Senator Conventional
Senator Conventional
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 Penn 115L2 Senator HT 100 High Strength Conventional Fishing Reel 9 0 1199904 $147.99 Time Remaining: 26d 13h 32m Buy It Now for only: $147.99 |
 PENN SENATOR 113H 2 CONVENTIONAL SALTWATER REEL PENN SENATOR 113H 2 R H REEL $61.00 (10 Bids) Time Remaining: 18h 45m |
 Penn 114H2LW Special Senator 114H 2LW 6 0 Conventional Fishing Reel 1187312 $152.99 Time Remaining: 18d 16h 45m Buy It Now for only: $152.99 |
 Penn 116L Senator Conventional 12 0 Big Game Ocean Fishing Reel 116 1151086 $389.99 Time Remaining: 20d 21h 26m Buy It Now for only: $389.99 |
 Penn Senator Special 113H conventional fishing reel NEW $56.00 (15 Bids) Time Remaining: 19h 56m |
 Penn 6 0 Senator 114H USA MADE Conventional Reel with Power Handle NICE $75.00 Time Remaining: 18d 15h 8m Buy It Now for only: $75.00 |
 Penn Senator Conventional Reel 9 0 115L2 FREE SHIPPING $141.89 Time Remaining: 20d 22h 15m Buy It Now for only: $141.89 |
 Penn Special Senator 114H 6 0 Conventional Trolling Reel Saltwater Made in USA $125.00 Time Remaining: 1d 15h 41m Buy It Now for only: $175.00 |
 Penn 9 0 Senator 115 USA MADE Conventional Reel with AMBER HANDLE NICE $125.00 Time Remaining: 27d 21h 41m Buy It Now for only: $125.00 |
 Penn 4 0 Senator 113H USA MADE Conventional Reel with Newell WIDE BROADBILL Ki $185.00 Time Remaining: 27d 21h 36m Buy It Now for only: $185.00 |
 Vintage Penn Senator 3 0 112 Conventional Reel + Box Made in USA $29.50 (10 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 16h 13m |
 PENN SENATOR 113 H 4 0 SPECIAL CONVENTIONAL FISHING REEL BUY IT NOW $69.99 Time Remaining: 27d 12h Buy It Now for only: $69.99 |
 Penn 9 0 Senator 115 USA MADE Conventional Reel with Aluminum Spool NICE $125.00 Time Remaining: 24d 22h 36m Buy It Now for only: $125.00 |
 Penn 6 0 Senator USA MADE Conventional Reel with Metal Spool Red Handle $43.00 (6 Bids) Time Remaining: 2d 13h 34m |
 Penn 6 0 Senator 114HL USA MADE Conventional Reel with Aluminum Spool NICE $85.00 Time Remaining: 24d 22h 33m Buy It Now for only: $85.00 |
 NEW SENATOR TL 900 Conventional Saltwater Jigging Fishing Reel $80.00 Time Remaining: 6d 20h 4m Buy It Now for only: $80.00 |
 Penn Special Senator 3 0 H RH Conventional Reel made in USA $20.50 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 2d 13h 45m |
 Penn 113H2LW Special Senator HT 100 Drag Conventional Fishing Reel 1153841 $129.99 Time Remaining: 20d 22h 16m Buy It Now for only: $129.99 |
 Penn 9 0 Senator 115 USA MADE Conventional Reel with POWER HANDLE NICE $115.00 Time Remaining: 27d 21h 39m Buy It Now for only: $115.00 |
 VtgPenn Senator 115 9 0 Conventional Saltwater Fishing Reel w Rod Mount NICE $76.00 (23 Bids) Time Remaining: 2d 16h 34m |
 PENN SENATOR 66 30 50 CONVENTIONAL FISHING ROD AND REEL COMBO $160.00 Time Remaining: 4d 15h 35m Buy It Now for only: $160.00 |
 Penn Senator Conventional Reel 12 0 116L FREE SHIPPING $369.99 Time Remaining: 20d 22h 14m Buy It Now for only: $369.99 |
 PENN SENATOR BIG GAME 6 0 CONVENTIONAL SALTWATER FISHING REEL $154.00 Time Remaining: 12d 18h 26m Buy It Now for only: $154.00 |
 PENN Senator 114H 6 0 USA Big Game Conventional Fishing Reel w Rod Mount $53.53 (11 Bids) Time Remaining: 2d 19h 40m |
 Penn Special Senator Conventional Reel 4 0 113H2 FREE SHIPPING $107.49 Time Remaining: 20d 22h 14m Buy It Now for only: $107.49 |
