Sooner or later it was bound to happen! The way we get our message out Peter Cowman!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPF9-o-YHGM
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
BREAKING: A Honeymoon Cut Short - from WSJ.com Political Diary
Fractured Fairytale
A surprising development in off-year races for governor in New Jersey and Virginia is just how much trouble the Democratic nominees have had in nailing down African-American voters.
Yesterday, Sheila Crump Johnson, the billionaire co-founder of Black Entertainment Television, endorsed Republican Bob McDonnell for governor of Virginia. Ms. Johnson has been a prominent contributor to Democrats for years -- boosting Barack Obama's candidacy and serving as the second-largest donor to sitting Democratic Gov. Tim Kaine.
Ms. Johnson told reporters yesterday she was backing Mr. McConnell because "he understands that we have to help businesses in our state -- both big and small -- thrive so that we put Virginians back to work."
Creigh Deeds, the Democratic candidate for governor, is worried about other potential Democratic defectors. Former Gov. Doug Wilder says he hasn't responded to appeals from aides to President Obama to endorse Mr. Deeds. "I told them, 'You need to tell me why,'" Mr. Wilder told reporters, noting that he's had differences with Mr. Deeds during the latter's 18-year-career in the legislature.
Meanwhile, New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine continues to struggle to nail down black support despite a fly-in appearance by President Obama last week. A new Quinnipiac University poll shows Mr. Corzine winning African-American voters by only 66% to 29% -- well below normal numbers for a Democratic nominee. Republican Chris Christie has some appeal to minority voters because of his reputation as a crusader against public corruption.
The Rev. Reginald T. Jackson, leader of the Black Ministers Council of New Jersey, says Mr. Corzine could bolster his inner-city support by backing a pending bill in the legislature that would allow companies to use tax deductions to pay tuitions for poor kids to attend the public, charter or private school of their choice. "If you announced today that you have $500,000 in scholarships in Orange tomorrow, people would line up in Orange tonight," Rev. Jackson, who heads a large church in Orange, told North Jersey News. But he says Mr. Corzine appears to be boxed in by his need to placate the powerful New Jersey Education Association, which represents the state's public school establishment.
It would be a rich irony if a year following the election of the nation's first black president, Republicans might be elected in two key Obama states this fall on the strength of their minority support.
-- John Fund
A surprising development in off-year races for governor in New Jersey and Virginia is just how much trouble the Democratic nominees have had in nailing down African-American voters.
Yesterday, Sheila Crump Johnson, the billionaire co-founder of Black Entertainment Television, endorsed Republican Bob McDonnell for governor of Virginia. Ms. Johnson has been a prominent contributor to Democrats for years -- boosting Barack Obama's candidacy and serving as the second-largest donor to sitting Democratic Gov. Tim Kaine.
Ms. Johnson told reporters yesterday she was backing Mr. McConnell because "he understands that we have to help businesses in our state -- both big and small -- thrive so that we put Virginians back to work."
Creigh Deeds, the Democratic candidate for governor, is worried about other potential Democratic defectors. Former Gov. Doug Wilder says he hasn't responded to appeals from aides to President Obama to endorse Mr. Deeds. "I told them, 'You need to tell me why,'" Mr. Wilder told reporters, noting that he's had differences with Mr. Deeds during the latter's 18-year-career in the legislature.
Meanwhile, New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine continues to struggle to nail down black support despite a fly-in appearance by President Obama last week. A new Quinnipiac University poll shows Mr. Corzine winning African-American voters by only 66% to 29% -- well below normal numbers for a Democratic nominee. Republican Chris Christie has some appeal to minority voters because of his reputation as a crusader against public corruption.
The Rev. Reginald T. Jackson, leader of the Black Ministers Council of New Jersey, says Mr. Corzine could bolster his inner-city support by backing a pending bill in the legislature that would allow companies to use tax deductions to pay tuitions for poor kids to attend the public, charter or private school of their choice. "If you announced today that you have $500,000 in scholarships in Orange tomorrow, people would line up in Orange tonight," Rev. Jackson, who heads a large church in Orange, told North Jersey News. But he says Mr. Corzine appears to be boxed in by his need to placate the powerful New Jersey Education Association, which represents the state's public school establishment.
