Tough Choice Must Be Made

When I was a boy growing up in Berks County, one of the most exciting times of year was the end of August when my mother would take us shopping at Boscov's West in Sinking Spring. The store was always vibrant, and the staff were always friendly.

I grew up with Boscov's. I have always been a loyal Boscov's customer, and I appreciate the many good deeds that Albert Boscov and his family have done for Pennsylvania.

However, I cannot support Al Boscov donating $2,500 to the re-election fund for David Argall (R, District 124 - Berks and Schuylkill). Representative Argall provides a great example of what is wrong with Pennsylvania's government. Mr. Argall has a history of making voting decisions that are bad for Pennsylvania taxpayers. In 2003, he voted for the $1 billion tax hike. Argall was among the six lawmakers who were responsible for bringing the unlawful pay raise out of conference committee for the July 7 vote. He voted for the 6.1% budget increase and the unlawful pay raise on July 7, thus giving himself a 34% salary increase while trampling on the Pennsylvania Constitution. So much for the oath of office.

As the Majority Whip, Mr. Argall was also responsible for pressuring other lawmakers into voting yes on the unlawful pay raise, thus violating these lawmakers' integrity as well. Pennsylvanians deserve better representatives than Mr. Argall.

On September 12, PACleanSweep issued a statewide notice that anyone donating money to the incumbent's re-election campaigns would face a boycott by our organization.

The donation to Argall's campaign is dated September 30.

Additionally, Al Boscov, Edwin Lakin (President), and Dean Sheaffer (Senior VP) also contributed a combined $11,000 after September 19 to the Pennsylvania Retailers' Association Political Action Committee. PARPAC then contributed to the campaign treasuries of Argall, Gibson Armstrong, Lynn Herman, Vic Lescovitz, Harold James, Nicholas Micozzie, Mike Sturla and Lower Bucks' own Matthew Wright.

All these lawmakers voted for the unlawful pay raise.

What Mr. Boscov and the Boscov's corporation do with their money is certainly their choice. However, what I do with mine is also my choice.

I cannot understand how a philanthropist like Mr. Boscov could possibly support the re-election of legislators who think so little of our state's Constitution that they were willing to violate it in order to get a pay raise.

Unfortunately, I feel compelled by moral indignation to boycott Boscov's this holiday season unless Mr. Boscov and his associates request refunds of their contributions. Their money would be better placed into charities or other organizations that are actually helping Pennsylvanians rather than into the pockets of legislators who are damaging our Commonwealth.

Remember, most of Boscov's customers are Pennsylvanians who have been betrayed by the very legislators whom Boscov's is now supporting.

It's a dark day for me personally, but the principle of standing up for the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania sometimes requires us to make tough choices... and this is one of them.

I guess I will be Christmas shopping at Macy's this year.