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Friday, October 12, 2018

Nothstein Condemns Wild Attack Ad

Marty Nothstein
I was under the impression that Congressional candidate Susan Wild was way up in the polls. A double digit lead, some say. And let's not forget, this is the Year of the Woman. On top of that, her campaign coffers are overflowing with $1.1 million, most of it from California, New York and Massachusetts. I'd expect anyone in her position to be on cruise control. Instead, she's running a dark campaign that vilifies Marty Nothstein. I've already received several mailers with those grainy black-and-white mug shots. I expect to see one tomorrow claiming that Nothstein picks his nose. And one the day after that announcing he eats it, too. It's no surprise that she would run a TV ad claiming that Nothstein apparently wants to infect everyone with cancer.

Her cancer ad is disgusting.

That's her. She tries very, very, very hard to smile at events, but her default facial expression is a scowl. Maybe that's unavoidable. But every time I see her I am reminded that this is the person who, in the primary, promised fellow lawyer John Morganelli she would run a clean campaign. Then she broke her word.

Tim Silfies
At the Business Matters debate, Nothstein objected to the ad, saying it misrepresents his position. He made clear then that he supports insurance for people with pre-existing conditions. He wants to expand the pool of available insurers by allowing people to shop in states outside of Pennsylvania. That's exactly what Charlie Dent wanted, and no one tried to vilify him.

Wild never bothered to address Nothstein's objections.

Now Nothstein has called on opponent Susan Wild to retract what he terms a blatantly dishonest misrepresentation of his position on healthcare. This attack ad quotes a cancer survivor saying that Nothstein “wants to take away our insurance.” The ad offers no explanation for the claim because, Nothstein says, there is none.

“I am on record as supporting current law that requires insurers to cover preexisting conditions. Likewise, I am in favor of policies that would ensure health care for every citizen who wants it,” Nothstein said in a statement released to the press. “What I oppose is government forcing people to purchase policies they do not want and imposing plans that take away a patient’s choice of doctor.”

Nothstein says his own personal experience makes the spot especially offensive.

Susan Wild
“Because Wild did no research before making these charges, she didn’t realize that my mother-in-law, my father-in-law, and my sister are cancer survivors,” Nothstein said. “Nor is she aware that I’ve been active in fundraising efforts for a range of cancer-related health causes.”

Nothstein said he took special offense at the cynical manipulation of a cancer survivor by a candidate who should have known better.

“Using a cancer survivor as a campaign prop to foist a lie on voters, should give people pause when it comes to thinking Susan Wild has the principles or temperament to serve in Congress,” Nothstein said.

Okay, so that's what Nothstein says. What about Libertarian Tim Silfies? He's also running for Congress. Does he think Nothstein is over-reacting?

"Gross!" is his one-word takeaway. "It's part of the problem with the tribal warfare we have right now. The two parties are at constant war with one another instead of having an honest exchange of ideas."

Nothstein and Silfies have run on the issues. Wild is running on smears. Maybe her internal polling shows a closer race than newspapers claim.

Just so you know, I did ask Wild for a response to Nothstein's demand for a retraction. She ignored my request, just as her former employer, Edwin "Fed Ed" Pawlowski, was wont to do during his criminal conspiracy.

Nothstein and Silfies are both right. If we want to reverse the politics of personal destruction and end this tribal politics, it's time to call out these personal smears.

Knock it off, Susan. She debases herself and the rest of us with that kind of campaign.

115 comments:

Anonymous said...

Why don't you stop it. You have been attacking her since polls showed her beating your mancrush Morganelli. You hate her because she is a strong woman who won't kiss your ample ass. You hate her because you mock women like you did Dr. Ford.

You have been hating her for a long time. Why the hell should she respond to your questions? You are extremely partisan and she is well aware that as a congresswoman you will constantly attack her just as you constantly praised Charlie Dent.

The republican's still want to kill affordable care. Ask Nothstein if he will support their efforts. Insurance across state lines? Ask doctors what they think of even more paperwork from insurance companies all over the country, most with no idea of the local care and costs. It has always been a bullshit republican position. So go ask your new buddy Nothstein those questions. You won't but that is ok, we won't think of you ate the swearing-in.

Get real, you are a fraud. You fool no one.

Anonymous said...

And if he would win, he'd vote to do away with the pre-existing condition rule, in a NY minute. BTW he does look like a boogie eater.

Anonymous said...

The entire republican healthcare plan is a slammed together group of goofy ideas meant to appease the masses and please the industry. Pure crap. As to everyone that wants insurance can get it and pick their doctors. How will he do that with his secret plan? Even Medicare advantage plans force seniors to pick the plan's doctors. All bull shot. Universal and honest health insurance for all is coming and Nothstein is not on board.

Anonymous said...

Instead of just telling us that this ad is despicable, why not post a picture of it and let us decide for ourselves? You've already demonstrated that you dislike Wild, so I am not inclined to just take your word for it.

Anonymous said...

Ed Pawlowski

Anonymous said...

O'Hare you no longer have any credibility regarding this race. Stop posting Morganellis ghost written stories.

Anonymous said...

Morganelli was rolled by the left wing m-word. Dent was vicious, too. You used to brag about it. The district used to fixed for Dent. Now, it's fixed for Wild. She will be there as long as she chooses. Politics.

