Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Cop killer Mumia Abu-Jamal to give commencement speech at Goddard College in Vermont
If you need further proof that college students are indoctrinated by liberal professors, look no further than Goddard College in Vermont, where the students selected a convicted cop killer to deliver their commencement speech. What exactly will the graduates learn? How to kill a police officer and manipulate the legal system to avoid the death penalty, as Abu-Jamal has done?
Mumia Abu-Jamal to give college commencement speech
Mumia Abu-Jamal to give college commencement speech
Monday, September 29, 2014
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Enrollment falls again at Pennsylvania's state-owned universities
Colleges and universities may be pricing themselves out-of-business.
From the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:
From the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:
Enrollment at Pennsylvania's 14 state-owned universities declined for aEnrollment falls again at Pennsylvania's state-owned universities
fourth consecutive year, slipping 1.5 percent to an estimated 110,600
students, after peaking at nearly 119,500 in 2010, preliminary reports
show.
Saturday, September 27, 2014
Jay Carney's Pinocchio Problem
It's hard to tell the truth when your claim to fame is as a professional liar.
It appears former Obama spokesman Jay Carney spent so much time lying for a living that he can no longer tell what the truth is now that he's working for CNN.
Jay Carney's Pinocchio Problem | CNS News
It appears former Obama spokesman Jay Carney spent so much time lying for a living that he can no longer tell what the truth is now that he's working for CNN.
Jay Carney's Pinocchio Problem | CNS News
Friday, September 26, 2014
Guest Column: Our Budget Woes Not Going Away
The
United States government has a debt problem. Last year, we had a big
fight in Washington over how to deal with that. It wasn’t a productive
debate. It did not end in a long-term solution.
There
hasn’t been quite as much talk about the budget in Washington, but the
dirty dishes of debt keep piling up. Arguing and shutting down the
government won’t fix the problem. It’s going
to require compromise to get a solution, courage to pass legislation
and then perseverance to make sure it is held to.
First,
let’s look at the problem again. Right now, our national debt is over
$17.7 trillion, an increase of $7 trillion from 2008. By the end of this
year, federal debt held by the public will
reach 74 percent of our annual GDP. The Congressional Budget Office
estimates that it will climb to 111 percent by 2039. That would be
unsustainable.
Those
are big numbers, but they have a real impact. Last year, we paid $221
billion in interest on the debt. In ten years, annual interest rates
could quadruple. Wouldn’t we rather spend those
billions of dollars on something worthwhile? Money spent on interest
doesn’t help anyone and hurts our economy and job growth.
The
reality is that debt payments will be growing at the exact same time
that important programs like Medicare and Social Security will be facing
funding crises. Every dollar spent on keeping
our creditors at bay is a dollar less for critical medical care and
support for older Americans.
The
trust fund for Medicare’s hospital insurance program will be depleted
by 2030. That means that if we do nothing, hospitals could get a 15
percent cut to reimbursements in a single year.
Inevitably, it would make getting care at a hospital more expensive and
more difficult.
The
Social Security trust fund is currently projected to be depleted just
three years later. By current law, there would be an instant 20 percent
cut to payments to seniors. Imagine trying
to shop or pay the bills with that much cut out of your budget? That
could be what millions of seniors are facing in less than 20 years.
The
best way to tackle debt is economic growth, but that’s been a problem
here in the United States also. Since the economic downturn, annual
growth has only been at 1.1 percent and even the
optimistic projection of the Congressional Budget Office says that over
the next ten years it could average 2.5 percent. That is just barely
enough to create jobs for the millions of Americans entering the
marketplace every year.
It’s
not that Americans aren’t paying a lot of taxes. In fact, the federal
government has been collecting record amounts of revenue in the past few
years. Government spending, however, is up.
Federal spending averaged around 20 percent of the economy for much of
the past 40 years. But now for the last four years, that has increased
to 22.8 percent. Small numbers here make a big difference, especially
since government revenue as a percentage of
the economy is basically unchanged. Spending has grown tremendously,
tax revenue has not.
Last
year, after fighting to the point where Democrats and Republicans
couldn’t keep the government open, we effectively declared a truce and
passed a budget agreement for 2014 and 2015. I
supported this agreement, knowing that more argument wasn’t going to
solve the problem.
