Midnight Blue Says

Democrat Barbara Hafer announces her candidacy for Congressman Murtha’s House seat:

Former Pennsylvania treasurer and auditor general Barbara Hafer says she has decided to enter the race to succeed the late Rep. Jack Murtha.

Hafer said that after talking with Democratic leaders, she has decided to go forward with a campaign. Hafer said she would never be able “to fill Murtha’s shoes, but would be honored to follow him.”

She said, however, she would change her mind if the late congressman’s widow, Joyce Murtha, were to decide to run

The clock is ticking – Tuesday begins the three week window to circulate nominating petitions.

Lincoln Institute CEO, Lowman Henry, sees Two Roads Diverged in Penn’s Woods with regards to filling the House seat vacated upon the death of Murtha. I’ve copied the entire article as Lowman makes a salient point about the direction this race could turn based upon the State GOP’s nominee. Teaparty grassroot organizations across Pennsylvania are spun up and ready to back a candidate who reflects the common values of limited government, fiscal responsibility and fidelity to the Constitution.  My hope is that state GOP Chairman Rob Gleason was paying attention during recent elections and directs the GOP to endorse Bill Russell.

Full text below the fold:

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Underdog candidate for Pa Governor, Sam Rohrer, had some straight talk about the looming ‘Pension Bomb’ at recent debate in Yardley, Pa. Ignoring potential Federal tax shenanigans for a moment, Pennsylvanians are facing a dramatic uptick in taxation at the state level due to breathtakingly unsound fiscal policies put in place in 2001.

The current edition of Back Channels clearly explains how we arrived at this ticking time bomb:

Here’s how the mess began: Starting in 2001, with a surplus in state pension funds – for teachers and for state employees – Harrisburg embarked on a series of fiscally irresponsible moves that essentially increased benefits but lowered contributions. Worse, contributions went on a payment plan equivalent to an adjustable-rate mortgage that starts with a low interest rate but mushrooms for most of the life of the loan.

Early on in Harrisburg’s pension-fund restructuring, employer contribution rates were at 5 to 7 percent of payroll for about 10 years. But starting in 2014, according to the Commonwealth Foundation, the contribution rates for school districts will climb to 33 percent, and stay above 30 percent for almost 10 years. They’ll drop after that, but not below 24 percent.

What does this mean to Joe and Jane taxpayer in Pennsylvania?

The cost to households goes from $212 this year to more than $2,000 by 2019, the Commonwealth Foundation estimates.

Understand the above amount is based upon the taxpayers shouldering the entire burden without the state taking any steps to correct this situation. So far, nothing has been proposed by Harrisburg and the clock is running.

Sam Rohrer has promising ideas:

One, put all new state hires on defined-contribution pension plans, such as a 401(k), instead of defined-benefit plans – the current system.

Two, reduce all pension enhancements – from vesting periods to multipliers to raises – to pre-2001 levels. While some argue that salary and compensation packages for state workers can’t be cut – as decreed by state judges who benefit from any increases – Rohrer says the state must reduce future obligations, while meeting any accrued since ‘01.

“There’s no way to deal with this issue significantly without rolling back benefits on the front end, at least for those not yet retired,” he says.

State GOP straw poll results were released recently and unfortunately Rohrer’s ideas may only be his own:

PA GOP Caucus Straw Poll

Marathon Pundit reminds me of Arlen Specter’s pledge to the Democrats.

“I came to this caucus to be your 60th vote.”

Well, looks like the Dems don’t need you anymore and neither do the voters in Pennsylvania.  Senator Specter, consider yourself fired.

More responses from the 6th district candidates in regards to Gerlach’s flip flop decision to drop out of the governor’s race and run for his abandoned seat.

Cohen has bowed out.

Steve Welch is squirming – in the end, he will do what the party bosses tell him to do, then turn around and support the democrat.

Walt Hufford is still in the race

Is it no wonder the PA GOP and the NRCC suffer needless losses every election cycle.

