Chester County Democratic Committee

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letter in Daily Local News, Thursday, July 29, 2010

I am so excited! President Obama signed the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and now Congress has passed the extension of unemployment for people in need. I am just in awe of how much Obama and this Congress have been able to accomplish to support and protect us middle-class folks. Cheers to all of them! Just think what they have passed and/or organized in a mere year and a half:

Wall Street reform designed to prevent another financial crash, simplify language on mortgages and loans so we can understand what we’re signing up for, and rein in the size of banks so there will be no more bailouts paid by the taxpayers.

The Health Care Reform Bill that will guarantee that almost all Americans have access to health care, also putting to rest the worries that you won’t be covered because of pre-existing conditions, and giving tax credits to businesses so they can buy insurance for their employees, and much more.

The Stimulus Bill that has prevented a depression, provided millions of jobs, and made possible thousands of infrastructure and transportation projects and environmental improvements in towns all over the U.S. We still need more jobs, but where would we have been without this?

The First-Time Homebuyer Credit Act giving eligible homebuyers a tax credit of $8,000.

The Nuclear Arms Reduction agreement with Russia, reducing our stockpiles by 30 percent (signed by president, not yet ratified by Senate).

Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act improving health care for vets, providing services that prevent veterans from becoming homeless, and providing support for caregivers of seriously injured Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.

Funding for the Science and Technology and Environmental Research Agency.

Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act that protects against pay discrimination on the basis of sex, race, age, religion or disability.

Hate Crimes Prevention Act providing $5 million per year to state and local agencies to pay for prosecuting hate crimes and giving federal authorities greater ability to investigate hate crimes if local agencies choose not to do so.

Total restructuring of the Mineral Management Service, a scandal-plagued agency that collected money for oil leases yet failed to enforce safety regulations due to their close relationships with the oil companies.

Revision of the student loan system creating savings for students and their families.

Cancellation of the F-22 weapons system that was no longer needed, saving taxpayers many millions of dollars.

Handling of the horrendous BP disaster with as much skill, coordination, professionalism and openness as is humanly possible.

And these are just the major acts. You can find details at Whitehouse.gov.

My goodness, no administration for at least the last 50 years has gotten this much substantive work done! Check and see if your senators and congresspeople helped with these efforts and call them and thank them if they did. Put them back in office if they did so they can continue to solve our country’s problems with the people, not big corporations, in mind

A final note … all of the legislation listed above was passed in spite of almost universal no votes by Republicans and their lockstep efforts to defeat every one of these proposals.

Debby Kern
Chester County

Release Date: July 28, 2010
Press Contact: Lindsay Fritchman, Press Secretary, 610-329-0841

Calls for Increased Investigations and Crackdowns for Companies Hiring Illegally

With so many Americans out of work right now, it is more important than ever that employers are playing by the rules and ensuring that the jobs they have are going to Americans who do the same. In recent discussions with members of the Building Trades community, Manan Trivedi, the Democratic candidate for PA’s 6th Congressional District, became aware of a situation in which a company from Malvern, PA has been questioned regarding the citizenship status of a number of its workers. Trivedi publicly called attention to this case to encourage proper handling by the authorities and ensure that we continue to crack down on all employers that breaks the law by hiring undocumented workers.

The company, Forcine Concrete and Construction, is currently contracted onto a project in Abington, PA. The majority of Forcine’s jobs are in construction, a field hit hard by the recession, and exactly the type of jobs that should be going to one of the many skilled and trained American workers currently unemployed.

“If the allegations about this company are true, then a great disservice has been done to our community,” said Trivedi. “Companies that employ undocumented workers and guide them on how to operate outside the law are only encouraging more immigrants to pursue jobs in our country illegally. And with so many in our community already looking for job opportunities just like these, it is outrageous that any company would skirt the law by hiring undocumented workers. In any instance where there are questions regarding a company’s hiring practices, it’s imperative that the company be investigated thoroughly by the proper authorities.”

When a company hires illegally, they unfairly undercut their competition, hurting all local small businesses that do play by the rules. Illegal hiring practices also carry implications for safety and health care because employers often do not allow undocumented workers injured on the job to report the incident or seek proper medical care, threatening the safety of themselves and their fellow workers.

