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Current Program
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Program 10-37
(September 4, 2010 - September 10, 2010) This week on Lincoln Radio Journal: David Taylor of the PA Manufacturers Association is joined by Kevin Shivers from the PA Chapter of the National Federation of Independent Businesses and Arthur Maurice of the New Jersey Business and Industry Association for a Capitol Watch look at the impact Governor Chris Christie is having in New Jersey and how Pennsylvania's new governor might learn from his experiences; And, Lowman Henry has a Town Hall Commentary on why the upcoming November election could be a transformational election.
LRJ Features
Newsmaker Interview
Newsmaker Interview
Lowman Henry
with
David Sanko, PSATS on
Value of Local Government
Capitol Watch
David Taylor,
Kevin Shivers & Matt Brouilette
with
Arthur Maurice, NJBIA on
Lessons PA Might Learn from NJ Governor Christie
Non-Profit Spotlight
Joe Geiger
with
Jen Roberts on
York YWCA
Somedays Commentary
Al Paschall
on
Importance of Local Government
Town Hall Commentary
Lowman Henry
on
Transformational Election Ahead
Making Cents
Doug Keegan
on
Investing in a Volatile Market
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for more information
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click the section title
to listen to the program.
 Lighting the brushfires of freedom |
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(September 4, 2010 - September 10, 2010) This week on American Radio Journal: On part three of a four-part series School: It's Your Choice, Lowman Henry talks with Robert C. Enlow of the Foundation for Educational Choice about tax credit programs in the various states; Andy Roth of the Club for Growth has the Real Story on all the TEA Party victories in U.S. Senate primaries; and Dr. Paul Kengor of the Center for Vision & Values at Grove City College has an American Radio Journal commentary on the confusion over President Obama's religious beliefs. |
Latest Articles:
(1 Sep)
Transformational
November's elections could change the course of America
by Lowman S. Henry, Chairman and CEO,
Lincoln Institute of Public Opinion Research
Although Labor Day is traditionally seen as the kick-off of the General Election campaign season, the long process of state primaries will continue well into September. The primaries held to date have validated the TEA Party as a political force and have set the stage for what could be a transformational election in November.
Few election cycles are truly transformational. Gerrymandering and a wide array of perks and staff services enjoyed by Congressional incumbents of both political parties mean few districts are competitive. That has yielded long periods of control for the party in power and few seismic shifts in policy.
But 2010 is different on both fronts ...
(17 Aug)
The Revenge of the Foot Soldiers
by Albert Paschall
What does a big, blundering bureaucracy led by a legislature whose senior leadership has been tainted by scandals galore the last few years do to small local, generally respected governments?
In Pennsylvania crush them.
Someday that that could happen to the state's 1455 townships and 958 boroughs if some members of the general assembly have their way.
Senate Bill 2341, the legislation that would annihilate your town hall ...
(16 Jul)
Stock Market Volatility Redux
by Doug Keegan
When it comes to the stock market, are we back to the future? Volatility has returned, with the S&P 500 up big one week, down big the next. So what do these moves suggest? Is a global double-dip recession imminent? Or, is this the start of a new bull market? What is the average investor to do? Here to explain is Doug Keegan of Harris SBSB.
Doug, some say the economic data doesn't look good. We've seen continued volatility in the stock market. Can you please detail what you're seeing and what may lie ahead for investors?
That's right, Lowman. It goes without saying that our tax laws are complex and constantly changing. It's tough even for tax professionals to keep current let alone a recent college graduate. So what I'd like to do is provide some tax tips. The key is, as with all planning, don’t wait until the last minute. Now is the time to plan.
So what tax tips are you going to share with us?
You're right, Lowman. The economic data is troubling. In fact, the evidence has risen to the point where I now think there is a strong case the economy could be in recession within 6 months. But that doesn't mean that the stock market won't go higher. Corporations are still making money and managing operations well. So, I don't want to come across as a doom and gloomer. I'd like to share 5 positives and 5 negatives. Let's start with the negatives:
#1 Political Will: We have a dysfunctional Congress ...
