Does this mean Bob Casey Jr. is no longer Obama's doormat?

Or is he do desperate to save his own political skin, that he will now claim he never met Obama?

POLITICO: Casey a no-show today, but in Philly tomorrow - David Catanese - Casey a no-show today, but in Philly tomorrow

State Sen. John Rafferty aims for dream job: Pa. attorney general (video) - pottsmerc.com

Failed Promise: More Lobbyist Fundraisers | RNC: Republican National Committee | GOP

After less than one year in office, Chester County treasurer Ann Duke, a Republican, has set her sights on a much bigger office: Pennsylvania Auditor General.

Incumbent two-term Democrat Jack Wagner is prohibited by the state Constitution from seeking another term as auditor general, the state's fiscal watchdog.

Chesco treasurer to run for state auditor general - pottsmerc.com

National Report: Pennsylvania Ranks 27th in Protecting Kids from Tobacco

2010 Census Shows 65 and Older Population Growing Faster Than Total U.S. Population

Only in Congress and the Pennsylvania Legislature can you be rewarded for not doing your job.

Legislators get raise despite lack of results - pottsmerc.com

And you thought finding a parking spot was difficult now? Just wait until the new owners a 140,000-square-foot expansion of what already is the largest shopping mall on the East Coast.

The idea is to connect the The Plaza and The Court with new retail and restaurant space.

And did I mention there's a casino being built nearby?

Good luck sitting in traffic.

Major Expansion of King of Prussia Mall

As if you needed more proof that you can't trust Facebook.

Facebook Settles FTC Charges That It Deceived Consumers by Failing to Keep Privacy Promises

The Washington Times:

The latest release of 5,000 emails from the University of East Anglia's Climatic Research Unit (CRU) reconfirms what the 2009's "Climategate" files established: Global warming is more fiction than science.

Read the full editorial at the link below:

EDITORIAL: A climate of fraud - Washington Times

Congratulations, Jimmy Carter! You're Not the Most Unpopular President Any More! - HUMAN EVENTS

State Sen. John Rafferty, R-44th Dist., plans to announce Wednesday he will seek the Republican nomination for Pennsylvania Attorney General.

The announcement is scheduled for 11 a.m. at the Pennsylvania State Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police, located at 2949 North Front Street, Harrisburg, PA.

Rafferty is serving his third four-year term in the state Senate representing the 44th District, which stretches across Montgomery, Chester and Berks counties.

If he wins the race for attorney general next year, a special election will be held to complete the rest of Rafferty's state Senate term, which runs to the end of 2014.

Rafferty serves as chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee and is a member of Appropriations, Banking and Insurance, Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, and Judiciary committees.

Before running for the Senate in 2002, Rafferty was an attorney in private practice, focusing on education, real estate, zoning and business and estates law.

Before that, he served as Deputy Attorney General for Pennsylvania from 1988 to 1991, where he he was responsible for the Criminal Law Division and Grand Jury Investigations.

Rafferty is the first Republican in the race, joining three announced Democrats: Kathleen Kane of Lackawanna County, former Congressman Patrick Murphy of Bucks County and Dan McCafferty of Montgomery County.

Since the attorney general's office became an elected position in 1980, no Democrat has won the office.

The current attorney general is Republican Linda Kelly, who was nominated by Gov. Tom Corbett to complete the final two years of his term after Corbett was elected governor in 2010. Honoring a "gentleman's agreement" in the state Senate, which had to confirm Kelly's appointment, she agreed not to seek a full term as attorney general.

Obama Approval Remains at 43% Through Thanksgiving Week

Despite wildly positive coverage by the mainstream media of the Occupy Wall Street movement, more Americans still support the Tea Party movement over Occupy, according to a new Harris poll.

One-third of Americans Support the Tea Party and Two in Five Support Occupy Wall Street

While tens of millions of Americans would be happy just to have a job, those who are still working are not finding much satisfaction with their work.

A Gallup survey finds that 71% of American workers are not engaged in their current positions, with 19% of the workforce "actively disengaged."

Employee Engagement Nearing All-time Low

Once again, Democrats put political interests ahead of the nation's interests.

Sen. Pat Toomey says Dems torpedoed debt panel to protect Obama - The Hill's Blog Briefing Room

The Heartland Institute Reacts to Retirement of Rep. Barney Frank:

"Barney Frank spent much of his career expanding the powers of and defending Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, both of which have been involved in multi-billion-dollar scandals that helped enrich their corporate leaders, inflate a housing bubble until it burst, and spark the financial crisis. Even after watching Fannie and Freddie pay hundreds of millions of dollars in fines because of their corrupt practices, Frank left them untouched in the 'Dodd-Frank' financial regulatory bill that was supposed to address the causes of the financial crisis. Frank has been shameless in using Fannie and Freddie as social engineering and income redistribution tools. Unfortunately, Maxine Waters, who apparently will fill his slot as ranking member, has shown herself to be every bit as shameless."

Office of Inspector General Announces October Welfare Fraud Adjudications

Year later, tea party's profile low but focused - Washington Times

Barack Obama's promise of hope and change has turned into despair and status quo. Real change will come after Obama is voted out of office in 2012.

