Friday, December 30, 2016
Trump to Fill 100+ Vacancies on the Federal Bench
Trump to Fill 100 Vacancies on the Federal Bench: President-elect Donald Trump has the opportunity to nominate over 107 judges to the federal judiciary during his tenure, almost the number of vacancies President Obama inherited from President George W. Bush in 2008. Throughout the election, all eyes were on whom Trump would appoint to replace the late Justice Antonin Scalia, but few, including #NeverTrumpers, didn't fully consider his impact on the lower courts.
GUEST COLUMN: Best of Times, Worst of Times in Pennsylvania
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness ...” So begins Charles Dickens’s novel A Tale of Two Cities. It is set in the years prior to the French revolution, but actually applies to the recent performance of Republicans in the Pennsylvania Legislature.
As official Harrisburg prepares for what is shaping up to be another epic budget battle, the big question is: which GOP will show up in 2017? Will it be the Republican-controlled legislature that last year stood its ground and fought Gov. Tom Wolf’s historic tax and spending proposals, or will it be the GOP that this year folded like a cheap suit and approved $1.4 billion in new spending?
The $1.4 billion spending hike might not qualify as the worst of times, but coming on the heels of a successful struggle against the Wolf Administration’s spending demands it did leave a lot of folks puzzled. After winning the longest budget fight in state history, why turn around and cave in months later? This leaves most observers — and quite a few participants — at a loss when it comes to predicting how the 2017 budget war will unfold.
We are certain of a few things.
The toxic stew of tax increases and new taxes cooked up to pay for this year’s massive spending increase has failed to live up to expectations. To date, revenue collections for the 2017-2018 fiscal year are running $261.8 million below estimates. This, coupled with a “structural budget deficit” pegged at over a billion dollars means the new budget will begin with a significant gap between spending and revenue.
We also can be sure that Gov. Wolf will again demand massive spending increases and the taxes to pay for that spending. He used his budget address this year to lecture the General Assembly for its refusal to accede to his spending demands. Since most of his priorities have not been funded chances are they will be dusted off and included in his new budget proposal.
But should Republicans sit back and wait for the governor to set the agenda? Leo Knepper of the Citizens Alliance of Pennsylvania, a pro-growth PAC, suggests a different course of action. “If Republicans in the General Assembly were smart, they would upend a long-standing budget tradition and go on offense,” Knepper wrote in a recent policy brief. “(They) should ignore tradition and pre-empt the Governor’s budget address with a plan of their own.” Knepper observed this would “force the governor to play defense rather than the usual offensive position granted to governors.”
The question remains, however, whether or not legislative Republicans — or at least the leaders who actually sit at the negotiating table - want to go on offense. Will the resolute leaders who fought and won the first budget battle show up to play, or the ones who forfeited this year’s game?
The final certainty is that all this will play out against the backdrop of the rapidly approaching 2018 election for governor. For his part, Governor Wolf will want to deliver the goods of higher spending to his largely urban constituency.
It won’t be so simple for Republicans.
With a number of legislators, including leaders who will negotiate the new budget, eyeing a race for the Republican gubernatorial nomination, the upcoming budget battle is fraught with peril. There are pressures for leaders to “be responsible” and give into spending demands. But with a veto proof Senate majority and a historically large majority in the House, voters are not likely to be either understanding or forgiving if the GOP doesn’t stand firm.
Will it be the “best of times” with legislative Republicans going on offense and standing up to a tax and spend governor, or will it be the “worst of times” with the taxpayers of Penn’s Woods getting stuck with yet another round of tax hikes? As the budget process begins a new cycle it is impossible to tell which of the GOP’s split personalities will emerge dominant in 2017, but both the pocketbooks of taxpayers and the political fortunes of many politicians will be affected by the outcome.
Lowman S. Henry is Chairman & CEO of the Lincoln Institute of Public Opinion Research in Harrisburg and host of the weekly Lincoln Radio Journal. His e-mail address is lhenry@lincolninstitute.org
As official Harrisburg prepares for what is shaping up to be another epic budget battle, the big question is: which GOP will show up in 2017? Will it be the Republican-controlled legislature that last year stood its ground and fought Gov. Tom Wolf’s historic tax and spending proposals, or will it be the GOP that this year folded like a cheap suit and approved $1.4 billion in new spending?
The $1.4 billion spending hike might not qualify as the worst of times, but coming on the heels of a successful struggle against the Wolf Administration’s spending demands it did leave a lot of folks puzzled. After winning the longest budget fight in state history, why turn around and cave in months later? This leaves most observers — and quite a few participants — at a loss when it comes to predicting how the 2017 budget war will unfold.
We are certain of a few things.
The toxic stew of tax increases and new taxes cooked up to pay for this year’s massive spending increase has failed to live up to expectations. To date, revenue collections for the 2017-2018 fiscal year are running $261.8 million below estimates. This, coupled with a “structural budget deficit” pegged at over a billion dollars means the new budget will begin with a significant gap between spending and revenue.
We also can be sure that Gov. Wolf will again demand massive spending increases and the taxes to pay for that spending. He used his budget address this year to lecture the General Assembly for its refusal to accede to his spending demands. Since most of his priorities have not been funded chances are they will be dusted off and included in his new budget proposal.
But should Republicans sit back and wait for the governor to set the agenda? Leo Knepper of the Citizens Alliance of Pennsylvania, a pro-growth PAC, suggests a different course of action. “If Republicans in the General Assembly were smart, they would upend a long-standing budget tradition and go on offense,” Knepper wrote in a recent policy brief. “(They) should ignore tradition and pre-empt the Governor’s budget address with a plan of their own.” Knepper observed this would “force the governor to play defense rather than the usual offensive position granted to governors.”