We’ve
had relative budget peace in Washington this year, but the problem is
far from solved. This is not an easy problem to solve, and it is going
to require a far more civil discourse then
we saw in 2013.
U.S. Rep. Joe Pitts is a Republican who represents Pennsylvania's 16th Congressional District.
Pa. newspaper: Millionaire Democrat Tom Wolf losing on tax issue
Even The Philadelphia Inquirer, which endorses Democrats 99% of the time, is having a hard time believing millionaire Democrat Tom Wolf's scheme to "tax the rich" to get Pennsylvania out of its fiscal woes. Tom Wolf is an empty suit.
Philadelphia Inquirer Editorial: Doubting Thomas
Philadelphia Inquirer Editorial: Doubting Thomas
Thursday, September 25, 2014
PA changes welfare agency's name to avoid stigma of collecting welfare
Pennsylvania will continue to pay out $10 billion a year in welfare claims, but the money will no longer becoming from the Department of Public Welfare. To avoid the stigma of the world "welfare," the agency is now known as the Department of Human Services. George Orwell would be proud.
Corbett signs bill to change welfare agency's name - abc27 WHTM
Corbett signs bill to change welfare agency's name - abc27 WHTM
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Most Profitable Film of 2014? 'God's Not Dead'
Sure, "Guardians of the Galaxy" earned $315 million domestically, but it cost a ton to produce and market.
The independently-produced "God's Not Dead" cost just $2 million to make but returned more than $60 million at the domestic box-office.
Monday, September 22, 2014
Sunday, September 21, 2014
Friday, September 19, 2014
'Bridge-gate' ends, not with a bang, but a whimper
What will the far-left kooks at MSNBC cover now? With all the real scandals in the Obama administration, the looney liberals at the low-ranted news network have obsessed for months over the phony scandal involving NJ Gov. Chris Christie.
'Bridge-gate' ends, not with a bang, but a whimper | Human Events
'Bridge-gate' ends, not with a bang, but a whimper | Human Events
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Pew: Wide Gap in What Conservatives, Liberals Teach Children
Nothing too surprising in a new Pew Research survey on what conservatives and liberals say is important to teach children.
Judging from how morally bankrupt our society has become these days, it's clear the the liberal influence in public education and mass media has corrupted an entire generation of Americans.
From the new report:
Judging from how morally bankrupt our society has become these days, it's clear the the liberal influence in public education and mass media has corrupted an entire generation of Americans.
From the new report:
People who express consistently conservative political attitudes
across a range of issues are more likely than other ideological groups
to rate teaching religious faith as especially important – and the least
likely to say the same about teaching tolerance.
By contrast, people with consistent liberal opinions stand out forTeaching the Children: Sharp Ideological Differences, Some Common Ground
the high priority they give to teaching tolerance – and the low priority
they attach to teaching religious faith and obedience.
21st Annual Highway Report's State-by-State Results
| Pennsylvania roads, highways and bridges are in pitiful shape (but you already know that if you drive around the state.) From Reason Foundation: | |||||
Los Angeles (September 18, 2014) - Pennsylvania ranks 41st in the nation in overall highway performance and cost-effectiveness in the latest Annual Highway Report by Reason Foundation. Pennsylvania ranked 40th in the previous report.
