Both Diven and Fontana are unfit for service as PA Senators

Statement from Mark Rauterkus, May 6, 2005

First of all, I am ashamed to be in a race for public office with Michael Diven and Wayne Fontana. Today they had an opportunity to stand up for diversity, inclusion, democracy and justice -- and these two acted poorly. Neither Diven nor Fontana supported my inclusion in today's debate hosted at Station Square by the AARP.

Needless to say, I’m extremely disappointed that the AARP deemed it necessary to exclude me. In my opinion, the national and state AARP organization should allow the local affiliations the latitude to make their own decisions in regard to local matters. But, this is simply a microcosmic version of how Federal and State Governments’ use bully-tactics when dealing with local government. Protection of the status quo is more important than the voters’ issues. And that’s something near and dear to my heart … and an issue with which I take very strong exception.

I am not a member of AARP. I acknowledge its right to run its organization as it sees fit. I simply disagree that an organization should be able to promote a legitimate view of the candidates without including all of the candidates.

Given the crisis mode and the band-aid mentality throughout the city, region and state, we also need to address the larger issue of one-party and two-party government. Neither one party rule nor two-party government provides the options needed by a diverse electorate.

Organizations, such as AARP, and events such as today's candidate function, provide the opportunity to bring more representation to government. Today's event provided an opportunity to bring representation to the multitudes of disaffected voters throughout this region, not to mention the country. All parties (AARP, Diven and Fontana) failed.

--- The AARP has chosen to pass on this opportunity.
Today's debate is an example of how those in power allow, condone and support an imbalance of power.

--- The disaffected voters of this region demand balance.
Today's debate provided an excellent chance to see two-thirds of the options.

--- This District’s constituency knows that 67% is a failing grade – and this District’s constituency is clamoring for 100%.

Many democracies involve a multitude of parties. Iraq, with more than 120 parties, this past January 2005, makes just one example. But our present system is designed to eliminate all but the two old parties. Today's frail democracy is a conundrum specifically designed to be an endless, impenetrable loop.

You cannot participate without a 5% minimum past representation, yet you cannot get a 5% minimum representation without prior participation. And please note that celebrity candidates don’t qualify in quite the same manner as those of us with serious issues to address.

The AARP was unable to prove to me that any independent poll was held that had me at less than the 5% benchmark. Polls are being taken. Polls are not being reported because they show a large and growing number of voters who are going to vote for neither the D nor the R -- but for Mark Rauterkus, Libertaian.

To close, let me reiterating my disgust to Mike Diven and Wayne Fontana for their lacking. They don't have the capacity to do the right thing. They don't have the capacity to be my senator.

All future debates must take serious candidates seriously.

Both the heavyweight candidates, Diven and Fontana, were asked to wait before taking the debate stage until after an invitation was extended to all on the ballot. The other camps know what was unfolding. The other camps knew in advance what would occur. My advance statements were handed to them directly.