The LuLac Edition #2582, January 9th, 2014
WAR ON POVERTY @ 50
Fifty years ago yesterday in his very first State of the Union address, broadcast live on TV at 12:30 in the afternoon, Lyndon Baines Johnson declared an "unconditional war on poverty” Even with the innovative legislation of Franklin Roosevelt decades earlier, it marked the first time the federal government had ever launched an aggressive program to eliminate poverty and raise the standard of living in America. Johnson wanted to build his program because he felt that someone should do something about the state of the poor in this country. Johnson was no stranger to poverty. His father went into debt and went from a respected state lawmaker to someone who was financially ruined. Johnson’s youth was punctuated by cruel comments and having to live off the charity of relatives. His first job as a teacher gave him a firsthand look at the underfed and under educated Hispanics in Texas. If not for Vietnam maybe the war Johnson chose would be more successful. But even though LBJ might be regarded as the last President to truly advocate for the poor, events overtook the “war”. When Johnson declared war, there were 19 million poor people in the United States. When he left office in 1969, that number was down 7 million to 12. Today, we are not trending downward but upward standing at 15 million and growing.
Johnson’s intentions were good but events and the horrible nature of people undercut what he intended. The war on poverty has changed though. Johnson brought people into housing with plumbing, started programs for better education for youth. But those programs were bastardized by not enough safeguards and responsibilities.
The Johnson war on poverty was not intended to become a breeding ground for “baby mamas” and their thug boyfriends living off the taxes of hard working Americans. Johnson’s war can still be salvaged but not without having people willing to take money from the government for support forced to abide by a set of standards and rules. Otherwise like Vietnam, Johnson’s war on poverty will be regarded as a decision that could have had a better result if outlying events not intervened.
CHRIS CHRISTIE’S PROBLEM
On the traffic scandal in Jersey he says, I was got unawares of this situation and was lied to. He is outraged. If he runs for President, his opponents will have a field day. They won’t ask, “When did you know there was a problem?” but “Why didn’t you?” Duped is almost as bad as being labeled a crook. People expect an ambitious politician to be cagey and bend the rules, not to be duped.ELVIS @ 79/ NIXON @ 101
President Nixon and Elvis as White House staffer Egil Krogh looks on. (Photo: National archives).
Elvis would have turned 79 yesterday, Nixon would have been 1012. Both are joined and frozen in time by this memorable photo.
CARTWRIGHT RATED NUMBER ONE!
Cartwright Ranked As Hardest-Working House Freshman in Four Major Legislative Categories
Yesterday, GovTrack.us released its 2013 Legislative Scorecards. These special year-end statistics cover representatives’ records during the 2013 legislative year and compare them to other representatives serving at the end of the session. Among the categories scored were Bills Introduced, Leadership Score, Powerful Co-Sponsors and Government Transparency.Cartwright ranked #1 in the following categories among House Freshman:
Leadership Score:1st among House Freshmen
Bills Introduced:1st among House Freshmen
Powerful Cosponsors:1st among House Freshmen
Cosponsors:1st among House Freshmen
“I am pleased that GovTrack has come out with an objective analysis that allows constituents to better understand the work their representative is doing. I am working hard every day to accomplish the things that matter most to my constituents, introducing important legislation and working across the aisle,” said Cartwright. “I will always support a good idea – no matter what side of the aisle it comes from. I am looking forward to continuing my work on behalf of northeastern Pennsylvania to solve problems and get results, not score political points.”
At a time when the narrative surrounding Congress is often about the gridlock and lack of action, Cartwright has played a leadership role in a freshman class that came to Washington a year ago, intent upon improving Congress’s record and image. In 2013, Cartwright introduced 25 pieces of legislation which aim to solve issues affecting seniors, veterans, and employers such as Tobyhanna Army Depot throughout the 17th congressional district. Of the 25 bills introduced, 16 were bi-partisan and together the 25 bills netted over 900 co-sponsors.
“I'd like to point out that much credit for this legislative work belongs to my superb legislative staff in Washington: Legislative Director Jeremy Marcus, Senior Legislative Assistant Mae Stevens, Legislative Assistants Shelby Boxenbaum and Michael Szustak, and Legislative Fellow Amir Fairdosi. Without their tireless efforts, none of this work would have been possible,” said Cartwright.
