It started at $250,000, dropped to $200,000, then $150,000. Now the Obama camp has shift the magic number to trigger a tax increase again.

Let's keep this real simple. If Obama is elected, everyone will pay more in taxes.

Republican National Committee: Obama's Sliding Tax Scale

Did you know you can't buy liquor in 7 states on Election Day?

Of all the days we could use a good stiff drink, it's on Election Day.

Folks living in Kentucky, Indiana, South Carolina, Utah, West Virginia, Alaska and Massachusetts have restrictions on alcohol purchases on Election Day.

Seven States Still Force Prohibition-era Bans on Election Day Alcohol Sales

Most people have a campaign sign or two on their lawn, but this Berks County homeowner has put a lot more work in her display, decorating her front yard with life-size cardboard cut-outs of candidates and other assorted characters. The woman behind the display is Reading-area artist Vickie Rhodier, whose political cartoons have been featured on this blog.

Margaret Gibbons, who covered Montgomery County government and politics for the Norristown Times-Herald for decades, has left the newspaper for greener pastures.

She is now writing for The Intelligencer in Doylestown, but her beat remains Montgomery County.

In a recent column, Gibbons expresses concern about the mental health of embattled Montgomery County Commissioner Jim Matthews, who made a power-sharing deal with Democratic Commissioner Joe Hoeffel at the start of the year. That has brought widespread criticism of Matthews, whom many feel betrayed the Republican Party that elected him.

From Gibbons' latest column:

Republican Montgomery County Commissioner Chairman James R. Matthews is beginning to show some cracks from the strain under which he has been operating since he entered that unprecedented power-sharing pact with Democratic Commissioner Joseph M. Hoeffel III.

Matthews had convinced himself that the controversy would die down in January and that he eventually would be lauded for his so-called “statesmanship” in fashioning a bipartisan government.

That has not happened.

The criticism from those within his own party has been relentless. And Republican Commissioner Bruce L. Castor Jr., the top vote-getter in last November's commissioners' election but the odd man out in this administration, never misses an opportunity to yank Matthews' chain.

In the past, Matthews has simply sloughed off Castor's comments or lectured him about his acting in a political fashion rather than as an elected government official who represents everyone.

However, now Matthews is verbally flinching even before Castor opens his mouth.

Matthews went off on Castor at a recent agenda meeting when Castor simply questioned something on the agenda.

Come on, Jim, get a grip.

Read the full column at The Intelligencer's Web site.

"Barack Obama would 'spread the wealth' as president, but until lately the Obamas were giving less than 1% of their own high incomes to the needy and neglecting even poverty-stricken blood relatives," says Investor's Business Daily, which has found another serious character flaw in the would-be president.

From an editorial in Investor's Business Daily:

Sen. Barack Obama is apparently quite a cheapskate when it comes to giving to charity. From 2001 to 2004, the tax returns for Mr. and Mrs. Ebenezer Obama show less than $8,500 in donations out of the nearly $1 million they made.

In 2005 and 2006, with book royalties making them millionaires, their charitable contributions rose to about 5% of income. But how "charitable" are some of the causes Obama supports? In 2006, for instance, he gave more than $20,000 to the notorious Rev. Jeremiah Wright's Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago.

Imagine that. Giving tens of thousands of dollars to someone who preaches "not God Bless America; God damn America!" from the pulpit. It remains incomprehensible that John McCain chose not to hammer home Obama's close association with Wright. The Wright issue has nothing to do with race, and everything to do with radical ideology.

Read the full editorial, "All Charisma, No Heart," at the newspaper's Web site.

An infomercial is a commercial. The person behind the infomercial is trying to sell you something. In this case, Barack Obama is trying to sell his tax plan to the American public.

A non-partisan taxpayers' group examined Obama's claims and found some problems.

ATR: Myth vs. Fact: The Obama Infomercial Lies to Taxpayers About Obama Tax Hike

RNC Launches New Web Video: 'Slippery Slope'

A new study says at least 1.8 million dead people are registered to vote in the 2008 presidential election.

How many of those dead people vote is unknown ... except maybe to the folks at ACORN.

From an Aristotle International press release:

The study, conducted by Aristotle since 2000, compares government lists of persons who have moved or died to the voter registration lists obtained from state or county elections agencies. This year's data indicates 5.9 percent of all registered voters are what elections experts call "Deadwood." This represents an estimated 1,833,539 dead voters and 8,690,492 who have moved from their registered voter address.

Follow the link below to read more about the study, including a state-by-state breakdown of dead voters.

Trick or Treat Just in Time for Halloween: U.S. Voter Rolls Contain 'Deadwood'

A group of 357 leading American economists have issued a joint statement warning that Barack Obama's economic policies would be disastrous for the U.S. economy.

Here's is their statement, posted online, along with their names:

Barack Obama argues that his proposals to raise tax rates and halt international trade agreements would benefit the American economy. They would do nothing of the sort. Economic analysis and historical experience show that they would do the opposite. They would reduce economic growth and decrease the number of jobs in America. Moreover, with the credit crunch, the housing slump, and high energy prices weakening the U.S. economy, his proposals run a high risk of throwing the economy into a deep recession. It was exactly such misguided tax hikes and protectionism, enacted when the U.S. economy was weak in the early 1930s, that greatly increased the severity of the Great Depression.

We are very concerned with Barack Obama's opposition to trade agreements such as the pending one with Colombia, the new one with Central America, or the established one with Canada and Mexico. Exports from the United States to other countries create jobs for Americans. Imports make goods available to Americans at lower prices and are a particular benefit to families and individuals with low incomes. International trade is also a powerful source of strength in a weak economy. In the second quarter of this year, for example, increased international trade did far more to stimulate the U.S. economy than the federal government's "stimulus" package.

Ironically, rather than supporting international trade, Barack Obama is now proposing yet another so-called stimulus package, which would do very little to grow the economy. And his proposal to finance the package with higher taxes on oil would raise oil prices directly and by reducing exploration and production.

We are equally concerned with his proposals to increase tax rates on labor income and investment. His dividend and capital gains tax increases would reduce investment and cut into the savings of millions of Americans. His proposals to increase income and payroll tax rates would discourage the formation and expansion of small businesses and reduce employment and take-home pay, as would his mandates on firms to provide expensive health insurance.

After hearing such economic criticism of his proposals, Barack Obama has apparently suggested to some people that he might postpone his tax increases, perhaps to 2010. But it is a mistake to think that postponing such tax increases would prevent their harmful effect on the economy today. The prospect of such tax rate increases in 2010 is already a drag on the economy. Businesses considering whether to hire workers today and expand their operations have time horizons longer than a year or two, so the prospect of higher taxes starting in 2009 or 2010 reduces hiring and investment in 2008.

In sum, Barack Obama's economic proposals are wrong for the American economy. They defy both economic reason and economic experience.

For more, check out the Economists for McCain Web site.

The pundits are predicting the largest turnout for any presidential election in U.S. history.

Everyone is pushing a "get out the vote" campaign.

Everyone that is except John Stossel, the libertarian columnist and host of ABC's "20/20" program.

Stossel is saying publicly what many seasoned political observers believe privately: Some people shouldn't be allowed to vote.

"I suggested that when people don't know anything, maybe it's their civic duty not to vote," Stossel writes in a new column posted at Townhall.com

Uninformed voters (and there will be lots of them this year with ACORN signing up anyone with a pulse) should not be casting ballots because they don't know anything about candidate or important issues, Stossel argues.

"Voting is serious business. It works best when people educate themselves," Stossel writes. "If uninformed people stay home on Election Day, good."

Read the full column, "A Duty Not To Vote?," at Townhall.com

WashingtonWatch.com has a list of House and Senate members who voted for a law that prevented states from regulating credit default swaps. "This set the stage for the market in 'financial derivatives' that are a big part of what is causing the economic meltdown today," according to WashingtonWatch.com

In Pennsylvania, the following House members backed the bill:

PA-1 Brady, Robert (D)
PA-6 Holden, Tim (D)
PA-11 Kanjorski, Paul (D)
PA-12 Murtha, John (D)
PA-18 Doyle, Michael (D)
PA-21 English, Philip (R)

For a list of the 155 House and 22 Senate members who supported the bill (and are up for re-election on Nov. 4), follow the link below.

Did Your Representative Cause the Financial Crisis?

From an editorial in today's edition of The New York Post:

Is Joe Biden the foot-in-mouth candidate - or is he the Obama campaign's designated teller of inconvenient truths?

First, the Democratic veep hopeful declared that America's enemies will generate "an international crisis, to test the mettle of" a President Obama. ...

And yesterday Biden let slip that he and Obama apparently have a sliding scale to determine who's "super-rich." ...

Biden yesterday lowered that bar.

"What we're saying," he told a Pennsylvania TV interviewer, "is that [our] tax break doesn't need to go to people making ... $1.4 million. It should go to [people] making under $150,000 a year." ...

We wouldn't be surprised - what with leading congressional Democrats like Rep. Barney Frank licking their chops at the chance to raise taxes.

... Don't say you weren't warned.

Follow the link below to read the full editorial:

RNC: Fair Warning

Millions of dollars in questionable or illegal campaing contributions have poured into the Barack Obama Campaign.

It appears Sen. Obama will either buy this election using illegal funds or steal this election with the help of ACORN. Isn't Democracy wonderful?

RNC: Obama Accepting Untraceable Donations

The same people who helped bring about the recent financial collapse are contributing to Barack Obama's campaign. Is that change or more of the same?

RNC: Ex-Subprime Bank Executive Finances Obama

Before you vote on Nov. 4, find out how Congressional candidates voted on fiscal issues. It's your money at stake. Send the same people back to Congerss and be prepared to pay more for failed government.

Taxpayer Group's Database Tracks Hundreds of Congressional Candidates' Stances on Fiscal Issues

The Pennsylvania Taxpayers Cyber Coalition, the citizens' group leading the fight to eliminate property taxes in Pennsylvania, has released its 2008 Voters Guide.

Before you to go the polls on Nov. 4, find out if your Pennsylvania Legislator has supported efforts to get rid of school property taxes.

The Voters Guide can be found at the group's Web site, http://ptcc.us

The Guide offers comments on how committed lawmakers are to the elimination of property taxes and also lists PTCC endorsed candidates.

PTCC previously announced two major endorsements for the Pennsylvania Legislature. In the 11th Senate District, the group is supporting challenger Steve Fuhs. In the 50th House District, the group is backing challenger Greg Hopkins.

Pennsylvania taxpayers have demanded property tax relief for decades, but the Harrisburg politicians have failed them. If you send incumbents back to the Legislature, expect the same results.

Salena Zito of The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review has an interesting post at her blog about where popular radio talk show host Glenn Beck stands on the 2008 presidential race.

Beck has endorsed Sarah Palin (and by extension, John McCain).

