Conservative Reform Network Blog

Our Blog has Moved

2008-05-20T09:11:00.001-04:00

Our new blog is at http://crnblog.org

Please visit us there

Conservative Political Action Committee backs candidate James May in the 117th

2008-01-13T19:24:00.000-05:00

Casinos not good for the little guy

2008-01-13T19:19:00.000-05:00

These two slots casinos will be the only two casinos in the world in residential neighborhoods!

Not good for neighborhoods and for the “little guy” who is the target of slots. A rigged game with a mathematically determined outcome, run by monopoly granted by government, exploiting the weakest and most vulnerable in the City. Sen. Fumo wrote this legislation which also pre empted Philadelphia Zoning and disenfranchised Philadelphians on location of these two casinos. 1500 feet form residential neighborhoods, schools and churches. Sen. Fumo’s office wrote the law, Charles Craig Esq.

There is a real opponent, independent, honest and smart, Anne Dicker. Anne and I don’t agree on many policies but we do agree that “Honesty is the Best Policy”.

The Slots Casinos will be the only two casinos IN THE WORLD in residential neighborhoods and, to some of us, Article III was completely obliterated by Slots Legislation 2004 and, more importantly, to Philadelphia residents who will be directly affected Casino Free Philadelphia and Hallwatch have all the details. I found the testimony of Robert Goodman , economic development, environment and urban planning which focused on the location of casino 200 feet from residentail neighborhood to be most interesting.

Another vide: Fred Murphy from Temple University economic impact.

It will take less than an hour to review these videos and the PICA report - even skimming will give line of questioning that will be informed and less than Inquirer's superficial reporting. This is a litmus test; support Anne-support Integrity; don’t support viable opponent, then you are supporting the status quo Establishment, casinos and corruption.

David Oh files in Federal Court

2008-01-09T13:28:00.000-05:00

It is not totally surprising to find voter fraud in Philadelphia; it is surprising that anyone is spending time and resources on challenging this. Let us follow this story......

Dear Friends,

Some low-level political operatives committed voter fraud in the last election by targeting senior citizens and residents of care facilities. They apparently did so with the belief that no one would go after them because they are protected by powerful people. They were wrong. I am going after them.

On Friday, January 4, 2008, I filed a complaint in Federal Court. I know the identities of a few of the people who committed voter fraud. They include government employees and committee-persons. It appears they were able to commit voter fraud because the laws and regulations governing the absentee ballot process were subverted by persons working inside the Election Board and by the Election Board’s own failure to comply with state and federal law. That is the basis of my complaint and we shall pursue our claims diligently.

A pre-trial conference has been set. We will use the full power of the federal court to investigate these cases of voter fraud and election improprieties. As a former prosecutor, there is little doubt in my mind that the persons who committed these acts of voter fraud will readily testify against their co-conspirators and the persons who directed or encouraged them to do so.

As always, I appreciate your support. This time, we are fighting to ensure that every vote counts and that your vote truly does matter.

Thank you,
David

Specter's Dirty Money

2008-01-09T13:26:00.000-05:00

I have a Report of the Audit Division of Federal Election Commission of Citizens for Arlen Specter released Dec 21, 2007.

The real issue, not addressed by FEC, but hopefully addressed by blogosphere is when was the excessive contributions were spent.

Did Senator Specter use General Election money in the Primary? Did Senator Specter cheat to win? The issue is the timing of expenditures which is not addressed by FEC report; where they in primary or were they in general election?

The issue is timing of the spending $1,052,812 from approximately 892 contributors(actually fewer but this is as good a number as is in the report Page 9) illegal excessive contributions received in Primary of which $133,152 is still unresolved even after retroactive notices of reattribution or redesignation were sent and the$567,250 not reported in 48 hour period but reported two days after the primary.