Pennsylvania State Rep. Mark Gillen (R-Berks) will host a Town Hall Forum on Thursday, Dec. 1, to facilitate a discussion between Met-Ed and constituents of the 128th Legislative District who lost power following the October snowstorm.

Gillen to Host Town Hall Forum Dec. 1 to Discuss Utility Response to Snowstorm

Romney Steps Up Attack Against Obama - 2012 Decoded

Gingrich Gets Endorsement of Influential Conservative Newspaper In New Hampshire - HUMAN EVENTS

Do you have any idea what a partridge in a pair tree costs these days?

PNC CHRISTMAS PRICE INDEX ON TRACK WITH ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Ten People Killed, More Than 300 Injured in Holiday Traffic Crashes

State Museum of Pennsylvania Announces December Highlights

Terrific video showing what a doormat Bob Casey Jr. has turned out to be as a U.S. senator from Pennsylvania.

A lot of tasty leftovers in George F. Will's latest column:

* The euro is unraveling and might dissolve the European Union, that product of transnational progressivism based on the belief that national sovereignty should be leeched away to clever experts who, uninhibited by the consent of the governed, can create clever things like the euro.

* In 2011, someone actually asked how an Amtrak employee with a $21,000 salary earned $149,000 in overtime.

* A week after Barack Obama cited an Ohio restaurant as a beneficiary of the Chrysler bailout, the restaurant closed.

Read more at the link below:

2011 tasty leftovers - pottsmerc.com

One of the worst people to ever serve in Congress - Democrat Barney Frank - is leaving. Don't let the door hit you on the way out, Barney.

Barney Frank Cashes Out - HUMAN EVENTS

Whatever happened to the concept of public service?

Pennsylvania legislators will earn a base salary of $82,000 a year starting Dec. 1, thanks to a state law (passed by the Legislature) that gives lawmakers an annual cost-of-living-adjustment unless the very same lawmakers vote to reject the pay hike.

Some lawmakers give back the annual COLA be sending a check at the end of the year to the state Treasury. Others donate the money to charity (and claim a nice tax deduction for it, no doubt).

But what they don't tell their constituents is that the annual salary bump also increases the amount of money lawmakers will receive from their taxpayer-paid pensions when they leave the Legislature.

P.S. - The average salary of a Pennsylvania worker is $43,000 a year.

Legislators make double what their constituents bring home - pottsmerc.com

The New Hampshire GOP primary isn't until Jan. 10, but the state's leading newspapers has already made up its mind on the best candidate.

Newt Gingrich is by no means the perfect candidate. But Republican primary voters too often make the mistake of preferring an unattainable ideal to the best candidate who is actually running. In this incredibly important election, that candidate is Newt Gingrich. He has the experience, the leadership qualities and the vision to lead this country in these trying times. He is worthy of your support on January 10.

Read the full editorial at the link below:

An Editorial: For President, Newt Gingrich | New Hampshire Union Leader

JoePa can do no wrong in the eyes of many Pennsylvanians.

Poll shows Joe Paterno still popular in Pennsylvania

The average Pennsylvania worker makes $43,000 a year, but state legislators will make a base salary of $82,000 after a Dec. 1 pay raise kicks in.

How do you feel about working so hard to keep the permanent political class in the lifestyle they've become accustomed to?

Every member of the state House and half the members of the state Senate will face re-election in 2012. Remember the pay raise when your incumbent state lawmaker comes around looking for your vote next year.

State Sen. Gene Yaw alone on taking a 3 percent pay hike

From The Trentonian:

Someone came up with a new name for the Occupy Wall Street public nuisance protest encampments.

"Obamavilles."

Will the name catch on the way "Hoovervilles" did for less pestiferous encampments back during the Great Depression?

Maybe not. But if "Obamavilles" does catch on, their namesake will have largely himself to blame.

It was President Obama's demogogic rhetoric about the rich supposedly not paying their "fair share" of taxes that preceded the Occupy Wall Street encampments and likely encouraged them.

Squattervilles serve little purpose but strain local budgets - pottsmerc.com

Top 10 Reasons for Conservatives To Be Thankful - HUMAN EVENTS

Don't worry about a gift for your Pennsylvania state legislator. They've already decided to give themselves a 3% pay raise, effective Dec. 1, bringing their base salary to $82,000 a year - twice what the average Pennsylvania worker takes home.

State legislators to get pay raise on Dec. 1 - pottsmerc.com

PA Cyber Reacts to PA Supreme Court Decision

Obama Again Fails Energy Independence for America

SBA to Close Business Recovery Centers in Pennsylvania on Dec. 1

The global warming hoax continues to unravel.

'You've Been Gored': The Climate Change Fraud

PA Game Commission Offers 'Wild' Gift Giving Ideas

Thanksgiving Proclamation of George Washington
New York, October 3, 1789

By the President of the United States of America. a Proclamation.

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor -- and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me "to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness."

