tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12341882.post1845037302710694236..comments2024-01-10T08:42:45.216-05:00Comments on Gort42: 120th State Rep race updateGorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18353409316468830796noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12341882.post-35712417633148143222010-10-24T15:56:57.474-04:002010-10-24T15:56:57.474-04:00Tim Mullen said, "In fact I used those "...Tim Mullen said, "In fact I used those "radical" lessons to this day recently when I maxed out my home equity line to buy gold at $750/oz. Two spendthrift presidents and their cronies at the fed telegraphed to me that they were going keep interests rates at zero, spend us into the hole, them pay it all off with printed money (quantitative easing, monetization, legal conterfieting, or whatever you want to call it). I've been a buyer ever since."<br /><br />The problem with gold is that it produces absolutely nothing. A few hundred years ago, the Dutch bid up the price of tulip bulbs to astronomical prices whereupon the market crashed when people wanted to sell. I recall that something similar happened to those who cornered the silver market in the 1970s.<br /><br />If you are worried about inflation, buy something that produces a resource like coal, oil, or whatever. I admit that the energy fund I bought a few years ago is currently below where I bought it but, if inflation occurs, the price of the product will also go up. Rare earths (the lanthanum series in the Periodic Table) also might be a good investment. The difference between them and gold is that they are vital to many manufacturing processes including the defense industry, and China owns 97 percent of the world's supply. In other words, gold is valuable only because of its perceived scarcity plus its limited use in some industrial applications but the rare earths are actually used widely to create many products.<br /><br />By the way, I think Phyllis' position is that we need to grow, mine, and make things rather than speculate in gold, which suggests to me a better understanding of economic reality and what we need to do to create high-wage jobs.William A. Levinsonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12341882.post-72929800259463366612010-10-24T15:42:18.892-04:002010-10-24T15:42:18.892-04:00Re: Anonymous "Phyllis doesn't do anythin...Re: Anonymous "Phyllis doesn't do anything. She bragged about getting 5 bills authored and passed in 20 years. She brags about jobs she brought here-unemployment is at 10%. She said she helped lower BC rates_they have increased over 35%. She said she helped lower utility costs-PPL went up over 30%. So how is she doing???"<br /><br />Unemployment is at 10 percent because people think we can make money by trading in mortgage-backed securities, dot-com stocks, carbon credits (as promoted by Al Gore, Barack Obama and Joe Sestak), or gold (as promoted by Tim Mullen here and Michael Savage on his radio show) as opposed to growing, mining, and making things. Phyllis Mundy did not cause any of these problems.<br /><br />If we want to fix the blame for unemployment and economic decline, we should look at employers who are too lazy and incompetent to make jobs capable of paying American wages and who ship those jobs to China instead. Then there are Wall Street speculators, the kind whom Henry Ford said were unfit to run any business because their eye was always on the dollar and not the job, who gave us the current economic mess and who are now agitating for cap and trade so they can profit from commissions on trading in carbon credits. <br /><br />Yes, Blue Cross has managed to force through some of its rate increases. I wonder how much higher those rates would be had Rep. Mundy not opposed them as she did.William A. Levinsonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12341882.post-49420323753386746062010-10-24T15:26:57.372-04:002010-10-24T15:26:57.372-04:00Re: McGruff and the per diem issue.
