This is why we need more than 2 candidates in our local elections

I'm going to repost a blog comment from Bram's blog. Bram didn't pen the original posting nor this remark. http://www.Pghcomet.blogspot.com.

The insights come from an independent candidate in the race, James Wudarczyk. He lances some of the high flying claims from the D endorsed candidate, Deb Gross.

People have got to read this latest press release from James Wudarczyk about Deb Gross. Love or hate the guy, you have to admit he sure does his homework.

Can the City of Pittsburgh afford Deb Gross? After an extensive review of her failed projects by James Wudarczyk, he strongly believes the answer is NO!

At the Highland Park Community Council forum on October 17, 2013, Wudarczyk revealed startling evidence about the projects that Ms. Gross considers her major accomplishments. In response to his allegations, Ms. Gross repeatedly stuttered in frustration and finger pointed at Mr. Wudarczyk while stammering that he did not understand that there had been a “hiccup” in the budget.

In Wudarczyk’s opinion, projects that succeed in only bleeding the taxpayers of money hardly constitute resourceful leadership. Furthermore, Wudarczyk feels taxpayers money has been thrown into the Allegheny River by projects that Gross believes are misunderstood “hiccups.”

Let’s take a look at these projects.

First, the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Alliance is touted by the Democratic nominee and former executive director, Deb Gross, as a wonderful program and a great achievement. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) records for the ruling year of 2001 showed total revenues of $80,532, while total expenses for the same period were $119,904 (1). The Greater Pittsburgh Arts Alliance merged with another arts group because of financial difficulties. In spite of this evidence, the former executive director never mentions that the project was a financial failure.

Second, the Democratic nominee claims that she knows how to creatively match resources with need. Repeatedly, voters have been told by this candidate that she turned $2 million into $6 million dollars when fundraising for the Community Loan Fund of Southwestern Pennsylvania. When Mr. Wudarczyk initially heard this, he wondered if this candidate held spaghetti dinners, went door-to-door, or had donut sales. An article appearing in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, December 6, 2001, stated that this candidate was an employee at the time of this “fundraising” (2). What the candidate failed to mention was that the money was actually “raised” by the issuing of bonds that paid between 3 and 4.5% (3). It should also be noted that the Community Loan Fund also received $352,186 in direct public support and $370,900 in government grants for a total of $723,086 (4). This is not an example of creative fundraising. This is an example of borrowing money and covering operational expenses via grants from the taxpayers.

The candidate also boasts of a public transportation initiative called the Ultraviolet Loop that ran from 2001 – 2004 (5). Missing from the boast is the fact that this project was funded by a grant. Once the grant expired, so did the program. How can one talk about sustainability if programs are run strictly on grants from the state or federal taxpayers?

Lastly, another of her business claims were related to a company called Percolater. Ask anyone on the street if they ever heard of this company, and they will think you are talking about some kind of coffee pot.

It is apparent here that the voters are paying for programs that they neither need nor wanted. Mr. Wudarczyk believes that it time that we stop funding these types of projects and focus on re-allocating funds to fixing our decaying infrastructure and pothole-ridden streets. Can we afford a progressive Democrat who believes borrowing money is raising funds and a $40,000 loss is a “hiccup” in the budget? Mr. Wudarczyk believes the answer is no and voters have a right to know what the IRS records have to say in regard to these matters.

I remember the Ultra Violet Loop. It was a funky bus thing that cost money and could have been twisted a bit to make it sustainable, perhaps. But, they were not so interested in making changes. I blogged about what I would have done with it back in the day. Made some calls. Oh well. It wasn't anything to hang a hat upon.

But most of all, it is great that there are a few different people in the race. Good research from James too. I imagine it is too close to election day to find a reply. But, the comment box works here too.

http://pghcomet.blogspot.com/2013/11/city-council-district-7-what-district-7.html?showComment=1383409282291#c7466600646146572705

Dave Powell, Libertarian, got the endorsement from the Trib in his race for Pittsburgh City Council

Way to go Dave Powell.

http://triblive.com/opinion/editorials/4948280-74/council-powell-treblow#axzz2jRqf4FDL

Nice to see the Trib jump into the fray and offer endorsements to the challenger candidates.

