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December 8, 2010 | Commentary by LEAH ACHOR
Lawsuit Lottery Must End
Upon taking office in January, Governor-elect Tom Corbett will face the burden of addressing the numerous economic and fiscal problems facing the Keystone State. One of the most pervasive is lawsuit abuse, a dangerous trend we ask him stop in the name of growth, fairness and families.
Recent Blog Posts
AUGUST 20, 2010
Pennsylvania Guzzles PLCB Advertising
Snazzy Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) internet ads are making a splash, and the "largest purchaser of wine and liquor in the United States" has a slick new website at FineWineandGoodSpirits.com. Though you're hopefully sober enough to make your own judgment, the PLCB really thinks it has to tell you that the wine is fine and the spirits are good.
The chic new PLCB site successfully produces the cyberspacial ambiance of expensive dining, elegant parties, and cultured life. Move over Shoppers Vineyard, Marketview Liquor, Mission Liquors, and WinesTilSoldOut.com! Of course, these sites probably don't have taxpayer backing.
The mood is a little tarnished with medical cautions, an alcohol impairment chart, and responsible party hosting tips. Talk about a nanny state!
So how much is this government-run monopoly paying on advertising? In 2009, the annual advertising budget for beer, wine and liquor stores was 4.9% of sales, or an average of $89,154 per store. Pennsylvanians have no doubt noticed a dramatic increase in advertising in 2010, since the PLCB is being threatened with privatization.
In fact, the PLCB recently solicited a consulting bid for universities to revamp the state's selling model to bring in more customers. Some of the "fruits" of these studies include training for employees and the construction of chic wine boutiques. If you're really curious about what we pay for, check out all 2009 PLCB employees' salaries.
But Pennsylvanians are smart -- we see through fancy advertising and still have much to desire from our antiquated liquor control board -- starting with privatization.
posted by LEAH ACHOR | 03:34 PM | 0 comment
AUGUST 17, 2010
George Soros vs. Natural Gas
Is anyone surprised that George Soros is against the tapping of shale gas because of "dangerous hydrofracking"? One of America's real hopes for economic recovery is on the line, so it is only fitting that the billionaire behind left-wing attacks on the free market opposes drilling.
American Thinker reports that Soros has attempted to combine the forces of his MoveOn.org and the Working Families Party, based in New York, to oppose natural gas drilling. Soros's stake in the alternative energy campaign is just one part of his plan to inhibit the burgeoning domestic natural gas industry. It is foremost a thinly veiled attempt to save his own investments in Brazilian Petrobras and Australian InterOil.
Interestingly, Soros is also benefiting from the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Petrobras will be raking in profits as Gulf states languish under a drilling moratorium.
posted by LEAH ACHOR | 02:00 PM | 1 comment
AUGUST 11, 2010
Blog Roundup
- PhillyNow criticizes Rendell's "inability" to make budget cuts, while pointing to CF's A Taxpayer's Budget, which identifies $4 billion in possible cuts. MayDayPA does the same, publicizing the Governor's "tax ‘em more bus tour" to demonstrate the "need" for transportation funds.
- Giving kudos to gov. hopeful Corbett, the Conservative Reform Network Blog features CF's graph and facts on school spending.
- Paul Jacob's Common Sense blog promotes initiative and referendum in Pennsylvania, citing our I&R commentary.
- Orlando Political Press blog dug up CF's 2009 video "The Story of Spending," available at BankruptingPA.com.
- Conservative Reform Network Blog posted some elements of the CF-PennFuture exchange, including CF's original report on PennFuture's lobbying.
- GrassrootsPA provided readers a link to Matt Brouillette's commentary, "Can Tom Corbett Keep His ‘No Tax' Pledge?"
Take a closer look at some other interesting blog posts:
PAWaterCooler.com dissects remarks made about Pennsylvania's natural gas drilling. First, gubernatorial candidate Onorato claims that drilling is PA's "golden opportunity," for revenue. Then the Post-Gazette bemoans contaminated water in citizens' futures while ignoring the thousands of new jobs created by PA natural gas drilling. This is Thuggery, Hype, and Reason-The Marcellus Shale in Three Acts.
Rep. Tom Creighton of Lancaster wants to pass a bill requiring gas stations with six or more pumps to have one full-service pump. His reasoning is that elderly and disabled people have a difficult time of pumping their own gas and should have help at these larger stations. Vote your opinion in the site's poll.
John Lott reflects on the "coincidence" of slanted unemployment headlines. He says, "When the unemployment insurance benefits extension wasn't renewed you get headlines like this: 'New jobless claims fall to near two-year low.' After the benefits have been renewed you get headlines like this: 'Jobless claims raise doubts about economy.' Along with a note about the number of new claims rising "unexpectedly." Read more on jobs and unemployment benefits.
The Heritage Foundation's recent piece, The CLASS Act: Obamacare's Other Public Option, details another costly part of the new healthcare law. The CLASS Act included in the bill will provide a long-term failure of a health plan, one which will probably be subject to "severe adverse selection." This will leave it as a pool for people with great health risks, causing American taxpayers to suffer for their costly healthcare. However, the CLASS Act requires expensive premiums for five years, causing Obamacare to look $70 billion cheaper on the surface, before the costs kick in.
posted by LEAH ACHOR | 08:04 AM | 0 comment
