No Deal is Better Than a Bad Deal

I went to a rally on Saturday.  It was held in front of the local office of Representative Jim Gerlach (R).  He represents the Pennsylvania 6th Congressional District.  Of course, neither Jim nor his staff were there as they don’t work on weekends.  The Republicans in Congress want us to work until we are 70 years old before we can collect our Social Security retirement money.  On the other hand, they only want to work 1/3 of the year and still collect full pay and full benefits.

Rep. Jim Gerlach was re-elected in November and that is because he tells his constituents that he is a “moderate”.  That’s bullsh*t.  He is a placeholder for Republican votes and he votes as he is told to vote by the House Speaker, John Boehner.  Gerlach voted to dismantle Medicare and Medicaid yet the local press was silent about his vote.  His opponent didn’t have much money and he had a large territory to cover to get name recognition.  The media area is the greater Philadelphia area which makes it expensive to advertise.  Rep. Jim Gerlach refused to debate his opponent because he didn’t want anyone to know anything about his opponent, Manan Trivedi.  As for town hall meetings, they are held via the telephone because Gerlach does not want to be confronted by unhappy constituents.  Yeah, I’ll say it.  Rep. Jim Gerlach is a coward.

Enough of my rambling.  Here is a picture of the poster that I was holding.  H/T to Outstandinginthefield for the wording and thank you to everyone else for your good ideas.  I will hold onto those for possible use at another time.

Live in your strength!

Let’s Hold Them Accountable

Now that the tea party and Republicans have taken back the House and control Harrisburg, let’s hold them accountable.

We want jobs, jobs, and more jobs.  We want jobs in Pennsylvania that employ Pennsylvanians.

Maloney promised to finally get rid of our property taxes.  We want no more property taxes. 

Toomey promised American jobs.  We want jobs in Pennsylvania and not jobs off shored to another country.

Gerlach promised jobs.  We want jobs in Pennsylvania and not jobs off shored to another country.

Corbett promised to not raise taxes.  We don’t want any more money taken out of our pay checks to bail out the State.

Republicans promised that they will reduce the deficit without touching our Social Security.  We will hold them to that.

Republicans promised to lower taxes for EVERYONE.  We will hold them to that.

They have two years to deliver:

• Jobs, jobs and more jobs
• No more property taxes
• Deficit reduction
• Lower taxes

We don’t want to dismantle the health care reform.  We want either single payer or public option health care to replace mandatory private insurance.

We don’t want to spend two years wasting tax payers money on frivolous investigations.  We want Congress to work on jobs and more jobs.

We don’t want our Social Security handed over to Wall Street.  We want the Government to honor their promise to our seniors and to not use Social Security to reduce the deficit.

We don’t want endless wars.  We want our troops home NOW.

We don’t want bank bailouts.  We want responsible bank and Wall Street regulations.

We don’t want to keep drilling deeper and deeper for oil and gas which destroys our environment.  We want renewable energy like wind power and solar power.

We don’t want to keep supporting big agriculture which sends us dangerous foods.  We want safe food, produced by local farms.

Two years… that’s all they have.

Take a Pay Cut

There’s a clear difference between Manan Trivedi and Jim Gerlach.

And we are still waiting to hear about Gerlach’s jobs plan.  So far, all we are hearing are *crickets*.

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

Job Creation – Updated

The “Man with the Plan”, that man would be Manan.

From the Reading Eagle:

Trivedi said job growth would be his No. 1 mission as representative of the 6th Congressional District, which is made up of parts of Berks, Chester, Montgomery and Lehigh counties.

“Small businesses become big businesses,” Trivedi told a caller from Reading.

Those potential big businesses, he said, are in the growing field of clean energy, where the United States has fallen behind.

“Countries like India and China are doing it,” he said of the alternative energy industry. “America’s not doing it.”

Trivedi, a physician from Union Township who served in the Iraq War, also discussed the local transportation crisis and the need for more school funding.

