(I first took Congressman Kanjorski to task about these remarks in 2008. Now that my daughter is a United States Marine I want this fraud voted out of office even more.)
The man in the video below is Pennsylvania 11th District Congressman Paul Kanjorski.
During his 25 years as a Congressman, Paul Kanjorski has promoted himself as a friend to veterans and as an ally to th U.S. military.
The video below paints a much different story.
It was taken at a town hall meeting in Ashley Pennsylvania in 2008.
Congressman Kanjorski has fooled the voters into believing that he cares about the welfare of the men and women of our armed forces, when in fact to him they are simply pawns to be used as a means to an end.
"We didn't say it, but we implied it, that if we won the Congressional elections, we could stop the war."
"Now anybody who was a good student of government would know that that wasn't true......"
This hypocrite is running for re-election once again, and I am asking for for help in seeing him go down to defeat.
Please get the word out about this; link to this story, or copy the video and put in on your own blog or website, Facebook page, whatever!
It doesn't matter how people learn that Paul Kanjorski's only concern with our troops and their families is how he can use them to win re-election, simply that they do learn what a fraud thus man is.
Become a part of denying this charlatan another term in Congress.
(Pay a visit to Kanjorski's opponent and let him know that he has your support at:
http://www.loubarletta.com/)
And to read more of Carl's writings of his daughter's beginning a career as a United States Marine, visit:
http://rightwingwizkid.blogspot.com/
Showing posts with label Paul Kanjorski. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Paul Kanjorski. Show all posts
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
Kanjorski Tries To Make The Race All About Hazleton
With his opponent doing everything he can to make the race a referendum on incumbency and Washington, Congressman Paul Kanjorski (D-11) is trying to turn the focus local, taking some hard swipes at Republican Lou Barletta’s stewardship of Hazleton.
The local focus, in campaign e-mail missives to reporters framing Barletta as a failed mayor, mirror efforts by Democratic incumbents across the country to localize races that Republicans prefer to play on national issues. Whether Kanjorski’s criticisms gain any political traction—and whether they will form a foundation for his paid media campaign against Barletta—remains to be seen.
Kanjorski’s latest tack against the candidate he’s dispatched twice before began earlier this month, when campaign spokesman Ed Mitchell e-mailed reporters to say Barletta “has mismanaged the city of Hazleton for years.” The strategy continued when Mitchell highlighted Hazleton’s non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, which, at 15.6 percent, is the state’s highest. “Barletta’s lack of leadership and incompetence in running the city are shaping up as a big issue in this fall’s contest,” Mitchell said.
Continue Reading
The local focus, in campaign e-mail missives to reporters framing Barletta as a failed mayor, mirror efforts by Democratic incumbents across the country to localize races that Republicans prefer to play on national issues. Whether Kanjorski’s criticisms gain any political traction—and whether they will form a foundation for his paid media campaign against Barletta—remains to be seen.
Kanjorski’s latest tack against the candidate he’s dispatched twice before began earlier this month, when campaign spokesman Ed Mitchell e-mailed reporters to say Barletta “has mismanaged the city of Hazleton for years.” The strategy continued when Mitchell highlighted Hazleton’s non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, which, at 15.6 percent, is the state’s highest. “Barletta’s lack of leadership and incompetence in running the city are shaping up as a big issue in this fall’s contest,” Mitchell said.
Continue Reading
Weak Economy May Ease Illegal Immigrant Problem
The downslide in the U.S. economy has affected folks from all walks of life, regardless if you are a Wall Street CEO or a “joe-sixpack” blue collar worker.
If there is anything positive to be seen in the current economic climate, it may be the fact that not only are we seeing less illegal immigration into the U.S., some of the illegals already here are starting to pack up and go home.
Enrique Hubbard, the Mexican consul general at the consulate office in Dallas Texas, reports a large increase of the number of Mexican nationals seeking information as to what paperwork they would need to go home for good, as well as documentation for enrolling their children in Mexican schools.
Since August of last year, more than 1.3 million illegal immigrants have returned to their home countries.
Whatever the reasons behind this exodus are; a lack of work for these folks due to a softening American economy, or more rigid enforcement of immigration rules by law enforcement, a few things are apparent.
This migration should help ease some of the strain on welfare and social services for these people, which have been funded with billions of dollars paid in taxes by American citizens.
And for the bleeding hearts who have been claiming for years that the illegal immigrants were “only doing jobs that Americans wouldn’t do”, those jobs will now revert to the workers who were doing them before.
Legal, taxpaying United States citizens.
If there is anything positive to be seen in the current economic climate, it may be the fact that not only are we seeing less illegal immigration into the U.S., some of the illegals already here are starting to pack up and go home.
Enrique Hubbard, the Mexican consul general at the consulate office in Dallas Texas, reports a large increase of the number of Mexican nationals seeking information as to what paperwork they would need to go home for good, as well as documentation for enrolling their children in Mexican schools.
Since August of last year, more than 1.3 million illegal immigrants have returned to their home countries.
Whatever the reasons behind this exodus are; a lack of work for these folks due to a softening American economy, or more rigid enforcement of immigration rules by law enforcement, a few things are apparent.
This migration should help ease some of the strain on welfare and social services for these people, which have been funded with billions of dollars paid in taxes by American citizens.
And for the bleeding hearts who have been claiming for years that the illegal immigrants were “only doing jobs that Americans wouldn’t do”, those jobs will now revert to the workers who were doing them before.
Legal, taxpaying United States citizens.
My Appeal To The ACLU UPDATE
(Originally published March 2010)
Regular visitors to this site probably never expected to see me call out to the ACLU for assistance.
Truth be told, never in my wildest dreams did I see it happening either.