“A safe work environment is essential for all American workplaces. As a doctor,” said Trivedi, “I cannot tolerate companies jeopardizing their workers’ safety because they’re trying to hide their own illegal activity.”

Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz (PA-13) has called on Immigration and Customs Enforcement to investigate the situation, an effort that Trivedi applauded, which will hopefully uncover the truth behind this company’s hiring practices. Yet he questioned how other current elected officials failed to notice this situation in their own backyard.

“For the company to be operating in the 6th District and have no one looking into this concern is exactly why I am running for Congress,” Trivedi said. “I know that my neighbors need to be able to rely on their representative for oversight, and that requires someone in touch with their local community who knows what’s going on in our own backyard.”

Trivedi is also calling for increased monitoring of suspicious hiring practices and punishment to the fullest extent of the law for any companies proven to be hiring illegally. Having been born and raised in Berks County, Trivedi has focused on representing his district, looking out for our local workers, and protecting jobs here at home.

Manan Trivedi is the Democratic nominee for Congress in Pennsylvania’s 6th Congressional District. He is a primary care physician, a former Lt. Commander in the U.S. Navy, and an Iraq War veteran from Berks County.

letter in Daily Local News, July 26, 2010

The financial reform bill recently passed by the Senate and just signed by President Obama is a very positive step for this country and its people.

Its new measures would regulate companies that endanger the economy, establish safeguards to protect consumers, and monitor financial practices or abuses. In a time of difficulties, this is indeed good news that many have wanted to hear.

It was of course initiated to prevent the kind of “meltdown” that damaged the national and world economy in the fall of 2008, one that still adversely affects most Americans, our country as a whole, and other parts of the world. The reforms now taken may at last help provide greater financial sense, fairer accountability, and better hopes and possibilities for everyone not just a few.

All who worked on and passed this important legislation are to be
thanked. It was not accomplished, however, without effort or
opposition. For the record, it should be noted that only three
Republican members voted in favor of this sorely needed improvement.

Though some may yet criticize or complain, the vast majority of
Americans will find many more reasons to rejoice and applaud.

David W. Long
West Chester

by Chris Bowman, from wcborodems.org/, 7/5/10

I’m working in Philadelphia this summer, and on my way to lunch this past Friday I was stopped by a Greenpeace volunteer asking for donations. One stat she mentioned particularly struck me: “In ten years, if we do not change our environmental impact, practices and policies, we will cause irreversible damage.” Because I was hungry and didn’t want to waste her time, I said “sorry, perhaps I’ll join later” and made my way to a deli without really thinking too much about the fundraising effort.

Besides, I consider myself pretty eco-conscious. I use public transportation, I recycle as much as possible, I turn off lights, I cringe when I see Hummers on the road, etc. I know that we’re tearing a whole in the ozone, that we’re depleting the rainforests, that animals are becoming extinct at an alarming rate. This summer is (at least in my mind) surely indicative of global warming. Coupled with the recent BP spill and its detrimental effects and potential for disastrous effects upon the Gulf, the environment is on the forefront of my political concerns. However, I never really considered that the negative effects are irreversible – and the implications of this.

It means that my future kids may never see rainforests and polar bears in real life, that these experiences would be limited only to documentaries and books. It means that the natural beauty that we enjoy on a regular basis will be tainted and reduced, if not eradicated. In short, we will have permanently damaged the earth, and we could do nothing to remedy it.

The respective Republican and Democratic positions on the environment are vastly different, reflected in the Senatorial candidates’ policies.

Joe Sestak’s congressional voting record is 100% according to PennEnvironment an environmental advocacy organization (he is the only Pennsylvanian Congressmen to achieve this rating), and 97% from League of Conservation Voters, a similar organization. He strongly favors alternative energy sources and various green initiatives such as renewable energy grants and tax cuts, clean watershed bills and a policy to decrease carbon emissions. Sestak understands the vitality of our environment, and has made political steps to conserve it.

