Aug 11 2008
Iraq or Pennsylvania? Who Better Represents Their Peeps?
October 15th is a milestone date that citizens of Pennsylvania should become familiar with.
Moms birthday - she turns (edited to protect the old innocent).
For me, it marks the 15th anniversary of my graduation from the land that God forgot (Parris Island) and became a Marine.
Most importantly, this October 15th will mark the third anniversary of when Iraq further solidified their escape from tyranny by holding a Constitutional Referendum.
The Constitutional Referendum essentially was the national referendum held on the new permanent constitution. Despite the intimidation campaigns from terrorist and thugs with even less ideology then the terrorist 70% (9.8 million) of Iraqis eligible to vote headed to the polls.
Of particular note, the referendum established how the government was to actually be formed. It set the basis for what was known as the Council of Representatives (CoR) Election. Once completed, the Iraqis would then be set to go to the polls just 2 months later to elect a representative government.
Geez Pennsylvania
Unfortunately, Pennsylvania continues to drift away from good governance. Pennsylvania is held captive by socialist czar governor Fast Eddie and a state assembly now considered by most to be the most corrupt state government in the union.
A state assembly where millions of tax dollars have not only been stolen to re-elect themselves but to defend the few who have thus far been arrested too.
The state assembly continues to force people from their homes because of property taxes. In some instances taxes have gone up over 500% with a few nearing 1000%. What have we come to when upon retirement your government says that house you lived in for 40 or 50 years, raised children in, and paid property taxes for those 50 years is now to be taken away just because its value increased.
With no incentives for businesses, the middle class continues their exodus while companies run to set up shop in neighboring states.
Good Going Iraq
The Government of Iraq (GoI) continues to have a public affairs campaign to have those who have left the country (middle class) to come home. They have even started a program to have families return to the houses that were rightfully theirs when they had to flee.
The GoI is building schools, hospitals, and countless other public works through the country and without taxation to its populace.
Iraqis are continually recognizing that only with transparency in government and expulsion of corrupt elected officials can they prosper as a nation. Only then will other countries and businesses invest.
And speaking of businesses, new businesses are encouraged at every level of government. From loans to a more robust infrastructure Iraq understands what they need to do as a nation to lift them from what Saddam had taken.
Can Pennsylvanians Take Back Their Government?
In Pennsylvania a growing number of reformers and even some state assembly like my friend Representative Curt Schroeder are trying to call for what is known as a Citizens Constitutional Convention. By the way, check out Curts website http://www.Vote4Curt.com.
Pennsylvania needs true reform. It’s too big, truly socialist in many forms, and too costly. Sadly we cannot count on “reform” candidates as the extreme majority has turned out to be other then what they promised. Too easily influenced by party leadership and lacking moral courage to stand up for what is in the best interest of the citizens.
It’s Not All the Elected Officials Fault
Don’t blame it all on the elected officials however. Blame must also rest on those who don’t get involved with the process.
Can you name your state rep, state senator, and congressman? No? Tisk-tisk.
If you complain about your paycheck or taxes but don’t vote you are part of the problem.
If you don’t wish to “rock the boat” as a committee person or elected official and just go along to get along then yes you are part of the problem too.
Bad things happen when good people don’t take action.
Things I Know and Don’t Know
I know it’s embarrassing that with over 200 more years more experience, Pennsylvania seems to trail the GoI when its comes to good governance.
I don’t if a Constitutional Convention will be successful because most citizens don’t seem to recognize the power of their voice and vote.
I do know that when I go around meeting Pennsylvanians talking about good governance they understand what I am blathering about. They crave a candidate that will remove government from their lives. Someone that will side with personal responsibility vice a government program. A true representative that will work to empower the people and not himself or the legislature.
I don’t know if the political parties can see past their thinking of party first vice Pennsylvania first.
I do know that we need change.
Ok I am Finished with My Rant
Maybe it’s the Marine in me for seeing things simply as they need to be. Without emotion or playing favorites just execute the mission without regard to self. Just seems so clear.
Semper Fi,
GySgt Jonathan Jenkins
Popularity: 100% [?]






Most PA residents have no idea what % of their paychecks go to taxes … all they do is see how much they made (after taxes of course). School taxes are out of control, but that’s not the point when the parents want Johnny or Sue to have the best … as long as they get to play sports on a new FB field, have a giant gym, and other fields. Seems like the SAT scores mean nothing, and they haven’t risen at all. In fact, the last time I checked PA was 47th on the SAT results, behind such states as Mississippi and Alabama. But our school taxes sure increase! Why in the hell we don’t have county school districts, instead of over 500 separate districts, bugs me.
Anyway, you’re right, PA is thoroughly corrupt. Very few of our state reps have not been tainted by corruption. Politicians know that talk of a Constitutional Convention or properety tax will go away, and they can continue to bilk us citizens out of our $$$.
But I’ll keep yelling for true change, and maybe someday it will take hold. And you’ll yell too!
Hang in there and I’ll see you back in WC soon!
Bud
Do you mean Parris Island?
Has it been so long that you forgot how to spell it Gunny Jenkins? For some fond memories visit http://americansheepdogs.com/?p=320
YO!!!! I’m not THAT old! As for innocence?
My lips are sealed! I had forgotten that I spent my birthday at your graduation! Not that my memory is bad! (but then again…what was that I just said?)
Love Ya! Mom
http://PennsylvaniaOnlinePharmacy.Com/
fvpbnjqkvcuywsgjwell, hi admin adn people nice forum indeed. how’s life? hope it’s introduce branch