The LuLac Edition #3604, September 28th,2017

JOE McDADE GONE @ 85

Congressman Joe McDade, Senator Ted Kennedy and then auditor General Bob Casey. (Photo: Times Tribune.

A McDade for Congress flyer. (Times Tribune)

Joe McDade in Washington (Photo: Times Tribune)

I first became aware of Congressman Joe McDade on Election Night 1964. My parents let me stay up to watch the returns of the 1964 election involving Lyndon Johnson and Barry Goldwater. That race was over very quickly.
But a nail biter started to develop between McDade, a one term Republican Congressman who was being opposed by James Haggery. Haggerty, an in law of the powerful Scranton Times family, a Democrat in a landslide year was formidable. The lead see sawed on WDAU with Tom Powell reporting  well past midnight but McDaade prevailed. From that election on, he never had any credible opposition (except maybe 1976 when Ed Mitchell gave him a run for his money) and never looked back.
Now folks, these were the days when Wilkes Barre had their Congressman ans Scranton had theirs. McDade followed in the footsteps of the legendary Dan Flood and became a shameless advocate for his district.
If you take a walking tour around Scranton. McDade’s finger prints and satchels of government cash are all around. McDade also believed that the heritage, sometimes ignored by man and even shunned, should be celebrated.
 Joe McDade believed in going BIG. He used his clout, his force of will and personality to get funding for Steamtown, The national park that houses it, the Radison, a revamping of the entire MidValley as well as funding for historical and cultural programs.He essentially brought Tobyhanna Army Depot back from life support several times.
He was tireless and unabashed. When he was portrayed as the typical pork barrel Congressman, he took it as a compliment. His district was first and then everything else was secondary. The way he did business could never happen today. McDade snatched moments in time an era where he could do the most for his people.  He not only grabbed the brass ring, he threw it in his briefcase for future use.
When I heard McDade died at the age of 85, I thought of that young Congressman eking out that first win 53 years ago. Another poitico that night who was already a State Sen tor, Robert Casey was thinking of running for Governor. McDade was well in place before he had the chance to help Casey, a Democrat.
It is fitting that McDade, a lifelong Republican adopted Casey’s motto of “What did you do when you had the power”. Joe McDade took it and used it for good. He used it to make life better for his constituents. As he is laid to rest this week, know that Joe McDade made things possible where many said they would be impossible for a region like NEPA.
He seized the opportunity and The Lac is way better than it would have been had he not took the opportunities presented to him by both sides of the Congressional aisle. That was in a place and time far away from what we know as Congress today. Those who voted to drain the swamp and disrupt government, shake it up they screamed, many retirees who have been living off the bounty brought home by Joe McDade should stop and think about what government DID for LuLac land instead of running their mothts about how bad things have been because of government.

CARTWRIGHT STATEMENT ON JOE McDADE

Congressman Matt Cartwright made this comment about McDade's death: It is a sad time for northeastern Pennsylvania as we note the passing of U.S. Rep. Joseph M. McDade. During his 36-year tenure on the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, he amassed an impressive list of accomplishments for our area, many of which are still serving to promote our economy, and help our communities. Marion and I wish to extend our deepest condolences to Sarah and the entire McDade family.”

IS PUERTO RICO THE NEW KATRINA?

The news coming of of Puerto Rico is not good. The island, a United State territory was rocked by a natural disaster. A few friends of mine have not yet heard from family or friends. It is frustrating because they never really had a great power grid and now it is decimated.
The U.S, is sending in supplies but because many Puerto Rican drivers are tending to their own ohms, getting the goods to people is delayed. It is my opinion that maybe some military might be able to get over there and coordinate with FEMA. We are responsible for them and no one is buying President Trump’s line that things will be fine. Not to be melodramatic, but if things keep being delayed, the territory of Puerto Rico just might become another Katrina.