However, the Obama administration is forcing me to do so.
Otherwise, I may be headed to jail.
A few days ago, I wrote of a plan working it’s way through Congress that would require all working Americans to be issued and carry a National ID card, supposedly as a means of controlling illegal immigration.
I’ve just finished reading a news report that the bill could be presented to President Obama as early as this coming week.
And this is why I will need the help of someone from the American Civil Liberties Union.
Because I flat-out refuse to carry such a card.
Chris Calabrese of the ACLU had this to say about the plan:
“We’re talking about fingerprinting every single american worker, and that card, in turn, will probably be used not only to work but also to travel, to vote, perhaps even to own a gun.”
I have no idea what the penalties might be for refusing to knuckle under to this scheme that is right out of a police state, but I will say this to the two main sponsors of this national ID plan,
Senators Charles Schumer and Lindsay Graham:
See You In Court!
Regular visitors to this site probably never expected to see me call out to the ACLU for assistance.
Truth be told, never in my wildest dreams did I see it happening either.
However, the Obama administration is forcing me to do so.
Otherwise, I may be headed to jail.
A few days ago, I wrote of a plan working it’s way through Congress that would require all working Americans to be issued and carry a National ID card, supposedly as a means of controlling illegal immigration.
I’ve just finished reading a news report that the bill could be presented to President Obama as early as this coming week.
And this is why I will need the help of someone from the American Civil Liberties Union.
Because I flat-out refuse to carry such a card.
Chris Calabrese of the ACLU had this to say about the plan:
“We’re talking about fingerprinting every single american worker, and that card, in turn, will probably be used not only to work but also to travel, to vote, perhaps even to own a gun.”
I have no idea what the penalties might be for refusing to knuckle under to this scheme that is right out of a police state, but I will say this to the two main sponsors of this national ID plan,
Senators Charles Schumer and Lindsay Graham:
See You In Court!
Illegal Immigration Is Making America A Police State
(Originally published in March 2010)
Both Republicans and Democrats have failed to take any meaningful steps in the battle against illegal immigration.
And the few who have tried to take steps against the influx of illegal aliens, such as Hazleton Pennsylvania mayor Lou Barletta, find their city ordinances being challenged in federal court, with little to no support from the government, in fact the feds are usually the ones issuing the challenge.
So what have our brain-dead members of Congress come up with now?
Democrat Senator Charles Schumer and Republican Lindsey Graham are behind a bill that will require all American workers to carry a biometric identification card.
I guess I had better win the lottery pretty soon, because I will be damned if I will allow the government to fingerprint me as if I were a common criminal.
Taking the fingerprints of someone who is joining the armed forces, or is working for the government in a security-sensitive position is one thing, but you mean to tell me that the best idea Congress can come up with to fight illegal immigration is scan the fingerprints of a teenager applying for a job at Burger King?
To showcase just how ludicrous this idea is, you need look no further than the fact that, on this issue, the ACLU and I are in agreement.
“It is fundamentally a massive invasion of people’s privacy,” said Chris Calabrese, legislative counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union.
“We’re not only talking about fingerprinting every American, treating ordinary Americans like criminals in order to work.
“We’re also talking about a card that would quickly spread from work to voting to travel to pretty much every aspect of American life that requires identification.”
Calabrese makes some excellent points, and I for one will go on record right now as saying that I won’t stand for it.
And I have a feeling that I’m far from being the only one who feels that way.
Both Republicans and Democrats have failed to take any meaningful steps in the battle against illegal immigration.
And the few who have tried to take steps against the influx of illegal aliens, such as Hazleton Pennsylvania mayor Lou Barletta, find their city ordinances being challenged in federal court, with little to no support from the government, in fact the feds are usually the ones issuing the challenge.
So what have our brain-dead members of Congress come up with now?
Democrat Senator Charles Schumer and Republican Lindsey Graham are behind a bill that will require all American workers to carry a biometric identification card.
I guess I had better win the lottery pretty soon, because I will be damned if I will allow the government to fingerprint me as if I were a common criminal.
Taking the fingerprints of someone who is joining the armed forces, or is working for the government in a security-sensitive position is one thing, but you mean to tell me that the best idea Congress can come up with to fight illegal immigration is scan the fingerprints of a teenager applying for a job at Burger King?
To showcase just how ludicrous this idea is, you need look no further than the fact that, on this issue, the ACLU and I are in agreement.
“It is fundamentally a massive invasion of people’s privacy,” said Chris Calabrese, legislative counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union.
“We’re not only talking about fingerprinting every American, treating ordinary Americans like criminals in order to work.
“We’re also talking about a card that would quickly spread from work to voting to travel to pretty much every aspect of American life that requires identification.”
Calabrese makes some excellent points, and I for one will go on record right now as saying that I won’t stand for it.
And I have a feeling that I’m far from being the only one who feels that way.
Barack Obama:Enemy Of The People
With each passing day,it becomes more and more apparent that President Obama is more concerned with how he appears to liberals in general than he cares about the safety and well-being of the American public.
His latest example of putting style over substance is his threat to have the Department of Justice take legal action against Arizona’s recently passed immigration control law.
The measure, SB1070, which is an adaptation of a rarely-enforced federal statute, is seen by bleeding hearts as a “threat to civil rights.”
Such an attitude completely ignores the monetary strain that illegal immigrants place upon social services, not to mention the increase in violent crime, drug dealing, etc. that Wasington has overlooked for years.
So Mr. President, if I where you I would spend some time thinking about the civil rights of American citizens.
Even the ones who were misguided enough to vote for you.
His latest example of putting style over substance is his threat to have the Department of Justice take legal action against Arizona’s recently passed immigration control law.
