The Pennsylvania Progressive - Recent Comments

I'm hoping that you misinterpreted what Obama said

Lee Levan — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:00:19 GMT

If you are correct about cutting back on the ban on pre-existing conditions, I share your comments completely. Eliminating the pre-existing condition provisions of health insurance contracts has been an uncontroversial core principle of virtually every proposal which has been made. It has widespread, bipartisan support. Compassion and fair treatment aside, why, in the name of reason, would he limit that prohibition at this point in time?

I need to know more about this. It's incredible.

In some places & examples...

Jamoca — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:34:13 GMT

...that may be true as you point out, but these days, even the smallest "movements" of people banded together under the causes of things like the "tea party" crowd or others, are still at the mercy of special interest driven lies, dogma, and trickery, and I take issue with any and every party, movement, and organized group. To look at themselves, to understand where their positions come from, to challenge the notion that what they follow, what they believe in or what they want to see change in America is not also putting themselves, their families, their loves ones, and fellow Americans in peril or ruining the future of America, because they are perhaps under the indirect control of the very leeches and parasites that are sucking this country dry for their own sick amusement and pleasures.

The regular party political hacks are one thing, but even allegedly citizen-driven issue groups are still under some particular control, even if they're are somehow ignorant or unaware of the control. It is more seedy, it is more deceit driven, it is more derived from media stories, spin, lies, with a splash of facts, and quite a bit more insidious than even party driven talking points.

The Rachel Maddown show highlighted last night on the 3/8/10 show the presence of these backdoor, hidden agenda influences that are put out there as grass roots efforts to engage people by seemingly "everyday people", but are being driven by people tied to professional organizations, who have ties back to either parties or special interests. It is designed to denigrate, disrupt, dissolve the efforts of truly everyday Americans from getting a chance to participate in honest discussions and from coming to understand the truth as it really is with respect to the most cogent and important issues of the day.

Winning, perhaps in some respects, and for that I shall take some heart and hope, but there's a new, more insidious and dastardly strategy afoot by those who will practically do anything to avoid not only change, but to see their sun set on their power and control over this country and its people.

Political parties are on a fast track to oblivion ...

Matt Thomas — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:19:59 GMT

Jamoca...take heart...you have little need for organizing this anti-party revolt since both organizations on state and local levels are swiftly becoming redundant to the political process.
Political party endorsements will soon be seen by candidates as more in the way of a handicap or even as a curse than an advantage.
For example, Republican State Senator David Argall
from Schuylkill County, who is campaigning for Pennsylvania's 17th Congressional District seat presently held by Democrat Tim Holden:
Argall was officially endorsed by his own Schuylkill County Republican organization.
Nevertheless, on his website (www.argallforcongress.com) you will find no mention of this "valued" endorsement. Argall's three primary opponents are already benefiting since most voters in both parties (as well as independents) feel that the party hacks should keep their mouths shut and allow the voters to decide.
At this point, poor Argall himself might wish he had never been voted this dubious distinction...but in doing so he would then risk looking like an ingrate.
Thus, you are already winning.
Matt Thomas

Critz seems like a crook....

PA Eagle Eye — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:56:57 GMT

if the dems pick him, they are finished. Critz says on 2010:

"I don't remember every little detail," he said. "This is a new world for me where I have to be so precise in everything I say. I'm not used to.

"Believe me," he added, "the issues that have been brought up are easily explained, but I don't want to get into a situation where I give a wrong date, and two months down the road I'm getting hammered."

I can easily explain why he lied to the post gazette, because hes guilty.

If i was the book keeper and business manager for a company engaged in serious unethical business practices... Im not sure Id remember "every little detail either."

This guy is finished. Anyone who is denying to tell you should step out of the race.... hes lying and going to get hammered while someone crafts up a half-assed explanation.

Sestak's staffers

Matt Thomas — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:58:51 GMT

As an active union member I worked as a volunteer for every Democratic presidential candidate from Jack Kennedy to Jimmie Carter and never got a dime for work that I was glad to contribute. The only exception was the McGovern campaign where I was assigned to the press plane on his east coast campaign tour as a reporter/photographer for the labor press...and my union footed that bill.
One might also want to remember that many staff people serve in a campaign with the hope that it may lead to a well-paying job...which it often does.
Matt Thomas

I'm sorry you hold such little regard

John Morgan — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:48:44 GMT

for loyalty. In politics and governance it is everything however.

Congressman Sestak's staffers, past and present, continue holding him in high regard. Few have anything negative to say about their experience with him. Yes, he works them hard but no harder than he works himself. The man works on four hours of sleep a night for heaven's sake. The bottom line: almost all of his former staffers remain loyal.

Someone sent me one

John Morgan — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:40:43 GMT

as you can see above. Have a good day Matt.

lol

demyanlox — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 06:41:48 GMT

what is that measn ?>???

Loyalty should trump competence

daviddiano — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 03:45:45 GMT

How do you know that Gregg wouldn't be a better advocate? Maybe, by doing a competent job on the other issues, he might actually gain some political capital for your cause. Instead, you get someone like Babette who isn't out front on health care or redistricting, and you lose well being and political power.

Ironically, Sestak has lost tons of former supporters through his disloyalty. But, that betrayal was in the opposite direction. As you can see, it's biting him in the ass because he can't retain good people.

Cambria County

Matt Thomas — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 03:21:07 GMT

John...I would suffer serious challenges in the area of courthouse records research and in any event, the county seat is up in Ebensburg and from Johnstown I will be headed south to Somerset County.
However, I will ask around.
Matt Thomas

Glad for your tooth

John Morgan — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 16:39:12 GMT

that would prove to be quite painful.

Does this mean that in a parallel universe Mark Critz might have integrity?

Do let us know

John Morgan — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 16:20:57 GMT

can you stop into the Cambria County Prothonotary's office? There are about 75 lawsuits there I'd love to peak into...

Critz...

Matt Thomas — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 16:03:04 GMT

I'll be in Johnstown this week.
Be interesting to hear where the locals are on this.
Matt Thomas

I Agree

KirkWentzel — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 16:00:23 GMT

As a current accountant it is virtually impossible for the bookkeeper and business manager not to know about a tax issue.

I suppose in some parallel universe it's possible that the company officers would conceal this information from a fellow office but that's not very likely.

Glad I don't have this guy's nerve in my tooth.

This goes to the heart of the issue

John Morgan — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 15:27:44 GMT

Mark Critz' job at Parkins Inc. seems to have been to do what wasn't done: payment of taxes and invoices to suppliers, etc. That's what a business manager does. As bookkeeper he had to know all about the company finances. He didn't resign from that office because he knew what was going on, he HAD to know and be part of what was happening and he remained in that capacity for several years. Meanwhile he was also working for Congressman Murtha. Why did he tell the Post-Gazette reporter he left long before joining the Congressman's staff when he testified in a legal deposition to the contrary?

The trouble with lying is you can't keep track of the lies after a while. He also can't keep track of all his tracks on the internet. Oops, I'm sorry, the Web.

It's time for the Governor to call Mark Critz and tell him he has to withdraw his candidacy. He's being crucified by his record and the commercials the GOP makes will kill him. My guess is they're licking their chops hoping to get this guy as an opponent.