Con Con: Pennsylvania needs a new state constitution
By Lowman S. Henry
The time has come for a state constitutional convention.
It has become abundantly clear that not only is state government broken and dysfunctional, but that it is impossible for the current governmental structure to fix itself so [...]
[twitpic.com] – Demonstraters (via @ugh2boys) #
[twitpic.com] – Crowd in Harrisburg (via @NathanBenefield) #
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[twitpic.com] – Demonstraters (via @ugh2boys) #
[twitpic.com] – Crowd in Harrisburg (via @NathanBenefield) #
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Recovery.gov, the website reporting stimulus figures, has reported the creation of jobs in non-existent Congressional districts across the country.
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West Lawn, PA State Representative Sam Rohrer (R-Berk) will formally announce his decision to seek the 2010 Republican Gubernatorial nomination in a live statewide webcast of a “Pennsylvania Townhall” later this evening.
The son of a union steelworker, Rohrer has been a leading advocate for issues affecting [...]
A new report from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid states that the House-passed healthcare bill will raise medical costs by $289 billion over ten years. The reports also states that cuts to Medicare will reduce the level of care.
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CLARKE REPORT EXCLUSIVE: Interview with Mantura GallagherThe Clarke ReportOn Friday morning at the county courthouse, I conducted an exclusive interview with Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Mantura Gallagher. Mrs. Gallagher requested my time because she took issue wit...Shady State [...] 
Event Agenda:
1:00 PM – Meet at City Island Parking Lot
2:00 PM – March begins from City Island to Capital Steps
2:30 PM – Rally begins on Capital Steps
More info visit
Parking will be tight so arrive early. Here is a map of the [...]
Altmire and Holden vote NO on Obamacare-rest of PA Delegation votes the party line. [myloc.me] (via @Mitch_Vidovich) #
East lampeter township is discussing actuarial smoothing for pension funds, thanks to @liberty4pa I know what they're talking about #
True says she won't run next [...] 
Commentary from Congressman Joe Pitts
On November 7, the House of Representatives considered Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s healthcare 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 [...]
Rep. Sam Rohrer talks about a package of bills aimed toward giving workers the choice for union membership.
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More bad news for Arlen SpecterTONY PHYRILLASBad 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 [...] 
Healthcare bill passed the house 220-215, the senate will be a tougher sell.
Read this afp post regarding passage, Keeping Tonight’s Healthcare Vote in perspective.
Live on FoxNewsv
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Rep. Pitts discusses a bipartisan amendment to the healthcare bill keeping federal funds from flowing to abortion providers.
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Guest Post from Adam who made it down to D.C. On Thursday (pictures below).
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After taking the day off to visit my senators and congressman yesterday, I am left, probably more worried than I was during the drive to the Capitol. Following a chilly drive to the metro [...]
Rumor is now confirmed, check the email below for details.
Dear Friend of Liberty,
Over the past few weeks Ruth Ann and I, and our entire family have been weighing the decision to seek the Republican nomination for Pennsylvania Governor. [...]
AP reports that Four candidates fall under automatic recount law: Lazarus (714,531), Colville (713,019) Smith (710,111) and McCarthy (702,212).
And also from the Temp Smith facebook group,
We need volunteers to observe the recount process for Temp Smith’s Superior Court race. Currently he is behind by [...]
Who: Elk County Tea Party
What: Town hall with GT Thompson
When: 11/11/2009 7:00pm
Where: Johnsonburg Firehall 99 Clarion Rd, Johnsonburg Pennsylvania 15845 [google map]
Contact: 814 335-2884 babkb@windstream.net
Congressman Shuster delivered a one minute speech on the House floor to talk about the dangers the Democrats’ healthcare reform plans pose to all Americans, especially seniors on Medicare Advantage and employees of small businesses across the nation.
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You’ve probably heard of homeschoolers in 1994 melting the phone lines over H.R. 6 or run into interns from Patrick Henry college but how do you reach out to them?
As a homeschool graduate and the marketing director of a company that sells to homeschoolers I often get [...]
Congressman Thompson explains Medicaid unfunded mandates in the Pelosi health care bill.
[...]Rep. Pitts discusses bipartisan amendments that were removed during the closed door meetings to construct Speaker Pelosi’s healthcare bill.
The healthcare bill started with 1,000 pages and ended up with 2,000 pages with the committee amendments removed.
[...]Rep. Pitts discusses the cuts in Medicare Advantage that will lead to many seniors losing their current healthcare plans.
Here is a link to the GOP Healthcare alternative
[...]And the Pennsylvania 2009 election winners are… (source of information is electionreturns.state.pa.us.)
