You're not going to believe this! I barely believe it myself. I was deleting calls from bill collectors the other day when I came across this strange message."Bernie, this is Sam Bennett calling."
I thought Ron Angle was playing me, but when I called the return number, it actually was her. It sounded like her and everything. And there she was, apologizing to me, of all people, for not having called sooner.
Maybe she thinks I'm Chris Casey.
What amazes me most is that she has even agreed to let me interview her next Tuesday. Of course, I have several questions I'd like to ask. If you have any question for the Democratic candidate for Congress, please post it in the comments. I'll do my best to get an answer.
56 comments:
I would like to know exactly how she plans to be a full-time politician, leader of a non-profit, and a bed and breakfast entrepreneur all in one, and successfully at that.
Word that however you like.
I have a bunch of other questions, but I'll be nice because she is actually opening herself up to us.
My question is;
Does she think this obvious attempt to play to your enourmous ego will pay off in you not ripping on her any longer? And if that is the case would she recommend Mayor Paw do likewise and sate the voracious megalomania that is the O'Hare ego?
Just wondering?
AJ,
I am planning a fairly detailed list of questions on my own, but please feel free to add your own between now and Tuesday morning.
I do respect the fact that she has reached out, which floored me. I will be certain to note that in her favor, but it's no secret that I view her as a very weak candidate. I will try my best to be fair to her, but will pose some hard questions, and they will include P.O.M. and her early reliance on machine politician Joe Long. I plan to nail down specifics on various issues facing Congress, from Iraq to energy to health care. I do not know how much time I will have but will try to get as much information as I can in the time given.
I will also write it up as quickly as I can. I find that when I delay posting something like this, I become less accurate.
As an education major, I would like to know more about her ideas for NCLB. I'm not looking for a simple one sentene answer, but rather a detailed explanation. It's easy to say "drop it" or "change it", but a real candidate should be able to effectively express a plan, if a plan exists.
Anon 12:56,
Golly, I don't know. I'll ask your shrink.
Bernie
Keep it simple. When is she going to get out of the race? Ending the election process seems to be the concern of the Democrat Party particularly the Obama wing.
I have delted an anonymous comment posed at 6:42 AM. Thecommenter poses some gewat questions, but uses language I consider reacially offensive. Dede, this it NOT the MC reader forum.
Will Charlie Dent be undergoing a similar interrogation? Or will you just highlight his bowling for kids escapades?
Hayshaker, Charlie Dent will undergo a similar interrogation. You and I both know I like him and don't like Bennett. But when I schedule a meeting with him, I will make a similar request for tough questions from people like you, and I will pose them.
If you have any questions for Ms. Bennett, please let me know between now and Tuesday morning. I would even be willing to bring a Bennett supporter with me who could write his/her own take and keep me honest. Interested?
I trust you. I'd hope you'd just a post a transcript of the interview. I wouldn't consider myself a supporter since none of us really knows where she stands yet. Maybe your article will help clarify their differences.
I trust you. I'd hope you'd just a post a transcript of the interview. I don't know if she'd consent to being recorded, but will try to bring a recorder.
Hmm. I thought that was how interviews worked? It seems it would make more sense to a candidate than relying on an interviewer's fairness.
Hayshaker, I will bring a tape recorder and we shall see.
Will you support elimination of the so-called Bush tax cuts? If so, will you propose a soft landing for married couples who stand to lose $6K in take home pay, or low earning singles who'll lose $1,500 to $2k? It will represent the single, largest tax increase in US history and will crush the middle class.
How about the dividend exclusion that put $8 billion in retained earnings into the pockets of the investor class (i.e. 86% of us)?
How about the inheritance tax which primarily hurts family farms and prevents emerging classes from creating and passing on legacies the way the Bushs, Kennedys and Rockefellers did?
How about oil exploration and refining? Will you support domestic oil drilling and nuclear programs to eliminate the necessity of sending our military to die for $4 per gallon gas?
