Conservative Link by Sue Cirba

Trump: Everything Obama Does Is a 'Campaign Speech' - Interviews - On the Record - FoxNews.com

2011-09-06T16:12:00.000-07:00

Listen to this interview with Donald Trump on Gretta Van Susteren. Does this sound like a man who is NOT running for office?
Trump: Everything Obama Does Is a 'Campaign Speech' - Interviews - On the Record - FoxNews.com: "Look, we spent $1.3 trillion in Iraq. We should at least reimburse ourselves. I would say much more than that, but somebody else would be more modest. We get nothing. What do we get out of it? Tell you what we get out of it. Iran will take over the minute we leave. As sure as you're standing there, Iran will take over the Iraqi oil fields and Iraq as soon as we leave."

'via Blog this'

Lowman Henry on the State Legislature

2011-09-02T13:02:00.000-07:00

A Tree Falls in Penn's Woods
Perzel guilty plea shows no one is above the law

By: Lowman S. Henry
The Lincoln Institute's most recent Keystone Business Climate Survey found just 16% of employers in Penn's Woods held a positive view of the state House of Representatives, only 14% thought kindly of the job being done by the state Senate. Those numbers are reflective of the low esteem in which the public at-large views the commonwealth's legislative branch.

Eight years of missing budget deadlines, a growing fiscal crisis and rampant corruption have soured citizens on state government. To its credit, the new General Assembly that took office earlier this year has balanced the budget - and done so on time. Further, the state Attorney General's office has made significant and commendable progress in cleaning up legislative corruption.

Complete validation of former Attorney General, now Governor Tom Corbett's Bonusgate and capitol corruption scandal probes came with the plea bargain entered into by former House Speaker John Perzel. Perzel was, at one time, the 800-pound gorilla of state politics. He ruled the House with an iron hand and ruthlessly destroyed, or attempted to destroy, anyone who opposed him.

He is now headed for federal prison.

Perzel and his minions have now admitted guilt in spending millions of taxpayer dollars on projects whose main purpose was to elect enough subservient Republicans to the legislature to retain a majority and preserve Perzel's power. He didn't do it alone, some 25 individuals have been charged with corruption and to date 15 have either been convicted or copped a plea. The other 10 - including former House Speaker Bill DeWeese, a Democrat - await trail.

Lord Acton said: "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely." That saying, first uttered in 1887 is as true today as it was then. John Perzel arrived from Philadelphia as the unlikely winner of his House seat in 1979. He would go on to serve 16 terms before losing his seat last November in what was otherwise a tidal wave election year for Republicans. Perzel rose from humble beginnings; he worked as a maître d' for a Philadelphia restaurant. He quickly lost touch with the average voter, once complaining that tattoo artists made more money than state representatives. Perzel last surfaced during the recent state budget debate, arguing for higher taxes at a time when his party was firmly against adding to the tax burden of families and businesses in the midst of an economic recession.

Perzel's story is a stunning tale of a fall from power. It should serve as a lesson to those who are in the General Assembly today. Despite the recent scandals there remain in power those who feel they are entitled to their jobs. They believe they are there to be courted, rather than to serve. While such legislators and senators are not guilty of legal corruption, they have indeed corrupted and perverted the governmental process having fallen victim to Lord Acton's admonition.

It is, however, important not to paint all members of the General Assembly with the same brush. The positive effect of Bonusgate and the capitol corruption scandals has been to bring about a house cleaning of sorts. Numerous incumbent Republicans have been defeated in primaries, and long-serving Democrats washed out in last year's wave election that favored the GOP. Most of these new lawmakers are keenly aware of the circumstances which brought them to Harrisburg and are pushing for change. But, given the leadership driven top-down nature of Pennsylvania's legislative bodies, change will be slow in coming.

But come it must. For starters, Pennsylvania should return to the part-time citizen legislature envisioned by our Founding Fathers. Forget about arguments that today's complex society requires a full-time legislature. It does not. Texas, a much larger - and more economically successful state - operates with a part-time legislature. To our south, Maryland has legislative sessions that last but 90 days each year. Truth be told, Pennsylvania's legislative sessions occupy about the same amount of time, but are spread out with two or three day work weeks and lengthy recesses. For example, the General Assembly recessed the end of June and is not scheduled to return to session until late September, almost a three month break.

The fall of John Perzel and convictions in the corruption scandals are but a necessary first step in cleaning up the mess in Harrisburg. As in the aftermath of a flood, the Attorney General's office has mopped up, but the task of rebuilding and reforming lies ahead.

(Lowman S. Henry is Chairman & CEO of the Lincoln Institute and host of the weekly Lincoln Radio Journal. His e-mail address is lhenry@lincolninstitute.org.)

Permission to reprint is granted provided author and affiliation are cited.

Rick Santorum on American Radio Journal - A Pennsylvania Minute

2011-09-02T12:39:00.000-07:00

American Radio Journal - A Pennsylvania Minute:

'via Blog this'

Sen. Toomey To Host Debt, Jobs and Economy Town Hall In Elk County | Pat Toomey | Senator for Pennsylvania

2011-09-01T13:20:00.000-07:00

"WASHINGTON, D.C. - On Friday, Sept. 2 at 2:30 p.m., Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) will host a town hall in Kersey, Pa., focused on the federal debt, the economy and job creation. The town hall is open to the public and the media.

What: Debt, economy and jobs town hall

Who: U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey

When: Friday, Sept. 2, 2011
Town hall: 2:30 p.m.

Where: The Red Fern
421 Old Kersey Road
Kersey, PA 15846"

'via Blog this' Visit:
Sen. Toomey To Host Debt, Jobs and Economy Town Hall In Elk County | Pat Toomey | Senator for Pennsylvania:

The "Not Mitt" Primary by Lowman S. Henry

2011-07-06T05:50:00.000-07:00

The "Not Mitt" Primary
Can a newcomer win the GOP Presidential nomination?
By: Lowman S. Henry
In addition to their growing ideological divide, the two major political parties in the United States have established a completely different approach to selecting their nominees for the Presidency. The Republican nomination tends to go to a well-known, although not necessarily beloved, candidate who has run previously for national office. Democrats get swept up in the moment frequently picking a newcomer who embodies the prevailing mood of the day.

From an electoral viewpoint this has generally worked well for the Democrats. The notable misfire was the nomination of the anti-Vietnam War candidate George McGovern in 1972 who was routed by Richard Nixon in the general election. But starting with Jimmy Carter in 1976, continuing with Bill Clinton in 1992 and most recently Barack Obama in 2008, candidates rising from obscurity have resulted in Democratic electoral victories.

Republicans have rewarded persistence - but with mixed results. Ronald Reagan prevailed in 1980 after having lost to Gerald Ford in 1976; George H.W. Bush won in 1988 after having run in 1980 and then serving as Reagan's Vice President. George W. Bush won in 2000 without having previously lost, but had the built-in advantage of the Bush family name and network in claiming the nomination.

The GOP's habit of selecting a previous year's also-ran has produced some notable flops. U.S. Senator Robert Dole had lost to George H.W. Bush in 1988, but was rewarded with the party's nomination in 1996 only to lose to Bill Clinton. In 2008, the 2000 primary runner-up U.S. Senator John McCain became the Republican standard-bearer, and was run down by Barack Obama.

This brings us to the upcoming 2012 race and once again the front-runner is a losing candidate from a previous campaign cycle. The GOP race has begun to take shape over the past few months with several potential heavy weight candidates declining to run, and others making their candidacies official. Through all this former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney has emerged as the front-runner. He consistently leads in national polls. More importantly, his fundraising has left the other candidates in the dust. Romney is expected to report having raked in close to $20 million in the second quarter, about four times more than any other candidate is expected to have raised.

Despite his financial showing and strong polling numbers there is unease about a Mitt Romney candidacy that permeates the party. Driven in large measure by Romney's Massachusetts health care plan, which was disturbingly similar to the reviled Obamacare, many Republicans are looking for a fresh face.
This has created a second tier of candidacies vying in the "not Mitt" primary. In recent weeks Minnesota Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann, a favorite of the tea party movement, has emerged as the leading challenger to Romney moving into a statistical tie with him in the crucial first caucus state of Iowa. Georgia businessman and talk show host Herman Cain, another grassroots darling, is also showing viability.