Beck says he considered all the presidential candidates (including third-party) and found them all lacking:

I don't see any of them that actually believe in you, who actually is you, except Sarah Palin. So I'm going to pull the lever for John McCain and let the Lord sort it out. I want somebody that just, whose compass points north. Even though all these candidates think their compass points north, it doesn't. It's pointing east and some places it's pointing south. In Barack Obama it is pointing south. He says that it's pointing north, it's to you, but it's not. It's to the government, it's to Washington, it's to the special interests. John McCain I think points somewhere maybe northeast. It's in the right direction but it's not right. Sarah Palin points to you. I'm casting my vote for Sarah Palin.

Read the full post at Zito's blog.

The discovery of a 2001 radio interview in which Barack Obama says he would use the Supreme Court to push through his socialist agenda should make every American pause.

With one week to go before the election, do Americans want to move this country toward European-style socialism, where the government takes half your income and runs the education and health care systems?

Read more about Obama's socialist agenda in an op-ed column published in The Wall Street Journal. Follow the link below:

RNC: Obama's 'Redistribution' Constitution

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review is urging Pennsylvania voters to reject a request by the Rendell Administration to borrow $400 million for water and sewer projects.

From an editorial in today's edition:

The language of the referendum is too vague. And its proceeds are ripe for political machinations. The money is tied to no specific project. What's to prevent Gov. Ed Rendell or legislative friends of the nearly half-billion dollars in new borrowing to direct this money to pet "economic development" projects in, say, the Poconos?

So, we're "against" infrastructure help, right? Wrong. It's just that there are better ways to finance these vital upgrades without yet again diving into the taxpayers' pockets so deep that the soles of their feet are cut.

Government-types are delusional if they don't think there's $400 million in state budget waste. And what about all that glorious be-all and end-all money from slots machines?

Read the full editorial at the newspaper's Web site.

I also recommend a NO vote to send a message to Harrisburg that elected officials have to start living within their means.

In response to recent comments by U.S. Congressman John Murtha that his constituents are racists and/or rednecks if they don't vote for Barack Obama, radio host and political commentator Doug Giles offers his own guide to Pennsylvania voters.

From Giles' column:

I have a question for my readers: Do you think Murtha works on being consistently ridiculous or does it come naturally? I think it's a natural gifting that's right up there with Gary Busey's brilliance.

Look, if not buying Barack's gobbledygook makes one a redneck then all I have to say is ... Yee-frickin'-haw! Slap some Charlie Daniels on the CD player, boil some crawdads and pass the moonshine, Jedediah, because I too ain't buying what he's a sellin'.

Here's a sampling from Giles designed to help Pennsylvania voters decided where they stand.

* If you think "socialism" when you hear Barack say "change," then you might be a redneck.

* If you think there's nothing about San Francisco that a rise in the ocean level could not cure, then you might be a redneck.

* If you think slick politicians who rise from a political dung heap like Chicago might not be the fresh breeze they purport to be, then you might be a redneck.

* If you think Michael Moore is John Murtha and Joy Behar's love child, then you might be a redneck.

* If you actually believe Obama's close buddy Bill Ayers when he says he's an anarchist, a Marxist and is unashamed of bombing the Pentagon and the Capitol building, then you might be a redneck.

* If you think Jeremiah Wright, Obama's pastor for 20 years, is more unhinged than a spider monkey that just had turpentine poured on its butt, then you might be a redneck.

Read the full list, "Pennsylvanian Voters: You Might Be a Redneck If ..." at Gile's Web site, http://clashradio.com/

The Associated Press has been compiling presidential endorsement editorials from across the country. Here's a sampling of editorials about John McCain:

The Dallas Morning News:

In better times, America could afford to consider entrusting the White House to an appealing newcomer like Mr. Obama and giving control of the presidency and Congress to the same party.

But in this time of great anxiety, the American people need a leader of experience guiding the ship of state. Mr. McCain offers the continuity, stability and sense of authority people want, as well as a decisive break from the Bush years.

The Democrat talks about change, but only the Republican has made change happen. Only one candidate has a solid record of standing up to his own party on principle and working hand in hand with legislators from the opposing party to get things done.

That candidate is John McCain, a progressive conservative we recommend.

The Palm Beach (Fla.) Post:

John McCain likes to say that he has been tested. In this campaign, he has been. And he has come up short. He has sounded like a bitter, jealous old man who considers himself entitled to the presidency. Washington can break optimism the way dry farmland can break plows, but Barack Obama still sounds like the candidate who talked about change when he began his campaign. He was right then. He's right now. That's why he's the right choice for America.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal:

Sen. McCain has a proven record of battling the drunken sailor culture so pervasive in our nation's capital. He has been an outspoken advocate for fiscal restraint, angering many of his colleagues by embarrassing them over their penchant for pork. Sen. McCain vows to veto any bill that includes earmarks and says he will freeze spending in many areas of the budget.

That would represent real change.

The San Antonio Express-News:

McCain brings a proven track record of fighting the bipartisan fiscal irresponsibility that prevails in Washington. ... McCain's understanding of the world and the nation's security needs is a crucial asset in these tumultuous times. ... The question comes down to this: Which candidate is best able to chart a new and secure course for a nation in perilous waters? John McCain is not a perfect candidate. In this tumultuous season, however, he is the best choice for commander in chief.

The Tampa (Fla.) Tribune:

Hard economic times, a disappointing Republican administration and the seductive promises of a master orator are pushing America toward a European-style social democracy. If you don't want that to happen, vote for Republican Sen. John McCain. ...

McCain brings a lifetime of useful experience, including his grueling captivity in Vietnam and long Senate service. He believes in federalism, a strong defense and disciplined self-interest.

McCain has been willing to cross party lines to work on tough problems. He co-authored a campaign finance law that failed to fulfill its objective, but he did muster the bipartisan support needed to try to control the buying and selling of public office. ...

(Barack) Obama's vision of hope shines like a rainbow, appealing but just out of reach. McCain's call to freedom and responsibility is less exciting, but you know it works. The Tribune encourages voters to vote what they believe, not what they wish were true. The nation needs a stable leader in these unpredictable times.

The cartoon above is the work of William Warren and is distributed by Americans for Limited Government. In recent years, William has swept the college cartoonist awards, and last year, upon graduation from Wake Forest, he was presented with the highly coveted Charles M. Schulz Award by the Scripps Howard Foundation. For more information about Americans for Limited Government, visit www.getliberty.org

Don't bother to vote on Nov. 4, folks. The liberal media and ACORN have already elected Barack Obama as president.

The Democratic Party nominee is so sure he's got this election in the bag that he's already written his inaugural address, according to none other than The New York Times, the official newsletter of the Obama Campaign.

RNC: AUDACITY WATCH: Obama Inaugural Address Already Written

Brian Carney, writing in The Wall Street Journal, says the 2008 presidential election is essentially a referendum on taxes.

If you want to pay more taxes, elect Sen. Barack Obama and Democrats in Congress. That will guarantee massive tax hikes for all working Americans.

If you think the government already takes too much of your money, elect Sen. John McCain and Republicans running for Congress.

Follow the link below to read the full column.

The Election Choice: Taxes

A peak into the future if Barack Obama is elected. Higher taxes and a cut in defense spending are in order. That means a return to the Jimmy Carter era. A weak economy and humiliation abroad from America's enemies.

Republican National Committee: They Said It! Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) on Increasing Taxes and Cutting Defense Spending

The board of directors for SEPAC, the Political Action Committee from multiple chambers of commerce in Southeastern Pennsylvania has announced its endorsements for the Nov. 4 election.

Endorsements are based on the candidate's voting records and positions on business issues, SEPAC board chairman Ken Russell said in a written statement.

"The candidates endorsed by SEPAC recognize the needs of businesses in Southeast PA and across the Commonwealth.," Russell said. "They understand what is required to improve the business climate in Pennsylvania, including addressing increasing healthcare costs, the lowering of business taxes, putting an end to overreaching business regulations and promoting sound energy policies."

SEPAC members represent the Delaware County, Main Line and TriCounty Area Chambers of Commerce (which has members in Berks, Chester and Montgomery counties.)

"These three chambers of commerce represent over 5,000 members across four counties, and are the premier business advocacy organizations within Southeastern Pennsylvania," Russell said. "Our Board feels a thriving economy impacts the residents, municipalities, and institutions of the area, as well as all of Pennsylvania. Support of pro-business policies will go a long way towards keeping Southeastern Pennsylvania a great place to live, work, and raise a family."

ENDORSED CANDIDATES FOR GENERAL ELECTION 2008

William Adolph (R), 165th District - - Incumbent, State House of Representatives

Steven Barrar (R), 160th District - - Incumbent, State House of Representatives

Guy Ciarrocchi (R), 157th District – Candidate for State House of Representatives

Mario Civera (R), 164th District - - Incumbent, State House of Representatives

Michael Gerber (D), 148th District - Incumbent, State House of Representatives

Richard Gokey (R), 130th District – Candidate for State House of Representatives

Timothy Hennessey (R), 26th District - - Incumbent, State House of Representatives

Thomas Killion (R), 168th District - - Incumbent, State House of Representatives

Lynne Lechter (R), 149th District – Candidate for State House of Representatives

Bob Mensch (R), 147th District - - Incumbent, State House of Representatives

Nicholas Miccarelli (R), 162nd District - - Candidate for State House of Representatives

Nicholas Micozzie (R), 163rd District - - Incumbent, State House of Representatives

Duane Milne (R), 167th District - - Incumbent, State House of Representatives

Thomas Quigley (R), 160th District - - Incumbent, State House of Representatives

Douglas Reichley (R), 134th District - - Incumbent, State House of Representatives

Michael O'Pake (D), 11th District - - Incumbent, State Senate

Dominic Pileggi (R), 9th District - - Incumbent, State Senate

The Associated Press is compiling presidential endorsements by daily newspapers across the country. Here's a sampling of endorsements for John McCain:

The Chattanooga (Tenn.) Free Press:

"American voters have two very unlikely candidates for president of the United States this year. While the current polls indicate Sen. Barack Obama is ahead, a simple consideration of the candidates' relative qualifications should indicate we should elect Sen. John McCain president. Sen. McCain believes in keeping America strong, cutting taxes, limiting government and not surrendering to our enemies, and he has extensive experience in government that indicates far more stability and judgment than his opponent can offer. Sen. McCain's love of country and dedication to duty have been proved by his honorable military service for which he suffered torture by our enemies."

The Jackson (Tenn.) Sun:

"In an uncertain world, America needs a new president with certainty, fearlessness and proven leadership skills. That candidate is Sen. John McCain of Arizona. The nation faces some of the most trying times in its history. We are involved in two wars, the national and global economies are near meltdown, government spending is virtually out of control, the health care system is broken, Medicare and Social Security face bankruptcy, and partisan bickering has stymied progress in Congress. Who better to cross such a battlefield than a proven military veteran?