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be -- That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks -- for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation -- for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war -- for the great degree of tranquillity, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed -- for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted -- for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

And also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions -- to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually -- to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed -- to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness onto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord -- To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us--and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New-York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

Timeline of 2012 Presidential Primaries and Caucuses - Kenneth Chamberlain - NationalJournal.com

PA Revenue Department Reminds Cyber Monday Shoppers to Pay Use Tax

AP Writer Can't Even Accurately Relay the Small Number of 'Occupy the Highway' March Finishers | NewsBusters.org

Governor Corbett Signs House, Senate Bills into Law

The permanent political class in Pennsylvania is giving itself a 3% pay raise on Dec. 1, despite the fact that hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvania residents are unemployed and millions are struggling to survive in a down economy.

The base salary of a Pennsylvania state legislator will go up to $82,000.

Legislators set up 'stealth' pay raise - pottsmerc.com

The Occupy movement is just as patronizing to women as the Democratic Party. Too bad most women can't see how they're being used by both groups.

The Occupy Movement's Woman Problem - The Atlantic

Runaway spending in Washington won't end as long as Democrats control the Senate and the White House.

Senate Democrats: Oh, Well, Back to Reckless Deficit Spending! - HUMAN EVENTS

Obama Pal Tony Rezko Gets 10 and a Half Years For Corruption - HUMAN EVENTS

State Stores Now Offer Mail-Order Option - Project Economy News Story - WGAL The Susquehanna Valley

ClimateGate 2.0: 5,000 New Emails Confirm Pattern of Deception and Collusion by Alarmists | NewsBusters.org

Governor Corbett Transfers Homeland Security Office to State Police

PennDOT, PA Turnpike Unveil New Tow Plow, Stress Motorist Safety

If the presidential election were held today, Barack Obama would lose Pennsylvania to Mitt Romney, according to a new poll.

Without taking Pennsylvania, which was key to his 2008 win, Obama's chances of re-election are greatly diminished.

Obama struggling in Pennsylvania - Public Policy Polling

Conservative Sam Rohrer makes his case for the Pennsylvania U.S. Senate seat held by liberal Bob Casey Jr., who has rubber-stamped the failed Obama agenda.

Some big-name Democrats are running away from Obama, who they belive will sink the party in 2012.

Even Obama's Cheerleaders Are Falling Away - HUMAN EVENTS

Pennsylvania Governor Corbett Announces Council to Strengthen Manufacturing Sector

7 of the 10 richest members of Congress are Democrats ... and the corrupt liberal media keeps telling us the Republicans are the party of the rich? Gimme, a break!

See the list of richest members of Congress for yourself at OpenSecrets.org

Considering Pennsylvania taxpayers are on the hook for more than $10 billion a year to fund various welfare program, it's about time the state focuses on ending fraud and waste, which are rampant.

Even if you catch just 10 percent of the fraud and waste, that's still a coll $1 billion savings to taxpayers.

Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Creates Office of Program Integrity to Strengthen Efforts to Curb Fraud, Waste and Abuse

Vote Now for Pennsylvania's 2012 River of the Year

George Soros Helped Craft Stimulus then Invested in Companies Benefiting

Why are liberals so intolerant?

The Tebow Haters - HUMAN EVENTS

Gary Bauer: Media Persecutes GOP With a Double Standard on Gaffes - HUMAN EVENTS

Sen. Pat Toomey Calls Forced Spending Cuts a 'Silver Lining' - HUMAN EVENTS

Hope and change, Obama-style:

After three years, the divisiveness in America is worse than ever. Political name calling has become a national disgrace. The economy is still very weak. Unemployment has risen to over 9 percent. The poor got poorer. His massive, mostly unsuccessful, spending programs have added over $4 trillion to our national debt. His supporters try to ignore these fundamental facts and blame his failure on everyone or everything else.

The false promises of socialism - phillyBurbs.com : Reader Voices: letter to the editor, obama, socialism, false promises

Speaking a recent forum in Bucks County on efforts to eliminate property taxes in Pennsylvania, David Baldinger of the Pennsylvania Coalition of Taxpayer Associations said 10,000 Pennsylvanians lost their homes last year because they couldn’t pay their taxes.

Plan to abolish property tax gets warm reception - The Intelligencer

Top 10 Most Needed Government Reforms - HUMAN EVENTS

Investor's Business Daily:

As Democrats demonize Wall Street CEOs as the "greedy" fiends of the financial crisis, they've lined their own pockets — both before and after the crisis. Nancy Pelosi's just the latest example.

Read the full editorial (which names names for top ethically-challenged Democrats) at the link below:

Pelosi Leads List Of Conflict Of Interest Dems - Investors.com

Heckavu job, Barack.

Today's Obama Job Death Toll: 204,500 - HUMAN EVENTS

The national debt has surpassed $15 trillion and Barack Obama and Congressional Democrats still don't think we have a spending problem. Irresponsible politicians like these need to voted out of office.

Federal Spending Without & With Sequester Cuts | Mercatus

PA Hunters Advised to Check Status of State Forest Roads

Fifteen Trillion And Counting - HUMAN EVENTS

From a new Gallup survey:

Underemployment, a measure that combines the percentage of workers who are unemployed with the percentage working part time but wanting full-time work, is 18.2% - up from 17.5% a month ago. Underemployment stood at 17.7% in mid-November 2010.

