Archive for January, 2009

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Pennsylvania’s Republican Senators Push for True Measures of Reform

Published January 24, 2009 GOP , Government , Pennsylvania , Politics , Reform Leave a Comment
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By Caomhin

The GOP’s State Senators here in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are showing they will not give up on the pursuit of government reforms.  This is great news to every one of their supporters and to all citizens of Pennsylvania.  Please take a moment to read the article in full, the list of propose reforms are the types of changes we absolutely need in the state, including a ban on bonuses, publication of salaries, a searchable data base of government expenditures, etc.

Special kudos goes to Sen. Pat Browne from Lehigh County, where I was on the Republican Committee before my move to Northampton County.  Sen. Browne has long been a friend of the taxpayer and to all citizens of Pennsylvania.  The searchable data base was Sen. Browne’s proposal that was added to reforms being sought.  He also should have the respect of the citizens, as well as over a third of Pennsylvania legislators (Republican and Democrat alike), for returning their pay raises and following through on an earlier promise.  While many more have yet to return the raise, the precedent set by the members who have already done so, as well as the will of the people, leave me believing even more will follow suit.  Our Commonwealth has unlimited potential despite the problems we face.  Enacting strong reforms will help us to restore faith in our government and help us overcome the challenges that we face.

Obama Proves He Is No Friend To The Pro Life Movement

Published January 24, 2009 Abortion , Ethics , Obama , Stem Cell Research Leave a Comment
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By Caomhin

One thing is for sure, with Obama’s run out of the gates, he is not going to win any friends amongst those of us who are pro-life.  He has already made two decisions which have profound impacts on how human life, specifically that of the unborn, will be viewed in the new administration’s eyes. Obama has restored funding to organizations that promote and perform abortions overseas and has removed restrictions on the use of embryonic stem cells for research.

The two, of course, are not to be taken apart from the other.  As the number of abortions increases, there are greater opportunities for scientists to utilize embryonic stem cells from fetuses, previously restricted to 60 lines under President Bush.  While these issues are morally complicated when examined individually, when looked at from an aggregate position, it becomes more troubling.  Undoubtedly there will be more demand for such cells which are only attainable through an increase in a supply of fetuses.  One will therefore feed the need for the other.

While the cause of science is not to be scorned by any means, they are in fact, seeking to help people, we find ourselves at many points questioning whether the ends justifies the means.  I have previously made mention of the fact that the necessary stem cells needed for such research were attainable through the development of adult cells, yet, this proven path is now being ignored.  This of course, has far less moral questions associated with implementation.

At a time of economic crisis, we should be scaling back foreign aid.  The better path would be to pursue free trade agreements in order to promote economic growth while at the same time seeing a reduction in government expenditures.  I am not, and would never, advocate protectionism or isolationism, as they are untenable, shortsighted, and lead to great strife.  What I do question, however, is the use of American tax dollars to pay for abortions in other nations.  This is not an act of cooperation or friendship between nations.  This is the use of money earned by Americans being funneled to clinics overseas to engage in the destruction of human life.

The life of every person is precious, granted to us by God, acknowledge in our nation’s greatest documents, and this absolute truth is instilled inside each of us.  Regardless of the ends or the intentions if the means toward this goal is one that pursues the destruction of life, it should not come to pass.  The ends and the means must both be justified.

Pennsylvania Deserves Better than John Murtha

Published January 24, 2009 Pennsylvania , Politics , Terrorism Leave a Comment
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By Caomhin

Pork loving, Marine and Western Pennsylvania slandering, John Murtha has made yet another incredulous statement when he went on record to say that he would have no problem to bring Guantanamo Bay prisoners to his district (PA-12).  Murtha is completely out of touch from reality if he truly believes that Pennsylvanians are receptive to bringing enemy combatants from the facility in Cuba to our Commonwealth.  While I am located in the Eastern portion of the Commonwealth, no one that I have had contact with here wants these terrorists in our back yard.  The contact that I have had with people from the Western portion of our state have no intention of opening their back yards to these people either.

Murtha’s vantage point here is easy to dissect.  His constant funneling of federal dollars into his district get him votes, even when he goes out and calls the great people from Western Pennsylvania “racist” and “redneck.”  Murtha sees another opportunity to bring federal tax dollars into the district as way to “stimulate” the economy.  Rest assured any job creation from this effort will be seen in his next campaign add.

Unbelievably, he lacks foresight as well as the understanding of how these people operate.  Former detainees that were subsequently released from Guantanamo Bay have returned to the battlefield, have become leaders to the al-Qaeda network, and continued to wage war against the American citizens.  Entering these people into the prison system in Pennsylvania makes the system much more dangerous while allowing terrorist scum an opportunity to spread their propaganda of hate.

