posted using ShareThis
Government would control our health care from womb to tomb, a time span likely to be shortened by government care.Read the full story at the link below"
CNSNews.com - Pelosi’s New Payroll Tax: A Whip for Socialized Medicine
Posted using ShareThis
Obama poll numbers dropping
A new AP-GfK Poll released today shows Obama's job approval number at 54% — down 20 points since January.
The same poll finds 56 percent of people say the country is heading in the wrong direction.
Only 46 percent approve of Obama's handling of the economy. And only 33 percent approve of how Congress is doing under Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid.
For complete poll results, click here.
Lawmakers Are Elected To Serve, Not To Dehumanize And Demean
From a terrific column by Kerry Jackson on the House Democrats move to socialize medicine in the United States:
Passage of the 1,990-page bill is a national disgrace. Agitators say it's a shame that the government in the world's wealthiest country doesn't provide health care for all. But the real blemish on this nation is a political party pushing the U.S. ever closer to being a nation of dependents.Investors.com - Lawmakers Are Elected To Serve, Not To Dehumanize And Demean
Congress has no constitutional authority, no moral standing to force a federal health care system on a people whose nation-founding forefathers promised them they'd be free of government coercion — not even if a wide majority was demanding it.
GOP welfare reform could save $100 million annually
Pennsylvania House Republicans have introduced legislation to save $100 million in welfare spending, but passage of the bill is iffy because House Democrats and Gov. Ed Rendell have presided over the largest increase in welfare spending of any state in the nation.
Read more about the bill at the link below:
House Republicans say bill could save $100 million annually - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Read more about the bill at the link below:
House Republicans say bill could save $100 million annually - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Pew Identifies States in Fiscal Peril
Some good news for Gov. Ed Rendell. Pennsylvania did not make the Top 10 list of states in fiscal distress.
Pew Identifies States, Like California, in Fiscal Peril
Pew Identifies States, Like California, in Fiscal Peril
While she slept ...
Talk about a sound sleeper.
A Montgomery County man was sentenced to jail after admitting "indecent contact" with a female friend while she slept.
Assistant District Attorney James Zoll sought jail time against the man, who apparently admitted the contact after having a guilty conscience over the incident.
"The victim never knew this happened, however, the defendant, who was a friend at the time, had a guilty conscience and decided to tell her," said Zoll.
Read the full story in The Pottstown Mercury:
Man jailed
for indecent
contact while
woman slept - The Mercury News: Pottstown, PA and The Tri County areas of Montgomery, Berks and Chester Counties (pottsmerc.com)
Posted using ShareThis
A Montgomery County man was sentenced to jail after admitting "indecent contact" with a female friend while she slept.
Assistant District Attorney James Zoll sought jail time against the man, who apparently admitted the contact after having a guilty conscience over the incident.
"The victim never knew this happened, however, the defendant, who was a friend at the time, had a guilty conscience and decided to tell her," said Zoll.
Read the full story in The Pottstown Mercury:
Man jailed
for indecent
contact while
woman slept - The Mercury News: Pottstown, PA and The Tri County areas of Montgomery, Berks and Chester Counties (pottsmerc.com)
Posted using ShareThis
Rep. Joe Pitts: Why I Voted Against Pelosi Bill
Why I Voted Against Speaker Pelosi's Health Care BillBy Congressman Joe Pitts
On November 7, the House of Representatives considered Speaker Nancy Pelosi's health care reform bill, and I chose to stand against it and vote no. It was not a decision that I made lightly, and it came after months of debate, study and personal meetings with constituents.
Over the summer and into the fall, I held dozens of meetings and townhalls and heard from constituents both for and against the Democrats' health care reform. I heard great concern that government health care would lead to rationing and mountains of debt. I heard concerns that we need to broaden coverage and reduce rising costs. Mostly, I heard that residents of the 16th District do not approve of a government takeover of 17 percent of the economy.
I have many reasons for voting against Speaker Pelosi's bill.
First, this plan does nothing to address the most pressing problem facing American health care: the looming insolvency of Medicare. I actually believe that it will make the problem worse.
The Medicare trustees report that "fund assets are projected to be exhausted in 2017." Medicare has tens of trillions of dollars in unfunded liabilities, and yet the bill does nothing to place this important program on a solid footing. Instead, hundreds of billions of dollars of cuts in Medicare will be used to provide for a new government health program, the so-called "public option."
I believe this public option will quickly become the only health care option for millions of Americans. While Speaker Pelosi says that this plan will merely "compete" with private insurance plans, they will not compete on a level playing field. The public option will not have to pay taxes, will not be subject to endless lawsuits, and will not have to abide by expensive state regulations and mandates. In other words, the public option will have a significant competitive advantage over private insurance. Given the stated preference of leading Democrats for a "single payer" government health care monopoly, I believe the public option is intended to ultimately become that government monopoly.