The measure, SB1070, which is an adaptation of a rarely-enforced federal statute, is seen by bleeding hearts as a “threat to civil rights.”
Such an attitude completely ignores the monetary strain that illegal immigrants place upon social services, not to mention the increase in violent crime, drug dealing, etc. that Wasington has overlooked for years.
So Mr. President, if I where you I would spend some time thinking about the civil rights of American citizens.
Even the ones who were misguided enough to vote for you.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Barletta Releases Contribution Info, Kanjo Says NO
Today is July 15th, which is the deadline for filing financial reports with the FEC.
And as always, Lou Barletta is much more open and honest with the voters than his opponent Paul Kanjorski.
when asked by a local newspaper reporter how much money Kanjorski's campaign has raised this quarter, spokesman Ed Mitchell stated "You'll have to wait until it's posted on the FEC site, just like every other media outlet."
It would seem Mr. Mitchell has the same regard for the intelligence of the voters as Paul Kanjorski does.
Sorry Ed, but after the reports are made public, we will learn that a LOT of Kanjorski's campaign contributions came from the PAC's of investment houses and sub-prime mortage lenders.
Lou Barletta, on the other hand, had no problem with disclosing the fact that his COngressional campaign raised slightly over $515,000, most of which came from working-class folks contributing 10 or 20 dollars.
And that, Mr. Kanjorski, doesn't bode well for you come November.
Because it shows that, while you may have the big political action committes and the Wall Street boys on your side, Lou Barletta has someone much more important on his side.
The voters.
End Of Post
And as always, Lou Barletta is much more open and honest with the voters than his opponent Paul Kanjorski.
when asked by a local newspaper reporter how much money Kanjorski's campaign has raised this quarter, spokesman Ed Mitchell stated "You'll have to wait until it's posted on the FEC site, just like every other media outlet."
It would seem Mr. Mitchell has the same regard for the intelligence of the voters as Paul Kanjorski does.
Sorry Ed, but after the reports are made public, we will learn that a LOT of Kanjorski's campaign contributions came from the PAC's of investment houses and sub-prime mortage lenders.
Lou Barletta, on the other hand, had no problem with disclosing the fact that his COngressional campaign raised slightly over $515,000, most of which came from working-class folks contributing 10 or 20 dollars.
And that, Mr. Kanjorski, doesn't bode well for you come November.
Because it shows that, while you may have the big political action committes and the Wall Street boys on your side, Lou Barletta has someone much more important on his side.
The voters.
End Of Post
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Ask Your Congressman
With a little less than 4 months to go before the voters of Pennsylvania’s 11th Congressional District choose between Paul Kanjorski or Lou Barletta, it’s time for a “call to arms” for the voters to get behind Lou Barletta. That post will be coming soon.
But before we get to that, I’d like to offer another suggestion, and that is for everyone who comes into contact with Kanjorski to demand the truth regarding the claims of himself and his campaign team.
I won’t rehash the whole CornerStone Technologies debacle, simply ask him what scientific qualifications his family members had that made them qualified to do the research the company was supposed to be engaged in.
Veterans should ask him how he could lie about ending the war in Iraq so he could ensure a Democrat takeover of Congress.
Question him as to why all of a sudden we can’t seem to turn on the TV or open a newspaper without him “endorsing” this or “proposing” that, when we all know these are simply publicity stunts.
Inquire as to why after continually claiming that Lou Barletta was a “one trick pony”, his campaign manager, Ed Mitchell, seems to be making excuses as to why the Congressman cannot commit to the debates that Barletta has challenged him to.
On the same subject, I for one would like Mr, Mitchell to explain his claim that Barletta’s debate challenge is nothing more than a cheap way to win publicity and to try and raise campaign funds.
I make no claims to being an expert on these matters, but I doubt that Lou Barletta will raise enough money from debates to overcome the fact that Barletta has 150k in his campaign chest as opposed to the almost 2 million dollars in funds that Kanjorksi has available.
I’d want an explanation of how someone could consider themselves a person of “middle-class” values when their salary is 163 thousand a year, and their personal net worth is over 6 million dollars.
I could go on with this for quite some time, but for now I only want the answer to one more thing:
For the 24 years that he has been in Congress, one of Kanjorski’s biggest claims is how he works hard to bring good, high paying jobs to Northeastern Pennsylvania.
I’d like to know, one, where the hell are they, two, why his own website cites as examples firms such as Techneglas which went out of business years ago, and last of all, after 24 YEARS of “fighting for us”, why is the average yearly income in each of the 5 counties you represent 3 to 7 thousand dollars a year below the average wages for the rest of Pennsylvania.
You can reach the Congressman by the following methods:
Washington, DC Office:
2188 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515-3811
(202) 225-6511(202) 225-0764 (fax)
Luzerne County Office:
The Stegmaier Building7 North Wilkes-Barre Boulevard Suite 400M Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702-5283
(570) 825-2200 (570) 825-8685 (fax)
Lackawanna County Office:546 Spruce Street Scranton, PA 18503
(570) 496-1011 (570) 496-6439
Monroe County Office: (by appointment only)102 Pocono Boulevard Mount Pocono, PA 18344-1412
(570) 895-4176
Toll-Free Help Line:(800) 222-2346
These are the only listings available, if your area isn't on the list please write to him at the DC address.
End Of Post
But before we get to that, I’d like to offer another suggestion, and that is for everyone who comes into contact with Kanjorski to demand the truth regarding the claims of himself and his campaign team.
I won’t rehash the whole CornerStone Technologies debacle, simply ask him what scientific qualifications his family members had that made them qualified to do the research the company was supposed to be engaged in.