The question remains, however, whether or not legislative Republicans — or at least the leaders who actually sit at the negotiating table - want to go on offense. Will the resolute leaders who fought and won the first budget battle show up to play, or the ones who forfeited this year’s game?
The final certainty is that all this will play out against the backdrop of the rapidly approaching 2018 election for governor. For his part, Governor Wolf will want to deliver the goods of higher spending to his largely urban constituency.
It won’t be so simple for Republicans.
With a number of legislators, including leaders who will negotiate the new budget, eyeing a race for the Republican gubernatorial nomination, the upcoming budget battle is fraught with peril. There are pressures for leaders to “be responsible” and give into spending demands. But with a veto proof Senate majority and a historically large majority in the House, voters are not likely to be either understanding or forgiving if the GOP doesn’t stand firm.
Will it be the “best of times” with legislative Republicans going on offense and standing up to a tax and spend governor, or will it be the “worst of times” with the taxpayers of Penn’s Woods getting stuck with yet another round of tax hikes? As the budget process begins a new cycle it is impossible to tell which of the GOP’s split personalities will emerge dominant in 2017, but both the pocketbooks of taxpayers and the political fortunes of many politicians will be affected by the outcome.
Lowman S. Henry is Chairman & CEO of the Lincoln Institute of Public Opinion Research in Harrisburg and host of the weekly Lincoln Radio Journal. His e-mail address is lhenry@lincolninstitute.org
Wednesday, December 28, 2016
US Should Not Only Defund UN But Withdraw From It
US Should Not Only Defund UN But Withdraw From It: Let’s take our $3 billion and go.
3 Lessons on the 25th Anniversary of the Soviet Union's Fall
3 Lessons on the 25th Anniversary of the Soviet Union's Fall: The winning strategy President Trump must apply toward Islamic Supremacism.
How George Soros Destroyed the Democratic Party
Greenfield: How George Soros Destroyed the Democratic Party: It was the end of the big year with three zeroes. The first X-Men movie had broken box office records. You couldn’t set foot in a supermarket without listening to Brittney Spears caterwauling, “Oops, I Did It Again.” And Republicans and Democrats had total control of both chambers of legislatures in the same amount of states. That was the way it was back in the distant days of the year 2000. In 2016, Republicans control both legislative chambers in 32 states. That’s up from 16 in 2000.
Sunday, December 25, 2016
Saturday, December 24, 2016
Friday, December 23, 2016
2,350,000 Page Views at Tony Phyrillas on Politics
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Monday, December 19, 2016
2.3 Million Page Views at Tony Phyrillas on Politics
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Saturday, December 17, 2016
Friday, December 16, 2016
Wednesday, December 14, 2016
Friday, December 09, 2016
New ID Law Approved in Michigan Would Mean Voters Have to Prove Who They Are
New ID Law Approved in Michigan Would Mean Voters Have to Prove Who They Are: Republicans in Michigan have approved a strict, but very rational, voter ID law that is a Democrats’ worst nightmare. Citizens would actually have to produce photo identification to prove who they are or they can’t vote. Rep. Gary Glenn said the purpose of the law is to “protect the integrity of every single Michigan citizen’s vote, because every vote is diluted if fraudulent votes are cast.”
Thursday, December 08, 2016
Brian Williams: 'Fake News' Responsible for Trump Win
Lyin' Brian: 'Fake News' Responsible for Trump Win: In a moment devoid of any sense of self-awareness, MSNBC anchor Brian Williams – the man caught lying red-handed about being in a military copter shot by an RPG – has declared Hillary lost the election because of fake news.
Monday, November 28, 2016
Straight From the Alinksy Playbook: Hillary Clinton Joins Jill Stein's 'Recount' Efforts in Three States
Straight From the Alinksy Playbook: Hillary Clinton Joins Jill Stein's 'Recount' Efforts in Three States: The Left denounced President-elect Donald Trump as a threat to democracy for declaring he might challenge the results of the presidential election had he lost, but now the shoe is on the other foot and the left is crying foul. Because leftists are the biggest hypocrites of all -- and anyway, they would never miss an opportunity to undermine Trump's presidency at any and all costs.
Wednesday, November 23, 2016
The Progressive Disintegration
The Progressive Disintegration: The self-destruction of so many failed progressive gods.
Hampshire College has Removed All American Flags From Its Campus
Hampshire College has Removed All American Flags From Its Campus: The Board of Trustees for Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts has made two egregious decisions since the election. The first was ordering the American flag flown at half-staff after Donald Trump was elected president and second, taking down all flags on campus and refusing to fly them at all until the backlash from the first controversial decision subsides.
Monday, November 21, 2016
Democrats Continue Death Spiral With New Low in State Legislatures
Dems Continue Death Spiral With New Low in State Legislatures: America elected Donald Trump as its next president. Republicans control the U.S. House and the Senate. But according to liberals who are still in denial, it's not a 'mandate,' right? Well, consider that on top of Democrats' crushing defeats on Election Night, Republicans now boast over 1,000 more seats than Democrats in State legislatures.
Saturday, November 19, 2016
2,285,000 Page Views at Tony Phyrillas on Politics
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Friday, November 18, 2016
Why We Need The Electoral College
Tuesday, November 15, 2016
Leftist Hysteria & Hate Crime Hoaxes
Leftist Hysteria & Hate Crime Hoaxes: Anti-Trump agitators engage in campaign of violence and fabrication while media lends helping hand.
NY Times Issues Half-Apology to Readers: We Blew It, Will Try to Act Like Journalists From Now On
NY Times Issues Half-Apology to Readers: We Blew It, Will Try to Act Like Journalists From Now On: The New York Times will be hurting for dollars (more than it already has been) after realizing just how irrelevant it has become. No matter how the outlet tried to warp public opinion through its biased reporting, one-sided coverage, and repeated lies, it was for naught. It may have moved the needle, but it did not help elect Hillary Clinton. Now, between Clinton's loss and Wikileaks having lifted the veneer off mainstream media's collusion with the Democratic Machine, the Times is scrambling.