MERICLE ON DECK
The recent development in the Ray Musto saga has not slowed down the wheels of Justice for developer Robert Mericle. His sentencing hearing was delayed due to his cooperation with authorities including the Musto case. Mericle is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 26 in U.S. District Court, Scranton, on one charge of withholding information in the Luzerne County judicial corruption scandal. The Real Estate developer plead guilty to the charge in 2009 and testified at the Mark Ciavarella trial.MEDIA MATTERS
ECTV
A number of free public activities are scheduled in Scranton to honor the works and memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Jim Williams, President of the Martin Luther King Commission in Lackawanna County will outline those events on ECTV Live during the week of January 20th. ECTV Live is hosted by Judge Tom Munley and David DeCosmo and can be seen on Comcast Ch19 each day at Noon and Midnight.SUNDAY MAGAZINE
This Week on Sunday Magazine. Brian Hughes speaks with Scott Cannon & Duke Barrett from the Gas Drilling Awareness Coalition about the recent Pa. Supreme Court ruling on Act 13, and how it will impact gas drilling in Pennsylvania. And Brian speaks with Dr. Derek Van Amerongen from Humana Ohio about making the right food choices in 2014. Sunday Magazine, Sunday morning at 5am on NASH-FM, 93.7, 5:30am on 97BHT, 6am on 97.9X, 6:25am on Magic 93 and 7am on True Oldies 590, WARM.
SUE HENRY’S SPECIAL EDITION
Tune in to Sue Henry's "Special Edition" this week as Sue recaps the week's news. Special Edition is heard Saturdays and Sunday on these Entercom stations, WILK FM Saturday at 2pm Sunday at 6 am on Froggy 101 Sunday at 7 am on The Sports Hub 102.3 Sunday at 7 am on K R Z 98.5 Sunday at 7 pm on WILK FM 103.1.BUDDY RUMCHEK
Want to hear some great parodies on the news? Tune in to WILK Radio at 6:40 and 8:40 AM on Mondays. As Ralph Cramden used to say, “It’s a laugh riot!”
Our 1974 logo.
1974
In response to the 1973 energy crisis, daylight saving time commences nearly four months early in the United States……ABC airs final episode of "Love, American Style". A few days later, a show called "Happy Days", which was a pilot on "Love American Style" aired.……
Super bowl VIII: Miami Dolphins beat Minnesota Vikings, 24-7 in Houston. Super bowl MVP: Larry Csonka, Miami, RB….The day after the Super bowl, the World Football League is founded…in Pennsylvania, Governor Shapp’s re-election committee starts to take shape. Shapp can be the first Governor to succeed himself under the revised State Constitution of 1968…..in Scranton Mayor Eugene Peters embarks on a second term……and in America and LuLac land the number on song “Time In A Bottle” by the late Jim Croce.
posted by David Yonki @ 7:40 PM
13 comments
13 Comments:
Have you ever seen sunshine come pourin' out of space
Just to be part of the smile on someone's face?
That's my builder, talkin' bout my builder,
And I love him, he's a Robert Mericle, ,
(Oh, oh) he's a Robert Mericle.
Have you ever seen lovin' that really rings a bell,
Kooky and crazy, like Romeo himself
That's my builder, Talkin' bout my builder,
And I love him, he's a Robert Mericle, ,
(Oh, oh) he's a Robert Mericle.
Congress in back in session and Cartwright is on LuLac. Everything back to normal.
Yonk, I like your idea about accountability. Johnson's poor is not the poor of today's entitled society.
And thanks for that Happy Days update. If only they had kept that little girl and kept out Erin Moran.
As always..great edition.
“When did you know there was a problem?” but “Why didn’t you?” Duped is almost as bad...."
Why do you bristle when this is applied to the President? He appears clueless and LuLac is silent or reserved in its assessment.
As shown by the comment of 10:37 PM, Johnson war on Poverty has become the War on the Poor.
Cartwright is getting the public notice he so richly deserves. Anyone who takes the time to look at his offical agenda these past (almost) two years, it will become obvious that he is the hardest working representative we have ever sent to Washington. It is obvious that there is a Catwright hater who loves to post here and give you shots but I think you would keep us informed if he was the worst representtive. I'm just happy that he is working so hard for us.
Chris Christie is cooked meat. Before all of this is said and done, he will end up resigning from office if he is not prosecuted for the state and federal law violations. There is no way that a control freak such as Christie did not know what was going on. Just wait and see.
Dave, good thoughts on the war on poverty. LBJ seems to be having a bit of a resurgance.
Have to tell you that Matt Cartwright is doing so well because of three things, he is not afraid to be a Real Democrat, his Chief of Staff in Washington is a consummate pro and everyone else in Pennsylvania is timid and follows the party lines.