It would be a rich irony if a year following the election of the nation's first black president, Republicans might be elected in two key Obama states this fall on the strength of their minority support.
-- John Fund
Northeastern Pennsylvania 10th & 11th Congressional Updates July 21, 2009
Upcoming Votes
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 - S.1390
The Senate is scheduled to continue work on this bill to set funding levels for the military and authorize Department of Defense programs.
Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2009 - H.R.2920
The House is scheduled to vote on this bill intended to reinstitute and update the Pay-As-You-Go requirement of budget neutrality on new tax and mandatory spending legislation.
Department of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 - H.R.___
The House is scheduled to work on this bill funding transportation and housing programs for the next fiscal year.
Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Act, 2010 - H.R.___
The House is also expected to work on this funding bill for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and other related agencies and programs.
Recent Senate Votes
Cloture Motion; Nomination of Robert M. Groves, to be Director of the Census - Vote Agreed to (76-15, 9 Not Voting)
The Senate agreed to this procedural vote allowing a vote on the nomination of Robert Groves to be the Director of the Census, who was later confirmed by a voice vote.
Sen. Arlen Specter voted YES
Sen. Robert Casey Jr. voted YES
Cloture Motion; To provide Federal assistance to States, local jurisdictions, and Indian tribes to prosecute hate crimes - Vote Agreed to (63-28, 9 Not Voting)
The Senate agreed to end debate on this amendment to the Military Construction authorization bill that would include gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and disability in the definition of hate crimes. The amendment was later approved by voice vote.
Sen. Arlen Specter voted YES
Sen. Robert Casey Jr. voted YES
Recent House Votes
Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2010 - Vote Passed (219-208, 1 Present, 5 Not Voting)
On Thursday, the House voted on this $24.1 billion bill funding the Treasury Department, the executive branch, the judicial branch, the District of Columbia and independent agencies.
Rep. Christopher Carney voted NO
Rep. Paul Kanjorski voted YES
Restore Our American Mustangs Act - Vote Passed (239-185, 9 Not Voting)
On Friday, the House passed this bill that intends to improve the management and long-term health of wild free-roaming horses and burros.
Rep. Christopher Carney voted YES
Rep. Paul Kanjorski voted YES
Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 - Vote Passed (320-97, 16 Not Voting)
The House approved this $33.3 billion bill funding the Department of Energy, Army Corps of Engineers and related agencies and programs.
Rep. Christopher Carney voted YES
Rep. Paul Kanjorski voted YES
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 - S.1390
The Senate is scheduled to continue work on this bill to set funding levels for the military and authorize Department of Defense programs.
Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2009 - H.R.2920
The House is scheduled to vote on this bill intended to reinstitute and update the Pay-As-You-Go requirement of budget neutrality on new tax and mandatory spending legislation.
Department of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 - H.R.___
The House is scheduled to work on this bill funding transportation and housing programs for the next fiscal year.
Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Act, 2010 - H.R.___
The House is also expected to work on this funding bill for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and other related agencies and programs.
Recent Senate Votes
Cloture Motion; Nomination of Robert M. Groves, to be Director of the Census - Vote Agreed to (76-15, 9 Not Voting)
The Senate agreed to this procedural vote allowing a vote on the nomination of Robert Groves to be the Director of the Census, who was later confirmed by a voice vote.
Sen. Arlen Specter voted YES
Sen. Robert Casey Jr. voted YES
Cloture Motion; To provide Federal assistance to States, local jurisdictions, and Indian tribes to prosecute hate crimes - Vote Agreed to (63-28, 9 Not Voting)
The Senate agreed to end debate on this amendment to the Military Construction authorization bill that would include gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and disability in the definition of hate crimes. The amendment was later approved by voice vote.
Sen. Arlen Specter voted YES
Sen. Robert Casey Jr. voted YES
Recent House Votes
Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2010 - Vote Passed (219-208, 1 Present, 5 Not Voting)
On Thursday, the House voted on this $24.1 billion bill funding the Treasury Department, the executive branch, the judicial branch, the District of Columbia and independent agencies.
Rep. Christopher Carney voted NO
Rep. Paul Kanjorski voted YES
Restore Our American Mustangs Act - Vote Passed (239-185, 9 Not Voting)
On Friday, the House passed this bill that intends to improve the management and long-term health of wild free-roaming horses and burros.
