Let’s Stay Together…

Obama 2012

Democrats Stand For…

Protecting us.  Republicans stand for protecting corporations and to hell with us.

The Real Jim Gerlach

When confronted with the real issues that effect Americans, Gerlach cuts and runs.

From a recent email…

Manan challenged Congressman Gerlach to six debates. He turned down invitations from a number of groups and only accepted two.

At the first debate, Manan said it was fine for the media to record. Congressman Gerlach refused to allow the press to audio or video record. His campaign told the press that “[W]e didn’t see a benefit for us.”

Well the news media wasn’t going to tolerate it anymore and they showed up with their cameras rolling to last night’s debate. And there was something interesting they caught.

Manan asked Congressman Gerlach why he keeps supporting tax breaks for outsourcing our jobs overseas. Manan pressed Gerlach on taking $700,000 from special interest groups. He had no comment. This is what is known as the “Silent Confession of Guilt.”

So following the debate, we decided to launch our latest ad because we think the public has a right to know what Jim Gerlach has been doing to the rest of us since he went to Washington.

We have less than three weeks to go before Election Day and we need your help now more than ever to make sure everyone knows what Jim Gerlach is hiding.

When you make a contribution today, it will help keep the public pressure on him.

Jim Gerlach has to answer for his failed record. He has to answer to us. He has to answer to the press. And we can’t let him hide.

Thanks for all your support.

Ed

PS – Even a $25 contribution will go a long way. Please donate.

—
Ed Niles
Campaign Manager
Trivedi for Congress
info@trivediforcongress.com
office: 610-370-9489

A Congressman with Real Courage

This video speaks for itself.  It’s about time someone calls out these Republicans that always try to interrupt when someone else is speaking.

$482 Billion Deficit on Gerlach’s Watch

The below post was from the Bob Roggio campaign.  Other than that fact that Roggio is not running again, nothing else has changed regarding Gerlach’s history.  I added the updates.

Gerlach is a suit that lives off of taxpayer’s money and gives nothing back to his constituents.

$482 Billion Deficit on Gerlach’s Watch
Can Jim Gerlach disguise himself as a “Champion” for Change?

MALVERN, PA – On Monday(2008), President Bush predicted that the next President would inherit a record $482 billion deficit in 2009. According the New York Times, this staggering figure doesn’t even account for military costs in Iraq and Afghanistan, another economic stimulus package, or losses in tax revenues. [The New York Times, 7/30/08]. While Washington continues to spend billions of dollars a month in Iraq, give tax breaks to people making over $300 thousand a year, and subsidize the oil companies, Americans are contending with the rising price of gas, a stagnant economy, and soaring healthcare costs.

In a recent mail piece, the Gerlach campaign boldly states “Change Has a Champion…Congressman Jim Gerlach.” Jim Gerlach has had 6 (8) years to change the direction of our country, but rather than taking responsibility for championing the policies that have led us to this record deficit, he is now masquerading as a “Champion” for change.

“Jim Gerlach is misleading the voters of 6th District using convenient political jargon, but not having the record to support his claims,” said Roggio Campaign Manager Liz Conroy. “There is a real choice for change this year. There is a choice between giving tax cuts to people who make over 300 thousand dollars a year rather and solving our healthcare crisis. There is a choice between subsidizing the oil companies and keeping social security around for our Grandchildren. There is a choice between spending endlessly in Iraq and paying down the debt. Change is about new priorities, not empty rhetoric.”

Vote Check: Champion for Change?
Does a “Champion” for Change vote with George Bush 100% of the time on Iraq?

Gerlach Opposed Setting Benchmarks for Success in Iraq

In July 2005, Gerlach voted against a measure requiring President Bush to set public benchmarks for measuring U.S. progress in Iraq in areas such as defeating the insurgency, establishing democratic institutions and bringing U.S. troops home. Representative Robert Menendez (D-New Jersey), who made the motion, urged benchmarks “so we know exactly what we need to do to achieve success in Iraq. Up to this point, Congress has abdicated its responsibility on Iraq. The Republican leadership has provided the administration with a blank check when it comes to Iraq.” [Aberdeen American News, 7/24/05]. The motion failed 203-227. [HR 2601, Menendez motion, Vote #398, 7/20/05]