Conversely, Pat Toomey wants to drill in Lake Erie. And a wildlife refuge in Alaska. And the Marcellus Shale. In fact, the “issues” section of toomeyforsenate.com only has an “energy/resources” tab which addresses his absurdly pro-oil policies, mentioning no green initiatives. He apparently “knows it is possible to harness America’s natural resources without doing harm to it.” This position disregards the negative impact upon the fragile ecosystem in Alaska. There is no more pertinent example of the negative effects of drilling upon our environment than the BP atrocity occurring in the Gulf right now. Government deregulation of the oil industry, which Toomey supports, is clearly not safe for the environment. And again: he lists no pro-environmental initiatives and policies he supports.

This disregard of the environment is not what our state or our country needs. I cannot emphasize enough my amazement at the ten-year statistic from the Greenpeace volunteer. This statistic makes the environment an increasingly paramount issue in this fall’s elections. Sestak has proven he is a supporter of green policies and initiatives. Toomey is mute on the subject, aside from his support of high oil consumption and continued drilling–policies that would only make our problem worse.

Meanwhile, in PA’s 16th congressional district, Representative Joe Pitts supported the interests of the League of Conservation Voters 0 percent in 2009; and the interests of the Environment America 0 percent in 2008. In 2007-2008 Republicans for Environmental Protection gave Representative Pitts a rating of 8 percent, and 0 percent in 2005. Pitts faces the very environmentally conscious challenger Lois Herr (see her chart detailing differences on environment here).

Let’s not destroy the only earth we have; in stead, let’s preserve it by paying attention to candidates’ statements and records, and vote accordingly in this fall’s elections.

Chris Bowman, from West Goshen, is a political science major at Dickinson College.

email from DSCC, 7/22/10

Sharron Angle talks about “Second-Amendment remedies” for government “tyranny.” Wisconsin’s Ron Johnson says he’s “glad there’s global warming.” These Republicans are radical, ridiculous and out of touch with reality, and voters need to know it.

We couldn’t make this stuff up, but we can keep track of it. And we’ve made it easy for you, too. Just click below for a link to a new tool on the DSCC’s website.

Click here to see the DSCC’s new quote map. ….

[Here are the 2 excerpts form Pennsylvania:}

Pat Toomey
Pennsylvania
What He Said

On Derivative Trading...
“The derivative industry has...done enormous good and has been an enormous force for positive change in our economy.”

[House Banking and Financial Services Committee Hearing, 7/19/00]

On Owning A Business…
“For most of the period of ’91 in which Rockin’ Robin’s was opened, I was living and working in Hong Kong.”

[Philadelphia Inquirer, 7/9/10]

Context: Toomey was touting his “small business” experience. In reality, Toomey agreed during a 2000 sworn deposition that he was a “hands-off owner” and that he only visited the nightclub once a month or less.

Media release from Lois Herr 2010, 7/23/10

When the U.S. House voted on Thursday afternoon to give final passage to the bill extending unemployment compensation, it should have surprised no one that Congressman Joe Pitts cast a NO vote. After all, he had voted against the extension earlier, when the bill was first before the House. This time, the vote was 272 – 152, sending the bill on to President Obama, who promptly signed it.

Lois Herr, the Democratic candidate for the 16th Congressional District seat Pitts now holds, was quick to condemn his action. “Congressman Pitts is consistently opposed to helping people.” Herr noted that Pitts first voted against extending unemployment compensation on May 28th of this year.

Under the bill, retroactive benefits could reach beneficiaries as early as next week in Pennsylvania and some other states. Elsewhere, there could be a lag of a few weeks. Nationwide, some 5 million unemployed workers are eligible for the benefits.

Pitts has sought to explain his vote by claiming that he would have supported the bill if its cost had not added to the national deficit. Herr scoffed at this claim, calling it “crocodile tears — pretending to sympathize with the plight of the unemployed, while using the deficit argument as a pretext for voting otherwise.”

Herr said that Pitts’ votes against the unemployed go far beyond those who are without jobs. “At a time when each of us knows someone who is unemployed, it’s an affront to everyone.”

letter in Daily Local News, Friday, July 23, 2010

A previous letter-writer asked for a definition of what constitutes the “far right.” It’s a fair question.