Dave is a long time political friend of mine. He is well reasoned and principled. He'd offer plenty of different ideas in the discussions.

The nation, at the time of spy issues, NSA troubles, wiki leaks, Homeland Security creep, and more police state actions at every turn, putting a Libertarian on city council would be fantastic.

Samuel Hurst, Republican, also a candidate for city council, has been working his tail off too by going to meetings and staying active on social media. He is worthy of all the protest votes he can muster as well.

Thanks gentlemen for all you have done and are doing for the political landscape of Pittsburgh. My tip: Don't burn out. Keep plugging.

Rand's talk at Howard University, to race and Republicans

This has all the Q&A portions:

PPS School Boards - and a long-winded invite to a meeting for March 11

Meeting called for 6:30 to 9 pm on Monday, March 11, 2013, at U-Prep to talk about PPS School Board Candidates and Races.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Yinzercation <comment-reply@wordpress.com>

YinzerThing posted: "Pittsburgh's school board is about to get a major shake up. Four of its eleven spots are open this year, and several districts have multiple candidates. Because of the nature of city politics, many of these seats are likely to be decided in the May primar" New post on Yinzercation School Boards Matter by YinzerThing Pittsburgh's school board is about to get a major shake up. Four of its eleven spots are open this year, and several districts have multiple candidates. Because of the nature of city politics, many of these seats are likely to be decided in the May primary, so we just have a couple months to get to know those who are running. Making this election cycle more confusing, the city has just re-drawn school board lines, moving entire neighborhoods into new districts. [See Post-Gazette, 11-12-12 for list of changes.] And the new map does not align with other political boundaries such as those for city council, state representatives, or even school catchment areas. But these are extremely important races and it's worth taking a minute to make sure you know which district you are in. New board members will be making crucial decisions about school closings. (And we know for sure Pittsburgh will see more devastating loss of neighborhood schools in the next couple years.) Board members also sign-off on accepting grant money from foundations and approve contracts with consulting firms. [Remember "PPS: Planning a Privatization Scheme?"] And they approve new charter schools, which are frequently opened to replace the public schools that just closed. In fact, charter schools and the use of high-stakes-testing for teacher evaluation are two of the hottest school board issues across the country right now. In Los Angeles, mayor Antonio Villaraigosa tried to take over the school board in 2006 as several other large cities have done (called "mayoral control," this has been a key strategy to remove power from democratically elected school boards, allowing for swift imposition of the corporate-reform agenda, especially school closure). When his attempt failed, Mayor Villaraigosa switched to backing school board members who support corporate-style reforms. He solicited donations from New York's billionaire mayor Michael Bloomberg, who gave a whopping $1 million, and from Michelle Rhee, whose StudentsFirst group gave another $250,000. [New York Times, 3-4-12] We need to seriously question why these wealthy individuals and astro-turf groups are dumping millions into the Los Angeles school board races. The good news this morning is that it appears all those dollars did not work: with returns now in, it looks like school board member Steve Zimmer, a moderate who dared to question privatization, has retained his seat against an opponent who was backed by the mayor, Bloomberg, and Rhee, as well as the Los Angeles Times editorial board and billionaires Eli Broad (of the Broad Foundation that trains school superintendents) and media mogul Rupert Murdoch. [DianeRavitch, LA Upset] That's a major victory for public education advocates in California – and a lesson for us in Pennsylvania. School board elections matter. They matter a lot. And one of the benefits of being in Pittsburgh, say, and not Los Angeles, is that – at least so far – we don't have ultra-wealthy outsiders tromping in with their dollars and agendas, trying to trounce on our democratic process. So please do your part and get to know your local candidates. Here's the perfect chance to ask questions and learn where your future school board members stand on privatization, school closures, charter reform, high-stakes-testing, and sticking up for adequate state funding: at 6:30 pm on Monday, March 11, 2013, PIIN will host a town hall meeting with all the school board candidates at University Prep 6-12 at Milliones, in the Hill District (3117 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15219). In advance of this town hall, Yinzercation has been working with a coalition of education partners to develop a vision statement for Pittsburgh public schools, including a pledge for school board members. Members of the coalition include PIIN, the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers, Action United, OnePittsburgh, and A+Schools. We want school board members who are more than just fiscal watchdogs in these challenging financial times. With the district scheduled to run out of money in 2015, it will be too easy to let budgets drive decision-making. In other words, we need school board members with vision, who are: Careful policy makers and objective evaluators of data and research-based reforms Wise stewards of public school resources Promoters of public education as a public good Fearless advocates for restoring adequate State funding for our schools Advocates for enhanced revenues and fair executors of the school board taxing authority to ensure that everyone pays their fair share. Committed to achieving equity by supporting teachers, parents, students and community members in developing school specific plans to implement the District's Equity Plan. Real partners with all stakeholders to set the highest professional standards and nurture collaboration across our school system Leaders who engage parents, educators, administrators, and community members in authentic, ongoing dialogue that improves our school and enriches our democracy Committed to implementing community driven solutions that come from real engagement and collaboration between parents, students, educators, administrators and community not outside consulting firms. This is some of the language we have been working on. What do you think? Please come to the town hall on Monday and get this crucial conversation going. Keep the grassroots in our elections so there's no room for the billionaire corporate-reformers to play with Pittsburgh's school board. Comment    See all comments    Like Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser:  http://yinzercation.wordpress.com/2013/03/06/school-boards-matter/