 Metal Spool for a Penn 9 0 Senator 115 USA MADE Conventional Reel VERY NICE $50.00 Time Remaining: 27d 21h 45m Buy It Now for only: $50.00 |
 Vintage PENN Senator 115 9 0 Conventional Saltwater Fishing Reel w Rod Mount $66.00 (9 Bids) Time Remaining: 2d 19h 50m |
 Penn 114H2SP Special Senator Conventional Wireline Fishing Reel 114H2 1187311 $166.99 Time Remaining: 16d 13h 54m Buy It Now for only: $166.99 |
 Penn 4 0 Senator 113HL USA MADE Conventional Reel Loaded with Spectra NICE $85.00 Time Remaining: 26d 22h 21m Buy It Now for only: $85.00 |
 Penn Senator 40 Conventional Fishing Reel Black $59.00 Time Remaining: 3d 8h 32m |
 SPOOL for your Penn 6 0 Senator 114H Conventional Reel VERY NICE $35.00 Time Remaining: 18d 21h 45m Buy It Now for only: $35.00 |
 Penn Special Senator Conventional Reel Left Handed 4 0 113H2LH FREE SHIPPING $109.49 Time Remaining: 20d 22h 14m Buy It Now for only: $109.49 |
 Penn Senator 113HSP 4 0 Big Game Conventional Reel Very Clean $69.95 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 4d 8h 56m |
 PENN 6 0 SENATOR 50 MONO CONVENTIONAL REEL 114L2 NEW $132.99 Time Remaining: 15d 10h 39m Buy It Now for only: $132.99 |
 SpoolBars and Base For Penn 6 0 Senator 114H USA MADE Conventional Reel $45.00 Time Remaining: 21d 21h 51m Buy It Now for only: $45.00 |
 Penn Senator 113H 4 0 conventional reel good one made USA $50.00 Time Remaining: 5d 17h 13m Buy It Now for only: $68.00 |
 Penn Senator Conventional Reel 6 0 114L2 FREE SHIPPING $123.29 Time Remaining: 20d 22h 15m Buy It Now for only: $123.29 |
 Penn 114L2 Senator HT 100 Drag Conventional 114L 2 Fishing Reel 6 0 1187315 $129.99 Time Remaining: 26d 13h 31m Buy It Now for only: $129.99 |
 PENN SENATOR 12 0 BIG GAME CONVENTIONAL SALTWATER FISHING REEL $99.99 Time Remaining: 5d 18h |
 PENN 3 0 SPECIAL SENATOR CONVENTIONAL REEL 112H2 NEW $90.99 Time Remaining: 27d 11h 46m Buy It Now for only: $90.99 |
 Penn Special Senator Conventional Reel Wide Spool 4 0 113H2LW FREE SHIPPING $141.99 Time Remaining: 20d 22h 15m Buy It Now for only: $141.99 |
 Penn Senator 113H 4 0 Conventional Fishing Reel never used $12.50 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 5d 18h 24m Buy It Now for only: $80.00 |
 Penn 4 0 Senator 113HLW USA MADE Conventional Reel with Newell BASE Clamp $115.00 Time Remaining: 21h 27m Buy It Now for only: $115.00 |
 Penn Special Senator Conventional Reel 6 0 114H2 FREE SHIPPING $131.49 Time Remaining: 20d 22h 15m Buy It Now for only: $131.49 |
 Penn Special Senator Conventional Reel 4 0 113H2SP FREE SHIPPING $164.99 Time Remaining: 20d 22h 14m Buy It Now for only: $164.99 |
 PENN SENATOR 112H 3 0 CONVENTIONAL FISHING REEL ANODIZED SPOOL $49.95 Time Remaining: 5d 18h 39m |
 PENN SENATOR SERIES CONVENTIONAL SALTWATER REEL 116L $370.99 Time Remaining: 15d 10h 35m Buy It Now for only: $370.99 |
 Penn Special Senator 6 0 Conventional Saltwater Fishing Reel $144.00 Time Remaining: 6d 19h 40m Buy It Now for only: $144.00 |
 Vintage PENN Senator 110 1 0 Saltwater Conventional Fishing Reel w Rod Mount $0.11 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 6d 20h 10m |
 Penn Special Senator 114H 6 0 Conventional Trolling Reel Saltwater Made in USA $50.00 Time Remaining: 26d 16h 13m Buy It Now for only: $50.00 |
 New Penn 113L2 4 0 Senator Conventional Saltwater Fishing Reel Trolling $99.99 Time Remaining: 1d 2h 11m Buy It Now for only: $99.99 |
 Vintage PENN Senator 112H 3 0 Conventional Saltwater Fishing Reel w Rod Mount $0.06 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 6d 20h 14m |