Yonk - I can't believe you are against feeding babies and mothers. This proves you are noting more than a cold hearted right wing Tea Bagger. Maybe we should deny Obamacare to these poor people too.
Joe V
11:46 ...... Amen! Right on the button.
5:13 PM .... Absolutely on the money.
Maybe we should deny Obamacare to these poor people too.
Who says these poor people WANT ObamaCare? I didn't WANT healthcare insurance until I was offered it as a job benefit. "Offered" is the key word. We are "offered" many things in the course of our life. So things suck so I pass. NOW I must take healthcare insurance that sucks!
It's like I was happy with what I considered a Rolex watch, now its been taken from me and I've been given a cheap Timex.
So let me go back to the time when I had freedom of choice which included freedom to pass and freedom to fail.
We aren't doing a very good job but we've got to continue the War on Poverty. Its a tough job, but every victory counts. Unlike these wars we insist on getting into where there is no chance for a win. Ever since Vietnam the question has been, win what? Progress is a win in the poverty war. Imagine if we took the money spent on massive lost wars and applied it to fighting poverty where we might as a nation be today. The lesson of LBJ is that he got sidetracked. Must we too?
Greed, corruption and war will never stop poverty. Common sense might.
RGB
12:37 PM
Yonk - I can't believe you are against feeding babies and mothers. This proves you are noting more than a cold hearted right wing Tea Bagger. Maybe we should deny Obamacare to these poor people too.
IN RESPONSE
I’m not about denying food and shelter for moms and babies. Not at all. But as a Democrat who thinks things out and I’m sure there are a few Republicans who do that, I’m torn by how generous we as a government should be and when we need to cut it off. Let’s start here.
I’m all for safety nets. I’m all for job training programs. I’m all for helping babies get a head start. But what has happened to this country is that we have enabled people to stay on programs for years. We have allowed people to make living off the government an industry. At times this has become generational. The people who then truly need it get screwed.
Look at the 911 “heroes” who gamed Social Security disability! I’m heartened by the fact that this administration did an investigation and found those guys out. There has to be a limit and a stopping point.
I think it was Matthew 25. I have been conned by sob stories from a few people in my time. And I have opened up my heart and wallet thinking that this was a good thing to do. Now you pay more attention in church than I do Valenti but one gospel always haunted me as a little kid and even as an adult. . I think it was Matthew 25. It’s the story about the final judgement and who gets to stay and who des not in the Kingdom. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. Whatever you did for the least of my brothers you did for me. That was the passage. I always used to think that when I came upon a pan handler or a person having trouble that it might be Jesus in disguise. That I should help the least of my brethren. Like I’m haunted by it.
But time after time, and I’m not in a position to judge but in a position to withhold my charity. Time after time I saw no progress. I saw people gaming me. And I stopped listening to the sob stories. Kind of tough to keep on slipping someone a sawbuck when you hear something bad happened to them and then you hear them bitching to someone else they lost money on Duke. That’s why I think in terms of government, there needs to be some way to hold people getting support accountable. Americans have always been a generous people but we don’t like to get screwed in the process. If you choose to live by the rules of the government in terms of housing, food stamps whatever, follow them. And if you can’t, you’re done.
I’ve known people on welfare. They used it for what it was intended. That’s all I’m saying.
And Joe, as far as Obamacare, the poor have Medicaid. The Affordable Health Care Act is for people who are the working poor getting ridiculously low wages and who have been squeezed by the insurance companies for years. No matter what your party does, the Affordable Care Act is here to stay. You want to run a string of candidates saying repeal Obama Care when you repeal the good thing in the bill like this:
Eliminates lifetime limits on essential medical expenses;
Prohibits insurers from dropping your coverage or raising your premiums if you get sick — or from denying coverage if you have a preexisting condition;
Ensures that your child can stay on your health plan until age 26;
Caps annual out-of-pocket medical and drug expenses up to an estimated $6,400 for individuals and $12,800 for families.
And no one has to buy it. But when they don’t get health care because they are irresponsible and then have a huge bill, they should have to pay it. Period. And one more thing Joe, I hope I’m around long enough for you to say, “This Obamacare…not so bad”. Wait, you’ll see!
Yonk - maybe you didn't catch my satire in my response:-) As for covering kids til their 26, I WANT MY KIDS TO LEAVE THE NEST. Not encouraged to be dependent on mommy and daddy.
Joe V
with the way things are today, the kids will NEVER leave the nest. why would they want to when grandparents are raising all the kids that their own kids are having..
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