The New Hampshire Union-Leader:

"Barack Obama's call for 'change' has a certain appeal, to be sure. But this is no time to be rolling the dice on an untested leader whose rhetoric doesn't match his record when it comes to delivering actual change. John McCain has a long history of standing up to Washington's permanent political class, regardless of party, and pushing for institutional reforms to end business as usual. He is the right leader to restore trust in our government, confidence to our markets and prosperity to our country. On Nov. 4, do right by your country and vote for John McCain for President."

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal in Texas:

"Sen. John McCain has a better understanding than his opponent of issues facing our nation ranging from national security to the economy to energy to immigration and many more, and he has a better vision for establishing solutions and a better chance of implementing them effectively."

Amarillo (Texas) Globe-News:

"Barack Obama mirrors the tax-and-spend philosophies of liberal Democrats, which is not the type of change the nation needs. John McCain has built a more conservative track record during his service in both the House and the Senate, with just the right mix of moderation, to lead the country in a positive direction."

Pennsylvania voters will be asked Nov. 4 to approve $400 million in new borrowing for water and sewer infrastructure projects.

I'm voting NO on the referendum question and urge my fellow Pennsylvanians to do likewise.

The well has run dry under Gov. Ed Rendell. He has increased state spending my more than $7 billion since taking office in 2003. He has increased state debt by another $3 billion.

It's time to take away Rendell's credit card.

There are probably many worthwhile projects that need to be funded in Pennsylvania, but Gov. Ed Rendell and the free-spending state Legislature have squandered their credibility on spending issues.

I don't trust Rendell or the Legislature with my money. I will not support handing the Harrisburg bunch another $400 million.

Joe Hilliard, writing at The Lehigh Valley Political Blog, has similar sentiments:

Government is out of control. At all levels. And it is both parties that have contributed to the explosion of spending and debt at all levels of government. Politicians fund deficit spending with borrowed money, which will have to be repaid sometime. And for any debt incurred, double the cost to reflect the repayment obligations. Think the sub-prime mortgage market created a financial disaster? Wait till all levels of government collapse and can not borrow or borrowing costs explode. We are living beyond our means. We can either accept our responsibility to future generations and ease off our living on credit cards. Or we can keep maxing out our plastic until the bills MUST be paid and suffer grave consequences.

Read Hilliard's full analysis "What's another $400 million?" at The Lehigh Valley Political Blog.

Hank Clarke has an interesting post today at The Clarke Report about the future of the 29th state Senate District in Pennsylvania.

Longtime state Sen. James Rhoades was expected to win re-election on Nov. 4, but Rhoades died over the weekend in a car crash.

His name is on the ballot and if Rhoades wins, a special election will be held early next year to fill the seat. The candidates for the special election will be determined by a nominating process involving all the counties that make up the 29th District -- Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton and Schuylkill.

There is a chance that Schuylkill County may not get to pick the candidate unless John McCain wins the county by a large margin, Clarke says.

From Clarke's post:

So, this means that even though Schuylkill County has the largest area geographically in the district and holds 60% of the district’s voters, we are NOT guaranteed a majority of the delegates. Without a big showing for John MCCain on Nov. 4th, another county like Carbon or Monroe that have well organized get out the vote efforts could sneak in and steal enough delegates to nominate an non-Schuylkill County politician.

The bottom line is: If you want to keep the 29th District Senate seat in Schuylkill County hands and maintain the influence that comes with having a senator live here, Skooks need to get to the polls on Election Day and punch their ballot for John McCain.

The best way to ensure a good showing for McCain here is to volunteer your time NOW and on Nov. 4th. McCain headquarters needs people to make phone calls on behalf of Sen. McCain to family members and friends. The national campaign needs people to canvass neighborhoods handing out fliers. The local party needs people to monitor the polls and hand out schwag to voters on Election Day. We would appreciate ANY time you can give to help us get out the vote for Sen. McCain.

Click here to read the full post.

Here's a shocker. The Philadelphia Inquirer, the state's most liberal newspaper, has endorsed two Republican candidates for Congress. You heard it right.

The newspaper is backing GOP challenger Craig Williams for Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District over incumbent Democratic Rep. Joe Sestak.

Here's what the newspaper says about Williams:

Voters, though, have an equally impressive choice in Williams, 44, who saw military service with the Marines in Operation Desert Storm and also as a military lawyer. Williams' star factor stems from having spent his high school years in Alaska, where his brother eventually went on to write speeches for Gov. Sarah Palin. Palin gave Williams a shout-out in a campaign ad.

On issues, Williams brings a welcome fiscally conservative outlook. Electing CRAIG WILLIAMS also would help assure balance in the House under the Democratic ascendancy that appears to be under way.

The Inquirer is also urging voters to re-elect Rep. Jim Gerlach in the 6th Congressional District over Democratic challenger Bob Roggio.

Here's what the newspaper says about Gerlach:

Always a thoughtful lawmaker dating back to his years as a state senator and state representative, Gerlach, 53, seeks a middle ground in the GOP caucus. It means he's strong on the environment, transit and other infrastructure investments, but in step with the Bush administration's tax cuts and other core Republican policies of limited government. A measure of his success is support from labor as well as business interests.

Former business executive Bob Roggio has made politics a second career and avocation, but he still may be to the left of this district on a range of issues. If JIM GERLACH can maintain his independence, he's best for the 6th District.

Read the full endorsement editorial on SE Pennsylvania Congressional races at the newspaper's Web site.

Tune in for predictions on state and national races on this week's edition of "Talking Politics with Tony Phyrillas and Mike Pincus" Thursday at 5 p.m. on WPAZ 1370 AM

You can join the conversation by calling the station at 610-326-4000.

"Talking Politics" can also be heard live online at http://www.1370wpaz.com/ and http://www.pottsmerc.com/

Pennsylvania voters will be asked Nov. 4 to approve $400 million in new borrowing for water and sewer infrastructure projects.

I'm voting NO on the referendum question and urge my fellow Pennsylvanians to do likewise.

The well has run dry for Gov. Ed Rendell. He has increased state spending my more than $7 billion since taking office in 2003. He has increased state debt by another $3 billion.

It's time to take away his credit card.

There are probably many worthwhile projects that need to be funded in Pennsylvania, but Gov. Ed Rendell and the free-spending state Legislature have squandered their credibility on spending issues. I don't trust Rendell or the Legislature with my money. I will not support handing the Harrisburg bunch another $400 million.

Joe Hilliard, writing at The Lehigh Valley Political Blog, has similar sentiments:

Government is out of control. At all levels. And it is both parties that have contributed to the explosion of spending and debt at all levels of government. Politicians fund deficit spending with borrowed money, which will have to be repaid sometime. And for any debt incurred, double the cost to reflect the repayment obligations. Think the sub-prime mortgage market created a financial disaster? Wait till all levels of government collapse and can not borrow or borrowing costs explode. We are living beyond our means. We can either accept our responsibility to future generations and ease off our living on credit cards. Or we can keep maxing out our plastic until the bills MUST be paid and suffer grave consequences.

Read Hilliard's full analysis "What's another $400 million?" at The Lehigh Valley Political Blog.

It figures a third-party would be first in line to call for fair and honest elections. What are the Democrats and Republicans waiting for?

Green Party Becomes First Political Party to Endorse Election Integrity Pledge

Terrific column by Gil Spencer in The Delaware County Daily & Sunday Times recapping the veteran columnists' impressions of political candidates who met with the newspaper's editorial board.

Spencer on U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak:

Candidate Most Easily Angered by a Question — Incumbent U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak, D-7, of Edgmont. When asked, "Where do you live?" he responded, "I own a house in Edgmont." Yes, came the follow-up, "but do you live in that house?" Sestak’s terse reply, "I LIVE in Edgmont, SIR!" (To his credit, Joe apologized later for getting "testy.")

Spencer on state Rep. Daylin Leach, who is seeking a state Senate seat:

Candidate Most Outraged by Opponent's Spinning of His Record — State Rep. Daylin Leach, a Democrat running for the 17th District state Senate seat being vacated by Democrat Connie Williams, at GOP opponent Lance Rogers, for Rogers' claiming Leach wanted to make it easier for drug users to evade punishment for driving under the influence. A Rogers' mailing that featured an overturned school bus presumably smashed into by some coke-headed friend of Leach's had him spluttering at the unfairness of it all.

"My kids' teachers get this," he carped.

Spencer on Sestak's opponent, Craig Williams:

Best Candidate Nobody Ever Heard Of: Craig Williams, Republican for Congress in the 7th District. Smart, personable, articulate and tough. He’d give Sestak a run for our money if anybody could figure out who he is. (I say "our money," because Joe sure spends a lot of it on his franking privileges — some $640,000 worth.)

Read more of Spencer's column at the newspaper's Web site.

Since I correctly predicted the Phillies winning the NLDS and the NLCS, I guess I should venture on a limb and make my World Series prediction.

I can't bet against the Phils now. I've been waiting 15 years for this.

The Rays have had a good run, but the pressure of the World Series will catch up to this young team.

The Phillies will bring home a World Series championship in 6 games.

The Associated Press has been running a daily list of newspapers that have published endorsements for president. Here's a sampling of endorsements for John McCain.

The San Diego Union-Tribune:

"In our analysis, Republican candidate John McCain has a documented record of enlightened leadership in Washington, leadership that often has run counter to the status quo and challenged the folly of senior members of his own party. McCain never has been a conventional politician. He thinks for himself and acts on what he believes to be in the best interests of the nation, and not necessarily in the interests of his party or his own political fortunes. In an era of dismaying partisan paralysis in Washington, McCain has stood out as a bipartisan force, best illustrated by his collaboration with liberal Democratic lion Edward Kennedy on a comprehensive solution to America's immigration dilemma."

The Daily Press of Newport News, Va.:

"In today's instant messaging, celebrity-besotted culture, such opportunities for thoughtful and emotion-free reflection are rare. But when the hopeful message of change is subjected to the glare of factual light, Obama does not emerge as the best candidate to lead the world's most powerful nation during a time of threats both domestic and abroad, both economic and military. John McCain is the better choice, and that is why the editorial page of the Daily Press endorses him for the presidency."

The Winchester Star of Winchester, Va.:

"Selecting a president this go-round matters even more, particularly as it seems certain that one political party will retain or even enhance its control of Congress, perhaps to the point of gaining a coveted 60-vote super-majority in the Senate. Thus, we ask the voter: Is entrusting total domination of the political process to one party in the best interests of America? One must consider the extremism such a possibility would invite: Two of the Senate's most liberal members would assume the presidency and vice-presidency, and the equally liberal leaders of the two branches of a dysfunctional Congress would remain in the presidential succession. Thus, the need for balance, for a leavening presence, is apparent, almost achingly so. Given what confronts us globally and inside the halls of Congress, America needs strong, seasoned leadership. In what truly is an important election, the choice for president could not be any clearer John Sidney McCain III."

