Given the Tumult With Our Present and Future Leadership in Our Nation’s Capital, What Are Our Current Leaders Doing To Keep Individuals and Businesses Afloat in the U.S.?  Raja Goes One-On-One With Senator Pat Toomey For An Explanation 
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Ask almost any political pundit, one with both feet planted on either side of the aisle (or in the middle), and he or she would be hard pressed to come up with a period of time that was more tumultuous in Washington than this one.

Sure, the crowded fields for both the Republican and Democratic Presidential nominees will whittle down to a manageable number in the coming months.   And the dust will settle when the Republican Party nails down its replacement for outgoing House Speaker John Boehner,, in order to put the right man or woman in one of the most powerful political seats in the country.

But until these things happen, a population full of curious onlookers, most of whom vote these individuals into office in the first place, can’t help but look on in confusion, and maybe a bit of frustration and anger, at the chaos that unfolds on their print, online, radio, and television channels 24/7.

Given what many have dubbed a “circus”, how can the men and women we elect to represent us rise above the clamor to actually do their jobs on a daily basis?

On this edition of “The Raja Show”, Raja tackles that issue, along with many others, as he goes one-on-one with Senator Pat Toomey (R – Pennsylvania).  Senator Toomey shares his perspective from inside the beltway on a variety of issues, from his take on both the Democratic and Republican sides of the 2016 Presidential Election, the topics that these candidates SHOULD be discussing and debating, why “outsiders” like Donald Trump, Ben Carson and Carly Fiorina are resonating so strongly with the American public, and the message it sends to the current Washington D.C. inhabitants, including himself.  Plus, he shares his OWN ideas on what it takes for the American economy to right the ship, and talks about the lessons he was able to learn given his own background in running businesses in the private sector, and how those lessons impact his policy-making strategy.

As Trump and Fiorina Continue To Dominate the Headlines, It’s Time To Ask:  Can Business Success REALLY Translate To the Political Arena?  We Talk To A Leader Who Has Made The Leap
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In recent years, it seems that one of the biggest hurdles that many politicians face come election time is that they are, in fact, politicians.

(Or to use the more prevalent vernacular, “CAREER politicians”.)

Look no further than the current hoopla surrounding the 2016 Presidential Election, particularly on the Republican side, as proof that the landscape is changing when it comes to WHO we seek out to lead us.  Pretty much any current poll you will find reflects real estate magnate (among other things) Donald Trump at the top, mere percentage points ahead of neurosurgeon Ben Carson, with former HP CEO Carly Fiorina surging up the polls, thanks in large part to a pair of strong performances in the first two party debates.

In the cases of Trump and Fiorina, their successes have pundits reexamining one of the most prevalent questions asked when considering what it takes to make the policy necessary to lead a country:  Can government be run like a business?

With the Presidential aspirations of Trump and FIorina at the forefront, and outgoing House Speaker John Boehner, himself a business leader before entering the political arena, dominating the headlines, the spotlight once again shines on the idea of business leaders as politicians.

They’re not alone, as there are many politicians on a federal, state, and local level who boast extensive business leadership experience prior to serving their constituents.  Often, these leaders, much like Trump and Fiorina, bring a fresh look at what may be a stale, stagnant political climate, a perspective that has been battle-tested through years, if not decades, of successful execution in the private sector, and one that can often resonate loudly among a jaded voter base.

Currently in the State of Pennsylvania, the president pro-tempore of the State Senate, Joe Scarnati, is among the many political leaders who boast time at the helm of a successful business, running the family restaurant for years, before entering politics.  Scarnati uses that private sector experience to bring a unique perspective to the decisions he makes on a daily basis in office, decisions that aren’t often popular ones, especially ones involving the oft-discussed and debated Pennsylvania State Budget.

On Sunday’s edition of “The Raja Show”, Senator Scarnati checks in with Raja, (himself, don’t forget, a successful entrepreneur who has served atop his local municipality and has campaigned for higher office) to discuss the idea of business leader-as-policy maker, and what sets those folks apart from their colleagues.  Plus, as the continued discussion of Pennsylvania’s State Budget rolls along, Senator Scarnati will give us an inside look at what goes on behind-the-scenes of what can often be heated negotiations, and the impact these negotiations will have on the citizens,and businesses, of Pennsylvania.

Character Counts:  How Timothy Thyreen Has Redefined the Purpose of a College Education Beyond the Mere Byproduct of a “Diploma Mill”
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When considering what a college education means in 2015, popular opinion tends to quickly surge to the forefront of the conversation.

-Skyrocketing debt that cripples students earning potential right out of the gate. .

-Diplomas that aren’t worth the paper they’re printed on when it comes to getting a worthwhile job right out of the gate.

-Students who make it through all four (or more) years of college and STILL don’t have the basic cognitive schools that most employers covet.

So what are college administrators to do, in order to combat the war on public perception?

For Timothy Thyreen, Chancellor of Waynesburg University, the answer lies in the revamped dedication of purpose for the school’s student body.  Under Thyreen’s leadership, both as Chancellor and President before that, the school has renewed its focus on the development of the character of the Waynesburg University student.   For Thyreen, it’s just as important that a student’s character be at or above the level of his or her academic proficiency.

The tremendous impact of Thyreen’s efforts has been felt campus-wide in the 25 years since Thyreen was appointed as the University’s President.  Not only did the school make the leap from “Waynesburg College” to “Waynesburg University”, the school has implemented master’s and doctorate programs, doubled its enrollment, added over twelve new buildings, and has enjoyed a vast enhancement in its standing among the elite institutions throughout the State of Pennsylvania.

And the accolades have extended far beyond the State of Pennsylvania’s borders.  According to a recent report, the school’s student default rate is among the lowest in the country, a remarkable accomplishment given the continuous rise in tuition throughout the U.S.

On this edition of “The Raja Show”, Raja examines the remarkable strides that Waynesburg University has made over the past 25 years as he talks with the man at the helm.  Timothy Thyreen discusses the school’s accomplishments, shares his philosophy of leadership, and reflects upon the principles he has instilled in the student body and faculty.