How's that for hope and change?

U.S. Unemployment Ticks Up in Mid-November

Conservative Sam Rohrer, who served in the Pennsylvania Legislature for 18 years and ran for the Republican nomination for Pennsylvania governor in 2010, plans to announce Monday he will run for a U.S. Senate seat from Pennsylvania in 2012.

The announcement is scheduled for 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 21, at the Governor's Ballroom of the Radisson Penn Harris in Camp Hill, Pa.

Rohrer, a leader of the state's conservative movement and tireless proponent of the elimination of Pennsylvania's onerous property tax, challenged Tom Corbett in the Republican gubernatorial primary last year.

While Corbett won the nomination and eventually was elected governor, Rohrer made a surprisingly strong showing considering the party establishment (and money) went mostly to Corbett. (Rohrer routed Corbett in Berks County by an 80%-20% margin, and Rohrer beat Corbett in Lancaster County by a 52%-48% margin).

Rohrer, who retired from the Legislature at the end of 2010 to take the post of state director for Americans for Prosperity-Pennsylvania, will run for the Senate seat held by first-term Democrat Bob Casey Jr., one of the most liberal members of the Senate and a close ally of President Obama.

Pennsylvania's other Senate seat is held by conservative Republican Pat Toomey.

For more information on Sam Rohrer and his bid for U.S. Senate in 2012, visit www.RohrerforSenate.org

Big Three Networks Devote a Scant 36 Seconds to Obama's 'Lazy' Gaffe | NewsBusters.org

Plan to abolish property tax gets warm reception - phillyBurbs.com : The Intelligencer

New Movie Exposes Government Invasion of American Families

PA State Police and Crime Stoppers Launch New Website

PennDOT, Police Partner to Keep Holiday Season Travel Safe

Approximately 13,800 jobless Pennsylvania residents found work in October, helping to lower the state's unemployment rate from 8.3 percent to 8.1 percent, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry.

More than 513,000 Pennsylvania residents are still looking for work, according to state figures.

The national unemployment rate remains at 9 percent as the Obama recession enters its third year.

Pennsylvania's Employment Situation for October 2011

Obama 'Success Story' General Motors Loses Another $9.3 Billion - HUMAN EVENTS

MADD Releases National and State-by-State Ratings as Part of its Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving Fifth Anniversary Report to the Nation

We know about the $4 trillion Obama has added to the national debt in just three years, but how much more taxpayer dollars has he funneled to political cronies?

Time to drain the swamp by voting out Obama and Congressional Democrats in 2012.

Obama's Half-Billion-Dollar Crony Drug Deal - HUMAN EVENTS

Governor Corbett Calls for Education Reform at Philadelphia Rally

Occupy Wall Street Favor Fading - Public Policy Polling

Before the current sex abuse scandal that brought down legendary Penn State football coach Joe Paterno, the last time I wrote about JoePa was in December 2007 when there was a controversy about keeping his salary secret. The Associated Press reported on Monday that Paterno is eligible for a $554,000 annual pension based on his most recent salary as PSU's head football coach.

Here's a look back at the 2007 column:

Why revealing Joe Paterno's salary is important

By Tony Phyrillas

Pennsylvania ranks 49 out of 50 states for having the worst open-records law in the country. The Paterno salary story, which made the front page of every newspaper in the state, should be a wake-up call to Pennsylvania residents.

The world now knows how much Joe Paterno makes as head football coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions.

My life hasn't changed one bit since I found out that Paterno earns $512,664 a year. I graduated from Penn State but it never occurred to me to ask how much Paterno made when I attended school in State College or in the years since I left Happy Valley.

I never gave any thought to Paterno's salary until I learned that a newspaper had been trying for five years to get the information.

Paterno's salary was one of the best-kept secrets in Pennsylvania, a state where keeping the public in the dark is one of the primary missions of government. Pennsylvania ranks 49 out of 50 states for having the worst open-records law in the country.

The State Employees' Retirement System released Paterno's salary a week after the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that his salary and those of other top Penn State officials are public information.

How much the 80-year-old coach makes isn't as important as the fact that so many government and university officials worked so hard for so long to keep the information out of public sight.

The revelation that Paterno makes $512,000 was almost anti-climatic. Most people were under the impression that Paterno was making more than $1 million a year based on his longevity at Penn State and the success he has brought to the school's football program.

"I'm paid well. I'm not overpaid," Paterno told reporters. "I got all the money I need."

What a refreshing statement from a public figure in a state where greed has become the norm. Pennsylvania legislators, already among the highest paid in the country, voted themselves pay raises of 16 percent to 54 percent during a middle-of-the-night session on July 7, 2005. Gov. Ed Rendell signed the pay grab into law. It took a backlash from Pennsylvania residents to get the Legislature to rescind the pay raise.

And let's not compare Paterno's salary to that of some other coaches who run big-time football programs. Alabama's Nick Saban is the highest paid coach at $4 million per year. Oklahoma's Bob Stoops makes over $3 million. Florida's Urban Meyer, Ohio State's Jim Tressel and South Carolina's Steve Spurrier make $2 million annually.