Rep. Christopher Carney voted YES
Rep. Paul Kanjorski voted YES
Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 - Vote Passed (320-97, 16 Not Voting)
The House approved this $33.3 billion bill funding the Department of Energy, Army Corps of Engineers and related agencies and programs.
Rep. Christopher Carney voted YES
Rep. Paul Kanjorski voted YES
Monday, July 20, 2009
Please Call Your PA Legislature in Support of HB 1588
Today, HB 1588, is set for a vote on the House Floor. This bill allows for $35.00 from Marriage Licences and $25.00 from Divorce Fees to be allocated to a fund to help victims of Domestic Violence.
Please contact your State Legislature and tell them to VOTE YES on HB 1588.
Here is the summary Courtesy of Pennsylvania Legislative Services
HB 1588 - (PLS Summary)(PN 1969) Amends Titles 23 (Domestic Relations) and 42 (Judiciary) by stating that the fee for issuing a marriage license or declaration and for returns to the department shall be $38, of which $2.50 shall be retained by the county where the license is issued and $35.50 shall be remitted to the State. The money remitted to the State would be transferred to the State Treasurer and be placed in the General Fund. Of the money remitted to the state, $35 shall be forwarded to DPW for use for victims of domestic violence. The bill also charges a $25 fee for the commencement of an action for divorce or an action for annulment of marriage. The money collected shall be made available for use for victims of domestic violence.
Please contact your State Legislature and tell them to VOTE YES on HB 1588.
Here is the summary Courtesy of Pennsylvania Legislative Services
HB 1588 - (PLS Summary)(PN 1969) Amends Titles 23 (Domestic Relations) and 42 (Judiciary) by stating that the fee for issuing a marriage license or declaration and for returns to the department shall be $38, of which $2.50 shall be retained by the county where the license is issued and $35.50 shall be remitted to the State. The money remitted to the State would be transferred to the State Treasurer and be placed in the General Fund. Of the money remitted to the state, $35 shall be forwarded to DPW for use for victims of domestic violence. The bill also charges a $25 fee for the commencement of an action for divorce or an action for annulment of marriage. The money collected shall be made available for use for victims of domestic violence.
A Health Care Bay of Pigs? - WSJ.com's Political Diary
Stuck on Health Care
President Obama is getting a clear message from his allies that he may have to scale back his health care goals in order to win passage from Congress. Even his own Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius told NBC's "Meet the Press:" "Our Democratic friends are having a hard time selling this to their own members, a very difficult time."
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, one of Mr. Obama's earliest supporters in his 2008 campaign, has also weighed in with some advice not to demand too much from Congress, based on his own experience inheriting implementation of his state's "universal" health care plan -- which was passed in 2005. Mr. Patrick recently had to impose cuts in the program, which has seen large cost overruns.
"The untold story about the Massachusetts experiment has been that we finally recognized that there were more than just the usual two choices, which were to have a perfect solution or no solution at all," Gov. Patrick told ABC News at the National Governors Association meeting in Biloxi, Mississippi. "There is a cautionary tale for Washington because people are going to fret over a perfect solution and because there isn't one, we're going to get stuck -- or we are at risk of being stuck."
Concern about the floundering Obama health care plan is rooted in memories of HillaryCare, the Clinton administration's bold attempt to remake health care in 1993. First Lady Hillary Clinton was offered several compromise solutions that would have gotten her much, but not all, of what she wanted. She insisted on "all or nothing." The result was a plan that never made it to a Congressional vote and resulted in a political debacle for Democrats.
Mr. Obama is smart enough to scale back his ambitions to win passage of something from Congress and then declare "victory." From the comments of his allies, I detect the first effort on their part to prepare liberal diehards for the fact they may end up with less than a full loaf this year.
-- John Fund
President Obama is getting a clear message from his allies that he may have to scale back his health care goals in order to win passage from Congress. Even his own Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius told NBC's "Meet the Press:" "Our Democratic friends are having a hard time selling this to their own members, a very difficult time."
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, one of Mr. Obama's earliest supporters in his 2008 campaign, has also weighed in with some advice not to demand too much from Congress, based on his own experience inheriting implementation of his state's "universal" health care plan -- which was passed in 2005. Mr. Patrick recently had to impose cuts in the program, which has seen large cost overruns.
