The LuLac Edition #927, Sept. 1st, 2009

PHOTO INDEX: BILL MOYERS

AND GROVER CLEVELAND.

MOYERS MAD

PBS icon and former aide to Lyndon Johnson, Bill Moyers issued a tough critique of the Democratic Party on HBO's "Real Time With Bill Maher." Moyers, focused on the recent health care debate, saying that "too many Democrats have had their spines surgically removed." Moyers, who went on to win over 30 Emmys and countless other awards during his subsequent journalism career, has been a frequent critic of the Republican Party over the years, making his critique of the Democratic Party on "Real Time" more even more impactful.. "The problem is the Democratic Party," said Moyers. "This is a party that has told its progressives — who are the most outspoken champions of health care reform — to sit down and shut up. That's what Rahm Emanuel, in effect, the chief of staff of the White House, told progressives when they stood up as a unit in Congress and said, no public insurance option, no health care reforms." Moyers said that, over the years, the Democratic Party "has become like the Republican party — deeply influenced by corporate money. I think Rahm Emanuel, who is a clever politician, understands that the money for Obama's reelection would come primarily from the health industry, the drug industry and Wall Street, and so he is a corporate Democrat who is destined, determined that there would be something in this legislation — if we get it — that will turn off those powerful interests." I keep on going back to Obama's 2008 stump speech where he kept saying he'd rather change things and serve one term than try to do less and be a two termer. Moyers had some advice for President Barack Obama, as well. "There's a fear that Barack Obama will become the Grover Cleveland of this era," said Moyers. Grover Cleveland was a good man, but he became a conservative Democratic president because he didn't fight the interests. ... I would much rather see Barack Obama be Theodore Roosevelt. Theodore Roosevelt loved to fight. He came into office and railed against the malefactors of great wealth, and he was glad to take them on. ... As that old country and western song said it so well, “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything”.

BONNER PINCHED

Longtime Democratic official fundraiser, player, and behind the scenes confidant Jerry Bonner was charged with bribery by the Feds. A federal grand jury today indicted Bonner on charges he accepted less than $5,000 in connection to awarding a contract with the Luzerne County Housing Authority. According to the indictment, Bonner and a fellow Housing Authority member who was not identified accepted a bribe from a business owner who wanted to enter into contracts with the authority. Bonner’s problem hits home with the Democratic establishment. Bonner was a former member of the Democratic State committee as well as a local legend in the restaurant business. Bonner’s Carriage Stop Inn hosted numerous political gatherings over the years and really took off after the 1972 flood when many functions, formerly held in Wilkes Barre city moved to his location. Bonner currently serves as Luzerne County Jury Commissioner.