RockTheCapital.org

November 3, 2009 
 
To:  Legislative Branch of PA Government
 

Dear Senators  & Representatives,
              
Congratulations are extended to Sen. David Argall for his recent announcement proposing a reduction in the size of our state’s legislature; something that many of us have been advocating for sometime.  It simply makes no sense that the 6th largest populated state and the smallest of the top six in square miles maintains the largest and most expensive fulltime legislature.

Where I disagree with the Honorable Senator Argall is in the time of the reduction.  His proposal stretches the reduction out until 2052 when the Senate would be reduced to 45 Senators from the current 50, and the House reduced to 153 Representatives from the current 203.  This is a horse and buggy approach in this era of high speed vehicles.

If you were seriously ill and in need of an operation; would you wait 43 years for the procedure?  What’s wrong with doing it now?  Instead of a gradual change in the state’s constitution; let’s get it done now.  Propose a Constitutional Convention, vote and pass it now.  Pennsylvania is crying out for positive change.

On the second page of this letter below, you’ll note some comparisons of Pennsylvania to the top 5 states with more population and land mass.  Only New Hampshire (41st in population) exceeds the size of our legislature with 424 part-time members, paid $200 for a two year term, and with only 147 permanent staff.

We can only gather the majority in the legislature who we’ve voted into office to serve the people are more interested in serving themselves first and foremost.  It happened in the 60’s when the legislature voted to go fulltime, with benefits.  I do not have the space left to go into a detailed description of the many benefits; but you’re well aware of them.

When a corporation needs or wants to reduce staff, it either lays off or offers a buyout to its employees.  Why not in state government?  There really isn’t a need to as 10 plus years of service automatically grants the legislative members a lifetime buyout.  Some of the longer serving members, should they retire, would receive nearly as much or more than what they’re earning presently with lifetime benefits.

Think about it!  We are!  Do the right thing; pass a constitutional convention.  My sincere thanks are extended to all of you doing the right thing by the people who elected you and the welfare of all in Pennsylvania.
 
Suggesting a more rapid approach,
 
Bill McIntyre
Than a Horse & Buggy
 

CC:  Friends of Responsible Government
 
 
All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.
Thomas Jefferson
 

 

 

Dear Friends,
 
I’ve had inquiries as to where the letters are; that I haven’t written lately.  Please accept my apology.  Every time I thought of sitting down and writing on one subject, our government came up with another subject that should be addressed, popped up.  What do you write about?
 
So, what subject should take priority?  Government cannot operate without funding, as well as the many worthwhile agencies that depend on government.  Thus, we’ll make budget the priority.  I wrote 13 letters during the budget impasse.  No wonder 13 is considered an unlucky number.  It took the governor and legislative leaders 101 days to produce yet another ill-advised product; too much misdirected spending under present conditions.
 
Will someone inform me why the governor insisted on increasing funding for school districts by $300 million; the largest single year increase in state history?   At the same time he (and the legislature’s leadership) eliminated funding for 142 programs and services while cutting the budgets on 362 others.  Why not “spread the wealth?”

August 24, 2009
To:  Friends of Responsible Government
Subject:  Budget; what else?
Dear Friends,
What else?  Plenty!  The U.S. Postal Service is poorly managed and billions of dollars in debt.  Amtrack is a similar story.  Auto dealers not being timely reimbursed under the “cash for clunkers” program; Social Security, Medicade and Medicare in financial trouble; and now Pres. Obama wants government to run our healthcare.  Government has proven it can’t run itself, let alone everything else.
Here in Pennsylvania we have similar problems with our leadership (what leadership?).  Gov. Rendell has Cadillac tastes with a Chevy pocketbook. (I can say that as I own a Chevy).  

An open letter to the PA General Assembly Republicans & Blue Dog Democrats
July 25, 2009 
 
Dear Sensible Legislators,
On Saturdays, beginning in a month, the popular cheer heard across the nation will be – HOLD THAT LINE!  HOLD THAT LINE!  It is shouted in football stadiums everywhere when their team is on the defense.  Today, we’re that team defending the goal line.