News Release:
(25 Jan)
Robert N. Reeves, Jr. Elected to Lincoln Institute Board
(Harrisburg, PA) - The Lincoln Institute Board of Directors has elected Robert N. Reeves, Jr., President of E. Allen Reeves, Inc. to a seat on its board. Mr. Reeves was welcomed to the board by Lincoln Institute Chairman & CEO Lowman S. Henry who cited the new board member's career in the business sector and activism on behalf of free market principles as "a perfect fit to carry forth the mission of the Lincoln Institute."
(14 Jan)
2010 PA Leadership Conference Panels Announced
Focus will be on taking back our state and nation
(HARRISBURG, PA) - Building a winning coalition, Pennsylvania's budget woes, education, corruption, and marriage will be among the featured issues discussed at the 2010 Pennsylvania Leadership Conference to be held April 16th and 17th at the Four Points by Sheraton near Harrisburg.
The 2010 Pennsylvania Leadership Conference is the premiere annual gathering of public policy conservatives from throughout the state. Among the featured speakers at this year's conference will be Fox News analyst Dick Morris, Phyllis Schlafly of Eagle Forum and Human Events political editor John Gizzi.
At the heart of the conference are issue panels, and this year's panel topics and moderators will be ...
Latest Articles:
(2 Feb)
Nightmare Scenario
PA Democrats could nominate the most Leftist statewide ticket in recent history
by Lowman Henry
In sports, teams that have absolutely no chance of making the play-offs sometimes make the biggest difference simply by playing the contenders. That is what may be happening in the race for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination.
Philadelphia businessman Tom Knox, one of the first candidates to enter the race also became one of the first to drop out of it. A multi-millionaire, he was spending his own money in what amounted to a vanity run. He also knows ...
(28 Jan)
Navigating the Long-Term Care Maze
by Doug Keegan
For seniors, the single greatest risk to their retirement security is an unexpected long-term care expense, especially where there is a surviving spouse. Some chose to self-insure while others transfer the risk to an insurance company. But many are still unaware of the need itself. Here to explain the basics is Doug Keegan of Harris SBSB.
Doug, many of us are still unaware of long-term care? Can you first explain what it is and how it differs from say a medical-related expense?For seniors, the single greatest risk to their retirement security is an unexpected long-term care expense, especially where there is a surviving spouse. Some chose to self-insure while others transfer the risk to an insurance company. But many are still unaware of the need itself. Here to explain the basics is Doug Keegan of Harris SBSB.
Sure, Lowman. Long-term care refers to services and support needed by those who have chronic health conditions or disabilities. Think of ...
(27 Jan)
Obama's Blues
by Albert Paschall
There is the story of the patient visiting the doctor and the doctor says: "I have good news and I have bad". The patient asks: "what's the good news?" The physician replied: "the good news is that the tests I took show you have about 24 hours to live." The incredulous patient said: "that's the good news! What's the bad?" The doctor replied: "I forgot to call you yesterday."
Such is the dissention that Americans have lived with the last year in the enormous debate over health care reform. But in all of it, among all the noise generated by the politicians, pundits and pollsters what four critical words haven't you heard in these arguments? Blue Cross, Blue Shield.
Created in 1929 to ...
(23 Dec)
Iraq was not Vietnam; Afghanistan is Not Iraq
by Frank Ryan
The President’s decision to send 30,000 troops to Afghanistan came after careful deliberation. The certainty of his rhetoric concerning withdrawal during the campaign has apparently been replaced with the thoughtfulness of the magnitude of the decision he needed to make.
His decision will likely define his Presidency.
Having served as the Central Command Special Operations Officer in 2001 through June 2002 and having been in Afghanistan and Iraq, I am concerned about the surge as planned.
To assume that a surge which worked in Iraq will work in Afghanistan is a potentially fatal strategic flaw. Afghanistan is not Iraq as Iraq was not Vietnam.
The strategic flaws of following an Iraq surge strategy are based upon the following concerns: ...
Commentary:
Town Hall Commentary
Black Robed Bad Boys
Legislature doesn't have a corner on corruption
As a result of the Bonusgate and capitol corruption scandals a harsh spotlight has been shone on the criminal misdeeds and alleged criminal actions of formerly powerful members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly and their staffs. Less noticed, but equally troubling, is a growing list of illegal, unethical and unbecoming actions by members of the commonwealth's judicial branch.
Unlike the executive and legislative branches, the judicial branch of government operates largely out of sight only invading the public consciousness in times of sensational trials or when corruption is uncovered. Even when corruption is alleged, it is handled behind closed doors and more often than not simply swept under the rug because public attention is focused elsewhere.
That may be about to change. A series of high profile judicial corruption scandals have pierced what Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie-Melvin called the "cloak of public trust" ...
Second Fiddle
It does matter who is Pennsylvania's next lieutenant governor
by Lowman Henry
Dramatic developments in races for the United States Senate and Pennsylvania Governor have dominated coverage of the 2010 elections in Penn's Woods. But, a third statewide office will be on the ballot this year and it has drawn an unusually large field of contenders.
The job is that of Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor. And it is apparently a plum assignment. The lieutenant governor is paid $161,000 per year and full state benefits. He or she gets a mansion with a pool at Ft. Indiantown Gap in Lebanon County, full state police protection, an ornate office in the center of the capitol and all the trappings of a top statewide official.