Gerlach Opposed Investigation into Contractor Spending in Iraq

In 2005, Gerlach voted against an amendment to provide $5 million to establish a select committee to investigate reconstruction efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, including contracting procedures, protection against money laundering, and the allocation of contracts to foreign companies and small businesses. In October 2004, the International Advisory and Monitoring Board released an audit of the Bush Administration’s management of Iraqi oil proceeds and other funds in the Development Fund for Iraq. Problems found involved hundreds of millions of dollars, numerous sole source contracts and missing and nonexistent contract files. [Committee on Government Reform Minority Staff, http://www.democrats.reform.house.gov%5D The $5 million would have been transferred from Pentagon funds to the congressional budget. [Washington Post, 3/20/05]. The amendment failed 191-236. [HR 1268, Vote #72, 3/15/05]

Gerlach Opposed Accountability in Iraq

In 2007, Gerlach voted against requiring the president, by July 13, to submit to reports to Congress on the progress the Iraqi government has made in meeting political and military benchmarks. Within seven legislative days of receiving the reports, Congress would then have two votes on releasing the remaining $52.8 billion “fenced” funds – one on an amendment that would require the Defense Department to use the fenced funds solely to redeploy troops from Iraq, and a vote on a joint resolution releasing the funds to the Pentagon for ongoing operations in Iraq. [CQ House Action Reports, No. 110-5, 5/09/07] The bill passed 221-205. [HR 2206, Vote #333, 5/10/07]

REAL CHANGE: Bob Roggio’s priority is to bring the troops home from Iraq. He will work with the new President to achieve a responsible withdrawal and work to encourage the Iraqi Government to take responsibility for reconstruction.

Does a “Champion” for Change vote to weaken ethical restrictions on Congress?

Voted To Weaken House Ethics Rules

In 2005, Gerlach voted in favor of curtailing the ways ethics investigations can be launched. Republicans passed a package of House rules that required at least one Republican to agree before the ethics committee begins an inquiry. Former Ethics committee Chairman Joel Hefley (R-Colo.) broke with GOP leaders on the House floor, saying he thought the changes were a mistake since they were done without bipartisan discussion. The rules passed, 220-195. [HRes 5, Vote #6, 1/04/05]

Opposed Closing the Lucrative “Revolving Door” Between Lobbying & Lawmakers

In 2005, Gerlach voted against a measure to prohibit Members of the House from negotiating lucrative job deals that capitalized on their committee membership. The measure was rejected, 196-219. [HRes 5, Vote #5, 1/04/05]

Voted To Allow Lobbyists to Wine & Dine Congress

In 2003, Gerlach voted to weaken House ethics rules, pushing through language that would allow lobbyists to cater meals to members’ offices and let charities pay for lawmakers to travel and stay at golf resorts and other locales. The rules passed, 221-203. [HRes 5, Vote #4, 1/07/03]

REAL CHANGE: Bob Roggio believes that we must fight for an accountable and transparent government. We need to go further than restricting the number of years that public officials have to “cool off” before lobbying Congress. We need to curtail the influence of special interests in governance by demanding a lifetime ban on ex-lawmakers becoming registered lobbyists.

Does a “Champion” for Change take over $90,000 in campaign contributions from Big Oil, and vote to subsidize the oil and gas industry?

Gerlach Voted for Final Energy Bill that Gave Billions to Oil, Gas and Nuclear Industries

In 2005, Gerlach voted for the energy conference report that exempts oil and gas industries from some clean-water laws, streamlines permits for oil wells and power lines on public lands, and helps the hydropower industry appeal environmental restrictions. One obscure provision would repeal a Depression-era law that has prevented consolidation of public utilities, potentially transforming the nation’s electricity markets. It also includes an estimated $85 billion worth of subsidies and tax breaks for most forms of energy — including oil and gas, “clean coal,” ethanol, electricity, and solar and wind power. The bill included $2 billion for “risk insurance” in case new nuclear plants run into construction and licensing delays. And nuclear utilities will be eligible for taxpayer-backed loan guarantees of as much as 80 percent the cost of their plants. The bill passed, 275-156. [HR 6, Vote #445, 7/28/2005; Washington Post, 7/30/05; Passed 275-156; R 200-31; D 75-124; I 0-1]