Pennsylvania's highways rank 34th in fatality rate, 48th in the percentage of deficient bridges, 20th in rural Interstate pavement condition, 23 rd in urban Interstate pavement condition and 33rd in urban Interstate congestion. On spending, Pennsylvania ranks 26th in total disbursements per mile and 24th in administrative disbursements per mile. Pennsylvania's best rankings are rural Interstate pavement condition (20th), capital-bridge disbursements per mile (21st) and urban Interstate pavement condition (23rd). Pennsylvania's worst rankings are narrow rural arterial lanes (50th) and deficient bridges (48th). Pennsylvania's state-controlled highway mileage makes it the 5th largest system in the country. Pennsylvania's Complete Results Overall Rank in 2012: 41st Overall Rank in 2011: 40th Overall Rank in 2009: 39th Performance by Category in 2012 Total Disbursements per Mile 26 Capital and Bridge Disbursement per Mile 21 Maintenance Disbursements per Mile 34 Administrative Disbursements per Mile 24 Rural Interstate Pavement Condition 20 Rural Arterial Pavement Condition 24 Urban Interstate Pavement Condition 23 Urban Interstate Congestion 33 Deficient Bridges 48 Fatality Rate 34 Narrow Rural Arterial Lanes 50 Overall Performance 41 http://reason.org/studies/ |
21st Annual Highway Report's State-by-State Results
Ryan Costello Challenges Opponent to Friendly Political Wager on Sunday’s Philadelphia-Washington Football Game
From the Ryan Costello for Congress campaign:
Costello Challenges Opponent to Friendly Political Wager
on Sunday’s Philadelphia-Washington Football Game
Costello also picks up endorsement of former Eagle Jon Runyan
WEST
CHSTER, PA – Ryan Costello, the Republican candidate for Congress in
Pennsylvania's 6th District, challenged his opponent to a friendly
political wager on Sunday's
Philadelphia Eagles-Washington game. On the line: Costello – who lives
and works in Pennsylvania -- would deliver a case of craft beer from
Pennsylvania’s Victory Brewing to his opponent if the Eagles lose while
Trivedi – who lives and works primarily in Washington, DC -- would owe
Costello a case of DC Brau if Washington loses.
In
addition, Costello announced today that he picked up the endorsement of
former Eagles offensive tackle Jon Runyan, who played in Philadelphia
from 2002 to 2008. Runyan is currently a Member of Congress
representing New Jersey’s 3rd District.
“I
am proud to endorse Ryan Costello for Congress,” said Runyan. “Ryan
will fight for his district. He has a record of working in a bipartisan
manner to get things done. Ryan has balanced budgets, held the line on
taxes and worked to preserve open space for families and farms.”
As
far as this weekend’s Philadelphia-Washington match-up, Costello
extended the offer of a friendly political wager in an email to Trivedi
this afternoon. The e-mail reads:
Dear Manan:
Although
we are entering the final few weeks of campaign season, the NFL
football season is just getting underway. I thought it might be a
refreshing break to make a friendly political wager on this weekend's
upcoming Eagles-Washington game.
As
someone who has lived and worked in the Philadelphia area my entire
life, I am a die-hard Eagles fan. I am so confident in an Eagles victory
that if -- by some stroke of bad luck -- Washington beats Philadelphia,
I will bring a case of Pennsylvania's own Victory Beer -- made a few
miles from my home in Chester County-- to your campaign office.
Conversely,
I know that you own a home in the heart of Washington and your filings
with the Clerk of the House of Representatives show you earned 95
percent of your income last year -- and 100 percent this year -- from DC
hospitals and health consulting firms. Heck, your main employer, the
Washington Hospital Center, was the longtime "official hospital” of
Washington’s NFL team and lists you on their website as a doctor of
internal medicine.
So,
if your Washington team loses, you would owe me a case of a craft beer
from Washington, DC, such as DC Brau or Capitol City Brewing.
Cheers! And may the best team (the Eagles) win!
E-A-G-L-E-S! Eagles!
Sincerely,
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Trust in Mass Media Returns to All-Time Low
Thanks primarily to liberal media bias, trust of the mainstream media has reached record lows, according to a new Gallup poll.
Trust in Mass Media Returns to All-Time Low
Trust in Mass Media Returns to All-Time Low
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
NRA Endorses Tom Corbett for PA Governor
No real surprise here. Tom Corbett is a former two-term attorney general in Pennsylvania and as governor, signed the state's Castle Doctrine law. Millionaire Democrat Tom Wolf supports gun control. This just in from the National Rifle Association:
Fairfax, Va. – On behalf of our five million members across the country, the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) is proud to endorse Tom Corbett for Governor in Pennsylvania.
Based on his support of and commitment to the Second Amendment, Corbett has earned an "A" rating from the NRA-PVF in the 2014 general election. An "A" rating is reserved for a solidly pro-gun candidate who has supported the NRA’s position on issues of importance to gun owners and sportsmen.
"Tom Corbett has stood up to the gun control crowd and protected our Second Amendment freedoms in Pennsylvania," said Chris W. Cox, chairman of the NRA-PVF. "As Governor, he signed into law 'Castle Doctrine' legislation expanding protection to law-abiding citizens for self-defense. Prior to that, when he served as Attorney General, Tom tripled the number of right-to-carry reciprocity agreements with other states allowing Pennsylvanians to better protect themselves and their families while traveling outside the Keystone state."