The Daily Courier of Grants Pass, Ore.:

"Experience and the courage to do what's right, no matter the political cost, are what elevate Sen. John McCain above Sen. Barack Obama in the race for the White House. Republican McCain has pushed campaign finance reform and other legislation, even when his party has opposed it. On the campaign trail, he risked his presidential hopes by supporting the then unpopular troop "surge" in Iraq. The surge has led to a dramatic drop in violence and U.S. casualties. The Daily Courier editorial board thinks America needs this mentally tough maverick as its leader as it faces numerous daunting tasks abroad and at home, from terrorists to a tumultuous economy. Democrat Obama is a highly intelligent, well-spoken person who has managed against all odds to break through the racial barrier. However, he simply has not shown in his 11 years in politics (four in the U.S. Senate and seven in the Illinois Senate) the toughness or abilities needed to meet these challenges."

What do you do when law enforcement officials in 14 states are investigating your group for voter registration fraud? Go on the attack, of course, and claim that it's a vast right-wing conspiracy.

The nuts over at ACORN, which has made voter registration fraud an art, are holding screening parties for a new "documentary" about voter suppression.

ACORN is holding house parties in 17 cities around the country, including Philadelphia, to screen its propaganda film.

I guess ACORN would like to take voters' minds off the Nov. 4 election long enough to get Barack Obama elected.

From an ACORN press release:

Recently the McCain-Palin campaign, the Republican party and some sensationalist members of the media, have been on a weeks-long campaign to discredit ACORN over bogus allegations of "voter fraud." This video examines both the skewed media attention and the real story of ACORN's voter registration program. It also aggressively calls attention to the ongoing campaign of suppression, which affects far more voters than anything recently covered by the mainstream media.

ACORN still hasn't come up with an explanation of how it registered Mickey Mouse to vote in Florida or signed up a 7-year-old voter or turned in paperwork for an Ohio man who registered 72 times.

And why won't those pesky FBI agents leave ACORN alone? And that $800,000 Barack Obama gave to ACORN earlier this year has nothing to do with voter registration fraud, either.

To keep up with the latest shenanigans from ACORN, visit the ACORNS DON'T FALL FAR FROM THE TREE blog.

A record-setting 8.73 million Pennsylvanians are registered to vote as of Oct. 20, according to the Pennsylvania Department of State.

Of that total, 4.4 million voters registered as Democrats; 3.2 million as Republicans; 458,617 under no affiliation; and 568,065 as "other."

There were 8.36 million registered Pennsylvania voters prior to the 2004 General Election, according to a state press release.

Despite growing reports of voter registration fraud allegations involving the group ACORN, the Rendell administration says it does not anticipate any problems with the Nov. 4 election.

That brought a sharp rebuke from the Pennsylvania Republican Committee, which filed a lawsuit on Friday against the state and ACORN, claiming that ACORN has filed fraudulent voter registration forms.

"The U.S. District Attorney's office is investigating fraudulent voter registrations in Philadelphia and local law enforcement officials and agencies are investigating issues in several other Pennsylvania counties," PA GOP Chairman Robert Gleason said. "Why aren't Governor Rendell and Secretary Cortés questioning the activities of a group that has burdened county election officials with potentially bogus registrations which will prevent legitimate registrations from being cast on Election Day?"

To read the full statement by the PA GOP, visit the party's Web site, http://www.pagop.org

Americans for Tax Reform and Rutledge Capital Release Version 2.0 of Obama-McCain 401(k) Tax Calculator

Syndicated columnist Thomas Sowell examines the strange phenomenon of Barack Obama's appeal to people who know very little about the Democratic Party presidential nominee.

From his latest column:

Of the four people running for president and vice president on the Republican and Democratic tickets, the one we know the least about is the one leading in the polls — Obama.

Some of Sen. Obama's most fervent supporters could not tell you what he has actually done on such issues as crime, education or financial institutions like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, much less what he plans to do to stop Iran from becoming a nuclear nation supplying nuclear weapons to the international terrorist networks that it has supplied with other weapons.

The magic word "change" makes specifics unnecessary. If things are going bad, some think that what is needed is blank-check "change." But history shows any number of countries in crises worse than ours, where "change" turned problems into catastrophes.

Read the full column, "Change Means Never Having To Face Facts," at the Investor's Business Daily Web site.

If you're still not sure what Barack Obama meant when he told Joe the Plumber he plans to "spread the wealth" when he's elected president, Americans for Tax Reform has the answer.

From a news release issued by the non-partisan watchdog group:

According to the IRS Statistics of Income Division (http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/06in14ar.xls), there were about 28 million small business owners in 2006. Almost 3 million of these earned at least the Obama tax hike -- triggering $200,000 per year.

Altogether, these business owners reported $700 billion in profits. And two-thirds of these profits -- $470 billion -- were earned in the Obama tax hike households.

You can't tax "the rich" without raising taxes on the lion's share of small business profits. Their marginal tax rate could easily exceed 50 percent.

ATR: Obama's 'Spread the Wealth' Plan Raises Taxes on Two-thirds of Small Business Profits

Another far-left film flops.

Despite opening in more than 2,000 theaters, Oliver Stone's "W" tanked at the box-office, raking in $10.5 million over the weekend. The movie cost $30 million to make.

And most movies take in half of their opening gross the following weekend and continue to slide. That means "W" will not even recover its production costs in theaters.

Critics hated the movie and American film-goers decided to stay away in droves.

Oliver Stone makes really good movies ("Platoon," "Wall Street," "JFK") or he makes really bad movies ("Natural Born Killers," "The Doors," "Alexander).

"W" is a really bad movie.

The Pocono Record has an interesting story (and video) on voting irregulatiries in Monrie County. And guess which pro-Obama group is behind it? Yes, it's ACORN again.

From the Pocono Record:

Voter fraud, plaguing much of the United States, has reached Monroe County. Officials point to ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now) as one culprit.

"We've had a lot of duplicate, triple registrations. Registrations that just went through in another county then they registered here a week later," said Monroe County Voter Registration Office Director Sara May-Silfee.

Duplicate registrations require the voter registration office to go through the process of verification and notification, which May-Silfee said wastes time on processing honest people, getting them registered, and processing and sending absentee ballots.

The county has run into registration problems in connection with ACORN. The group is being investigated in several states for voter registration violations and fraud.

"I have also had a lot of complaints about ACORN being very active at East Stroudsburg University, and about duplicate registrations going on. What we receive we must process and any duplicates get declined. But that
is still a lot of wasted time," May-Silfee said.

The problems with fraudulent voter registration seem to be getting worse this year.

"It's the most I've ever seen. I think it's because these groups are out there doing these registration drives. It's my understanding that these groups were trying to meet quotas to get so many people registered. People are saying 'They told me to do it again. They told me,'" she said.

Click here to read more.

Republican National Committee: In Case You Missed It - Obama Puts Pragmatism Over Principle

If you believe the Rendell Administration, there is no hanky-panky going on with Pennsylvania voter registrations. But the Pennsylvania Republican party filed a lawsuit on Friday despite Rendell's assurances that Obama isn't trying to steal the election. Read more about the lawsuit at GrassrootsPA

Pennsylvania Voter Registration Process Provides Protection

This cartoon comes courtesy of Americans for Limited Government a non-partisan, nationwide network committed to advancing free market reforms,private property rights and core American liberties. For more information on ALG, visit the group's Web site at www.GetLiberty.org or its blog, netrightnation.com

What is this obsession photographers have with Sarah Palin's legs? At almost every campaign stop, a photographer, typically from The Associated Press, will take a ground level shot of Palin from behind. Sexism? You bet. Until we start getting some photos of Joe Biden's legs, the only conclusion is that the wire service wants to remind voters that Palin is "just a girl" and can't be trusted to serve as vice president.

Just when ACORN and the Obama campaign thought they were going to steal the 2008 presidential election before anyone noticed, those pesky agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation are on the case.

The Association Press has confirmed that the FBI has launched an investigation of the pro-Obama group ACORN for voter fraud.

Specifically, the FBI wants to find out if ACORN is behind "a coordinated national scam" involving phony voter registrations.

At least 14 states are investigating ACORN-related voter fraud allegations within their borders.

ACORN stands for the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now. The organization received $830,000 from the Obama campaign earlier this year to help register voters for Obama.

ACORN officials have said they registered 1.3 million new voters so far.

The Republican National Committee claims at least 200,000 of those registrations involve voter fraud.

For more on the FBI probe, read the full story from The Associated Press at The Mercury Web site.

Joe Wurzelbacher, the plumber from Toledo, Ohio, who confronted Barack Obama about taxes, could end up swinging the election to John McCain.

Wurzelbacher asked Obama to explain how the liberal Democrat's plan to raise taxes for Americans earning $250,000 or more would not hurt small business owners.

Obama had no explanation other than to say that "When you spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody."

Translation? Obama plans to take money away from small business owners through higher taxes and "spread" it around to people who don't pay taxes.

There's another word for Obama's scheme. It's called welfare.

That brief exchange between Wurzelbacher and Obama crystallized the basic choice in this year's presidential election.

Obama is pushing big government, higher taxes, protectionism, forced unionization and socialized medicine.

McCain says he will freeze government spending, eliminate pork and cut taxes for all Americans.

McCain made reference to Joe the plumber numerous times in Wednesday's presidential debate, saying he doesn't want to raise taxes on Joe or any other working American.

From The Associated Press:

Wurzelbacher watched Wednesday night's debate and said he still thinks Senator Obama's plan would keep him from buying the small business that employs him. About Senator McCain: "He's got it right as far as I go." Even so, Mr. Wurzelbacher declined to say who was getting his vote. He said he was surprised that he was called "Joe the Plumber" repeatedly during the debate. "It's pretty surreal, man, my name being mentioned in a presidential campaign."

If McCain pulls out this election, he may have to offer Wurzelbacher a job as White House plumber.

Conservative icon Richard Viguerie says Barack Obama's comment to Joe the Plumber about the reason he wants to increase taxes on Ameicans is to "share the wealth."

"On taxes, on spending, on regulation, on redistribution of wealth, the Obama economic policy can be summed up in two words: Marxism/Socialism," Viguerie says.

Read more of his comments at the link below:

Richard Viguerie: Obama's 'Spread the Wealth' Blunder Reveals His Real Goal for America - Socialism

The Social Security Administration today announced a 5.8 percent cost-of-living increase in 2009 for the nation's 50 million Social Security recipients.

It's the biggest annual increase since 1982.

At least one advocacy group, the Senior Citizens League, thinks that's not enough. Read more below:

Today's 2009 COLA Announcement Will Leave Millions of Seniors in Poverty

Tune in for predictions on state and national races on this week's edition of "Talking Politics with Tony Phyrillas and Mike Pincus" Thursday at 5 p.m. on WPAZ 1370 AM

You can join the conversation by calling the station at 610-326-4000.

"Talking Politics" can also be heard live online at http://www.1370wpaz.com/ and http://www.pottsmerc.com/

I know why this man is smiling.