Veterans should ask him how he could lie about ending the war in Iraq so he could ensure a Democrat takeover of Congress.
Question him as to why all of a sudden we can’t seem to turn on the TV or open a newspaper without him “endorsing” this or “proposing” that, when we all know these are simply publicity stunts.
Inquire as to why after continually claiming that Lou Barletta was a “one trick pony”, his campaign manager, Ed Mitchell, seems to be making excuses as to why the Congressman cannot commit to the debates that Barletta has challenged him to.
On the same subject, I for one would like Mr, Mitchell to explain his claim that Barletta’s debate challenge is nothing more than a cheap way to win publicity and to try and raise campaign funds.
I make no claims to being an expert on these matters, but I doubt that Lou Barletta will raise enough money from debates to overcome the fact that Barletta has 150k in his campaign chest as opposed to the almost 2 million dollars in funds that Kanjorksi has available.
I’d want an explanation of how someone could consider themselves a person of “middle-class” values when their salary is 163 thousand a year, and their personal net worth is over 6 million dollars.
I could go on with this for quite some time, but for now I only want the answer to one more thing:
For the 24 years that he has been in Congress, one of Kanjorski’s biggest claims is how he works hard to bring good, high paying jobs to Northeastern Pennsylvania.
I’d like to know, one, where the hell are they, two, why his own website cites as examples firms such as Techneglas which went out of business years ago, and last of all, after 24 YEARS of “fighting for us”, why is the average yearly income in each of the 5 counties you represent 3 to 7 thousand dollars a year below the average wages for the rest of Pennsylvania.
You can reach the Congressman by the following methods:
Washington, DC Office:
2188 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515-3811
(202) 225-6511(202) 225-0764 (fax)
Luzerne County Office:
The Stegmaier Building7 North Wilkes-Barre Boulevard Suite 400M Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702-5283
(570) 825-2200 (570) 825-8685 (fax)
Lackawanna County Office:546 Spruce Street Scranton, PA 18503
(570) 496-1011 (570) 496-6439
Monroe County Office: (by appointment only)102 Pocono Boulevard Mount Pocono, PA 18344-1412
(570) 895-4176
Toll-Free Help Line:(800) 222-2346
These are the only listings available, if your area isn't on the list please write to him at the DC address.
End Of Post
Friday, June 27, 2008
Barletta Wants Debates, Kanjorski Gives Excuses
On June 25th, Lou Barletta challenged his opponent Paul Kanjorski to a series of 11 debates.
He wants 6 of the debates to be aired on Northeastern Pa. talk radio station WILK.
And he wants to do them during the summer.
Barletta said the other 5 debates could take place during the fall, some of them to be televised.
Ed Mitchell, the spokesman for Kanjorski’s campaign, has already started with the “The Congressman has to focus on his schedule in Congress" excuses as a way of ducking Barletta.
He also claims that “ Lou Barletta can’t raise any money” and “This is just a ploy for free publicity”.
I can see that Mr. Mitchell isn’t one to be dissuaded by reality. These debates wouldn’t raise any money, and why should Kanjorski care when he has 2 million bucks to spend.
The money Barletta has on hand is chump change compared to that.
The reality is that the Kanjorski camp has repeatedly accused Barletta of being a “one trick pony”, with only one issue under his belt, illegal immigration.
The fact that Barletta wants public debates on issues such as social security, health care, the economy, the war in Iraq………. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WAIT A MINUTE!!!
That’s why they don’t want to debate Barletta.
Big Paul might have to answer a question about “stretching the facts”.
Or how someone with a net worth over 6 million dollars could be considered middle class.
Now I get it.
Maybe this Mitchell dude is smarter than I thought.
End Of Post
Monday, June 23, 2008
Same Middle Class Values?? ARE YOU KIDDING ME
In Paul Kanjorksi's first campaign commercial, he talks about how he stiil holds to the "same middle class values".
Really?
Click on the link below to learn the TRUTH! Check his net worth.
Click on assets to see what he owns.
If that's middle class what the heck are you and I?
Kanjorski is middle class my a..
End Of Post
Really?
Click on the link below to learn the TRUTH! Check his net worth.
Click on assets to see what he owns.
If that's middle class what the heck are you and I?
Kanjorski is middle class my a..
End Of Post
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Kanjorski Proves Nothing Is Too Low
The video below is a clip of Pennsylvania 11th district Congressman
Paul Kanjorski speaking at a town hall meeting.
If for some reason the video doesn't load, here is what Mr.
Kanjorski had to say regarding the 2006 elections, in which the Democrats won control of Congress:
"We didn't say it, but we implied it, that if we won the Congressional elections, we could stop the war.
Now anybody who was a good student of government knew that wasn't true.
But you know, the temptation to want to win back the Congress, we sort of stretched the facts".
To anyone who has questioned why I have spent so much of my time
and money promoting the candidacy of Lou Barletta, that statement
should explain it all.
"We sort of stretched the facts.
I would like to see Mr.
Kanjorski walk into an American Legion or VFW post and tell all the vets sitting at the bar that he and his fellow Democrats lied to the men and women of our armed forces, and their familes, simply to win an election.
I'm usually not too disturbed when a politician lies to me, hell to most of them it comes as naturally as breathing.
But when Mr.Kanjorski flat-out admits that he and his fellow Democrats used our armed forces as pawns in order to gain political power, it's time someone called these lying SOB's to task.
Let it begin here.
END OF POST
Paul Kanjorski speaking at a town hall meeting.
If for some reason the video doesn't load, here is what Mr.
Kanjorski had to say regarding the 2006 elections, in which the Democrats won control of Congress:
"We didn't say it, but we implied it, that if we won the Congressional elections, we could stop the war.