Paterno, the second winningest college football coach of all time, is underpaid compared to other coaches. Paterno is Penn State. His value to the school cannot be measured in dollars and cents. And let's not forget that Paterno and his wife have donated $4 million to Penn State over the years.

I don't think anyone can argue that Paterno isn't worth every dollar Penn State pays him. The salary revelation should put renewed focus on the current debate in the Pennsylvania Legislature over open records.

The reason the Harrisburg Patriot-News had to fight so hard in the courts to get the salary information is because Pennsylvania law presumes that all government and quasi-government agencies are entitled to keep secrets.

The public, through newspapers and other media outlets, have to persuade courts that the information should be public. This presumption is backwards. The burden should be on the government to show why information associated with how it spends the public's money or conducts the public's business should be kept from the public.

Political commentator Lowman Henry has an interesting take on the Paterno salary disclosure:

"Why then would Penn State's power brokers fight so hard to keep such information confidential? In a word: arrogance. It has become apparent they simply believe, despite the fact PSU receives hundreds of millions of tax dollars each year, We The People have no right to know what they are doing with our money. Clearly the Paterno salary is not untoward, and the university is generally perceived as one of the finest in the nation. Why then the secrecy?"

The Paterno salary story, which made the front page of every newspaper in the state, should be a wake-up call to Pennsylvania residents. They need to be engaged in the current debate about revising the state's open-records laws. This is not about giving newspapers special access. This is about giving the people of Pennsylvania the right to know how their elected officials are conducting the people's business.

A vote on revisions to the open-records law could come any day now. Make sure your elected representatives know you're paying attention and will not tolerate any more secrecy.

Investor's Business Daily:

Should a justice who participated in ObamaCare's creation recuse herself from the court's review of that law? Of course. But then a nominee who lies in confirmation hearings shouldn't be on the court anyway.

Read the full editorial at the link below:

Elena Kagan Must Be Recused In ObamaCare Case - Investors.com

Mover Rate Reaches Record Low, Census Bureau Reports

How are we going to reform the two biggest government entitlement programs if we're not allowed to touch them?

Pennsylvania AARP Members Delivering 57,000 Petitions to State Congressional Delegation

John Hayward:

For some reason, Barack Obama has decided that part of his path to re-election will involve blaming his failures on the American people, who can be insulted into loving him again. This narrative involves convincing us that the American spirit was so degenerate by 2008 that not even the dazzling skills of the LIghtworker could save us… at least, not in a mere four years.

Barack Obama's Lazy America - HUMAN EVENTS

IndoctriNation Trailer from IndoctriNation on Vimeo.

Brett M. Decker - Obama: China's stooge - Washington Times

Report: Millionaires get $30 billion in taxpayer-funded subsidies

Herman Cain's wife speaks up, defends husband - Washington Times

ACLJ Readies For SCOTUS ObamaCare Battle: Will Represent More Than 100 Members of Congress Urging High Court To Declare Health Care Law Unconstitutional

Pennsylvania Governor Corbett Signs 'Safety in Youth Sports Act'

Reporting Suspected Child Abuse is Required, Not Optional, for 'Mandated Reporters'

Herman Cain is not the first conservative to face the wrath of the liberal elite and their media allies.

Top 10 Liberal Hit Jobs - HUMAN EVENTS

Not all of us got where we are because of our looks.

But as we have long suspected, beautiful people have the edge in almost everything.

A researcher concludes that attractive people enjoy many advantages while those who are less attractive often face discrimination.

Daniel S. Hamermesh has published his findings in a new book called "Beauty Pays: Why Attractive People Are More Successful"

Among Hamermesh's depressing findings:

Beautiful people earn $230,000 more in a lifetime than workers with below-average looks. He said that figure is an estimate based on an average salary of $20 an hour in 2010.

The earnings disparity is greater when broken down by gender. Beautiful women earn 4 percent more and handsome men earn 3 percent more than their average-looking counterparts.

Beauty pays off, researcher finds | The Times Leader, Wilkes-Barre, Scranton PA - News

Sen. Rand Paul: 'Environmental extremists' taking over policy - The Hill's Video

Poll: Disapproval of Obama on economy hits record high - The Hill's Ballot Box

Herman Cain is but the latest target of the liberal "hit" machine.

Top 10 Liberal Hit Jobs - HUMAN EVENTS

DECKER & TRIPLETT: Beijing's electronic Pearl Harbor - Washington Times

NBC, ABC Skip Obama Administration's Delay of Pipeline That Could Create 20,000 Jobs | NewsBusters.org

Three years into his presidency and having run up $4 trillion in new debt, Barack Obama is still trying to blame George W. Bush for the economy.

Veteran political observer Charlie Cook says Obama's excuses won't fly anymore: "The president didn't create the bad economy. But now he owns it, whether he likes it or not."

Bad-Hand Barack - Charlie Cook - NationalJournal.com

Roger Hedgecock: Time for a Tea Party Revival in Response to Mindless Occupiers - HUMAN EVENTS

Wealth-X Launches the First World Ultra Wealth Report

While PECO is stepping up to help customers avoid future power outages, not a peep out of Met-Ed, which left tens of thousands of Berks County customers in the dark for up to a week.

