The LuLac Edition #1323, Oct. 7th, 2010

PHOTO INDEX: SID MICHAEL KAVULICH, CANDIDATE FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE IN THE 114TH DISTRICT, MAYOR LOU BARLETTA AND CONGRESSMAN KANJORSKI, THE LATE PITTSBURGH MAYOR JOSEPH BARR AND OUR 1966 LOGO.

SID STEAMS ON

Sid Michaels Kavulich is running for the Pa. House of Representatives with a seemingly non stop schedule. The popular former TV sportscaster has some pretty interesting thoughts on reforms in Harrisburg. He recently commented., It's time for a common sense approach in Harrisburg. We need to reform our state legislature and the way it conducts business. Let's cut the size and cost of our state government in order to save tax dollars. I will make every effort to pass a state budget on time, and balance that budget by cutting wasteful spending, instead of raising taxes. As your State Representative, I will only accept reimbursement for actual expenses, and will never accept per-diems.
I believe that the size of state government should be reduced, while maintaining adequate representation for all Pennsylvanians. Our legislators are elected by the people to do what's best for the people and I will remember that as your State Representative in the 114th District.

AD OVERLOAD

Local media outlets are being inundated with radio and TV ads for Congress. Here are a few out there:





CARNEY ON THE CASH

The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2378, the Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act, commonly know as the China Currency Bill. The bill, which Congressman Carney co-sponsored, will address China’s fundamental undervaluation of its currency, protect American manufacturing jobs and cut our trade deficit. “Saving and creating American jobs is a top priority for me,” said Congressman Carney. “We live in the greatest country in the world but we know that America must stay competitive in the global market. Each year we lose far too many jobs because of unfair competition from overseas companies and we must do all we can to keep manufacturers here in the US.” Last March Congressman Carney introduced the Made in America Act of 2009. This bipartisan legislation creates tax cuts to support American companies that keep their jobs and businesses “made in America”. The US currently has one of the highest corporate tax rates in the world at 35 percent. The Made in America Act lowers the tax rate to 30 percent, which will attract new businesses and keep American jobs right here at home. Currently, China suppresses the value of its currency (the RMB), making China’s exports cheaper than they would be if China allowed its currency to be set by the market. This policy places a drag on US economic growth and job creation. If China allowed its currency to respond to market forces, it would create a million US manufacturing jobs and cut our trade deficit with China by $100 billion a year, with no costs to the US treasury. “For too long China, and other foreign governments, have intervened in their currency markets artificially making US products more expensive. The Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act will protect, create and encourage economic growth in American manufacturing without adding a single dime to the deficit and I was proud to support it.” H.R. 2378 amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to require the Department of Commerce to determine whether the exchange rate of the currency of an exporting country is fundamentally undervalued or overvalued against the US dollar and take actions under a countervailing duty or antidumping duty to offset such misalignments. The bill passed the House with a vote of 348 to 79 and now moves to the Senate for final passage.

MARINO GETS SOME LOVE

The embattled candidacy of Tom Marino had some good news this week, albeit from expected sources. Two major national business organizations threw their support behind Tom Marino’s campaign for U.S. Congress this week. The Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America and the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) enthusiastically announced their endorsement of the Marino campaign. Both organizations cited Marino’s support of pro-business polices which will help the private sector create and retain family sustaining jobs. In a letter dated September 27, 2010 Thomas J. Donohue, President of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America informed Mr. Marino of the endorsement of his organization. “At no time in our nation’s history has it become more critical that Members of Congress provide leadership that protects and advances the interests of the business community” said Donohue. He went on to say that Marino’s election will help produce sustained economic growth and help create more jobs.NFIB National Vice President Lisa Goeas called Marino’s election to the U.S. Congress “Not only critical to small-businesses owners in the 10th Congressional District, but also to protecting free enterprise across America”. Goeas went on to thank Marino for his service and wish him well in the upcoming election.“I am honored and humbled to be receiving the endorsement of these two pro-economic growth organizations.
As your next U.S. Congressman, I will work hard to help the private sector create jobs, reduce government spending, eliminate unnecessary regulations, cut taxes, create a national energy policy, and repeal the Obama/Pelosi/Carney Healthcare Bill” said Marino.