He said a proposed commuter rail line between Wyomissing and the Philadelphia suburbs is essential for people in Berks to access jobs nearer to Philadelphia.

“I don’t know how many of you have driven Route 422, but it’s a parking lot,” Trivedi said. “I try to avoid it like the plague. But people need it to get to work.”

Jim Gerlach’s plan…    ***crickets***   We’re still waiting.

Here’s more from Manan.

While he’s a native Pennsylvanian where coal is king, Trivedi says without hesitation – and repeated several times during our discussion – that “we need to move away from carbon-based emissions and foreign energy.” While Gerlach’s congressional Web site talks about the importance of clean energy and energy independence, as I noted last week, his campaign Web site is decidedly less friendly to the environment. In fact, while there is no “Issues” section of Gerlach’s site (there is a head-to-head comparison that omits anything about energy or the environment and is written in lowbrow, heavy-handed prose), his “Achievements” section crows that he voted “NO on Obama/Pelosi Cap and Trade bill that will raise energy rates and kill Pennsylvania jobs.”

And yet, still ***crickets*** from Gerlach.

Brown=”doesn’t share our values.”

This is Dr. Mark P. Campbell, Spokesman for Congressman Jim Gerlach.

This is a quote by Mark Campbell about Manan Trivedi from “The Hill”:

“What we are saying is that Trivedi is a far-left fringe candidate who does not share the common-sense values of the taxpayers, families or seniors of the 6th district,” said Gerlach campaign spokesman Mark Campbell.

“The only one who has played the race card here is him, by going to Indian-American groups to raise money,” said Campbell.

and

“doesn’t share our values.”

What values are those, Mark?

These Values?

Or Perhaps These Values?I suppose this means if Manan Trivedi shouldn’t go after money from the Indian-American community, Jim Gerlach shouldn’t go after PAC money?

Total PAC Money for 2010: $757,507 (from opensecrets.org: http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/pacs.php?cycle=2010&cid=N00025025&newMem=N)

I’m guessing they decided to call a Decorated Iraq War veteran who happens to be Indian-American a “terrorist” like they did to Lois Murphy was a bad idea so this is their way of planting the seed. See? He’s not like us, he doesn’t share our values.

Sound Familiar?

It’s time we demand Jim Gerlach answer this question:

Do you agree? Is Mark Campbell speaking on behalf of your beliefs? Do you feel that brown people don’t “share our values”?

We need to call on Congressman Gerlach to fire Mark Campbell. Unless, of course, he shares in these “values”.

Please sign this petition calling on Congressman Gerlach to answer to these statements or fire Mark Campbell!

http://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/firemarkcampbell

Jim Gerlach’s Latest Campaign Literature and the Flat Out Lies Within.

The Lit:

Creating Jobs Here, Creating Jobs Now

Jim Gerlach has always aggressively worked to put Pennsylvania back to work by helping businesses create jobs. His Package of job-creation bills would increase credit to businesses looking to expand, and extend much-needed tax relief so small businesses can hire more employees, purchase new equipment, and offer incentives for companies to expand here at home instead of shipping jobs overseas to countries like China.

The FACTS:

Jim Gerlach voted NO on S 181 which project Smart Vote’s synopsis of the bill is: “Vote to pass a bill that redefines unlawful employment laws and counts each paycheck as an offense if a salary is ruled as discriminatory.”

Jim Gerlach voted NO on HR 4213 which project Smart Vote’s synopsis of the bill is: “Vote to concur with Senate amendments and adopt additional amendments to a bill that extends unemployment insurance provisions and amends tax law in various ways to extend tax credits and deductions and to offset expenses.”

Jim Gerlach voted NO on HR 2847 which project Smart Vote’s synopsis of the bill is: Vote to concur with Senate amendments and adopt additional amendments to a bill that appropriates funds, authorizes appropriations, issues new tax credits, and modifies existing tax credits for purposes related to employment, infrastructure, and transportation.

