Taking the (Marriage) Law into Their Own Hands?

You might remembers back in Feb. 2004 when San Fran’s mayor announced he’ll perform “same-sex marriage” ceremonies, even though it was illegal in California. That was followed by the mayor of New Paltz, N.Y. following suit.

Those incidents triggered a number of efforts in other states to protect marriage from re-definition, ultimately leading to now 27 states with Marriage Protection Amendments in the state constitutions (with 11 of those passing in Nov. 2004 alone!).

Now, right here in small-town central Pennsylvania, the mayor of State College (yes, the hometown of Penn State Univ.) announces he’ll preside over “same-sex marriage” ceremonies. (You may remember a similar stunt by former Mayor John Street in Philly just last year.)

Will this renegade action right here in P-A finally wake up our legislators and citizens to the need to pass a constitutional amendment to protect marriage? I hope so! We only get to have a say if they first pass legislation in Harrisburg; otherwise it’s in the hands of activist judges or maverick mayors down that road.

Let’s all contact our state senators and state reps and tell them we want a Marriage Protection Amendment on the ballot. Tell them to pass SB 1250 before it’s too late! See PA for Marriage for more info and to help get the marriage amendment passed.

As We Honor Washington’s Birthday February 22nd. . .

What builds good character?  Just ask George!

“Your love of liberty - your respect for the laws - your habits of industry - and your practice of the moral and religious obligations, are the strongest claims to national and individual happiness.”

George Washington

1789 - letter to the Residents of Boston

Pennsylvanians Lose More Than $300,000 on Opening Day

Well, that’s not exactly today’s headline, but it is the truth about what went down at the newest racetrack casino to fire up the one-arm bandits.

“Welcome to Pennsyl-Vegas, Edward G. Rendell, Governor”

Here’s the day’s “take” as they call it in the gambling industry (for good reason!):  From the Harrisburg Patriot-News report on Penn National’s opening day: “Gamblers pumped $3.84 million into the 2,020 slot machines at the Dauphin County casino and won back $3.48 million:  Translate: Folks lost $360,000!

Rendell’s State Budget: This Ain’t Your Family’s Budget!

The governor’s proposed budget contains at least three lessons on how NOT to make a family household budget:

1. Do not plan to spend more than you have.

2. Do not steal from your neighbors repeatedly over the next year so that YOU can spend more than you have.

3. Do not engage in nos. 1 & 2 above, then tell your neighbors that it’s good for them by calling it “Protecting Progress” (Gov. Rendell’s words).

“Gov. Rendell should be honest with the people of Pennsylvania with his proposed increases in government spending,” said Matthew Brouillette of The Commonwealth Foundation. “Under his proposal, total state spending would increase 5.7%, or $2.34 billion, this year alone. In addition, Gov. Rendell wants to borrow another $3.3 billion that future generations will be forced to pay back.” See The Commonwealth Foundation.

Any comments from average Pennsylvania families like yours? Tell us what you think. Our (Blog) door is always open!