 Penn Special Senator Conventional Reel 3 0 112H2 FREE SHIPPING $89.89 Time Remaining: 20d 22h 14m Buy It Now for only: $89.89 |
 Penn Special Senator Conventional Reel 6 0 114H2SP FREE SHIPPING $165.99 Time Remaining: 20d 22h 15m Buy It Now for only: $165.99 |
 Penn Special Senator 3 0H Conventional Reel made in USA $15.50 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 2d 20h 1m |
 Penn Senator 114 6 0 Conventional Trolling Fishing Reel Saltwater Made in USA $149.99 Time Remaining: 24d 20h 38m Buy It Now for only: $149.99 |
 PENN 4 0 SENATOR 30 MONO CONVENTIONAL REEL 113L2 NEW $107.99 Time Remaining: 15d 10h 40m Buy It Now for only: $107.99 |
 Vintage Penn Senator 114 H Conventional Reel made in USA $26.25 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 2d 20h 15m |
 Penn Special Senator 114H 6 0 Conventional Trolling Reel Saltwater Made in USA $155.99 Time Remaining: 7d 17h 18m Buy It Now for only: $155.99 |
 Penn Senator 6 0 Conventional Fishing Reel Part Reel Seat Mount Screws $10.50 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 7m Buy It Now for only: $10.50 |
 PENN SENATOR 9 0 CONVENTIONAL REEL VINTAGE GREAT CONDITION $0.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 4d 12h 41m |
 Penn Senator 4 0 Conventional Fishing Reel Part Handle Side Plate $14.00 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 3m Buy It Now for only: $14.00 |
 Penn Senator 4 0 Conventional Fishing Reel Part Free Spool Switch $10.00 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 3m Buy It Now for only: $10.00 |
 PENN SENATOR 4 0 CONVENTIONAL REEL VINTAGE $0.99 Time Remaining: 4d 12h 46m |
 Penn Senator 6 0 Conventional Fishing Reel Part Clicker Side Plate Last one $17.50 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 7m Buy It Now for only: $17.50 |
 Penn Senator 6 0 Fishing Reel Part Set of Five 5 Spacer Bars Conventional $10.00 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 1m Buy It Now for only: $10.00 |
A First Step Back To Living In A Free Country
It was refreshing to come across some recent good news from Washington for a change, news that is a small step towards reviving the concept of living in a free country in America. It is indeed a small step since it is not the law of the nation yet, but any step in the right direction of liberty is positive news.
The House Of Representatives recently passed H.R. 359, a piece of legislation that has two components. The first component is the termination the funding program for the Democratic and Republican parties to use taxpayer money to fund a portion of their Presidential conventions every four years. All costs, including security costs, will be the responsibility of each political party.
Political conventions are basically relics from our political history. It was there that the two parties gathered their delegates and voted, often many times, to chose their Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates every four years. However, over time, the parties implemented caucuses and primary elections in each state which were used to divvy up delegate votes for the nomination. Thus, almost always, the convention attendees convene already knowing who their candidates will be. The convention then becomes nothing more than a pep rally for the party's supporters, a public relations bonanza from a press coverage perspective, and a four-five day reason to party, partly at the expense of the taxpayer.