With less than three weeks to go until Election Day, Republican Congressman Jim Gerlach (PA-6th District) is sitting on a $700,000 campaign war chest.

That doesn't bode well for his Democratic challenger, Bob Roggio, whose campaign has failed to catch on with voters in Gerlach's suburban SE Pennsylvania district.

Gerlach, who is seeking his fourth two-year term in the House of Representatives, has just launched a district-wide television campaign highlighting his independent record in Congress.

From the Jim Gerlach for Congress Committee:

The campaign of Congressman Jim Gerlach will file its quarterly finance report Wednesday with the Federal Election Commission, showing nearly $2.2 million raised for the cycle, $300,000 of which was raised recently, and over $700,000 available for the final three weeks of the campaign. The campaign also launched a new television advertisement district-wide.

The television ad running on network and cable highlights the Congressman's long record of being rated one of the most independent Republicans in Washington by two non-partisan publications, National Journal and Congressional Quarterly.

The ad also contrasts with Bob Roggio, who stated earlier this year that the very first thing he would do in Congress is repeal tax cuts that have saved Pennsylvania families over $2,000 per year, a disastrous economic policy during a recession and economic downturn.

Second, despite "candidate" Roggio claiming that the environment is a top priority, the ad informs voters of official Environmental Protection Agency records filed by Roggio's company between 1989 and 1996 showing that the corporation released over 245,000 pounds of toxic chemicals into the air.

Finally, "candidate" Roggio says he wants to bring jobs to Pennsylvania. The problem is, numerous press reports beginning in 1995 show that Roggio's company accepted millions in corporate welfare and tax breaks to close its Pennsylvania plant and move over 500 jobs out of state.

Do you like your job? Would you like to keep your job?

As we head into what many experts predict will be a painful and prolonged recession, many people are worried about their jobs.

If you'd like to increase your chances of bringing home a paycheck, then you should vote for John McCain for president.

That what 80 percent of chief executive officers surveyed by Chief Executive magazine say. That's right. Eight out of 10 support McCain's economic plans.

The CEOs believe McCain would do a better job of handling the economy and preserving jobs. The business executives perceive Barack Obama as anti-growth.

Obama's tax policies would sink the fragile economy deeper into recession and cut jobs, the CEOs believe.

From Chief Executive magazine:

It is clear jobcreating Business leaders chose McCain over Obama largely because his policies are seen as pro-growth, whereas Obama's policies are viewed as redistributive and anti-growth.

For some months during this Presidential election year, Chief Executive has conducted specialized polling of CEOs' attitudes on issues affecting national policy and the economy. In CE's most recent poll in September, 751 respondents, more than double the usual number of business leaders, made their voices heard on their Presidential choice. By a four-to-one margin CEOs support Senator John McCain over his rival, Senator Barack Obama. More to the point, a thundering 74 percent majority say they fear the consequences of an Obama presidency, compared to only 19 percent who fear a McCain presidency.

During this period CE also asked the people who create jobs what it will take to get our engine of job creation going strong. We first asked CEOs what policies and approaches would work best for business, energy policy and job creation. Subsequently, we asked CEOs which Presidential candidate's policies were best aligned with these prescriptions for growth.

Read the full story and review more polling results at the magazine's Web site.

Montgomery County Commissioner Bruce L. Castor Jr. has endorsed Lance Rogers for the vacant 17th District seat in the Pennsylvania Senate.

Castor, who served two terms as Montgomery County District Attorney, also took some shots at Rogers' opponent, state Rep. Daylin Leach.

Rogers, a moderate who was an independent before he won the Republican nomination in April, is facing Leach, one of the most liberal members of the Pennsylvania House, in the race to succeed Sen. Connie Williams, who is not seeking re-election.

The Republican Party has an opportunity to add to its majority in the state Senate by picking up this traditional Democratic seat. And the seat Leach is giving up in the House, the 149th District, will likely go to Lynn Lechter, a Republican.

Here is Castor's endorsement:

As Montgomery County Commissioner and former District Attorney, I have closely followed the races for Pennsylvania State Senate in our region. One race in particular has captured my attention due to the back and forth between the candidates on an issue that is of great importance to law enforcement. The issue is Pennsylvania's DUI law and I am writing to set the record straight. Lance Rogers is correct. Daylin Leach did attempt to weaken our DUI law in 2003.

In 2003, I worked with other District Attorneys throughout the Commonwealth to craft amendments toughening Pennsylvania's DUI law to help make our streets safer. Our legislation proposed a zero tolerance policy for illegal drug use by drivers. Specifically, the legislation provided that any driver caught with illegal drugs, e.g., cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, LSD, etc., in their bloodstream would be required to serve a mandatory minimum 7 day jail sentence.

Our legislation was ultimately approved, making it illegal in Pennsylvania to drive a motor vehicle after using illicit drugs. The law, however, was not without its critics. On July 7, 2003, State Representative Daylin Leach proposed an amendment which would have destroyed our zero tolerance standard by making it legal for drivers to operate a motor vehicle while they had been using illegal drugs. When introducing his amendment, Mr. Leach stated that he felt that the zero tolerance standard went too far and was unfair. Not surprisingly, Mr. Leach's amendments engendered criticism from both his Democrat and Republican colleagues. He consequently withdrew his proposal. I reviewed a word for word transcript of the House proceeding where Mr. Leach attempted to weaken our bill. That transcript is part of the public record for all to see.

Mr. Leach's claims that he authored legislation which actually strengthened Pennsylvania's DUI law is false. His proposed amendment would have eliminated Pennsylvania's zero tolerance standard and would have weakened Pennsylvania's DUI law by making convictions far more difficult to obtain. It is not surprising that my law enforcement colleagues from the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) have chosen to withdraw their previous support for Mr. Leach and endorse Mr. Rogers.

Instead of directly addressing these facts, Mr. Leach claims that Mr. Rogers has engaged in negative campaigning. As a former District Attorney, I can tell you that Pennsylvania's zero tolerance policy plays an important role in making our streets safer. I am relieved that Mr. Leach's amendment was not adopted. Voters need and deserve to make an informed decision in this race and there is nothing negative about informing voters of a candidate's true record.

Bruce Castor
Montgomery County Commissioner
Former Montgomery County District Attorney

For more on Lance Rogers, visit his campaign Web site, http://www.lancerogers.com/

Daily news reports of massive voter fraud by ACORN on behalf of the Barack Obama campaign are mind-boggling.

In Florida, ACORN submitted a voter registration form for a Floridian by the name of Mickey Mouse, according to Orange County elections officials.

The St. Petersburg Times reports that ACORN officials are defending their bogus registrations when confronted with evidence of voter fraud.

This year, ACORN signed up 1.3 million voters nationwide and about 152,000 in Florida, mostly in Orange, Broward and Miami-Dade counties, according to the Republican National Committee.

This truly is a historic election. If Obama wins, 2008 will go down as the year the presidential race was stolen from voters by a radical group called ACORN, which received $800,000 earlier this year from the Obama campaign to sign up new voters.

RNC: Vote Drives Defended, Despite Fake Names

Tony Phyrillas, city editor and political columnist for The Mercury, will speak on the topic "Women and Politics" at the monthly breakfast meeting of Women EXCEL (Executive's Coalition for Excellence & Leadership).

The meeting is scheduled for 7 a.m. Friday at the YWCA Tri-County Area, 315 King St., Pottstown.

EXCEL members are businesswomen from Berks, Chester and Montgomery counties.

For more information about EXCEL, visit www.ywcatricountyarea.org

What is Pennsylvania's leading conservative blogger doing in The New York Times, the flagship paper of the Obama Media?

Somebody has to talk some sense into the far left.

The New York Times interviewed me Monday for an article on how bloggers are covering the political race in the key battleground state of Pennsylvania.

They also gave me an opportunity to write a guest column on the role of a conservative blogger in influencing the outcome of the race.

The story has a couple of factual errors in it, but I have to give The Times credit: They did not edit my guest column.

You can read The New York Times article, "Road to November: Keystone State Bloggers,"
by Rebecca Cathcart, and my column at this link:

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/13/road-to-november-keystone-state-bloggers/

The Democratic candidate for Pennsylvania's 147th state House District has pretty much conceded the race to the Republican incumbent with three weeks to go before voters cast ballots.

Albert Van Anglen told The Mercury he was pushed into the race by Montgomery County Democratic Party leaders but isn't planning to do any active campaigning to unseat incumbent state Rep. Bob Mensch.

No signs, no mailers, no knocking on doors, no debates. It sounds like Van Anglen may not even bother to vote on Nov. 4, who told reporter Evan Brandt "I don't have time for running a campaign."

However, Van Anglen said if voters elect him, he is willing to go to Harrisburg to collect the $76,000 starting salary for a House member.

With that kind of attitude, would any voter in his right mind send Van Anglen to Harrisburg? It sounds like Van Anglen would rubber-stamp whatever the Harrisburg party bosses put in front of him.

Mensch, serving his first term in Harrisburg, has supported property tax elimination, government reform measures and voted against Gov. Ed Rendell's deficit budget for 2008-09.

Read the full story on the 147th District race in The Mercury.

For more on Rep. Bob Mensch, visit his campaign Web site, http://electmensch.com/

One-hundred leading American economists, including five Nobel Prize winners, have released a joint statement saying Barack Obama's economic proposals would be disastrous for the United States.

"Barack Obama's economic proposals are wrong for the American economy," the statement concludes. "They defy both economic reason and economic experience."

Here is the full statement:

Barack Obama argues that his proposals to raise tax rates and halt international trade agreements would benefit the American economy. They would do nothing of the sort. Economic analysis and historical experience show that they would do the opposite. They would reduce economic growth and decrease the number of jobs in America. Moreover, with the credit crunch, the housing slump, and high energy prices weakening the U.S. economy, his proposals run a high risk of throwing the economy into a deep recession. It was exactly such misguided tax hikes and protectionism, enacted when the U.S. economy was weak in the early 1930s, that greatly increased the severity of the Great Depression.

We are very concerned with Barack Obama's opposition to trade agreements such as the pending one with Colombia, the new one with Central America, or the established one with Canada and Mexico. Exports from the United States to other countries create jobs for Americans. Imports make goods available to Americans at lower prices and are a particular benefit to families and individuals with low incomes. International trade is also a powerful source of strength in a weak economy. In the second quarter of this year, for example, increased international trade did far more to stimulate the U.S. economy than the federal government's "stimulus" package.

Ironically, rather than supporting international trade, Barack Obama is now proposing yet another so-called stimulus package, which would do very little to grow the economy. And his proposal to finance the package with higher taxes on oil would raise oil prices directly and by reducing exploration and production.

We are equally concerned with his proposals to increase tax rates on labor income and investment. His dividend and capital gains tax increases would reduce investment and cut into the savings of millions of Americans. His proposals to increase income and payroll tax rates would discourage the formation and expansion of small businesses and reduce employment and take-home pay, as would his mandates on firms to provide expensive health insurance.