If McGruff (o...Re: McGruff and the per diem issue.<br /><br />If McGruff (or Goldsworthy, who is also talking about this issue) has ever worked in private industry, he has probably received per diems himself. I received them while traveling on business for employers. You (reader) have probably done so too if you traveled on business for employers.<br /><br />Per diems mean simply that your employer gives you a reasonable amount of money per day for travel expenses instead of having you itemize your expenses and provide receipts--it relieves the employer of the need to go through all the paperwork. <br /><br />As another example, your employer can compensate you for 50 cents per mile for business travel (or you can deduct this on your taxes) instead of going through receipts for gasoline, repairs, auto insurance, and so on to calculate the exact amount. Check the IRS Web site for the current rate, but I am pretty sure it is 50 cents--it was actually higher a while ago when gas prices exceeded $3.00.<br /><br />It seems to me like Mr. Goldsworthy and his cohorts are fabricating an issue out of whole cloth, as if per diems were some nefarious scheme as opposed to a perfectly legal and generally accepted practice in the business world. A look at Goldsworthy's campaign site tells me why he needs to do this; he has no issues on which to run (like genuine health care reform, stopping Blue Cross from doing whatever it feels like doing, and so on). <br /><br />Hopefully the Republican Party will not take away my elephant trunk for saying this but it cannot expect me to support or vote for empty suits on the basis of "Elephant good, donkey bad."<br /><br />Mullen actually offers far more substance than Goldsworthy but he was less than truthful when he said Phyllis Mundy was responsible for raising property tax rates, noting that the Legislature has no control over property tax rates. Mundy DID support legislation that uses gambling revenues to reduce property tax rates!William A. Levinsonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12341882.post-71088822007998860242010-10-20T15:25:59.766-04:002010-10-20T15:25:59.766-04:00What about Goldy? He the one who is the loose cann...What about Goldy? He the one who is the loose cannon!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12341882.post-35521571358244723542010-10-20T14:50:24.910-04:002010-10-20T14:50:24.910-04:00Forget all of that. This dude defends the bircher...Forget all of that. This dude defends the bircher's? I'm not reading anywhere in his 2 reply's that he denies what they stand for either. Should restaurants be able to say we don't serve your kind here? Tell us Timmy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12341882.post-63747132896092266932010-10-19T14:34:16.762-04:002010-10-19T14:34:16.762-04:00Mr Mullen
I totally agree that politics is all...Mr Mullen<br /> I totally agree that politics is all to often about sideshows. Yet isn't it important to understand the people we elect to such important offices? If you are going to help write the laws that hold power over me, shouldn't I learn what informs your decision making?<br /> So you say with pride that you first started to form your political philosophy from attending John Birch Society meetings. You say you no longer go to their meeting but you still send me to their web site. After reading their positions my first question is; does the basic tenets of their political positions still inspire you? For example do you question that it is a proper role of government to inspect food? Or do you believe that food inspection is just another way that government controls us?<br /> OK, I will take you at your word and accept that your philosophy has grown and is now shaped more by the principles of the Libertarian Party. Which leads me to other questions: Like where if anywhere should the Government set standards? How free is free when you talk about free markets? What about gay rights or smoking? <br /> A person who described himself as your campaign manager (Mike A) wrote me and ask me if I would like to interview you instead of pulling things from your web site. I wrote back and said that I would be interested in what you had to say and I of course would be respectful. I love my country too much to even think of acting otherwise. Remember I am a guy who respects the government and how we form it. Mike or Joyce (from your staff) will know how to get in touch with me to set up an interview. And thank you for having the guts to participate in the political process. You do provide an important voice. Respectfully, Bob McDonaldBob McDonaldnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12341882.post-26321951538551315222010-10-19T13:49:29.841-04:002010-10-19T13:49:29.841-04:00Phyllis doesn't do anything. She bragged about...Phyllis doesn't do anything. She bragged about getting 5 bills authored and passed in 20 years. She brags about jobs she brought here-unemployment is at 10%. She said she helped lower BC rates_they have increased over 35%. She said she helped lower utility costs-PPL went up over 30%. So how is she doing??? Vote Goldsworthy he at least speaks his piece and gets thing done.