It seems undisputed that one week from the election, polls were showing Toomey leading Specter and the actually result was 16,000 votes out of a million Republican votes cast. Could Senator Specter and his campaign staff panied and used illegal, excessive contributions, which were supposed to be held in separate account, contributors which were legally only to be used in general and used them in primary campaign to cheat?

Perhaps the blogosphere will examine the FEC records of Citizens for Arlen Specter.

Read: Arlen's Dirty Money

Specter delivers welfare to Lancaster Dairy Farmers

2008-01-09T13:23:00.000-05:00

Specter ( and Casey ) pander to the Lancaster “fiscal conservatives”, actually Huckabee social conservative socialists, religious socialists, who want their pork sent from Washington paid for the rest of us and are willing to sell their votes for the pork. These ‘farmers’, really welfare Kings and Queens, who are dependent on welfare as any inner city welfare recipient whom they probably despise but whom they resemble. Sorry for the anger this will cause but it is time that someone points this out…the emperor has no clothes and the dairy farmers are on welfare. The mentality of entitlement by so called farmers who tell you of their ‘independence” is disgraceful. Forcing others to subsidize, taking other people’s money to pay for an unwanted or inefficient operation is even more disgraceful.

Lancaster Convention Center subsidies– Dairy Farm Subsidies? Is the idea that you are paid for what your produce in the free market for what other people really want and voluntarily and freely buy with their own money. This is soft socialism where Government intervention distorts markets artificially and unnecessarily raising prices to consumers. It didn’t work in the Soviet Union and it won’t work here. Free market decisions by independent consumers rather than coercive government interference. Welfare Subsidies to Farmers paid to those connected to elected; a few benefit, many pay and Sen. Specter buys his votes because he cannot earn them. And he isn’t even pro life. Selling principles for welfare subsidies, these Lancaster dairy “farmers” are a disgrace.

This welfare spending is the reason Republicans are so unpopular and why Congress is so little respected.

Penna. Sen. Casey defends the Farm Bill which should tell you what a good idea it isn’t.
Sen. Specter’s comments on immigration are worth noting. Simpson Mazzoli was signed in 1986 addressing many of these issues and the Senate, including Senator Specter, have never pressed for effective enforcement. Why should we believe them now when 20 years of experience tell us that he is not trustworthy on this issue?

It is worth noting, too, how effective Senator Specter is in using other people’s money to subsidize farmers and yet ineffective in building the fence which was authorized and funded and then….defunded recently without opposition from Senator Specter.
And the “death tax” which interests dairy farmers? The powerful 4 term Senator has been unable to move that, either. He did vote against the first Bush Tax Cut and the second pro tax cut vote is called the “Toomey vote”

Read the article: Specter Touts Farm Bill

Specter's visits Syria - arrests follow

2008-01-09T13:19:00.000-05:00

Some of you may remember Sen. Arlen Specter’s recent trip to meet with serial murderer Bashar Assad and his terrorist gang. As Sen. Specter is leaving, arrests are made and I haven’t been there but I don’t think Syrian jails compare favorably with Guantanamo detention. And these guys think ‘waterboarding’ is for sissies. I have not seen press releases from Sen. Specter’s office chastising Bashar Assad for these arrests. Must be protesting back channels. And, it seems,not even an outcry from Bush Administration who invited Syria ( Assad and company ) to Annapolis to promote a state for Arabs in Palestine – just what the world needs, another failed, terrorist state.

And what does it say that it is feasible that America is about to elect Barack Hussein Obama? I can hear what they are saying in Tehran… “Allah Akbar”.

This news Compiled by Tony Badran , Senior Fellow at the Center for Liberty in the Middle East , and edited by Stephanie Schwartz.