Anonymous said...

wild is atypical left wing democrat using the MOB philosophy of the democrats just liked they used against THE JUDGE how can vote for wild--more taxes more crime sanctuary cities no ice more Obama care--people who must buy their own health insurance will continue to pay high high premiums to pay for Obama care atrue true fact the the democrats do not care about including wild

Anonymous said...

"If we want to reverse the politics of personal destruction and end this tribal politics, it's time to call out these personal smears."

you have a point and are correct that trench warfare in politics helps no one.
So why were these items in your story
1 "her campaign coffers are overflowing with $1.1 million, most of it from California, New York and Massachusetts."--has nothing to do with the ad you mention.
yet you have a dog whistle there.
2 "She ignored my request, just as her former employer, Edwin "Fed Ed" Pawlowski, was wont to do during his criminal conspiracy."--so trying to smear her with another?

You have dropped into the trenches in several stories you posted concerning Wild.
that is in the past, however beating your chest demanding civility is truly ironic.

Ovem Lupo Commitere said...

"That's exactly what Charlie Dent wanted, and no one tried to vilify him."

I hate negative mudslinging, so I am certainly not going to defend it (honestly, I've not seen the specific ad you reference). However, there were about 200 Republicans, some prominent, who held a rally at Jordan park who truly vilified Dent, including for not supporting repeal and replace-- without acknowledging that he opposed it without first having a valid replacement plan. Those folks drove Dent from the race, and drove my vote from the GOP this race. Despite Trump, I would have voted for Dent. This election I'll be voting against, rather than for.

Anonymous said...

5.36
"people who must buy their own health insurance will continue to pay high high premiums to pay for Obama care atrue true fact"
and Comrade trump claimed to have that fixed as soon as he was in office.
of course he said Mexico would pay for a wall too.
Sounds like trumpie was lying again.

Anonymous said...

The term “affordable “ is a misnomer. What ever people pay into their insurance pool,is nothing compared to what gets billed to attempt to fix too many people who are train wrecks physically. Many of us are self inflicted physical wrecks. So the premiums we pay should be adjusted based on behavior risks. This should be addressed first. We are not all the same . Those of us that had cancer deaths in our families all saw the bills from the hospitals. Ask, if we had to do life over ,what would you have changed earlier and start conveying this early to often to the young children . People were not supposed to live as long as they do . Mortality of Europeans was about half of what is today just 200 years ago. So stop complaining, some of you characters would be dead already.

Anonymous said...

Wild represents well the current Democratic Party. Moderates have no place under this tent until they're purified and re-educated. Opponents require security for themselves and their families. Wild's America is a banana republic run by violent mobs. I'm certain she cheered when Scalese was shot. This is where we are. This is your Democrat Party.

Anonymous said...

"Many of us are self inflicted physical wrecks. So the premiums we pay should be adjusted based on behavior risks."
-------------------------------------------
So true.
And this article has me pushing the Nothstein button on election day.
And good luck to Tim Silfies. Sounds so far like a good guy from all I've seen so far.

Anonymous said...

Bernie, You should have been at the Northampton Cty retirement luncheon to see the oohing from the women in attendance as Amy Cozze was paraded around. Why are normally sensible women so in awe of another woman? How many had a clue of her background or political positions? I know you will think I am exaggerating, but I worry about some type of smear campaign against you. I would not put it past Wild or some of her followers. Please be careful being alone with a woman. I am not crazy Bernie and I am a woman. If I were a man involved in politics I would not be alone with any woman outside my close friends or family.

Anonymous said...

Where are the Nothstein ads denouncing this bullshit? Are people really that stupid as to believe these smear attacks? Nothstein should run ads showing her with Fed Ed.

Anonymous said...

Wild , refuses to run on her real positions, she is for Sanctuary cities, open borders, government run healthcare, without choice of doctors or solutions and would raise taxes at least 30% for worse healthcare. She endorses radical Bloomberg gun control measures. But she will not admit to her stances in public. She is attempting to deceive the voters of this district. I have seen no adds supporting her positions, just false negative ads, because her polling tells her she would do well in San Francisco but no here. Most all her money comes from Attorneys and out of state pacs who know she will vote for big government and not vote for tort reform, she is also promising government unions more money, more pensions. She could care less about the average workers, manufacturing unions or anyone in the private sector. She is for big Government, big Government unions and a legal industry that sucks the life out of the economy. Wild is a fraud, who refuses to be honest with the voters of this district. I cannot respect anyone who is dishonest with the voters, she knows she would never represent the citizens of this district. I was an early supporter of this women, but learned she is a FRAUD.

Anonymous said...

Where are Wild's adds promising more gun control, more illegal immigration and more taxes, Where is the media at identifying her true positions? They are complicit in an attempt to deceive the voters of this district. Why would anyone buy a newspaper or advertise in a newspaper that cooperates to deceive the community. I dont agree with Bernie Sanders, but I can respect him for being honest with voters. It is disgusting that a candidate for congress would be this dishonest with the people she would like to represent. Can we believe anything that she says. I don't like many of the positions of Trump but at least you know who he is. This women is a fake.

Anonymous said...

The Nothstein campaign better stop playing nice, they need to expose this women.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

a vote for wild is vote for socialism big government which wants to control your life she is a fake has lots of money from the left wing mob antone with any brains cannot vote for her or any of her kind

Anonymous said...