Presidential Debates with only the Ds and Rs suck

Dear Open Debates Supporters,

We have some exciting news. In direct response to an email and letter-writing campaign from our allies and supporters, three of the ten corporations that sponsor the Commission on Presidential Debates have withdrawn their sponsorship! Over the past week, advertising agency BBH New York, nonprofit women’s group YWCA and tech giant Philips North America have withdrawn their sponsorship of the Commission. YWCA explained its decision: “As a nonpartisan organization dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all, we have decided to withdraw our sponsorship effective immediately.”

Here is a good article on the events: http://t.co/1kBxVvhT

We want to keep the heat on and persuade the remaining seven sponsors to withdraw their support of their Commission. Please contact the following seven companies and foundations at the listed address and express your desire for them to withdraw sponsorship. Note that Anheuser-Busch remains, by far, the largest sponsor of the Commission on Presidential Debates; these debates are largely brought to you by Bud.

Crowell & Moring LLP
At Crowell – Moring LLC, the Chairman is Kent A. Gardiner and his email is
kgardiner@crowell.com

Anheuser-Busch, Inc.
One Busch Place
St. Louis, MO 63118
800-342-5283
E-mail Contact Form: http://contactus.anheuser-busch.com/Contactus/email.asp

Southwest Airlines
P.O. Box 36647-1CR

Dallas, Texas 75235
https://www.southwest.com/contact-us/contact-us.html

The Howard G. Buffet Foundation
158 W Prairie Ave, Suite 107
Decatur, IL 62523-1442
Also:
121 S 51st St
Omaha, NE 68132
402-556-6641

Sheldon S. Cohen, Esq.
Farr, Miller & Washington
1020 19th Street, NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20036
800-390-3277
202-530-5600
202-530-5508 Fax
Email: sscohen@farrmiller.com

International Bottled Water Association
1700 Diagonal Road
Suite 650
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-683-5213
703-683-4074 Fax
Email: ibwainfo@bottledwater.org
800-WATER-11 (Information Hotline)
http://bottledwater.org

The Kovler Fund
aka Marjorie Kovler Research Fellowship
c/o John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
Columbia Point
Boston, MA 02125
617-514-1624
617-514-1625 Fax
Email: kennedy.library@nara.gov

Thank you for your support!
- Open Debates Team

Book TV interview: It usually begins with Ron Paul.

