Allentown Mayor Pawlowski Won Here's Why

He had more votes. Yes as strange as that seems to some--this is how elections work.

Pawlowski Won. It wasn't because of...
Ray O'Connell and his supporters writing him in (splitting the votes).
Overwhelming minorities support.
A backlash against Trump.
Allentown voters are a bunch of ignorant Democrats.
'The Morning Call''. The very ones pointing the finger at them were the ones said nobody reads it. So now they accuse them? Folks you can't have it both ways.

For years I hear how the Republicans get screwed over by all of the above. Could it just be because of their refusal to take responsibility for failure?

Normally there's not a Republican candidate to vote for in Allentown. The excuse is why bother they wouldn't win anyway. Wow that's a hellva lame justification. I myself voted for both Heydt (R), Burke (R) and Hershman (R) and others. Yeah sometimes they won--sometime they lost. But blaming Democrats for them not even running a candidate doesn't cut it.

Many of these same conservatives here locally have repeatedly criticized Hillary Clinton's for her constant whining blaming everyone for her loss except herself.

Yeah that doesn't cut it with me from either her or those here locally on the other end of the political spectrum.




Let me put this another way. If your team lost it wasn't because the other team sucks. The way sportsmanship works is no matter how much players dislike the other team or their backers they get back on their feet then try and win the next game. Nobody likes a team that finds all kind of excuses why everyone else is at fault for their loss. Then refuse to play their opponents again. I doubt few would support such a team.

Of course I'm not happy with the outcome. It's particularly sad that Lehigh Valley Republicans couldn't even muster enough votes to defeat someone like Pawlowski. This speaks more to they then it does Pawlowski's win. Blaming others isn't going to take the party where it needs to go.

My Unapologetic Vote For Ray O'Connell

As I post this the election is still going on (11/07/2017). I'm not sure how things will turn out in the run for Allentown's next mayor but I voted for Ray O'Connell as a matter of conscience. He's the guy I want.

During the last presidential elections I held my nose and voted for Hillary even though I didn't want her. I wanted Bernie Sanders but resisted writing him in. I wrestled with this up until two hours before I voted. Felt guilty ever since.

Not anymore. I refuse from this point forward to cast my vote based on election strategies that tend to call mine a wasted vote. If there's guilt to be had let it be on those who voted for either of the two other candidates I feel didn't deserve to hold the office of mayor.

I feel Nat Hyman hasn't engaged in civic participation. He never spoke at council meetings nor had Allentown committee involvements. Hence we have no idea where he stood on the incinerator project, parks, the city water deal, NIZ, taxes and whole host of other hot button issues. When they occurred he was MIA. He never ran for council nor any other political office until he decided to run for mayor.

When it comes to Ed Pawlowski I think it should be more then obvious why I wouldn't give him a second of my consideration.

Ray O'Connell has been active throughout his career on school district issues and his previous commitment on city council. Without a doubt he has more experience over his lifetime in public service then either of the two other candidates.

While some may not agree with my choice let it not be said I was willing to compromise my beliefs in this election. Being in the majority doesn't always make it right.

Tax Cuts--Anyone Really Believe This?

Ronnie once said...


'USA TODAY' published some of the proposed changes. I'll highlight a few. Adoption: The tax credit worth up to $13,750 per child would end.
Alimony would no longer be deductible by the payor.
Teachers could no longer write off the cost of supplies they buy.
Eliminate the deduction for out of pocket medical expenses.
Tax preparation fees would no longer allowed to be deducted

Here's more from 'CNN MONEY'
The student loan interest deduction would go away

'CNN MONEY (2nd link)
"Today you're allowed to claim a $4,050 personal exemption for yourself, your spouse and each of your dependents. The House bill eliminates that option."

"Eliminates tax exclusion for dependent care assistance accounts:"
"Repeals state and local tax deductions, but preserves property tax break"
"Repeals the estate tax: The estate tax today affects just 0.2% of all estates, and only those with more than $5.5 million in assets (or $11 million if you leave a spouse behind)."Call this tax cuts, tax reform or by any other name rest assured the government wouldn't make changes unless it would benefit itself and the wealthy who help write legislation. Yes we were promised a draining of the swamp. Just didn't realize it was we--the average smuck--they were referring to. But they sure do talk pretty don't they?


If you have a little extra time on your hands CNN published the current 429 page bill.

Pitting One Generation Against The Other

Dividing the nation is what these modern day right wing extremist in congress seem to do best. This is about a bill providing funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) at the expense of seniors.

According to 'Talking Points Memo"-- The bill’s lead author, Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR), blasted Democrats Friday morning, accusing them of “voting against kids and their doctors.”... We’re fully funding CHIP for five years. We’re fulling funding Community Health Centers for two years. We’re asking the wealthiest seniors in America to pay $135 more for their Medicare,..

Funding for the program, which covers about 9 million children nationwide, ran out at the end of September, as Republicans focused their energies on taking a series of unsuccessful votes to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

In addition according to latest information the Republican tax cut proposal calls for eliminating the out of pocket deductions for medical expenses Now this bird wants to throw another $1,620 a year on top of that. Not to mention Medigap insurance costs many of us already pay.

Do any of these eggheads understand we can't simply print money nor give ourselves a raise like they can?

Just who are these wealthiest seniors he mentions. Nobody I know. And if they are it doesn't look like they will be much longer if this guy gets his way.

It appears we're left with two choices. Either seniors are thrown off the cliff or the kids. Some choice !