Saturday, November 12, 2016
Here Is Trump's Contract With The American Voter - The First 100 Days
Here Is Trump's Contract With The American Voter -- The First 100 Days: Prior to the election, while some Republicans fretted over Donald Trump's conservative-bonafides, our President-elect crafted -- no doubt with the guidance of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich -- a new Contract With America. Or, in this case, a 'Contract With the American Voter.' The following plan outlines what Trump proposes to do in the first 100 days of his presidency.
Hillary Backer Chuck Todd Eats Humble Pie
Chuck Todd Eats Humble Pie, Lists Everything Media Got Wrong About Election: The mainstream media joined Hillary Clinton in defeat in the 2016 presidential election. The liberal bias so many of us have known about for so long was finally recognized by a fed-up republic worn out from the lies fed to them daily. Big Media was busted, and now it is seeking absolution.
A Rebuke to the Media From Joe Scarborough
A Rebuke to the Media From Joe Scarborough: MSNBC's Joe Scarborough, a longtime fixture within the mainstream media, issued a thoughtful yet stern rebuke to his friends and colleagues in the industry. 'I want you guys to think about this, people at The New York Times, The Washington Post, people I know and love,' Scarborough began. 'I want you to think about this, that when anybody even made the suggestion that Donald Trump could be elected president of the United States, it was their journalistic standards that were questioned.'
Friday, November 11, 2016
Wednesday, November 09, 2016
'This wasn’t an election. It was a revolution'
Daniel Greenfield: American Uprising: This wasn’t an election. It was a revolution. It’s midnight in America. The day before fifty million Americans got up and stood in front of the great iron wheel that had been grinding them down. They stood there even though the media told them it was useless. They took their stand even while all the chattering classes laughed and taunted them.
Monday, November 07, 2016
Saturday, November 05, 2016
Thursday, November 03, 2016
Pennsylvania artist meets Reince Priebus
Tuesday, November 01, 2016
2,250,000 Page Views at Tony Phyrillas on Politics
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Monday, October 31, 2016
Reagan for Trump: Meese leads over 200 Reaganites to Team Trump
Reagan for Trump: Meese leads over 200 Reaganites to Team Trump: Edwin Meese, the keeper of the Reagan flame, is leading an army of over 200 Reagan alumni to Republican Donald Trump's presidential campaign as it heads into the final week before Election Day. The long-time Reagan ally and former attorney general said in a statement, Many of us remember 1980, a time when, as today, America suffered from high unemployment and even higher interest rates, a military that needed to be strengthened and rebuilt, and diminished stature in the world of nations. Ronald Reagan turned that around with resolute policies, such as the most significant tax cut in American history, which stimulated the national economy and created 20 million jobs, and a visionary foreign policy of 'peace through strength,' whereby he rebuilt our military and won the Cold War without firing a shot. He added, 'We need a Trump-Pence administration to change the direction of our country. We all know that Hillary Clinton will continue Obama's failed policies, growing the size, scope and cost of the federal government, and endangering our national security.
45% say Clinton emails worse than Watergate, 61% fear probe to drag into White House
45% say emails worse than Watergate, 61% fear probe to drag into White House: The specter of a drawn-out, Nixon-like investigation is clouding Democrat Hillary Clinton's race for the presidency with a new poll showing nearly half equating the email scandal to Watergate and even more worried that the FBI probe will drag on into her presidency. While polls out Monday morning do not show a big swing away from Clinton to Republican Donald Trump, they do show renewed concerns about the revived investigation into her email server due to thousands of previously unknown emails found on the computer of former Rep. Anthony Weiner, the estranged husband of top Clinton aide Huma Abedin. While unlike Watergate, which eventually led to former President Richard Nixon's resignation, a Morning Consult poll asked voters to compare the 1970s-era affair to the email controversy and 45 percent said the Clinton email scandal is worse than the Watergate scandal.
Saturday, October 29, 2016
Wikileaks Provides More Proof of Media Corruption
Wikileaks Provides More Proof of Media Corruption: Clinton PAC Provided 372 Newsmakers With 80 Sets of Pro-Hillary, Anti-Trump Talking Points: Wikileaks, through its release of Clinton Campaign chairman John Podesta's emails, has provided a trove of information and irrefutable proof of just how deeply corrupt America's power centers are. From the Department of Justice to the FBI to the White House and State Department to the one institution meant to be the watchdog of them all -- the media -- America's most sacred institutions have fallen from grace, proving to be nothing more than lackeys beholden to the Clinton machine.
Friday, October 28, 2016
Tuesday, October 25, 2016
Friday, October 21, 2016
Wednesday, October 19, 2016
Pennsylvania approves sharp increases for Obamacare plans
There is nothing affordable about Obama's Affordable Care Act ... and Hillary Clinton can't fix it.
Pennsylvania approves sharp increases for Obamacare plans
Pennsylvania approves sharp increases for Obamacare plans
Sunday, October 16, 2016
Dom Giordano: A Meaningless McGinty Endorsement
Dom Giordano Column: A Meaningless McGinty Endorsement: The Philadelphia Inquirer has endorsed Katie McGinty for U.S. Senate in her race against Senator Pat Toomey.
Thursday, October 13, 2016
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
Trump Tapes and Clinton Morals
Trump Tapes and Clinton Morals: Only the Clintons can protect our moral values.