Justice of the Supreme CourtJoan Orie Melvin with 53.2% of the vote
Judge of the Superior CourtOLSON, JUDY (REP) 937,617Â Â Â 15.1%
MUNDY, SALLIE (REP) 855,008Â Â Â 13.7%
OTT, PAULA (REP) 792,525Â Â Â 12.7%
LAZARUS, ANNE E. (DEM) 714,531Â Â Â 11.5%
Tell Your Friends to Vote! Find out where, when and how over at VotesPA.com
Even though it’s an off year election there are still some important races going on. This year the theme is Judges.
Do your homework and make an informed decision. Also make sure and remind your friends [...]
Local Democrats have started a facebook group to show their support for Republican Matt Holden in Tuesdays city council race. Here is some info from the group,
We support Matt Holden because we support public debate and open democracy more than any political party.
We fully favor and support Mayor [...]
Rep. Pitts calls for key provisions of the PATRIOT Act to be renewed so that the FBI can continue to discover and prosecute terrorists.
It’s a touching story Mr. Pitts but some of the Patriot Act provisions need to be amended significantly or it shouldn’t be extended. I preferred Leahy’s [...]
In case you haven’t been following the NY-23 special election here is a very quick recap.
Obama appointed John McHugh as the 21st Secretary of the Army. This left a vacancy and created a special election to fill his seat. Democrats picked Bill Owens and the Republican committee picked [...]
Rep. Pitts discusses whether the Democrat’s government-run health insurance, the public option, will be competitive with other insurance and whether states will truly have a choice to opt-out.
[...]Congressman Thompson describes cuts to Medicare Advantage in Democrats’ health care package.
[...]I was watching this video and couldn’t help but think of ye Grand Olde Party.
When was the last time you woke up and thought man I just want to go volunteer with the local GOP. If you’re like me and most of the people I know that has never happened. [...]
“Recent climate change legislation had 50 Pages about Light bulbs and 2 sentences concerning nuclear power”
Rep. Joe Pitts discusses the country’s need to for clean energy and how nuclear power can meet the demand.
[...]Apparently the reason the stimulus package isn’t creating jobs is because we didn’t use enough money.
[...]Want to get more involved? Want to learn how to run for office or become a better activist? Then this event is for you,
American Majority together with The Pittsburgh 9/12 Project and the Pittsburgh Tea Party Movement is pleased to announce that our Candidate and Activist Training Program [...]
Rep. Pitts discusses the Senate Democrats plan to tax health benefits and how middle class Americans could see their benefits decreased or their premiums raised under the proposed legislation
[...]Latest video from the Toomey campaign, “Specter and Sestak Stand with the Extreme Left on Health Care”,
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Dick Armey will be headlining the “March on Harrisburg” event in November. join him, the PA tea party coalition, Freedomworks and Smart Girl Politics on the Capitol steps and let your elected officials know what you think.
From the Freedomworks website,
FreedomWorks has joined the Pennsylvania Tea [...]
From the Post Gazette h/t Grassroots PA
Mr. Rohrer, an economic conservative first elected to the House in 1992, said he would make a final decision on the race within three weeks, and that it was “more likely than not,” that he would go ahead with his candidacy. [...]
Notes and thoughts from the “Pensions & Politics: Why your taxes will skyrocket” RE Harper Economic forum.
Some links to helpful articles
Philly.com Washington Post PennLive.comNotes:
Principles in Practice“In any conflict between two groups who hold the same basic principles, it is the more consistent one who wins”
“In any collaboration between [...]
Richard C. Dreyfuss a senior fellow of the Commonwealth Foundation will be speaking on “Pensions & Politics: Why Your Taxes Will Skyrocket”
From the Commonwealth Foundation website,
Pennsylvania’s state and municipal pension systems constitute a financial crisisthat will dramatically impact taxpayers’ wallets and pocketbooks in the not too distant future. Public [...]
Rep. Pitts discusses high unemployment and what affect government can have on job creation.
[...]From the commonwealth foundation comes this new movie, “The Story of Spending.”
Politicians are engaged in reckless, unaccountable, out-of-control, spending.
The Story of Spending tells the true story of government gone wild.
Visit BankruptingPA.com for more info.
[...](10/06/09) — U.S. Congressman Jason Altmire (PA-04) speaks on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives about his ongoing efforts to make roads safer for older drivers. Congressman Altmire is the lead sponsor of the Older Driver and Pedestrian Safety and Roadway Enhancement Act of 2009 (H.R. 3355), which [...]
Republican Leader Sam Smith discusses tax code legislation that was narrowly adopted in the House.
[...]Today is the final day to contribute to the Toomey campaign’s 30,000 by Sept 30th. Donate now.
[...]Rep. Samuel Rohrer poses some tough questions about the three-caucus budget agreement recently announced.