But evidence of the degree to which the race remains unsettled is the continued pining for additional candidates to enter the race. A delegation of power brokers from Iowa paid a visit to Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey in an effort to entice him to run. He declined. Currently, the most talked about non-candidate is Texas Governor Rick Perry, who is by all accounts seriously considering jumping into the fray.

If Perry decides to run the dynamics of the contest would dramatically change. Although he would start out behind, the sitting Texas governor would quickly be able to compete with Romney financially. Perry's persona and policies also appeal to the conservative base of the party, giving him a shot at winning over those currently supporting Bachmann and Cain.

Perry has the potential to quickly emerge as the leading "not Mitt" candidate. The big question then would be: can Perry or any fresh face convince the broad spectrum of Republican voters to abandon their historic tendency to nominate the known quantity and take a chance on a national newcomer?

In 2010, as the tea party movement swept the nation, we learned that the old rules of politics no longer necessarily apply. As the economy continues to sputter and foreign wars drag on voters are going to be looking for fresh faces and new ideas.

Thus the stage is set for historic and current trends to collide. Will the GOP again nominate an also-ran, or will it be more like the Democrats and go with a fresh face that captures the national mood. The answer to that question will ultimately determine whether Mitt Romney or the "not Mitt" ends up as the 2012 Republican nominee for President of the United States.

(Lowman S. Henry is Chairman & CEO of the Lincoln Institute and host of the weekly Lincoln Radio Journal. His email address is lhenry@lincolninstitute.org.)

Permission to reprint is granted provided author and affiliation are cited.

Commonwealth Foundation - Education Failure Costs PA Taxpayers and Businesses

2011-06-22T11:53:00.000-07:00

"According to the National Center for Education Statistics, nearly 45 percent of community college students and 27 percent of four-year college students have taken at least one remedial course."Commonwealth Foundation - Education Failure Costs PA Taxpayers and Businesses:

A Press Release from James Bopp

2011-06-10T13:43:00.001-07:00

PRESS RELEASE
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Contact: James Bopp, Jr.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

9th Circuit: Parties May Contribute To Candidates; No Limit for IE Contributions

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals today issued a ruling vindicating the political speech and association rights of corporations and political parties. The ruling affirmed a lower court’s decision to enjoin certain San Diego campaign finance laws. This decision upheld the right of political parties to make contributions to their candidates, and the right of individuals, associations, and corporations to make unlimited contributions to committees making independent expenditures.

James Bopp, Jr., counsel for the plaintiffs, commented, “One of the important purposes of political parties is to elect their candidates to office. It is absurd to forbid them from giving money to support their candidates. The Ninth Circuit understood that the First Amendment gives citizens the right to band together in political parties, and that political parties have a First Amendment right to financially support their candidates.” About the independent expenditure ruling, Mr. Bopp said, “The Supreme Court has ruled that there is no permissible reason for the government to limit independent expenditures themselves. This is true even when the expenditures are made by corporations. It naturally follows that if the expenditures cannot be limited, then money to groups making expenditures cannot be limited either, even when the money comes from associations and corporations.”

The Ninth Circuit’s decision also ruled that San Diego’s laws banning direct corporate contributions to candidates, and preventing candidates from accepting contributions more than a year before the primary, are likely constitutional. Mr. Bopp disagreed with the Court, explaining, “Both these bans are bans on political speech and association. And the Supreme Court has said that while limits may be acceptable, bans are not.” Mr. Bopp said that these rulings may yet be overturned by subsequent litigation in this case.

The case is known as Thalheimer v. City of San Diego. The Ninth Circuit’s decision is availably athttp://www.jamesmadisoncenter.org/cases/files/2011/06/Dkt-76-1-OPINION.pdf. The other documents from this case are athttp://www.jamesmadisoncenter.org/cases/06-09-2011/486/.

James Bopp, Jr. has a national federal and state election law practice. He is an attorney with Bopp, Coleson & Bostrom and General Counsel for the James Madison Center for Free Speech. He is also a former Co-Chairman of the Election Law Subcommittee of the Federalist Society.

Commonwealth Foundation - SB1 for Smarties

2011-05-27T14:05:00.000-07:00

"Will SB1 force school districts to raise taxes or reduce funding for local schools? NO. In fact, school districts should be more capable of lowering their taxes. Here's why: The Harrisburg School District spends approximately $17,675 per student. Under SB1, a low-income student trapped in a chronically underperforming school would be eligible to utilize a state-funded voucher of approximately $8,828 to attend an alternative public or private school. Where does the remaining $8,847 go? It stays in the district effectively increasing the amount of money per student for t" Visit:Commonwealth Foundation - SB1 for Smarties:

Congressman Barletts - Standing with Israel

2011-05-27T12:06:00.000-07:00

Congressman Lou Barletta in his May 25th e-mail message wrote:
"Yesterday, I had the privilege of being part of a Joint Session of Congress to hear Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speak on the challenges facing his country and the important partnership between our two democratic nations. I’m proud to stand with Israel in their struggle for democracy, freedom, and security."

Congressman Barletta quotes Prime Minister Netanyahu,

“Israel has no better friend than America. And America has no better friend than Israel. We stand together to defend democracy. We stand together to advance peace. We stand together to fight terrorism.”

Congressman Barletta wrote he was "upset to hear President Obama advocating for a smaller Israel" in his speech at the State Department. "Israelis deserve security... Israel has an absolute right to exist."

Barletta back in immigration fight - News - Standard Speaker

2011-05-05T11:35:00.000-07:00

"The newly elected congressman and former mayor of Hazleton is drafting his first piece of legislation, which will crack down on so-called 'sanctuary cities,' or places where elected officials choose not to enforce immigration policy.

Barletta said he is also creating the new 112th Congress Immigration Reform Caucus, which will closely examine American immigration policy" Visit:
Barletta back in immigration fight - News - Standard Speaker:

Time for the U.S. to Get Out of NATO | Gene Healy | Cato Institute: Commentary

2011-05-04T12:48:00.000-07:00

"We got dragged into Libya by our NATO allies, who aren't competent to run a proper airwar against a crumbling Third-World autocracy, and are now complaining that we're not doing more to bail them out." Visit:
Time for the U.S. to Get Out of NATO | Gene Healy | Cato Institute: Commentary:

Just for fun:

2011-03-27T21:26:00.000-07:00

Top 10 Rejected Obama Mission Names

Apparently the White House tossed out a number of perfectly good names before arriving at "Operation Odyssey Dawn":
10.Operation Nine Months In The Senate Didn't Prepare Me For This
9. Operation Organizing for Libya
8. Operation Double Standard
7. Operation FINE! I'll Do Something
6. Operation Enduring Narcissism
5. Operation So That's What the Red Button Does
4. Operation France Backed Me Into A Corner
3. Operation Start Without Me
2. Operation Unlike Bush Wars This One Is Justified Because Hey Look A Squirrel
1. Operation Aimless Fury

How about Operation Impeach Obama?

Port Arthur Housing Authority violated competitive bidding, other stimulus rules, must return $725K federal stimulus grant

2011-02-03T14:11:00.000-08:00

Port Arthur Housing Authority violated competitive bidding, other stimulus rules, must return $725K federal stimulus grant: "By Mark Lisheron
The housing authority in Port Arthur will lose the balance of a $725,546 federal stimulus grant for its mishandling of two low-income development projects.

In a report issued late last week, Gerald R. Kirkland, regional inspector general for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in Fort Worth, is asking that the Housing Authority return $67,640 the authority already spent on the project." Don't hold your breath.

MinnPost - Bachmann's big night: reaction to her SOTU response

2011-01-26T13:03:00.000-08:00

Michelle Bachmanns Tea Party Response to State of the Union Address talk's about health care. Visit to view her video address: MinnPost - Bachmann's big night: reaction to her SOTU response

MinnPost - Bachmann's big night: reaction to her SOTU response

2011-01-26T12:58:00.000-08:00

MinnPost - Bachmann's big night: reaction to her SOTU response

YouTube - Forbes Discusses China and President Hu's Visit to DC on Fox News

2011-01-26T11:46:00.000-08:00

YouTube - Forbes Discusses China and President Hu's Visit to DC on Fox News: ""

American Radio Journal

2011-01-14T14:06:00.000-08:00

American Radio Journal: "January 15, 2011 - January 21, 2011) This week on American Radio Journal: Lowman Henry interviews Dr. Jamie Glazov of www.FrontPageMag.com and author of the new book Showdown With Evil: Our Struggle Against Tyranny and Terror about the ongoing war against terror; Andy Roth of the Club for Growth has the Real Story on the congress' upcoming agenda; And, Col. Frank Ryan, USMC (Ret.) has an Amerian Radio Journal commentary on America's vulnerability to economic warfare."