Pres GW Bush comments on Specter Kennedy visit with Bashar Assad

2008-01-07T12:46:00.000-05:00

The President didn’t say Specter Kennedy visit was a good idea. As I understand it, the Constitution of the United States puts foreign policy in almost exclusive control of President, not House or Senate. I think Senator thinks the Constitution is living, breathing document and I hear he is planning his own rewrite correcting mistakes and bringing it up to date.:-)

When a US Senator visits a serial killer, like Bashar Assad, it is not fact finding; we have all the facts. The President is clear. And Specter Kennedy dilute and confuse the message even more than it is already.

Al Hurra TV Article:

Delusional? Specter?

2008-01-01T07:52:00.000-05:00

Barry Rubin, a scholar with Interdisciplinary Conference at Herzliya lays out a case that Syria’s Assad cannot make peace with Israel. “The Truth about Syria”. Sen. Specter’s comments are dangerous. Sen Specter has been engaged with Syrians for years. I concur with opinions expressed above. He is very vulnerable in Republican primary of 2010. Who will step forward to challenge him in the 2010 primary? Many Republicans think it is time for Sen. Specter to retire.
Israel defeated the Syrian air defenses, allowing the IDF to destroy a Syrian nuclear facility.

Specter: Syria Wants Peace with Israel

Israel Had `No Business' Bombing Syria, UN Nuclear Chief Says

Alycia Lane...Top Attraction

2007-12-26T11:08:00.000-05:00

Amazing....more coverage than elections.

Read: Lane top attraction on the Net

2007-12-26T10:57:00.000-05:00

Ed Rendell's breaks his promise for Executive Order on Open Records in Executive Branch. This information is from DemocracyRisingPa, an outstanding organization focused on open government and issues of ethics and accountability and is primarily the work of one very principled and very productive activist, Tim Potts. He is on a Quest for the Best in state standards of public integrity in PA legislature, a goal that has eluded him so far but is he determined and committed.

Tim describes himself as a Liberal Democrat and other than issues relating to education where Tim has expertise, we do not discuss substantive matters. Tim is focused on facts and logically and impartial analysis and is outraged by misuse of public money for private gain by Democrats as I am about the same practices by Republicans. He is solid source of detailed and extensive information about the malfunctioning State Government in Harrisburg. Tim works in tandem, from time to time, with Gene Stilp, who will be on tour in his Pink Pig Bus tour to Majority Leader Bill DeWeese’s office in Greene County and with Russ Diamond of PA Clean Sweep.

Tim frequently comments on Open Records legislation. The focus of this month’s Reality Check is Gov. Ed Rendell’s failure to keep his promise to sign an executive order ordering more openness in the Executive Branch:

Rendell Proposes Best-in-America Law. For Dogs.Since taking office in 2003, Gov. Ed Rendell has shied away from leadership on matters of public integrity. Although he has talked about such issues as term limits for lawmakers and improving our second-worst-in-America system of legislative re-districting, he has not championed giving PA the highest standards of public integrity in America on any subject. In fact, after repeatedly promising newspaper publishers that he would issue an executive order to provide greater openness for the executive branch, he never did, even after the PA Newspaper Association drafted the executive order for him.
But now Amy Worden of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Rendell is proposing a best-in-America law to regulate kennels. A dog-owner and dog-lover, Rendell wants to rid PA of the title "puppy mill capital of the East Coast." CLICK HERE for the full story.
Question: Will Rendell spend his last two years in office working as hard to protect citizens from unscrupulous public officials as he is to protect dogs from unscrupulous breeders?

Natural Gas Drilling

2007-12-26T10:44:00.000-05:00

Natural gas drilling is a subject almost unknown in southeast Pennsylvania and it is important that the free market is responding to real, as opposed to inflated, increases in price of fuel.

Plugged-in Hybrids are another alternative energy source to efficiently use electric from the electric grid as a competitive alternative to oil and gas in transportation, which is the largest sector of economy using oil and, in particular, foreign oil.