Mark Sammartino, recent candidate for office of the Pgh Federation of Teachers, may have written in an email:

This got sent as an email and I think it is legit.

I cannot begin to express my appreciation to all of the PFT Members who have given me, and the entire TFC Slate, such incredible support over the past year. I am honored to have had the opportunity to meet and talk with so many of you. I have learned a lot about your thoughts and concerns with respect to the PFT’s role in supporting you and I will continue to share your opinions at Executive Board Meetings. Additionally, I want to congratulate Nina, Jason Bell, and the members of the CCEU Slate who won positions on the Executive Board.

I am obviously disappointed at the results of the election; however, I do respect the membership’s decision. I am dismayed at the paltry vote total. Approximately 50% of our members did not vote. I cannot fathom this. The source of my frustration isn’t that I believe that I may have won with better participation; rather, I am amazed at the apathy of our colleagues. For the PFT to provide strong representation for its members we must have full participation in our union. Both the CCEU Slate and the TFC Slate sent out several mailings informing our members about their options. The fact that 50% of us didn’t participate is inexcusable.

Throughout the campaign the TFC Slate has been talking about the importance of the membership’s opinion and solidarity. Now that the election is over we all need to do everything we can to unite our membership. This process must include seeking out the 50% of members who didn’t vote, find out the source of their apathy, and get them involved. Our profession continues to be under attack by a plethora of groups. For us to defend our rights, educate the public on the true aspects of our jobs, and protect our members, we must be united. This doesn’t mean that we will blindly follow where the Executive Board leads; it means we must participate fully in our Union and ensure that our elected leaders take us down a path that is dictated by the membership. I am very hopeful and optimistic that Nina will be responsive to the membership and lead us down a path that is dictated by the members.

Once again the TFC Slate and I would like to thank you for your support and encouragement. We ask that you not only continue your participation in our Union but that you increase it.

Sincerely,

Mark Sammartino

Plan A is still Ron Paul pulling off a Tampa miracle. Plan B is Gary Johnson.

Fwd: Paul Campaign Convention Strategy

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jesse Benton

Memorandum

To:               Supporters, Interested Parties

From:          Jesse Benton, Chief Strategist

Date:           May 15, 2012

Re:              Paul Campaign Convention Strategy

Every day, I see firsthand how humbled and encouraged Dr. Paul is to have the enthusiastic support of so many who are committed to revitalizing our country.

Let me be very clear.  Dr. Paul is NOT dropping out or suspending his campaign.

As Dr. Paul has previously stated, he is in this race all the way to the Republican National Convention in Tampa this August.

And he is deeply grateful for every resource he has been entrusted with to run an historic campaign that continues to defy all expectations.

Looking ahead, our campaign must honor that trust by maximizing our resources to ensure the greatest possible impact at the National Convention.

So while our campaign is no longer investing in the remaining primary states, we will continue to run strong programs at District and State Conventions to win more delegates and alternate delegates to the National Convention.

To this end, our campaign has several positive and realistic goals:
1)    Having recently WON Maine, we believe we can win several more states.
2)    We will win party leadership positions at both the state and national levels.
3)    We will continue to grow our already substantial total of delegates.
We will head to Tampa with a solid group of delegates.  Several hundred will be bound to Dr. Paul, and several hundred more, although bound to Governor Romney or other candidates, will be Ron Paul supporters.

Unfortunately, barring something very unforeseen, our delegate total will not be strong enough to win the nomination.  Governor Romney is now within 200 delegates of securing the party's nod.  However, our delegates can still make a major impact at the National Convention and beyond.

All delegates will be able to vote on party rules and allow us to shape the process for future liberty candidates.

We are in an excellent position to make sure the Republican Party adds solid liberty issues to the GOP Platform, which our delegates will be directly positioned to approve.  Our campaign is presently working to get several items up for consideration, including monetary policy reform, prohibitions on indefinite detention, and Internet freedom.

Finally, by sending a large, respectful, and professional delegation to Tampa, we will show the party and the country that not only is our movement growing and here to stay, but that the future belongs to us.