Gov. Corbett has a proven record supporting our fundamental, individual Right to Keep and Bear Arms. He believes hunting is a valuable tool for wildlife management, a positive use of natural resources, and an American tradition that teaches young people responsibility and respect for the outdoors. In addition, Corbett signed pro-gun "friend of the court" briefs in the landmark Heller and McDonald cases asserting that the Second Amendment guarantees a fundamental, individual right for all law-abiding Americans.
"We can continue to count on Tom Corbett to stand up for our constitutional freedoms in Pennsylvania," added Cox. "On behalf of the NRA's five million members, I want to thank Tom for his steadfast support of the Second Amendment and urge all NRA members, gun owners and sportsmen in Pennsylvania to vote Tom Corbett for Governor on November 4."
Fairfax, Va. – On behalf of our five million members across the country, the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) is proud to endorse Tom Corbett for Governor in Pennsylvania.
Based on his support of and commitment to the Second Amendment, Corbett has earned an "A" rating from the NRA-PVF in the 2014 general election. An "A" rating is reserved for a solidly pro-gun candidate who has supported the NRA’s position on issues of importance to gun owners and sportsmen.
"Tom Corbett has stood up to the gun control crowd and protected our Second Amendment freedoms in Pennsylvania," said Chris W. Cox, chairman of the NRA-PVF. "As Governor, he signed into law 'Castle Doctrine' legislation expanding protection to law-abiding citizens for self-defense. Prior to that, when he served as Attorney General, Tom tripled the number of right-to-carry reciprocity agreements with other states allowing Pennsylvanians to better protect themselves and their families while traveling outside the Keystone state."
Gov. Corbett has a proven record supporting our fundamental, individual Right to Keep and Bear Arms. He believes hunting is a valuable tool for wildlife management, a positive use of natural resources, and an American tradition that teaches young people responsibility and respect for the outdoors. In addition, Corbett signed pro-gun "friend of the court" briefs in the landmark Heller and McDonald cases asserting that the Second Amendment guarantees a fundamental, individual right for all law-abiding Americans.
"We can continue to count on Tom Corbett to stand up for our constitutional freedoms in Pennsylvania," added Cox. "On behalf of the NRA's five million members, I want to thank Tom for his steadfast support of the Second Amendment and urge all NRA members, gun owners and sportsmen in Pennsylvania to vote Tom Corbett for Governor on November 4."
Monday, September 15, 2014
PA Senate Finance Committee to Vote on Property Tax Bill
An Important Call To Action From the Pennsylvania Taxpayers Cyber Coalition:
Tomorrow, Tuesday, September 16, at 11:00 AM the Senate Finance Committee will meet to vote on SB 76, the Property Tax Independence Act.
We
need to show massive support SB 76, so please call AND email EVERY
Senator on the Finance Committee NOW to request their vote in
committee. In all contacts, please be respectful and non-threatening.
You have until 11 AM tomorrow to get this done. Contact information is below.
Sen. John Blake
FAX: (717) 783-5198
Sen. Patrick Browne
FAX: (717) 772-3458
Sen. Mike Brubaker
FAX: (717) 783-3156
Sen. John Eichelberger
FAX: (717) 783-5192
Sen. Stewart Greenleaf
sgreenleaf@ pasen.gov
FAX: (717) 783-7328
Sen. Scott Hutchinson
FAX: (717) 787-6088
Sen. Joseph Scarnati
(717) 787-7084
FAX: (717) 772-2755
Sen. Matt Smith
(717) 787-5839
FAX: (717) 772-4437
Sen. Rob Teplitz
(717) 787-6801
FAX: (717) 783-3722
Sen. Patricia Vance
(717) 787-8524
FAX: (717) 772-0576
Sen. John Wozniak
(717) 787-5400
FAX: (717) 772-0573
Sunday, September 14, 2014
Survey: Growing Concern About Rise of Islamic Extremism
Barack Obama may have his head stuck in the sand when it comes to the growing threat from Islamic extremism, but 6 in 10 Americans (62%) are "very concerned about the rise of Islamic extremism around the world, which is the largest share dating back to 2007," according to a new Pew Research Center survey.