Several sources have estimated a taxpayer bill of around $100 million for the 2004 Presidential conventions. According to a Parade magazine article from several years ago, $100 million could hire 2,400 additional teachers for a year, pay for basic health insurance for 25,000 American families, or provide 41 million school lunches for needy children Thus, in the future, if this bill is approved, there may be more teachers, more lunches, more insurance coverage, or a smaller Federal deficit. If the two major political parties still want to party at their conventions, H.R. 359 would make them pay for their party themselves.
The second component of H.R. 359 would terminate the Presidential Election Campaign Fund. This fund provides Federal tax dollars in the form of matching funds to candidates in Presidential political primaries if those candidates agree to certain spending and contribution rules and limits. This fund basically subsidizes the two major political parties and their continuing grip on the reins of government, allowing taxpayers to pay for their needs rather than have the candidates themselves prove their worth and get support on their own merits. As we all know, all but two of all contending candidates for President are eventually successful so that millions and millions of taxpayer dollars are wasted on losing campaigns.
The fund is financed by checkoffs on taxpayer income tax returns and then put into the hands of the political class who fund their own candidates with these funds. The funds rarely, if ever, go to new and secondary parties, the funds are primarily used to cement the duopoly power of the Democrats and the Republicans. However, participation in the program has dropped from 28.7% of income tax returns designating money for the fund in 1980 to only 7.3% of income tax returns designating money in 2009. Thus, even the taxpayers have realized that continuing to subsidize the low performing members of the Democratic and Republican parties is no longer a good idea.
Passage of this component would save taxpayers over half a billion dollars over the next ten years while requiring all candidates to stand on their own merits when it came to raising campaign finance donations. Elimination of this fund would not infringe on anyone's freedom of speech rights since they would still be free to contribute to any candidate they wanted. They would actually be freer since they would control where their funds went, it would not be left up to the political class. This might also help newer, smaller political parties get established to challenge the two existing parties.
So let's see what we would have:
- Less wasteful spending of taxpayer money since if the politicians want to party at a convention, they have to do it all with their own funds, not the funds of the taxpayers.
- Voters would be freer since they would control where their political donations went, it would not be put into a giant slush fund controlled by the existing political class.
- Smaller parties would have less competition for funding since the Presidential fund would be eliminated, leveling the field for fund raising across both established and new political parties.
The vote to move on this legislation was 239 for it and 160 against it. It came out of a very vibrant process that the Republicans introduced last year called You Vote. Every week over the past six or seven months, ordinary American citizens could go to the You Cut page at Majority Leader Eric Cantor's website and vote on one of several wasteful spending programs that the Federal government operates.
When Pelosi and the Democrats controlled the House, these cost cutting initiatives were either voted down or blocked from even coming up for a vote. Now that the Republicans are in charge in the House, we may finally see some sunshine be shone on wasteful government spending. This bill, H.R. 359, is the first You Cut winner to be approved. The process is an excellent way for Americans to get involved in their government's priorities, an option that was not available under Pelosi's watch.
Reducing government spending increases your freedom by either reducing your taxes today or relieving some of the astronomical national debt the political class has piled up over the years. Getting campaign funding sources out of the hands of the established political machines also saves money but levels the funding competition between new and established candidates/incumbents and new and established political parties, increasing our freedom of choice. Having input to what the government spends our taxpayer dollars on via You Cut increases our freedom to determine how our government behaves, putting them back under our control and not allowing them to control us.
The big question is where will H.R. 350 go from here? Will the Democratic controlled Senate and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid even consider it? Will Obama sign it if it gets through the two houses of Congress? Given its downside of funding political activities of only the two major parties, the upside of increasing our freedom in many different ways, and the severely decreasing popularity of the program, there is no reason to keep this program and its two components alive any more. It's a first, small step back towards freedom. Let's see if Harry Reid in the Senate and President Obama in the White House take the next two steps towards approval and freedom.
About the Author
Walter "Bruno" Korschek is the author of the book, "Love My Country, Loathe My Government. - Fifty First Steps To Restoring Our Freedom and Destroying The American Political Class," which is available at www.loathemygovernment.com and online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Our daily dialog on freedom in American can be joined at www.loathemygovernment.blogspot.,com.