Talking Politics with Tony Phyrillas

Philly music legend Al Alberts dies at 87

2009-11-28T01:34:00.001-05:00

Al Alberts, who hosted a Philadelphia-based television talent-show for decades, died Friday at his home in Florida at the age of 87.

Although he was a founding member and lead singer of The Four Aces, an all-male harmony group that scored several hits, including "Three Coins in the Fountain," "Tell Me Why," and "Love is a Many Splendored Thing," Al Alberts will forever be remembered as the host "Al Alberts Showcase" which aired on Philadelphia's Channel 6 for 32 years.

His real name was Al Albertini, but with his wife Stella by his side, Al Alberts launched hundreds of careers on "Al Alberts Showcase."

Some of the biggest stars who got their start on "Showcase" include Teddy Pendergrass, Sister Sledge, Andrea McCardle and The Kinleys, a country music sister duo.

The Four Aces sold over 100 million records internationally, according to Al Alberts Web site.

Most recently, Roberts served as executive producer and host of a syndicated radio program called "Harmony."

You can visit Al Alberts' Web site at www.alalberts.net, where you can also order a copy of "Al's Song," his autobiography and the story of The Four Aces.

Obama Youth Recruits

2009-11-27T12:45:00.000-05:00

U.S. Mint Announces 2010 Native American $1 Coin Design

2009-11-27T12:39:00.000-05:00

Nobody wants to use the dollar coin, but the U.S. Mint keeps pushing it ... regardless of the cost.

United States Mint Announces 2010 Native American $1 Coin Design

Poll: Just 31% Say U.S. Headed in Right Direction

2009-11-27T12:35:00.000-05:00

How's this for a vote of no confidence on Barack Obama and Congressional Democrats?

Only 31% of American voters say the country is heading in the right direction, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports national survey.

From Rasmussen Reports:

The percentage of voters who feel this way has remained in the narrow range of 31% to 35% since late June, but voter perceptions of the nation’s current course have only been this low two other times this year, the last time in early October.

Following President Obama’s inauguration in January, voter confidence in the direction of the country began steadily increasing, peaking at 40% in early May. While down since then, the latest finding is still four points higher than the week Obama took office and up 10 points from the week he was elected president in early November.

The majority of voters (64%) continue to believe the nation is heading down the wrong track, up slightly from last week. This finding has remained fairly consistent for months.

Guess Who's Coming To Dinner?

2009-11-25T19:30:00.000-05:00

Republicans lead by 7-points in Generic Poll

2009-11-25T18:40:00.000-05:00

The new blockbuster film "2012" depicts the end of the world in three years, but that scenario could come about in 2010 for the Democratic Party, which is poised to lose big in the midterm Congressional elections, crippling its far-left agenda and making Barack Obama a lame duck with two more years left in his term.

From Rasmussen Reports:

Republican candidates have extended their lead over Democrats to seven points, their biggest lead since early September, in the latest edition of the Generic Congressional Ballot.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 44% would vote for their district's Republican congressional candidate while 37% would opt for his or her Democratic opponent.

Support for the Republican party held steady from last week, while support for Democrats dropped slightly. Republicans have held the lead for over four months now. Democrats currently have majority control of both the House and Senate.

Voters not affiliated with either party continue to heavily favor Republicans, 44% to 20%.

Impeach Obama movement growing

2009-11-25T11:02:00.003-05:00

If you can't wait until the midterm elections to put a stop to the radical Obama agenda, you can add your name to the growing campaign to impeach Barack Obama.

From ImpeachObamaCampaign.com:

"How long must we wait ... how long should we sit back and permit Barack Hussein Obama to rip apart the fabric of this country before we take action? Why are we calling for the Impeachment of Barack Hussein Obama? Radio-personality Tammy Bruce may have said it best: '... ultimately, it comes down to... the fact that he seems to have, it seems to me, some malevolence toward this country, which is unabated.'"

To learn more about the campaign or sign the online petition, visit ImpeachObamaCampaign.com

Schroder Picks Up More Endorsements

2009-11-25T11:01:00.000-05:00

State Rep. Curt Schroder has announced the endorsement of seven fellow state lawmakers representing portions of the 6th Congressional District.