After hearing such economic criticism of his proposals, Barack Obama has apparently suggested to some people that he might postpone his tax increases, perhaps to 2010. But it is a mistake to think that postponing such tax increases would prevent their harmful effect on the economy today. The prospect of such tax rate increases in 2010 is already a drag on the economy. Businesses considering whether to hire workers today and expand their operations have time horizons longer than a year or two, so the prospect of higher taxes starting in 2009 or 2010 reduces hiring and investment in 2008.

In sum, Barack Obama's economic proposals are wrong for the American economy. They defy both economic reason and economic experience.

For a complete list of the 100 economists who signed the statement, visit www.johnmccain.com

Pennsylvania Republican Party leaders are the latest to blow the whistle on the massive voter fraud campaign orchestrated by the group ACORN on behalf of the Obama campaign.

Suspected fraud has been uncovered in Harrisburg, Philadelphia and Allegheny County, according to the state GOP.

One of the most flagrant cases of abuse involves a York man employed by ACORN who submitted more than 100 bogus registration forms during an eight-day period, according to GOP officials.

From a story by Brad Bumstead in The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:

"I am not confident we can get a fair election," said Sandra Schultz Newman, a former member of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court who appreared at a press conference with state GOP leaders.

You can also read more in the Harrisburg Patriot-News.

Has anyone else noticed that the bigger the lead Barack Obama takes in polls the more the stock market drops?

Investors have lost $2.5 trillion so far during the month of October. The same 10-day period corresponds with a widening lead for Obama over John McCain in most election polls.

It appears that Wall Street is signaling that an Obama presidency would spell disaster for the U.S. economy.

If you think things are bad now, wait until Obama imposes higher taxes, more government regulation, forced government-run health-care and restricts trade.

Does an Obama presidency remind anyone of the Jimmy Carter years? Double-digit inflation, interest rates at 20 percent and a malaise that hung over the U.S. economy for years.

This is what Obama is offering and investors are reacting by pulling out of the stock market in anticipation of an Obama presidency.

Check out this post at PAWaterCooler, "100 Economists Sign Letter Opposing Barack Obama’s Economic Policies"

The foundation of U.S. democracy -- the concept of one man, one vote -- has been shaken to the core by the widespread voter fraud campaign orchestrated by ACORN, the far-left advocacy group that received $800,000 from the Barack Obama campaign earlier this year to register new voters for Obama.

Today's New York Post has a startling revelation that an Ohio man who was encouraged by ACORN to register 72 times. The man Freddie Johnson, 19, told the newspaper he filled out 72 registration forms after ACORN recruiters offered him money or cigarettes.

From the NY Post article:

ACORN is under investigation in Ohio and at least eight other states - including Missouri, where the FBI said it's planning to look into potential voter fraud - for over-the-top efforts to get as many names as possible on the voter rolls regardless of whether a person is registered or eligible.

It's even under investigation in Bridgeport, Conn., for allegedly registering a 7-year-old girl to vote, according to the State Elections Enforcement Commission.

Meanwhile, a federal judge yesterday ordered Ohio's Secretary of State to verify the identity of newly registered voters by matching them with other government documents. The order was in response to a Republican lawsuit unrelated to the ACORN probe in Cuyahoga County, in which at least three people, including Johnson, have been subpoenaed.

Bribing citizens with gifts, property or anything of value is a fourth-degree felony in Ohio, punishable by up to 18 months in prison. And it's a fifth-degree felony - punishable by 12 months in jail - for a person to pay "compensation on a fee-per-registration" system when signing up someone to vote.

Read the full article, "1 VOTER, 72 REGISTRATIONS" at the newspaper's Web site.

That's the November issue of Men's Health magazine. I didn't know it was a political publication, did you? I guess the timing of the issue (a few weeks before the election) was just coincidence. And how about that not-so-subtle message? Obama is STRONG & FIT! That must mean McCain is OLD & FLABBY! Is there a magazine that hasn't featured Obama on the cover this year? Maybe Playgirl. The least Obama could have done was take off his shirt for the cover of Men's Health so we could see how STRONG & FIT! he is.

Two great quotes from Montgomery County Commissioner Bruce L. Castor Jr. about the Barack Obama campaigns efforts to woo convicted felons on Election Day.

From an article by Chris Friend in The Philadelphia Bulletin:

Bruce Castor, Montgomery County Commissioner and former District Attorney, disagreed with the emphasis placed on registering felons.

"Obviously, the Obama folks are going after the 'criminal vote.' Frankly, that is one voter block I'd rather not appeal to," Mr. Castor said. "Elections are about getting more votes than the other side, but what does it say about your candidate that you are reaching out to the nation's felons for support?"

Mr. Love emphasized that the felons have paid their debt to society, stating that, "We feel this is something that should be encouraged, and is a positive thing."

Registering felons, he said, is just a small part of a much larger effort to register the general public, explaining that he is involved in the registering of ex-offenders based on his legal expertise in this area.

"If we believe in getting the vote out, then we should believe in getting it out for every eligible voter, regardless of who they are or where they live. In my own community, in my own way, I have worked to get the 'common man' registered as well," Mr. Love said.

Mr. Castor cautioned Democrats, who are much more active as a political party in registering ex-offenders.

"I know the Democrats are the 'big-tent' party, but with the criminals under the big top, the rest of the Democrats better keep their hands on their wallets," Mr. Castor said.

Read the full story at the newspaper's Web site.

Legislation sponsored by Sen. John Rafferty (R-Montgomery) and Rep. Mike Vereb (R-Montgomery) to protect and expand personal rights under Pennsylvania’s Wiretap Law was approved by the state Legislature.

The bills were introduced to close a loophole in existing state law that allowed public access to private phone records. Gov. Ed Rendell is expected to sign the legislation within 10 days.

"Today, the Pennsylvania Legislature voted to further protect privacy rights of the Commonwealth’s citizens," Vereb said in a written statement. "The loopholes that existed in the former law put the safety of police officers, prosecutors, crime victims and everyday citizens at risk. I'm glad my House and Senate colleagues realized the importance of this bill and voted to protect privacy rights."

From a statement issued by Sen Rafferty: "The wiretap law is one of law enforcements' most important tools in fighting crime, yet it is important that we protect the privacy rights of our state residents. This bill does both. This bill gives the Pennsylvania State Police and the Attorney General the continued authority to pursue criminal activity and has helped in the investigations and prosecution of drug operations, illegal gambling and organized crime."

More from a press released issued by the two lawmakers:

Under the current Wiretap Law, phone service providers could have provided records and other information relating to a subscriber upon request. Law enforcement or other investigatory agents for the government are required by law to follow additional procedures in order to access this information. Vereb's legislation requires a judge to approve a warrant or court order for any call records to be released to anyone.

Vereb, a freshman who represents the 150th House District, originally introduced this language as a free-standing bill after a Scranton defense attorney was able to obtain the personal cell phone records of prosecutors and police detectives involved in the Mt. Airy Casino Resort gaming license investigation.

During his career as a detective, Vereb was certified as a wiretap investigator and Rafferty used this tool in his career as a deputy attorney general.

Rafferty introduced Senate Bill 1263 last year to extend the state's wiretap law that was set to expire at the end of this year.

The legislation is supported by the District Attorneys Association, the Sheriffs Association, the Pennsylvania Victim Advocate, the American Civil Liberties Union, the Office of the Attorney General, the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association, the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police, the Pennsylvania Sheriffs Association, the Fraternal Order of Police, the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, and the Coalition of Pennsylvania Crime Victims.

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review has a comprehensive story in today's edition detailing suspected voter fraud tied the left-wing advocacy group ACORN in at least nine states including Pennsylvania. ACORN is working with the Obama campaign to register voters.

From the article by staff writer Matthew Santoni:

Employees of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, commonly known as ACORN, are under investigation in Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin since local election officials started noticing irregularities among the thousands of registrations submitted by ACORN.

The ACORN organizer in one state said the organization had no way of checking all registrations.

Officials in Missouri, a hard-fought jewel in the presidential race, are sifting through possibly hundreds of questionable or duplicate voter-registration forms.

Charlene Davis, co-director of the election board in Jackson County, where Kansas City is, said the fraudulent registration from ACORN were bogging down work Wednesday, the final day Missourians could register to vote.

"I don't even know the entire scope of it because registrations are coming in so heavy," Davis said. "We have identified about 100 duplicates, and probably 280 addresses that don't exist, people who have driver's license numbers that won't verify or Social Security numbers that won't verify. Some have no address at all."

Read the full story at the newspaper's Web site.

You can't say this comes as a surprise. The National Rifle Association has endorsed Republican John McCain for president.

NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre, who also serves as chairman of the NRA's political action committee, is planning to announce the group's endorsement at stops in key battleground states, including Pennsylvania, Missouri, Colorado and Nevada.

McCain "cast more than 60 votes in the Senate in support of the Second Amendment," LaPierre said.

Contrast that with Barack Obama, who supports gun control measures and has said the Second Amendment is subject to interpretation. Obama criticized the Supreme Court ruling earlier this year that said the Second Amendment guarantees the right of citizens, not militias, to bear arms.

Along with the endorsement, the NRA's Political Victory Fund is planning newspaper ads and television spots to remind gun owners that McCain will protect their rights while Obama would restrict gun ownership if he's elected president.

Although McCain has not always supported legislation pushed the NRA, the fact that his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, is a member of the NRA, helped the group decide who to endorse in the 2008 race.

"She's a hunter, she's a Second Amendment supporter and she's a tremendous asset to the ticket," LaPierre told The Associated Press.

Palin received an A-plus rating from the group when she ran for governor in 2006.

LaPierre also noted that the NRA doesn't always endorse presidential candidates.

The group backed President George W. Bush in 2000 and 2004 but did not support Bob Dole in the 1996 race against Bill Clinton or George H.W. Bush in the 1992 race against Michael Dukakis.

For more information, visit the National Rifle Association's Political Victory Fund Web site at http://www.nrapvf.org/

The chickens have come home to roost after six five years of runaway spending by Gov. Ed Rendell.

Pennsylvania is facing a budget deficit of up to $2.5 billion or more.

State spending has increased $8 billion since Rendell came to Harrisburg in 2003 and that's not counting the $3 billion in debt Rendell pushed through the doormat state Legislature.

Rendell and legislative leaders say they can't find any fat to trim from $28.3 billion General Fund budget for the 2008-09 fiscal year.

Columnist Eric Heyl, writing in The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, doesn't have a problem finding places to cut.

From Heyl's column:

Pennsylvania taxpayers are spending $192 million this year to operate the state House and $102 million on the Senate. An additional $38.4 million is being spent on legislative committees, commissions, bureaus and agencies.

Add the numbers: $332.4 million.

That staggering sum is $43 million more than what was budgeted this year for all state health care programs. Yet our needlessly large, appallingly expensive and abhorrently clueless body of elected officials is stumped over what it could cut.

