I watched a speech Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin gave Aug. 31 in Missouri and came away with one thought: Why can't she be governor of Pennsylvania?

In less than two years, Palin pushed through ethics reform, reduced government spending, cut taxes, created jobs and presides over a state with a healthy budget surplus.

She's the opposite of Gov. Ed Rendell, who in six years as governor has raised taxes, driven good jobs out of Pennsylvania, failed to keep numerous promises to cut taxes and presides over a state government riddled with corruption probes.

I especially liked this part of Palin's speech dealing with her philosophy of government.

"We want a government that is competent and dependable, that is free of corruption and self-dealing. We don't want a bigger government. We want a government that does a few big things and does them right. I came in as governor pledging major ethics reform ... and to end the culture of corruption in and around our capitol ... and to put the people first in the affairs of our government. Today, that ethics reform is the law of Alaska."