Interesting News via Politico:

Rep. Jim Gerlach (R-Pa.) announced today that he’s dropping out of the Pennsylvania governor’s race, paving the way for him to run for reelection to his suburban Philadelphia House seat.

….Former newspaper editor Doug Pike (A favorite in Southeast Asia) and Iraq war veteran (read Anti War Veteran) Manan Trivedi have been running for the seat and have put together strong campaigns.

The question remains – will Steve Welch step aside if Gerlach decides to run for his abandoned seat in Chester County or will he vote for the Democrat?

“They said it would be transparent. Why isn’t it? At times, I find the caucus is a real disappointment. We aren’t transparent, not just to the public but at times to the members.” – Democrat Rep. Joe Sestak

Is this the ‘change’ you voted for in 2008? Had enough of this change?

Vote conservative in 2012 and 2012.

Just got word of this event in West Chester. Please join us or share this information with those that may be interested in participating in this event.

“Christmas Carol Sing-A-Long” by the Nativity Display

Christmas Eve

At the Courthouse on the corner of High St and Market St

West Chester, PA 19380

Starts at Noon. Will last about 30 minutes.

Suggest arriving early.

Curt Schroder welcomes key endorsements in his bid for US Congress:

State Senator Mike Folmer (PA-48) Berks and Chester Counties

State Senator Bob Mensch (PA-24) Lehigh and Montgomery Counties

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Holy Family in West Chester, Pa

It is that time of year – cold weather (despite the imminent peril of AGW), 10 foot tall inflatable snowman scenes, and 24 hour sales everywhere you turn.  Yes, my friends, it is time for the 2009 Tree of Bullhockey to be displayed on the lawn of the West Chester Courthouse. What is that, you ask?  A recent article posted on the Evening Bulletin website describes this ‘tree’:

...a gaudy, out-of-place, and inappropriate fourth monstrosity of a display tarnishing the courthouse lawn for the third year in a row. It’s called the Tree of Knowledge, a grotesque and kitschy shrine to Godlessness sponsored by the Freethought Society of Greater Philadelphia.

….

Indeed, the Freethought Society and their founder Margaret Downey are agents of the Enemy in every regard and their garish tree replete with “ornaments” in the shape of laminated book covers by prominent atheists is in poor taste. Of the hundreds of book titles hanging on the tree some include A Devil’s Chaplain and The God Delusion by avowed doubter Richard Dawkins, Misquoting Jesus by Bart Ehrman, and The End of Faith by Sam Harris.

Personally, I’d say the ‘freethought’ society corners the market on misquoting Jesus. Perhaps they are still fuming since Jesus bi**hslapped them out of his Father’s house 2000 + years ago.

On this ‘tree’ you can find any number of book covers claiming the fraud of Christianity, yet not one book cover proclaiming the fraud of islam.  If they truly had the courage of their atheist convictions, they would be impelled to denounce islam as the biggest fraud of mankind.  But they won’t, and that cowardice reveals their true bigoted nature.

You can view photos of from last year’s mockery of a tree HERE. The 2009 tree displays the same junk from last year.

Monochromtic Crowd

Michelle Malkin details the blinding whiteness of the MSNBC masthead:

Palin-bashing racial bean-counters in monochromatic houses shouldn’t throw stones.

Ouch.

Last Saturday, I didn’t have to accidentally click on MSNBC to view monochromatic liberalism, I found it just outside Philadelphia in suburban West Chester. Lois Herr and supporters gathered at the steps of the Chester County Courthouse to smear conservatism and receive endorsement from the pro abortion group called NOW. What stood out, apart from the anemic turnout, was the absolute lack of diversity that supposedly defines ‘big tent’ liberalism. Lois Herr’s supporters at this event were exclusively white and middle-aged. A narrowly defined group in the 16th Congressional District, yet Lois Herr claims to speak for all.

I was able to get video from inside the Herr rally, check out the attendees yourself and decide.  More  photos from the rally can be found on FLICKR