Second, President Obama has insisted that this plan will not raise taxes on Americans making less than $250,000. This plan will subject middle-class Americans a 2.5 percent penalty for not carrying government approved insurance. This is a tax and failure to pay it could lead to fines and even five years of jail time. It will not just be millionaires who have to pay up.
Third, Speaker Pelosi's plan calls for Medicaid to cover millions more Americans. The federal government, however, is not solely responsible for funding Medicaid and will only cover the state's costs part of the way. States will be forced to find ways to cover these new individuals. When federal subsidies for Medicaid end in 2019, Pennsylvania would be forced to find an additional $930 million per year. The state will either have to raise taxes or cut critical programs like education and transportation.
Finally, this bill will raise costs for small businesses currently struggling to provide insurance for their employees. New taxes and new regulations will drive up premiums, forcing businesses to choose to either maintain payroll or maintain health insurance. The House Ways and Means Committee, using data from the Congressional Budget Office, estimates that 5.5. million jobs could be lost in the first 10 years after passage of this bill.
There are more reasons for my concern, and I have issued a detailed memo explaining both my objections to Speaker Pelosi's bill and what I think should be done to reform health care. I have posted this memo on my Web site and will send it to any constituent who contacts my office. I agree that our health care system needs to be fixed. Costs are rising too fast and too many Americans go without insurance coverage. I voted no, but I will not stand in the way of sensible reform that protects our freedom.
Rep. Joe Pitts represents Pennsylvania's 16th Congressional District in parts of Berks, Chester and Lancaster counties.
Recount in tight judicial race to cost PA $1.3 Million
They say every vote counts.
Secretary of the Commonwealth Pedro A. Cortes announced Tuesday that final unofficial returns from Pennsylvania's 67 counties show the race for a fourth Superior Court seat is so close that it will trigger an automatic recount.
The recount will cost taxpayers at least $1.3 million. Now, aren't you sorry you didn't bother to vote on Nov. 3? You know who you are.
Act 97 of 2004 provides that any statewide race or ballot question where the margin of victory was less than one half of one percent of the total number of votes cast for that office or ballot question would automatically trigger a recount in all 67 counties, according to Cortes.
If a Superior Court recount is required, it would be the first one in the act's brief history, Cortes said.
Four seats on the Superior Court were open this year. Judy Olson, Sallie Mundy, Paula Ott and Anne E. Lazarus received the four highest vote totals on Election Day.
The unofficial returns provided by the counties show three candidates are within the one-half of one percent margin for that fourth seat:
• Anne E. Lazarus - 723,954 (11.465%)
• Robert J. Colville - 721,948 (11.434%, trails Lazarus by 0.032%)
• Temp Smith - 720,624 (11.413%, trails Lazarus by 0.053%)
• Kevin Francis McCarthy - 711,240 (11.264%, trails Lazarus by 0.201%)
• Sum of all votes - 6,314,250
• One-half of 1 percent - 31,571
Cortes indicated the recount may begin as soon as Nov. 16, unless all the defeated candidates request in writing that a recount not be made.
Robert J. Colville and Kevin Francis McCarthy submitted to the Secretary such a letter Nov. 9 and Nov. 10 respectively. Both Colville and McCarthy stated they would opt out only if the other trailing candidates decided not to pursue a recount as well. So it's all up to Temp Smith (if that is his real name).
If a recount is necessary, state law requires the counties to complete the recount by Nov. 25 and to report the results to the Department of State by noon, Nov. 30.
Unofficial Returns Received from Pennsylvania Counties in Close Superior
Secretary of the Commonwealth Pedro A. Cortes announced Tuesday that final unofficial returns from Pennsylvania's 67 counties show the race for a fourth Superior Court seat is so close that it will trigger an automatic recount.
The recount will cost taxpayers at least $1.3 million. Now, aren't you sorry you didn't bother to vote on Nov. 3? You know who you are.
Act 97 of 2004 provides that any statewide race or ballot question where the margin of victory was less than one half of one percent of the total number of votes cast for that office or ballot question would automatically trigger a recount in all 67 counties, according to Cortes.
If a Superior Court recount is required, it would be the first one in the act's brief history, Cortes said.
Four seats on the Superior Court were open this year. Judy Olson, Sallie Mundy, Paula Ott and Anne E. Lazarus received the four highest vote totals on Election Day.
The unofficial returns provided by the counties show three candidates are within the one-half of one percent margin for that fourth seat:
• Anne E. Lazarus - 723,954 (11.465%)
• Robert J. Colville - 721,948 (11.434%, trails Lazarus by 0.032%)
• Temp Smith - 720,624 (11.413%, trails Lazarus by 0.053%)
• Kevin Francis McCarthy - 711,240 (11.264%, trails Lazarus by 0.201%)
• Sum of all votes - 6,314,250
• One-half of 1 percent - 31,571
Cortes indicated the recount may begin as soon as Nov. 16, unless all the defeated candidates request in writing that a recount not be made.