Dr. Paul will begin this new phase of the campaign this Friday by speaking and holding several events at the Minnesota State Convention.  He has also recently accepted an invitation to speak at the Texas Convention, and we are busy scheduling appearances around other State Conventions later this month and into June.

As Dr. Paul stated in his message yesterday, this fight is NOT over.  We will continue fighting and expanding, and "we will not stop until we have restored what once made America the greatest country in human history."

But for Dr. Paul's efforts in the remaining State Conventions to be successful, and to ensure we get as many Ron Paul delegates to Tampa as we can, he needs you to continue standing with him.

Along those lines, as you probably already know, the grassroots are holding a Money Bomb on Thursday, May 17.  Any money raised from that Money Bomb will go toward winning delegates and finalizing our plans for Tampa.

As those plans for the National Convention come together, we will make sure all of our delegates, whether bound or unbound, get the information and aid they need.

Your support on May 17 will also help us reach more Americans with the solutions we know can restore our nation.  Each person we add to our cause strengthens our movement for the critical work that awaits us beyond Tampa.

Dr. Paul, John Tate, myself, and the entire campaign staff know what incredible sacrifices have been made by each of our supporters.

Thank you for all of your hard work and your dedication to liberty.  Together, we will champion Ron Paul and his message in Tampa, and we will lay the groundwork for future victories.

Worry time begins again!

Fw: Pass the word

From: "Ed McManus" ed.mcmanus@pghtfc.org

Date: Sun, 29 Apr 2012 15:22:19 -0400

Subject: Pass the word

TLC Supporters,

In my 33 years teaching in the Pittsburgh School District I recall funding problems and anti-public school governors.  Before Governor Corbett we had Tom Ridge before Ridge we had Dick Thornburgh.  I’ve learned to accept criticism from some in the public as part of the job.  What I don’t recall is a time when the Pittsburgh School Board and its administrators have been so emboldened to publicly criticize teachers and openly attacking negotiated rights.

In the last seven years many hard won contractual rights have eroded.  We now have an eleven step salary schedule, merit pay, and a different pay scale for new teachers.  This year an unprecedented number of teachers were rated unsatisfactory and over one hundred teachers were “exited” from the district.   

The district is now projecting over 300 furloughs and is mounting a very public assault on our seniority rights.  The district is advocating the RISE evaluation system, the collaborative program developed by the district and current union leadership and funded with Gates money, to determine teacher furloughs.

A colleague was commenting the other day on whether the district would have had the nerve to even jokingly broach the seniority subject with Al Fondy.  Not a chance.

We need a strong voice representing a strong united union.  I think Mark will be that voice.

Thanks,

Ed McManus

Secretary Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers 

Get the word out

I have again attached a link to an interview Nina gave on KDAK radio and Mark’s e-mail to Mangino after the interview.

http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2012/04/27/pittsburgh-schools-cuts-teachers/#respond

Robert,

I just finished listening to the last 30 min of your show tonight and was disappointed that I was unable to call in (Although you did give the number while Nina Esposito-Visgitis was on I did not make note of it). 

I am a teacher in the Pittsburgh public School where I have taught math for the past 22 years.  I wanted to suggest to the inherent flaw in your reasoning about which teachers should be furloughed is the thought that all teachers are equal.  You supported that notion by pointing out that since it is difficult to fairly evaluate teachers then we can conclude that all teachers are doing the same job hence we should get rid of the “expensive” ones i.e. the older more experienced teachers.  I would grant you that if all teachers were equal that there would be some financial sense to your logic.  However all teachers are not equally effective.  Evaluating teachers presents a similar challenge as evaluating police officers, doctors, dentists, and others who work with the public.  We cannot evaluate the effectiveness of our police officers based upon their crime rate.  We cannot evaluate doctors based upon their patient’s survival rate.  If a doctor tells a patient to take their meds, exercise, eat right, quit smoking, etc… and the patient does not do these things and dies is it fair to blame the doctor?

