Pa. budget

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is without a budget. The Republican Senate and the Democratic Governor are unable to find common ground. In any government budget, proposed cuts are frequently in areas with vocal support. There is a great lamentation to save that line item. Thus, it is restored in whole or in part, and the process continues. Perhaps zero budgeting should be considered. No item is sacred. Every item is reviewed. Is this still needed. Does it address a need that has changed or no longer needed? Every unit of government has limited resources. Is this line item filling a vital need of government and/ or the common good. For example: public safety, health, education,transportation, economic vitality, in short is the cost justified by the public good? Government can and should not try to do all things nor can it right every wrong, but neither should it abandon the weak and vulnerable among us. Government should plan and build for the future. Good schools, roads, mass transportation, health care, are examples of investments in our future that build a better world today and a brighter future for all od our people. Come on state government pass a budget that looks to the future of all and not just the political fortunes of a few.

NRA

So the NRA may not be able to defeat a Supreme Court nominee. Surely every red blooded patriotic, senator realizes the risk of having a spine. You are endanger of losing votes, which could mean losing an election. But oh the clean feeling of knowing that you voted your conscience. Tis better to vote yes or no, based on your own evaluation of the candidate than to be pressured by single issue special interest groups. Take heart, not every sportsman holds the NRA's radical views. Remember, the first President George H.W. Bush resigned his life time membership in the NRA. He, along with many others, believed that a good organization had taken a radical turn. Every right has limits for the common good. Even now, gun owners can not own machine guns, anti aircraft weapons, ets. Is there not a reasonable protection for the rights of gun owners without putting at risk the many who do not see a need to being armed. I own guns, I have no problam with background checks, waiting periods, and reasonable restrictions on where I can and can not carry a gun. Lord, protect us from the radical right, and the radical left. Most Americans are looking to their government to solve some very serious problems. If only the single issue groups would let them.

health care

No is not an answer. Both parties need to work together to address a national issue. This has been a political football long enough. No plan is perfect, but no plan is even worse than a less than perfect plan.