The LuLac Edition #613, Oct. 24th, 2008

PHOTO INDEX: LUZERNE COUNTY COURTHOUSE, ELECTION TOP 40 LOGO.

LAC LAYOFFS

Yesterday, about 40 Lackawanna County unionized employees and supporters picketed outside the county Administration Building on Thursday in protest of layoffs in the county’s proposed 2009 budget. The Washo/O’Brien administration has made it clear that in order to stave off a budget crisis, they have to lay off some people. Reports are that the workers are “scared” about the prospect of a layoff. I mean what worker in this society is not afraid of a layoff? My question is what did they think they were going to accomplish by picketing. Well it turns out the workers on the chopping block are those who make between 18,000 and 33, 000 while the administrative aides, the number 2 people in jobs that range between 50,000 and 60,000 are being spared. I have to agree with minority commissioner A.J. Munchak when he says if you are going to cut, do it across the board. The Lackawanna County cuts are indicative of the times and the tight situation government finds itself these days along with private business.

SHAKING THE TREES

Those were the words used today in the Times Leader by county budget chief Tom Pribula. Pribula is doing his best to find monies in order to stave off more employee layoffs. The one thing the Luzerne County people have going for them is that there doesn’t seem to be a sentiment to make the layoffs permanent which is different than what’s happening in Lackawanna county. Pribula and his boss Maryanne Petrilla are doing their best to make a bad situation a bit better. Finally, some straight talk in the budget process.

MSNBC BIAS

The other day Keith Olbermann breathlessly told us about the John McCain/Sarah Palin joint interview with Brian Williams and how there was this tenseness between the twom of them witnessed by NBC reporter Chuck Todd. When the report was aired, no Chuck Todd, just MccAin and Palin being interviewed. If there was tension, I didn’t see it. MSNBC’s coverage, still another reason to miss Tim Russert.

ELECTION TOP 40

JOBS # 8

OBAMA

Democrat Barack Obama on Thursday accused his Republican rival of putting corporations ahead of workers by offering tax cuts even to companies that move jobs overseas.

Polls suggest the economic war of words on the topic is favoring Obama. He appears to be opening up or widening a lead over McCain in several battleground states. Obama tried to turn the argument back on McCain, saying his people were the common people who need help in this economy. Pointing out teachers, nurses, factory workers and union members in a crowd of 35,000 who came to downtown Indianapolis to hear him speak."That's whose president I want to be," Obama said. Obama's response was to McCain's accusation that his tax plan would not help middle class workers.

McCAIN

John McCain accused Obama of endangering American jobs with a tax plan that the Republican candidate says would hinder economic expansion with its disregard for small business owners. He likens the Democrat's proposals to "welfare" and "wealth redistribution," phrases that inspire the outrage of supporters at McCain campaign events and commentators on the airwaves.On Thursday, McCain sought votes in Florida, visiting local businesses to promote his tax plan."Whether it's Joe the Plumber in Ohio or Joe over here," McCain said, pointing into the crowd at a building materials supplier in Ormond Beach, "we shouldn't be taxing our small businesses more, as Sen. Obama wants to do. We need to be helping them expand their businesses and create jobs."Obama tried to turn the argument back on McCain, pointing out teachers, nurses, factory workers and union members in a crowd of 35,000 who came to downtown Indianapolis to hear him speak."That's whose president I want to be," Obama said. It was a classic distillation of the arguments dominating the presidential campaign as it nears its final week. Amid fresh news of a free-falling Dow and lost jobs, the candidates talked first, last and heavily about the economy—and about almost everything else as it relates to that.