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Rep Rohrer takes a pessimistic view of projected government revenue, only time will tell. Yes revenue took a hit in 2008 due to a huge economic recession and has already grown significantly since then. [...]
Rep Pitts will be holding another townhall meeting in Lancaster this evening from 6:30-8:30.
Townhall Meeting
Lancaster Farm and Home Center
1383 Arcadia Road, Lancaster
September 28, 6:30-8:30 pm
Read more about Pitt’s plans to reform healthcare here and here.
[...]Rep. Joe Pitts speaks before the Energy and Commerce Committee considers amendments that should be added to H.R. 3200, the healthcare reform legislation.
[...]New video from the Toomey campaign
[...]Powered by Twitter Tools
[...]Latest video from Toomey for Senate,
[...]On September 17th 1787 39 great men signed their names to the piece of paper that chartered the course for freedom in America.
Today I think each of us should take a moment and read the Constitution and reflect on what it means.
I also heartily recommend listening to [...]
Rep. Pitts calls for UN schools in Gaza to teach curriculum that recognizes the Holocaust.
[...]Congressman Thompson honors western Pennsylvania National Guardsmen, members of the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team.
[...]Update:
Steve Welch has announced that he will be running in the 6th congressional district. Read the press release here.
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Special Guest Post from Karl Bucus about what’s happening in the 6th and 7th. I heartily concur and urge everyone to contact Steve and ask him to keep running in [...]
The Tea Party continues in Lancaster with the Constitution Tea Party on Sept 26th. Here is the info from the facebook page.
RSVP on facebook.
CONSTITUTION TEA PARTY Citizens from around South Central Pennsylvania will rally to promote individual liberty, free market ideals and Constitutional principles. The rally, to be [...]
Team Toomey has launched a campaign to raise awareness for the health care debate and some campaign contributions. Their goal is $30 from 1,000 people by September 30th. A day they have dubbed TOOMSDAY!
From their blog,
Today, we at Team Toomey launched a campaign to raise awareness of [...]
Congressman Pitts, “President Obama’s Czars Should Face Confirmation Hearings”
[...]The PA Family Institute, released a report stating that eliminating the estate tax would increase PA jobs.
Pennsylvania Family Institute joins the Family Research Council and the American Family Business Foundation in releasing a new report today analyzing the effects of the estate tax (“death tax”) on jobs, government [...]
My rant for the week.
I was on vacation last week with my family and one person, reading an old fashioned paper, asked me what I thought about Obama wanting to talk to students heading back to school. I responded that I think it is perfectly appropriate for the president of [...]
Protesters of Lancaster’s surveillance cameras marched through the city last week. More info can be found at the “Stop The Cameras” website.
Clymer said he was calling on Mayor Gray, and other elected officials, to uphold the Constitution, and ensure that the surveillance cameras were taken down. He said surveillance [...]
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[...]Visit the YouTube channel of Rep Pitts to see videos from his townhall meeting. I’ll be uploading a few more when I return from vacation.
Here are a few highlights,
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Update:
Tom Murse of Capitol Punmanship will be live streaming the townhall meeting over at LancasterOnline.com
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Joe Pitts will be holding a town hall meeting to discuss health care this Thursday 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Conestoga Valley High School.
Nothing is more important to [...]
On Saturday we through a little recess rally in downtown Lancaster PA. We showed up to voice our opposition to the Democrats health care plan and to show our support for Congressman Joe Pitts who has been working hard to stop a government takeover of health care while [...]
Disappointed to see Gov discussing Vick signing with the Eagles instead of dealing with the budget…. (via @RepBryanCutler) #
Listening to John Fund speak #righton #
Eating lunch with @skye820 and having too much fun in reply to skye820 #
Just saw [...] In the latest video from the Toomey Campaign,
Q: What’s the difference between Sen. Specter in 1994 and Sen. Specter in 2009?
A: Political calculation.
Congressman Rogers’ (R-MI) makes his opening statement on Health Care reform legislation that is under debate in Congress.
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This Saturday (Aug 22) join your fellow Pennsylvanians rallying to prevent government run health care.
Pennsylvania Recess Rally
The default time and location for each of the Recess Rallies is Noon local time out in front of each of the 1000+ congressional offices. If you are unsure, [...]
This video clip reminds me of the Dave Barry article “How to win arguments, as it were”
The ultimate debate winner (which has been overused by both sides of the political spectrum and is currently being overused by the right).
Compare your opponent to Adolf Hitler.
This is your heavy artillery, for [...]
Here it is straight from the horses mouth,
[...]Recently Pat Toomey made this statement about Justice Sotomayor,
If I were a U.S. senator, I would vote for her confirmation, because objective qualifications should matter more than ideology in the judicial confirmation process.
His reasons were these,
As a former member of Congress, I observed the transformation of the confirmation [...]
