During Lehigh County's recent budget hearings, they were a constant and vocal presence. They also took part in the discussion of the bi-county health bureau, and have appeared at several Northampton County Council meetings. Tony Simao, who films and posts Bethlehem City Council meetings on his own YouTube channel, is one of them. Theyre becoming regulars at local school boards. I even spotted one of them at a recent Hellertown Borough Council budget meeting. Last night, they countered union I'm talking about the local tea party. Nonprofits and unions are regulars before local governments, looking for handouts and higher benefits. When Lehigh County Commissioners considered cutting quality of life grants, museums and artsy-fartsys I never heard of came out of the woodwork, literally screaming. And unions worried about a sale of Northampton County's nursing home, have actually used Gracedale residents as props, carting them at County expense to meetings in their wheelchairs, after scaring these seniors half to death that they'll be thrown into the street.
But these special interests are beginning to encounter something new - the taxpayer. At last night's informational meeting concerning the sale of Gracedale, the usual supporters showed up. But this time, the tea party was there, too.
Special interest groups and lobbyists protect all kinds of hidden agendas, on both left and right. It is refreshing to see one group speaking for the taxpayer. That group should be or elected officials.
65 comments:
bernie, is this refreshing tea party, in any way, connected to the tea-baggers you were denigrating three months ago?
Speaking of the bi-county health bureau, when are the meetings planned to disband the thing now that neither county has any money to invest in it?
this taxpayer isn't in a union and doesn't work for a non-profit. the tea-baggers don't speak for me. quality of life is important to me. extremists should't pretend to speak for more than themselves.
Please Bernie..the union didn't use Gracedale residents as props. Those citizens requested to come to that meeting of council. I swear this is the truth. I will get you an interview with everyone of those residents that came that night and you can ask them point blank if they were in any way used or coerced by staff for that event. They are not potted plants..these people know what is at stake and came to voice their concerns as tax payers and county residents of a county facility. I realize it has emotional impact but it's real..not contrived.
THANK YOU Dave!!! I personally know some of those residents and they were in NO WAY coerced to go. They are of sound mind and have every right to speak for what they believe in and shame on the people that are saying or suggesting anything different!
I find it amazing that the people who are out there peaceably speaking out against raising taxes and loss of freedoms are the ones seen as "extremists". My advice is for everyone to actually read the Constitution. After doing so, come back and tell us all exactly where in it you have read that the government should control everyone's income, property, etc.
I have a feeling that there are still a good number of people who consider themselves to be VERY smart and educated but have a tendency of spewing whatever they hear someone else say without doing their own homework. There are big clues as to who these people are since they're almost always the ones throwing out vulgarities and innuendo.
When are we going to finaly say enough is enough? When they take 50% or 60% of the money that WE EARN through hard work? Is it going to be when the cities declare bankrupcy?
My own answer to that question is: It'll be enough when the unions can't hold on to government jobs anymore. At that point the false sense of job security will be ripped away from the union workers. That will be an unfortunate event since I feel the average union workers are good, hardworking, honnest Americans.
If the Tea Party, the Democrat's or the Republican's can create meaningful jobs, reduce spending and hold the line on taxes, they have my vote!
Anon 850am, if you're waiting for politicians to create jobs (other than more bureaucrats), you'll be waiting for a long time.
Politicians do not create jobs. Period.
When they say they create jobs (other than more bureaucrats) they are either lying or have a grossly inflated sense of self-importance.
Ironically, if the teabaggers had prevailed in the Lehigh County budget fracas, it would have cost the County even more to fight the inevitable lawsuits over its failure to adequately fund the courts and the prison. Nominally lower taxes is very often not actually the best deal for the taxpayer. Reducing important services leads to unexpected costs popping up elsewhere, like higher crime, which is a drag on economic growth. Your definition of what is in the taxpayers' best interest is much too narrow. The cost of the tax increase was about $8 a month. That is pretty objectively not worth kneecapping the judicial branch over.
"bernie, is this refreshing tea party, in any way, connected to the tea-baggers you were denigrating three months ago?"
First of all, I never used hat term to describe them and asked other commenters NOT to do so.