"I am pleased and honored to have the support of colleagues who know me well and have worked with me on many efforts to improve our region" Schroder said in a release.

State elected officials supporting Schroder include:

State Rep. Tim Hennessey (PA-26) Chester County

State Rep. Chris Ross (PA-158) Chester County

State Rep. Sam Rohrer (PA-128) Berks County

State Rep. Jim Cox (PA-129) Berks County

State Rep. Doug Reichley (PA-134) Portions of Berks and Lehigh Counties

State Rep. Kate Harper (PA-61) Montgomery County

State Rep. Michael Vereb (PA-150) Montgomery County

Schroder said the endorsements are an indication that he is the only candidate with the right experience to step into the 6th District Congressional seat.

"The problems we face mean the next Congressman from the 6th District will need to be prepared to get to work from day one," Schroder said. "I look forward to working with these elected officials as well as leaders from across the district to restore economic prosperity in our communities and create jobs in Pennsylvania."

Curt Schroder was first elected to represent the 155th District of Pennsylvania in the State Assembly in 1994. He and his wife reside in East Brandywine Township with their two children.

'The Dollar Bubble'

2009-11-24T21:03:00.001-05:00

NIA Announces Release of 'The Dollar Bubble'

Workers Choose Flight Over Fight

2009-11-24T21:02:00.001-05:00

Workers Choose Flight Over Fight

Watchdog Group: Chrysler's Fire Sale Funded On the Backs of Cash-Strapped Taxpayers

2009-11-24T21:02:00.000-05:00

Watchdog Group: Chrysler's Fire Sale Funded On the Backs of Cash-Strapped Taxpayers

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly for Consumer Protection in the U.S. Senate Health Reform

2009-11-24T20:59:00.000-05:00

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly for Consumer Protection in the U.S. Senate Health Reform

Holiday Mail For Heroes

2009-11-24T15:19:00.001-05:00

Frustrated 'reformer' will give up PA House seat in 2010

2009-11-24T14:40:00.001-05:00

State Rep. Barbara McIlvaine Smith was swept into office in 2006 on a wave of reform talk after the pay-raise debacle of 2005.

Three years in Harrisburg has convinced McIlvaine Smith that reforming Harrisburg is a lost cause. She's bailing out, announcing this week that she will not seek re-election next year to her 156th House District seat.

McIlvaine Smith, a Democrat, told The West Chester Daily Local News she can no longer be part of a legislative body that is dysfunctional and unwilling to institute meaningful reform.

"The system is such that it's not set up to accomplish anything or to resolve issues," she told the newspaper. "The way it's set up, the leadership in all four caucuses has a vested interest in maintaining the status quo."

McIlvaine Smith blamed both Republican and Democratic leaders in the House and Senate for blocking meaningful reform.

"When I was elected, I got to Harrisburg with 50 reformers," she told the newspaper. "But the leaders pulled them in."

The 156th District had been held by Republicans from its creation in 1969 until 2006. McIlvaine Smith was a surprise winner when Republican Elinor Z. Taylor retired after holding the seat from 1971 to 2006.

Republicans should be able to win back the seat in 2010 if Chester County GOP Chairman Joseph "Skip" Brion gets his act together. Some inside the Chesco Republican Party blame Brion for picking the wrong candidate to run against McIlvaine Smith in 2006 and 2008 and then failing to support the candidate. Maybe this time, Brion can get it right.

Read the full story by reporter Dan Kristie at the link below:

The Daily Local News : Serving Chester County

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Seniors group: Dems plan devastating cuts to Medicare

2009-11-24T13:56:00.003-05:00

PA Adds H1N1 Vaccination Clinics

2009-11-24T13:56:00.001-05:00

Pennsylvania Department of Health Announces Additional H1N1 Vaccination Clinics in Delaware, Lancaster, Lehigh Counties

Global Warming Kool Aid

2009-11-23T20:54:00.001-05:00

Poll: Support for Obamacare falls to new low

2009-11-23T20:53:00.000-05:00

As Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid leads the Democratic Party to its Waterloo, a new Rasmussen poll shows just 38% of voters favor the health care plan proposed by President Obama and congressional Democrats.

That's the lowest level of support measured for the plan in nearly two dozen tracking polls conducted since June by Rasmussen Reports.