YUDI WALKING

John Yudichak, State Senate candidate in the 14th Senatorial District, launched his door-to-door campaign on Wednesday, October 6th in Plains Township. The 14th Senate District encompasses parts of Carbon, Luzerne and Monroe Counties in Northeastern PA. The door-to-door activity follows an aggressive campaign during the primary election where the Yudichak for Senate camp reached nearly 20,000 doors. "The door-to-door campaign has always been an integral component of my campaign. It allows me the opportunity to meet and discuss the critical issues facing families throughout the 14th Senate District," Yudichak said. "I look forward to hitting the streets this week and every week as we move forward towards the November 2nd election." The door-to-door activity kicked off Wednesday in Plains Township. Upcoming locations include Swoyersville (Oct. 12th), Exeter (Oct. 14th), Lehighton (Oct. 16th), and Plymouth (Oct. 27th). For the complete door-to-door schedule, please visit http://www.yudichakforsenate.com/

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT


VET'S UPDATE FROM KANJORSKI

About 145,000 Iraq and Afghanistan service members have had their service involuntarily extended, known as stop loss, and they may not receive the payments that they deeply deserve for that extended service. Congressman Kanjorski strongly supported legislation which was recently enacted that makes it so that such eligible service members can receive up to $500 for each or partial month served in stop loss status. In order for eligible service members to receive these payments, they must apply by October 21, which is in just two weeks. These service members and veterans deserve to be fairly compensated for their service.
To that end Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski (PA-11) announced that about 145,000 service members who were forced to extend their tours of duty, known as stop loss, in Iraq and Afghanistan, are eligible to receive payments that they deserve for their service to protect the United States. Congressman Kanjorski strongly supported legislation which ensures that that those eligible for the special pay will receive $500 for each month or partial month served in stop loss status. At the Dupont VFW, Congressman Kanjorski discussed that our troops deserve these payments and pointed out that many service members and veterans who are applicable still have not applied to receive these payments. The deadline to file paperwork to receive the stop loss payments closes on October 21, 2010. The payments apply to service members affected by the stop loss between September 11, 2001 and September 30, 2009. “Our troops and service members have put their lives in jeopardy and fought to protect our country – one of the most noble and selfless acts possible,” said Congressman Kanjorski. “For many of these troops, their tours in Iraq or Afghanistan were extended involuntarily, and I have worked in Congress to ensure that at the very least, they are fully compensated for their hard fought efforts. I strongly encourage eligible veterans to apply to receive the payments they deserve before the deadline in just over a month. I also encourage Northeastern Pennsylvanians to help spread the word to local service members and veterans about these payments. We must work to continue to support our troops and their families, and provide needed services to our troops and veterans who put their country above all else.” “I would like to thank Congressman Kanjorski for supporting legislation that ensures that eligible Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans, such as myself, are recognized and compensated for our involuntary extensions,” said Jeff Demko, an Iraq war veteran from Luzerne County. “I hope that all eligible service members apply for the payments in advance of the deadline next month. I signed up to serve and defend my country, and like many other service members, my tour in the Army was involuntarily extended at the request of the military. Because of the legislation that Congressman Kanjorski supported, I, and many others are able to receive compensation for the sacrifice we made to protect the country that we love.” Mr. Demko served in the Army from January 8, 2003 until April 30, 2006. His enlistment terms stated that he should have completed his service on January 7, 2006, but it was involuntarily extended for almost four months. As of July 29, 2010, the Pentagon had paid out $111 million to 25,000 service members and veterans affected by the stop loss. The average payout is $3,000 to $4,000 per claim. The Pentagon has approximately $423 million left in the program’s fund.
The 2009 War Supplemental Appropriations Act, which Congressman Kanjorski supported, states that those eligible for the special pay will receive $500 for each month or partial month served in stop loss status. Who is Eligible for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay?Service members, veterans, and beneficiaries of service members whose service was involuntarily extended under Stop Loss between Sept. 11, 2001 and Sept. 30, 2009 may be eligible for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay. This includes members of the Reserve Components, former, and retired members who served on Active Duty while their enlistment or period of obligated service was extended, or whose eligibility for retirement was suspended from one of the following: Contractual Expiration of Term of Service (ETS), Expiration of Active Service (EAS), or Reserve End of Current Contract (RECC)
An approved separation date based on an unqualified resignation request or Release From Active Duty (REFRAD) order;
An approved retirement based on length of service ;
Who is Not Eligible for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay?
Service members who received a bonus for voluntarily re-enlisting or extending their service after being involuntarily extended no longer qualify for retroactive stop loss pay.
How to Apply for the Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay Program
Service members can apply for the Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay Program online at www.defense.gov/stoploss.