Read Patroit-News Article: Texans wave money for upstate gas-well rights

HSA: The way to Go

2007-12-26T10:25:00.000-05:00

HSAs are a smart option for the self-employed, owners of small businesses, and employees and people whose companies are dropping health benefits. You can deposit into an HSA account as much as $2850 a year for a single, take a tax deduction and interest grows tax free. Separately, buy a high deductible policy which costs less a month. This is designed for young people who realize that it is highly unlikely that either Social Security or Medicare-Medicaid will be available in 40 years.

Read: Health savings accounts are, happily, highly infectious

PSA Spending II

2007-12-26T10:23:00.000-05:00

PSAs are not designed to get information out; there is no reason that State House member’s face, namee or voice is necessary and these are all executive branch messages and it is up to agency to get message out. If the agency thinks using a rep is good idea, then maybe it would be. These PSA s are never tested for efficacy like real commercials or even political ads. the fact that they are not tested means that it is not money well spent.

$74,000 and 1200 ads = 61 and ad ... there is no evidence that I am aware of that the PSAs are effective either in getting the underlying policy message out OR actually raising profile and positive name recognition of legislator. If this were a private company or person, spending her own money, there would be testing and poling for effectiveness.

As far as Rep Gibbons is concerned, this is free money and he thinks he is getting something for nothing like any welfare dependent. Like playing a slots machine, with mathematically determined outcome, in vernacular, a rigged machine, and thinking you can make money without working. Maybe Rep Gibbons does represent his constituency all too well. After all, it was LaGrotta's constituency, not the philosopher king we hope for.

Read the Times Capitol Burea Article: House spent thousands of your dollars to talk to you

Corporate Governance on Wall Street

2007-12-26T10:20:00.000-05:00

Wall Street corporate governance … truthout is Left wing blog I read and it has some interesting perspectives on some issues. I have heard Ralph Nader and Ron Paul in the last week and it is striking how similar their analyses and perspectives are although very different solutions – Big Government v. Constitutional Government

Difference is if you don't like how the company is compensating management, you don't have to buy the stock; you do have to pay taxes coerced from you by police power of government.

Read the article: Santa Claus comes to Wall Street

Iran Mullahs

2007-12-26T10:19:00.000-05:00

All for peaceful purposes? Iranian Mullahs have control of some of largest oil reserves in the world? Could the National Intelligence Estimate of 2007 which seems to contradict the NIE of 2005 be wrong? Could the Mullahs’ fanaticism cause them to think they can threaten US with nuclear strike?

Read the Reuters article: Iran to seek bids for 19 atomic power plants: MP

Lenroot

2007-12-26T10:11:00.000-05:00

Grassrootspa posting… Some excellent postings by “Lenroot” and interesting discussion about future of Republican party in response to article and Tony Phyrillas’ comments Regarding the article: Can the Montgomery County Republican Party be Saved?

Lenroot's analysis is incisive. While I think Bruce is outstanding law enforcement and represents Republican values, I think his political skills are significantly less than his trial skills and I think Frank Bartle is outstanding analyst, however, his analytic skills, for reasons I don't understand, don't seem to translated into a competent action plan. Bruce Castor has the political bug and I think we will see him ascend. I hope. Time will tell.

I am impressed with anyone who predicts accurately. Lenroot did. I expect he will make mistakes but he was dead on this one and his posts do demonstrate he knows what he is talking about.

“In case you all don’t realize this, Castor is completely boxed in. He’s not going to the state level (Asher will block that) and he will be marginalized at the county. Keep this last sentence in mind…it is my prediction and I will be cutting and pasting it in the not-too-distant future as proof that I have psychic political powers.”

This was under the thread of “Tom Ellis to run for PA Treasurer” and I posted it on NOVEMBER 16, 2007! So I know what I am talking about.

Hope to hear more, Lenroot. I am distressed that MontCo will be moving toward soft socialism, incrementally but inexorably. Hoeffel is committed to the idea that a select elite needs to rule and Matthews is too dumb to see what is he is facilitating even if he disagreed with it. We shall see.