Second, I wrote critical pieces based on going to the meetings and reading everything on their web page. They were (1) engaging in political activity, a violation of the rules that apply to nonprofits; (2) they wanted to restore power to the people, but couldn't bother to elect their own leaders.
Third, my thinking about the local tea party evolved with them. I like Mat Benol, even though he ran against Charlie Dent. I complimented their candidates' night during the primary, which was well-organized and very educational. I was impressed by several of their members and ther sincerity. I was still somewhat critical, but when they made the decision to eject Ron Shegda for blatantly engaging in political activity, I realized the were sincere about being a nonprofit. And they now have elected their leadership. They have involved themselves in local issues, where they can make a difference. So I have a higher opinion of them now than I did before.
I've been fair to them.
"Those citizens requested to come to that meeting of council. I swear this is the truth. I will get you an interview with everyone of those residents that came that night and you can ask them point blank if they were in any way used or coerced by staff for that event."
Of course, they "asked" to come after being scared half to death by union workers and Gracedale Goons. Dave, I do not doubt your sincerity, but I saw myself that many of these residents had no clue what the hell was going on. I was there, remember? I'd be happy to interview the people I saw, who were definitely out of it.
"Ironically, if the teabaggers had prevailed in the Lehigh County budget fracas, it would have cost the County even more to fight the inevitable lawsuits over its failure to adequately fund the courts and the prison. Nominally lower taxes is very often not actually the best deal for the taxpayer."
First, as I indicated, I would prefer that you not use the term "teabagger" to describe this grass roots effort. Second, I agree with your conclusion and believe that forcing Cunningham to present a zero-tax-increase budget would have had dire consequences. Third, I respect them for being there and voicing their opinion. Fourth, I did not see you there.
The tea party has a very simple philosophy..Don't raise taxes..Wow, well thought out..Give me a break..As someone else mentioned when government tries to cut everything to the bone they tend to cut necessary services that eventually costs them much more later on..Sort of like the old Fram oil commercials..I have little respect for that group..
Arguable points and well taken as I can't prove that the residents were or weren't influenced in any way by their caregivers. I do remember you arrived late for that council meeting just not sure you got to hear all of their statements and questions. Just don't want to see them dismissed out of hand..usally a grain of truth exists in any statement.
Jon Geeting:
1. Why do you use such foul language when referring to people who have been paying taxes since long before you were born, and are struggling to make ends meet? Please show them some respect.
2. If the Republicans (less one Dean Browing) had prevailed, the County Executive would have been required to produce a budget without a tax increase. Nothing more. The Commissioners and the County Executive would have had 30 days to reach agreement on a final budget. Do you understand that?
Why are Geeting and the rest of the Democrats so obsessed with the "Teabagging" term?
Does the homosexual inuendo thing excite them or something?
And what of the LGBT community - are they not offended that their activities are made such fun of?
Too busy pulling the straight party "D" ticket to think about the fact their lifestyle is being mocked at the expense of people who believe in low taxes and LIMITED government?
Anonymous said...
"this taxpayer isn't in a union and doesn't work for a non-profit. the tea-baggers don't speak for me. quality of life is important to me. extremists should't pretend to speak for more than themselves."
7:18 AM
_________________________________
As per your request I shall see to it that anyone listed as "Anonymous" is removed from the membership list.
Quality of life is important to us also.
Tea Party is like unions for large rich corporate interests made up of racists too dumb to realize that they are fighting against their own interests.
Tea Party is like unions for large rich corporate interests made up of racists too dumb to realize that they are fighting against their own interests.
"And what of the LGBT community - are they not offended that their activities are made such fun of?"
That particular term descrbes sexual activity that could be gay or straight, so I see no reason why this term would be any more offensive to the LGBT community as it is to the straight community.
Geeting writes of "teabagging" as if he has lots of experience; not that there's anything wrong with that.
Is John aware that he's describing the act of suspending one's testicles and scrotum over another's face for sexual pleasure? Yes. I think so.
Thank you Bernie for giving all groups a fair shake.
Anon 12:31
Currently the US has a debt of $54T. Our unfunded liabilities are $111T. Pennsylvania debt is $114B.Northampton County debt is $200M. Nazareth Area School district debt is $90M. This is true across the nation.