Bernie Sanders Got Railroaded

FOX News 11/02/2017

As the expression goes-- NO SHIT DICK TRACY
Sanders supporters like myself has been saying this for a long time. On Sunday, July 16, 2017 I posted How The DNC Helped Donald Trump Win-- Many conservatives accuse Democrats of being sore losers. In part they are right, but not because Hillary lost. Rather because Bernie Sanders didn't win. If there was any rigging going on it was done more by the DNC then the Russian government.

May 2016



The Nevada Democrats Convention Caucus in May 2016



SynopsisWhat Hillary and the Democratic party did was not illegal but it most certainly undermined our democracy and the will of the people. In the end supporters for Bernie either chose not to vote at all or voted out of spite for Trump. Now look where we are. Yes indeed Russia did give it their all trying to influence the election but couldn't have done near the damage to Bernie as they were able to Hillary.

Between Donald's erratic tweets and the Clinton's past baggage few (if any) problems wouldn't be an issue today. There would be no Mueller investigation. We wouldn't be talking about Russian campaign interference in the election. Donald's so-called dossier, questionable financial dealings and property holdings. Hillary's WikiLeaks emails, erased servers, uranium deals. etc.

Instead we'd be focused on things that really matter to each of us. Medicare, Social Security, healthcare and all the other things more important then both party's badmouthing and name calling each other trying to tear each the other down.

Somehow people seem unable to speak of Bernie as a Independent or Democrat. Instead always insisting that the word "socialist" be used before mentioning either his name or party affiliations. So look what we have instead--two extremely rich well connected politicos to wall street. Assuming people have at least a bit of intelligence to recognize the difference between a "socialist" and a "communist"-- which of the three (Trump, Clinton, Sanders) do you think would have benefited each of us personally the most?

It disappoints me no matter how much Russia tried to influence the election--how artful a bullshitter Trump is or those people who will support Hillary come hell or high water--the American voters were so easily duped. I saw through the obvious the entire time. Why oh why couldn't others?

Last thoughts. People may argue Bernie couldn't have gotten anything done because he didn't have either party's support. Yeah how's that going?

No there won't be tax reform. No there won't be a DACA agreement. No there won't be immigration reform. No not a healthcare package either. A balanced budget--forget about that too. So how much worse could have it been if Bernie would have won? At least we wouldn't be bogged down in these investigations and tearing apart nearly everything past presidents initiated.

Some will insist it couldn't get much worse then it was. Well I'm here to tell ya--yes it can.

Latest Fake News (SATIRE)

Keep in mind none of this may be true but I heard... *** Renovations in the East Room at the Whitehouse could be completed as early as next week for use by FOX News as two new studios for hosting 'Hannity' and 'Fox And Friends'

*** Allentown mayor's attorney is asking the courts to dismiss the 54 counts filed against his client. In return promising his client will testify against the mayor's former campaign manager and his accusers. In addition promising a significant amount of money would be donated towards future campaigns for unnamed federally elected officials.

*** President Trump--after his return from Asia--is planning to host a dinner at the Whitehouse. Guests include Senators Corker, McCain. Jake Tapper (CNN). Rachael Maddow (MSNBC) and Bob Acosta (CNN) and former President Obama. Others guests not yet confirmed include Rosie O'Donnell, John Stewart and late show host Stephen Colbert. The mayor of San Juan, Carmen Yulín Cruz is also expected to be in attendance. The menu includes raw fish and cold mushroom soup with side dish of raw unwashed fruits and vegetables from the Whitehouse garden personally picked by the president himself.

*** Rumors are swirling that Hillary years ago once turned down both Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin for a date. This same unnamed source claims Obama whooped Donald in several rounds of golf several years ago. Donald and Vladimir each promised there would be no hard feelings but some are left wondering if either ever got over their rejections.

*** A recent survey of Allentown voters shows overwhelming support for write-in candidate Harry Clay Trexler. When shown he has been dead for years they still feel he'd do a better job running the city.

*** Current odds among professional betters the Cedar Pool will make it through the winter and be ready to open on time next year are 3 to 1 against it without some additional work.

*** Local taxpayers are thrilled millions of local and state dollars are being used to build a fish tank in Easton. Others would prefer tax dollars be used for further expansion of the NIZ projects in Allentown. However overall consensuses is the dollars would be better spent for more bike trails rather then infrastructure repairs such as bridges and updating underground utility pipelines No matter what other choices were offered deficit reduction came in at the bottom of the taxpayer survey.

*** There was a bill introduced into congressional committee the Whitehouse should be renamed and painted either red or blue depending which of either party won the election as a way of reminding people which was in charge. No word yet if a 3rd party should ever win. Some suggested in that case painting it both red and blue (all inclusive). Still other insists it should remain white. Kinda like it always was throughout history.

Today's Workers Not Keeping Up With The Dead

We've been taught if we work really hard we all can become wealthy. Anyone who ain't--mustn't be working hard enough. Take for example... AP: FORBES: MICHAEL JACKSON TOP EARNING DEAD CELEBRITY WITH $75M--Two other singers join Jackson in the top five. Elvis Presley comes in fourth with $35 million and Bob Marley ranks fifth with $23 million.Who knows--after tax reform they may even do better next year.

Now that right there must have been some really busy bees last year. What an inspiration for the rest of us still around to try and work harder.

Whoever said the taxman couldn't still collect after you're dead hasn't been paying attention.