7:58 well said

maverick said...

I lost all respect for her when she broke her promise to John in the primary. She portrays herself as for the working man/woman, but spent years representing insurance companies. She reminds me of Hillary- fake smile and all. My mailbox has been flooded with "dark" mailers too- from the Alliance of American Values- based out of Philly. As a registered independent, I just can't vote for her.

Anonymous said...

Tired of our Nations wealth being divested by Republicans. The Credit Crad tax cut flowed to Executive and wall street pockets while the working class pay more for goods a services due to inflation and higher interest rates

Meanwhile trump holds a trainwreck press conference whiel the Gulf Coast suffers and Saudi Arabia terrorist kidnap a journalist who wasnprobably murder and trump turns a blind eye. The Saudis own trump.

Anonymous said...

I find her tactics utterly disgusting- she will be a Nancy Pelosi sycophant.

Bernie O'Hare said...

5:48, I did point out Wild's use of outside special interest money. I did point out her lack of transparency in her refusal to respond to a simple request.

These are real issues.

1. Nothstein and Siflies have both complained about the pernicious impact of outside special interest money. Wild has claimed her top priority is campaign finance reform while she takes all this money.

2. Transparency among elected officials is extremely important. Fed Ed was known for his refusal to ignore people. Wild has adopted the same philosophy.

I am not a candidate for anything. I am running no ads. And I personally think I have to be honest with my readers or I fail as a writer. I have to be who I am.

Also, there is a difference between negative campaigning, which I consider fine, and outright smears. Everything I wrote about Wild is true. That ad is a lie. It is the politics of personal destruction. I think Nothstein has already been smeared enough.

At this time in our country, where everyone has become polarized, I would prefer the candidates to talk about their positions, not rip their opponents with lies.

Anonymous said...

Marty votes to float more bonds to pay for County obligations knowing a $65M Cedar Brook bindnisnon the horizon. Even Nathan Brown said a tax increase is inevitble.

Marty time to be honest and tell the taxpayers of Lehigh County that this borring will cost us more in the future.

Bernie O'Hare said...

7:21, Please no comments about the personal lives of any of the candidates. Also no misogyny please.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"a tax increase is inevitble."

Tax increases are always inevitable, but they don't have to be immediate. If you want to slam a Nothstein for refusing to raise taxes, be my guest. Ask Democrat Lamont McClure How he feels about county tax hikes. He thinks his job is to keep taxes low. Is it your position we should elect candidates who will raise your taxes? Do you consider a vote against a tax hike "deplorable," as Amy Zanelli insists?

Anonymous said...

mi·sog·y·ny
məˈsäjənē/Submit
noun
dislike of, contempt for, or ingrained prejudice against women.
"she felt she was struggling against thinly disguised misogyny"

Anonymous said...

de·lu·sion·al
dəˈlo͞oZH(ə)nəl/
adjective
adjective: delusional

characterized by or holding idiosyncratic beliefs or impressions that are contradicted by reality or rational argument, typically as a symptom of mental disorder.

Anonymous said...

Bernie: you are such a hypocrite. Remember this: https://lehighvalleyramblings.blogspot.com/2011/07/in-money-race-dent-way-ahead-of.html
Dent: "Run hard or unopposed"

Dent's ads were totally smears of Callahan which distorted the truth, and you defended it.

Also, Dent was way up in the polls and continued to falsely attach Callahan.
https://lehighvalleyramblings.blogspot.com/2010/10/dent-takes-17-lead.html

Admit, you are trying to get back at Wild for beating Morganelli.

Anonymous said...

You mean Nothstein is still in the race? At this point Wild is running ads during the Sean Hannity Show on Fox News! Wild is sending almost daily mailers. Her campaign is so professionally run, organized and well funded. In Allentown, there are hundreds of Wild signs in people's yards and maybe a couple for Nothstein. I'm fully expecting an easy landslide win for Wild.

Anonymous said...

"she will be a Nancy Pelosi sycophant."

But haven't you seen her ad claiming she'll be "bipartisan?"

Would be interesting to know what issues she would cross the aisle on.

Taxes? Immigration? Regulations? Academic due process under Title 9? Voter ID? Impeachment? Health Care? Welfare reform?

Anonymous said...

It's the economy, stupid. Are you better off than just two years ago? Wild wants your tax cut back to pay for free shit for illegals. You OK with that? You can't afford to send your kids to college. But Sue, who has no financial worries, thinks you should pay for illegals to go. She thinks you don't pay enough in taxes, you are heartless, and that tax cut you received belongs to her to buy votes with free shit you pay for.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"Would be interesting to know what issues she would cross the aisle on."

I said the other day I'd like each candidate to state where he orshe agrees with the other party. Not pious platitudes, but specific examples.

Anonymous said...

wild equals trouble for middle class America she much too far left lehigh valley represented by her wow.....

Bernie O'Hare said...

9:45, I remember quite well how Dent campaigned and you have not been reading me. He believed in running tough and negative campaigns, and I have no problem with that. I do have a problem with personal smears based on lies. I also have a problem with candidates who break their word. I have no problem with Wild being negative. I only have a problem when she lies and smears her opponent. Haven't we had enough of that? And as I pointed out earlier, I am not running for anything.

Anonymous said...