"The untold story about the Massachusetts experiment has been that we finally recognized that there were more than just the usual two choices, which were to have a perfect solution or no solution at all," Gov. Patrick told ABC News at the National Governors Association meeting in Biloxi, Mississippi. "There is a cautionary tale for Washington because people are going to fret over a perfect solution and because there isn't one, we're going to get stuck -- or we are at risk of being stuck."
Concern about the floundering Obama health care plan is rooted in memories of HillaryCare, the Clinton administration's bold attempt to remake health care in 1993. First Lady Hillary Clinton was offered several compromise solutions that would have gotten her much, but not all, of what she wanted. She insisted on "all or nothing." The result was a plan that never made it to a Congressional vote and resulted in a political debacle for Democrats.
Mr. Obama is smart enough to scale back his ambitions to win passage of something from Congress and then declare "victory." From the comments of his allies, I detect the first effort on their part to prepare liberal diehards for the fact they may end up with less than a full loaf this year.
-- John Fund
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
BREAKING::: Action Alert - S. 1390: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010
A couple of hours ago Majority Leader Reid filed a hate crimes amendment to the DOD Authorization Bill. He then filled the tree, which means no amendments can be offered to his amendment, and filed cloture on the amendment.
Action Alert - S. 1390: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010
This week, the Senate is considering S. 1390: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010. There are some members who are attempting to amend this bill with H.R. 1913: Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 or S. 909: Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act .
To track updates to this bills visit http://concernedinnepa.blogspot.com/.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO STOP THIS?
Stop what you’re doing… and email, phone and/or fax all Senators now. Tell them NO Hate Crimes Legislation!
Go here to find your US Senate contact information: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
Forward this alert to all your friends, family, neighbors and encourage them to do likewise.. now!
Here is a sample letter that you can email or fax to your Senators
Dear Senator:
I am very disappointed that the Senate is considering fast-tracking the Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 (H.R. 1913) by attaching it as an amendment to the Defense Authorization bill. I respectfully request that you please Vote NO on any amendments to S. 1390 which are related to Hate Crimes Legislation, for the following reasons:
(1) This Hate Crimes Legislation is so controversial that it must be considered as a stand-alone bill, not rushed as an amendment.
(2) Hate Crimes legislation is unconstitutional. The 14th Amendment requires that all citizens be given equal treatment under the law. Hate crimes laws create special classes of victims and do not treat all victims fairly.
(3) Hate Crimes legislation could ultimately lead to prosecution for thoughts and restrictions on free speech and religious liberty. Although it prosecutes only “acts of violence” and does not prosecute expressions or opinions, it opens the door to examining the thoughts of not only a criminal, but everyone with whom he may have come into contact. This bill could be used to advance the politically correct agenda by providing greater protections for certain classes of people. Future legislation could expand these protections and place restrictions on religious liberty and free speech.
(4) Hate Crimes are unnecessary. Many states already have a hate crimes law and there is no evidence that the states are failing to prosecute hate crimes. States which do not have hate crimes laws still prosecute the crimes under existing criminal laws. A federal hate crimes bill would only increase the control and scope of the federal government.
(5) All crimes are hate crimes!
Additionally for these reasons, I respectfully ask that you honor the Constitution, and respect States rights in future Hate Crimes legislation and vote NO in the future.
I look forward to hearing your position in this matter, and will continue to follow your actions and record!
Sincerely,
-Name-
-Address-
-City State Zip-
- Email/Phone -
To track updates to this bills visit http://concernedinnepa.blogspot.com/.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO STOP THIS?
Stop what you’re doing… and email, phone and/or fax all Senators now. Tell them NO Hate Crimes Legislation!
Go here to find your US Senate contact information: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
Forward this alert to all your friends, family, neighbors and encourage them to do likewise.. now!
Here is a sample letter that you can email or fax to your Senators
Dear Senator:
I am very disappointed that the Senate is considering fast-tracking the Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 (H.R. 1913) by attaching it as an amendment to the Defense Authorization bill. I respectfully request that you please Vote NO on any amendments to S. 1390 which are related to Hate Crimes Legislation, for the following reasons:
(1) This Hate Crimes Legislation is so controversial that it must be considered as a stand-alone bill, not rushed as an amendment.
