The LuLac Edition #1839, November 18th, 2011

Attorney Bill Vinsko.

VINSKO’S SHOT ACROSS THE BOW

Presumed Democratic candidate for Congress, Bill Vinsko has reacted to a fundraising e mail sent out by Lou Barletta. Here’ it is:
The people of the 11th Congressional District need JOBS to help to balance their own budgets, while Congressman Barletta proves he is part of the know-nothing, do-nothing Congress.
On Thursday, November 17, 2011, Congressman Lou Barletta (R-PA-11) issued a fundraising email to constituents of the 11th Congressional District of Pennsylvania which leads the great people of Northeast and Central Pennsylvania to believe that a Balanced Budget Amendment to the United States Constitution is a “necessary step” to control government spending. Mr. Barletta then says “President Obama has already made it known that he will veto the Balanced Budget Amendment if it passes in Congress.”
This statement is embarrassing to the people of the 11th Congressional District, and an example of a Congress which is not only doing nothing, but, apparently is equally unaware of the procedure for a Constitutional Amendment. I find such an inaccurate statement alarming from a member of Congress who swore an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution. The President of the United States has no veto-power over any amendment to the Constitution let alone a balanced budget amendment. A proposed amendment must pass both houses of Congress with a 2/3 majority and it is immediately referred to the state legislatures where 3/4 of state houses must approve of the amendment to ratify.
Article 5 of the United States Constitution sets forth the exact procedure for a Constitutional Amendment. In 1798, the United States Supreme Court in Hollingsworth v. State of Virginia, 3 U.S. 378 (U.S. 1798), stated that the President does not have a role in the formal amendment process.
This is why the American people are upset. We have to stop using politics and scare tactics and start to get things done. This is also another example of the current Congress catering to the extremists, and an example of Mr. Barletta using the politics of fear to mislead the people of his district in order to be re-elected. 74% of the public may support the intent of balanced budgets and reducing the federal deficit, and I am one of them, but 100% of the people are fed-up with the partisan politics that have raised the level of dysfunction in Washington to unprecedented heights.
Ironically, even if this version of the Amendment was to pass, it would not help create one small business in the district, it would not create one job for a resident of the district, and it would not reduce one dollar of the federal deficit. For us in the 11th Congressional District, this version of the Balanced Budget Amendment would likely force critical cuts to Medicare, Social Security and crucial Veteran’s programs.
The people of the 11th Congressional District need a congressman who is ready to lead and not to follow; someone who is truly an independent thinker, guided by principle and not party doctrine, but most of all, Northeast and Central Pennsylvania need a representative rooted in the law with a full-understanding of the mechanics of government and legislating, because that is how one achieves results for his constituents and not points with extremist pundits.


YOUNG GOP STATEMENT

The Young republicans issued a press release today saying that they will have only one spokesperson representing them with the media. This is a continuing sage that has been going on since the Salavantis campaign. Many people have characterized this as a rift within the organization, I see it as a pronouncement that finally those within the local GOP feel there’s something worth fighting about. Now if only we can get the same energy out of the other GOP organizations in LuLac land.
Please be advised that until further notice, the only individual who has the authority to speak on behalf of the Luzerne County Young Republicans (“LCYRs”) is Bob Zaruta, the LCYR President. Any other individual claiming to be a representative of the group, unless notified by Mr. Zaruta to the contrary, does not speak for our group.