Now anybody who was a good student of government knew that wasn't true.
But you know, the temptation to want to win back the Congress, we sort of stretched the facts".
To anyone who has questioned why I have spent so much of my time
and money promoting the candidacy of Lou Barletta, that statement
should explain it all.
"We sort of stretched the facts.
I would like to see Mr.
Kanjorski walk into an American Legion or VFW post and tell all the vets sitting at the bar that he and his fellow Democrats lied to the men and women of our armed forces, and their familes, simply to win an election.
I'm usually not too disturbed when a politician lies to me, hell to most of them it comes as naturally as breathing.
But when Mr.Kanjorski flat-out admits that he and his fellow Democrats used our armed forces as pawns in order to gain political power, it's time someone called these lying SOB's to task.
Let it begin here.
END OF POST
Monday, June 9, 2008
I Don't Apologize To Anyone!!
Can you believe the arrogance of this guy?
He must think we HAVE to believe whatever he tells us, or he just doesn't give a damn!
He must think we HAVE to believe whatever he tells us, or he just doesn't give a damn!
Saturday, June 7, 2008
How Big Paul gave his family 10 million dollars
TidbitsThursday, June 21, 2007 By: Leslie K. PaigeWastewatcher, June 2007
Congressman Kanjorski (D-Pa.) joins a mushrooming list of members of Congress whose earmarking habits are getting a lot of media attention.
Over an eight-year period, Rep. Kanjorski steered $10 million in earmarked federal funding (from the Energy and Defense Departments, as well as the Economic Development Administration) to Cornerstone Technologies, LLC, which employed his four nephews and his daughter as either owners or board members.
The ostensible purpose of the grants was to do research on using high-pressure jets of water to pulverize anthracite into microscopic particles for subsequent use in vehicle parts.
Cornerstone has now declared bankruptcy, but while contracts were flowing, the company was paying hefty salaries to at least two of Kanjorski’s nephews.
Not only was Cornerstone funded with federal contracts, one of its affiliates, Pennsylvania Micronics, run by other Kanjorski relatives, also benefited from subcontracts.
A former head of Penn State’s Energy Institute is quoted in a June 3, 2007 Scranton Times-Tribune as saying “It was like the Three Stooges meet anthracite.”
END OF POST
Friday, May 23, 2008
I'm Not The Only One.
I'm glad to find that other people see Paul Kanjorski for the
posturing politician that he is. I just wish that I had thought
of calling him "Paulie the K".
The following story appeared in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:
Click on the READ MORE to see the entire story, then click on Home
to return here.
By Colin McNickle
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, May 4, 2008
The New Deal never dies; it merely comes back as a new shade of pig lipstick.
Witness a proposal by U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski, D-Pa., who's represented the 11th Congressional District over in Northeastern Pennsylvania since what seems like the 18th century but actually since 1985.
Talk about beating a dead gasoline pump: Mad as hell at Big Oil and urging the public to "shout out, dammit, we've had enough," he's back with the latest incarnation of his Consumer Reasonable Energy Price Protection Act.
Not only does Paulie the K want a "windfall profits tax" on oil and gasoline, he proposes the establishment of a "Reasonable Profits Board" to determine when those earnings exceed a "rational" threshold.
Can you imagine empowering the government to determine when your profits no longer are "reasonable" and "rational"? This is Orwellian nuttiness incarnate, the stuff not only of misguided New Dealism but of communistic five-year planning.
First, the more you tax something, the less you get of it. In this case, that means less domestically discovered and procured oil and refined gasoline and more foreign oil. Right-wing theory? Hardly. Review the data from the 1980s, the last time "windfall" oil profits were taxed:
Domestic production dropped between 3 percent and 6 percent and dependence on foreign oil increased between 8 percent and 16 percent, reported the Congressional Research Service.
How Kanjorski concludes his proposal would force oil companies trying avoid a tax on their "windfall profits" to reduce prices suggests a very nasty case of brain flatulence. What's more likely to happen? Unable to maximize the return on their investment, oil companies would start withholding product, diverting it where they can. It's like handing the Chinese an endless supply of succulent Cantonese roast duck.
Second, an analysis by the Tax Foundation (in 2005) found that, since 1977, governments collected tax revenues "more than twice the amount of domestic profits earned by major U.S. oil companies." Of course, Congressman Kanjorski's "windfall profits" levy would not apply to the only true "gouger" in this equation -- state and federal governments.
Third, there are many other industries whose profits per dollar of sales equal or exceed those of Big Oil; they're not targeted by Kanjorksi. Apparently, "windfall" is in the blind eye of the tax 'em beholder, usually holding a lifetime membership in The Club for the Economic Ignorami.
Fourth, this concept of a "Reasonable Profits Board" is an incredibly slippery slope that, when applied by slippery politicos, could leave no business standing. Today, Big Oil; tomorrow, Big Software. Why risk any investment when the extent of your rewards is either predetermined by government or trampled by government when your enterprise is "too successful"?
Indeed, gasoline prices are high. The demand curve has exploded; the supply curve would be wise to ingest a cocktail of Viagra and Cialis. Greater domestic drilling and refining capacity would go a long way to start fixing the problem. It also would send a strong message abroad and bolster the weak dollar, said to account for about $40 of each barrel of crude.
As for Paul Kanjorski, let's try a windbag politicians tax.
Colin McNickle is the Trib's director of editorial pages. Ring him at 412-320-7836. E-mail him at: cmcnickle@tribweb.com
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Ten and a half million dollars to go bowling?
This is really too much!