2010 seems like a long way off, but in reality, it is not.  The grassroots efforts of people across this Commonwealth demand accountability, respect, and common sense from our leaders.  John Murtha has not shown any of these traits for quite some time. Bill Russell’s website will be re-launching in February and has already announced his intention to run again, in order to restore true leadership to the 12th Congressional District to the Commonwealth.

Thank You, President Bush

Published January 20, 2009 George W. Bush , Presidency Leave a Comment
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By Caomhin

It’s now less than 12 hours until President George W. Bush leaves office.  It’s hard to imagine it’s already been 8 years since he took the oath of office for the first time.  It’s amazing how fast time goes, something I’d often heard when I was a bit younger and summer break couldn’t come fast enough.   I’d like to share a few thoughts on President Bush’s tenure as our nation’s leader.

President Bush came to office and faced an incredible amount of animosity and scrutiny since the day he arrived from the left wing.  There was never a day during his tenure that protestors and liberals were committed to truly giving him a fair shake.  Criticism flew constantly at him and yet he persevered politically.

We faced an incredible challenge on September 11th and President Bush responded by creating the Department of Homeland Security and thwarted what were most likely uncountable threats against us.  The intelligence services of our nation were revamped, the military overhauled, and veteran benefits enhanced.  He made strong stands against forces that are in complete and total contrast to those of free people.  Popularity means nothing in life, really, it is our freedom that means everything and no matter how difficult the choice, he always chose to protect freedom.

President Bush was a staunch defender of human life.  One of his final acts in office was to declare, once again, National Sanctity of Human Life Day.  He actively sought ways to lower the number of abortions in this nation and was proven right with regards to his position on stem cell research, as run of the mill adult cells can be developed into embryonic stem cells without the need of a fetus.  Despite the criticisms, he again persevered and was correct in his judgment.

President Bush was a friend of religion.  Not just Christianity, but of Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and every major religion.   The funding of religious charities with federal funds was largely a success.  With particular care, after the terrorist strikes of September 11th, President Bush defended the Muslim faith from the fanatics of a political ideology that used a radical strain of Islam as a means of control and prevented a national wave of anti-Islamic crimes.

President Bush stood tall with the Israelis in the face of numerous and constant assaults by terrorist organizations while simultaneously standing with the Palestinian people by advocating a two state solution.  He pursued free trade agreements with the Bahrain, Oman, and the UAE.  He stood by the Iraqi people and the Surge has now created an atmosphere where the Iraqis now have a young, functioning democracy, which will soon have another round of elections with a swelling number of candidates and voters.

President Bush repeatedly made efforts to work across the aisle with Democrats on a wide range of issues from education to immigration.  While the some of the efforts succeeded, and some did not, he was not bashful about doing so.  He did so in a public fashion, one many politicians would never even consider, let alone pursue.

While there are many issues that I disagreed with President Bush, by and large, when we needed him, time and again, he stepped up.  Selflessly, he constantly threw himself in the way of the punch, taking the blame and the heat when things did not go as planned and deflecting praise on others.  That’s the mark of a leader.   When actions needed to be taken, when he felt that a strong course of action needed to pursue for the good of the nation, he did so, poll numbers be damned.  You can tell by his words, his actions, and his emotions that he truly loves our nation.  He deserves our respect and our thanks.  With all that he has faced, a lesser man would have buckled under the pressure long ago.  Thank you President Bush, for all that you have done for us, and all that you will continue to do for us in the future.  May God bless you and your family.

Sean Hannity Endorses Michael Steele for RNC Chair

Published January 20, 2009 GOP , Politics , Republican Party Leave a Comment
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By Caomhin

Good news in the RNC Chairman race came on Thursday in the form of Sean Hannity’s endorsement of former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele.  Hannity’s ringing endorsement highlighted many of the qualities that Steele will bring should he be elected as head of the RNC. While we have previously endorsed Lt. Gov. Steele, we are starting to rapidly approach Election Day on January 30th.  If you have the time, please stop over at Steele for Chairman and partake in some of the action items.  Good luck Michael!

Larry Summers Places The Bar at an All Time Low For Obama’s Economic Policies

Published January 20, 2009 Economics , Finance , Obama , Politics 2 Comments
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By Caomhin

Larry Summers, Obama’s chief economic director, continues to help lower the bar for his new boss, today asserting that Obama will have achieved success by making a promise….to keep the unemployment rate below 10%.  Considering that there is debate and some evidence that we may already be experiencing some recovery, including a thawing of the credit markets, that is an unbelievably low target for which to aim.  Currently at 7.2%, what the administration in waiting in saying is that if they stop unemployment by growing another 38.9% to an overall level of 10%, they will have achieved success.