No bullshit questions. It's the economy, Sam.
The Bush tax cuts should be repealed and YES we all need to start paying as we go instead of charging it all on credit. This war and this spending by the Republican majority over the previous decade is destroying the US economy. Taking advice from Republicans is the last thing we should be doing!
I love how the Repubs spin someone in a 401k as the "investor class." Please. Dividends mean squat to the average person but mean an awful lot to the ultra rich.
The estate tax point is total hogwash. The current exemption is $3.5 million. Anything over that is taxed as it should be. See the statements of the 2nd richest man in the world, Warren Butffett:
"Dynastic wealth, the enemy of a meritocracy, is on the rise. Equality of opportunity has been on the decline. A progressive and meaningful estate tax is needed to curb the movement of a democracy toward plutocracy."
Finally, drilling and nuclear is not the only way out of our dependence on fossil fuels. I would like to know Bennett's stance on nukes though as I personally think we NEED to be a leader in nuclear energy like France.
Wow. When Warren Buffet tells us how much money our families are allowed to have -- Hayshaker listens.
I do agree with Hayshaker though that it is a crime that America is pretending that nuclear power generation technology doesn't exist.
Fast fact:
France has 59 nuclear plants in their country that provide nearly 80% of their total power. As a result, electricity costs in France are among the lowest in Europe. At the same time, France’s carbon emissions are less than 1/10 of neighboring Germany.
Citation: Google France Nuclear Power
Would you ask her to explain her take on America's Energy situation? What would she like to see as our goals? As Oil and our economy are so intertwined, what initiatives does she think the Government should prod the private sector to take? Her answer should include mass transit possibilities. Thanks for entertaining my question.
Hayshaker's knowledge of investment is as typical of the envy class as it is ridiculously naive. I suggest he volunteer to pay more in taxes and stop coveting others' goods for what he thinks the government should give away. I'm glad smart guys like him know better what to do with my money. No wonder we're in such a mess.
Warren Buffet only became guilt-ridden after plundering for years in order to amass breathtaking wealth (kinda like guys who are only sorry after being caught). Now he's a sage of the left? Bawhahahaha.
Wow. When Warren Buffet tells us how much money our families are allowed to have -- Hayshaker listens.
-Our- families? Wow, when my family is worth $3.5 million, wake me up. :) Tell me, how many "families" are worth $3.5 million?
And as for Buffet, he is a very noble man. He will be leaving his billions to charity. He has no delusions of building a Rockefeller legacy.
(In addition, I love it when conservatives have no choice but to praise France. :) )
Hayshaker's knowledge of investment is as typical of the envy class as it is ridiculously naive. I suggest he volunteer to pay more in taxes and stop coveting others' goods for what he thinks the government should give away. I'm glad smart guys like him know better what to do with my money. No wonder we're in such a mess.
I'd be happy to debate any specific points.
The ENVY class. That's a good one. Is that Rush's slogan of the week?
(Remember who had control of the Congress and the Executive for the period you are speaking about too.)
"Our- families? Wow, when my family is worth $3.5 million, wake me up. :) Tell me, how many "families" are worth $3.5 million?
And as for Buffet, he is a very noble man. He will be leaving his billions to charity. He has no delusions of building a Rockefeller legacy."
It's good to have the wisdom of Solomon to tell everyone how much is enough, what wealthy is, who gives enough, etc. Do tell. Perhaps more concern with one's own affairs and less with others would be helpful here.
Mr. Cordi - have you ever run for office?
Yes, its called the United States Legislature. You might want to read the US Constitution and the rights given to the branches of government. They are representatives of the people and the people decide these figures. Perhaps if the same legislature did not spend wantonly on defense and preemptive wars, we could lower the tax burden.
Bernie
I would like to see her time table on the withdrawal of troops. I would also like to know what she will do if Iran sends nuclear weapons into Israel, Egypt, or Saudi Arabia or if peace does not materialize in Iraq and we are looking at another Cambodia or South Vietnam after we leave.