Read "Lean budget requires butcher" at the newspaper's Web site.

Guess who's speaking at the monthly breakfast meeting of Women EXCEL (Executive's Coalition for Excellence & Leadership)?

That's right. Yours truly. The topic for the Oct. 17 event is "Woman and Politics."

If the prospect of having breakfast with Tony Phyrillas sounds appealing to you or you're interested in finding out more about EXCEL, visit http://www.ywcatricountyarea.org/

A survey of 751 CEOs of major American companies conducted by Chief Executive magazine finds that Sen. Barack Obama's economic and tax policies would be disastrous for American workers.

CEOs surveyed said they prefer Sen. John McCain's economic plans by a 4-1 margin.

"The stakes for this presidential election are higher than they've ever been in recent memory," said Edward M. Kopko, CEO and Publisher of Chief Executive magazine. "We've been experiencing consecutive job losses for nine months now. There's no doubt that reviving the job market will be a top priority for the incoming president. And job creating CEOs repeatedly tell us that McCain's policies are far more conducive to a more positive employment environment than Obama's."

Some CEOs who responded to the survey went as far as to say this of Sen. Obama: "Some of his programs would bankrupt the country within three years, if implemented."

Obama's tax policies, which scored the lowest grade in the poll, are particularly unpopular among CEOs, Kopko said.

"Overall, many CEOs are concerned about the future of the U.S. economy and its ability to compete in the global market, but they look to John McCain and hope that this self-described political maverick may yet shake up established thinking and not give into to the tired policies of the past," Kopko said.

It's amazing that anyone with a basic understanding of economics would consider voting for Barack Obama. His plan to raise taxes on working people and investors and increase the federal debt while imposing government health-care on businesses is a recipe for disaster.

To read the full article and see more of the survey results, visit the magazine's Web site.

That Barack Obama sure is a smooth talker. It's a shame what he says often isn't the truth. The Associated Press analyzed Obama's debate performance Tuesday and found Obama didn't have command of the facts on several key issues.

OBAMA: "I believe this is a final verdict on the failed economic policies of the last eight years, strongly promoted by President Bush and supported by Senator McCain, that essentially said that we should strip away regulations, consumer protections, let the market run wild, and prosperity would rain down on all of us. It hasn't worked out that way. And so now we've got to take some decisive action."

THE FACTS: McCain has indeed favored less regulation over the years but supported tighter rules and accountability on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac two years before the start of a financial crisis prompted in part by those giant mortgage underwriters. Obama was not a leader in that unsuccessful effort. Some of the current problems can be traced to legislation passed in 1999 that lifted many regulations over the financial industry. That deregulation was championed by then-Sen. Phil Gramm, R-Texas, a McCain supporter, but also by President Clinton, who signed the legislation, and by former Clinton Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin, now a top Obama economic adviser.

OBAMA: Said McCain's proposal to give people a tax credit in exchange for treating employers' health insurance contributions as taxable wages amounts to "what one hand giveth, the other hand taketh away."

THE FACTS: Obama's suggestion that McCain's health care plan is a wash for families is misleading. McCain offers families a $5,000 tax credit to help them buy health insurance. The corresponding increase in taxable wages would result in a much smaller cost than the value of the tax credit, at least at first. Over time, the value of the tax credit may diminish as premiums rise. However, the Tax Policy Center estimates that McCain's plan would increase the federal deficit by $1.3 trillion over 10 years — mainly because it would lead to less tax revenue coming in, meaning it is a true tax break overall.

OBAMA: "Actually I'm cutting more than I'm spending so that it will be a net spending cut."

THE FACTS: Obama has many ambitious plans to spend more taxpayer dollars on a variety of federal programs, including clean energy technologies and job training. He's said he'll cut pork-barrel programs and the costs of the war in Iraq to pay for it — as well as raise taxes on the wealthy — but the specifics of his new spending plans greatly outweigh the few spending cuts he's identified.

It's report card for members of Congress.

The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America has released its 2008 Congressional Report Card, rating members of Congress on their support of veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach (PA-6th District) earned an "A" from the group, his campaign reports today.

"IAVA Action's 2008 Congressional Report Card recognizes those lawmakers who refused to compromise on the most important issues facing Iraq and Afghanistan veterans," said Paul Rieckhoff, executive director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA). "From passing a new GI Bill to increasing VA funding by over 10 billion dollars, the 110th Congress has made tremendous progress on behalf of America's newest generation of heroes. Over the last two years, Congressman Gerlach has demonstrated that he is a great friend to Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and their families.IAVA Action is proud to give Congressman Gerlach an A and would like to thank him for his leadership on these critical issues."

From a press release issued by Jim Gerlach For Congress:

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America is the nation's first and largest group dedicated to the Troops and Veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the civilian supporters of those Troops and Veterans.

"Congressman Gerlach is proud of his record of supporting the brave men and women courageously protecting our freedom on the battlefield and treating them with tremendous dignity and respect when they return home," said Mark Campbell, Gerlach political director. "He looks forward to continue working on behalf of veterans and their families."

Gerlach also has been endorsed by the National Vietnam and Gulf War Veterans Coalition and Veterans' Vision.

To read more about the IAVA Report Card, visit the group's Web site.

Columnist Thomas Sowell laments the fact that so many American voters are planning to walk into the voting booth with blinders on.

They simply don't know or don't want to hear the truth about Barack Obama.

Obama will raise taxes on the middle class and small businesses, sending the U.S. economy deeper into recession. Obama will increase government spending by $1 trillion and use the money for left-wing, social engineering projects. Obama will weaken our military readiness, inviting another terrorist attack on U.S. soil.

But people just run around shouting out "change" and ignore Obama's radical views on most issues.

From Sowell's column:

Facts don't matter much politically if they are not reported.

The media alone are not alone in keeping the facts from the public. Republicans, for reasons unknown, don't seem to know what it is to counter-attack. They deserve to lose.

But the country does not deserve to be put in the hands of a glib and cocky know-it-all, who has accomplished absolutely nothing beyond the advancement of his own career with rhetoric, and who has for years allied himself with a succession of people who have openly expressed their hatred of America.

Read the full column by clicking here.

You can read more Sowell columns at http://www.tsowell.com/

Columnist Diana West can't figure out why so many Americans believe Barack Obama as more capable of dealing with the current economic crisis when Obama had a lot to do with causing the mess in the first place.

"The fact is, if American citizens become too widely acquainted with the fact that race-based social engineering virtually created the sub-prime mortgage industry that has transformed the U.S. economy into The Titanic, Obama will sink in the polls," West writes. "That's because race-based social engineering is what Obama both advanced as a so-called community organizer, and later funded as an official of Chicago's Woods Fund, where he served alongside unrepentant terrorist and political ally William Ayers — another phantom political fact citizens now pondering their presidential votes are not supposed to consider."

Relying on Obama to deal with the economy is the same as sending in an arsonist to put the fire he started, West argues.

Read her full column in today's edition of The Mercury.

State Rep. Sam Rohrer, R-Berks, a frequent critic of massive state spending under Gov. Ed Rendell, says time is running out to re-open Pennsylvania's red-ink budget to avoid a potential tax increase next year.

With only three scheduled session days remaining before the Legislature takes another break to campaign for the November elections, Rohrer cited a recent Pennsylvania Revenue Department report that shows September revenue collections were $160 million lower than anticipated. It was the third straight month the state spent more than it took in and there are still nine months to go in the current fiscal year.

The red ink means the governor and Legislature must re-open the $28.3 billion General Fund budget for 2008-09, Rohrer says.

"When I called for a zero-growth budget throughout the entire budget negotiations, and again when I called for the immediate re-opening of the out-of-balance budget just a few weeks ago, I did so based on the grounds that the out-of-control spending would need to be checked," Rohrer said in a written statement. "The recent release of September revenue collection numbers has confirmed my arguments for no new taxes, no new spending and no new borrowing yet again."

Rohrer said the state budget signed by Gov. Rendell is "effectively unconstitutional" because it "deliberately ignored clear economic predictions about the level of revenue that would be available to the Commonwealth."

Rohrer said he is not surprised by the September numbers "and neither should any of my colleagues or the governor."

Rohrer also said that tapping into the state's Rainy Day Fund to address any future budget deficit is illegal because the budget crisis was anticipated by state officials.

"Under these circumstances, draining the Rainy Day Fund is not an option," Rohrer said. "This fund is clearly reserved for unanticipated emergencies. If the governor continues to spend recklessly, we will certainly have an ever larger fiscal emergency on our hands, but it certainly will not be unanticipated."

The Associated Press reports that Pennsylvania is now facing a budgetary shortfall of up to $1.3 billion. Some lawmakers project a $2.5 billion deficit by 2010, which also happens to be Rendell's last year in office.

State spending has increased by nearly $8 billion since Rendell became governor in 2003.

Rohrer said Rendell's recent call for a hiring freeze, ban on out-of-state travel and reduced spending by state agencies is not enough.

"Now it is beyond absolutely clear that Gov. Rendell's arbitrary cost cutting in several departments was inadequate and short-sighted," Rohrer said. "Now is definitely the time for drastic spending reductions, rather than more lame duck excuses which will only lead to further inaction."

Rohrer said the state must re-open the budget and allow for legislative and public input to create a fiscally responsible, balanced, zero-growth state budget.

"With ever-increasing fuel and food prices, not to mention Pennsylvania's unaddressed school property tax crisis, even considering raising taxes or borrowing against the tax dollars of future generations is absolutely unconscionable," Rohrer said.

The Dow Jones industrial average plunged more than 700 points today, falling below 10,000 for the first time in four years.

Can we get Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid to the microphone to explain why the $700 billion bailout plan they pushed through Congress on Friday pushed Wall Street over the ledge today?

Pelosi, Reid and the Democratic majorities in Congress have to be swept out on Nov. 4 or this country is headed into a prolonged and painful recession. George W. Bush will be gone in January. Voters also need to send Pelosi, Reid & Co. packing.

Pennsylvania Congressman Joe Pitts voted against the bailout bill, The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.

From Pitts:

"This week, Congress had an opportunity to try again to do this correctly. Instead, the Senate sent the House a bill full of tax breaks for special interests, unrelated provisions, and only minor improvements. Instead of earning more votes by improving the bill, the Senate bill bought votes by adding "sweeteners." The crisis we are facing is real. However, in this country I believe market problems should be addressed with market-based solutions. This bill is a big-government approach that increases the federal debt limit to $11.3 trillion, in order to create a quick fix. It gives unprecedented power to the federal bureaucracy. There are no reforms in this bill to correct the mistakes that caused this crisis. It does not address the basic problem. It does not adequately protect the taxpayer.

For a thorough explanation of his vote and what the real problem is with the U.S. economy, follow this link to a memo Pitts released.

With 30 days to go before the Nov. 4 election, the McCain Campaign opened a Berks County headquarters Saturday afternoon.

