The LuLac Edition #599, Oct. 12th, 2008

PHOTO INDEX: THE LUZERNE COUNTY COURTHOUSE AND OUR ELECTION TOP 40 LOGO.

ZERO BASED BUDGETS

The Citizen’s Voice reports today the county of Luzerne will try to reduce its obligations by 20% in the new budget and start a zero based budgeting concept. Budget Director Tom Pribula explained that zero based budgeting means you essentially start with nothing and then work your way up. This is a good thing for the county to finally break the cycle of borrowing to fund one budget after another. In the Makowski years, the big loan the county floated was supposed to be a one time deal but as we know that was not to be. Kudos to Pribula and his boss Maryanne Petrilla for finally coming to terms with this financial mess.

IN THE 10TH

Republicans in the Back Mountain are reportedly livid over the fact that 10th Congressional District candidate Chris Hackett crashed a fundraiser for State Rep Karen Boback and never bothered to pay the $250.00 ticket price. In addition, some observers commented that the political power brokers in attendance like Pat Solano were huddled with defeated candidate Dan Mueser and let Hackett go on his way at the event. Talk is centering around a Meuser run for statewide office in 2010. In the meantime, despite this glitch, Hackett continues to barnstorm the district in his attempt to unseat Chris Carney. Whatever he lacks in money, Hackett makes up in energy and face time before the voters.

ED ON FOX

Only Governor Rendell could use a baseball analogy to buttress his argument for Barack Obama. On Fox TV this morning, the Guv, the Commonwealth’s number 1 sports fan likened Phillie sensation Ryan Howard to Obama saying “that rookies sometimes deliver more, like Ryan Howard, than the grizzled veterans”. His GOP counterpart, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty could only look on in stunned silence.

ELECTION TOP 40

HOMELAND SECURITY #24

McCAIN

Senator John McCain believes that the highest priority for any President is protecting the lives of American citizens, defending their personal freedom, and securing our land and resources. John McCain has the experience to insure that this priority is put into practice by the hundreds of thousands of dedicated men and women who serve their country in homeland security positions every day. John McCain knows what commitment to country means, and he will lead by example when it comes to making sure that this country’s homeland is protected.
In response to the intelligence sharing and national security failures that contributed to the catastrophe of 9/11, John McCain co-authored and championed legislation to strengthen our nation’s homeland security, create the 9/11 Commission and to implement its recommendations. Following the release of the Commission’s Report in July 2004, John McCain and Senator Joe Lieberman introduced legislation to implement the Commission’s recommendations. John McCain’s reaction to the Commission’s findings in 2004 remains his overarching homeland security position: “One lesson from the Commission’s report is that no one set of strategies is sufficient to prevent future terrorist attacks. The United States must use all of the instruments at our disposal to counter the short and long-term threats posed by international terrorism.” (John McCain, Senate Floor statement, 9/7/04)

OBAMA

Nearly seven years after 9/11, our country is still unprepared for a terrorist attack. From improving security for our transit systems and chemical plants, to increasing cargo screening in our airports and seaports, the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission have been underfunded and ignored. The 9/11 Commission gave the government five F's and twelve D's on the implementation of its recommendations. Obama is a member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and has supported efforts to base homeland security spending on risk rather than pork-barrel politics. He has also introduced legislation to strengthen chemical plant and drinking water security and to enhance disaster preparedness. As President, Obama will enhance our national resilience to any risk - natural, accidental or terrorist - by ensuring the federal government works with States, localities, and the private sector as an authentic partner in prevention, mitigation, and response
Protecting Our Chemical Plants
Keeping Track of Spent Nuclear Fuel
Evacuating Special Needs Population in Emergencies
Reuniting Families After Emergencies
Keeping Our Drinking Water Safe
Protecting the Public from Radioactive Releases

ELECTION TOP 40

CHANGE #23

McCAIN

John McCain offers a change from George Bush. The very nature of the man dictates that will happen. But just how much fundamental change will happen if McCain becomes President and the Democrats control Congress. McCain says he will work with Democrats. He’ll have to if he wants to accomplish anything. But one must ask the question, how much change will happen if the perception stands that the McCain era will just be a continuation of the Bush GOP era? The change argument for McCain gets tougher and tougher everyday.

OBAMA

Bob Caruso, an Obama backer from the start told me in the primary that Obama represents the ultimate change in America. The polar opposite of George Bush and the Republcans. Obama has been talking about changing Washington, he might win that argument in the election but if he wins, change will turn into governing and compromises that ultimately run Washington. Jimmy Carter promised change. So does Obama. Obama’s challenge is to run as clever and innovative a government as he has run a campaign. Voters know they’ll get change with either Obama or McCain, how that change is implemented and who could do it best will be the ultimate test of this election.