.
Feedback

Poll: Is Paul Ryan a Good Choice for Vice President?

Pennsylvania’s Republicans and Democrats react to Mitt Romney’s pick for his Vice President, Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan.

Obviously, Republicans and Democrats are split. Republicans say for Vice President – Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin – is a great choice because Ryan is a rising GOP star bent on reining in federal spending.

Democrats, on the other hand, say Ryan is an extremist in his views on revamping Medicare. Here’s what state party officials say:

Pennsylvania Republican leaders praised Romney's choice of running mate.

"I congratulate Paul Ryan on being selected to join Mitt Romney on the Republican Presidential ticket," said Rob Gleason, chairman of the Republican Party of Pennsylvania, in a press statement. ... “Quite simply, President Obama has failed," continued Gleason. "The unemployment rate has now been above 8 percent for 42 straight months. Friday’s jobs report illustrates how Obama has failed to fix the economy and meet his own standards: He promised his massive $831 billion stimulus would create millions of jobs and bring unemployment down to around 5.5 percent by today. Most staggering of all, the real unemployment rate is 15 percent! That means that 15 percent of Americans either can’t find a job, full-time work or have given up even trying to find a job.  That is this President’s legacy and the reason Pennsylvanians are going to vote for the Romney-Ryan ticket."

Pennsylvania Democrats also issued a statement on Romney's choice.

"Mitt Romney's selection of Paul Ryan proves once again that he has the wrong agenda for middle class Pennsylvanians," said Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chairman Jim Burn in the release. "Paul Ryan shares Mitt Romney's commitment to helping the wealthy at the expense of the middle class. Ryan is the author of a budget plan that will increase taxes for the middle class and end Medicare as we know it, all to fund tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. The Romney-Ryan agenda will cut investments in education, clean energy, and innovation that will help our economy grow while returning to the same failed trickle down economic policies of the past. The Romney-Ryan budget plan will cost America over 1 million jobs while cutting key investments in middle class programs like Head Start and veterans health care. Mitt Romney's choice of Paul Ryan has made it clear that he will abandon the middle class and seniors and take us back to the same failed policies of the past that hurt middle class Pennsylvanians."

What’s your side?