Bernke lower the value of the dollar by 20% giving you a tax increase of 20% because the price of goods have and will continue to go up. Everytime the government creates a new regulation it will cost you a fortune because it will effect all levels of government. When Simpson and Bowles come out with their 18%-20% VAT tax recommendation what do you think will happen? If you believe that life is going to return to the boom period of the 2002-2008 period think again. Cut to the bone, it will be much worse then that. This nation is going to be radically change once we come out of this. The new depression babies are paying attention and they will not have the infrugality of those of us walking this nation today.
Jon Geeting is a puppet for George Soros!
Instead of calling people "teabaggers" you should tell us all what non profit you work for and how it's funded by George Soros and his now public announcement that he's going to collapse the U.S. Dollar because, "America is an obstacle to a world society... ...since only Americans get a vote in Congress."
Some organizations that have received support from George Soros' OSI:
Center for American Progress
Tides Foundation
Campaign for America’s Future
National Council of La Raza
ACORN
Apollo Alliance
Center for Community Change
Free Press
MoveOn.org
We're on to you and your kind Jon Geeting, your lies and distortion don't work on us anymore.
Oh the Tea Party...I have one question.....where do you think the money is going to come from without taxes! I sat and listened to Mr. Chris Miller at a NorCo meeting complaining that the roads in his township are going to be tarred and chipped instead of being paved because there is no money. Does he think the fairy from la la land is going to do it. Maybe better yet, go back to "Trickle down economics" where the breaks are given to the top wage earners and business's with the expectation that it will be passed on to benefit everyone. The only thing "Trickle Down Economics" did was make the wallets of a small percentage get bigger! They don't want taxes to be raised then answer this; where is it going to come from! I know.....lets not take care of our elderly and privatize our county nursing homes to more and more foreign owned companies ...great idea, they make money and our seniors live in a deteriorating home....Look up the facts and see for yourself.
Anonymous said...
Oh the Tea Party...I have one question.....where do you think the money is going to come from without taxes.
-------------------------------
I'm sorry, did someone call for the abolition of all taxes?
Sigh... this can get tiresome. Of course a call for reduced taxes always results in a response that government's most basic services will go unfunded. The criminals will be left out of the jails, the schools will go unheated, and all the roads will be swallowed up by pot holes.
And if we have ever used or benefited from a government service, the courts, the schools... even the roads, and we dare speak about reducing government in the face overwhelming debt - we will be called hypocrites.
It just "goes with the territory"... racist, hypocrite, teabagging, teatarded, blah, blah, blah. Pay attention... it doesn't matter anymore. No more cowering for fear of being labeled. Look around, these are your neighbors you're denigrating, and people are not buying it anymore.
The term "teabaggers" was used by tea party God, Glenn Beck. He used it many times. If you have a feeling of self-guilt when the term is used, see a therapist. If you feel ashamed, again your problem not the term.
Mr. Beck was cheered when he said "teabaggers", so why the crying now?
I think that it is crucial we get government spending under control. Of course the idea that people are losing all their money to taxes isn't totally true.
In 1986, the top 5% of Americans had over 6 trillion in cumulative wealth. Today the the top 5% have over more than 45 trillion of accumulated wealth, more then all the rest of the world. Interesting to think about.
Also the tax cuts that have been in place for ten years are part of the history of the worst job market in America. So logically it makes sense to say extending them will make things better?!!???
No wonder the term teabagger gets used so often. I have another term, "dumkauf".
To Anonymous 10:09PM --
Post the link to that video. I want to see Glenn Beck "cheering about teabaggers". If you can't post it, you're a liar!
Anonymous 10:09 said...
The term "teabaggers" was used by tea party God, Glenn Beck. He used it many times. If you have a feeling of self-guilt when the term is used, see a therapist. If you feel ashamed, again your problem not the term
----
Sigh, The term 'tea-bagger' was first coined by Janeane Garofalo
in April of 2009, CNN ran with it. Doesn't matter anyway- it's still derogatory, and I thank Bernie for denouncing the term.
Wayne said it best, no matter what we come back with- no matter what facts and figures- your just going to figure out another name to call us. We aren't in elementry school anymore boys and girls- it's time to grow up, the big people are having a discussion.