Since the Anonymous poster won't tell us how many families are effected by the Estate Tax, I'll fill in the blanks.
The Estate Tax is imposed on LESS THAN 1% of the US population. Nearly half of all estate taxes collected by the government are paid by the most affluent 0.1% of Americans.
This is not the place for asking AJ Cordi whether he has run for office or to argue the relative merits of the estate tax. It's a place to pose questions for Sam Bennett. I appreciate the different views but would prefer to have a series of questions that are on people's minds.
Sorry. Feel free to delete my erroneous comments.
Ask Sam how she will work to extend the same medical insurance plan Congress has (which costs members $35/month) to all of us.
Will she propose and support an effort to bring back the Fairness Doctrine?
Will she work to decriminalize/legalize marijuana usage?
Will she sponsor a bill to make the widescale growing of HEMO for use in paper, biofuels, etc?
What will Sam do to ensure that ANY qualified student can receive advanced education using INTEREST-FREE loans.
Will Sam sponsor a resolution condemning the illegal acts and machinations of the Bush Administration?
HEMO = HEMP
duh
Bernie I hope you ask her about the paper delivery guy she left lying on the ground for about a half an hour even after he knocked on her door and asked for assistance. Is this the kind of representative we want. I think not.
- What is the difference between a Shiite and a Sunni?
- Do you support a single payer universal health care system?
Bernie, Get hold of the "Club for Growth" leader and get some questions from him ..... if you are successful reaching him, the CFC questions might be .... Will you work to eliminate Social Security? Will you work to repeal all taxes for the most wealthy among us? Will you work for Market Governed Health Insurance and support $5000. deductibles on every procedure? Will you work to eliminate unemployment compensation? Will you eliminate our legal system so that the average person can not file suit against corporations? Will you support unfettered trade throughout the world? Will you pledge to never raise a tax on anyone ever, ever, ever? Would be willing to kick your elderly parents off Social Security to save a nickel? Will you work to eliminate worker safety regulations? Will you adopt the economic/political philosophy of the 1980's - Hooray for me, the heck with you? Wheeew, what a list ...... If you are a voter who is "mad as hell" about what has happened the last eight years in Washington .... vote change. Oh, I forgot one other question, will you promise to run for only three terms so we have in effect term limits. But, after your three terms you can run for US Senate for three terms, and if you lose at your first run for the US Senate you can consider a run for governor or other offices, but stick to term limits? Wow ....... Bernie, you better call the CFC leader for his questions and clarifications.
Her website health care video talks about not adding more bureaucracy, but "expanding" the existing programs to include more services and people. How does she propose to fund these expansions, and how will this be more effective and less costly than other plans?
What exactly are her "creative approaches" to fighting crime in our district?
Can she please give her view on the specific educational needs of our local public schools, instead of just painting a broad picture of the public schools on the national level. I have yet to hear her address our district's needs and problems.
Bernie,
Sam spoke in support of Mayor Pawlowski's $10 million dollar loan during his first year as Mayor. This produced a $5 million "surplus".
Sam stated that the financing arrangement was "very creative". So ask her, is it good policy for governments to borrow money to cover operating deficits?
I have checked out her website and heard her video on Social Security. What exactly is her better plan? How does she plan to make a finite amount of tax dollars stretch to cover the huge number of baby boomers in the way she is suggesting she can, and still have money left for the next generations?
Please quiz her on the contents of "A Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq." All too often, politicians ride on the coattails of others who are the true authors and collaborators on documents such as this one. Although I personally find the document heavy on objectives and light on tactical actions to take to reach those objectives responsibly, anyone signing on to it should be well-versed in the facts and plans presented in it.
How does she feel qualified to work on our nation's debt problem? Didn't she amass huge debt from her previous failed campaigns?
How does she feel qualified to represent us in the U.S. House of Reps., having never served as an elected official before? (She also has never won a primary in which she ran opposed by another Democrat, but that's another story.)