In exchange the lieutenant governor does, well, actually very little ...
Essays on Rebuilding America
Medical Reform
Over the weekend of September 11th, President Obama chided opponents of his health care reforms for being naysayers. He accused them of lying and of not offering alternatives.
The President's claim is false. The following plan was prepared over five years ago when I ran for Congress in 2004.
The plan includes:
- The role of personal responsibility in health care and healthy lifestyles
- Changing the focus of health care from remediation to wellness
- Eliminating bureaucracy in Medicare and Medicaid billing
- Funding for education of health care professionals and
- Tort Reform
Since action has been delayed on the needed reforms, the crisis is more severe and the solutions more limited than they were only five years ago but rest uneasily for the medical care crisis is real and it is multi-faceted.
Today, the press and our leaders focus on cost and the uninsured. In reality, one should be more concerned about availability ...
The Strategy for Victory or the Agony of Defeat!
Our Nation is once again being terrorized by extremist groups intent upon making a statement or inflicting damage to our way of life.
Many are not convinced that there is or should be a war against terror. The very phrase is now politically incorrect. The reality of what is going on today is far different than you may have read in the press or heard in the media.
Having served in Iraq, I can assure you that Iraq is NOT Vietnam and Afghanistan is not Iraq. To fail to understand that basic premise will spell disaster for our eventual defeat of terrorism.
The conflict today is about ...
Making Cents
by Doug Keegan
Investing Within the Context of Volatility
Since 2000, the volatility in the stock market has been staggering, with the 10-year return on the S&P 500 Index virtually flat. So what are investors to do? What steps should be considered? Are there any lessons to be learned? Doug Keegan of Harris SBSB is here to explain.
Doug, there's no denying that this past decade has been fraught with volatility. From the tail-end of the tech bubble to the bursting of the housing bubble, it has been an incredible ride. What's your take on all this and what can investors do?
Lowman, this past decade has been horrific. And a lot of people did a lot worse than the averages ...
2009 Year-End Tax Moves
As the New Year rapidly approaches, it’s time again to think about year-end tax moves. With unemployment above 10% and the economy in recession, Congress has been very busy passing new tax legislation to help spur economic growth. But with record federal deficits and a growing national debt, just how long this tax-friendly environment will be with us remains to be seen. So now may be the time to plan. Here to explain is Doug Keegan of Harris SBSB.
Doug, this certainly has been a volatile year for the markets and for the economy. And as you know, Congress has been busy passing tax legislation in an effort to help. Can you provide our listeners with a tax update and what they can expect as we move into 2010?
Lowman, you’re right. This has been a crazy year ...
Somedays
By Albert Paschall
Senior Fellow, Lincoln Institute
The race of the energizer bunnies
by Albert Paschall
Somedays doesn't it just seem politics no longer scrapes the bottom of the barrel? That's long gone now the campaign masters seem to pick up the barrel and use the crawly things underneath it to smear their opposition.
But that may change this year if the state's Democrats choose the right guy to be their standard bearer in the race for the Pennsylvania Senate seat held by Arlen Specter. Specter's calculated run to the Democratic Party hasn't been widely accepted in the rank and file. While the Republicans have pretty much cleared the way for former Congressman Pat Toomey, Senator Specter is not going to lie back and allow his rival to take the nomination from him but he's going to get a run for his money from Delaware County Congressman Joe Sestak.
The liberal Sestak is a retired Navy Admiral with a Doctorate in international economics. He routed incumbent Congressman Curt Weldon four years ago. Weldon and his camp threw everything they could at him, including the accusation that Sestak wasn't loyal to Pennsylvania when he took his young daughter to a Baltimore hopital for treatment of cancer. See what I mean by underneath the barrel?
But just plain Joe is one energizer bunny of campaigning. Just like that annoying TV rabbit he beats his drum constantly with an easy connect with people despite his extraordinary credentials.
The other seemingly battery powered constant is former Congressman Pat Toomey. Toomey's conservative credentials are crystal clear and rock hard ...
Redemption of the Avenging Angel
by Albert Paschall
In the Bible's Book of Revelations it says: "and the first angel went and poured out his vial and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon men." If God were to create such an avenging angel to deliver his wrath could it ever earn redemption? A question undoubtedly to be argued by theologians through centuries, yet answered on earth 13 years ago this week.
The ultimate avenging, yet redeemed, angel exists among us. His name is Lee Butler and he is retired from the United States Air Force. General Butler stunned friends in a 1996 speech when he said: "nuclear war is a raging, insatiable beast whose instincts and appetites we pretend to understand but could not possibly control."
He knows what he's talking about ..."
LI Surveys:
Recession
Continues
PA business climate remains sluggish
Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke says the economic recession has ended. Somebody, however, forgot to tell businesses in Pennsylvania. Results of the Lincoln Institute's 2009 Keystone Business Climate Survey found 92% believe the recession continues, and 62% say the state's economic climate has gotten worse over the past six months.
Businesses polled by the Lincoln Institute also have a strongly negative opinion of the recently enacted Pennsylvania state budget, although job performance ratings for Governor Ed Rendell and for both houses of the General Assembly improved slightly from the spring survey.
The Keystone Business Climate Survey asks those on the front lines of the Pennsylvania economy for their view of business conditions ...
Survey
Results
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Survey Analysis
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