It is not a secret that I have little faith in the economic strategies adopted by the Democratic Party.  Massive bailouts will achieve nothing but a massive tax hike in our future.  To think that the gigantic deficits we are amassing will only be funded by tax cuts on the upper class is preposterous.  We will see a slowdown in private investment, a slowdown in the creation of small businesses, and an extremely large expansion of the Federal Government, one of the most inefficient organizations operating in America and the most difficult to scale down.  Whatever little short-term help these policies may provide will have far more damaging results in the long-run, but then, elections aren’t won in the long-run and we have precious few statesmen left.

Summer’s assertion that Obama will achieve economic victory by keeping the inflation rate below 10% is troubling on many levels.  First, it illustrates that the massive spending spree that the Obama administration will embark upon will not work, unemployment will continue to grow.  Second, even an increase in unemployment will be viewed as acceptable if you are to believe this assessment if unemployment does not reach 10%.  That’s hardly change in which you can believe.  Yet, you can rest assured, this 10% threshold will be the one in which he makes his benchmark comparison to the jobs he will “create or save” with his economic policies.  Third, having such a large variation in the figures that the new administration will be working with, then the inevitable conclusion is that his advisors have little to no handle on the how the economy is truly functioning.  Rather than consult with small business people, consumers, CEOs, distributors, etc., they are consulting career politicians and bureaucrats.  Should this continue, then expect to see that bar drawn ever lower.

Obama’s Actions Mean More than his Words

Published January 20, 2009 Obama , Politics Leave a Comment
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By Caomhin

Remember when Obama said that we would all have to make sacrifices for the “greater good?”  Well apparently, these sacrifices only apply to those who are not actively involved in pushing his agenda, or at least that is the appearance thus far in how he has behaved in the days leading up to his inauguration.  There is no questioning Obama’s skills as an orator, his skills as a politician, or his ability to have the media cater to his needs, but Obama’s rhetoric is not reflective of his actions and his track record of being a strident liberal, indeed having labeled himself a “progressive.”  While he is quick to have his most strident supporters try to draw comparisons to Abraham Lincoln, his policies are nowhere near those of Lincoln, but rather, he is more in tune with the policies of FDR and Herbert Hoover.

Case in point:  Obama has said nothing of the $170 million dollars spent on his election celebrations.  Apparently, sacrificing for the “greater good” did not include his calling for a toning down of the festivities in honor of himself in light of the economic realities we face today.  You will recall that the media chided President George W. Bush for his re-election celebration in 2005 that cost a fraction under $50 million dollars.  Now, the media celebrates the activities surrounding the inauguration and has largely ignored criticism of this tremendous price tag.  Obama would have been well served to publically go on record and helped to orchestrate a toned down celebration from the one currently being planned and have a large portion of the $170 million price tag diverted to charities, perhaps helping the homeless population in our nation’s capital, which is currently under a cold wave, as are we, here in Pennsylvania.

What this illustrates to me is Obama’s strident commitment to his image rather than to a leader committed to asking the citizens to make sacrifices for his political agenda.  Obama’s oratory again does not match his actions.  At some point the time will come when a well constructed and delivered prose will not mask the legislative agenda being pursued and enacted.  Indeed, it is a bit troubling to see what is being hailed as the “permanent campaign” as Obama is organizing his supporters to go out into the public in order to help pursue his legislative goals.  The campaign is over, as the executive, his job is to enforce the laws, not to have his supporters apply pressure on the legislative branch and on the population in order to have his agenda rubber-stamped.  Until his actions prove otherwise, his words, no matter how well sculpted and performed in public, are of little consequence to me.

Fox Business Sues The Fed For Info on Bailout Funds

Published January 14, 2009 Bailout , Economics , Finance , Government , Politics , Taxes 2 Comments
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By Caomhin

Here’s hoping that Fox Business is successful in its lawsuit against the Federal Government in which they are seeking Fed to release details on where the bailout funds have gone and how they are being used.  In other words, they are seeking some accountability from the government.  We, the people, have been seeking such accountability for quite some time with little results, but I commend the effort being made by the network.

I have repeatedly gone on record in opposition to the bailouts, as we cannot and will not spend our way out of a recession and the massive compilation of debt will greatly diminish the long term prosperity of our nation.  The bailouts have simply been used as mechanisms for politicians to fund pet projects, repay special interest groups, and to pass massive pork-laden bills.  The vast majority of those in the halls of the Congress know little to nothing about the economy.  Most shockingly, however, though probably most telling as well, is the lack of transparency in the process.

We, the American taxpayers, are the ones whose money is going into these projects.  Bailouts cannot promise to fix our economy (and indeed only we, the consumers within the free market structure can fix the economy)  but rather, the only promise we can be secure in is a future tax increase to be passed on to us as a result of Congress’ action.  We have every right to know where our money is going; indeed we must demand to know this information.  A single lawsuit by Fox Business may not achieve this goal but hopefully this can serve as a rallying point for the citizens of this nation to demand answer from the government as to what, exactly, they are doing with vast sums of our money.