Monday, October 10, 2016
Sunday, October 09, 2016
Friday, October 07, 2016
Study: Liberal Professors Outnumber Conservatives 12 to 1
Study: Liberal Professors Outnumber Conservatives 12 to 1: Brace yourselves for the shocking conclusion of a new study published in Econ Journal Watch last month, which confirms that conservative professors are a tiny minority on campus. But as The Washington Times reports, the study also shows that the problem is getting worse.
Tuesday, October 04, 2016
Report: Coverup in Virginia on How Many Illegal Aliens Voting
Report: Coverup in Virginia on How Many Illegal Aliens Voting: A new report by the Public Interest Legal Foundation (PILF) and Virginia Voters Alliance (VVA) has discovered an “alien invasion in Virginia” and the subsequent coverup by the state in allowing non-U.S. citizens to vote. In the investigation, both PILF and VVA “found 1,046 aliens who registered to vote illegally.” And that was only a small sample, only across eight counties in the state who responded to the requests.
Hilarious Video Mocks Celebrities For Reminding Us to Vote for Hillary
Hilarious Video Mocks Celebrities For Reminding Us to Vote for Hillary: Over the last few weeks, celebrities have trotted out of their mansions to encourage everyone to vote in the upcoming election. Since we aren’t as smart as they are, we must be reminded how important this election is, and they hope their name recognition will get our attention. Where would we be as Americans without their willingness to disrupt their busy latte schedules to make internet videos for our benefit?
Saturday, October 01, 2016
Democrats Dig Up Voters: 19 Dead People Are Registered To Vote In Va.
Investigation launched after dead people are registered to vote in Harrisonburg: Harrisonburg officials and the FBI are investigating allegations of voter registration fraud after officials say almost 20 voter applications were turned in under the names of dead people.
Friday, September 30, 2016
Out of Touch: Millionaire Hillary Struggles to Define Middle Class
Out of Touch: Millionaire Hillary Struggles to Define Middle Class: When you sit atop a $62 million net worth, it’s hard to see all the peons below. However, Hillary Clinton has reiterated throughout her campaign that she is going to really help out the middle class and not raise taxes on them. But when a reporter asked what income range she’s talking about, Clinton took the long way around with her answer.
Thursday, September 29, 2016
Pittsburgh newspaper to end print edition
Another death in the family. One of the best newspapers in Pennsylvania will end its print edition and go all-digital. More than 100 jobs will be lost in the transition. Sad.
Trib announces expansion in some markets, going all-digital in Pittsburgh
Trib announces expansion in some markets, going all-digital in Pittsburgh
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
Obama 'Didn’t Know' About Hillary’s Private E-Mail but Sent Messages Under Pseudonym
Obama 'Didn’t Know' About Hillary’s Private E-Mail but Sent Messages Under Pseudonym: The FBI has revealed that President Obama used a pseudonym in his communications with Hillary Clinton over her private e-mail server and in doing so, likely sent classified information through an insecure channel knowingly. His involvement also contradicts his previous statements that he knew nothing about her operating communications from her basement.
Saturday, September 24, 2016
Thursday, September 22, 2016
Trump Edging Out Hillary in Three Key Battleground States
Trump Edging Out Hillary in Three Key Battleground States: Donald Trump now narrowly leads Hillary Clinton in the battleground states of Nevada, North Carolina, and Ohio, according to Fox News, which conducted statewide likely voter polls Sunday through Tuesday evenings. Trump received a boost from working-class white voters, while Hillary's recent lackluster performances have hurt her among younger voters and women.
Monday, September 19, 2016
Friday, September 16, 2016
Hillary's Newest Book Bombs
Hillary's Newest Book Bombs: Readers apparently are wearying of Hillary Clinton's lies and boring statist policy tracts, because her newest book is a certifiable flop by publishing industry standards, according to The New York Times.
Hillary: I'm the 'Most Transparent' Presidential Candidate Ever
Hillary: I'm the 'Most Transparent' Presidential Candidate Ever: Hillary Clinton, fresh from a recent bout of overheating/dehydration/flu/pneumonia/exhaustion/etc., got back on the campaign trail with a Thursday morning radio interview, though she now seems to be suffering from something else -- serious self-delusion.
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
No joke: Hillary Clinton featured in October issue of Women's Health magazine
Guess Who's Being Featured in the Next Issue of Women's Health?: We've said it before, and we'll say it again: sometimes the headlines read just like The Onion. Currently, Hillary Clinton is not the picture of good health. She has pneumonia, a nasty, persistent cough and has trouble staying on her feet. Yet, the presidential candidate will be featured in the October issue of Women's Health magazine. Oh, the irony!
The Cost for 9 of Obama’s Executive Actions: $31 Billion
The Cost for 9 of Obama’s Executive Actions: $31 Billion: The American Action Forum has determined that President Obama’s executive actions have cost taxpayers $31 billion and that covers only nine of them. This should come as no surprise, as Obama pledged he would circumvent Congress, as he said so famously in 2014: “I’ve got a pen and I’ve got a phone… I can use that pen to sign executive orders and take executive actions and administrative actions that move the ball.”
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
2.2 Million Page Views at Tony Phyrillas on Politics
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Monday, September 12, 2016
Saturday, September 10, 2016
Friday, September 09, 2016
Tuesday, September 06, 2016
88 top generals, admirals endorse Trump for president
Trump touts endorsement of 88 retired military figures: Donald Trump won the endorsement of 88 retired generals and admirals, according to an open letter released Tuesday morning by the campaign. The 2016 election affords the American people an urgently needed opportunity to make a long overdue course correction in our national security posture and policy, the former military leaders wrote in their letter. The letter was spearheaded by Maj. Gen. Sidney Shachnow of the Army, a 40-year-old veteran and Holocaust survivor, and Rear Adm. Charles Williams of the Navy. It comes ahead of Trump's veterans affairs speech in Virginia Beach, Va., on Tuesday. As retired senior leaders of America's military, we believe that such a change can only be made by someone who has not been deeply involved with, and substantially responsible for, the hollowing out of our military and the burgeoning threats facing our country around the world, the generals and admirals wrote. For this reason, we support Donald Trump's candidacy to be our next commander in chief.