PSA Spending

2007-12-26T10:08:00.000-05:00

These Public service announcement spending numbers were a bit different when John Perzel and Republicans were in the majority. Who are the Republicans who spent the $173,232? Democrats can’t help themselves - they view government as benign or even helpful in advancing an agenda of dependency so this is good spending; and, of course, promoting themselves as good guys because they support these good programs; so obvious. Only cynical realists, like Russ Diamond, would think this is self promotion and using public money for private, partisan campaigning .Really how does one spend this much in low media cost area like Beaver? These are Philadelphia numbers.

Public service announcement spending by legislative caucuses in 2007:
· House Democrats: $824,507

· House Republicans: $173,232

· Senate Democrats: $46,681*

· Senate Republicans: $0

Read the Tims Capitol Bureau Article: House spent thousands of your dollars to talk to you

Man Shot to Death in West Philly

2007-12-26T10:06:00.000-05:00

Montgomery County is on track for six (6) murders in 2007, down from average of 15 to 20. The law enforcement of Montgomery County are entitled to huge credit for this result. Outstanding police work. Unintrusive and safe. I don’t think Lower Merion had one murder this year. Low crime. Democrats run Phila and have for 60 years and… Republicans and Republican thinking dominant in Montgomery County for longer. The elitist Ds are moving from the City that they created to Republican built MontCo and with good reason. MontCo works…so far.

Read the Inquirer Article: Man shot to death in W. Philly

I-80: Not for Whom the Bell Tolls

2007-12-26T09:42:00.000-05:00

Where will the revenues go from the tolling of I-80 adding thousands of dollars a year to those who regularly use it, in particular, truckers delivering goods to and from the northern counties, food and other domestic necessities as well as capital products for business. This has not been a high profile issue in southeast Penna. although much of the revenue from I-80 which traverses the northern tier counties and the tolling will have, in the opinion of most businesses including Independent Truckers, a negative impact. Further, much of the revenue is thought to be redirected to Pittsburgh and Philadelphia mass transit impoverishing rural and poorer communities to fund a politically favored unionized constituency, public service SEPTA unions and workforce. Some may think that what happens to I-80 affects them. ?Ask not for whom the bell tolls??; the tolling of I-80 and its economic impact will not stay in northern tier counties and will affect us here in southeast. The Commonwealth Foundation details the finances. Note Bonds at a BILLION DOLLARS, pinstripe patronage to bond counsel and those providing financial services to Turnpike Commission.

John Stoffa: Fiscal Conservative

2007-12-26T09:40:00.000-05:00

Thanks to Julian Stolz, I had a chance to meet John Stoffa. He is a fiscal conservative which is why he is having a problem with Democrats on Council. He is not a liberal but he is a Democrat and, probably, sees more need for government intervention than most of us do. He is, never the less, not starry eyed about every expansionist and interventionist project Council can think of. Read more at PennLive.com, Council weighs support; Stoffa's future unclear.

Stop Teacher Strikes: They are Unconstitutional

2007-12-22T02:44:00.001-05:00

Simon Campbell is reliable source on school teacher union issues and Right to Work issues relating to education. Read more.

Today we published the THIRD County Court decision - which ruled teacher strikes to be unconstitutional in PA. The ruling of Judge Samuel Salus from Montgomery County can be found here:

The question for the public (and media) to consider is this:

The Constitution belongs to the People and every state lawmaker is sworn to uphold and defend it. Article 3 Section 14 contains just one sentence and it is very plainly written. On three separate occasions over the years, County Judges in Pennsylvania have ruled teacher strikes to be unconstitutional. Do you agree with those County Judges or do you agree with the PA Supreme Court who overruled them in 1993?