Rendell Creates Cushy, High Paying Position for His Friend After Losing His Re-Election Bid

Published January 14, 2009 Ethics , Government , Pennsylvania , Politics 1 Comment
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By Caomhin

Governor Ed Rendell, apparently unaware that there are problems with the economy and the Commonwealth is now facing a budget crisis due to his mismanagement, made sure he wouldn’t lose at least one job in the state, that of his friend, Dan Surra, who will now be appointed to a specially created post by Gov. Rendell to a salary of $95,002 per year.   That’s not a typo.  Take a moment to consider the implications of this.  Our commonwealth has gone from having a budget surplus to being deep in the red in less than 18 months. I came across this article from Keystone Politics which is a good read and only further highlights Ed Rendell’s unconditional love for spending increases.

Let me further point out Rendell’s hubris as well as his disregard for the will of the voters here in Pennsylvania with the following quote regarding Dan Surra, via Penn Live:

…Rendell believed “it would have been tragic to allow that much talent to disappear from public service.”

That’s right; Ed Rendell couldn’t stand the thought of his friend Dan Surra being out of a job, what with his election defeat in November and all.  He won’t let a little thing like the will of the voters get in the way of making sure his friends are well taken care of.   I am holding out hope that the legislature will undo this injustice, but I am not certain that will occur.  What I am sure of, however, is that the PA GOP will run a strong candidate in 2010 and we will begin to restore the greatness of our Commonwealth and the strength and independence of the people of Pennsylvania.

Almost On Cue, Liberals Seek Gas Tax Hike

Published January 7, 2009 Economics , Energy , Taxes Leave a Comment
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By Caomhin

One of the only positives in these economic times was the collapse of the petroleum bubble in which we saw ever increasing oil prices that were causing great harm and distress to Americans of all walks of life.  While the decrease in the price of the commodity is overwhelming met with great relief by the average American, of course, there are always dissenters to this philosophy.  I will keep this analysis short and I express my sincere sympathy to those with stocks in the energy sector, through personal investment accounts, IRAs, 401(k) s, and pension plans.  It is a great tribulation to lose economic security and I take no comfort in knowing that the loss of a person’s savings is also a result of the lower prices.  The focus of this narrative is meant simply to highlight the viewpoints of staunch liberals, legislators, and the average American, especially commuters.

As the price per barrel of oil had decrease over the last few months (though the price of oil is indeed creeping back up right now, but far off of its high) we have finally received some relief at the pump and in heating our homes.  This of course, is extremely helpful in lowering the burden the average American, from the elderly, to the young adult fresh out of high school and college who drive to work every day.  Having your transportation budget cut in half frees up more funds to do with as you so decide, be it save, or spend.  It affords you greater options and more freedom with your hard earned money.

Of course, not everyone sees it this way. We are again hearing calls that the gas tax should be raised, to the upward tune of .40/gallon and then indexed to inflation (which will be skyrocketing due to fiscal irresponsibility in the legislature and the Federal Reserve’s horrendous policy of keeping interest rates low while greatly increasing the money supply) in order to make sure that “disasters” to our infrastructure do not occur in the future.  It is interesting that every time the government comes running to the taxpayer it always due to some sort of impending doom that will befall us unless we agree to pay more in taxes and fees.  We see this with global warming, with Social Security, with Transportation, etc., but in each case, it is the government’s wasteful spending and horrendous decisions that have lead to the need for more funds.

In this case, the gas tax increase is now being presented to a liberally dominated Congress that has a an insatiable desire to increase government spending as it is, and we’ve heard numerous times from Pelosi, Reid, etc, that “rebuilding the infrastructure” will be a core tenet of the their so called “stimulus plan.”  Couple these facts with their firm belief in global warming hysterics and Barack Obama’s own views on these issues, rest assured they will try to ram this plan down our throats at their convenience.   The arrogance is stunning.  They view now as an opportune time to pursue an increase in the gas tax as we are finally seeing some relief.

In their minds, you would have to wonder if they believe that since we had no choice but to pay market restricted prices of oil due to a cartel operation in violation of the free market, then they should get in on the act as well.  Any avenue that the Democrats can take to increase the amount of money the government can collect and then redistribute according to their disillusioned views will work just fine for them.  As far as a function within a “stimulus plan,” the only people who will see any stimuli from this will be to those that the government deems fit to become beneficiaries of our tax dollars, leaving us with less money, less disposable income, and functioning as a long series of rumble strips, rather than an accelerator, on the road to economic recovery.

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