Robert J. Colville and Kevin Francis McCarthy submitted to the Secretary such a letter Nov. 9 and Nov. 10 respectively. Both Colville and McCarthy stated they would opt out only if the other trailing candidates decided not to pursue a recount as well. So it's all up to Temp Smith (if that is his real name).
If a recount is necessary, state law requires the counties to complete the recount by Nov. 25 and to report the results to the Department of State by noon, Nov. 30.
Unofficial Returns Received from Pennsylvania Counties in Close Superior
A Salute to the 23.5 Million U.S. Veterans
Today we observe Veterans Day.
There are 23.5 million veterans in the U.S., according to the Census Bureau.
The largest number, nearly 8 million, served during the Vietnam War, according to the Bureau.
There are close to 3 million surviving World War II vets and 3 million from the Korean War, the Bureau reports.
U.S. Census Bureau Daily Feature for Nov. 11
There are 23.5 million veterans in the U.S., according to the Census Bureau.
The largest number, nearly 8 million, served during the Vietnam War, according to the Bureau.
There are close to 3 million surviving World War II vets and 3 million from the Korean War, the Bureau reports.
U.S. Census Bureau Daily Feature for Nov. 11
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
.jpg)
More bad news for Arlen Specter
Bad news for Arlen Specter. One of the nation's leading political publications is listing Pennsylvania as one of the 10 Senate seats most likely to switch hands in 2010. That's good news for likely GOP nominee Pat Toomey.
From POLITICO:
10 Senate seats most likely to flip - Alex Isenstadt - POLITICO.com
From POLITICO:
After struggling for two consecutive cycles on the Senate battlefield, Republicans seem poised to make a comeback in 2010. With 37 seats up for grabs — and Democrats defending 19 of them — the GOP is flexing its muscles in Democratic-leaning states like Delaware, Connecticut and Illinois. Recruiting coups by National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Cornyn of Texas are one big reason Republicans feel a new sense of confidence. Democrats, meanwhile, are taking on an increasingly defensive crouch as the party in power, which must defend President Barack Obama’s ambitious — and expensive — agenda.Read the full story at the link below:
10 Senate seats most likely to flip - Alex Isenstadt - POLITICO.com
Rep. Reichley Voices Concern at Termination of Governor's Veterans Outreach Program
From state Rep. Doug Reichley (R-Berks/Lehigh):
According to a recent news release from the Governor's Veterans Outreach and Assistance Center, dated just six days before Veterans Day, the governor has decided to eliminate funding for this important effort to aid veterans in our communities.
According to the state Department of Labor and Industry, the GVOAC ceased all outreach activities as of Nov. 1, 2009, and is attributing the cutback in services to state budget cuts. Throughout November and December, post-traumatic stress counseling for veterans at the GVOAC Boyertown office will also be ending on Dec. 31.
"I understand the strains on the Pennsylvania budget at the current time, but as one who fought to trim state expenditures, I also believe in utilizing public money for funding certain vital services, like those offered to veterans," said Reichley, vice chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.
"Countless veterans have come to my district office to consult with GVOAC officers to apply for veterans benefits, obtain service records or to apply for lost medals and recognitions," Reichley said. "Veterans who want this service restored need to contact the governor or their state legislators to demand that this vital service be restored."
Reichley has offered sessions with a representative of the GVOAC at his office in Emmaus, but those sessions will discontinue under this announcement.
The Fort Hood Massacre: Suicide By PC
Have we learned nothing since 9/11? The enemy is among us. We are afraid to confront Islamic fanaticism because we don't want to offend anyone. Tell that to the families of the 13 dead soldiers at Fort Hood. We need a massive investigation to figure out what the Obama Administration knew about the killer and his ties to Islamic extremists.
From an editorial in Investor's Business Daily:
Investors.com - Suicide By PC
From an editorial in Investor's Business Daily:
The No. 1 lesson of the Fort Hood massacre is that political correctness kills. But instead of learning this lesson, the Pentagon is repeating the mistake, putting more soldiers at risk.Read the full editorial at the link below:
Investors.com - Suicide By PC
Countdown to justice
Justice will be served tonight at 9 for John Allen Muhammad, the D.C. sniper.
High court refuses to halt sniper execution - Washington Times
High court refuses to halt sniper execution - Washington Times
As U.S. Federal Debt Breaks $12 Trillion, Group Launches Drive for Balanced Budget Amendment
I applaud the efforts of the group Deficit Free to push for a Balanced Budget Amendment, but with Obama and Congressional Democrats spending money faster than the government can print it, it may be a lost cause. The only way to stop the bankruptcy of the United States is to vote out every Congressional Democrat in 2010.
As U.S. Federal Debt Breaks $12 Trillion, Group Launches Drive for Balanced Budget Amendment
As U.S. Federal Debt Breaks $12 Trillion, Group Launches Drive for Balanced Budget Amendment
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