When I was a child I walked picket lines with Ed Pawlowski.

Anonymous said...

Nothstein better jumpstart his campaign and fast. I can't believe he is not daily linking her to her former political ally Fed Ed. Maybe he will at some point.

Michael Paul Kowwlishen said...

Agree 9:58 am !

Anonymous said...

WILD.... reminds me of the screeching woman who verbally assaulted Flake in the elevator. Far far left man hater.... Wonder if (based on her illustrious law career) she would have prosecuted Kavanaugh on that flimsy evidence..... probably, because she is just unprofessionally resoundingly nasty and a liar .......

GO Marty!

Anonymous said...

Attacking Wild because she doesn't smile enough? ::insert eye roll here:: Nothing that cam after was the least bit credible after that bit of misogyny.

Anonymous said...

I'm no Charlie Dent fan. But he has more decency and class in his discarded toenail clippings than Wild could ever dream of possessing. When you think about Dent, Toomey, McHale, Ritter, and Rooney, you realize we're dropping many levels in decency and class by electing Wild. The previous office holders always ran hard. They never ran dirty. Her out-of-state funding means we're about to outsource our Congressional seat to Massachusetts or California. Local Democrats seem fine with this. They're either cool with their party's new, radical politics, or too cheap to be trusted by the DNCC to support local candidates.

Anonymous said...

She is telling her progressive base one thing and her corporate special interests something else. Who is this women? Does she believe in anything other than getting elected.

Anonymous said...

Former Mayor Ed Pawlowski was at an Allen H.S. football game recently telling people that he supports Susan Wild.
Is this helping Attorney Wild?

Bernie O'Hare said...

There is no misogyny there. I have already deleted two misoogynistic comments, one of which I am sure came from a troll who planted that comment precisely so he could later claim misogyny.

Any candidate, male or female, who is engaging and has a warm smile is going to attract more voters. That's just reality, and has nothing to do with a person's sex. The attempt to claim this is a misogyny is a disservice to the very real attacks that objectify women. I also added that her default facial expression, a scowl, may be unavoidable. Nothstein and Silfies have warm and engaging smiles. In the radio show, I was unable to see Wild, but she laughed frequently and was very good. In debate format, she was robotic and emotionless, as though she were trying a case or arguing to a judge. In my mind, her facial expression is a small issue. She herself has mentioned that her own campaign aides have criticized her for not smiling more often. Are they misogynists?

Bernie O'Hare said...

"Former Mayor Ed Pawlowski was at an Allen H.S. football game recently telling people that he supports Susan Wild.
Is this helping Attorney Wild?"


In Allentown, yes.

Anonymous said...

I am sure wilds gang of thugs still operations under the thugganomics of past administrations governing are the arsonists locally because it's a familia afair.

Watch out Marty as the garbage on your front yard is only the start of the parties terrorization tactiks!

Monkey Momma said...

Nothstein says, right on his own page, "Parts of Obamacare are still the law of the land, and we need to bring it to a merciful end. No law should be passed that only ends up taking away the doctor of your choice while raising rates on insurance that doesn’t meet your needs. The recent Tax Reform bill removed the individual mandate, but more needs to be done. The so-called Affordable Health Care Act is neither affordable nor does it deliver real health care. I will not let Congress drop this issue."

If Obamacare is repealed, then protections for people with pre-existing conditions are gone. It's just like when Trump made the promise to protect people w/ pre-existing conditions: when push came to shove, Trump only wanted to repeal Obamacare with absolutely nothing put in place to protect people who are already sick. (Thank god for John McCain's admittedly revenge-filled vote.)

Nothstein cannot say he will protect people with pre-existing conditions with this central platform. That means people with cancer, as well as people with so many other pre-existing conditons, will be left to their own devices. There is no way anyone who supports sensible health care reform can vote Nothstein.

Anonymous said...

Wild in the streets!

Michael Paul Kowwlishen said...

Wild will smile if Bernie does the chicken 🐔 dance 💃!

Anonymous said...

Nothstein wants to repeal the Affordable Care Act, so where's the lie? If the ACA is repealed millions of people will lose their coverage. The individual mandate has already been eliminated, so his answer is misleading and disingenuous.



Anonymous said...

The only attempted "smear" here is your insinuation that out of state campaign contributions = dark money.

Anonymous said...

1:00pm

The ACA doesn't allow me to purchase Medicare at any age. Until it does, it should be repealed.

LVCI said...

Monkey Mamma (11:52 AM)-- There is no way anyone who supports sensible health care reform can vote Nothstein.

Yours is one of the few sensible comments because it focuses on the issues which affect people. Not how she or he conduct their campaigns or how likeable one or the other is. All too often people forget what should concern them the most. That which either candidate is likely to support they'd most be in favor of.

Anonymous said...

You seem to take a leaf out of the Trump playbook in your absurd criticism of Susan Wild. Nothstein has been put on record as opposing the ACA, which includes not covering pre-existing conditions. Funny how the republican response has morphed into outright lying about this subject. Perhaps because it doesn't poll well? You and Marty Nothstein are perfect examples of male chauvinism, you whine that its unfair. Boo hoo, grown up, this is the big leagues and we don't give a hoot that your puerile, frat boy sensibilities are offended. You truly are a bunch of snowflakes.

Patriot2 said...