PAUL KANJORKSI PUTS NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA IN THE RECORD BOOKS FOR THE MOST EXPENSIVE BOWLING GAME IN THE HISTORY OF MANKIND!
9.3 million dollars from your Congressman uncle, 1.34 million dollars owed to creditors, and you can put what’s left in the garage of a bowling alley?
The following story appeared in the April 7th edition of the Wilkes-Barre Pa. Times-Leader.
April 7 Cornerstone assets to be abandoned
$1M in claims, property worth a few thousand
ANDREW M. SEDER aseder@timesleader.com
WILKES-BARRE – The federal Bankruptcy Court-appointed trustee overseeing the Cornerstone Technologies case filed paperwork Sunday notifying more than 35 creditors that the failed-company’s assets will be abandoned. The filing signals the case is nearing closure.
Among the creditors contacted by trustee Robert P. Sheils Jr. were the Office of Naval Research, Penn State University and the University of Missouri at Rolla.
There were more than $1 million in creditor claims when Cornerstone filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in September 2006. The property available for creditors to retrieve is worth a few thousand. Sheils classifies the property, which has been stored in the parking garage of a Nanticoke bowling alley, as having “no excess value to benefit the estate and no equity exists for creditors.”
Cornerstone Technologies, a research company that received more than $9 million in federal grants and contracts, halted operations in 2003. The company, which was operated by U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski’s daughter and four of his nephews, promised to create hundreds of jobs and to turn the Wyoming Valley into a technology hotspot. Kanjorski, D-Nanticoke, earmarked several million dollars in federal spending toward the company and is the reason, according to one of the company’s former employees and a listed creditor, the company failed.
“The moment we had a greedy congressman trying to stuff his pockets with money, we were through,” said Bruce Conrad, of Weatherly, in March. Conrad owned 20 percent of the company. An additional 20 percent was owned by Peter Kanjorski, a Nanticoke attorney and a nephew of the congressman. The remaining 60 percent was owned by KOR Holdings, a partnership owned by the congressman’s daughter Nancy and nephews Peter, Paul Eric, Mark and Russell.
Creditors have 15 days to file an objection to the abandonment notice. If nobody does so the property would be abandoned. Among the property are office equipment and furniture and barrels of graphite.
Attorney John H. Doran, who represents Cornerstone, said it’s likely that the property will be retained by Cornerstone once it’s abandoned. He said that’s the likely scenario with so many creditors and so little value.
Andrew M. Seder, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 570-829-7269.
http://www.timesleader.com/business/20080408_08_cornerstone_as_ART.html
END OF POST
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Lou Barletta hits a home run in Kankorski's ballpark
On Sunday April 6th, 11th Congressional District candidate Lou Barletta attended a fund-raising breakfast in Newport Township to raise funds for Newport Township EMS.For those of you not familiar, Newport is just a stone's throw away from Paul Kanjorski's hometown of Nanticoke.
The fire and ambulance personnel had no advance notice that Mayor Lou would be making an appearance.
It pleased me beyond words to see the amount of people in the heart of Kanjorski country expressing their support for Lou.
Mr. Barletta was already there when my family and I arrived, and a constant stream of well wishers was approaching him.
One of the EMS people told me "It's been like this since he walked through the door. People want to shake his hand, get pictures taken, or just tell him he has their vote."
I spoke to him for a moment, and then my family and I sat down to eat.
After half and hour or so, the folks approaching him finally eased off enough so that he could sit down to breakfast.
And as soon as rose from the table, it started all over again.
I could draw various conclusions from this, but one thing I'm sure of:
If this is the sort of reception Mayor Barletta can get in Paul Kanjorski's backyard, we'll be calling him Congressman Barletta soon.
END OF POST
The fire and ambulance personnel had no advance notice that Mayor Lou would be making an appearance.
It pleased me beyond words to see the amount of people in the heart of Kanjorski country expressing their support for Lou.
Mr. Barletta was already there when my family and I arrived, and a constant stream of well wishers was approaching him.
One of the EMS people told me "It's been like this since he walked through the door. People want to shake his hand, get pictures taken, or just tell him he has their vote."
I spoke to him for a moment, and then my family and I sat down to eat.
After half and hour or so, the folks approaching him finally eased off enough so that he could sit down to breakfast.
And as soon as rose from the table, it started all over again.
I could draw various conclusions from this, but one thing I'm sure of:
If this is the sort of reception Mayor Barletta can get in Paul Kanjorski's backyard, we'll be calling him Congressman Barletta soon.
END OF POST
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
More Cornerstone Corruption
If you are disturbed by pork-barrel spending, what you are about to read will raise your blood pressure.
If political stupidity and nepotism bothers you, prepare to be annoyed.
If you also live in Northeastern Pennsylvania, you should be furious.
Two front-page stories in the March 29th edition of the Wilkes-Barre Pa. Times-Leader illustrate how Congressman Paul Kanjorski continues to play the people of the 11th Congressional District for suckers.
The first story deals with the bankruptcy proceedings of Cornerstone Technologies.
For those of you unfamiliar with the details, Cornerstone Technologies was a company that was owned by the daughter and four nephews of Congressman Kanjorski.
The Congressman secured a 9.2 million dollar earmark for Cornerstone to attempt to find practical application for water-jet technology.
And with someone competent running things, who knows.
Sadly, to say the company was poorly run is an understatement.
In an assessment of how the Kanjorski family handled the day-to-day operations, a former head of Penn State University's Energy Institute was quoted as saying "It was like the Three Stooges meet anthracite".
So it should come as no surprise that the Kanjorski clan squandered 9.2 million dollars of taxpayer money and after filing for bankruptcy is leaving creditors with no hope of regaining even a portion of the 1.34 million dollars in debt that this bunch left behind.