Look- noone likes the way the country is self imploding. We aren't going to have money one way or another, we have to learn to tighten our belt. It's time that the gov't learned that lesson as well.
There are plenty of ways to cut gov't without letting all the prisoners go free or making sure that the roads still get cared for.
What is it about keeping your paycheck that you people don't understand? You think that if they tax "THE MAN" that "THE MAN" isn't gonna turn around and take it out on you? GET REAL! Whether it be by inflating costs to unreasonable rates, not giving YOU a raise, or they could just LAY YOU OFF?
Crap rolls downhill people, if you start piling it on the people on the top - they are just gonna shovel it down to us. That is a fact of life- I could go on and on... I really don't understand how you all can be against the tea party?
Anonymous said...
"In 1986, the top 5% of Americans had over...
...Interesting to think about."
------------------------------
OK, I thought about the money that other people have... now what?
Am I supposed to lust for it? Covet it? Expect the government to get me some of it?
Please explain.
It's interesting to hear the Tea Party members complain about government spending, when in truth, most municipal governments are on a shoe-string budget. IT'S ABOUT REVENUE. Of course, corporate owned R's and tea party members that are hypnotized by Beck, won't reform the income tax for more equitable revenue sharing. The rich will keep getting richer. Heaven forbid that you reform the tax code. That's where the Beck's in life hide their money.
Anonymous said...
It's interesting to hear the Tea Party members complain about government spending, when in truth, most municipal governments are on a shoe-string budget. IT'S ABOUT REVENUE. Of course, corporate owned R's and tea party members that are hypnotized by Beck, won't reform the income tax for more equitable revenue sharing. The rich will keep getting richer. Heaven forbid that you reform the tax code. That's where the Beck's in life hide their money.
2:16 AM
The election was really lost on you? Even most democrats got the message, spending not revenue is the problem. How much of your check will they need to keep before you figure it out?
If your household income is $50,000 you will pay an additional $2,500 in federal taxes next year. That's a hit of just over $200 per month to your take home pay, starting on New Years Day.
It looks like this will be stopped before too long into the year. Although Nancy Lugosi's lamest of ducks are going to work on a number of meaningless MSNBC agenda items before taking their place on the back bench.
Obama and Democrats have been lusting for this money to pay for their failed economic programs. The Tea Party is responsible for controlling the debate and stopping the Obama Tax Increase. Period.
Now, Obama can't fund his debacle and we'll finally be done with his mistake in two years. Goodbye Jimmy Carter II.
Part 1
Thanks for the kind words, Bernie, and thanks also for being open-minded enough to allow your opinion of the local tea party group to evolve over time - as the group has itself evolved.
None of the leadership of the local group has ever done anything quite like this before, so the process has been one of starts and stops and the meteoric growth of membership, while wonderful, has been a challenge. While we've looked at what other tea party groups have been doing, we also wanted to do what was best for the local members, and to meet the needs THEY wanted us to meet. And that growth will likely continue to force the group to evolve to meet new needs and challenges.
There ARE members who would have preferred that we engage in political activity, but I think we've managed to find a middle point where everyone can be happy. Getting used to the rules of being a non profit probably caused a couple of boo-boo's along the way, but we're now painfully cognizant of what kind of activity is OK and what isn't OK.
As an educational group, we're absolutely entitled to study government action at every level and educate our members about it, as long as we don't endorse or oppose specific candidates or political parties. From time to time, it will likely SEEM as though we're opposing a certain political party, but only if a legislative measure we oppose is supported SOLELY by that party (the health care bill comes to mind.)
Are we new at all this? MOST of our members have never engaged in any kind of legislative or government-related activity before. Sometimes they seem a little embarrassed about that, but I tell them that instead of being embarrassed, they should be commended for taking the GIANT step and getting involved NOW. Do we have a lot to learn. TO quote the pariah of the left - "You betcha."
Bernie, you smacked us around pretty well in the beginning - but you, unlike many others, have watched and listened and allowed your opinion to evolve as WE evolved, and we're grateful for that.
Mat Benol's going to be a marvelous leader and spokesperson for the group. Having had the courage to actually put himself in the spotlight as a candidate, he knows better than the vast majority of us what it takes to put yourself "out there" like that.