PECO to spend $2M in Chesco to reduce outages - pottsmerc.com

Leon R. Kass: The Significance of Veterans Day | The Weekly Standard

With the liberal media laughing it up at Gov. Rick Perry's flub the other night, let's review some of the stupidest things Barack Obama has said over the years.

Freddie Mac's Latest $4.4B Debacle Fits the Formula for Political Scandals - HUMAN EVENTS

'Job Killers Win, American Workers Lose'

Statement By The Honorable Tom Ridge on the Penn State Tragedy

Governor Corbett Signs Four Bills into Law

The key phrase on why Obama delayed the pipeline project until after the 2012 elections: "Some liberal donors have threatened to cut off contributions to Obama's re-election campaign if he approves the pipeline."

This sums up Obama's energy policy. Screw the American consumer. The only thing that matters is keeping me in power.

US delays massive oil pipeline from Canada | ajc.com

The West Chester Daily Local News is reporting that veteran state Rep. Curt Schroder, who was elected to Chester County's 155th House District seat in 1994, will not seek another term when his current two-year term ends next year.

Schroder is one of the best known and most popular politicians in Chester County and often runs unopposed for re-election.

"Eighteen years is a long time," Schroder told the newspaper. "I have reached the point where I feel I have just about given all I can to this position."

He told the newspaper he has no immediate plans for the future, but at age 50, you can bet Schroder will find something in the public arena to keep himself busy.

The 155th District is heavily Republican and the county GOP should have no trouble keeping the seat in Republican hands in 2012.

State Rep. Schroder announces he will not seek re-election - dailylocal.com

Governor Corbett Signs Ban on Texting While Driving in Pennsylvania

What a shocker out of Happy Valley tonight.

The Penn State University Board of Trustees have removed Graham Spanier as president and Joe Paterno as head coach of the Nittany Lions football team.

Paterno led the Lions for 46 years and his team is 8-1 this year and was headed to a major bowl game.

The announcement was made after an emergency meeting of the PSU board of trustees. The decision to fire Paterno was unanimous.

Spanier was given an ultimatum: resign or be fired. He chose to resign effective immediately.

I guess no one individual (or in this case, two individuals) is bigger than the university.

Familiar names will continue to lead Berks County government in 2012 and beyond as voters re-elected every incumbent on the ballot for countywide offices on Tuesday.

All three incumbent commissioners — Republicans Mark C. Scott and Christian Y. Leinbach and Democrat Kevin S. Barnhardt — won new four-year terms to the three-member board. The odd-man out was Democrat David J. Batdorf, who finished a distant fourth.

Leinbach, who won his second term, was the top vote-getter with 28,958 votes, followed by Scott (who won a fifth term) with 27,556 and Barnhardt (winning a second term) with 22,973. Batdorf, making a second run for a commissioner’s seat, trailed with 17,392 votes.

The votes are final but unofficial until elections officials certify the numbers.

The most closely watched race in Berks this year was for register of wills, with incumbent Republican Larry Medaglia Jr. facing a well-financed challenge from Reading attorney Bernardo Carbajal.

Medaglia received 30,067 votes to win a fifth four-year term. Carbajal, who accused Medaglia of running up large deficits in the register of wills office, trailed with 19,368 votes.

Berks County Democrats perceived Medaglia as vulnerable after he lost a special election earlier this year for a vacant state Senate seat held by the late Sen. Mike O’Pake. Medaglia lost that race in the heavily Democratic 11th Senate District to former Berks County Commissioner Judy Schwank, but showed his popularity with voters countywide by easily defeating Carbajal.

In the race for Berks County sheriff, incumbent Republican Eric J. Weaknecht easily defeated Democrat Daniel P. Billings to win a second term. Weaknecht finished with 33,433 votes to 17,629 for Billings.

Weaknecht has served in the Berks County sheriff's department for 26 years, beginning his career in 1984 as a deputy sheriff.

Billings was a 27-year veteran of the Wyomissing Police Department and is currently the director of security and transportation for St. Joseph Medical Center.

All the other row office races on Tuesday's ballot were uncontested:

• Berks County District Attorney John T. Adams, a Democrat, received 37, 346 votes to win a second term.

• Recorded of Deeds Frederick C. Sheeler, also a Democrat, finished with 34,743 votes to win a second term.

• Berks County Controller Sandy Graffius, a Republican, received 35,512 votes to win a third term.

• Clerk of Courts James P. Troutman, also a Republican, finished with 37,996 votes to win his seventh term.

Four Berks County Court of Common Pleas judges seeking retention for an additional 10 years on the court were approved by the voters.

Judge Peter W. Schmehl received 28,875 "yes" votes to 9,086 "no" votes for retention. Judge Jeffrey K. Sprecher received 26,905 "yes" votes to 9,500 “no” votes. Judge Mary Ann Campbell received 26,725 "yes" votes to 9,688 "no" votes. Judge Thomas G. Parisi received 26,642 "yes" votes to 9,755 "no" votes.