Friday, September 02, 2016
Why Hillary Clinton wants to be president ...
"In general, the art of government consists of taking as much money as possible from one class of citizens to give to another." -- Voltaire
Obama eyes special declaration to take charge of elections
Homeland eyes special declaration to take charge of elections: Even before the FBI identified new cyberattacks on two separate state election boards, the Department of Homeland Security began considering declaring the election a critical infrastructure, giving it the same control over security it has over Wall Street and the electric power grid. The latest admissions of attacks could speed up that effort possibly including the upcoming presidential election, according to officials. We should carefully consider whether our election system, our election process, is critical infrastructure like the financial sector, like the power grid, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said. There's a vital national interest in our election process, so I do think we need to consider whether it should be considered by my department and others critical infrastructure, he said at a media conference earlier this month hosted by the Christian Science Monitor.
Trump leads Clinton in new national poll
From Rasmussen Reports:
Hillary Clinton's post-convention lead has disappeared, putting her behind Donald Trump for the first time nationally since mid-July.Rasmussen White House Watch
The latest weekly Rasmussen Reports White House Watch national telephone and online survey shows Trump with 40% support to Clinton’s 39% among Likely U.S. Voters, after Clinton led 42% to 38% a week ago. Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson now earns seven percent (7%) of the vote, down from nine percent (9%) the previous two weeks, while Green Party candidate Jill Stein picks up three percent (3%) support. Three percent (3%) like some other candidate, and seven percent (7%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
2,195,000 Page Views at Tony Phyrillas on Politics
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Thursday, September 01, 2016
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
Tuesday, August 30, 2016
Minorities have no friend in Hillary Clinton
When it comes to helping blacks, especially poor blacks, Hillary Clinton has a sorry record, according to columnist John Lott:
Democrats clearly haven't served blacks well, and more of the same isn't going to help. If blacks are willing to listen to Trump, his logical arguments may have a real chance of winning them over.John Lott: Minorities have no friend in Hillary
Monday, August 29, 2016
Sunday, August 28, 2016
Upholding the standards of truth and fairness in journalism
The director of the Center for Media Innovation at Point Park University writes about the lack of objectivity and fairness in today's media climate, especially when it comes to covering the presidential race.
Andrew Conte: Upholding the standards of truth and fairness in journalism
Andrew Conte: Upholding the standards of truth and fairness in journalism
Saturday, August 27, 2016
Thursday, August 25, 2016
Nonbelievers sue over Pennsylvania House's opening prayers
If they don't believe in God, why do they care if someone else offers a prayer?
Nonbelievers sue over Pennsylvania House's opening prayers
Nonbelievers sue over Pennsylvania House's opening prayers
Kathleen Kane's reign of terror ends
Pennsylvania voters elected the first female and first Democrat to the office of Pennsylvania attorney general in 2012. A protege of the Clintons, Kathleen Kane was touted as a future governor of U.S. Senator. Instead, her political career quickly went down in flames. Stripped of her law license and convicted of perjury and obstruction, Kane resigned from office and awaits sentencing.
Veteran political reporter Brad Bumsted:
Veteran political reporter Brad Bumsted:
The sad saga of Kane's chaotic and often illegal tenure as Pennsylvania's attorney general could have been avoided by a "no comment" on March 17, 2014, when she began to build a web of lies about a legislative bribery case she declined to prosecute. Kane now will be fortunate if she can stay out of prison.Brad Bumsted: Kathleen Kane's reign of terror ends
GUEST COLUMN: Eye of the Storm
By Lowman S. Henry
As August melts into September the halls of the state capitol building are relatively quiet. This is a marked contrast to a year ago when state government was in what turned out to be the early phases of the longest budget stalemate in state history. This year the budget, or at least the spending part of it, was done reasonably close to the constitutionally-mandated June 30th deadline, the revenue component followed several weeks later.
But is this just the eye of the storm?
In capitulating to too many of Gov. Tom Wolf's spending demands the state legislature larded up the budget with nearly $1.4 billion in new expenditures. This despite claims of a $1.5 billion dollar "structural deficit" the governor claimed needed to be addressed. Even those using Common Core math can calculate that left the state nearly $3 billion in the hole.
To pay for this spending orgy some $650 million in new taxes were cobbled together, and accounting gimmicks employed, to produce a "balanced" budget. But the budget isn't really balanced and even that $650 million contains projected revenue that will never actually materialize. For example, lawmakers planned to charge the state's casinos $1 million each to purchase 24-hour liquor licenses. Apparently nobody thought to ask if the casinos wanted such licenses, as there now appears to be no takers.
The budget also includes revenue from on-line gambling. The problem is legislation has yet to be passed authorizing on-line gambling. After adopting the budget, the General Assembly adjourned for a two month recess delaying any possible revenue from that source deep into the fiscal year.
And, predictably, the taxes that were hiked on existing businesses are having a dramatic negative impact. A 40% tax imposed on vaping supplies is driving many vaping stores - almost all of which are small businesses - out of business. That means not only will projected revenue from the tax fall short, but the state will also lose out on sales tax revenue as the stores shutter their doors.
That Republicans in the legislature caved into $1.4 billion in new spending defied logic. The GOP had fought an epic budget battle with the governor the previous fiscal year and won. Not only did they win, but not a single lawmaker seeking re-election was denied by voters due to the budget fight. After posting a historic win, Republicans essentially forfeited the next game.