In the court of public opinion, we suspect that the People will side with the County Judges. So the next time a PSEA-backed lawmaker says "I believe in teachers' right to strike ..." ...we need a public hearing. After all, in 1993 the PA Supreme Court specifically said that the legislature must decide what is thorough and efficient. But let's turn it around and do the public hearing the correct way. Instead of the House Labor Relations Committee inviting the People to speak (and then ignoring them), let's have the People invite Chairman Belfanti and his committee to testify in front of the People.

Since the Constitution belongs to the People, the People shall ask the House Labor Relations Committee, one member at a time, three simple questions pertaining to their understanding of the Constitution:

1. Do you agree with President Judges Kiester, Brydon, and Salus or not?

2. If not, what part of "thorough and efficient system of public education" do you consider strikes to be?

3. Do strikes serve the needs of the Commonwealth (Constitutionally mandated), or do they serve the needs of the teachers' union and their members?

I suspect the Committee's answers would be highly entertaining. I wonder how many "err umms" ..and.. "help, let's duck for cover because someone mentioned the Constitution" ...we would get?

---
Simon Campbell
President, StopTeacherStrikes Inc.
668 Stony Hill Rd. #298
Yardley, PA 19067
Tel: 215-586-3573

http://www.stopteacherstrikes.org

Open Records and Curt Schroder

2007-12-22T02:43:00.001-05:00

Schroder rejected an earlier amendment to the open records law that would have exempted e-mail from public view. "Taking e-mail out of the mix would have blocked access to a pervasive and increasingly common form of communication," said Schroder. "I am pleased that e-mail is included in the open records bill and that we were able to resolve privacy concerns that arose during our debate on the issue."

In the BonusGate investigation, emails have been invaluable "the smoking gun" to follow the money.

State Representative Curt Schroder, Working for a Better Chester County - 155th District
Website - Profile - Latest News - Services For You - State Information - Contact

Schroder Approves Transparency in PA's Open Records Law
House votes unanimously to give public access to government records

Rep. Curt Schroder (R-East Brandywine) says the open records legislation that unanimously passed in the House this week will provide the kind of transparency in government that Commonwealth citizens have wanted and deserve.

"The legislation approved in the House gives the public access to records in state and local government agencies including the executive and legislative branches, and financial records in the judiciary," said Schroder. "This language presumes all records to be public and places the burden to prove otherwise on the government agency and a new Pennsylvania Public Records Office provided for in the legislation."

In addition to the agencies stated, the law also applies to independent agencies and others such as PHEAA, the Gaming Control Board, Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and community colleges. The bill also provides for the posting of certain state government contract information on the Internet.

The legislation stems from a recommendation from the Speaker's Reform Commission on which Schroder serves. The bill, which originated in the Senate, was extensively amended in the House. The bill now goes back to the Senate for concurrence.

Rep. Curt Schroder
155th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
(610) 524-5595
(717) 783-2520

www.CurtSchroder.com

Contact: Donna M. Pinkham
(717) 260-6452

www.pahousegop.com

Attention Scott Migli! Citizens are Watching!

2007-12-22T02:41:00.001-05:00

Below are instructions for Capitol Watch…please take note. As Campaign Manager for Paul Thibault, as well as a Regional Coordinator of the House Republican District Operations, it should be of interest to you that many are concerned that you might be performing partisan private political acitivity on State Property or using Government Resources. Of course, we would be shocked to find such goings-on in Harrisburg, but some have been careless.

Any anonymous tips can go to Gene at Capitol Crime Watch, P.O. Box 3333, Harrisburg, Pa. 17105.

Stop Teacher Strikes: School Superintendent Salaries

2007-12-22T02:37:00.001-05:00

The following links were forwarded to me by Simon Campbell at Stop Teachers Strikes is a reliable source. The Altoona Mirror has done an outstanding job in investigating reporting in attempting to obtain the public record of salaries of superintendent s of 501 school district in Pennsylvania. The superintendants salaries are paid for by public money for public purposes, mainly education, and it appears to me that those records should be accessible to the public.

Altoona Mirror Article

Contract database of superintendents salaries