The latest Rasmussen Reports survey finds that 56% oppose the plan a clear majority and a warning to Democrats that their control of Congress will likely slip away in 2010 as they continue to push their big government higher taxes agenda.

From Rasmussen Reports:

Half the survey was conducted before the Senate voted late Saturday to begin debate on its version of the legislation. Support for the plan was slightly lower in the half of the survey conducted after the Senate vote.

Prior to this, support for the plan had never fallen below 41%. Last week, support for the plan was at 47%. Two weeks ago, the effort was supported by 45% of voters.

Intensity remains stronger among those who oppose the push to change the nation's health care system: 21% Strongly Favor the plan while 43% are Strongly Opposed.

Rasmussen Reports is continuing to track public opinion on the health care plan on a weekly basis. Next week's Monday morning update will give an indication of whether these numbers reflect a trend of growing opposition or are merely statistical noise.

Only 16% now believe passage of the plan will lead to lower health care costs. Nearly four times as many (60%) believe the plan will increase health care costs. Most (54%) also believe passage of the plan will hurt the quality of care.

As has been the case for months, Democrats favor the plan while Republicans and voters not affiliated with either major party are opposed. The latest numbers show support from 73% of those in the president's party. The plan is opposed by 83% of Republicans and 70% of unaffiliated voters.

For more poll results and analysis, check out Rasmussen Reports

Fact-Checking Al Gore

2009-11-23T01:00:00.000-05:00

Generic Ballot Favors GOP

2009-11-23T00:01:00.000-05:00

If the midterm Congressional elections were held today, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid would be out of a job, with significant loses predicted for the Democratic Party.

Republican candidates maintain a six-point advantage over Democrats in the latest edition of the Generic Congressional Ballot published at Rasmussen Reports, which shows that 44% would vote for their district's Republican congressional candidate while 38% would opt for his or her Democratic opponent.

What could cost Democrats control of Congress is independent voters, who are expressing widespread disapproval of the way Democrats are running Congress.

Voters not affiliated with either party continue to heavily favor Republicans, 41% to 24%, the Rasmussen survey found.

Read more at Rasmussen Reports.

PA Among 'Terrible 10' Most Regressive Tax States

2009-11-20T16:58:00.001-05:00

Working families in Pennsylvania pay a far higher share of their income in state and local taxes than their wealthiest counterparts, according to a new study by the Institute on Taxation & Economic Policy.

Other highlights (or low lights) from the study:

* Pennsylvania families earning less than $19,000 - the poorest fifth of Pennsylvania taxpayers - pay 11.3% of their income in Pennsylvania state and local taxes.

* Middle-income Pennsylvania taxpayers - those earning between $35,000 and $56,000 - pay 9.6% of their income in Pennsylvania state and local taxes.

* The richest Pennsylvania taxpayers - with average incomes of $1,369,600 - pay only 5% of their income in Pennsylvania state and local taxes.

* After accounting for federal deduction offsets, the discrepancy is even starker: the poorest fifth pay 11.2% of their income in state and local taxes, middle-income families pay 9.1%, and the richest Pennsylvanians pay 3.9%.

* Washington, Florida, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Illinois, Arizona, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Alabama were named as the 10 Most Regressive Tax States. Pennsylvania ranked ninth.

The review the entire report, "Who Pays? A Distributional Analysis of the Tax Systems in All 50 States," follow the link below:

New Report Ranks Pennsylvania Among 'Terrible 10' Most Regressive Tax States

Are you willing to risk your job?

2009-11-20T16:45:00.000-05:00

PA urges hunters to share their bounty

2009-11-20T16:37:00.001-05:00

PA Agriculture Department Urges Hunters to Share Their Harvest to Help Feed the Hungry

Worse than Swine Flu

2009-11-20T13:58:00.000-05:00

Attorney General Holder Reveals Aggressive Gun Control In Response to Ft. Hood Terror Attack

2009-11-19T15:56:00.000-05:00

How about more aggressive actions against Muslim fanatics living in the United States?

How many lives could have been saved if the soldiers at Ft. Hood were allowed to carry guns on the base?

Attorney General Holder Reveals Aggressive Gun Control In Response to Ft. Hood Terror Attack