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12341882.post-1352032980052808592010-10-18T22:36:37.271-04:002010-10-18T22:36:37.271-04:00Reublicans will put us back on track? Your out of...Reublicans will put us back on track? Your out of your friggin mind! Damn it man, have you no sense at all? Better you don't vote, just go directly to the nut house or if its full, just go to the house of assholes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12341882.post-56138124404466818802010-10-18T13:50:41.237-04:002010-10-18T13:50:41.237-04:00So, Tim, I suppose if the NAZI's were fiscal c...So, Tim, I suppose if the NAZI's were fiscal conservatives you would be on track with them too, as you are with the Birchers???G>S McClellannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12341882.post-21406300177761275452010-10-17T21:48:02.472-04:002010-10-17T21:48:02.472-04:00The only thing Mundy was ever good for is spending...The only thing Mundy was ever good for is spending other peoples money. It's over. Libertarians never win, despite everything, Republican is the only choice for sound government, build it back up again.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12341882.post-56480970180002979422010-10-17T07:06:41.119-04:002010-10-17T07:06:41.119-04:00I don't live in that district, but I wish I di...I don't live in that district, but I wish I did. I would probably vote Mullen. My district I get either Mr. Bland (Mike Carrol) a decent guy who has the emotion of wood or some clown who thinks it is halloween year round. In serious times I will probably vote AGAINST the person who I take the least serious the clown.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12341882.post-201140375585512152010-10-16T15:55:54.580-04:002010-10-16T15:55:54.580-04:00Well, if it isn't Mundy then I hope it will be...Well, if it isn't Mundy then I hope it will be Mullen. Goldsworthy is the last person we should be sending to Harrisburg. From what I'm heaing from friends in West Pittston is that they don't care if he goes to Harrisbur, Pittsburg or Noburg, jus so that he goes! Apparently Toni Valaenti also wants Goldsworthy to leve town becaue its been said that she is supporting Goldsworthy. If that's so, you can bet she wouldn't be helping Goldsworthy if her mentor was around.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12341882.post-28644344250295669072010-10-16T14:57:41.787-04:002010-10-16T14:57:41.787-04:00This op/ed piece sounds like Mullen is hurting Mun...This op/ed piece sounds like Mullen is hurting MundyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12341882.post-5418772664998925992010-10-16T11:03:06.732-04:002010-10-16T11:03:06.732-04:00Anonymous, Many people tell me what you do. I resp...Anonymous, Many people tell me what you do. I respect that opinion. I represent the other side of the equation. Those that are tired of paying for the goods and services that they feel are of no value to them or that they cannot afford. This race should not be about side shows such as Phyllis Mundy is a crook, or Tim Mullen is an extemist. Tim MullenTim Mullennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12341882.post-14082315512799785992010-10-16T09:18:46.243-04:002010-10-16T09:18:46.243-04:00Tim, nice response but I'm still going to vote...Tim, nice response but I'm still going to vote for Phyllis Mundy. I honestly feel that she has been a good Representative. She gives outstanding constituent service and even if she didn't stop Blue Cross from their rate increase, she did try and she was the only Representative who did try. I have nothing against you but I want to have Phyllis and her seniority in Harrisburg. I don't want to start over for no good reason. Phyllis has worked hard and deserves our support.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12341882.post-5641109877253278102010-10-15T15:22:39.506-04:002010-10-15T15:22:39.506-04:00Dear Mr. McDonald, The only thing in your piece th...Dear Mr. McDonald, The only thing in your piece that you are dead on with is the following I have gathered and the threat I have become. First let me go back some 37 years ago as a teenager that had a minor brush with the law. As it so happened one of my accomplice's uncle was the detective that caught us and "sentenced" us to attend John Birch Society (JBS)meetings at the detective's fathers house. It tells you a little about how minor things like that were resolved back then.I attended less than half a dozen meetings total. Back then I learned lessons that I use to this day. "Radical" ideas such as adherance