Elections have consequences

While campaigning in 2004, then President George W. Bush said, "Elections have consequences."

Less than two weeks after taking office as President of these great United States, Barack Obama was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. During his acceptance speech, President Obama said, "I do not view it as a recognition of my accomplishments."

There's been a whole lot of hoop-la from every corner of the media as to whether Barack Obama deserved the Nobel Peace Prize. However, we must consider some of its past recipients. Jimmy Carter, Yassir Arafat, and Al Gore have all also received this distinguished award. I understand their reception of this award about as much as President Obama's.

One consequence of this past election? The Nobel Peace Prize.

(Cartoon by Joe Heller - http://www.hellertoon.com/main.html)

Now to change the topic just a bit... calling all Pennsylvanians!! We may not have a Gubernatiorial or Presidential race this year, but we do have one of the most crucial elections in our lifetime.

Right now, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court is evenly divided with 3 Democrats and 3 Republicans with one seat open. The election on November 3rd will determine which party holds the majority on the bench.

Regardless of your party affiliation, I ask you to consider which party you want holding the majority on the highest Court in our Commonwealth. It will either be Republican or it will be Democrat. The results of this election will affect us for a decade and possibly a generation. A Democratic majority on our high court will undoubtedly lead to a liberal majority and liberal decisions from the bench. Do you want a court that interprets the Constitution or one that legislates from the bench?

Judge Joan Orie Melvin is the Republican candidate. But she is a conservative first. Please do your research and vote for her on November 3rd. We must keep a conservative majority who will interpret the Constitution on our Supreme Court!

Further, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will undergo redistricting after next years census. Our General Assembly is in charge of re-drawing our districts via a 5 member Legislative Reapportionment Commission. This Commission will consist of 2 D's and 2 R's. If these 4 individuals cannot agree on a 5th individual to complete the committee, this individual is appointed by our Supreme Court.

Guess what? The party controlling the Supreme Court will be the party who will have the majority on this Commission. If Democrats control the Commission, they will be able to effectively "erase" multiple consistently Republican districts from our map, leading to an even greater Democratic delegation from Pennsylvania representing us in Washington.

Elections have consequences. Think about it. Vote on November 3rd...

Oh, and by the way, our Superior Court hears more cases each year than any other appelate court in the country... I encourage you to research these Conservative Republican candidates for Superior Court of Pennsylvania: Sallie Mundy, Temp Smith, Judy Olson, and Paula Ott.