Gerlach Voted Against Bill that Would Repeal Big Oil’s Tax Breaks

In 2007, Gerlach voted against H.R. 2776, a bill that would add energy derived from waves, tides, ocean currents, free flowing rivers, free flowing canals, and other marine sources to the list of qualified energy sources for the purpose of claiming renewable energy credits, unless diversionary structures such as dams or impoundments are used (Sec. 102). This bill also repeals the 9 percent tax deduction for income attributable to “the sale, exchange, or other disposition of oil, natural gas, or any primary product thereof” (Sec. 301). The House passed the bill 221-189. Republicans voted 9-178 (Vote # 835, 8/4/07). NOTE: This bill was appended to the end of an omnibus bill H.R. 3221, which passed the House 241-172 and Gerlach voted in favor of H.R. 3221. Republicans voted 26-163 (Vote # 832, 8/4/07).

For a Second Time, Gerlach Voted Against Bill that Would Repeal Big Oil’s Tax Breaks

In 2008, Gerlach voted against H.R. 5351, a bill that would extend tax credits for wind facilities, closed loop and open loop biomass facilities, geothermal and solar facilities, small irrigation power facilities, landfill gas facilities, trash combustion facilities, and hydropower facilities for three years (Sec. 101). The bill creates new “clean renewable energy” bonds and designates a $2 billion limit on those bonds, which would be allocated to qualified projects of public power providers and cooperative electric companies (Sec. 104). It also prevents tax deductions to major integrated oil companies for income resulting from the domestic production of oil and gas (Sec. 301). The bill passed the House 236-182. Republicans voted 17-174 (Vote # 84, 2/27/08).

REAL CHANGE: Bob Roggio has pledged to not accept ANY campaign contributions from the oil and gas industries.

What Was The Message

The Blue Dog Democrats are saying that President Obama’s agenda is too progressive and that is why the governor’s races were won by Republicans.  Progressive Democrats are saying that Congress is moving too slowly on health care reform and that is why Republicans won these two governor’s races.  I have a different view.

In Virginia, the Democratic Party had a boring DINO as their candidate so the Democrats just stayed home.  In New Jersey, Corzine had his own issues, mainly, high property taxes.  Too bad for New Jersey, because Christi won’t be any better than Corzine.

The reason that the Democrats lost these two races is because of a poor choice of candidates.  If Democrats want to win next year, then they need candidates that excite the voters, especially the young voters and they need to stop fighting among themselves and get health care reform with a public option passed for Americans.  They also need to do something about keeping good paying jobs in this country and discourage companies from supplying jobs to China.

Republicans always show up to vote regardless of the qualifications of their candidate.  If Stalin or Hilter were the Republican candidate for office, the Republicans would still show up and vote for the Republican.  Democrats don’t operate that way.  Rather than vote for a poor candidate, Democrats will stay home.  This is how Republicans win elections.  It’s not that Republicans have highly qualified candidates that represent the values of Americans, it’s that Democrats have poor candidates.

Let this be a wake-up call to the Democratic Party leaders.  We will no longer hold our noses and vote for someone just because there is a “D” behind their name.  We want strong, progressive candidates who are willing to work for the good of all Americans and not just corporations and Wall Street.

Berks County Row Offices – Democrats 2009

Born and raised in Berks County, Charles Corbit will work hard and work smart to make sure the Prothonotary’s Office works for the tax payers of Berks County.  With two decades of private sector experience, Charles will update obsolete technology to reduce costs and ensure secure document filing.  Under his leadership, the Prothonotary’s Office will provide fast retrieval and quality service to all customers.  That’s better for Berks.

It time for someone with energy, leadership experience and computer knowledge to manage the important legal documents that are vital to the tax payers of Berks County.  We need change.  Charles will not spend his time decorating his office for the holidays nor will he be doing “political work” on taxpayer’s time.  Instead, he will be working hard for everyone in Berks County.

Serving the people of Berks County as our present Coroner, Dennis J. Hess has accomplished much in his first term.  By restoring professionalism and integrity to the Coroner’s Office, Dennis and his staff have earned the trust of the people of Berks County and built strong working relationships with all their constituents, including funeral homes, ambulance and fire companies, hospitals, law enforcement and the District Attorney’s Office.

Unlike the previous Coroner (Bybel), Dennis Hess has NOT incurred any costly lawsuits against the Coroner’s Office.