(2) Hate Crimes legislation is unconstitutional. The 14th Amendment requires that all citizens be given equal treatment under the law. Hate crimes laws create special classes of victims and do not treat all victims fairly.
(3) Hate Crimes legislation could ultimately lead to prosecution for thoughts and restrictions on free speech and religious liberty. Although it prosecutes only “acts of violence” and does not prosecute expressions or opinions, it opens the door to examining the thoughts of not only a criminal, but everyone with whom he may have come into contact. This bill could be used to advance the politically correct agenda by providing greater protections for certain classes of people. Future legislation could expand these protections and place restrictions on religious liberty and free speech.
(4) Hate Crimes are unnecessary. Many states already have a hate crimes law and there is no evidence that the states are failing to prosecute hate crimes. States which do not have hate crimes laws still prosecute the crimes under existing criminal laws. A federal hate crimes bill would only increase the control and scope of the federal government.
(5) All crimes are hate crimes!
Additionally for these reasons, I respectfully ask that you honor the Constitution, and respect States rights in future Hate Crimes legislation and vote NO in the future.
I look forward to hearing your position in this matter, and will continue to follow your actions and record!
Sincerely,
-Name-
-Address-
-City State Zip-
- Email/Phone -
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Corzine Plays a Weak Hand, Weakly - Corzine Plays the Bush Card - WSJ.com's Political Diary
Democratic Governor Jon Corzine of New Jersey is being dragged down by the weak economy. Up for re-election this November, a new Quinnipiac University poll finds him trailing former federal prosecutor Chris Christie by 53% to 41% among likely voters.
Mr. Corzine's basic problem is that only a third of New Jersey residents think he is doing a good job, and they blame him for high taxes -- cited by 45% as the state's biggest problem -- and a general decline in the state's quality of life. All this plays to Mr. Christie's strengths as a corruption-busting prosecutor who says he will offer "real choices rather than fake reform" if he is elected.
That said, Mr. Corzine will no doubt spend millions from his personal fortune to paint his opponent as an inexperienced extremist. In 1993, such tactics helped revive unpopular Governor James Florio enough that he lost his re-election bid to Republican Christie Whitman by only one percentage point.
But Mr. Corzine will have to attack carefully. One of his favorite tactics appears to be already backfiring. Linking Mr. Christie to George W. Bush is falling flat with voters. Quinnipiac found that only a tenth of voters say Mr. Corzine's attempts to tie his opponent to the Bush era are fair, with 77% of voters saying Mr. Corzine should stick to state issues. The poll also reveals the governor's weakness among his own base voters. Mr. Christie currently wins almost a fifth of votes of both Democrats and African-Americans, high numbers for a Republican in the Garden State. Mr. Corzine clearly hopes to remedy this shortfall with a rally with President Obama in Holmdel on Thursday. This fall's race will be not only a test of Mr. Corzine's wallet but of Mr. Obama's continued popularity amid a declining economy.
-- John Fund
Mr. Corzine's basic problem is that only a third of New Jersey residents think he is doing a good job, and they blame him for high taxes -- cited by 45% as the state's biggest problem -- and a general decline in the state's quality of life. All this plays to Mr. Christie's strengths as a corruption-busting prosecutor who says he will offer "real choices rather than fake reform" if he is elected.
That said, Mr. Corzine will no doubt spend millions from his personal fortune to paint his opponent as an inexperienced extremist. In 1993, such tactics helped revive unpopular Governor James Florio enough that he lost his re-election bid to Republican Christie Whitman by only one percentage point.
But Mr. Corzine will have to attack carefully. One of his favorite tactics appears to be already backfiring. Linking Mr. Christie to George W. Bush is falling flat with voters. Quinnipiac found that only a tenth of voters say Mr. Corzine's attempts to tie his opponent to the Bush era are fair, with 77% of voters saying Mr. Corzine should stick to state issues. The poll also reveals the governor's weakness among his own base voters. Mr. Christie currently wins almost a fifth of votes of both Democrats and African-Americans, high numbers for a Republican in the Garden State. Mr. Corzine clearly hopes to remedy this shortfall with a rally with President Obama in Holmdel on Thursday. This fall's race will be not only a test of Mr. Corzine's wallet but of Mr. Obama's continued popularity amid a declining economy.
-- John Fund
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