Berks County GOP Chairman Mark Gillen was on hand to open the headquarters at 5001 Perkiomen Ave. (Route 422 west) in Exeter Township.

The grand opening celebration ran from 3 to 5 p.m., with a steady stream visitors stopping by to pick up campaign signs, bumper stickers and literature for the McCain/Palin ticket as well as other GOP candidates, including Congressman Jim Gerlach, Steve Fuhs, running for the 11th state Senate District, and Dick Gokey, a candidate for the 130th state House District.

Gillen said the office will be staffed seven-days-a-week from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. until Election Day.

Anyone interested in volunteering is welcome to stop by the office to sign up.

During a pep talk to volunteers, Gillen predicted McCain will surprise conventional wisdom (and the polls) by winning the presidency.

Gillen also announced that the Berks County office has free tickets to attend a Road to Victory Rally with John McCain and Sarah Palin scheduled for Lehigh Univeristy in Bethlehem on Wednesday, Oct. 8. Doors open 10:30 a.m.

Several GOP volunteers also discussed a growing problem of campaign sign thefts in Berks and Chester counties.

Berks Republicans are also promoting the party's annual "Berks GOP Newsmaker Dinner," scheduled for Friday, Oct. 17, at The Inn at Reading. The speaker hasn't been announced yet, but the entertainment will include country star Pat Garrett singing his tribute to Sarah Palin, "Moose Shootin' Mama."

Anyone interested in attending the dinner can call 610-374-1100.

For more about the Berks GOP, visit the party's Web site, http://berks.mygopsite.com/

Big Labor is turning on Gov. Ed Rendell.

Specifically, the Service Employees International Union doesn't like the governor's recent hiring freeze, leaving some 5,000 state jobs vacant.

Government jobs has always been the trump card for tax-and-spend liberals like Rendell. Democrats who can't deliver government jobs don't have much else to offer.

But the good times are over for Rendell, who has increased state spending by nearly $8 billion since taking office in 2003.

The state is facing its worse fiscal crisis in 20 years, thanks largely to Rendell's free-spending ways over the past six years.

Pennsylvania has run up a $281 million budget deficit in just the first three months of the 2008-09 fiscal year.

If the trend continues, the state is facing a $1 billion deficit. The only way to make up the shortfall is to cut services (and jobs) or raise taxes.

Rendell pushed through a $1 billion increase in the state income tax as soon as he took office in 2003. He'll probably call for a much bigger tax increase after the Nov. 4 election.

If you like paying higher taxes, keep the Democrats in control of the state House. If you want to stop Rendell, send more Republicans to Harrisburg on Nov. 4.

Follow the link below to read the union's "sky-is-falling" press release about the hiring freeze:

Service Employees Union Blasts Rendell Hiring Freeze

Who won Thursday's vice presidential debate? Sarah Palin, of course.

From today's editorial in The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:

Palin offered a potent debating combination. She was well prepared, at ease, folksy and, at times, full of moxie. She shot and scored early and often -- especially noting how Democrats failed to understand the coming train wreck of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and how Democrat wealth redistribution is anything but the "fairness" that Biden insists.

So, who "won"? Clearly, it was Sarah Palin -- not because she exceeded very weak expectations but because she showed she's quite qualified to be not only vice president but president, too. And that should be a major boost for a GOP ticket exactly when it needs it.

Read the full editorial at the newspaper's Web site.

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review has concluded that the only way to reform Harrisburg is the clean house in the Pennsylvania Legislature. Voters can accomplish that task on Nov. 4.

Pennsylvania voters, angry over the middle-of-the-night legislative pay raise in 2005, replaced 55 incumbents in 2006. So far this year, 27 incumbents have retired or lost their re-election bids in the primary, but real change can occur on Nov. 4 when 104 incumbents face opposition on the ballot.

Pennsylvania voters can put the fear of God into the Harrisburg political elite by throwing out scores of incumbents.

From the Tribune-Review editorial:

Why do Pennsylvania's leading lawmakers treat their constituents with such disdain? More to the point, how much more mistreatment are the people prepared to take?

In the twilight of yet another legislative session, for which so many spent so much to accomplish so little, bills to expand state transparency and promote better governance fade ever so deliberately into the haze that is Harrisburg.

For this inaction some Senate leaders blame an obstinate House. House Republicans slam the Democrat leadership. And the House leadership argues that it was the Senate that canned a lame-duck session -- which has been an excuse for all manner of mischief.

Funny how all the gibber-jabber about good government -- even for a fully warranted constitutional convention -- arises in the 11th hour when there was abundant opportunity for reforms this year, beginning with the state's overblown $28.2 billion budget.

Reform begins by pitching them on Nov. 4.

Read the full editorial, "Reforming Harrisburg: Throw 'em out" at the newspaper's Web site.

Stephen Fuhs, a reform candidate for state Senate, will be the guest on "Talking Politics with Tony Phyrillas and Mike Pincus" today at 5 p.m. on WPAZ 1370 AM

You can join the conversation by calling the station at 610-326-4000.

Fuhs is a Reading City Councilman attempting to unseat state Sen. Mike O'Pake in Berk County's 11th Senate District.

"Talking Politics" can also be heard online at http://www.1370wpaz.com/ and http://www.pottsmerc.com/

They just can't help themselves.

Stuffed inside the $700 billion financial bailout approved by the Democratic-controlled Senate is $1.7 billion worth of pork spending, according to the New York Post.

"Congressional deal-brookers yesterday slopped a mess of pork into the $700 billion financial rescue bill passed by the Senate last night - including a tax break for makers of kids' wooden arrows - in a bid to lure reluctant lawmakers into voting for the package," the newspaper says.

From an article by Daphne Retter:

"This is how Washington works," said Keith Ashdown of Taxpayers for Common Sense, a Washington research group. "A big pot of pork is their recipe for final passage."

The special provisions include tax breaks for:

* Manufacturers of kids' wooden arrows - $6 million.

* Puerto Rican and Virgin Is- lands rum producers - $192 million.

* Wool research.

* Auto-racing tracks - $128 million.

* Corporations operating in American Samoa - $33 million.

* Small- to medium-budget film and television productions - $10 million.

Another measure inserted into the bill appears to be a bald-faced bid aimed at winning the support of Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), who voted against the original version when it went down in flames in the House on Monday.

That provision - a $223 million package of tax benefits for fishermen and others whose livelihoods suffered as a result of the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill - has been the subject of fervent lobbying by Alaska's congressional delegation.

Read the full story and an editorial criticizing Congressional pork in today's edition of the newspaper.

PBS anchor Gwen Ifill is the scheduled moderator of Thursday's vice presidential debate between Sen. Joe Biden and Gov. Sarah Palin.

Gwen Ifill has written a book about Sen. Barack Obama.

If the Obama/Biden ticket wins in November, Ifill could have a best seller on her hands.

If the Obama/Biden ticket loses, nobody will buy her book.

So who do you think Gwen Ifill will be rooting for to win the election? Will she throw softball questions at Joe Biden? Will she go on the attack against Palin?

Why is such an obvious partisan moderating the debate?

Columnist Michelle Malkin is wondering that too.

From Malkin's column posted at the Investor's Business Daily Web site:

Nonpartisan my foot.

Random House, her publisher, is already busy hyping the book with YouTube clips of Ifill heaping praise on her subjects, including Obama and Obama-endorsing Mass. Gov. Deval Patrick. The official promo for the book gushes:

"In 'The Breakthrough,' veteran journalist Gwen Ifill surveys the American political landscape, shedding new light on the impact of Barack Obama's stunning presidential campaign and introducing the emerging young African-American politicians forging a bold new path to political power.

"Drawing on interviews with power brokers like Sen. Obama, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, Vernon Jordan, the Rev. Jesse Jackson and many others, as well as her own razor-sharp observations and analysis of such issues as generational conflict and the 'black enough' conundrum, Ifill shows why this is a pivotal moment in American history."

Ifill and her publisher are banking on an Obama-Biden win to buoy her book sales. The moderator expected to treat both sides fairly has grandiosely declared this the "Age of Obama." Can you imagine a right-leaning journalist writing a book about the "stunning" McCain campaign and its "bold" path to reform timed for release on Inauguration Day — and then expecting a slot as a moderator for the nation's sole vice presidential debate?

Yeah, I just registered 6.4 on the Snicker Richter Scale too.

Read the full column at the newspaper's Web site.

The truth is out there. You just have to get past the liberal media to find it.

Here's some of the most interesting posts on Pennsylvania blogs:

WRITEMARSH! and GUNSERVATIVELY! both have startling information about Gwen Ifill, the moderator of Thursday's vice presidential debate. Turns out Ifill has written a pro-Obama book that will be released next year. Makes you wonder which ticket Ms. Ifill will be rooting for, doesn't it?

And speaking of Obama, POLICY BLOG has an interesting post about the failure of government-run health care in Massachusetts. Obama wants to offer a similar plan nationally. The Massachusetts plan is $4.2 billion in the hole. Imagine the debt (and higher taxes) under Obama-care.

TONY PHYRILLAS say the 2008-09 state budget is already $281 million in the red (and there's still nine more months to go in the fiscal year.)

SAVE THE GOP says we need to "Trust Capitalism" and not the Washington politicians.

POWERBLOG! tackles liberal media bias against Sarah Palin.

IS THIS LIFE? spotlights a new Chuck Norris column on conservatives in Hollywood.

The same column was also recommended by TONY PHYRILLAS yesterday. There's also a link to a new documentary about liberal media bias, "Do As I Do," and the trailer for the new movie bashing the far left, "An American Carol"

PENN PATRIOT'S BLOG has a guest column, "Why I Am Voting For John McCain."

LINCOLN BLOG has some thoughts on the Wall Street bailout before Congress.

It's not looking any better for Gov. Ed Rendell's deficit budget for the 2008-09 fiscal year.

For the third month in a row, the state took in less than it spent.

The three-month deficit in Rendell's $28.3 billion budget now totals $281.4 million.

The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue today released its monthly revenue figures, showing Pennsylvania collected $2.3 billion in General Fund revenue in September, $163.8 million, or 6.5 percent, less than anticipated.

Fiscal year-to-date General Fund collections total $5.8 billion, which is $281.4 million, or 4.7 percent, below estimate, Revenue Secretary Tom Wolf said in a written statement.

"September is the first significant collections month of the fiscal year, as quarterly corporation tax and personal income tax estimated payments were due this month," Wolf said. "Pennsylvania has weathered the economic storm better than other states, but it's clear that the uncertainties in the national economy are affecting our tax collections in Pennsylvania."

Earlier this month, Gov. Rendell ordered a hiring freeze and a ban on out-of-state travel and instructed most state agencies to reduce spending by 4.25 percent to save about $200 million.

But those savings won't even cover the $281.4 million running deficit and there are still nine more months to go in the fiscal year. Republican lawmakers want to re-open the $28.3 billion budget to find more places to cut.

Can somebody bail out Pennsylvania?