Jim Gerlach voted NO on HR 5522 which project Smart Vote’s synopsis of the bill is: “Vote to pass a bill that requires the Secretary of Labor to set safety standards for combustible dusts.”

Jim Gerlach voted NO on HR 800 which project Smart Vote’s synopsis of the bill is: “Vote to pass a bill that amends the National Labor Relations Act to eliminate a requirement for a vote to organize a labor union, outline a time frame for the bargaining process, and provide certain penalties for employers who attempt to influence the formation of a union.”

The Conclusion: Jim Gerlach is ANTI-BUSINESS and ANTI-WORKER.

The Lit:

Cutting Government Wast and Reduce Record Debt

Record spending in Washington will soon triple our national debt. That’s why Jim voted against the failed 2009 trillion dollar “stimulus” bill, against record new debt and against runaway spending. Jim will always stand up for taxpayers, families and seniors. Jim also supports a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.

THE FACTS:

Jim Gerlach voted NO on HR 5982 which the govtrack.us synopsis of the bill is: “To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the expansion of certain information reporting requirements to corporations and to payments for property, to eliminate loopholes which encourage companies to move operations offshore, and for other purposes.”

Jim Gerlach voted YES on HR 4818 which project Smart Vote’s synopsis of the bill is: “Vote to pass a bill that appropriates $821.9 billion in funding for various departments and programs for fiscal year 2005.”

Jim Gerlach voted YES on HR 5631 which project Smart Vote’s synopsis of the bill is: “Vote to adopt a bill that appropriates $418.32 billion to the Department of Defense and related agencies.”

The Conclusion: Jim Gerlach is PRO TAX LOOPHOLE FOR THE RICH and PRO BIG SPENDING AND ADDING TO THE NATIONAL DEBT WITH “STIMULUS” WHEN THE PRESIDENT IS GEORGE W. BUSH.

The Lit:

Providing Tax Relief

Extend the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts which will help create jobs and stop the largest tax increase in American history from occurring in January 2011.

THE FACTS:

Jim Gerlach voted NO on HR 4351 which project Smart Vote’s synopsis of the bill is: “Vote to pass a bill that extends the alternative minimum tax credit and adjusts the repayment plan for nonqualified deferred compensation.”

Jim Gerlach voted NO on HR 4154 which project Smart Vote’s synopsis of the bill is: “Vote to pass a bill that permanently sets the estate tax exclusion amount (the amount of an estate that is exempt from the estate tax) at the 2009 level of $3.5 million, permanently sets the maximum estate and gift tax rates at the 2009 level of 45 percent, and reinstates the statutory Pay-As-You-Go budget rule.”

Jim Gerlach voted NO on HR 5982 which the govtrack.us synopsis of the bill is: “To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the expansion of certain information reporting requirements to corporations and to payments for property, to eliminate loopholes which encourage companies to move operations offshore, and for other purposes.”

The Conclusion: Jim Gerlach is PRO TAX LOOPHOLE FOR THE RICH and ANTI TAX RELIEF FOR THE MIDDLE CLASS.

The Lit:

Stopping Illegal Immigration

Secure our borders once and for all, complete the border fence, and oppose amnesty which rewards law breakers and will bankrupt Social Security and destroy Medicare for seniors, and families.

THE FACTS:

Jim Gerlach voted YES on HR 6095 which project Smart Vote’s synopsis of the bill is: “Vote to pass a bill that grants state and local officials inherent authority to investigate, identify, apprehend, arrest, detain, or transfer undocumented immigrants to Federal custody as well as clarifies specific litigation issues.”

Jim Gerlach voted YES on HR 6061 which project Smart Vote’s synopsis of the bill is: “Vote to pass a bill that authorizes the construction of an additional 700 miles of double-layered fencing between the U.S and Mexico and grants the Secretary of Homeland Security authority to take necessary steps to stop unlawful entry of immigrants into the U.S.”