All of these elements are coming together to produce the perfect fiscal storm as budget talks begin for next year. Don't forget that "structural deficit" of $1.4 billion hasn't been addressed. A significant portion of the new taxes enacted this year will fail to materialize. And, Gov. Wolf continues to demand a lengthy menu of spending hikes - and the taxes to pay for them.
Making matters worse the governor and the legislature have not been able to agree on how to deal with cost drivers, particularly the skyrocketing cost of public employee pensions. Pension costs are gobbling up the lion's share of any new revenue produced by a still slow-growing state economy. Republicans have passed pension reform only to see it vetoed by Gov. Wolf. There are new legislative proposals on the drawing board, but they fall woefully short of resolving the problem. Even if some reform is enacted it will likely have minimal impact on the upcoming 2017-18 state budget.
Given all of this, will Republicans stick to their pledge that without addressing cost drivers they will not enact broad-based tax hikes - such as raising the personal income tax, expanding and/or raising sales taxes - or will they again cave into the governor's tax and spending demands? Much rides on the outcome of this looming budget fight, primarily the fiscal health of the commonwealth.
But, 2018 is a gubernatorial election year and this budget will be enacted as the campaign heats up. Gov. Wolf, if he seeks re-election, will want to show his base voters that he delivered the gods of higher spending. Republican voters will judge the GOP-controlled legislature by their ability to resist higher spending and more taxes. Add these competing political imperatives to the state's perilous fiscal circumstances and we should brace ourselves for the second wave of the hurricane.
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
Tuesday, August 23, 2016
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A eulogy for John McLaughlin
Long before CNN or Fox went on the air, the most insightful political commentary came from John McLaughlin's weekly show on PBS. He was a true pioneer.
Pat Buchanan: A eulogy for John McLaughlin
Pat Buchanan: A eulogy for John McLaughlin
Saturday, August 20, 2016
Thursday, August 18, 2016
The Hardest Question for Democrats to Answer: Is Hillary Honest?
The Hardest Question for Democrats to Answer: Is Hillary Honest?: It's easy to answer the question, "Is Hillary Clinton honest?" for anyone who's not a Democrat. But for New Hampshire Governor Maggie Hassan, that's a question she dodged like a prize fighter. During a recent interview with CNN's Manu Raju, Hassan exhibited her special ability to get out of the way of tough questions — not once, but THREE times: RAJU: Do you think that she's honest and trustworthy?
Wednesday, August 17, 2016
Tuesday, August 16, 2016
Hillary Clinton counting on illegals to put her in White House
Hillary drafts illegal 'Dreamers' to get immigrants to vote: Hillary Clinton's campaign on Sunday announced a program to recruit undocumented Dreamers into a voter registration army even though they are not allowed to vote. Celebrating the four-year anniversary of President Obama's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, Clinton launched Mi Sueno, Tu Voto (My Dream, Your Vote), to rally and secure commitments from immigrants who can vote. The DACA program created so-called Dreamers, the children of illegal immigrants who the president has offered renewable two-year work visas and deportation deferral. The goal for many in the program is amnesty. On Monday, the Democratic National Committee also heralded the DACA anniversary and said that Clinton will go further than Obama as president. Hillary Clinton is committed to introducing immigration reform with a pathway to citizenship within her first 100 days in office and she will continue defending DACA and DAPA from partisan attacks, said the DNC.
Media's misfires on Trump's Second Amendment remark
John Lott on the Clinton camp and its dishonest liberal media allies: "The reaction to Trump's statement comes across as a type of political Rorschach test for liberals, revealing their own biases more than anything else. Have people been conditioned to take everything literally?"
John Lott: Media's misfires on Trump's Second Amendment remark
John Lott: Media's misfires on Trump's Second Amendment remark
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ObamaCare's future: Condition critical
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Just around the time that Barack Obama packs his bags and leaves the White House, the house of cards that is ObamaCare could come tumbling down.
Editorial: ObamaCare's future: Condition critical
Editorial: ObamaCare's future: Condition critical
Thursday, August 11, 2016
Study: Networks Squash Hillary’s Terror Woes to Scold Trump’s Gun Remark
Study: Nets Squash Hillary’s Terror Woes to Scold Trump’s Gun Remark: Both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton should have been forced to deal with campaign messes on Tuesday, but the three networks only treated the Republican’s problem as a huge gaffe worthy of extensive coverage. ABC, CBS and NBC deluged viewers with five times more coverage — 25 minutes and 35 seconds versus 4 minutes and 41 seconds — to Trump’s “Second Amendment people” remark than they did to the father of an ISIS-inspired terrorist sitting right behind Clinton at a rally in Orlando, Florida.
Conservative Leaders: Media Must Report on the Christian Genocide
More Than 30 Conservative Leaders: Media Must Report on the Christian Genocide: Christianity is on the verge of being wiped out in the Middle East. Ancient communities that have existed since the time of the apostles are being systematically eliminated. In Iraq alone, the number of Christians has plunged from one million to under 275,000 in the last 12 years alone.
Suffolk University Iowa Poll Shows Trump Leading Clinton
Suffolk University Poll Shows Trump Leading Clinton by 1 Point, 41-40% in Iowa. Hillary Seen Untrustworthy by 62% of Likely Voters.
Suffolk University Iowa Poll Shows Trump Leading Clinton by 1 Point, 41-40 Percent - Suffolk University
Suffolk University Iowa Poll Shows Trump Leading Clinton by 1 Point, 41-40 Percent - Suffolk University
Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Tuesday, August 09, 2016
Newspaper: Only Trump Can Turn Sickly US Economy Around
Investor's Business Daily, one of the nation's top financial newspapers, says Donald Trump can turn the U.S. economy around:
"Trump's economic proposals are vastly superior to Hillary Clinton's divide-and-conquer, tax-the-rich policies, which would further hobble U.S. growth by imposing $1.3 trillion in new taxes and onerous new regulations on the economy -- leading to fewer jobs, lower incomes, bigger deficits and a less secure future for all Americans."Read the full editorial - Look Out, Hillary! On The Economy, It's Advantage: Trump - at the newspaper's website.