to the Constitution as it was originally intended, and other "radical" ideas such as sound money (ie. a gold backed currency, gold, or silver). In fact I used those "radical" lessons to this day recently when I maxed out my home equity line to buy gold at $750/oz. Two spendthrift presidents and their cronies at the fed telegraphed to me that they were going keep interests rates at zero, spend us into the hole, them pay it all off with printed money (quantitative easing, monetization, legal conterfieting, or whatever you want to call it). I've been a buyer ever since. In my door knocking, I always hand out literature about the Libertarian Party, not the JBS, which I was never a member of. My somewhat liberal social positions would conflict with the religious overtones of the JBS. For anyone interested I encourage you to go www.jbs.org to see first hand what radicals the Birchers are. They sound a lot like Henry, Jefferson, and Franklin to me, but that is what passes for radicalism today. If all the ammunition you have on me is a handful of meetings I attended 37 years ago as a 15 year old, I suggest you and your bunch focus on solutions to the issues at hand like I do. Tim MullenTim Mullennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12341882.post-22520362569146160582010-10-15T14:59:20.467-04:002010-10-15T14:59:20.467-04:00McGoof, looks to me like you have too much time on...McGoof, looks to me like you have too much time on your hands. Maybe you have a political job and you have all the time in the world to be obnoxious.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12341882.post-16942719071672048002010-10-15T14:46:08.896-04:002010-10-15T14:46:08.896-04:00And exactly what happened to those Blue Cross rate...And exactly what happened to those Blue Cross rates...Up 28% She didn't do a thing about it except get a headline to make us think she did.McGruffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02901021085863436836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12341882.post-19076623473592463172010-10-15T14:44:36.508-04:002010-10-15T14:44:36.508-04:00From Rock The Capital
http://www.democracyrisingpa...From Rock The Capital<br />http://www.democracyrisingpa.com/data/org/66/media/doc/8768_dr_pay_raise_rtc_5th_anniversary_report_7-6-10.pdf<br /><br />Per diems: Rep. Mundy captured 207 per diems in one 18 month period and<br />netted $27,952. (Shamrock Times, November 14, 2006)McGruffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02901021085863436836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12341882.post-74022613641066106732010-10-15T14:43:27.388-04:002010-10-15T14:43:27.388-04:00From Rock The Capital..Phyllis Mundy kept the ille...From Rock The Capital..Phyllis Mundy kept the illegal pay raise.<br />Rep. Phyllis Mundy (D-Kingston). Rep. Mundy voted for the pay raise, voted to repeal pay raise, but is keeping the “unvouchered expenses” she collected. “At the time the vote was cast there had been three court decisions upholding the constitutionality of ‘unvouchered expenses,’ Mundy said. “There was nothing unconstitutional about what we did. Now the Supreme Court is reversing itself. That does not mean at the time the vote was cast it was improper.” (Times- Leader, September 16, 2006)McGruffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02901021085863436836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12341882.post-46821312375140365332010-10-15T14:40:56.023-04:002010-10-15T14:40:56.023-04:00The Birchers have been around a long time and anyo...The Birchers have been around a long time and anyon who ever took the time to look into the JBS could tell you they are a wild group with little concern for civil rights and shhot from the hip when it comes to putting people down. As for Bill Goldsworthy, he has made a living off political contracts and even as a Republican he has eaten at the Democrat trough. His loyalty is to himself and he is his own biggest fan. I admire Phyllis Mundy and I appreciate that she is the only local Representative to take on Blue Cross for raising rates while sitting on a huge surplus. If we don't send Phyllis back to Harrisburg, we need our heads examined.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12341882.post-41862097273482168362010-10-15T14:39:42.049-04:002010-10-15T14:39:42.049-04:00Phyllis Mundy is lockstep with Todd Eachus...incor...Phyllis Mundy is lockstep with Todd Eachus...incorruptible???? How about this editorial from the Citizens Voice. <b>Sadly, three local state representatives, Todd Eachus, Phyllis Mundy and Karen Boback voted with the legislators who took what was originally a good open records law and turned it into a secrecy in government document.</b> Is that how a newspaper let you down, by exposing the truth???McGruffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02901021085863436836noreply@blogger.com