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: 64% [?]

Cheryl Titcher is 40 29 years old today.

For those of you who have yet to meet her she is one of my best friends.  So much so she actually made my will in case I don’t come back.  LOL  That’s ok as I conned her into letting me keep my BMW at her house and managing my banking while I am playing in the sand.

When I come home I am sure I will have something at my house on a weekend so you will have an opportunity to meet her.

Cheryl used to live in Chester County (Oxford) but like so many others moved just over the border (Delaware) to escape from the excessive and unethical taxation Pennsylvania governments thrust upon us.  Move a few minutes away and save a couple thousand dollars a year.  Thanks PA!

Ok sorry about the tangential rant.

Cheryl is also a cruel woman.  She wussed out on the Marine Corps marathon last year and made me run limp it by myself.  I had no one to whine and cry to for 26.2 miles.  This year she thinks she will be able to run it again.

Be sure to click on http://www.firstgiving.com/runningwithscissors to see what this extremely old lady looks like and the Autism groups we are running for.

Anyway… Happy B-Day Cheryl.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jonathan

Popularity: 64% [?]

Their success will be because good people have risen to the challenge of standing against corruption and standing by their constitutions.

Am I talking about Iraq?  Yes but also Pennsylvania.

Unfortunately, reading what is occurring in Pennsylvania shows the culture of corruption and dismissal of a constitutional mindset continues to spread.  Iraq on the other hand, lived in a culture of corruption for many years but today we continually witness government officials being removed or arrested for illegal activities.  The Iraqis know they need to have a government as unpolluted as possible in order to maintain security and growth.  Why doesn’t Pennsylvania?

The last two weeks we have seen:
• Former Congressman Curt Weldon finally gets back into the news again with the Justice Department continuing their investigation with him and his family.
• PA state legislator under yet another investigation of using our tax money to fund campaigns.  We are paying salaries to workers in the state house to work on political campaigns.
• Now ex-State Senator Vincent Fumo has more troubles as another rone of his “friends” ratted on him about $200K worth of tax payer funds being used for political campaigns.
• The fair re-districting of PA based on the upcoming 2010 census is already seen as being corrupted.  Considered the 2nd most gerrymandered state in the union the PA General Assembly doesn’t seem to be motivated to change their ways.
• More folks are quitting on Gaming Board and even more under investigation.
• The General Assembly is trying to charge people $5 for folks to walk into certain types of bars.  Not to purchase or use any services just for walking into certain establishments the state government wants your money.
• PA lobbying reform is still not advancing.
• The PA Senate recently passed a smoking-ban that not only oversteps their boundaries of authority in private businesses but is littered with loop-holes.

I can go on and on but I think you understand what I am trying to say.

Its sooooo simple that I still don’t know why I am considered by many to be too idealistic.  Bottom line, we need representation that understand the 3 keys of effective legislation.  Every piece of legislation must be constitutional, measurable, and serve the entire commonwealth.  No matter your political party affiliation is we cannot accept less.

Everyday between the Commonwealth Foundation (bipartisan) , Keystone Politics (liberal), and Grassroots PA (conservative) I read articles about the decline of government yet in Iraq I read the successful removal of corrupted officials and advancement in community efforts.  I read about PA residents growing frustrated and moving out of PA in massive numbers.  I read about more Iraqis owing business, and creating stronger communities.  I read about the middle class of PA leaving to neighboring states and yet the Iraqi middle class growing.

Two groups of people going in opposite directions because their governments are too.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 41% [?]