"Did you hear the news? Chuck Woolery came out of the closet! No, not that closet. Coming out of that closet in Hollywood gets you applause for your bravery. Instead, Woolery came out recently to admit that he is a … wait for it … conservative!"

Kregg Janke: It's Time for Hollywood Conservatives to Come Out

Liberal are the minority in the American political spectrum but you wouldn't know because of their stranglehold on the news media, government and the education system.

Democrats More Liberal, Less White Than in 2008

Nationwide Test of Emergency Alert System Set for Nov. 9

PA Department of State Announces Disciplinary Actions Taken Against 68 Licensed, Commissioned Professionals, Organizations

Obama Hot Mike Moment: I'm Fed Up With Netanyahu - HUMAN EVENTS

Uncovering The Cover-Up: The Truth About 'Operation Fast And Furious' - HUMAN EVENTS

It appears the Democratic candidates for Montgomery County commissioner are getting desperate.

I saw a Josh Shapiro-Leslie Richards ad on TV last night where the Democrats said that the Republican ticket of Bruce Castor and Leslie Brown would make it more difficult for women to have abortions.

Talk about coming out of left field. Since when is abortion an issue in a county commissioner race? Typical Democratic scare tactics.

I'm surprised Shapiro-Richards didn't try to tell people Castor and Brown were going to cut Social Security benefits for the elderly or continue the war in Afghanistan.

Liberal hypocrisy at its finest. Democrats blame the rich for all the nation's ills, but the rich keep getting richer under Democratic administrations.

Income Inequality Rose Most Under President Clinton - Latest Headlines - Investors.com

Raising Red Launches 'Campaign 365: Defeat Obama & Save America'

Study: Occupier Outrages Omitted | NewsBusters.org

A majority of Democrats—52 percent—say they seldom or never go to church, according to Gallup data published Monday.

A Majority of Democrats Seldom or Never Go to Church, Says Gallup | CNSnews.com

John Hayward: Billions were wasted on pointless market manipulation.

Cash For Clunkers: The Rosetta Stone of Obamanomics Failure - HUMAN EVENTS

At a time when so many Pennsylvania families are struggling, is it right for elected officials already making $80,000 a year to give themselves a pay raise?

From a Harrisburg Patriot News editorial urging Pennsylvania lawmakers to forgo a scheduled pay increase on Dec. 1:

Teachers do it. State workers do it.

It's about time our elected officials did it, too.

Tens of millions of private-sector employees have seen their pay frozen for one, two or even three years now.

Federal employees have had a freeze on cost-of-living adjustments since last fall.

The state House should accept a one-year pay freeze. The state Senate should do the same.

It's not about politics. It's about integrity.

Does your state representative or state senator feel your pain? If not, perhaps you should send them a simple message: Give yourself a pay hike on Dec. 1, and I'll vote you out of office in 2012.

Read the full editorial at the newspaper's website.

At 2 p.m. Wednesday, the federal government will take temporary control of every television and radio station in the country for 4 minutes. At least that's what the government is telling us.

National emergency system test set for Wednesday - pottsmerc.com

Columnist: The Failure of Trickle-Down Obamanomics - HUMAN EVENTS

A huge financial scandal involving key Obama fundraiser Jon Corzone ... and the corrupt liberal media virtually ignores the story.

ABC Skips Corzine Resignation, CBS and NBC Avoid Democrat Label | NewsBusters.org

A look back at the dumbest man to ever hold the office of vice president.

Top 10 Joe Bidenisms - HUMAN EVENTS

Interactive: A state-by-state look at voter ID laws for 2012 elections

Obama, Romney Tied Nationally and in Swing States

Obama promised in 2008 that things would get better after three years. Time's up, Mr. President.

How's that hope and change stuff working out for you?

Obama's Economic Record: The Worst Since Hoover

Peter Wehner, writing in Commentary Magazine:

There are many ways to measure media bias in America — but in some respects the coverage of the Tea Party Movement versus the coverage of OWS is among the most revealing of all.

Read the full column at the link below:

Occupy, the Tea Party and Media Bias

Pennsylvanians Reminded to Change Smoke Alarm, Carbon Monoxide Detector Batteries When Changing Clocks This Weekend

Can conservative Sam Rohrer follow in Pat Toomey's footsteps and win a seat in the U.S. Senate from Pennsylvania?

Toomey knocked off incumbent Arlen Specter in 2010.

If Rohrer can oust ultra-liberal Bob Casey Jr. in 2012, it would give Pennsylvania two of the most conservative Senators in the country.

Although the Republican field is crowded, Rohrer is the early frontrunner. He's the only candidate who has run a statewide campaign. Rohrer ran for the GOP nomination for governor in 2012 against eventual winner Tom Corbett.

And Rohrer has the same support that Toomey did from the conservative base of the Republican Party in Pennsylvania.

Former Berks County state rep. announces run for U.S. Senate - pottsmerc.com

Governor Corbett Announces Confirmations, Nominations and Appointments

Cuba moves away from socialism to a free-market economy at the same time Barack Obama moves the U.S. toward socialism. Go figure.