We may need a change, but how's someone with no experience in legislation of any kind going convince me that she can work with her peers to get things done?
How many times can Shawn Millan post unanomously? Sheez, Charlie Dent must really be worried to have him post here. Is it true Shawn was arrested recently and had it covered up? I guess I will have to go to another blog to get that answer. Or are you his attorney, Bernie?
Who is Shawn Millan?
I'm Shawn Millan.
Why does Sam believe, or care, that fewer abortions are a good thing?
Hayshaker
The estate tax should be eliminated. This money was taxed when it was earned, it was taxed after it earned money for the investor and now you want to tax it again. When is enough enough for you.
As to your comment on cutting funds on the military, keep in mind that 80% of the budget is not touchable becuase it is money we owe ourselves, the largess we have decided to take unto our bosums. Yet we constantly cut the budget for the military because it is one of the few places they can cut.
How about cutting the gas tax a tax designated to fix our highways yet it yearly goes into the general fund much like social security funds and we get to continue paying and have lousy highways and additional infrastucture problems like falling bridges as our reward.
Please feel free hayshaker to make your own large and additional tax payment to the government at any time. I would venture you have no idea the amount of tax you pay to the governments we slave under.
Hayshaker --
A family owned farm (100 acres) with home, outbuildings and equipment depending on what school district it is located in could easily be valued at $3.5 million.
I agree with you. The descendants of those capitalists should be taxed to the point where the most logical option they face is to sell the land to a developer.
That way we'll not only rid ourselves of a pesticide and fertilizer using agra/enviro hazard but we'll have plenty more homes for John Corizine refugee voters from New Jersey to move into.
It's a win/win!
Mr. Hillard's question regarding the $10 million loan is an excellent one. I hope you ask that one.
I hope she doesn't back out...
Chris Miller and anonymous: Mr. O'Hare asked for us not to debate the estate tax in this post. I'll honor his request. I'd refer you instead to my post of 3:15.
Hayshaker is right, Chris. I appreciate the debate, but would prefer to see questions for Sam Bennett from the readers. There have been some good ones. I'm not quite sure I understand the paper delivery question, but if it's personal stuff, I'm not interested. Anon 11:41, I can guarantee you Millan's question would be much tougher than these.
Keep 'em coming. I'm sure her campaign is following along and she will probably have answers for many of these questions on Tuesday.
Below is taken from Sam Bennett's website. Note the comment, "we, as a country, have a responsibility to look out for each other." Interesting, look out for each other. How about the elderly paper carrier that was assaulted in front of her house, laid on the ground for at least a half an hour, asked Sam for help, and she completely ignored him. Is that the responsibility to look out for each other she is talking about??? Just asking the question.
Meet Sam Bennett
"I am running because the Lehigh Valley can do better. It's time we had a Congressperson who votes with their conscience...And my conscience would not allow me to vote to continue this war...to take support away from senior citizens...to cut funding for children's healthcare - because we, as a country, have a responsibility to look out for each other."
- Sam Bennett, Democratic candidate for the 15th Congressional District of Pennsylvania, in the Lehigh Valley
Will the rake program go national if Sam is elected?
Will she endorse plans like the Bush Cheney's Energy Bill that provides Corporate Welfare to Big Oil that are making $Billions of profit per quarter?
Will she continue to support the GOPs no pharmaceutical manufacture left behind act by prohibiting negotiation and allowing drug companies to set the price?
Will she support a tough border policy to keep Americans from going to Canada to purchase the same US manufactured drugs at a lower price?
Bernie, you can ask Charlie these as well. Just change “will she” to “Charlie, will you continue to”
I will pose that question to Dent as well as Bennett. These have been some great questions. I'm putting them all together.
Bill Leiner,
This is the place for asking questions to Bennett. Dent will have his turn, too, and has agreed to an interview. You are judging people on the basis of political party as opposed to individual merit.
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