With 25 years of leadership experience at Med-Ed and FirstEnergy in finance, operations and administration, Carole can bring fresh thinking to the challenges that face the County and the Treasurer’s Office.  She will improve operations, increase efficiency and control costs through better use of technology and strengthening the departments commitment to customer service.  Carole has the knowledge, enthusiasm and commitment to work hard for the people of Berks County.

Carole Snyder will establish a policy of openness with all funds and operations, unlike the current Treasurer that refused an Internal Audit.  She will work to minimize the huge pension fund investment losses which must be made up from taxpayer dollars.  The current Treasurer (Nelson Long) oversaw two huge losses of pension funds in excess of $50 million in the past ten years.

VOTE FOR THESE DEMOCRATS ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3rd AND PUT AN END TO ALL THE WASTE OF TAX PAYERS MONEY BY THE REPUBLICANS OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS.

Vote straight Democratic Party.  We can not afford 4 more years of Republicans wasting our tax dollars.

Vote For These Judges – 2009

From the honorable Senator Casey:

This Tuesday, November 3rd, is an important election in Pennsylvania and we need you to get out and vote.

In addition to important local contests, there are several key judicial offices on the ballot. A fair and impartial judiciary is essential to the future success of Pennsylvania, and so I hope you will join me in supporting these highly qualified Democratic candidates.

Pennsylvania Supreme Court
Judge Jack Panella

Pennsylvania Superior Court
Judge Anne Lazarus
Judge Robert Colville
Kevin Francis McCarthy
Judge Teresa Sarmina

Commonwealth Court
Linda Judson
Barbara Behrend Ernsberger

These candidates need your support, so please take the time to make it to the polls and cast your vote.

To find your local polling place, please visit: www.votespa.com

Thank you,

Bob

Joe Sestak for US Senate

Pennsylvania for Change endorses Joe Sestak for US Senate representing the people of Pennsylvania.

http://joesestak.com/welcome/Home/Home.html

Joe is a supporter of gender equality.

Joe Sestak believes in building better lives and futures for working families – particularly America’s women. Today, women earn only 77 cents for every dollar that men earn and 12 percent of women are their family’s main wage earner. To ensure the opportunity for a more secure future for women and their families, Joe believes we need to ensure that women are not only provided fair wages, but also benefits that are based on their performance; equal rights to challenge unfair practices, secure health and safety – including the right to choose – and skill training in fields that are underrepresented by women; and secure retirements and pensions that guarantee their independence and economic security in the coming years.

He also supports a public option health care plan.  When Joe Sestak retired from the Navy, he was offered many positions working for the military complex and he turned down these high paying jobs to run for Congress because he believes that it is his turn to give back to the American people.

Visit Joe’s website and read more about his position on issues, volunteer and/or contribute to his campaign.  During the 2010 primary, help get out the vote for Joe.

A Real Democrat for Senator

Let me introduce you to a real Democrat, a lifelong Democrat, a Democrat that didn’t switch parties just so he could get elected… Bill Kortz.

Learn more about Bill Kortz at http://www.kortzforsenate.com/

Be sure to view the video at Bill Kortz’s website.

Legislator Bill Kortz will be at the “Rally for Single Payer Health Care” in Harrisburg on Thursday.

RALLY ON THE CAPITOL STEPS
for
SINGLE-PAYER
June 11th
Get the latest info here!

Meet Bill Kortz, Democratic State Representative from the 38^th Legislative District in Allegheny County, a candidate for the United States Senate in 2010.

Bill Kortz, life long democrat entered this race “For All the Right Reasons”, just as he entered the race for State Representative in 2006 when it became abundantly clear that’s some of our State Representatives were out of touch with the citizens of Pennsylvania. As a member of the Appropriations Committee for the State House of Representatives Bill Kortz the working class candidate is in the unique position to see first hand the economic devastation tax breaks for the wealthy and the unjustified Iraq War Policy by the Bush administration and his republican allies, including now long time republican, conveniently turned democrat, Arlen Specter, have reeked on Pennsylvania and our nation.

As one of the political enablers, Specter helped devastate our economy by way of a wink and nod attitude to the corporate greedy on Wall Street, wealthy bankers, and predator lenders. With the end result being a cost in dollars and broken lives that is immeasurable.

It will take hard work and dedication by elected U.S. Representatives that truly aspire to public service, “For All the Right Reasons”, to reverse this problem. Bill Kortz has proven to his colleagues in the State House with untiring commitment to his duties and dedication to constituents in his district, that he is that person.

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