Poll Shows Pennsylvanians Favor School Choice

2010-11-14T22:44:00.000-08:00

From the Commonnwealtlh Foundation:
Commonwealth Foundation sponsoring forum on education vouchers, state budget and spending cuts in wake of poll results
HARRISBURG, PA (11.09.10) — Pennsylvania voters elected a Governor last Tuesday who is committed to school choice, sending a message that our children's right to an excellent education is one they are not willing to compromise.

The Commonwealth Foundation reinforced this message by releasing a poll today that shows that half of Pennsylvanians support education vouchers in their state. The poll, conducted one day before the election, revealed that 50 percent of Pennsylvanians think that education vouchers should be used for those who want to send their children to a private school, rather than paying taxes to a public school that may be underperforming or failing.

Additionally, those polled feel strongly that all students should have the option to receive the vouchers, as opposed to merely low-income students in underperforming schools. Of the 500 polled, 67 percent prefer that all students be eligible to receive vouchers, with 20 percent stating that vouchers should go only to low-income students or those in schools with poor performance. Fourteen percent were undecided.

"These numbers are compelling," said Matthew J. Brouillette, President and CEO of the Commonwealth Foundation and a former teacher and school board member. "It's clear that Pennsylvanians not only want school choice for their own children, but support those in the quest to place their kids in schools and educational programs best-suited to these families. We've always argued that students should have the freedom to break away from underperforming schools rather than be forced to attend a school based merely on where they live. And now we see that most Pennsylvanians feel the same way."

The poll, conducted Nov. 1 by Pulse Opinion Research, asked 500 likely voters in the state their views on tax credit funded scholarships, education vouchers, and the students who should be eligible for these programs. Forty-six percent of those polled supported the concept of Pennsylvania's Educational Improvement Tax Credit, which provides companies with a 75 percent tax credit for donations to a non-profit scholarship or educational improvement organization. Thirty percent were opposed to the credits and 24 percent were undecided.

The complete poll results can be accessed at CommonwealthFoundation.org.

In light of these poll results, the Commonwealth Foundation will sponsor a Nov. 15 Policies & Principles Luncheon on issues surrounding the recent election, namely school choice, the state budget, spending cuts, and privatizing liquor sales.

Where The Action Ought To Be: A Once in a Generation Chance for the Midwest - Hugh Hewitt - Townhall Conservative

2010-11-04T12:27:00.000-07:00

"But the states that have hemorrhaged jobs and opportunities over the past many years of misrule by Democratic governors and Democratic majorities have to take quick and decisive action on three fronts. The voters have delivered the legislative majorities these new governors need, and they should act especially in three areas." Corporate tax rates...education and liability laws: Visit: Where The Action Ought To Be: A Once in a Generation Chance for the Midwest - Hugh Hewitt - Townhall Conservative:

Sestak Too Radical

2010-10-27T12:49:00.000-07:00

How radical is Rep. Joe Sestak's record on abortion? Sestak is radical enough to have earned the endorsement of the National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL) in all of his political campaigns, as well as contributions from them. According to their mission statement, NARAL "uses the political process to guarantee….the full range of reproductive choices, including … choosing legal abortion."
Sestak received NARAL's endorsement and a $5,000 campaign contribution in the PA primary against Arlen Specter according to a May 12 th press release by Nancy Keenan, NARAL's president. Sestak said he was "greatful" for NARAL's support.
Joe Sestak has been supported by the pro-abortion group NARAL consistently. In Sestak's "first successful campaign…NARAL...spent $232,000 on independent expenditures, including voter identification, polling, persuasion mail pieces…, and phone calls, reaching 86,000 households." according to Ms. Keenan's press release. NARAL's political action committee "contributed $10,000 to Sestak's 2006 campaign and $2,500 to his re-election bid in 2008" wrote Keenan. She added, Sestak's endorsement "continued the organization's strong ties with Sestak"
Pro-life voter's need to know about Sestak's pro-abortion stand and remember Sestak cast NO votes for pro-life legislation during his career in Congress according to the National Right to Life Committee scorecard.
Susan Cirba

Four-State Abortion Empire Crumbles Following Botched Abortion

2010-09-08T12:56:00.000-07:00

Four-State Abortion Empire Crumbles Following Botched Abortion: "VOORHEES TWP, New Jersey, September 7, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The empire of a troubled New Jersey abortionist who headed a four-state abortion ring is slowly crumbling after Maryland began investigating the setup following a teenager's botched abortion. In addition to unveiling the illegality of the setup, the investigation resulted in one raid where police discovered a gruesome display of 35 frozen unborn children preserved in jars."

YouTube - Congressman Paul Kanjorski's Scandal

2010-09-07T13:05:00.000-07:00

Moveon.org in Scranton is having a protest at the courthouse on Sept. 8 at noon. Their goal is to supposedly call for the cleanup of corruption in Congress. I wonder if any will cross the street to Congressman Kanjorski's office to chastise him? I just stumbled upon this news report on Kanjorski.
YouTube - Congressman Paul Kanjorski's Scandal: ""

Gardasil - The Damage is Done: From A Best Friend's View

2010-07-30T19:03:00.000-07:00

The Associated Press: Schwarzenegger orders government worker furloughs

2010-07-29T20:00:00.000-07:00

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger brought back furloughs for thousands of state workers until California passes a budget that addresses a $19 billion deficit.
Schwarzenegger released a new executive order requiring state workers to take three unpaid days off per month starting in August. Last year state workers were furloughed a total of 46 days resulting in a pay cut of about 14 percent Visit:The Associated Press: Schwarzenegger orders government worker furloughs:

California corruption: Prosecutors probe Bell for possible election fraud, conflicts of interest, improper salaries | L.A. NOW | Los Angeles Times

2010-07-27T16:29:00.000-07:00

"Until now, the district attorney has said it was looking at what it called high salaries paid to City Council members, who earned nearly $100,000 until they cut their own salaries on Monday. But Cooley said that part of the probe is specifically looking at whether council members received pay for meetings they didn’t attend." Visit:Prosecutors probe Bell for possible election fraud, conflicts of interest, improper salaries | L.A. NOW | Los Angeles Times:

White House backed release of Lockerbie bomber Abdel Baset al-Megrahi | The Australian

2010-07-26T18:11:00.000-07:00

"THE US government secretly advised Scottish ministers it would be 'far preferable' to free the Lockerbie bomber than jail him in Libya.
Correspondence obtained by The Sunday Times reveals the Obama administration considered compassionate release more palatable than locking up Abdel Baset al-Megrahi in a Libyan prison." Visit:White House backed release of Lockerbie bomber Abdel Baset al-Megrahi | The Australian:

Scott Gottlieb: No, You Can't Keep Your Health Plan - WSJ.com

2010-07-17T23:01:00.000-07:00

"President Obama guaranteed Americans that after health reform became law they could keep their insurance plans and their doctors. It's clear that this promise cannot be kept. Insurers and physicians are already reshaping their businesses as a result of Mr. Obama's plan." Visit: Scott Gottlieb: No, You Can't Keep Your Health Plan - WSJ.com:

The Mad Tea Party | NetRight Daily

2010-07-17T07:57:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, the Senate voted 60 to 39 to take over the nation’s financial system. The bill now proceeds to Barack Obama, who will sign it, and it shall be law. Included is a hidden, permanent bailout that will enable faceless bureaucrats to levy taxes, bail out privileged institutions, and to seize disfavored ones, redistributing their assets to favored constituencies, like unions." visit:The Mad Tea Party | NetRight Daily:

Press release from James Madison Center for Free Speech

2010-07-14T07:12:00.000-07:00

James Madison Center for Free Speech
1 South Sixth Street
Terre Haute, Indiana 47807-3510
www.jamesmadisoncenter.org

PRESS RELEASE
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Contact: James Bopp, Jr.
Phone: 812.232.2434; Fax: 812.235.3685; jboppjr@aol.com

Candidate and Supporters Sue Virginia For Violating First Amendment Right To Circulate and Sign Candidate Petitions

On Tuesday, Herb Lux, an independent candidate for the United States House of Representatives in Virginia’s Seventh Congressional District, and three of his supporters sued Virginia to protect their right to circulate and sign a candidate petition in support of Herb Lux’s candidacy. The State Board of Elections rejected a majority of Mr. Lux’s petitions and refused to certify him for the ballot, citing a Virginia law that requires petition circulators to be residents of the congressional district. The group has asked the court to rule that the residency requirement violates their freedom of speech and to order the State Board of Elections to count the excluded signatures.