FRANKLIN AND MARSHALL POLL RESULTS

The September Franklin and Marshall poll came out and Drs. Terry MaDonna and Michael Young sent us an outline of it. Here’s the pulse and our take on it. (Our comments are in red).  
Below are the highlights of the September 2017, Franklin & Marshall College Poll. Complete results can be found at http://www.fandm.edu/fandmpoll
President Trump’s job performance ratings have declined since the May Poll, falling from 37% to 29%.
Not a surprise because many Pennsylvanians who voted for change, now are seeing the ramifications of the Trump administrations penchant for distractions as well as the truth about what the REPUBLICAN party tried to do with health care.
Three in ten (30%) respondents currently describe themselves as “Trump supporters” while two in five (43%) describe themselves as “Trump opponents.” Trump’s strongest pool of supporters has changed little in Pennsylvania.
Nope still divisive between the pro and con. But the number is so close that to me they cancel each other out. The movement for a Trump rebound or decline goes to those in the middle.
Demographically, self-described Trump supporters are more likely to live in Southwest and Northeast Pennsylvania, and live in a rural county, to have no college degree, to be white, and to be retired.
Very true. But here’s what I don’t get or never got about the retired. Tell me what is so wrong with their lives? They bemoan illegal immigration yet that’s where their roots are. In immigration. You mean to tell me that all their ancestors were legal? And given the records back then, how would they even know? It is ironic that their grandchildren are working besides those hated “immigrants” and maybe even dating some of them. Can that be an underlying concern?
There are struggling retirees I’ll give you that, but there are lifelines of help that have come about because of the Democratic party they demonize. Some have only Social Security, some have military pensions, some from the political class have multiple pensions. All from previous government policies. Now they are so against the government that essentially made these possible? It might be a “I got mine, I’m not gonna want you to get yours mentality. 
One more thing too, the group say they are worried about the country going to hell. What did they do in their lifetime to prevent it and if pressed, they cite illegal immigration, Obama and Hillary.
Pennsylvania voters believe the President is doing best at dealing with terrorism (49% rate his performance as an “A” or a “B”). He performs worst in improving the health care system (50% rate his performance an “f”).
Any President is given a chance on terror. It is so unpredictable. Trump’s numbers might be affected by the tweeting at some point and how N. Korea turns out. On Health care, the F is well deserved because he has succeeded on pissing everybody off and blaming everybody but himself.
Governor Wolf’s positive job approval ratings (38%) are similar to the ratings he received in May. His ratings are similar to Gov. Rendell’s at this point in his administration.
Since Governors were seeking second terms in 1974 re-election had more to do with events like an economic downturn or the lack of a reasonable alternative to change horses in mid stream. He exception was Wolf’s win in 2014. As stated previously he has more of a political problem going on.
Two in five (37%) registered voters in Pennsylvania believe Senator Casey is doing an “excellent” or “good” job as the state’s U.S. Senator.
It’s not great and Casey needs to get out front of this. Early advertising would help.
Almost one in two (48%) registered voters believes the state is “on the wrong track.”
Part of divided government. It’s here to stay.
Registered voters mention government and politicians (30%), unemployment/economy (16%), education (11%), taxes (11%) as being the most important problems facing the state.
Politicians as the main problem? Pennsylvania Republicans are the main contributor to this. No action even though they control all branches of the Legislature. But the poll also reflects that people love to hate politicians unless those politicians are their own. 
This survey reflects interviews with 398 Pennsylvania registered voters, including 191 Democrats, 152 Republicans and 55 Independents conducted by the Center for Opinion Research at Franklin & Marshall College from Sept 13-18. The sample error for this survey is +/- 6.2 percentage points. A complete methodological statement can be found in the complete report.
The Franklin & Marshall College Poll is produced in conjunction with the Philadelphia Daily News, WGAL-TV (South Central PA), Pittsburgh Tribune Review, WTAE-TV (Pittsburgh), WPVI-TV6/ABC (Philadelphia), Times-Shamrock Newspapers, Harrisburg Patriot-News/PennLive, LNP media group, and the Reading Eagle. It may be used in whole or in part, provided any use is attributed to the college.

PHAN STATEMENT ON FAILURE OF GRAHAM-CASSIDY BILL IN THE SENATE:

LEGISLATION WOULD HAVE ENDANGERED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PA SENIORS, CHILDREN, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, AND WORKING FAMILIES

Efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act and gut Medicaid once again failed to secure passage in the Senate. The Graham-Cassidy proposal that was under consideration would have made drastic cuts to health coverage and increased costs for Pennsylvanians. Antoinette Kraus, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Health Access Network, released the following statement:
“Like the rest of the repeal bills we have seen this year, Graham-Cassidy would have stripped coverage from millions and raised costs for those who purchase insurance through the marketplace. In fact, this bill was even more radical than some of the proposals that preceded it. It would have made billions of dollars of cuts to Medicaid, a program that provides access to care for children, seniors, working families, pregnant moms, veterans, and people with disabilities. The failure of the Graham-Cassidy Bill & the approaching Senate reconciliation deadline on September 30th means that all these groups can rest assured that their coverage is safe, for now. We are grateful to the thousands of regular Pennsylvanians who spoke out against this disastrous bill and who ultimately influenced the outcome today.
Now is the time for Congress to refocus on bipartisan efforts to stabilize insurance markets, set aside funds for cost-sharing reductions, and make concrete, measurable improvements to the Affordable Care Act. We also call on the Administration to end its efforts to sabotage the Affordable Care Act that have included reducing funds available to publicize this year's Open Enrollment period, cutting the number of navigators available to help individuals understand & sign up for insurance coverage through the marketplace, and refusing to approve cost-sharing reductions that would allow insurers to offer more reasonable rates for 2018, among others. Lastly, we call on Congress to focus efforts on CHIP reauthorization and making sure health centers are fully funded."

ENTERCOM SELLS FROGGY 95.9 FREQUENCY

Earlier today we wrote that ihe iconic Country and Western 50,000 watt giant, Froggy 101 has been sold by Entercom. There has been speculation that with their new merger, Entercom would have to sell a frequency.  They did, it was the sub frequency that used to be the old WDLS, 95.9. Harry West did a stint there for a while. Sorry for jumping the gun. Corrected.

MEDIA MATTERS

WALN TV

BOLD BOLD COMMUNITY FORUM

This week's guest is Marie Onukiavich, Executive Director of NAMI-Scranton, discussing mental health.
Tune in Sunday morning at 6 on 94.3 The Talker; 6:30 on 1400-The Game, NEPA's Fox Sports Radio and 106.7 fm; and at 7:30 on 105 The River.

SUNDAY MAGAZINE

This Week on Sunday Magazine.
Brian Hughes speaks with Kenny Luck about his documentary, "Opioid Nation" and the impact of opioid abuse on Northeast Pa.
Magic 93's Frankie in the Morning speaks with Carol & Rachel from the Back Mountain Memorial Library, about their Designer Bag fundraiser, coming up on Sunday at Dallas High School.
Brian speaks with Todd Katz from MetLife on what you need to know about Open Enrollment for 2018.
And an encore of Brian's interview with Brian Hallick and Doug Calzola about the Knights of Columbus St Ann's Council's 2nd Annual Charities Golf Tournament, coming up on Saturday October 14th at the Pine Hills Country Club in Taylor.
Sunday Magazine, Sunday morning at 5am on NASH-FM, 93.7, 5:30am on 97BHT, 6am on 97.9X and Sports Radio 590, WARM and 6:25am on Magic 93.

ECTV LIVE

ECTV Live hosts Rusty Fender and David DeCosmo will welcome a guest from the University of Scranton to the program during the week of October 2nd to discuss programs and activities open to the public this fall.
ECTV Live can be seen on Comcast channel 19 (61 in some areas) and is aired during the Noon, 6pm and Midnight hours each day of the week. Following Monday's Live program the show will become available on Electric City Television's YouTube channel which can be viewed on your computer.

SUE HENRY’S SPECIAL EDITION

Tune in to Sue Henry's "Special Edition" this week as Sue recaps the week's news. The show will run Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. on WILK, and on KRZ, Froggy and Max 102 early Sunday morning.

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!”

KAREL ON THE STREET

Tune in Wednesdays on WILK Radio for Karel on the Street. Hear some of the funniest and he heartwarming comments on the issues of the day on Webster and Nancy with Karel Zubris.

BOBBY V’S DOO WOP SOCK HOP

SUNDAY NIGHTS!!!!

1977

Our 1977 logo

Singer-songwriter Billy Joel releases his fifth studio album The Stranger; it becomes the first of several hit albums, spawning five hit singles, going 10x platinum in the US, and later ranking at No. 70 on the list of Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time…..

The modern Food Stamp Program begins when the Food Stamp Act of 1977 is enacted……Energy Research and Development Administration combined with the Federal Energy Administration to form United States Department of Energy……in Pennsylvania excitement reigns in Philly as the Phillies head for their second straight division title……in Luzerne County more people begin to speculate on where Penn State’s Jimmy Cefalo might go if drafted by the pros as he closes out his Penn State career  and forty years ago this week the number one song song in LuLac land and America was “You Light Up My Life” by Debby Boone.