  • Learn more: Who is ? 
Susan Gibbons August 13, 2012 at 12:48 pm
As for saving for your own retirement...many of us did...and a third of it was wiped out in the last market crash...the loss to institutional pension funds was 3 trillion dollars. The idea to privatize Social Security is flawed because there is no insurance against loss. If it is invested, like pensions, and 401K's it is at risk of loss. Think back to the S&L scandal...so many seniors had savings in the S&L banks thinking that was safer than wall street. As long as anyone has a dollar there will be a crook in an Armani suit looking to take it away and they are salivating over the social security money.
Susan Gibbons August 13, 2012 at 09:01 pm
Why? Open discussion is good....
Ken August 13, 2012 at 09:45 pm
There is a common misperception that government is more "corrupt" than private businesses... does anyone recall enron, world com, aig, the wall street bail-out... all expensive scandals because of the economic greed of private business... how about the scandals involving radiation and the ford pinto where profit over lives became the most important factor....do not get me wrong, both government and private enterprises pose challenges, the question is who is best suited to handle what we call the basic needs of americans-- meaning gauranteeing that everyone get their basic needs without deference to bias, sex, religion, ethnicity, color, or financial status...the answer is government...this way everyone gets their basics met
Likewise, if someone wants a cadillac plan, someone can individually afford more or different, leave that upto private enterprise where supply and demand control prices and services...
Ken August 13, 2012 at 09:49 pm
As far as deficits... remember that the democrats, not republicans created the largest surplus in history that was turned into a deficit during good economic times by a republican...the republicans basically squandered good economic times when we should have banked surplusses into a time to give back to friends, corporations, and those who chose to move jobs and resources out of our country...now we are paying the price for their failure to save in good times, and the problems they caused in making the most devastating economic problem in decades...the republicans cut off the arms and legs of the american economy and are now criticizing democrats for not moving... its kindof like an orphan asking for forgiveness after he kills his parents...
Liberty 1 August 14, 2012 at 12:10 am
And THANK GOD that Herr Hitler came along and engulfed the world in war. The US economy was NOT recovering due to government intrusions. It was only the jolt of arming the free world that gave the economy a jump start. The depression would have only lasted 4 -5 years at most and then the economy would have recovered. But government policies started by Hoover (R) and continued and expanded by Roosevelt (D) prolonged the depression an extra 5-6 years.
Liberty 1 August 14, 2012 at 12:30 am
The surplus created by the Clinton administration was due to a republican congress. It was a fairly good combination, at least until one of them lied under oath. Bush inherited a surplus but then had to deal with a devistating attack that should have been prevented by the previous administration. The hit on the economy and the war following ate up that surplus. But the huge deficits and the resulting economic collapse fall squarely on the democrats as they took over both houses of the legislature and spending went nuts. The current Republican party spend far more then I support but the current democrat party is so totally dominated by "progressives" this nation is in regression. As far as business moving jobs overseas - many move because of being overly regulated and taxed - but they should not receive tax breaks. In fact they should be taxed at a higher rate while it is lowered in the US. But members of both parties are guilty of supporting the export of jobs and they should be held accountable.
Susan Gibbons August 14, 2012 at 11:54 am
Can you be specific about where and on what the spending went nuts? The economic collapse was not spending...it was fraud on Wall Street.
As for tax breaks for business going overseas, not only do they get tax breaks, they get insurance against loss via the Overseas Private Investment Corp. opic.gov A bill to offer tax breaks to return was crushed by the republicans who would not vote on it unless they could load it up with amendments. You know what that means, a straight forward bill is amended with add ons that have nothing to do with the original bill. There is a huge problem. Legislators hold each other hostage and summarily we pay the price. The US Chamber of Commerce is not a friend of the working man, it has has used coercion to get legislators to vote for free trade treaties by informing congress in both houses that campaign funding will be withheld from any legislator that does not sign the treaty.
Susan Gibbons August 14, 2012 at 11:57 am
Its time to fix the filibuster rule, and legislation should not be amended with add ons that are not relevant to the bill in order to get it voted on.
Liberty 1 August 15, 2012 at 09:51 am