(8 Jul)
Misery Index - The need to rebuild America
by Frank Ryan
For those old enough to remember, the 1980’s were consumed by periods of high unemployment, high inflation, and devastating interest rates. The national debt was almost $1 Trillion. Interest rates were in the high teens and inflation was equally high.
President Reagan, in a national debate, asked the devastating rhetorical question which haunted then President Carter, "Are we better off today than we were four years earlier?" The answer to the question was intuitively obvious to the most casual observer at the time and is believed to have had a significant effect on the outcome of the presidential election that year.
Unfortunately, since the1980’s, the impact of continued deficits under both parties, systemic undermining of American industry, and the wholesale degradation of our nation’s critical infrastructure, have combined to yield extremely high unemployment, recklessly low interest rates, and volatile and unrecognized inflation.
The dichotomy of the economic realities of low interest rates, deceptive and volatile inflation rates and high unemployment do not bode well for our economy and our citizens ...
Commentary:
Town Hall Commentary
A Matter of Fairness
Minor party and independent candidates deserve ballot access
The traditional Labor Day kick-off of the political season is almost here, but questions remain as to which candidates will appear on the General Election ballot. This is because all of the minor party and independent candidates who have filed to run for statewide office have had their candidacies challenged by agents of the two major parties.
This situation has become something of a biannual event in Penn's Woods. Republicans and Democrats alike cling to the theory that minor party or independent candidates of their ideological bent can siphon off enough votes to prevent their nominee from winning in the November election. This myth persists despite the fact that it has never happened.
Even in 1994, ...
A Mid-Summer Night's Nightmare
Annual transportation drama now playing in Harrisburg
by Lowman S. Henry, Chairman and CEO,
Lincoln Institute of Public Opinion Research
Governor Ed Rendell will leave office in January, but travelers on the Pennsylvania Turnpike will only just be starting to pay for the legacy of profligate spending he will leave behind.
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission recently announced that tolls on America’s first (and now most expensive) superhighway will rise by 10% effective January 2, 2011. Those of us who use E-Z Pass will see only a 3% increase. This is just the latest what is expected to be a series of fare increases.
The worst part about the ever-rising cost of driving on the turnpike is that revenue generated by the higher fares is not being reinvested in the highway itself. Instead some $450 million per year is being diverted to ...
Essays on Rebuilding America
Democracy and Freedom Lost
In my years of service in the United States Marine Corps and having had the opportunity to spend a great deal of time in foreign nations, it became very clear how to me how governments are overthrown and ways of life destroyed.
The developments over the past decade or two have caused me great concern that the very freedoms upon which we were founded are in jeopardy.
The Bill of Rights, a most precious accord of rights for mankind, is being challenged daily by those seeking to oppress and all in the name of "taking care of us."
The communist playbook from its early days focused on controlling certain activities and societal functions in order to take control of a government.
I cannot help but wonder if our democratic and republic form of government is being systematically replaced with a socialist, communist or even totalitarian regime today.
Consider how socialism or communism gains control: ...
Civil Liberties Eroded
The health care bill, the financial services industry restructuring, the Patriot Act and a host of other bills, rules, regulations, and controls are all serving to quickly erode the very liberties upon which our Nation was founded.
Our Nation was founded upon the principles that we were endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights to include the rights of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.
The current climate in Washington is trampling on those rights as our individual freedoms are quickly and systematically eroded.
A government that feels you are not capable of making sound, rational choices and decisions is supplanting your wisdom and self-determination with those of the collective good in their minds. The concept of taking personal responsibility has been lost.
For example ...
Making Cents
by Doug Keegan
Tax Tips for the 2010 Graduate
For many recent college graduates, this summer marks the start of their professional careers. And with that, comes the all-to-dreaded responsibility of preparing one’s own tax return. Many recent graduates may find it difficult preparing a tax return that will result in paying the least amount of tax. But Doug Keegan of Harris SBSB says that with a little tax planning, the 2010 graduate can save hundreds of dollars in taxes.
Doug, many recent college graduates will be entering the workforce for the first time. And many have no experience with taxes. You suggest that by planning now, they may be able to save hundreds of dollars.
That's right, Lowman. It goes without saying that our tax laws are complex and constantly changing. It's tough even for tax professionals to keep current let alone a recent college graduate. So what I'd like to do is provide some tax tips. The key is, as with all planning, don’t wait until the last minute. Now is the time to plan.