The Board of Elections rejected Mr. Lux’s signatures because Virginia law requires all petition circulators to live in the congressional district. When applied to Mr. Lux, the law prevents him from circulating his own petitions. The First Amendment clearly protects Mr. Lux’s freedom to circulate his own candidate petitions. It also protects his supporters’ freedom to help further his candidacy by signing a petition. If the Board counts all of the signatures collected by Mr. Lux, the group is more than confident that he will have collected more than the 1,000 signatures necessary to appear on the November ballot.

James Bopp, Jr., lead counsel for Mr. Lux and his supporters, stated, “The Supreme Court has clearly stated that a state may not prohibit large classes of people from circulating petitions unless it has a really good reason. There is simply no reason for prohibiting Mr. Lux from circulating his own petitions. It’s a silly rule and it makes no sense. And it’s really hurting Mr. Lux because he has been forced to place his campaign on hold while the court sorts out this thing. Hopefully, he will get the relief he seeks soon enough for him to wage an effective campaign.”

The case is before the Honorable Robert E. Payne in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Richmond Division. The case is Lux v. Rodrigues, No. 3:10-cv-482. The complaint and the brief in support of motion for preliminary injunction may be viewed at www.jamesmadisoncenter.org.

James Bopp, Jr. has a national federal and state election law practice. He is General Counsel for the James Madison Center for Free Speech, former Co-Chairman of the Election Law Subcommittee of the Federalist Society, and was recently recognized as the Republican Lawyer of the Year by the National Republican Lawyers Association.

CNSNews.com - Obama Administration Approves First Direct Taxpayer Funding of Abortion Through New High-Risk Insurance Pools

2010-07-14T06:57:00.000-07:00

"(CNSNews.com) - If you want proof that President Obama's Executive Order on taxpayer-funded abortion was a sham, look no further than Pennsylvania, says House Republican Leader John Boehner (Ohio)." Visit:CNSNews.com - Obama Administration Approves First Direct Taxpayer Funding of Abortion Through New High-Risk Insurance Pools:

SAF Press Release :: SAF SUES TO OVERTURN NORTH CAROLINA’S 'EMERGENCY POWERS' GUN BANS

2010-07-07T09:38:00.000-07:00

BELLEVUE, WA – The Second Amendment Foundation on Monday filed a federal lawsuit in North Carolina, seeking a permanent injunction against the governor, local officials and local governments from declaring states of emergency under which private citizens are prohibited from exercising their right to bear arms. Visit: SAF Press Release :: SAF SUES TO OVERTURN NORTH CAROLINA’S 'EMERGENCY POWERS' GUN BANS

SAF Press Release :: COURT VICTORY OVER CHICAGO IS 'CALL TO ACTION,' SAYS SAF

2010-07-03T09:50:00.000-07:00

“This morning’s high court ruling clearly shows that the right of the individual citizen to have a gun is constitutionally protected in every corner of the United States,” Gottlieb stated. “We are already preparing to challenge other highly-restrictive anti-gun laws across the country. Our objective is to win back our firearms freedoms one lawsuit at a time.”
Visit:SAF Press Release :: COURT VICTORY OVER CHICAGO IS 'CALL TO ACTION,' SAYS SAF

Bobby Jindal gives most blistering comprehensive report on federal response to Gulf Oil Spill- The Right Scoop

2010-07-02T20:37:00.000-07:00

Bobby Jindal gives most blistering comprehensive report on federal response to Gulf Oil Spill- The Right Scoop: "Sean Hannity got Bobby Jindal on the radio today to talk about the Gulf oil crisis and just let him go. One thing is clear: Bobby Jindal does not need a teleprompter to give you the entire run down on the Federal response to this crisis. In fact he spit out so much information I had to listen to this a couple of times because he really does lay it out in detail. The bottom line is what we all know already, that the Feds have botched this oil response royally from day one. But it’s the specifics that Jindal divulges that makes the account of the federal response so harrowing." Visit: Bobby Jindal gives most blistering comprehensive report on federal response to Gulf Oil Spill- The Right Scoop

Philadelphia Boy Scouts Eviction - Rasmussen Reports™

2010-06-23T13:14:00.000-07:00

Rasmussen Reports™

Thomas Sowell : Oil and Snake Oil - Townhall.com

2010-06-19T05:34:00.000-07:00

Brilliance from my favorite columnist: "If the Obama administration was for real, and trying to help get the oil spill contained as soon as possible, the last thing its Attorney General would be doing is threatening a lawsuit. A lawsuit is not going to stop the oil, and creating a distraction can only make people at BP start directing their attention toward covering themselves, instead of covering the oil well"The article continues:Thomas Sowell : Oil and Snake Oil - Townhall.com:

Fannie & Freddie: Twin Titans of Financial Failure | The Heritage Foundation

2010-06-15T14:54:00.000-07:00

Fact Sheet from the Heritage Foundation on fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Visit:
Fannie & Freddie: Twin Titans of Financial Failure | The Heritage Foundation

American Radio Journal

2010-06-12T10:31:00.000-07:00

American Radio Journal: "(June 12, 2010 - June 18, 2010) This week on American Radio Journal: Lowman Henry talks with Michael W. Grebe, President & CEO of the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation about the annual awarding of the Bradley Prize; Eric O'Keefe of the Sam Adams Alliance has results and analysis of recent primary elections; And Col. Frank Ryan, USMC (ret.) has an American Radio Journal commentary on the energy disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.(June 12, 2010 - June 18, 2010) This week on American Radio Journal: Lowman Henry talks with Michael W. Grebe, President & CEO of the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation about the annual awarding of the Bradley Prize; Eric O'Keefe of the Sam Adams Alliance has results and analysis of recent primary elections; And Col. Frank Ryan, USMC (ret.) has an American Radio Journal commentary on the energy disaster in the Gulf of Mexico."

Pennsylvania Independent - Turnpike Spent $24 Million on Failed I-80 Tolling Project

2010-06-02T19:33:00.000-07:00

"Between the passage of Act 44 in 2007 and the final death of the plan to toll Interstate 80 at the hands of federal Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood on April 6, 2010, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission spent more than $24 million to prepare the road for tolling." Visit:Pennsylvania Independent - Turnpike Spent $24 Million on Failed I-80 Tolling Project:

Commonwealth Foundation - Corbett v. Rendell: Who is Right on PA's Economy?

2010-05-22T05:37:00.000-07:00

"In his acceptance speech Tuesday night, Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Corbett vowed to get Pennsylvania's economy back on track after years of stagnation and misguide policy decisions. Gov. Rendell obviously took exception to that:" Visit: Commonwealth Foundation - Corbett v. Rendell: Who is Right on PA's Economy?:

CQ Politics | Pa. Is Keystone in House GOP’s Path to Majority

2010-05-22T05:21:00.000-07:00

"“Pennsylvania will be the ultimate bellwether this year, because we have more competitive congressional seats than any other state in the union,” said Charlie Gerow, a Pennsylvania-based Republican strategist. “Pennsylvania is, it’s fair to say in the red-blue continuum, a very purple state right now.”" Visit:CQ Politics | Pa. Is Keystone in House GOP’s Path to Majority:

American Federation of Teachers Funded ACORN After Video Scandals Hit

2010-04-24T22:37:00.000-07:00

"Union officers who are 'shocked and angered' over proposed budget cuts in N.J. that will supposedly harm young students have thus far failed to find their voice where the spending habits of their respective national organizations are concerned.
A good starting point would be with the $352,510 The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) funneled to ACORN in 2009"
American Federation of Teachers Funded ACORN After Video Scandals Hit:

American Radio Journal

2010-04-02T11:34:00.000-07:00

American Radio Journal: "(April 3, 2010 - April 9, 2010) This week on American Radio Journal: Lowman Henry talks with Daniel Pipes of the Mid East Forum about the deteriorating relationship between the U.S. and Israel; Andy Roth of the Club for Growth has the Real Story behind renewed efforts to pass Cap and Trade"

Abortion - Pro Life - Pro Life Legislation to Support

2010-02-13T19:25:00.000-08:00

"The top health care aide to Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a speech Tuesday that the strategy is for the Senate first to pass legislation that amends the health care bill that it already adopted. This amending measure, which would make the Senate bill palatable to House Democrats, would be adopted under the budget reconciliation process whereby only 51 votes would be needed instead of the usual 60 required to end debates in the Senate.
Once the Senate approved the reconciliation bill, House Democrats would then pass the measure." Visit: Abortion - Pro Life - Pro Life Legislation to Support:

Full text of Sen. Bob Mellow's retirement statement - News - The Times-Tribune

2010-02-13T18:13:00.000-08:00

Full text of Sen. Bob Mellow's retirement statement - News - The Times-Tribune: "Below is the official statement released by Mr. Mellow:
Harrisburg, February 9, 2010 -- Senator Robert J. Mellow, the Pennsylvania State Senate's longest-serving member and its highest-ranking Democrat, announced today that he will not seek re-election. With a lengthy record of public service, Senator Mellow's distinguished career includes two terms as Senate President Pro Tempore, the third-highest constitutional office in the Commonwealth."

Activists seek ethics probe of Sen. Mellow - News - The Times-Tribune

2010-02-13T18:03:00.000-08:00

Perhaps Sen. Mellow's retirement has something to do with an investigation reported earlier in the Times: HARRISBURG - State Sen. Robert Mellow is in the crosshairs of legislative reform activists after revelations this week that for seven years he rented his taxpayer-funded district office in Peckville from a company partly owned by his wife and later himself." Visit:
Activists seek ethics probe of Sen. Mellow - News - The Times-Tribune:

North Pocono principal facing termination over a song defends herself at a hearing - News - The Times-Tribune

2010-02-13T17:59:00.000-08:00

North Pocono principal facing termination over a song defends herself at a hearing - News - The Times-Tribune: "JEFFERSON TWP. - A suspended North Pocono principal facing termination after a song with questionable lyrics played over the school's public address system said Friday that she had no idea the lyrics include references to masturbation and venereal disease."

Court stands behind cross necklace prohibition

2010-02-13T17:47:00.000-08:00

Court stands behind cross necklace prohibition: "A court in the United Kingdom has concluded British Airways reasonably can ban Christian employees from wearing cross necklaces."

McCain at Hearing for Craig Becker Nomination

2010-02-11T13:05:00.000-08:00

Activist encourages others to report courthouse corruption - News - The Times-Tribune

2010-01-27T05:44:00.000-08:00

Harrisburg activist Gene Stilp, "launched a campaign Tuesday to ferret out corruption, calling it the Lackawanna County Courthouse Crime Watch. He plastered the courthouse and nearby Administration Building with almost 20 posters. The posters invite county employees to report tips on illegal activity in county government to a post office box he set up." Visit:
Activist encourages others to report courthouse corruption - News - The Times-Tribune: Why is he ignoring Pittsburgh and Philadelphia?

Former Luzerne County commissioner Skrepenak pleads guilty to bribery - News - The Times-Tribune

2010-01-27T05:35:00.000-08:00

"Mr. Skrepenak, who turns 40 on Sunday, pleaded guilty to accepting $5,000 in payoffs from a housing developer after voting to approve a $1.1 million government-backed loan for the developer's condominium project in Jenkins Twp." Visit:
Former Luzerne County commissioner Skrepenak pleads guilty to bribery - News - The Times-Tribune:

Luzerne County corruption, violence year's top stories - News - Standard Speaker

2010-01-27T05:30:00.000-08:00

For aconcise summary of the Luzerne County corruption scandal's developmentsin 2009:
"The Luzerne County corruption investigation and resulting charges dominated the headlines of the Standard-Speaker for most of the past year, so it's no surprise that the newspaper's editors, reporters and photographers unanimously voted the scandal the top story of 2009."
Luzerne County corruption, violence year's top stories - News - Standard Speaker:

American Radio Journal: Col. Frank Ryan, Jeff Lord of American Spectator, TEA Party Movement

2010-01-04T10:13:00.000-08:00

From American Radio Journal: "(January 2, 2010 - January 8, 2010) This week on American Radio Journal: Lowman Henry talks with Col. Frank Ryan, USMC (Ret.) about the security failure that lead to the Christmas Day terrorist attack aboard an American airplane; Jeff Lord of the American Spectator talks about the similarities between the 1980 and 2010 election cycles; And, Colin Hanna of Let Freedom Ring, USA has an American Radio Journal commentary on whether or not the TEA Party movement should become a third political party." Visit: American Radio Journal:

Cottonwood Arizona Bank Robbery

2009-12-27T16:07:00.000-08:00

AddThis utility frame

2009-12-11T12:54:00.000-08:00

AddThis utility frame: "In Pennsylvania, the club’s former president, former Rep. Pat Toomey, is the runaway favorite for the Republican nomination and has a chance to take on party switcher Sen. Arlen Specter, assuming Specter survives his own Democratic primary challenge from Rep. Joe Sestak."

Advocacy for Pittsburgh taxpayers and Pittsburgh businesses - Allegheny Institute

2009-12-10T13:46:00.000-08:00

Advocacy for Pittsburgh taxpayers and Pittsburgh businesses - Allegheny Institute: "With thirty co-sponsors, a bill introduced by Rep. Paul Costa would ban the imposition of the proposed education privilege tax in Pittsburgh and preclude any other municipality in Pennsylvania from enacting such a levy. The so called 'fair share tax' is highly controversial and has enraged students and prompted university officials to mount a serious opposition campaign. And rightly so: as we have pointed out over recent weeks, this tax is one of the worst ideas ever to arise out of Pittsburgh government."

Center For Security Policy

2009-12-07T13:23:00.000-08:00

"The men and women Elmendorf who play a vital role in the air defense of our nation and, if necessary, in the projection of dominant aerospace power overseas understandably wanted to have as the backdrop for an important presidential address their best weapon system, the F-22 Raptor. There was only one problem: President Obama had made the cancellation of production of this state-of-the-art air superiority fighter one of his signature 'defense' initiatives."
Visit: Center For Security Policy:

ANATP

2009-12-02T16:07:00.000-08:00

ANATP: "WILKES-BARRE - Luzerne County Judge Michael Toole has agreed to plead guilty to federal charges of honest services fraud and filing a false income tax return, the U.S. Attorney's office announced today."

ANATP Another Luzerne County Judge Charged

2009-12-02T16:06:00.001-08:00

Another Luzerne county Judge Charged

2009-12-02T16:06:00.000-08:00

"WILKES-BARRE - Luzerne County Judge Michael Toole has agreed to plead guilty to federal charges of honest services fraud and filing a false income tax return, the U.S. Attorney's office announced today." Visit:
ANATP:

Commonwealth Foundation - Pennsylvania's October Revenues Fall Short

2009-11-09T11:01:00.000-08:00

Commonwealth Foundation - Pennsylvania's October Revenues Fall Short: "The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue released October revenue collections. Once again, the numbers fell short of projections - the state is now $160 short of estimate for the fiscal year.
The tax collections were slightly higher than last year (note that $1.8 billion was 'non-tax revenue', i.e. transfers from the Rainy Day Fund and other funds).
Prognosis - things are looking more and more like another budget shortfall.
Historical Budget Shortfalls: Projected vs. Actual Revenues (Monthly)"

November 5, 2009 March Against Obama Health Care Plan

2009-11-05T12:00:00.000-08:00

The Club For Growth (Hoffman ad) - http://www.clubforgrowth.org

2009-10-29T10:45:00.000-07:00

Washington - Club for Growth and Club for Growth PAC will launch a $300,000 television ad campaign tomorrow in the special election for New York's 23rd Congressional District. The campaign follows the Club for Growth PAC's Sept. 28 endorsement of Doug Hoffman, a Republican running on the Conservative ticket, over liberal Republican Dede Scozzafava and Democrat Bill Owens." To see the ad visit:The Club For Growth - http://www.clubforgrowth.org: "Club and Club PAC Launch TV Ad in NY-23