How specific do you want? The numbers for spending between 2006 -2010 are 2,878;2,879;3,035;3,576;3,618 respectively(billions of dollars). '06 and '07 were spending under a republican congress. Both parties are guilty of over spending but when the dems took over in '06 spending increased substanally.
The trigger of the economic collapse was the housing bubble created by Fannie and Freddie. The bubble was created by the dems ( Barney Frank in particular) who forced banks to loan money out that would not have been normally loaned. Did some on Wall Street take adavantage - yes they did. But the fiasco was brought about by the federal government. BOTH parties play with amendments. Look at the monster Obamacare bill. I agree that a bill should be simply written and not have any additions to it that have nothing to do with the bill. You sound like a tea party follower, that is great! I could care less that the Chamber of Commerce is not a friend of the working man, the federal government IS NOT a friend of the working man! Especially when the "progressive" democrats are running it.
Liberty 1 August 15, 2012 at 10:07 am
While the filibuster rule can be frustrating it does serve a purpose of being a check on the majority. Both parties use it when they are in the minority and then complain about it when they are in the majority.
You are absolutely right about add ons and in conjunction with that it should be a requirement that a bill be read by the lawmakers - NOT an aide. And while we are at it let's make it so the lawmakers have to covered by the law too. Our lawmakers have created a seperate society for themselves where they are not bound the way the rest of us are. We have gone from public servants to being the servant public.
Susan Gibbons August 15, 2012 at 11:54 am
The filibuster used to require 2/3 vote to end..now its 3/5ths. It became too common and used frivolously. More importantly, it does not lead to debate on the floor. NO one has to hold the floor to defend it . This has lead to obstruction simply by imposing the word. Yes, both sides use it and while it can be useful for major issues it is used for the purpose of stopping all progress. That has caused obstruction that is historic. And we should not be taken sides on this issue. This body of legislators are not doing the hard work they were elected to do. Its a body of narcissistic brats. I am not sure of the separate society you believe that they have..they do contribute to their benefit plan but the plans are superior, they cannot make laws exempting themselves from law, and they are not exempt from the ACA laws however as the employer, the federal government has a menu of medical plans for all of the federal employees, they have the same menu to choose from. There are contract employees who work for independent contractors with federal contracts, those employees get medical plans from the contractor. The congress is
not exempt from paying into Social Security. They were at one time..no more.
Susan Gibbons August 15, 2012 at 12:38 pm
@Liberty
You said I sound like a tea party follower. That is really funny as the tea party followers hate me..I am a progressive liberal. The dem party is fractured by those who are true to the progressive policies but many are so called blue dogs who are conservatives and obstruct along with the right faction of the republicans which now seems to be the whole party. The party is losing many rational moderate republicans, what I would call Eisenhower republicans, because they no longer can stand the direction the party is going. When I asked for specifics,I did not ask for numbers, as my husband used to say when I spent money...WHERE did you spend it? We had unfunded wars and billions of dollars still being spent on restoration and construction of an infrastructure in Iraq and funding the payroll of Iraq security officers. We had tax cuts at a time revenue was needed most. How can funding wars and tax cuts not lead to a deficit? I know all too well the cause and effect of the financial crisis, and it was a long time coming, the road was paved in 1999. Policies do not reset with elections..and its too easy to place blame here and there. In as much as you are of the group that bashes Roosevelt I believe you are not open to fair and logical discussion.
Liberty 1 August 15, 2012 at 05:29 pm
The Tea Party reference was tongue in cheek. I am surprised that you saw the humor in it as most "progressive liberals" have little to no humor. There is hope yet! Who are the blue dogs? I guess I should look on the endangered species list, their numbers have dwindled since Harry and Nancy took control.
Exactly how much money was wasted in the Iraq war and aftermath? Even with these wars defense spending will only be about 20% of the spending. Most of our money goes to SS/Medicare, those wonderful mismanaged programs that only a progressive could love. You once again prove that there is at least one "progressive" who has a sense of humor. At one time I was a dyed in the wool socialist who believed in the "logic" of a governed economy. But a class I had in college (my last class before graduating in fact) was Comparative Economics. In that class we studied all the different systems and discussed the pros and cons of each system. The professor was one who did not hammer home certain beliefs as my other econ profs habitually did, but rather allowed us to discover on our own. It was through that class that I became convinced that the strength of Capitalism was the freedom that everybody enjoyed. Over the years I have noticed that fairness and logic are not employed by the "progressives" on the left or the "superprogressives" on the right. So if you consider me not to be open to either fairness and logic - I know I am on the right track. Thanks!