The Conclusion: Jim Gerlach is for securing our borders the WRONG way. When illegal immigrants come into this country it’s not to bankrupt it, it’s for a better opportunity, doing the jobs our people refuse to do. If we provide a way for them to get to the back of the line and pay back taxes, not only is it good for our economy, it will help to not bankrupt the Social Security Congressman Gerlach helps to raid (AKA the “310 million tit cow”) but help sustain it. As far as the destruction of Medicare, I’ll get to that.

The Lit:

Building Energy Independence

Jim has long supported an “all of the above” approach to developing our most efficient energy sources to break our dependence on foreign oil. Jim voted against “cap-and-tax” which would kill local jobs and will make energy rates skyrocket.

THE FACTS:

Jim Gerlach voted YES on HR 6515 which project Smart Vote’s synopsis of the bill is: “Vote to pass a bill that additionally facilitates drilling in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska and encourages oil companies to drill on already leased land in the United States.”

Jim Gerlach voted YES on HR 6 (Sponsored by his buddy Joe Barton) which project Smart Vote’s synopsis of the bill is: “Vote to pass a bill that would change the nation’s energy policies, regarding production, taxes, and operations.”

Jim Gerlach voted NO on HR 3534 which the govtrack.us synopsis of the bill is: “To provide greater efficiencies, transparency, returns, and accountability in the administration of Federal mineral and energy resources by consolidating administration of various Federal energy minerals management and leasing programs into one entity to be known as the Office of Federal Energy and Minerals Leasing of the Department of the Interior, and for other purposes.”

The Conclusion: Jim Gerlach is all for “DRILL BABY DRILL” while voting against transparency in how energy companies pillage the land. No where do you find a vote for alternative energy like Wind or Solar. When you get money from Joe Barton’s oil company buddies, why would you vote any other way?

The Lit:

Reforming Health Care

Jim voted against Medicare cuts and rationing of care that government-controlled health care will now put in place. Jim will continue to push for commonsense, market-based reforms that preserve quality of care, reduce health care costs, and keeps patients, families and doctors in control of decisions.

(Sorry, I barely got through that without throwing up)

THE FACTS:

Jim Gerlach voted YES on HR 4297 which project Smart Vote’s synopsis of the bill is: “Vote to pass a bill that reduces federal spending by $56.1 billion over five years by decreasing the amount of funds spent on Medicaid, Medicare, agriculture, employee pensions, conservation, student loans, and other projects and retains a reduced tax rate on capital gains and dividends.“

Jim Gerlach voted NO on HR 3590 which project Smart Vote’s synopsis of the bill is: “Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that amends various statues related to health care and heath insurance coverage, including, but not limited to, the establishment of a Health Insurance Exchange Program, an individual mandate to purchase insurance, a prohibition on insurers denying or rescinding coverage based on a preexisting condition, a tax on “high cost employer-sponsored health care plans,” various mechanisms aimed at reducing Medicare spending, and an expansion of Medicaid eligibility.”

Jim Gerlach voted NO on HR 4872 which project Smart Vote’s synopsis of the bill is: “Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that issues various amendments to HR 3590, including, but not limited to, the following highlights.”

The Conclusion: Jim Gerlach is against health care for all people in this country. He doesn’t care that people are shut out due to “Pre-existing conditions”. He voted to first reduce spending on Medicare, then voted against eliminating the over-spending (by reducing spending by 1% in year 2014-15 for the hospitals that have high costs).

The Lit:

Protecting Our Enviroment

Jim has long been a champion for protecting open space and preserving farmland in our area. He founded the Land Conservation Caucus in Congress. Jim supports holding BP accountable for the damage done to the Gulf and the economy.

THE FACTS:

Jim Gerlach voted NO on HR 2996 which project Smart Vote’s synopsis of the bill is: “Vote to adopt a conference report that extends temporary federal spending measures in order to fund the government through December 18, 2009 and appropriates $32.39 billion for the Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency, and related agencies for fiscal year 2009-2010.”