A Wild win neans a decrease in our monthly paychecks that were fattened by the Trump tax bill in February. She is a sanctuary city advocate that doesn’t have a clue what that means for hardworking families in America. Worse yet is that her law firm represents the MC & they sabotaged Marty & she continues to sabotage him. She is a typical nasty lawyer that needs to be put back in her place.

Marty will win because in the end people of the Valley aren’t ready for a nasty socialist representing them in Washington.

Anonymous said...

I imagine Mitt Romney, and alike, must think, what utter sheep progressives are as he watches his corporate/right healthcare plan be viciously defended by the left.

We count a healthcare cost as an increase in GDP. 18% of our production is now us being sick. As long as this is true costs will never go down. If we get healthier our bond rating will fall.

The only way to correct this paradox is to count healthcare as a cost, a tax, on production.

Anonymous said...

Read the Koolaid kids spouting the word mob.hahaha, spitting on civilrights leader by tea party members. That's a mob. Any Trump rally where screaming lock her up, without due process, that's a mob. Ya dopes.

Peter J.Cochran said...

I’m not voting for a Socialist anymore than a Communist . I would vote for Captain Kangaroo first. But I’m not in her market place. I pay my bills on time.i fixed my kids teeth, i works 3 jobs for 25 years and was almost never home at Christmas. I pay my taxes on time. She , might be an Ok lady personally , but not in Congress of the U.S.Government ,on our dime. she needs to run in South America someplace. I sign my name.

Anonymous said...

Insurance across state lines?? That idea makes no sense. Most health insurance plans feature strong networks, locally that would be the Lehigh Valley Health network. Insurance is priced according to the area and the available health care. If you could find a cheaper plan from a strong network in Montana, would you be really saving money using network doctors in Helena Montana.

Peter J..Cochran said...

Ya but like car insurance in Montana,the companies actuarial knows the risk in a given area .on Pebble Beach Calf. Address there a not many fat people but in Allentown,Pa there are. So diabetes,and heart issues are much greater in Allentown per rate payer. The fact that the insurance company is in a “foreign “ state will not matter. .the term ‘foreign ‘is common to U.S.Insurance companies. It is an industrial term.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Monkey Momma, you explained his position well, and it is eerily similar to Charlie Dent’s.

Anonymous said...

And normal people flush better things down the toilet than she will ever ASSpire to become too!

X said...

Bernie, the comment here today are hilarious. They go from the wicked witch of the west socks to a mental health diagnosis patients descriptive deffinitions.

One would think people putting these things to print should seek help before its too late?

Ovem Lupo Commitere said...

Bernie at 5:03

Let me preface by saying, I'd vote for Dent if I could. As a play on an oft used expression, "I didn't leave the Republican party, the Republican party left me."

You say in response to Monkey Momma, that "it is eerily similar to Charlie Dent's." If that is the case then Nothstein is in trouble. He must be a stinkin' RINO.

Some quotes from the Republican rally in Jordan Park last year to drive Dent from Congress, as reported then in the Express and Morning Call:

"Charlie Dent and the Tuesday Group have been masquerading as Republicans, while running President Trump's agenda straight into the ground. It's high time we called out these liberals in Pennsylvania and across the country for betraying their voters and capitulating to ... the far left."

"As Donald Trump would say, there's a lot more winning to do — and that winning starts today by defeating Charlie Dent in the Republican primary."

Anonymous said...

Charlie dent did not drop like a rock in his polling because of his votes, but in his refusal to support the republican nominee for president. Many supported dent even thought they disagreed with him, but he could not do the same for the presidential candidate.

Anonymous said...

Wild is a phony, she really is not a real candidate that is serious about representing the people of this district. I believe she despises most of the people who live here.

Anonymous said...

and another fine example of republican civility.
"Well, Governor Wolf, let me tell you what, between now and Nov. 6, you better put a catcher's mask on your face, because I'm going to stomp all over your face with golf spikes."
wonder if any republican voters will care.
after all a republican threatened violence so it will not matter to them

Anonymous said...

Bernie how about saying something about Browne Forging state documents and then running ads off them

Bernie O'Hare said...

I will have a story Monday. Developing.

Louie Denaldo said...

Bernie, baby. I am hoping now you see how the dem party plays. I don’t know what happened to the dems of the working class (ie our father’s dem party). They play dirty, slander, etc. Now a days o feel being a conservative means not supporting socialism, communism, and mob rule. I’m hoping that you dust off your surfboard and ride the red wave next month.

Bernie O'Hare said...

I deleted about seven or eight vulgar comments. I also deleted a normal comment accidentally in the process. On weekends especially, trolls crawl out from under the rocks and play games.

Anonymous said...

Louie, the modern democratic party is more like your father's Democratic Party than you realize. It is finally realizing that the Clintons' triangulation was a mistake, and returning to New Deal and Great Society era goals concerning healthcare, education, and the environment. The primary difference is that we've finally shaken off most of the dixiecrats.

Bernie O'Hare said...

I completely disagree. The New Democratic Party has abandoned blue collar workers and the working poor and has become elitist and more intolerant than the tea party members they condemn. Some segments are actually hostile to older white males like myself. Groups like NextGen America and LehighValleyForAll (who agree with them) shout down differing views. While taking their money, they have abandoned shrinking unions. The Affordable HealthCare Act drove many away because healthcare is much less affordable now. Our children are unable to go to college without incurring monumental debt. Most of those in office are as wealthy and as entitled as the Republicans they decry. The Democratic Party needs an enema.