Sadly for the many middle class residents of Chester County, particularly the many moderate Republicans who have been leaving their old party in droves, the answer is easily found in the highest-ranking, policy-setting Republican Party honchos, who prefer to grandstand, not for small business owners who so desperately need our help, and provide the largest majority of jobs in the country, but for the biggest corporations and wealthiest among us.

As part of the stimulus package last year, President Obama made billions of dollars in loans available, far exceeding the amounts of the previous administration, but you’ll never hear anyone on the far right remembering those incentives that were widely applauded by the small business community.

But more specifically as to what constitutes the far right, if you align your values with oil companies, like BP and ExxonMobil who not only avoided paying any income taxes last year, they also got a $46 million refund from the IRS, then you are a proud member of the far right, even while you pretend at the same time to be supporting the working class of middle income Americans.

If you are apologizing to BP like the leading Republican on the committee that oversees the oil companies and you are trying to extend Bush’s tax cuts for the wealthy, while denying unemployment benefits to people who are at the end of their financial ropes, thanks to the previous president who thought it was a good time to cut income and increase spending, then I think it’s safe to assume you are not just in the far right, but the far wrong. If you sided with Wall Street, thinking they needed no new regulations and that everything they’d done to put us in this mess was just fine with you, then you are loving the current far right Republican leadership. Read more »

by Susan Rzucidlo

Like a lot of your readers, I am dismayed at the broken systems we have both at the State and the Federal levels of our governments.

It was a pleasure to hear Don Onorato, candidate for Governor, at the recent event: Building One Pennsylvania Summit, describe how as Chief Executive of Allegheny County he was able to make changes that improve how government works. Now he is ready to do that for the State.

What Pennsylvania needs is change in the way its Legislature operates. The Governor cannot achieve that. Legislative reform will require legislators who are willing to stand up and work to fix the broken system to benefit the people.

Those of you who know me know that I have worked diligently to change broken systems at the local, county, and state levels. I have worked to improve systems and I have created new ones such as the Premise Alert System. Now I am ready to take my skills and passion to Harrisburg and work to fix the system there.

As an advocate I have worked across party lines; it can be done.  Fixing the system is NOT an impossible goal but we do need people who are ready and willing to take on that task.

Susan F. Rzucidlo
2010 Democratic Candidate
Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 158

Release Date: July 22, 2010
Press Contact: Lindsay Fritchman, Press Secretary, 610-329-0841

ELVERSON, Pa – The following is a statement by the Democratic candidate for Pennsylvania’s 6th congressional district, Manan Trivedi, in response to President Obama signing the Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Act.

“I have long been concerned about the widespread waste and inefficiencies in our federal government. Today, with the stroke of the president’s pen, we took an essential step that will begin to restore fiscal discipline to our nation’s government by cracking down on fraud and cleaning up waste. The law will ensure that our hard-earned taxpayer dollars no longer go to scam artists or companies unwilling to play by the rules, recover funds lost to improper payments, and incentivize auditors to root out and eliminate even more fraud and abuse in our system.

“With our economy so saddled with debt, the federal government has to be a better steward of the people’s money and restore balance to our budget, and the tens of billions of dollars that will be saved under this law is a crucial piece of that. But more work must be done. In Congress, I will stand up to out-of-control government spending, increase accountability and transparency in contracting and expenditures, and restore basic fiscal sense to our government.”

Manan Trivedi is the Democratic nominee for Congress in Pennsylvania’s 6th Congressional District. He is a primary care physician, a former Lt. Commander in the U.S. Navy, and an Iraq War veteran from Berks County.

By Joe Mandak, Associated Press, in the Phila Inquirer, 7/22/10

PITTSBURGH – A Western Pennsylvania lawmaker and one of her sisters will stand trial on charges they had the state senator’s taxpayer-funded staff do campaign work for the senator and another sister, a state Supreme Court justice.

State Sen. Jane Orie and her sister, Janine, were ordered Wednesday to stand trial by Allegheny County Judge Donna Jo McDaniel after three days of testimony from the senator’s former staffers. The women were charged in April with illegally using Jane Orie’s legislative staff. …

keep reading in the Phila Inquirer