So what tax tips are you going to share with us?
I'd like to share 5 tax tips: ...
Getting Back to Basics
Though payrolls increased in April, unemployment edged up, as hopeful job seekers flooded back into the job market. Yet despite increased payrolls, a troubling trend is emerging: the number of workers out of work for six months or longer is, unfortunately, on the rise. For those unemployed, the financial stress and damage can be devastating. So how do you financially prepare for such a risk? Are there steps you can take now to help cushion the financial uncertainty of receiving notice? Doug Keegan of Harris SBSB is here to explain.
Doug, the labor market seems to be improving, yet the unemployment rate went up. Can you explain?
The jobless rate went up from 9.7% to 9.9% because workers came back into the labor pool. For the first time in a long time, workers saw an improving job market and decided to jump back in. But until the demand for workers soaks up supply, this trend will continue. And unfortunately we have a long way to go before we get back to say a 5% unemployment rate. In fact, it could take more than 5 years before we recover the some 8 million jobs lost during this recession. Yet there's no question, private sector job growth is starting to accelerate. Hopefully, this trend will continue.
Right, these higher payroll numbers should build confidence back into the market and spur even more job growth, correct?
Yes. Our economy, for better or for worse, is based on consumer demand ...
Somedays
By Albert Paschall
Senior Fellow, Lincoln Institute
The Jones Is Over
What do you do if you are a political junkie in Pennsylvania since October of '08 when McCain/Palin had pretty much imploded? You 'jones' out. For those who may not understand the verb 'jones', to 'jones' out is when a junkie needs a fix and politically there hasn't been one, in awhile, in this state, for those of us so addicted.
Last Tuesday's victory of Congressman Joe Sestak over Pennsylvania's Senior Senator of nearly 30 years is bringing on the race of the new millennium in this state. Since I happen to be well acquainted with both candidates I can't wait. Joe Sestak is my hometown Congressman and Pat Toomey was associated with the Lincoln Institute of Public Opinion Research during his tenure with the Club for Growth.
Sestak ran an amazing campaign using the Lowman Henry adage: "run somebody who stands for something, against somebody who stands for nothing and something will generally win." Running a marathon race, rather than a sprint, Sestak held his money back until the end of the campaign then pummeled Specter with an ad that featured George W. Bush praising Specter with Rick Santorum holding his arm in the air in a victory embrace, closing with footage of Specter drawling: "I switched to the Democratic Party to get re-elected." Tag line: "Arlen Specter cares about one job: his." A brilliant media master stroke.
However Sestak is an Obama liberal ...
The tears wiped dry
by Albert Paschall and Dianne Ryan Paschall
What happens to a 60 pound, 7 year old body when 5,000 pounds of SUV slam into it, 30 feet from its home? It shatters into little pieces. Then a young mother helplessly holds her daughter while she dies.
Erica Shelly, Age 7, November 2008
When a fully loaded 18 wheeler crashes into the back of a school bus, what happens? It explodes into flames leaving panicked high school students scrambling to get out. ...
LI Surveys:
Recession Loses Steam, Job Losses Continue
Employers report declining sales, dissatisfaction with government
Pennsylvania employers say that the state's economy has somewhat stabilized over the past six months, but the progress has come at the cost of jobs as many companies have cut the size of their work force.
Backing away from historic low confidence levels, the Spring 2010 Keystone Business Climate Survey of employers found 43% saying the state's business climate has gotten worse over the past six months as opposed to the 62% who reported a deteriorating business climate six months ago. Thirteen percent said the economy in Penn's Woods has improved over the past six months, up from the 8% who saw an improvement in the Fall 2009 survey. The number of businesses saying the economy has remained about the same rose from 29% last September to 41% this spring.
Optimism about the condition of the state's economy over the coming six months is limited. Twenty-five percent say they expect the business climate to improve, 39% say it will stay about the same, while 35% are braced for conditions to worsen further.
As businesses struggle to stay afloat during the recession they are trimming their work force. Thirty-two percent reported having reduced the number of people they employ ...
Survey
Results
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Survey Analysis
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