Part 1
Thanks for the kind words, Bernie, and thanks also for being open-minded enough to allow your opinion of the local tea party group to evolve over time - as the group has itself evolved.
None of the leadership of the local group has ever done anything quite like this before, so the process has been one of starts and stops and the meteoric growth of membership, while wonderful, has been a challenge. While we've looked at what other tea party groups have been doing, we also wanted to do what was best for the local members, and to meet the needs THEY wanted us to meet. And that growth will likely continue to force the group to evolve to meet new needs and challenges.
There ARE members who would have preferred that we engage in political activity, but I think we've managed to find a middle point where everyone can be happy. Getting used to the rules of being a non profit probably caused a couple of boo-boo's along the way, but we're now painfully cognizant of what kind of activity is OK and what isn't OK.
As an educational group, we're absolutely entitled to study government action at every level and educate our members about it, as long as we don't endorse or oppose specific candidates or political parties. From time to time, it will likely SEEM as though we're opposing a certain political party, but only if a legislative measure we oppose is supported SOLELY by that party (the health care bill comes to mind.)
Are we new at all this? MOST of our members have never engaged in any kind of legislative or government-related activity before. Sometimes they seem a little embarrassed about that, but I tell them that instead of being embarrassed, they should be commended for taking the GIANT step and getting involved NOW. Do we have a lot to learn. TO quote the pariah of the left - "You betcha."
Bernie, you smacked us around pretty well in the beginning - but you, unlike many others, have watched and listened and allowed your opinion to evolve as WE evolved, and we're grateful for that.
Mat Benol's going to be a marvelous leader and spokesperson for the group. Having had the courage to actually put himself in the spotlight as a candidate, he knows better than the vast majority of us what it takes to put yourself "out there" like that.
(It's doing it again - I click "publish your comment" once, but for some odd reason it publishes twice....oh, well....)
Part 2
But even though you and she didn't hit it off, I think that Kim Schmidtner, who DECIDED to step back as chair even though the newly elected board chose her unanimously, deserves an immense amount of credit for the courage and commitment she put into creating this now very large and influential organization. She was terrified that no one would show up when she scheduled the first meeting at a local TGIFridays - but she risked the embarrassment and did it anyway.
And when more than 100 people did show up, she took the initiative and built the organization we have now from virtually nothing. She took time from her business and her family, attended literally hundreds of meetings of every committee, studied her tail off to learn about our founding documents and leaders, and evolved into a savvy and articulate leader of the largest tea party group in Pennsylvania. Kim evolved from an engineer with a small business into a public figure with a mission who took a LOT of grief along the way, yet she never let attacks from the other side sway her or deter her from the group's purpose. If anyone (other than its members, of course) deserves the credit for the growing influence of this newly-noisy group of citizens, it's Kim Schmidtner.
Yet when the group has become a force both in the Lehigh Valley and at the national level, she's chosen to take a step BACK and let someone else be the "face" of the organization, which proves to me that, unlike propping herself up as the "queen" of the tea party, it was never ABOUT Kim. I doubt, based on what I've seen since Kim told she group she'd declined nomination as Chair but agreed to be Vice-Chair, that she'll spend much less time than she did previously. But she's content to let someone else, in effect, "take the credit" for what the group will do in the coming years. Now THAT'S a leader, in my never-humble opinion.
Thanks for growing with us, Bernie, and we hope to provide lots of action and advocacy for you to write about in the coming years.
Hey 8:01, the teabaggers aren't a political organization, sure their not. Can you guys open your mail or do you need to hear from Fox News and Glenn Beck first to find out if it is safe to read.
Some of you are unbelievable. You have one member braying about Gracedale and union jobs and spending wisely. Gracedale is a much needed public facility. The fact that costs have gotten out of hand is thanks to the Stoffa goons and this county Council. Before they came along Greendale was running just fine and providing the necessary service it has for a half-century. Then we get Stoffa and Angle and "surprise" Gracedale is in the red. They approved all the recent Gracedale contracts. they had the facts about the finances in front of them. Wait a minute both Angle and Stoffa have always wanted to sell it so hm-mm.....I wonder. Oh they would never skew the deal would they???