Orfield Otter said...

Speaking of enemas Behar have you looked into high colonics? Your probably carrying around 25lbs of sludge in your bowels that could be purged with a hose up your chocolate starfish!

LVCI said...

The Affordable HealthCare Act drove many away because healthcare is much less affordable now. Our children are unable to go to college without incurring monumental debt

Republicans have nothing to do with this?

So you're saying unions and poor workers stand a better chance then what Democrats offer? Of course the Democrats need to make major changes, but I don't see how avoiding to vote for them will be a great alternative. Ya gotta dance with the one who brung ya. So far it's been the Republicans. What have they done to lower costs Could have... didn't. And as far as tolerance -- yeah conservatives have a monopoly on that don't they?

Look I know and I tussled before on the ACA, but so far Republicans haven't offered anything better. In fact their sole objective was to destroy Obamacare. That's not a plan.

Anonymous said...

Agree

Anonymous said...

"and has become elitist and more intolerant than the tea party members they condemn. Some segments are actually hostile to older white males like myself"

for starters the tea party folks consisted of mainly retirees or near retirees.
The republicans managed to work a divide where the retirees are worried about their future along with near retirees who will not suffer any reduction for themselves.
Anyone younger is fair game.Want to gut Medicare and Social security? go ahead as long as the 45 and younger crowd gets the cut.
Your older folks could not care less about student loans and lack of opportunity for the younger generation.matter of act if any changes to help the younger generation would come from dollars to the older groups they will shut that down in any way they can.
The intolerance of the tea party is something the republicans are trying to rewrite history on.they cut gas lines on a elected officials house(actually they cut lines at his brothers address because they were incompetent)
bricks through office windows along with disruptions to shut down town hall meetings.they did this with vigor and glee.
A republican running for office told his followers to make his opponent afraid to leave his house.
so yes some Democrats are leery of the older white males.
The same older folks watch people get shot by police with indifference as those shot are not white.
those older folks play the "all lives matter" and blindly support all police actions because they have never had a bad officer interaction.
They had no problem with protesters using sniper rifles targeting federal officials,with putting women first in an armed standoff in case of any violence.
matter of fact they considered that standoff as an example of patriotism.
Compare any shooting of a black man with the Bundy dildonian getting shot.
It was wrong to shoot a white guy who vowed not to be taken alive while going for a gun,a black kid with a toy gun being shot 7 seconds after the po-po arrived is clearly the black kids fault.
So yes the older generation leaves a lot to be desired as far as the younger generation is concerned.
Can the problems be fixed sure it can.
The older generation can realize that things are a changing.
their racism is just disgusting to the younger crowd and the selfishness of the older generation is troubling.

Anonymous said...

"Most of those in office are as wealthy and as entitled as the Republicans they decry."
So President Obama was insanely wealthy when he entered politics?
The problem with the extremely rich comes when their accumulation of wealth is more important than the job they are elected to.
There are wealthy Democrats who work for the betterment of the poor and middle class.
some have forgotten who they should be working for.
The republican do not have this problem as their main aim is to coddle and benefit the wealthy at any expense of others.
The republicans clearly believed that when Romney claimed to be a "joe six-pack guy" everyone in their party would nod their heads in agreement.
The claims of Comrade trump to be for the little guy is just laughable and a little sad as there are people who believe such dreck.

Anonymous said...

"The Affordable HealthCare Act drove many away because healthcare is much less affordable now"

The main cause is the rat f--kery of the republican party.
They ignore their own research
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/32-trillion-price-tag-sanders-medicare-program-koch/story?id=56938226

“In the process of moving the money from private insurers to a national health care system, you’re actually saving $2 trillion by making the system more efficient,” he told ABC News.
"Moreover, the fact that a conservative institute drew conclusions about the plan’s savings is a testament to the Medicare-for-All’s efficiency, according to Miller-Lewis.

“This is a right-wing think tank, and even they found that Medicare-for-All would save money compared to the current system,” he said."
As far as republicans are concerned peasants should be glad that there are charities that might help them out if their lucky.
Or they can trade chickens for doctor's visits as one republican thought was a viable idea.
The "out of state plans" idea Nothstein likes is missing some info.
The republican idea is to make all State plans acceptable as insurance coverage.
So if say Georgia feels that it is acceptable for say a payout of 50 dollars a day for a hospital stay then that plan could be forced upon employees in any other State.
It is unworkable and only serves the purpose of keeping most people with crappy or useless insurance.

Anonymous said...

3:16 so true wild is bad bad news for the lehigh valley

Anonymous said...

Bernie, demonstrating that we care about other groups is not the same thing as being hostile to old white guys (I'm a white guy, btw). Some (very small relative to similar groups on the right) leftwing groups, do shut down conversations in order to be heard. I wish they wouldn't do this, but after decades (and for african americans and women, centuries) of being ignored by their representatives and having their districts gerrymandered so that their representatives can ignore them more safely, this is one of the few ways some people can effectively make themselves heard. The Democrats have actually taken more of an interest in unions recently, especially in the rust belt, where the abandonment of unions over the past two decades led some unions to endorse Trump. And some unions, especially teachers unions have been exercising renewed muscle (see the W. Virginia teacher strike).