Jim Gerlach voted NO on HR 2454 which project Smart Vote’s synopsis of the bill is: “Vote to pass a bill that amends various statutes related to energy, including, but not limited to, establishing a cap and trade program to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.”

Jim Gerlach voted NO on HR 5351which project Smart Vote’s synopsis of the bill is: “Vote to pass a bill that extends renewable energy tax credits and increases taxes on oil companies.”

Jim Gerlach voted NO on HR 2776 which project Smart Vote’s synopsis of the bill is: “Vote to pass a bill that makes changes in U.S. tax code regarding renewable and fossil fuels.”

The Conclusion: Jim Gerlach is against incentives for promoting renewable energy. He’s against regulating greenhouse gas emissions, which cause global warming. He’s for conserving lands that we could in theory drill at some point! He’s for tax breaks for his Oil industry buddies, again, if they gave you campaign contributions, wouldn’t you do the same? (If you too, didn’t have a conscience?)

The Lit:

Endorsed by Veterans’ Vision and awarded an ‘A’ rating by the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. Jim has always supported our veterans, our troops, and their families. Jim voted “yes” to improve veterans health care services, cost of living increases and supports a Veterans’ Bill of Rights.

THE FACTS:

Jim Gerlach voted NO on HR 2861 which project Smart Vote’s synopsis of the bill is: “Vote to pass a bill that would appropriate $122.7 billion for the departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development.”

Jim Gerlach NO VOTED on HR 2642 which project Smart Vote’s synopsis of the bill is: “Vote to adopt an amendment to HR 2642 that provides education funding for eligible members of the Armed Forces, extends unemployment compensation, establishes moratoria on certain actions regarding Medicaid, and appropriates funds for various domestic and international purposes. ”

Jim Gerlach voted NO on HR 3221 which project Smart Vote’s synopsis of the bill is: “Vote to pass a bill that increases mortgage grants, mortgage limitations, various property assistances to the homeless and veterans, and the line of credit for mortgages under Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. “

The Conclusion: Jim Gerlach has no problem sending our men and women into war, but DOES have a problem supporting them when they get home. Whether it be Health Care, Housing, or Education Jim Gerlach has FAILED our veterans. Someone who hasn’t served in our armed forces certainly wouldn’t understand what Veterans and their families go through. All he understands are special interests and the money donated to his campaign by them!

And finally, from http://www.ontheissues.org:

• Rated 10% by NARAL, indicating a pro-life voting record. (Dec 2003)
• Rated 70% by the NRLC, indicating a mixed record on abortion. (Dec 2006)
• Rated 56% by NAACP, indicating a mixed record on affirmative-action. (Dec 2006)
• Rated 97% by the US COC, indicating a pro-business voting record. (Dec 2003)
• Rated 25% by the NEA, indicating anti-public education votes. (Dec 2003)
• Rated 33% by CAF, indicating a mixed record on energy independence. (Dec 2006)
• Rated 50% by the LCV, indicating a mixed record on environment. (Dec 2003)
• Rated 0% by APHA, indicating a anti-public health voting record. (Dec 2003)
• Rated 22% by SANE, indicating a pro-military voting record. (Dec 2003) <NOTE: PRO-MILITARY NOT PRO VETERAN>
• Rated 0% by FAIR, indicating a voting record loosening immigration. (Dec 2003)
• Rated 83% by USBC, indicating a sealed-border stance. (Dec 2006)
• Rated 7% by the AFL-CIO, indicating an anti-union voting record. (Dec 2003)
• Rated 18% by the AU, indicating opposition to church-state separation. (Dec 2006)
• Rated 0% by the ARA, indicating an anti-senior voting record. (Dec 2003)
• Rated 0% by the CTJ, indicating opposition to progressive taxation. (Dec 2006)