You folks are all about not swallowing the government bullshit line, yet if Angle and Stoffa say it ti must be true, right???
Oh, before I forget, sigh!! oh!!! sigh!! Can I be a member I can "sigh!!!" too.
Sure you are not a political organization..
Not Donnas Beaver
OT, with apologies.
Bernie I would like to make a request, if you will accept, that you post and comment on a bill proposal that is currently under consideration in A-town. The bill would would effectively require any residential or commercial construction to be completed by union labor if it is in excess of $40,000. Please shine some light on this bill.
http://articles.mcall.com/2010-10-26/news/mc-allentown-union-labor-20101025_1_project-labor-agreements-nonunion-contractors-union-halls
1. Where do they dream up this pile of crap from?
2. Has this ever been proposed and or prospered anywhere?
3. How can you discriminate against a larger segment of this industry?
4. Where has it been proven that a union kitchen remodel job is some how better than a nonunion?
5. Is it not the job of the city inspectors to make sure the work is completed correctly to code?
This kind of nonsense is what is what is killing this country, or am I just getting to old to understand this?
Thanks, GS
I have heard of local labor, or prevailing wage but never exclusively union labor
Matt
8:16 Take your crushing defeat with some modicum of dignity. Put away the smutty language, dry your tears and start acting like a man. Whiners and sore losers are so twenty minutes ago.
Anon 8:16....
I first heard THAT one in second grade....
About the level you're at, I suspect.
Anon 8:16...
Very well then, let's discuss the points you brought up.
1) What could have been done to control costs? If the current administration approved contracts that put Gracedale in the red (as you state) do the unions agree with that assessment?
2) Everything has run fine for the past 50 years... but other industries have either gone out of business or changed. Most of the thriving survivors have converted from pensions to 401k's, have employees contribute to their medical and have reigned in other costs. Was it possible to do that here?
3) Other nursing homes, senior homes, hospitals, both public and private have been sold. Companies sell and merge all the time. It may not be pleasant to face the uncertainty of change if you're a worker or resident but change is inevitable in every other facet of work and life.
4) This is not like privatizing the courts, police, or the army. Private nursing homes are not anomalies. Is there is a reason that it is absolutely necessary to maintain a county run home?
5) Why have other counties privatized? Did they have rising out of control expenses and did Angle/Stoffa cause them?
6) What other costs have gone up and how could the administration have kept them down?
7) If there was a conspiracy to run Gracedale into the red so as to sell it for Angle's and Stoffa's benefit --- can we not get Morgenelli's office to do something about it?
8) If this can all be attributed to gross mismanagement, conspiratorial or plain incompetence, what is to prevent future administrations from repeating the same?
I regards to all the rest... more of the same.
Somehow the posters who all repeat the same insults and blather (Labeling us as illiterate, racist, teabagging FoxNews & Glenn Beck zombies that cannot think for ourselves without big business telling us what to say) have all come up with the same "talking points" because they are great independent thinkers and we all know that "great minds think alike".
The next time you hurl the same old unimaginative insults could you do a wee bit of self examination and realize from where this psychological projection comes from?
Thank You.
"asshole...shiftless ass...loser"
Since BO doesn't moderate personal attacks upon this conversation, your argument is predicated upon demeaning others like a five year old playground bully. Your personal attacks have no value in the present sense and I suspect your insuations are a lack of education, experience, familiarity and knowledge of municipal budgetary processes. There are two systemic itemizations in any budget called revenue and expenditures. My argument, which has yet to be debated, nor can it be argued, is an equitable tax reform that R's and Tea Party constituents don't want entertain. They wish to protect their own/self special interests, particularly their own pockets, as evidenced by your statements. You blame unions (which I don't argue), however, you throw away the baby with the dirty bath water. If you can't debate the merit of my argument, then save the "asshole...shiftless ass...loser" accusations for the playground.
If you want to attack a Commenter who identifies himself, you'll have to identify yourself.
Do us all a favor and stay off this blog, please. You can spread your hate elsewhere.
Telling the truth about Gracedale is hate? You are truly what everyone knows you are O'Hare, you really are.
Truth: the current numbers regarding Gracedale have been fixed to make it look bad.