Growing Concern about Rise of Islamic Extremism at Home and Abroad
Growing Concern about Rise of Islamic Extremism at Home and Abroad
Saturday, September 13, 2014
Friday, September 12, 2014
Guest Column: Threats to our Freedom Remain
By Congressman Joe Pitts
Like
many other Americans, I’ll never forget where I was on September 11,
2001. I saw firsthand the damage to the Pentagon, passing plumes of
black smoke rising as I drove
to the Capitol on that morning.
These
horrific attacks, which killed over 3,000 innocent people, were sudden,
and jolted the country out of a decade of relative calm after the
downfall of communism.
Thirteen
years later, our country, which in the previous century defeated
totalitarians called fascists and ones called communists, continues to
face the specter of totalitarians around the
world, some using the Muslim faith as their pretext.
We
have sacrificed greatly since then. As the world’s indispensable
nation, to whom all free peoples look for hope, we have borne the heavy
weight of the responsibility that comes with prosperity
and power. It is neither a coincidence nor an accident, that the United
States is the top target of terrorists: the very greatness of America,
the success of our model of self-governing free people, is offensive to
them.
Evidence
coming out of Iraq and Syria, sad to say, confirms this. Minority
groups are being driven by the hundred-thousand into exile or
relentlessly pursued for extermination by the so-called
“Islamic State,” or ISIL, which controls a territory the size of the
United Kingdom. ISIL is well-funded, well-armed, and well-manned.
ISIL
began as al-Qaeda in Iraq, but after ISIL refused orders from al-Qaeda
Central to stop killing so many Syrian civilians, Bin Laden’s former
group publicly renounced ties to ISIL on February
3. ISIL simply has no respect for human life, and no respect for
economic or religious liberty, as they continue to remorselessly kill
children, political dissidents, apostates, and religious dissenters by
the thousands.
ISIL
threatens our homeland. They have murdered two Americans, recruited
hundreds of Americans, and, according to Francis Taylor of the
Department of Homeland Security, ISIL supporters are
plotting to sneak through our vulnerable southern border. In June, a
jihadist social media posting showed a picture, with a dated,
handwritten note, in Chicago and Washington reading, “we are in your
cities.”
The
President has rightly taken action against ISIL, authorizing airstrikes
in Northern Iraq to prevent an outright genocide of the Yazidi people. I
share his goal to “degrade and ultimately
destroy” ISIL, and I am prepared to work with him to protect the
American people and American interests.
The
attacks thirteen years ago and the stark reality in today’s Middle East
remind us also of the many blessings we enjoy in this country. Though
Republicans and Democrats have our differences,
we are both committed to this country, and we believe that our ideas
will help our fellow Americans. It is more exciting of a headline, I
know, to report on bickering and backbiting, but the reality is that we
do work together on a variety of issues all the
time.
I
was pleased to speak recently at a conference entitled “In Defense of
Christians” with colleagues on both sides of the aisle, including Reps.
Darrell Issa, Brad Sherman, Chris Smith, Kerry
Bentiviolio, and Dan Lipinski. Though we may not agree on absolutely
everything, we stand together for the protection of the inalienable
human rights for innocent civilians and minorities around the world.
We
cannot count on these or any threats to freedom to go away: they won’t.
As Ronald Reagan put it in 1961, at the height of the Cold War,
“freedom is never more than one generation away from
extinction. We didn't pass it on to our children in the bloodstream.
The only way they can inherit the freedom we have known is if we fight
for it, protect it, defend it and then hand it to them with the well
thought lessons of how they in their lifetime must
do the same.” It might be tempting to pull back from the world stage
and hope that freedom’s enemies will leave us alone, but we know that
they will not.
As
we mark this solemn anniversary of this mass murder, may we stand
together once again, as we did in those dark hours thirteen years ago,
and recommit ourselves to the principles that make
this nation exceptional.
US Rep. Joe Pitts is a Republican who represents Pennsylvania's 16th Congressional District.
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Students Unaware of 9/11 Anniversary, But Able to Name Celebrities In Nude Photo Scandal
This is a result of liberal dominance of America's public education system: A generation of idiots ...