10.5 MILLION dollars and Cornerstone Technologies produced nothing of any practical value.
The next story details how AVA Solar, a Fort Collins, Colorado based company has just been given a 3 million dollar federal grant.
The company promises to employ up to 500 people by next year.
I would advise anyone living in the Fort Collins area not to quit the job they have in the hopes of working at AVA.
I say that because the Director for Strategic Planning for the company is none other than Russell Kanjorski.
Yes, he is one of the Cornerstone Kanjorski's that blew through the 9.2 million dollars that Uncle Paul got for them, produced nothing, and then left creditors on the hook for another 1.3 million.
If I were the suspicious type, I would be wondering if Congressman Kanjorski was involved with AVA Solar getting a 3 million dollar government grant.
And if it was conditional on his nephew Russell getting hired.
But the real irony of this saga is shown in a story about AVA Solar that appears in the Northern Colorado Business Report.
In the final line of the article, Russell Kanjorski is quoted as saying:
"It's really time for us to stop talking and start doing".
It's just a shame that Russell and the rest of the Kanjorski clan feeding at the public trough couldn't have figured that out 10 and a half million dollars ago.
END OF POST
If political stupidity and nepotism bothers you, prepare to be annoyed.
If you also live in Northeastern Pennsylvania, you should be furious.
Two front-page stories in the March 29th edition of the Wilkes-Barre Pa. Times-Leader illustrate how Congressman Paul Kanjorski continues to play the people of the 11th Congressional District for suckers.
The first story deals with the bankruptcy proceedings of Cornerstone Technologies.
For those of you unfamiliar with the details, Cornerstone Technologies was a company that was owned by the daughter and four nephews of Congressman Kanjorski.
The Congressman secured a 9.2 million dollar earmark for Cornerstone to attempt to find practical application for water-jet technology.
And with someone competent running things, who knows.
Sadly, to say the company was poorly run is an understatement.
In an assessment of how the Kanjorski family handled the day-to-day operations, a former head of Penn State University's Energy Institute was quoted as saying "It was like the Three Stooges meet anthracite".
So it should come as no surprise that the Kanjorski clan squandered 9.2 million dollars of taxpayer money and after filing for bankruptcy is leaving creditors with no hope of regaining even a portion of the 1.34 million dollars in debt that this bunch left behind.
10.5 MILLION dollars and Cornerstone Technologies produced nothing of any practical value.
The next story details how AVA Solar, a Fort Collins, Colorado based company has just been given a 3 million dollar federal grant.
The company promises to employ up to 500 people by next year.
I would advise anyone living in the Fort Collins area not to quit the job they have in the hopes of working at AVA.
I say that because the Director for Strategic Planning for the company is none other than Russell Kanjorski.
Yes, he is one of the Cornerstone Kanjorski's that blew through the 9.2 million dollars that Uncle Paul got for them, produced nothing, and then left creditors on the hook for another 1.3 million.
If I were the suspicious type, I would be wondering if Congressman Kanjorski was involved with AVA Solar getting a 3 million dollar government grant.
And if it was conditional on his nephew Russell getting hired.
But the real irony of this saga is shown in a story about AVA Solar that appears in the Northern Colorado Business Report.
In the final line of the article, Russell Kanjorski is quoted as saying:
"It's really time for us to stop talking and start doing".
It's just a shame that Russell and the rest of the Kanjorski clan feeding at the public trough couldn't have figured that out 10 and a half million dollars ago.
END OF POST
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
The Inflatible Dam Springs a Leak
John Murtha, who represents Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District, has often been called the "King of Pork".
So all we can lay claim to is his protégé, Paul "Prince of Pork" Kanjorski.
Recently, the US Army Corps of Engineers let the air out of one of Mr. Kanjorski's favorite fantasies, the inflatable dam.
The idea of putting a dam across one of the most polluted rivers in the United States ranks right up there with one Mr. Kanjorski's earlier hair- brained schemes, the Nanticoke Monorail.
So, how much taxpayer money leaked out of the inflatable dam?
Well, according to recent news reports, the original earmark that Mr. Kanjorski was given for this project was 14 million dollars.
And Luzerne county spent 1.4 million dollars as it's share of the cost of the feasibility studies.
The same news accounts stated that of the original earmark, 13 million dollars is left.
And Luzerne county will only be able to recoup 75% of the money it put up.
So the taxpayers are out one million three hundred and fifty thousand dollars without a thing to show for it.
With other pork barrel projects, at least the taxpayers can point out something, no matter how ridiculous it may be, and say "My tax dollars paid for that".
You would think that having the Prince of Pork on our side would entitle us to something more than 1,350,000 dollars worth of hot air.
END OF POST
So all we can lay claim to is his protégé, Paul "Prince of Pork" Kanjorski.
Recently, the US Army Corps of Engineers let the air out of one of Mr. Kanjorski's favorite fantasies, the inflatable dam.
The idea of putting a dam across one of the most polluted rivers in the United States ranks right up there with one Mr. Kanjorski's earlier hair- brained schemes, the Nanticoke Monorail.
So, how much taxpayer money leaked out of the inflatable dam?
Well, according to recent news reports, the original earmark that Mr. Kanjorski was given for this project was 14 million dollars.
And Luzerne county spent 1.4 million dollars as it's share of the cost of the feasibility studies.
The same news accounts stated that of the original earmark, 13 million dollars is left.
And Luzerne county will only be able to recoup 75% of the money it put up.
So the taxpayers are out one million three hundred and fifty thousand dollars without a thing to show for it.
With other pork barrel projects, at least the taxpayers can point out something, no matter how ridiculous it may be, and say "My tax dollars paid for that".