Club for Growth ad in New York's 23rd District Race

2009-10-29T10:41:00.000-07:00

"The conservative Club for Growth is spending another $300,000 on a new ad attacking the Democratic and Republican candidates in the race to fill the congressional seat vacated by New York Rep. John Hughes.
The group, which is backing third-party candidate Doug Hoffman, calls Republican Dede Scozzafava and Democrat Bill Owens 'two liberals'"

UPDATE 1-Illinois man charged in plot to bomb federal offices | Markets | Markets News | Reuters

2009-09-24T23:38:00.000-07:00

"WASHINGTON, Sept 24 (Reuters) - An Illinois man was ordered held on Thursday on charges he tried to blow up a federal building in the state capital, a case unrelated to the New York terrorism plot.
Michael Finton, also known as Talib Islam, was arrested in Springfield, Illinois, and charged with attempted murder of federal officers or employees and trying to use a weapon of mass destruction" Visit: UPDATE 1-Illinois man charged in plot to bomb federal offices | Markets | Markets News | Reuters:

OPENING MASS AND 40 DAY PRAYER VIGIL PLANNED BY SCRANTON PRAYER GROUP

2009-09-19T14:46:00.000-07:00

ALL ARE INVITED!!!!!!!
CATHOLICS DEFENDING LIFE Prayer Team, Scranton announces 40 Day Prayer Vigil
AND OPENING MASS: SEPTEMBER 23,2009 7:00 p.m.in St. Peter's Cathedral, Scranton.
The Catholics Defending Life prayer team, Scranton will be conducting a 40 day prayer vigil at the Planned Parenthood at 316 Penn Ave, Scranton, from September 23 to November 1st. We will be praying to end abortion and for respect of human life from conception to natural death. The hours we are trying to fill are as follows: Mon., Wed., and Fri. From 10 A.M. to 5 P.M., Tues., and Thurs. From 10 A.M. to 7P.M...... Saturdays to be announced. We would appreciate any time you would be able to participate. This is a peaceful, prayerful, presence that has as it's purpose to change hearts. An opening Mass will be held on Wednesday, September 23, at 7 P.M. at St. Peter's Cathedral, 315 Wyoming Ave., Scranton, Pa. Fr. Ed Buchheit, C.P. will be the celebrant. To schedule a time convenient for you to join us for prayer or for more information, call: Donna: 570-348-5011, Theresa: 570-687-5329 or Mary Ann: 570: 570-346-5094

U.S. to Shelve Nuclear-Missile Shield - WSJ.com

2009-09-17T20:49:00.000-07:00

"The White House will shelve Bush administration plans to build a missile-defense system in Poland and the Czech Republic, according to people familiar with the matter, a move likely to cheer Moscow and roil the security debate in Europe.
The U.S. will base its decision on a determination that Iran's long-range missile program has not progressed as rapidly as previously estimated" Visit:
U.S. to Shelve Nuclear-Missile Shield - WSJ.com:

Commonwealth Foundation - Pensions & Politics: Why Your Taxes Will Skyrocket

2009-09-15T20:38:00.000-07:00

On OCTOBER 8, 2009, the Commonwealth Foundation will present, >"Pensions and Politics: Why Your Taxes Will Skyrocket"R.E. Harper Economic Forum"

Start Date : OCTOBER 8, 2009 11:45 AM
End Date : OCTOBER 8, 2009 1:15 PM

R.E. Harper Economic Forum Pensions & Politics: Why Your Taxes Will Skyrocket
Featuring:Richard C. Dreyfuss
Commonwealth Foundation Senior Fellow

Pennsylvania's state and municipal pension systems constitute a financial crisis that will dramatically impact taxpayers' wallets and pocketbooks in the not too distant future. Public pension plans are some of the least understood and yet most far reaching and important public policy topics facing this and the next generation of taxpayers. The goal of the forum is to present the basic facts taxpayers need to understand the problem and be an effective contributor in the necessary reform efforts. This presentation is focused on all levels of knowledge and interests.

Date: Thursday, October 8, 2009
Time: 11:45 a.m.—1:15 p.m.
Location: Scranton Hilton, 100 Adams Avenue, Scranton, PA 18503

Cost: $20.00 (includes lunch)
Reservations are requested by October 5
To RSVP or request additional information, please contact Amy at 717.671.1901 or ajg@CommonwealthFoundation.org.

Visit: Commonwealth Foundation - Pensions & Politics: Why Your Taxes Will Skyrocket: "

Senate Votes to Block HUD from Giving Grants to ACORN

2009-09-14T20:33:00.000-07:00

Click here to find out more!: "The Senate voted Monday to block the Housing and Urban Development Department from giving grants to ACORN, a community organization under fire in several voter-registration fraud cases.The 83-7 vote would deny housing and community grant funding to ACORN, which stands for the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now"

Tea Party Express Comes to Scranton, PA Spet. 10th

2009-09-08T21:47:00.001-07:00

PLEASE ATTEND IF YOU CAN!!!
WOW, we have the infamous Tea Party Express rolling into Scranton PA this Thursday, September 10th at Noon! As seen on TV, this is a fantastic opportunity to get involved and let you voice be heard, and also be seen. No doubt there will be network coverage of the stop in our traditionally blue collar Democrat county.

No matter party affiliation, we need to fight what is unwise and unconstitutional! The X Amendment (Tenth) reads: "Powers not given to the Federal Government are specifically reserved to the states!" It does not get much clearer than that!

Please forward to friends & family. Loading our children with debt, cutting seniors health care via rationing by half a trillion dollars while ten thousand baby boomers enter the system a week will be a disaster! Speak up this Thursday, 9/10/2009 at noon.

IF not us, who. If not now, when?

DON'T FORGET YOUR SIGNS!!
Frank Scavo

Obama to raise 10-year deficit to $9 trillion | U.S. | Reuters

2009-08-22T22:45:00.000-07:00

"WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Obama administration will raise its 10-year budget deficit projection to approximately $9 trillion from $7.108 trillion in a report next week, a senior administration official told Reuters on Friday.
The higher deficit figure, based on updated economic data, brings the White House budget office into line with outside estimates" Visit: Obama to raise 10-year deficit to $9 trillion | U.S. | Reuters:

What happened to Obama's Promised Transparency?

2009-08-21T03:55:00.000-07:00

Pennsylvania's Tax and Debt Burden | POLICY POINTS from the Commonwealth Foundation

2009-08-11T11:32:00.000-07:00

Useful Information from the Commonwealth Foundation:
"Tax Freedom Day is the day of the calendar year when Americans have finally earned enough money to pay all of their federal, state, and local taxes. The following table shows the dates to which Pennsylvanians had to work in 2009 in order to foot the bill.
In 2009, Pennsylvanians worked 104 days—January 1 to April 14—just to pay their tax bill.
Federal, state, and local taxes consume 28.5% of Pennsylvanians’ income (41% if federal deficit spending is added to the mix)
Overall, Pennsylvanians will spend more of their income on taxes than they will on food, clothing, and housing combined." Visit: Pennsylvania's Tax and Debt Burden | POLICY POINTS from the Commonwealth Foundation:

Official Tax Day TEA Party

2009-08-05T13:34:00.000-07:00

Official Tax Day TEA Party, July 4th, 2009: "With the national debt already out of control, President Obama has added 78,000 new government jobs to the federal payroll since he took office. Obama’s increase in the number of government employees will add hundreds of millions of dollars to our debt. If history is any measure, these jobs will never be eliminated. They will simply add to the mountains of debt we are leaving our grandchildren and great-grandchildren."