ARNOLD MAKES IMPACT

The Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation has announced that they are endorsing Rick Arnold in his campaign for the 119th district seat in Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives. The Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation is Pennsylvania’s largest statewide pro-life organization, representing every region of the state. Charlene Bashore, Esq, the director of Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation Political Action Committee wrote in her letter to Rick Arnold, “We thank you for your commitment to help protect innocent human life and your willingness to support positive, compassionate solutions for women and their children.”

DEMS FOR LOU

Hazleton Mayor Lou Barlletta is getting a boost from a vanquished rival of Congressman Kanjorski. A Democrats for Barletta group was formed. What impact it will have is still to be seen but it is an interesting development nonetheless. U.S. Congressional candidate Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta stood with former U.S. Congressional candidate Brian Kelly, Scranton City Council Vice President Pat Rogan, and other Democrats to announce the creation of Democrats for Barletta. Kelly will chair this coalition. “Lou is very competent, he is very honest and, most of all, and perhaps more important than anything else right now, Lou Barletta is a good man. Lou is the best man to represent Northeastern Pennsylvania in Washington. I’m here to say that it’s OK for all Democrats who care about America, this time around, to vote against the incumbent, who is a big part of the problem, and vote for Lou Barletta, who is a big part of the solution,” Kelly said. “Kanjorski is no longer the voice of the working man. Kanjorski is the voice of Wall Street and big business. He is the voice of deficits, debt, bailouts, huge tax increases, and runaway spending. Kanjorski is not the voice of the people, not anymore. That’s why it’s OK for Democrats to publicly support and vote for Lou Barletta on November 2.

1966

The Soviet Union declares that all Chinese students must leave the country before the end of October....The Baltimore Orioles defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 4 of the World Series, 1–0, to sweep the series for their 1st World Championship.........In the city of Pittsburgh, Mayor Joseph Barr touts the candidacy of Philadelphia area candidate Milton J. Shapp. Barr says that east-west differences must be put aside in getting the state back in the Democratic column. Shapp’s Lt. Governor candidate Leonard Staisey of Allegheny County also made the campaign swing through the western counties as election day drew near…....in Lackawanna County a bizarre story developed. A four day old infant was kidnapped from Taylor hospital during the predawn hours by a 25 year old Taylor man who telephoned a Scranton radio station (WARM) demanding $20,000 from the child’s parents. The baby was returned to the hospital several hours later unharmed. Agents of the FBI are holding the kidnapper pending an arraignment. He is a former employee of the hospital and at 3am he went to the nursery where he picked up the four year old girl. The kidnapper walked out of the hospital unnoticed. t about 425am, the man called Joseph Shaver an all night disc jockey on a Scranton radio station and asked to speak to Harry West, a daytime announcer on the station. West was not working at the time so the kidnapper told Shaver that he had taken a baby from a hospital and wanted $20,000. Shaver turned on a tape recorder and got most of the conversation with the kidnapper on tape. He immediately called Taylor hospital and confirmed that the baby was missing, advising the hospital to call Taylor police. Shaver then telephoned the FBI in Philadelphia and special agents Thomas Williams and Robert Harvey were dispatched from the Scranton field office to the Taylor police station. The kidnapper called the radio station 6 or 7 times during the early morning hours but Shaver did not put the information on the air for fear he would not call back. Shortly before 7am West arrived at the station and received a call from the kidnaper. Telling West he had the missing baby, the kidnapper declared, “Listen carefully, I’ll say this once and once only. I want $20,000 before 8 o’clock tonight and I’ll call later for details.”West had a tracer put on the station’s lines by Bell Telephone company but the kidnapper never got the chance to call back. After hearing the tape recording of the kidnapper’s voice and checking various other information, Chief Joseph Wincovitch of Taylor deduced who the kidnapper was. The Chief declined to be more specific as to how he knew it was the kidnapper but stated emphatically that the kidnapper is not deranged. Pressed for information, the Chief replied, “I know the people in my town.” Driving to the kidnapper’s home chief Wincovitch knocked on the door and learned that the kidnapper’s wife had just arrived home from her shift as an LPN at Taylor hospital. It was about 7 am by then. The police heard a baby crying upstairs and after questioning the kidnapper they learned it was the missing child. They took the kidnapper into custody and returned the baby to the hospital. Following a physical checkup it was learned the child was unhurt by the experience…….and the number 1 song in America and LuLac land was by the newest TV sensation teen heart throbs, The Monkees with “Last Train To Clarksville”.