The Table: Worst Job, Worst Political Move, Worst Voter

The Table is getting its money straight as we seek justice in jobs, in government, and in the distribution of wealth.

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The Table: Snake Bite, Wolf Howl, and Crying Justice

The Table has some bite with Snakes, Wolves, and the Death Penalty on the menu.

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Time to Let Go of the (Penn) State: The Move to Privatization

The stigma of a state institution has held Penn State back for too long. As a private institution, it can create a new reputation of academic excellence and attract the best scholars.

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Ignoring the Signs: The Impact of the Delaware County Oil Refineries Closings

The Oil Leak creating a bad smell was a leak of a local refinery last week, but it is also a great metaphor of the stink that Sunoco is leaving behind as they shutter their long-standing relationship with the region.

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Corbett vs. Christie: Is a State University System Worth Keeping?

For Corbett and his administration, there is no link between an educated, university-trained workforce and a bright economic future for Pennsylvania.

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Capital Christmas: Harrisburg Elves Hard at Work

Unwillingly to go home with no victories with a Republican controlled Governor, Senate and House, the representatives are trying to pump up their reputation to make it on Santa’s nice list.

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In Our Back Yard: Chester’s State of Emergency

The ills of Chester are our problem, and if we do not see a State of Emergency as a wakeup call, well we could at least use it as an opportunity to explore a new home, this time way up in Chester County.

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Closing the Book on Libraries

When a friend sent me this notice "Philadelphia's Libraries are Closing", I thought it was a joke; some satire of an intellectual cynic who is frustrated with the top three headlines of the day coming from the most high-brow and predictable of human development, the Video Music Awards. But it wasn’t. It wasn’t a joke or satire, but a headline and notice far more jolting. The closing or the threatening of shutting the Free Library of Philadelphia’s branches, the first book loan started by the America’s Enlightenment age, represents the nadir of the city and state government. Living in this area for the majority of my life, I am well aware of the constant attacks against the library system when money gets tight. I remember the consolidation seven years ago and the pleas to become friends of the Library with tax deduction donations. I even recall one notice that the library couldn’t buy any more books because their budget had depleted. This newest notice is not surprising, especially since they have not passed a budget and some emergency personnel have not received checks in months. But I thought I’d take a moment reminiscing about my experience with the library and finish with my new found conclusion of this mess.

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