Lawrence, Hennessey choosing extreme politics over Chester County women’s lives
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa
In the middle of the night, Pennsylvania’s legislators pushed through an amendment to the state Constitution removing any protection for abortion and women’s health services — along with a number of anti-democratic measures that could make it harder for minorities to vote.
There are massive issues with morality and democracy here, but the fact of...
Column: A father’s letter to his daughter after Roe falls
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa
Dear Janet,
I’m sorry. We have failed you.
By “we” I mean American society. Your mom and I foolishly hoped that you would eventually see the same rights and standing as your twin brother. But it is clear now that will not happen any time soon.
Friday’s U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and what had been your right to privacy...
McSwain brings shame on Chester County when he attacks kids
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa
It’s still a little rare that you see a politician be such a hateful jerk — and rarer for that politician to be from Chester County.
But here we have West Chester’s Bill McSwain — a gubernatorial candidate — bringing shame to the other 550,000 residents of our county by trashing middle school kids in a Tweet that went viral, until he deleted...
3 Chesco legislators embarrass themselves — and us — on anti-abortion bill vote
By Mike McGann, Editor, the Times @mikemcgannpa
Just when you think our “great” legislature can’t get worse, it has a “here, hold my beer” moment.
Such as with HB 118, one of the most ignorant, hateful and useless pieces of legislation ever passed by any political body in history. Yes, it will be vetoed and purged by Gov. Tom Wolf.
But it should never have been introduced. It should never...
Extreme Pa. GOP mapping its own demise
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa
You’ve probably heard about the old story about the dog who finally caught the car — and didn’t know what to do with it.
In Pennsylvania, of late, assume legislative Republicans are the dog grabbing the rear bumper, but one who doesn’t see the reverse lights suddenly turn on.
They’ve already moved to take emergency declaration power away from...
Spare me the ‘outrage’ on Sims’ abortion comments
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
So there it was, the screaming email this morning from someone named Marian Casillas declaring “Bully Brian Sims must RESIGN!”
Sims is a state legislator from Philly who got a little over the top when calling out anti-abortion protestors (they are decidedly not pro-life when they want to cut food stamps, slash health care, and fight against gun safety) they just...
Abortion ban makes no religious, moral or political sense
Rushing through SB3 is a suicide play for Pa. GOP
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
On a very special Monday edition of “Why Your State Legislature Sucks,” let me chat with you for a moment about state Senate Bill 3.
With the myriad of problems facing our commonwealth, it is this bill, which addresses exactly none of them, that will likely dominate headlines this week and beyond in Pennsylvania.
With...
Op/Ed: Community health centers betray pro-life trust
Congressman claims federal funds used to pay for abortions
By Joe Pitts, U.S. Rep., 16th District
U.S. Rep. Joe Pitts (R-16)
There are 237 Community Health Center sites in Pennsylvania. Their umbrella organization, the National Association of Community Health Centers, declares that their mission is to serve over 23 million people at more than 9,000 sites to address the widespread lack of access to...
PA GOP builds brilliant GOTV plan — for Democrats
Attacking ‘Pre-Wal-Mart’ majors and abortion rights could lead Nov. disaster
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
There’s dumb and then there’s pour gasoline on yourself and dive into the barbecue dumb.
And it seems like Republicans in your beloved state legislature have stocked up on the Kingsford and are wearing loads of Eau de Sunoco in a brilliant attempt to pander to a small minority...
Will HB 1077 impact statehouse races?
Will abortion politics motivate voters to vote for Democrats?
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
I hate the subject of abortion. With a deep, dark abiding passion.
But it’s possible I may have underestimated its impact on the 2012 elections when it comes to local state house races.
I spent the better part of my Saturday morning last week on the courthouse steps in West Chester listening to a rally...
