Republicans working for Pennsylvanians, Democrats fight for higher taxes
HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania Republican Party Chairman Rob Gleason released the following statement regarding comments made by President Obama’s Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack on Tuesday, who contended that food stamps are economic stimulus:
“With a no-plan, no-jobs President currently on a taxpayer-funded campaign tour through the Midwest, the pressure has caused Democrats in Harrisburg and Washington, D.C. to crack as they are being exposed for how out-of-touch they really are.
“Look at the completely out-of-touch and incredibly crazy things Democrat officials at both the national and state level have said already this week. In Harrisburg, Democrat State Representative Mike Sturla doesn’t want the Marcellus Shale industry to create more jobs believing that hardworking Pennsylvanians are drunks and the “womenfolk” are promiscuous. In Washington, D.C., Obama’s Secretary of Agriculture believes that having more people on food stamps directly stimulate the economy.
“Between President Obama’s two-and-a-half year spending spree, Senator Bob Casey and Senate Democrats inability to create a budget and former Governor Ed Rendell’s tax-and-spend mantra that nearly put Pennsylvania into bankruptcy, it’s clear that Democrats can’t be trusted to be in charge of our government’s purse strings.
“On the other hand, Republicans have shown tremendous leadership on fiscal issues. Governor Corbett’s fiscally responsible budget protects Pennsylvania taxpayers with zero tax increases and supports business growth and job creation throughout our Commonwealth. U.S. Senator Pat Toomey’s financial know-how was recently recognized on a national scale with his appointment to the federal ‘super committee’ that will shave another $1.5 trillion from the federal deficit. Republicans want you to get back to work. Democrats want you to grab more food stamps.”
Rep. Sturla Refers To Hardworking Pennsylvanians As Promiscuous Drunks
But Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, disagreed that it should be done and added Gov. Tom Corbett and Walker whitewash natural gas drilling. He asked in an e-mail: “exactly what are all those things the drillers are doing for the local communities? Patronizing the bars at night? Driving up the cost of rental housing? Spreading sexually transmitted disease amongst the womenfolk?” (DeCoursey, Peter L. Walker says forestland royalties key to solving state’s economic problems. Capitolwire. August 16, 2011.)
Obama Secretary of Agriculture: Food Stamps Are Economic Stimulus
Obama’s Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack: “Well, obviously, it’s putting people to work. Which is why we’re going to have some interesting things in the course of the forum this morning. Later this morning, we’re going have a press conference with Secretary Mavis and Secretary Chu to announce something that’s never happened in this country — something that we think is exciting in terms of job growth. I should point out, when you talk about the SNAP program or the foot stamp program, you have to recognize that it’s also an economic stimulus. Every dollar of SNAP benefits generates $1.84 in the economy in terms of economic activity. If people are able to buy a little more in the grocery store, someone has to stock it, package it, shelve it, process it, ship it. All of those are jobs. It’s the most direct stimulus you can get in the economy during these tough times.” (Fox Nation. Obama Secretary of Agriculture: Food Stamps Are Economic Stimulus. August 16, 2011.)
Marcellus Shale Industry Report Created $11.2 Billion in Economic Activity & Supported 140k Jobs in PA in 2010
According to a report released by three Penn State University researchers, entitled “The Pennsylvania Marcellus Natural Gas Industry, Economic Impact, and Future Potential,” the Marcellus Shale drilling industry has generated $11.2 billion in economic activity in the state in 2010 and supports nearly 148,000 jobs. (“New State Study: Marcellus Shale Drilling Created $11.2 Billion in Economic Activity & Supported 140k Jobs in PA in 2010,” Marcellus Shale Drilling News, 6/20/11)
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