Desperate States and Decaying Federalism

2009-08-01T08:36:00.000-07:00

From the Center for Vision and Values: Why are prosperous states like New York, New Jersey and California failing?
"The article focused on New York, New Jersey, and California, which are all cases of erstwhile prosperous states that have fallen on hard times. The common denominator has been liberal/“progressive” (i.e., big) government. All three employ heavy “soak-the-rich” state and local tax policies; and, yet, their government deficits are enormous. They rank near the top in per-capita state spending, but suffer from high unemployment and below-average job creation. They sought to be workers’ paradises with heavy unionization and a minimum wage above the national standard, yet lead the country in people moving out of state. What gives?
As Ronald Reagan would say, government is the problem, not the cure. The article continues: Desperate States and Decaying Federalism:

Lou Dobbs: Issues, TV, Radio, and Books - CNN.com

2009-07-29T10:36:00.000-07:00

Lou Dobbs: Issues, TV, Radio, and Books - CNN.com

Officials lambast NJ corruption after 44 arrested - Yahoo! News

2009-07-24T14:53:00.000-07:00

"NEWARK, N.J. – Officials are decrying political corruption in New Jersey after more than 40 people, among them rabbis and elected officeholders, were arrested in an investigation in which some were accused of laundering tens of millions of dollars and of black-market trafficking of kidneys and fake Gucci handbags.
The 44 arrests Thursday were a remarkable number even for New Jersey, where more than 130 public officials have pleaded guilty or have been convicted of corruption since 2001." Visit:
Officials lambast NJ corruption after 44 arrested - Yahoo! News:

Abortion as Health Care: Obama wants US to Pay for It - Catholic Online

2009-07-21T09:42:00.000-07:00

"'Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, another champion of abortion-on-demand through term, commented yesterday about health care reform saying, “There are basically five different plans in Congress right now and there are a variety of ways.”

'Is there even one plan that explicitly says abortion will not be subsidized? We know that the Democrats, following the party line adopted by the White House, have killed every amendment that would bar public funding of abortion. So who is kidding whom?" Visit:
Abortion as Health Care: Obama wants US to Pay for It - Catholic Online:

America’s Debt Problem

2009-07-20T14:05:00.000-07:00

"Thrift used to be a virtue in America. In Asia, thrift remains a way of life—for example, it is estimated that the average Chinese family’s thrift rate is 30 to 40 percent—which helps explain the rapid growth rates there.
A century ago, the sociologist Max Weber credited the so-called “Protestant work ethic,” combining thrift with hard work as the engine of America’s economic preeminence. How times have changed! While many Americans are thrifty, many are not. The political divide of blue-state and red-state Americans is replicated in an economic division between red-ink and black-ink personal finances." Visit:
America’s Debt Problem:

Bombshell: Orders revoked for soldier challenging prez

2009-07-20T13:43:00.000-07:00

Bombshell: Orders revoked for soldier challenging prez: "A U.S. Army Reserve major from Florida scheduled to report for deployment to Afghanistan within days has had his military orders revoked after arguing he should not be required to serve under a president who has not proven his eligibility for office.
His attorney, Orly Taitz, confirmed to WND the military has rescinded his impending deployment orders.
'We won! We won before we even arrived,' she said"

Kudlow's Money Politic$: Obama's "Public" Health Plan Will Bankrupt the Nation

2009-07-08T19:32:00.000-07:00

Obama's 'Public' Health Plan Will Bankrupt the Nation

Does anybody really believe that adding 50 million people to the public health-care rolls will not cost the government more money? About $1.5 trillion to $2 trillion more? At least.

So let’s be serious when evaluating President Obama’s goal of universal health care, and the idea that it’s a cost-cutter. Can’t happen. Won’t happen. Costs are going to explode." Visit:
Kudlow's Money Politic$: Obama's "Public" Health Plan Will Bankrupt the Nation:

Pat Toomey Discusses Cap and Trade on WILK Radio

2009-07-08T17:06:00.000-07:00

Pat Toomey, candidate for U.S. Senate was recently a guest on the Sue Henry Show on WILK radio. Among the topics discussed was Cap and trade and the the destructive effects it will have on Pennsylvania industry. Visit:
Pat Toomey for US Senate :: Pat Toomey on WILK Radio: "7/1/09 Pat Toomey on WILK Radio"

Star Parker : When color trumps Christianity - Townhall.com

2009-07-07T11:22:00.000-07:00

"President Obama hosted a reception at the White House celebrating LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) Pride month. Black Christians should take note and learn a few things about our black President.
As they say, we are what we do.
It tells us something that Mr. Obama had no time to host an event for the National Day of Prayer.
Nor did he have time to accept the invitation to convey greetings and a few remarks to the couple hundred thousand who came to Washington, as they do every January, for the March for Life." Visit: Star Parker : When color trumps Christianity - Townhall.com:

The Cynical Politics of Global Warming and Its Hobgoblins

2009-07-04T11:01:00.000-07:00

The Cap and Trade recently passed by the House (but read by no one)deals with energy, taxation and the socalled solution to global worming. For those who need ammunition to fight this bikll in the Senate, a 2008 article by the Center for Vision and values,will provide some ammunition Visit:
"“Cynical politics” may be a redundancy, but it is hard to imagine a mo1re cynical political issue than global warming (GW). In his 1992 book Earth in the Balance, Al Gore called for a “wrenching transformation of society.” Leftists, with their elitist penchant for social engineering, didn’t need any convincing. The challenge for Gore was the inconvenient truth that, in a democracy, a would-be central planner needs to get the masses on his side, too. To do that, he borrowed a strategy encapsulated in H.L. Mencken’s statement, “The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary.” Apocalyptic GW became Al Gore’s hobgoblin of choice."
The Cynical Politics of Global Warming and Its Hobgoblins:

Oliver North : Wrong Again - Townhall.com

2009-07-04T06:50:00.000-07:00

Oliver North : Wrong Again - Townhall.com: "WASHINGTON -- It took the Obama administration eight days to figure out whether Iranians being gunned down for protesting a fraudulent election and demanding basic civil liberties deserved to be acknowledged by the president of the United States. It took the O-Team less than eight hours to side with Cuba's Fidel Castro, Venezuela's Hugo Chavez and Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega over the ouster of Manuel Zelaya in Honduras."

Episode 3: Abortion Awareness in the Black Church

2009-06-18T14:26:00.000-07:00

Episode 3: Abortion Awareness in the Black Church

FOXNews.com - Obama's 'Extreme Team' On Energy - Opinion

2009-06-17T15:52:00.000-07:00

"One of them wanted to see Americans paying $8 a gallon for gasoline. Another tried to block access to domestic oil reserves that could one day exceed those in Saudi Arabia. Another thinks global warming is a dire crisis justifying a massive crackdown on energy -- decades after saying the same thing about global cooling. Yet another had a position in the one of the world’s top socialist organizations.
Meet the Obama administration’s energy team." Visit:
FOXNews.com - Obama�s 'Extreme Team' On Energy - Opinion:

DRUDGE REPORT: ABC TURNS PROGRAMMING OVER TO OBAMA 2009®

2009-06-16T20:32:00.000-07:00

Journalists or cheerleaders? "ABC TURNS PROGRAMMING OVER TO OBAMA; NEWS TO BE ANCHORED FROM INSIDE WHITE HOUSE
Tue Jun 16 2009 08:45:10 ET

On the night of June 24, the media and government become one, when ABC turns its programming over to President Obama and White House officials to push government run health care -- a move that has ignited an ethical firestorm!

For Highlights on the agenda visit:DRUDGE REPORT: ABC TURNS PROGRAMMING OVER TO OBAMA 2009®:

Detroit: A Glimpse into America’s Future?

2009-06-16T11:51:00.000-07:00

Detroit: A Glimpse into America’s Future?: "preview of the damage of an overbearing government can be gained by spending some time in Detroit, my hometown. Detroit was arguably the most prosperous city in the world in the 1920s. Today, however, whole neighborhoods are abandoned; still-occupied neighborhoods are in a frightful state of decay; some of the streets are so rough you would think that the military used them for target practice. Most startling is that the median sale price for a house in the once-thriving city of Detroit this January was $7,500. Yes, 75 HUNDRED, not “thousand.” You can buy two or three houses in Detroit today for the price of one new car.
What happened? What explains this sad decline?"

Tenth Amendment Movement Aims to Give Power Back to the States

2009-06-07T08:23:00.000-07:00

"Fed up with Washington's involvement in everything from land use to gun control to education spending, states across the country are fighting back against what they say is the federal government's growing intrusion on their rights.
At least 35 states have introduced legislation this year asserting their power under the Tenth Amendment to regulate all matters not specifically delegated to the federal government by the Constitution" Visit:
Tenth Amendment Movement Aims to Give Power Back to the States:

Do taxpayers have to pay for lawyers for Immigrants facing deportation?