Students Unaware Of 9/11 Anniversary, But Able To Name Celebrities In Nude Photo Scandal
Eric Metaxas to speak at Sunnybrook Ballroom in Pottstown
Metaxas has written several other books and is now producing a movie in Germany about the life of German martyr Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who was executed by the Nazis during World War II.
Metaxas' more recent book is "Seven Men: And the Secret of Their Greatness" which features mini-biographies of seven prominent men of faith, including George Washington, Jackie Robinson, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Pope John Paul II and Chuck Colson.
The book details their lives and how faith played an important role in their achievements.
For more information about the dinner, go to http://www.coventrychristian.com/founders2014.html
The speaker at last year's sold-out Founders Diner was Dr. Ben Carson.
The speaker at last year's sold-out Founders Diner was Dr. Ben Carson.
Tuesday, September 09, 2014
Obama Hits a New Low for Leadership, Most Americans Say He Divides Nation
Most Americans believe President Obama "has done more to divide than to unite the country."
Some other highlights from a new Washington Post/ABC News poll:
Barack Obama’s rating for strong leadership has dropped to a new low in the latest ABC News/Washington Post poll, hammered by criticism of his work on international crises and a stalled domestic agenda alike.
Obama Hits a New Low for Leadership, With Criticism on ISIS & Immigration Alike
Some other highlights from a new Washington Post/ABC News poll:
Barack Obama’s rating for strong leadership has dropped to a new low in the latest ABC News/Washington Post poll, hammered by criticism of his work on international crises and a stalled domestic agenda alike.
Obama Hits a New Low for Leadership, With Criticism on ISIS & Immigration Alike
Media Won't Cover Obama's Bad Poll Numbers
All of the major television networks commission polls on a regular basis, but when it comes to Obama's sinking job approval numbers, the networks won't even report on their own polls.
Media Won't Cover Obama's Bad Poll Numbers
Media Won't Cover Obama's Bad Poll Numbers
Monday, September 08, 2014
Philadelphia Magazine: Tom Wolf’s political résumé is a bit thin
Some highlights from the article:
"The result is that Pennsylvania may be led
by a governor we’ve only just met, the electoral equivalent of setting
up house after the first dinner date."
"He’s rich, yes, but he’s no tycoon. His
$10 million contribution to his own campaign included $4.5 million
acquired through a personal loan."
"In truth, Wolf is much more than the folksy two-dimensional character his ads make him out to be. He is amiable, yes, but he’s also the ambitious and calculating scion of a proud and powerful family,
"In truth, Wolf is much more than the folksy two-dimensional character his ads make him out to be. He is amiable, yes, but he’s also the ambitious and calculating scion of a proud and powerful family,
"Still, compared to most other gubernatorial candidates, Wolf’s political résumé is a bit thin."
On whether he purchased his brief tenure as Ed Rendell's revenue secretary by making a huge donation to Rendell's campaign: "When I asked Wolf about the discrepancies
between his campaign narrative and Rendell’s earlier recollection of
events, he waved them away, saying, "Uhh, I don't remember."
"The answer seems like a dodge, as if Wolf
would prefer to pretend he was called to duty rather than acknowledge
that he methodically built a CV for a future gubernatorial campaign. But
there’s a trail suggesting Wolf is a lot more calculating than he lets
on. He donated more than $250,000 to Rendell’s campaigns between 2002
and 2006. Rendell has acknowledged in the past that a big donation buys
you a meeting (Wolf and his wife have donated more than $1.6 million to
various state and county candidates since 1998), so it could be argued
that Wolf didn’t just purchase this last primary election; he also sank
some cash into his application for a position in Rendell’s cabinet."
Tom Wolf Profile: Perfect Stranger | Philadelphia Magazine
"Wolf could hardly have mounted a credible
run in 2010 against the backdrop of the smoking ruin of the Wolf
Organization, a company bankrupted by a loan taken out largely to pay
him."
Sunday, September 07, 2014
Pennsylvania lawmakers: Working hard or hardly working?
Eric Heyl takes a look at the light work schedule for Pennsylvania legislators, who draw a base salary of $83,000 for what they consider a "full-time" occupation, but the amount of time these lawmakers spend in Harrisburg makes you wonder if they're getting paid too much for part-time work.