Truth: with the exploding boomers aging pop., the incidents of dementia and poor elderly will increase substantially. The need for a County Home as a hedge against problems is necessary.
I find it amazing people like Chris Miller is collecting a nice big STATE PENSION and will have great medical benefits the rest of his life through the state. He got his, now he wants to cut others and is slamming unions. The teachers union did well for him didn't they!! What a hypocrite!
This blog post is a perfect example of the cynicism of misinformed citizens.
Red-faced tea partiers asking to kill benefits that they personally don't receive while howling to protect those they do.
Look- noone likes the way the country is self imploding.
And the tea party's response is to lower taxes for millionaires and corporations. Good plan. You people are so foolish you can't even see the obvious exploitation.
What is it about keeping your paycheck that you people don't understand?
Like your beloved "death tax?" You do realize this tax effects only .02% of the country's citizens. I can guarantee this is not you nor will you ever achieve this stature. And if you do, you can chip in to save your "imploding" country.
The debt is rising yet not one of you want to pay your share to get rid of it.
8:16 Take your crushing defeat with some modicum of dignity. Put away the smutty language, dry your tears and start acting like a man. Whiners and sore losers are so twenty minutes ago.
Exactly. All the sudden interest in the debt began in January 2009 - the same month a Democrat was overwhelmingly elected and sworn into office.
Sore losers indeed.
I find it amazing people like Chris Miller is collecting a nice big STATE PENSION and will have great medical benefits the rest of his life through the state. He got his, now he wants to cut others and is slamming unions. The teachers union did well for him didn't they!! What a hypocrite!
Because state workers should work for peanuts and not receive benefits all the while providing service for you and your families. How foolish you sound.
To the people who hate the Tea Party members:
I hope you enjoy Bethlehem's 50 city positions being cut, maybe even more come next year! Merry Christmas, (oops I mean holidays!) I hope you can collect umemployment and still "pay your share of the debt!" Which, by the way, is going to be increased by $20 million.
That money is not being borrowed to benefit me in any way shape or form because I'm not in a union or a city employee. My position is why don't YOU pay for it? It's for YOUR union and pension's benefit! You people sound as stupid as Willie "f**king" Reynolds stating in the middle of a city council meeting, "I want the people of the city to realize we're getting the money to bail out the pensions from a state grant. That's state money being used so that should make everyone feel good that it's not your tax money."
IT'S All OF OUR MONEY, STUPID!
It's not the rich man's money alone, it's not the poor man's money alone, it's everyone paying into this broken system. We're tired of the tax, spend, and borrow cycle. So stop spending as much so you don't need to borrow anymore and taxes will be lowered as natural progression. We don't want to spend more money on taxes, we want to put more money in your pocket.
GET IT?
Anon 8:39 was a personal attack by an anonymous poster. As per your own rules Mr. O'Hare you must delete it or be branded a hypocrite.
Anon 8:39
Defending the Tea Party while gloating about city workers collecting unemployment at Christmastime is not doing us any favors.
There are 4 Tea Party members in this thread non-anonymously. If anyone of us got out of hand the others would straighten them out.
You can make a great point about Reynolds' "it's grant money" comment but when you throw in insults, vulgarity, and venom --- you sound no better than the others.
Anonymous said...
Anon 8:39 was a personal attack by an anonymous poster. As per your own rules Mr. O'Hare you must delete it or be branded a hypocrite.
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I think his rule is about anons going after named, not anon attacking anons. Though I could be wrong.
Anyway, hypocrite is a badge of honor around here!
Wayne, That anon knows that. Yeah, I love being called a hypocrite by some coward who won't identify himself.
Anonymous said...
OK Wayne, I see the tea party is all about parsing the rules. That is how a clearly Republican front group can call itself non-partisan.
{{sigh}}
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They're Bernie's rules, not mind.
I get disappointed when he deletes stuff. I think he's just doing the name caller a favor by taking down the foolishness.
Sorry Wayne, we have some comments about Gracedale but Bernie keeps deleting anything that tells the truth about the nursing home.
Boom of 2002 - 2008, what in China??? The boom was in the 1990's Other than falsely propped up house prices, the only boom during the 2002- 2008 period was the boom in Bernie's depends.
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