Susan Gibbons August 15, 2012 at 05:41 pm
To Liberty....
I have always had a sense of humor and it seems to me it is the conservatives that do not have any...I have yet to see one laugh...all I see in cranky whining. As for fairness and logic missing in progressives...that is your opinion...to which you are entitled. You are on the right track, not the correct one. Have a nice day.
Don George August 15, 2012 at 05:48 pm
I laugh all the time at Progressives. I find their posts simply too funny to be anything more than entertainment and fodder.
Susan Gibbons August 15, 2012 at 09:39 pm
Thats because you do not understand logic and reason.
joe c August 15, 2012 at 10:22 pm
if paul ryan made that joe biden comment he would be called a white racist, kkk and he would be forced to leave congress, but a liberal gets a free pass
joe c August 15, 2012 at 10:27 pm
and liberals are so for the people thats why they live on the upper west side overlooking central park, levittown patched posted recently sold homes for 200,000 thats a disgrace and taxes are 9,000 does that add up??? its terrible to see peoole take care of there homes lawns then theres one pig who destroys the block and theres alot of that here things better change the younger famies need to get more involved because the older generation here wanna keep it like 1955
Ken August 15, 2012 at 11:04 pm
Can we interact with honesty and integrity, and if we cannot agree, disagree with dignity and respect... regardless of the point of view from any side, and value for an open discussion and moving, us, community, and country forward is lost when we cannot interact with respect... volume or harsh language does not make right, reason and rationale do... (typed but not editted so i apologize for any typos)
Liberty 1 August 15, 2012 at 11:12 pm
Good comment Ken. But are you of the mind that many leftys are that even disagreeing with them is an attack on reason and rationale? I am typing this in a calm, low volumed manner, with all due respect, but it is a very emotional subject that brings the passion out of some people which I can also respect. Either side.
Ken August 15, 2012 at 11:13 pm
We cannot forget that we are a great county, that has accomplished great things...public (govt), private, and yes cooperatively... we have likewise all had failures as well, public (govt), private, and yes cooperatively.... to be as efficient as possible the government is the fairest way to provide the basic needs and steps for our country, steps that individuals, private sector, and selectively when it serves the best interest of all, the government can use to advance and improve our country even further... if one looks at the basic needs of society--safety, education, health, techonology, preservation of natural resources, and infrastructure for businesses and individuals to succeed, the government has made it possible..
Ken August 15, 2012 at 11:18 pm
The rules of civil discord have been violated by all points of view at one time or another, and they all need to be respected by all points of view....lefty, righty, libertarian, etc.... discussion and process is key to advancing the best interest of all, and for all to accept the result...people are willing to accept a result if they feel resprcted in the process, yet most will not respect the result, even if ther esult is objectively fair, if they were NOT respected in the process...respect is key not only to reaching the proper the result, but also to accepting whichever result is reached.
Liberty 1 August 15, 2012 at 11:23 pm
Pray tell, where the hell did the government get the money to build tthe infrastructure? To use government and effiecency in the same sentence qualifies you to be a comic writer or a writer for msnbc - oh, one in the same, sorry. If we relied on the government to advance our society we would be as backward as Russia and as free as China. Please Ken, go back to sleep and wake up AFTER the November elections. Meant in the very nicest way.
Ken August 15, 2012 at 11:34 pm
So much for respect, civility, and disagreeing with dignity....being disrespectful then saying "meant in the nicest way" is not respectful, civil, or dignified.....I had hoped for more than that type of response, and maybe some day it will come...I will remain alert, active, interested, and a person of action...
As far as comparing the US to those countries misses several points both elementary and more advanced which I would love to discuss in an open and respectful dialogue....perhaps when you too can act in such a manner we can have an appropriate discussion.. until then... I will continue to discuss witht hose who can do so respectfully, openly, and without personal attacks.
Liberty 1 August 15, 2012 at 11:53 pm