Pennsylvania lawmakers have every reason to relax
Pennsylvania lawmakers have every reason to relax
Saturday, September 06, 2014
Friday, September 05, 2014
GUEST COLUMN: Falling Through the Cracks in Obamacare
Guest columnists
Mark Ferkler is a Delaware County resident in his mid-thirties. He’s healthy, gainfully employed, and now, thanks to Obamacare, is newly uninsured. Yes, you read that right — uninsured.
Despite the president’s promise to lower insurance costs, as Mark found out, the Affordable Care Act often isn’t affordable at all.
Mark is a Democrat and believes health coverage should be accessible to everyone. But he’s faced with a dilemma: “I was dropped from my health insurance that was $150 a month and my boss paid half of it ... Now I would have to pay over $340 a month as a single person, and I just can’t afford it!”
Simply keeping up with his current expenses can be a challenge for Mark. Absorbing a more than 400 percent increase in cost for a service he rarely — if ever — uses is just too much for him to swallow.
Mark’s reaction to Obamacare’s personal toll is hardly unique. The latest monthly health care poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation shows the law’s popularity is plummeting. Nationwide, 53 percent now view Obamacare unfavorably — the highest number yet recorded by this poll and worse even than after the disastrous launch of Healthcare.gov.
Why, after the public has finally had a chance to benefit from the president’s signature legislation, are people turning against it?
Solutions from Washington, D.C., notoriously come with strings attached.
While subsidies are available for many, Mark says he doesn’t qualify for help. “Apparently I make too much money, and yet I can barely pay my bills as it is. I would certainly have to change my entire lifestyle to have insurance. It’s just so hard to justify when I haven’t been to a doctor once in the last 10 years.”
This dilemma is common among so-called “young invincibles” stuck subsidizing older adults under Obamacare’s community rating scheme. Left with a choice between huge premium bills or no insurance coverage, Mark reluctantly chose the latter.
“It saddens me,” he says. “Not only do I not have insurance, but I’ll have to pay a fine as well!”
A major reason for skyrocketing premiums is Obamacare’s mandated coverage for services many will never use — even if they do get severely ill.
William Cinfici from Berks County was happy with his health insurance but received a cancellation letter this year. New plans offered to him —a single, childless man — required coverage for maternity and pediatric care at a steep jump in price.
William was appalled by the patronizing mandates, saying, “They are taking my freedom away — punishing me for being responsible and saving for care.”
William also notes that higher premiums for irrelevant coverage take discretionary income out of his pocket — with real consequences: “I’ll have to postpone some things, probably deferring maintenance around my house. It’s less I’ll be spending in the local economy. You can call it a negative stimulus.”
While Mark and William were happy with their previous coverage, most would agree that Pennsylvania and the nation needed health care reform before Obamacare was passed.
But reform that’s more expensive and less flexible isn’t the answer.
Thankfully, there are options that can actually bring about Obamacare’s promises of affordability, accessibility, and better quality care, but the solution doesn’t lie in more government intrusion.
Mark’s insurance premium could be more affordable if his employer was allowed to contribute tax-free dollars to a selected individual plan. It would be cheaper still if the federal government didn’t dictate coverage mandates — many that William may never use — like coverage for labor and delivery.
Further, state lawmakers can ease waiting times and improve the quality of care by encouraging more physicians to locate in Pennsylvania through House Bill 1760 — which gives doctors liability protection if they volunteer to help the neediest among us at free clinics.
And Senate Bill 1063 would allow nurse practitioners to run their own practices, as they currently can in 17 other states, improving patient accessibility.
Mark Ferkler, William Cinfici, and millions more deserve real health care solutions that don’t punish them for working hard and staying healthy. They deserve more than fines and broken promises. Cost-saving solutions are out there for those falling through the cracks, but they won’t be found in the Affordable Care Act.
# # #
Elizabeth Stelle and John R. Bouder are policy analysts at the Commonwealth Foundation (CommonwealthFoundation.org), Pennsylvania’s free-market think tank based in Harrisburg.
Urban Institute: PA state pension plans get poor rating
From Debra Erdley of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Pennsylvania's state employee pension plan is one of the three worst in the nation, a study by the Urban Institute claims.
Urban Institute: PA state pension plans get poor rating
Urban Institute: PA state pension plans get poor rating