2009-06-03T15:28:00.000-07:00

"On Wednesday, Attorney General Eric Holder did just that, saying he is vacating the order issued by predecessor Michael Mukasey which said that immigrants facing deportation do not have an automatic right to an effective lawyer.
Holder said he is also instructing the Justice Department to begin working on a new rule" Visit:
Conservative Talk Radio, Local, National News, Traffic, 860 WGUL AM Tampa:

Limited Options for Dealing with North Korea

2009-05-29T16:21:00.000-07:00

Limited Options for Dealing with North Korea: "Kim Jong Il, North Korea’s psychotic “Dear Leader,” specializes in “guerrilla diplomacy.” He backs it up with a half-dozen or so nuclear weapons squirreled away deep inside mountain storage facilities that cannot be reached by our bunker-buster bombs, and an army roughly the size of South Korean and U.S. ground forces combined. Kim’s diplomatic record also shows that he doesn’t care. His response to China—his nation’s biggest supporter and only ally—plus to Russia, Japan, and the United States, has been, “Get lost! We’re producing nuclear weapons whether you like it or not.” North Korea has done just that.
Within one week, North Korea detonated"

Obama’s Education Two-Step

2009-05-11T11:40:00.000-07:00

Obama’s Education Two-Step: "While President Obama’s proposals to incrementally bleed the private health care and energy sectors are receiving far more coverage in the mainstream media, his plans for education are dramatically more radical. For what the White House has in mind stops just inches short of the total abolition of private lending for college students.
What Obama intends is the elimination of the Federal Family Education Loan Program, a public-private partnership that is the primary vehicle for providing college loans in America. According to the Congressional Budget Office, his plan would save $94 billion over 10 years by eliminating the private lenders and leaving the loans fully controlled by Washington. Expect to hear that figure often in this debate, as it is the sedative by which the White House will seek to pacify fiscal conservatives."

American Radio Journal Obama's 100 days without the liberal media bias.

2009-05-04T12:57:00.000-07:00

Hear about the first 100 days of the Obama administration without the liberal media bias. Visit American radio Journal at the link below for radio stations or to listen online from May 2-8, 2009.
"This week on American Radio Journal: Ryan Shafik talks with David Freddoso of National Review magazine about the first 100 days of the Obama Administration; Lowman Henry gets the 'Real Story' from Andy Roth of the Club for Growth on the Arlen Specter party switch; and Dr. Paul Kengor of Grove City College has an American Radio Journal commentary on why there are no salary caps for education, This week on American Radio Journal: Ryan Shafik talks with David Freddoso of National Review magazine about the first 100 days of the Obama Administration; Lowman Henry gets the 'Real Story' from Andy Roth of the Club for Growth on the Arlen Specter party switch; and Dr. Paul Kengor of Grove City College has an American Radio Journal commentary on why there are no salary caps for education," Visit:
American Radio Journal:

Newsmax.com - Breaking News, Politics, Commentary

2009-05-03T19:16:00.000-07:00

"Jeffrey Bell: Jack Kemp Brought America Back from 1970s
Two great ideas altered the course of American and world history during the 1980s. One was Ronald Reagan’s bold strategy for winning the Cold War. The other was Jack Kemp’s staunch support of supply-side economics. If Kemp – who passed away Saturday – hadn’t laid the groundwork for economic revival, the massive defense buildup that ultimately brought down the Soviet Union would not have happened.
Visit:
Newsmax.com - Breaking News, Politics, Commentary:

Campaign Contributions from abortionist George Tiller to Kathleen Sebelius

2009-05-02T04:34:00.000-07:00

Operation Rescue® » Sebelius Unfit For HHS Post - Facts About Her Connections To The Abortion Cartel: "Follow The Money
Documents on file with the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission that show that Tiller, his abortion mill Women’s Health Care Services, and his political action committee, ProKanDo, donated tens of thousands of dollars to Sebelius campaigns over the years.
Those campaign contributions include, but are not limited to the following:
09-25-2001 JEANNE TILLER $ 2,000
09-25-2000 WOMENS HEALTH CARE SERVICES $2,000
09-25-2000 GEORGE TILLER $2,000
9-25-2000 GEORGE TILLER MD $2,000
09-10-1998 GEORGE TILLER $ 200
12-14-1998 JEANNE TILLER $ 250
06-18-1998 PRO CHOICE ACTION LEAGUE $1,000
05-01-1997 GEORGE TILLER $ 500
11-21-1994 GEORGE R TILLER $ 500
11-14-1994 GEORGE R TILLER PA $2,000
09-02-1994 GEORGE R TILLER $2,000
06-10-1994 GEORGE R TILLER $ 500
04-15-1994 GEORGE R TILLER $ 500
In Addition, Tiller has contributed generously to Sebelius’ PAC, the Bluestem Fund:
09-01-2000 GEORGE R. TILLER MD $5,000
09-07-2000 GEORGE R. TILLER MD PA $5,000
12-28-2001 WOMENS HEALTH CARE SERVICES $8,000
03-18-2002 WOMENS HEALTH CARE SERVICES $5,000
Since 2002, there has been public outry about the amount of money Tiller has pumped into Kansas politics. Since then he has made efforts to mask his political contributions by creating dummy “non-profit” organizations and other third-party groups that in turn make donations to candidates or make expenditures for political activity that has affected the outcome of elections, without having to give an accounting to the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission, or anyone else." (Reprinted with Permission of Troy Neuman)

FAA Memo: Feds Knew NYC Flyover Would Cause Panic - wcbstv.com

2009-04-29T13:03:00.000-07:00

"Federal officials knew that sending two fighter jets and a 747 from the presidential fleet to buzz ground zero and Lady Liberty might set off nightmarish fears of a 9/11 replay, but they still ordered the photo-op kept secret from the public.

In a memo obtained by CBS 2 HD, the Federal Aviation Administration's James Johnston said the agency was aware of 'the possibility of public concern" Visit:
FAA Memo: Feds Knew NYC Flyover Would Cause Panic - wcbstv.com:

The Washington Independent » Chris Lilik of Grassroots PA Comments on Arlen Specter

2009-04-28T21:25:00.000-07:00

"Specter spent several months attempting to win over the base, experiencing slightly more success in Washington than in Pennsylvania by declaring his opposition to the Employee Free Choice Act and introducing (for the second time in two years) a flat tax reform bill. According to Chris Lilik, the editor of the conservative Pennsylvania Website GrassrootsPA.com and 2004 Toomey campaign staffer, Specter hadn’t been gaining ground with that strategy. Lilik pointed to Specter’s statements Tuesday about not wanting to “face the jury” of the Pennsylvania Republican primary electorate as proof.
“There were so many issues he just wasn’t smart about,” said Lilik. “”It’s really unfair to blame conservatives for this. His problems with the base were all self-inflicted. He did this to himself.”" Visit:
The Washington Independent » Specter Switch Gives Conservatives Second Thoughts About ‘RINO’ Hunting:

Four Texas Planned Parenthood clinics found to be illegally performing abortions

2009-04-22T13:12:00.000-07:00

Four Texas Planned Parenthood clinics found to be illegally performing abortions: "Austin, Texas, Apr 16, 2009 / 07:01 am (CNA).- Allegations that four unlicensed Planned Parenthood facilities in San Antonio have been illegally performing abortions have prompted state legislators to reexamine funding for the organization and to call for legal and administrative penalties to be enforced against it."

Art of the Impossible by Thomas Sowell on National Review Online

2009-04-22T08:00:00.000-07:00

"You want the government to create more jobs for people when there is widespread unemployment? It’s been done. During the Great Depression of the 1930s, the government employed more young men in the Civilian Conservation Corps than there were in the Army. The money to pay for all this had to come from somewhere— and that meant that there was less money left to employ other people in the private sector. While jobs created by the government may not have reduced total unemployment, these jobs increased votes for the administration, which is the real bottom line in politics." Visit:
Art of the Impossible by Thomas Sowell on National Review Online:

Homeland Security on guard for 'right-wing extremists'

2009-04-17T00:55:00.000-07:00

Homeland Security on guard for 'right-wing extremists': "The report from DHS' Office of Intelligence and Analysis defines right-wing extremism in the U.S. as 'divided into those groups, movements and adherents that are primarily hate-oriented (based on hatred of particular religious, racial or ethnic groups) and those that are mainly anti-government, rejecting federal authority in favor of state or local authority, or rejecting government authority entirely. It may include groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single issue, such as opposition to abortion or immigration.'"