Excuse me professor, are you attacking my civility and dignity? You missed the point that this country's greatness did not come from the government. It came from individual freedom and the liberty that comes from our economic system - Capitalism. The government can not do anything more effecient than the private sector. The US is not like Russia or China - yet. I do believe that Obama would prefer us to be more like them and a second term would allow that to happen. So, professor, with all due respect, what points were missed. Please start with the elementary points as we peasants are sometimes slow to comprehend.
Peter Kendall August 16, 2012 at 01:29 am
Ken, that surplus was nothing more than the internet bubble's capital gains taxes flooding the treasury. That flood of cash quickly disappeared when the market crashed... during Clinton's reign. So, we could say that the vaunted Clinton years left us an instant deficit for Bush to inherit.... much lower revenues, but steadily-increasing spending.
Clinton did nothing on his own to create the surplus, which again, vanished in his last year in office. I know. I still own Cisco at $55 a share, trading at $18 12 years later.
Good Luck Repubs August 16, 2012 at 01:46 am
What do you think will happen during the debates? Mitt wants to defend the tax cuts for the rich and Ryan wants to cut Medicare. Mitt wants to do away with Obamacare, which was Mittcare when Mitt was govenor.
Dont forget Obamacare stops insurance companies from dumping people with pre-existing conditions and stops the 2 million dollar lifetime cap. So now Mitt is going to tell the elderly and sick and poor (half of our population now) that they aren't entitled to a Medicare program they have been taxed for their whole life and if they get really sick too bad. I wish them good luck because the general public will not vote for any of this. If I pay for Social Security and Medicare my whole life through taxes that say on my check "Social Security" and "Medicare" I consider it my right not an entitlement.
joe c August 16, 2012 at 02:03 am
good luck repubs listen u have no idea what your talking about the ryan bill doesssss not affect anyone over 55 they keep medicare and can opt out if they want anyone under can stay in medicaree get can stay and has optioon to invest there money in any ins company they want thats free choice, the plan does not go in affect till 2024 which means if u are 55 now your grandfathered in if your under 55 u can stay or leave read the facts stop spreading lies and romney tax breaks are for everyone rich people will have money no matter. what tax there is but they wont invest or create jobs either if there money wont flow, and btw those medicare taxes im paying your paying arent goin in a fund for u an me there paying for someone elses medicare. because its broke ane obama care take 500 billion dollars from medicare thats a fact he said it go look it up, so your wrong stop lieing read the facts
Keith Best September 9, 2012 at 07:59 pm
Here are the job numbers the media is not reporting about the August job numbers that just came out. This is what the media is telling you...and it's true. "The unemployment rate dropped from 8.3% to 8.1%. 96,000 jobs created in August."
Here are numbers they are NOT telling you: 1) 368,000 people STOPPED looking for work in August. Meaning they CANNOT be counted as unemployed. These people have no more unemployment benefits to claim and have realized there are zero jobs out there for them. If you were to re-calculate those numbers and include the people who are no longer looking for work, the unemployment rate would be 12%. This number does not include the UNDEREMPLOYED, or the people who have stopped looking for work over the past 3 years; that number would be an astonishing 23%. 2) 69% of men are working. Meaning 31% are not. The lowest % of working men since the 1940's. 3) The number of employed Americans is at the lowest number in the past 31 years. An incredible number considering there are more people now in the USA than there were in 1981. 4) A record high of 88,921,000 Americans whom are not in the civilian labor force. 5) Manufacturers have cut the most jobs in August than at anytime in the past two years. 6) The supposed "job growth" each month is LESS THAN the number of people LEAVING the workforce every month. People leaving the work force CANNOT be counted as unemployed. Romney/ Ryan can fix this with more than "Hope and Change".
Susan Gibbons September 9, 2012 at 08:23 pm
not true.

Newsletter & Alerts

Get the best stories each day and important breaking news

Subscribe

Not from Levittown Patch? Find your Local Patch »

Note Article
Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
WeaselMami June 6, 2013 at 04:10 pm
Way to go NESHAMINY 10U Travel Team!!!!!!
crzemom4 June 6, 2013 at 09:00 pm
AWESOME JOB NESHAMINY 10U Travel! U ROCK!!!!
Brian jeter May 28, 2013 at 07:13 pm
Great effort by the team and coaches. Thanks for a great tournament and making us proud.
Ronald Staller May 28, 2013 at 10:06 pm
I would like to say it was amazing watching these future Hall of Famers at 8 years old fightingRead More through the weather and playing the 5 games in 2 days. They were tougher than many of the adults! I remember my days with Levittown American Little League playing in the 8-9 year old division and these boys would have taken us out! It would not have been close. Great Job to all and Congrats to Team Neshaminy...do you know how hard it is to say that as a Pennsbury Grad? I look forward to the next tournament!