You would think that having the Prince of Pork on our side would entitle us to something more than 1,350,000 dollars worth of hot air.
END OF POST
Monday, March 17, 2008
Too Little Too Late Congressman
The following letter to the editor appeared in the Wilkes-Barre Pa.
Citizens Voice and the Hazleton Pa. Standard Speaker newspapers
after 11th Congressional District Congressman Paul Kanjorski
(the man Mayor Lou will be running against tried defending his
record on illegal immigration issues.
Editor:
Congressman Paul Kanjorski’s recent claims that he has been in the fight against illegal immigration much longer than Hazleton mayor Lou Barletta prompted me to examine his voting record on this as well as some other issues.
And some of what I discovered is quite interesting.
The following are just a few examples of his votes on the following House Resolutions:
Bill Number: HR 5970-Continues to allow tax deductions for qualified tuition and related expenses by amending the date to 2007 (Sec. 201)Have kids in college? Like being able to deduct tuition costs from your federal income tax?Paul voted NO
Bill Number: HR 4890Sought to give the President the power of the line item veto.Paul voted NO (Can you say Pork Barrel Spending?)
Bill Number: HR 4579 A bill to cut taxes for married couples, farmers, students, and others, and to set aside a portion of the budget surplus for Social Security.
I’ll be honest. Anything that takes less of my paycheck in taxes is ok with me. Paul voted NO
Bill Number: HR 2436 A bill to adopt a substitute amendment that establishes a federal criminal offense for an individual whose assault on a pregnant woman interrupts or terminates the pregnancy.
Seems reasonable to me. Assault a pregnant woman, do some serious jail time.Paul voted NO
Bill Number: HR 3722 A bill that would require hospitals to provide information on undocumented immigrants seeking emergency medical care.
Seems simple. Illegal alien goes to the hospital for free medical care, and unless the hospital provides the Department of Homeland Security with citizenship and employment records, the hospital doesn’t receive reimbursement from the federal government. Would also have sought to make the employer of the illegal alien responsible for paying the bill.Paul voted NO
Bill Number: HR 4844 A bill that requires voters to provide a government-issued photo identification cards in order to vote.You know, like a drivers license. It’s hard to be an illegal alien voter without one.Paul voted NO
Now to be fair I must point out that Mr. Kanjorski did vote in favor of tightening border security, increasing the number of Border Control agents, and a few other items related to illegal immigration.
However, it is one thing to raise your hand and vote “me too” on a bill that you know will make you look good to the folks back home, and quite another to take a serious stand on an issue.
Perhaps why that is talk of Lou Barletta running against him has him trying to do damage control. Maybe he has visited the http://www.louforcongress/.com website.
But I can’t help but think that Mr. Kanjorski has been a member of Congress for 23 years, and NOW he is going to hop on board this issue?
Congressman, to use an old cliché, I’d ask you to put your money where your mouth is, but the last time you did that, you gave 10 million of our tax dollars to your nephews.
END OF POST
Citizens Voice and the Hazleton Pa. Standard Speaker newspapers
after 11th Congressional District Congressman Paul Kanjorski
(the man Mayor Lou will be running against tried defending his
record on illegal immigration issues.
Editor:
Congressman Paul Kanjorski’s recent claims that he has been in the fight against illegal immigration much longer than Hazleton mayor Lou Barletta prompted me to examine his voting record on this as well as some other issues.
And some of what I discovered is quite interesting.
The following are just a few examples of his votes on the following House Resolutions:
Bill Number: HR 5970-Continues to allow tax deductions for qualified tuition and related expenses by amending the date to 2007 (Sec. 201)Have kids in college? Like being able to deduct tuition costs from your federal income tax?Paul voted NO
Bill Number: HR 4890Sought to give the President the power of the line item veto.Paul voted NO (Can you say Pork Barrel Spending?)
Bill Number: HR 4579 A bill to cut taxes for married couples, farmers, students, and others, and to set aside a portion of the budget surplus for Social Security.
I’ll be honest. Anything that takes less of my paycheck in taxes is ok with me. Paul voted NO
Bill Number: HR 2436 A bill to adopt a substitute amendment that establishes a federal criminal offense for an individual whose assault on a pregnant woman interrupts or terminates the pregnancy.
Seems reasonable to me. Assault a pregnant woman, do some serious jail time.Paul voted NO
Bill Number: HR 3722 A bill that would require hospitals to provide information on undocumented immigrants seeking emergency medical care.
Seems simple. Illegal alien goes to the hospital for free medical care, and unless the hospital provides the Department of Homeland Security with citizenship and employment records, the hospital doesn’t receive reimbursement from the federal government. Would also have sought to make the employer of the illegal alien responsible for paying the bill.Paul voted NO
Bill Number: HR 4844 A bill that requires voters to provide a government-issued photo identification cards in order to vote.You know, like a drivers license. It’s hard to be an illegal alien voter without one.Paul voted NO
Now to be fair I must point out that Mr. Kanjorski did vote in favor of tightening border security, increasing the number of Border Control agents, and a few other items related to illegal immigration.
However, it is one thing to raise your hand and vote “me too” on a bill that you know will make you look good to the folks back home, and quite another to take a serious stand on an issue.
Perhaps why that is talk of Lou Barletta running against him has him trying to do damage control. Maybe he has visited the http://www.louforcongress/.com website.
But I can’t help but think that Mr. Kanjorski has been a member of Congress for 23 years, and NOW he is going to hop on board this issue?
Congressman, to use an old cliché, I’d ask you to put your money where your mouth is, but the last time you did that, you gave 10 million of our tax dollars to your nephews.
END OF POST
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