Forget Trump's Tax Returns, Let's See Hillary's Medical Records
The dirty little secret the liberal media is hiding: Hillary Clinton has serious medical issues that should disqualify her from seeking the presidency.
MARC SIEGEL: Hillary Clinton’s health and our right to know
MARC SIEGEL: Hillary Clinton’s health and our right to know
Friday, August 05, 2016
Fake Republicans for Hillary
Fake Republicans for Hillary: The defection of fake Republicans will make the party more conservative.
Feds Say Displaying Gadsden Flag Probably Racist
'13 Hours' Home Video Sales Surge
'13 Hours' Home Video Sales Surge:
Michael Bay’s movie 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi has been enjoying a surge in home video sales following the RNC.
Michael Bay’s movie 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi has been enjoying a surge in home video sales following the RNC.
Thursday, August 04, 2016
If you like your Iran ransom payment, you can keep your Iran ransom payment
Who loads $400 million on a plane in the middle of the night unless you're involved in some sort of international criminal enterprise? That's the Obama Administration for you.
White House denies $400M was ransom to Iran
White House denies $400M was ransom to Iran
Wednesday, August 03, 2016
3 of 4 NYT bestsellers are anti-Clinton books
3 of 4 NYT bestsellers are anti-Clinton books: For the first time, three of the top four New York Times nonfiction best sellers are anti-Clinton books.
Two new books jumped to the front of the all-important hardcover nonfiction list just this week: Armageddon, by Dick Morris and Eileen McGann, and Hillary's America, by Dinesh D'Souza.
Two new books jumped to the front of the all-important hardcover nonfiction list just this week: Armageddon, by Dick Morris and Eileen McGann, and Hillary's America, by Dinesh D'Souza.
Pew: Voters see better future under Trump than Clinton
Pew: Voters see better future under Trump than Clinton: American voters believe that Republican Donald Trump will do a better job turning the country around that Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton, especially in the areas of immigration, national security and the economy.
According to data tweeted out Tuesday by Pew Research Service, voters considering six major issues believe Trump would be a lot better in handling them than a Clinton administration.
According to data tweeted out Tuesday by Pew Research Service, voters considering six major issues believe Trump would be a lot better in handling them than a Clinton administration.
Pa. school districts holding on to $4B in 'surplus' tax dollars
At a time when almost every school district in Pennsylvania has raised property taxes on residents, an analysis by the Commonwealth Foundation finds that these very same districts are hoarding $4 billion in "surplus" accounts -- far more than the state requires. A "surplus" is another way of overtaxing residents.
Saving for a Rainy Day – But Whose Money?
Saving for a Rainy Day – But Whose Money?
The Perils of Kathleen (Kane)
This is what you get when you elect an inexperienced Democrat into office (and I'm not talking about Obama).
Taxpayers to pay $150,000 to resolve Kane 'wrongful termination' lawsuit
Taxpayers to pay $150,000 to resolve Kane 'wrongful termination' lawsuit
Monday, August 01, 2016
Obama's America: Welfare is the new work
The welfare state of mind has spiraled out of control in America especially during the Obama years, writes Stephen Moore in The Washington Times ... and will continue to grow worse if Hillary Clinton is elected president.
Welfare is the new work
Welfare is the new work
Hillary's Hate
Hillary's Hate: The Saul Alinsky devotee crystallizes who will be anointed -- and who will be damned.
Obama VA Spent $20M on Art While Soldiers Died Waiting for Care
VA Spent $20 Million on Art While Soldiers Died Waiting for Care: Watchdog group Open the Books has blown the lid off the Veterans Affairs agency for spending tens of millions of dollars on needless artwork instead of giving our injured soldiers the care they need. Between 2004 and 2014, the VA dolled out nearly $20 million on art commissions, including custom sculptures, art installations, and a giant Morse Code display on the side of a parking garage (above photo) to honor blind vets. The colorful dots and dashes light up and are translations of Abraham Lincoln and Eleanor Roosevelt quotes. The cost: $300,000.
Saturday, July 30, 2016
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Friday, July 29, 2016
The 50 Most Generous Cities in America
From the Barna Group:
Click on the link below for the complete list:
Barna Group - Knowledge to navigate a changing world
Stories of police brutality and violence against police, terrorist attacks, and negative political rhetoric have filled the news cycle of late, making it easy to forget the reality of human kindness in the world. So in the tradition of city-rankings (including the most and least churched cities, the most Bible-minded cities and the most post-Christian cities in America), Barna decided to release a new ranking of the top 50 most generous cities in America. El Paso, TX tops the list with a host of cities in the south and midwest well-represented among the most
generous.
Click on the link below for the complete list:
Barna Group - Knowledge to navigate a changing world
Thursday, July 28, 2016
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
Most Blatant Bias Yet: Trump Missing From Google Search of Presidential Candidates
Most Blatant Bias Yet: Trump Missing From Google Search of Presidential Candidates: Google has been called out before on claims it manipulates its search engine to yield results favorable to Democrats. While some of the past allegations are clear, others remain slightly harder to substantiate. Not this time. The latest example of the tech giant's left-wing bias is irrefutable.
Tuesday, July 26, 2016
DNC Day 1: 61 Speakers - NOT ONE Mention of ISIS
Thousands of people - including hundreds of Americans - are slaughtered in the name of ISIS and the Democratic Party wants to pretend the threat doesn't exist.