Cuba legalizes sale, purchase of private property - Washington Times

Who says there's no such thing as good news anymore?

History argues against Obama reelection - Washington Times

Inside Obama's American, where "hope and change" has turned into despair and maintaining the status quo.

Poorest poor in US hits new record: 1 in 15 people - Boston.com

I wonder how many of these tax-dodging corporations contributed to Barack Obama's campaign?

Report: 280 Most Profitable U.S. Corporations Shelter Half Their Profits from Taxes; Thirty Companies Paid Less Than Zero in Taxes in the Last Three Years

PA Department of Health Urges Public to Get Flu Shots Now

Governor Corbett Signs Legislation

Investor's Business Daily:

When bailed-out private Wall Street banks handed out bonuses last year, the president threw a fit. So why is he ignoring the huge executive bonuses at government-owned Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac?

Read the full editorial at the link below:

White House Bonus Hypocrisy - Latest Headlines - Investors.com

New Franklin & Marshall Poll: By a 52 to 42 percent margin, Pennsylvania voters do not believe President Obama deserves re-election.

F&M Poll: Obama Loses to Nobody

Another consequence of the three-year-old Obama recession:

More Young Adults are Living in Their Parents' Home, Census Bureau Reports

Poll: Voters Viewing Occupy Wall St. Unfavorably - 2012 Decoded

Reid Wilson, writing at NationalJournal.com: 2012 is looking a lot like 2006 as the Democrats who ousted a slew of GOP incumbents from the chamber are now on the hot seat.

The Republicans' Senate Advantage - Reid Wilson - NationalJournal.com

The base salary of a Pennsylvania state legislator is $79,613 and these "public servants" will receive a COLA on Dec. 1 under a 1995 law that automatically raises their pay unless they vote not to accept the increase.

With the COLA, state lawmakers will make more than $80,000 a year.

With Pennsylvania's unemployment rate at 8.3% and rising and tax collection revenues declining every month in the new fiscal year, how can state lawmakers justify taking more from their constituents?

One Republican lawmaker - Rep. Brad Roae - wants to eliminate the scheduled pay raise.

"Many teachers and state workers agreed to a one-year pay freeze because of the state budget problems, so I think state representatives should lead by example and do the same thing," Roae said. "Social Security recipients went for several years without a COLA and the increase they are going to get next year will be offset by the higher Medicare payments retirees have to pay. Many local companies could not afford to give raises to their employees this year. If all of these people have had their incomes frozen, I believe state representatives should also have their incomes frozen."

Will a majority of the career politicians in Harrisburg vote to turn down a pay raise?

Stay tuned.

State Rep. Brad Roae Introduces Bill to Freeze State Representatives' Pay

The measure, which encourages the motto's display in all public schools and government buildings, passed by a 396-9 margin, with 2 abstentions. Eight of the nine "No" votes were cast by Democrats.

POLITICO: House affirms 'In God We Trust' - On Congress

If most of the 238,000 customers of Met-Ed in Pennsylvania lost power because trees fell on power lines, did it occur to Med-Ed officials to trim those trees over the summer if there was a possibility they could fall on the power lines?

Met-Ed Restores Service to Nearly 90 Percent of Customers Affected by Damaging Snowstorm

Pennsylvania casinos took in gross revenues of $197 million in October 2011, just about the same they took in the same month in 2010.

Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board Releases October Slot Machine Revenue Totals

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Joins the State Attorneys General and Ad Council to Unveil New Public Service Advertising Campaign to Urge Young Adult Drivers to 'Stop the Texts' and 'Stop the Wrecks'

Shorter Daylight, More Active Deer Drive Need for Extra Caution on Pennsylvania Roads

Poll: Cain 30%, Romney 23%, Gingrich 10% - HUMAN EVENTS

Buried deep in a "Fact Check" column in the pro-Obama Washington Post:

Unless the economy turns around in the next 18 months, Obama is on track to have the worst jobs record of any president in the modern era. That would be an accurate statement.

Big Three Nets Omit Corzine's Party ID as Feds Investigate His Firm | NewsBusters.org

Toomey Signs On to Bill Opposing HHS Contraceptive Regulation - HUMAN EVENTS

Pennsylvania collected $67.1 million less in anticipated tax revenues for the month of October, according to the Department of Revenue.

For the fiscal year that began July 1, tax collection is $282.1 million under projections, a disturbing trend that could lead to a budget deficit by the end of the fiscal year next June 30.

Pennsylvania Revenue Department Releases October Collections

The Nov. 8 General Election in Pennsylvania could be a signal of how much trouble Obama's re-election bid is in, argues columnist John Hayward.

If Al Schmidt Wins Philly Board Seat, Obama Can Kiss Pennsylvania Goodbye - HUMAN EVENTS

Stopping Elderly Fraud Cold: States, Doctors, Financial Planners, Others to Launch National Hotline November 10th to Fight Swindlers Targeting Older Americans

Without power since Saturday afternoon - except for a brief restoration overnight Sunday only to lose power again Monday morning. The power came back today ... but for how long?

Met-Ed Makes Restoration Progress Following Severe Snowstorm