With respect to the ACA, the increases in premiums may have continued increasing for some people, but they have been increasing more slowly than before the ACA, and this is why many Democratic candidates are campaigning on making further improvements to the healthcare system. Still, many people can now afford insurance that could not before, including people under 26 and those with pre-existing conditions. Even in Kentucky, a very red, very Trumpy state, the state's health insurance exchange that was created under the ACA is overwhelmingly popular, even while the ACA itself isn't.

Also, Republicans don't give any craps about college debt. They think the solution is for fewer people to go to college, effectively encouraging poor people to give up on getting an education to avoid going into debt, which is the best way to get out of poverty. Or they encourage people to go to for-profit colleges, most of which are basically scams. Seriously, think about it, have you ever heard a Republican candidate even mention college debt of their own accord?

You are basically buying the Republican line on the Democratic party despite all evidence to the contrary. I have my own issues with the Democratic party. In particular, I think they should be more focused on institutional and electoral reforms than they are, but they are clearly the better of the two options available, especially since the other option has devolved into what is essentially a 19th century conservative party.

Anonymous said...

We are spending $1 trillion more per year than we take in and people think hey let's increase government spending by another $3.2 trillion per year cause they're really doing a bang up job.

Anonymous said...

Shame on you Mr. O'Hare for perpetuating a mean urban legend. You accurse Susan Wild of Resting Bitch Face(RBG). You can pretend you don't and hide the fact now but your previous posts about her smile and how she "normally" looks is the every narrative the republicans used on Hillary Clinton. You alt-right wing fanatic followers loved that comment.
Shame!!

Anonymous said...

The only vulgarity here is how you demean strong and women by any means necessary!!!!

X said...

Bernie, speaking of enamas the deleted posts seem to find them an enjoyable act. I just looked back to see if you'd let them fly on this jokes thread.
Damm and I had thought I was the only one commenting that has mental issues. Shezz as a well hated person would say, "animals".

Anonymous said...

Its interesting how women want to be treated as equals, but as soon as they are criticized or challenged they play the girl card, You cant have it both ways.

Anonymous said...

9.06
well if Comrade trump had said about ted cruz -- "“You could see there was blood coming out of his eyes,” Trump continued, “blood coming out of his whatever.”
no one would get what he was talking about.
however when talking about Megan Kelly he said"“You could see there was blood coming out of her eyes,” Trump continued, “blood coming out of her whatever.”
it would be fair for Megan to play the girl card as her sex had nothing to do with asking trumpie serious questions.

Anonymous said...

Another example of the republicans and civility
"So, naturally, it would make sense for the civility-loving Metropolitan Republican Club of New York City to invite Gavin McInnes, who founded a far-right group which regularly engages in street brawls and violence, to join them at a lecture Friday evening, where he’ll “discuss historical context and offer perspective on the environment that surrounded Otoya Yamaguchi in 1960’s Japan,a Japanese teenager and member of an extremis right-wing group who assassinated Japan Socialist Party leader Inejiro Asanuma by stabbing him to death at a political rally."
"Fox News’ coverage of the event, however, did not in any way highlight the Proud Boys’ gang violence'
gee what a surprise.
guess it does not fit the right wing image

Anonymous said...

10.21 Megan Kelley was getting primed a up all week to take Trump down, that is a fact, if you watched her show that week, Trump did not buckle and gave it back to her. The blood in the eyes is often used as a sign of rage and hate. Buddy, look in the mirror you will see what he meant.

Anonymous said...

The reason the left has been getting more violent is because they realize they are loosing the argument with the American people. It is a sign of despair.

Anonymous said...

"Insurance across state lines?? That idea makes no sense. Most health insurance plans feature strong networks, locally that would be the Lehigh Valley Health network. Insurance is priced according to the area and the available health care. If you could find a cheaper plan from a strong network in Montana, would you be really saving money using network doctors in Helena Montana."

No. Not under the current handcuffs. This will change quickly when interstate restrictions are eliminated. Local fiefdoms will be forced to compete for business with everyone else. Those with better prices and offerings will survive and flourish. Something tells me LVHN is positioned to do just fine.

Louie Denaldo said...

Agree with Bern.

Anonymous said...

I think the responsible older generation who worked long and hard and put their kids through college shouldn't have to worry about their future. They did their time. These days entitlements, kids gloves, bring everyone into the country are making us weak. Work a couple jobs. Pay your bills. Sacrifice. Help the needy. Because those from countries with high crime rates, high unemployment (Countries! Not Chicago!) need to address their own issues. I just this morning read the whole quote from Scott Wagner. I let my guard down and accepted he actually said he was going to stomp on Wolf's face. Ugh, Still, he shouldn't have used the words he did. Guess maybe saying he'd, "kick the shit" out of Wolf in the race", would have been acceptable. And Wild is not the right candidate to vote for.

Anonymous said...

5.39
"rump did not buckle and gave it back to her."
Comrade trump attacked a woman not a journalist with his bleeding claim.
She was fair game for a complaint but not fair game for a complaint based on gender.
If you believe that trumpie was referring only to burst eye vessels you missed what con man don was implying

Anonymous said...