DNC Day 1: 61 Speakers - NOT ONE Mention of ISIS: Day one of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia featured 61 speakers -- including the First Lady, primary candidate Bernie Sanders, and Vice Presidential short-list contenders Elizabeth Warren and Corey Booker. Yet with all of those speakers, delivering hours and hours of prepared speeches, not one mention of ISIS was made.
DNC Day 1: 61 Speakers - NOT ONE Mention of ISIS: Day one of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia featured 61 speakers -- including the First Lady, primary candidate Bernie Sanders, and Vice Presidential short-list contenders Elizabeth Warren and Corey Booker. Yet with all of those speakers, delivering hours and hours of prepared speeches, not one mention of ISIS was made.
Baghdad Bob Moment: MSNBC Claims DNC Chair 'Receives Cheers'...As She's Booed Relentlessly
Baghdad Bob Moment: MSNBC Claims DNC Chair 'Receives Cheers'...As She's Booed Relentlessly: They had a Baghdad Bob moment on MSNBC this morning in the 9am hour (Eastern time). The Lean Forward network's screen graphic read 'WASSERMAN SCHULTZ RECEIVES CHEERS AT FLORIDA DELEGATION BREAKFAST,' while it was very plain to viewers that she was being booed relentlessly. Anchor Stephanie Ruhle must have heard the boos in her earpiece, and said “She actually walked in to cheers and a lot of support from the crowd.” That's odd. All the audience saw and heard to match that graphic was booing and heckling.
Monday, July 25, 2016
Bernie Supporters March Against Hillary in Philadelphia, Chant 'Lock Her Up!'
Bernie Supporters March Against Hillary in Philadelphia, Chant 'Lock Her Up!': A GOP slogan coined at the Republican National Convention seems to have caught on among Progressives. 'Lock her up!' became a chant among some attendees of the RNC during Governor Chris Christie's speech in which he enumerated Hillary Clinton's long list of transgressions.
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The Democratic Party is imploding in Philadelphia. But in other news, my site counter has recorded 2 million page views at Tony Phyrillas on Politics from 550,000 Unique Visitors. Thanks for checking out my blog and for coming back again and again. Now pass the popcorn and let's watch Hillary, Debbie and Bernie devour each other in the City of Brotherly Love.
Sunday, July 24, 2016
Saturday, July 23, 2016
Professor Obama: Student Debt Good for Economy
Obama: Student Debt Good for Economy: In a new report released by the White House, the Obama administration is declaring student loan debt a really good thing for the economy. The report, Investing in Higher Education: Benefits, Challenges, and the State of Student Debt, claims that the crushing $1.3 trillion America's students are carrying around on their backs has actually helped them along the path to success:
Rigged: Leaked Emails Reveal DNC Plot to Screw Bernie Sanders
Leaked DNC E-Mails Reveal Plot to Sabotage Sanders, Control Media Narrative: On Friday, Wikileaks published nearly 20,000 e-mails, reportedly via the hacker Guccifer 2.0, showing an apparent attempt to sabotage Bernie Sanders' campaign in favor of Hillary Clinton and other messages that show collusion between Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz, her staff and members of the mainstream media.
Clinton and Trump Get Closer ... In The Polls
Clinton and Trump Get Closer In The Polls: The polling news continues to be bad for Hillary Clinton and good for Donald Trump as the Republicans wrap up their convention in Cleveland. Three polls released this week, all conducted before the convention was over and Trump's acceptance speech was watched by 32 million people, show Clinton's lead shrinking or disappearing altogether.
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Friday, July 22, 2016
Wednesday, July 20, 2016
Tuesday, July 19, 2016
Monday, July 18, 2016
Bernie Sanders supporters may not back Hillary
More Sanders voters say they will choose 'other,' or not vote, than back Clinton: Supporters of rebel Democrat Sen. Bernie Sanders are not following his lead in backing Hillary Rodham Clinton, detouring away from the establishment Democrat to other candidates including Donald Trump. A new Economist/YouGov poll showed that the email scandal, and FBI Director James Comey's charge that Clinton's behavior was extremely careless, has led Sanders backers to abandon the former secretary of State. Since Comey's House testimony, support for Clinton has dropped 12 points, to 41 percent. For the first time, Sanders supporters now prefer either someone else or they won't vote.
Survey of military puts Trump ahead of Clinton by 2-1
Survey of military puts Trump ahead of Clinton by 2-1: U.S. military personnel back Donald Trump over Hillary Clinton by a more than 2-1 majority, but most service members aren't happy with either candidate, according to a new survey by the Military Times. The survey of 1,915 active-duty personnel, reservists, and National Guard personnel, conducted July 5-8, found that 49 percent back Trump while only 20 percent support Clinton and 23 percent say they intend to vote for a third party or independent candidate. More than 61 percent say they are either dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with Trump as the GOP nominee, while a whopping 82 percent say the same about Clinton. This is the worst presidential election I have ever seen, said one Air Force master sergeant who responded to the survey. How in the world could we only have Hillary and Trump as the options? The survey is not scientific, it should be noted. It is limited to Military Times subscribers and is representative of the services' more senior and career-oriented members, those who run the military's day-to-day operations and carry out its policies, according to the publication.
Saturday, July 16, 2016
Friday, July 15, 2016
Obamas Spent Nearly $80M on Travel Expenses So Far
Judicial Watch: Obamas Spent $79.6 Million on Travel Expenses So Far: New information obtained from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) brings the total of the known travel expenses of by President Obama and his family to $79,630,433.93 in taxpayer money, Judicial Watch reported Wednesday.
Wednesday, July 13, 2016
New Poll: Trump Leads Clinton in Pennsylvania, Florida
QU Poll Release Detail: Clinton Losing On Honesty In Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Quinnipiac University Swing State Poll Finds
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