7.31
"This will change quickly when interstate restrictions are eliminated."
Well if is what the repugs want why have they not done so?
Comrade trump has had plenty of time to do this unless he is lying again about what he will get done,after all Mexico will pay for his stupid wall,all the illegals will be gone on day one--etc.etc.
Of course the other possibility is that trump is merely incompetent.he just does not have the moxie or juice to get it done.

Anonymous said...

8.44
So you have bought into the scary brown people might move into my neighborhood bs that the republicans are selling.
The repugs are selling fear and there are people who buy into it.
Ever notice Fox never runs video of ICE arresting illegal Irish or raids on white illegals?
Ever notice no republican will demand that employers of illegals should be treated harshly?
instead the dog whistle of racism is used to stoke fear.
As to the golf spike claim let us respond like the right wing gameplan on civility is played.
you would get
"This has really gotten out of control! These Republicans don't even care that stomping on someone's face with golf spikes is illegal, and to say that you want to do such a thing to a sitting Governor is so horrifying and disrespectful! Not to mention divisive! So divisive! Is this what Wagner thinks of us? Does he really think that all of us deserve to have our faces stomped on? Is this really the country we want to live in?

And then all of you would go out and burn your golf spikes. Or something. It would all be very dramatic and we would scream about it for an entire week, and run 85,000 thinkpieces on how the Right loves violently stomping on people with golf spikes. In fact, we might even point out that later in the day, after Wagner's video, a bunch of Republican thugs did, in fact, gang up on people and kick them in the face.
the so called "proud boys" in NYC

Anonymous said...

Question to all conservative talking about healthcare.

Medicare is health insurance provided for people over 65, state lines are irrelevant.

Why can't people under 65 years old "PURCHASE" this already existing healthcare insurance?

Anonymous said...

11:13

What premium do you suggest they should pay?

Bear in mind Medicare recipients currently pay a premium based on a lifetime of Medicare payroll taxes and on current Medicare payroll taxes paid by other people, along with assumptions about life expectancy.

What premium would you suggest for people who fall outside those federal budgeting constraints?

Anonymous said...

12:22, whatever makes the program break even. Whatever that number is, it would surely be less than an equivalent private plan that needs to turn a profit.

Anonymous said...

12.22
try
https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/8/3/17648860/single-payer-explained-3-charts

"Basically everyone making under 1,000 percent or less of the federal poverty level — about $120,000 for an individual or $250,000 for a family of four in 2018 — would pay the same or less if you look at everything from their out-of-pocket spending to taxes they pay that fund health care."

Anonymous said...

Still don't see a dollar value.

"...if look at everything from their out-of-pocket spending on taxes they pay that fund health care"

Hmmmmm....

Anonymous said...

Prayers for Matt Millen !

Anonymous said...

1222. Americans should be able to buy into Congresscare

Anonymous said...

12:22pm
What premium do you suggest they should pay?

I have no problem with this option turning a surplus and I would let the market determine the price. That's the American way, let the insurance companies compete...with us.

Anonymous said...

3:12, that is because this calculation is referring to a single payer type plan, not being able to opt in to medicare, which would be a public option.

Anonymous said...

Old white dude here acknowledging the old white dude commenting on a woman's "smile". Did you ever do that to Charlie Dent?

Some self-reflection might be in order for your angry, lashing-out posts.

Anonymous said...

WILD.... reminds me of the screeching woman who verbally assaulted Flake in the elevator. Far far left man hater.... Wonder if (based on her illustrious law career) she would have prosecuted Kavanaugh on that flimsy evidence..... probably, because she is just unprofessionally resoundingly nasty and a liar .......

Here's a typical post by conservatives about women politicians. He didn't comment on her smile though.

Anonymous said...

7:21, Please no comments about the personal lives of any of the candidates. Also no misogyny please.

Classic! She's scowling, right O'Hare? Does she screech and cackle? Any comments about her hair?

Anonymous said...

There is no misogyny there.

I'm guessing this is the issue with the patriarchy thread too. You don't even attempt to understand the issues being aggrieved.

I've never heard you one comment on the "warm smile" or lack thereof on any male candidate. Don't bullshit us.

Bernie O'Hare said...

You seem to be fixated on the Wild scowl. The simple faces are any candidate who smiles does better and Wild’s own aides criticize her for her robotic approach. This is a gender neutral criticism that you are trying very hard, and unsuccessfully, to turn into misogyny.

Anonymous said...

If Nothstein would support efforts to repeal Obamacare, then Wild's ads are completely accurate. Virtually all current Republican House members are on record supporting repeal of Obamacare. How likely that Nothstein, of the notorious Republican Party, would be any different? I'd say just about as likely as a snowfall in July.

Bernie, you are smart enough to know better. But you don't.

Anonymous said...

Marty wanting to repeal Obamacare, which we have seen raise premiums nation wide at exorbitant levels over the past decade, does not mean that he wants he wants to strip pre-existing conditions. In fact, he has gone on record in several articles and public forums saying that he will support pre-existing conditions and keeping young adults on their parents' plans until they turn 26.

Wild's ad is an old Demoncrat scare tactic that uses a reoccurring lie. Casey is failing at this in his malicious attack ad versus Barletta's family, and I have no doubt Wolf will try it on Wagner in the coming weeks. News flash...Republicans have not and will not make those cuts.