Even with the difficulties of evaluating teachers, there is an undeniable connection between experience and effectiveness in all professions.  Particularly in education where approximately 50% of all new teachers leave the profession with in the first 5 years.  This simple fact underscores the value of experience.  It means that teachers with more experience have adapted to the infinite challenges that students and society present, challenges that a college cannot sufficiently prepare you for.  The more experienced teachers have a wealth of actual interactions with students from which to draw upon when interacting with their current students.  They have had the time to explore various education techniques and determine, from experience, which were best suited to meet the needs of their students.  To down play the value of experience is simply shortsighted.

Returning to your point of getting rid of teachers based solely upon their pay, it is exactly those types of arbitrary actions by management that gave birth to the union movement in this country.  Employees should have rights and be protected from decision by management that are based solely upon the almighty dollar.

As we look at the financial struggles the Pittsburgh Public Schools are experiencing there are many factors that have conspired to create the situation we are currently in.  One is the Governor’s budget and disproportional cuts to the education budgets of all PA schools districts but there are also other factors involved.  The Pittsburgh Public School has had a long history of employing more administrators, proportionally speaking, than the majority of other school districts. 

We spend approximately $21,000 per student.  Compare that to the vast majority of other local school districts who are spending between

$12,000 and $14,000 per student, it makes one wonder where the money is going.  The Pittsburgh teachers do not make as high salaries as many of our suburban counterparts.  I honestly do not know where the money is going but it is something I would like to look into.

All of these challenges combined with a general public who seems to have declared open season on educators have left my profession in a terrible place.  What incentive do college students have for pursuing a career in the education field?

My colleagues and I have dedicated our lives to the betterment of our students.  The fact that about 50% of us quit in the first 5 years proves that those of us who last are committed to our profession and our students in spite of the general backlash we endure from the public.  We all need to be careful of judging someone until we have walked a mile in his or her shoes.

Sincerely,

Mark Sammartino

PFT Presidential Candidate Spring 2012

Mark Rauterkus, Bethany Foxx, Erik Rauterkus

Photo of Mark Rauterkus, PA YMCA and PPS Obama Academy volunteer, Bethany Foxx, former PA Youth Governor from Hershey, and Erik Rauterkus, South Side resident and PA's Youth Governor as of April 2012.

Change video

Play this music video. Quality work.

Heavyweights

Heavyweights In Ron Pauls Corner  Help Change The MSM Story!

Posted by: "geckoontheceiling" geckoontheceiling@yahoo.com  geckoontheceiling

Fri Apr 6, 2012 1:37 pm (PDT)

These speakers are familiar with the language used by the target audience and can relay Dr. Paul's message to them better than he could himself. Any help YOU could give me in promoting these speakers to new media, talk radio and the MSM would be hugely appreciated. Feel free to share my contact information with producers, editors, reporters and show hosts, and I'll line em' up!zakrevolution@yahoo.com 206-501-9221

There are 3 key coalition groups that we need to win over the GOP - and when we do it will be a Ronslide from there on out!

1. National Defense (Represented by Veterans For Ron Paul 2012)
Colonel Doug Macgregor (ret) is a decorated combat veteran, the author of four books, a PhD, and a spokesman of the Veterans for Ron Paul 2012. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDcHz2uIg4g The Veterans For Ron Paul organized a military/veterans march on Washington D.C. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMpIP8KEJc8http://douglasmacgregor.com/

Adam Kokesh, http://www.adamvstheman.com/ veteran and co-founder of Veterans for Ron Paul 2012 is also available for interviews representing this coalition. http://www.facebook.com/#!/VetsforRonPaul?sk=info Adam is planning for a bigger march on the RNC this August http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=choTc5sB-7E

Michael Scheuer, former head of the CIA's Bin Laden unithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Scheuer and author of Imperial Hubris http://www.amazon.com/Imperial-Hubris-West-Losing-Terror/dp/1574888498 has endorsed Ron Paul and is available for interviews. If Colonel Macgregor is like an Abrams tank brigade gunning down neocon foreign policy idiocy, Michael Scheuer is an atom bomb!

2. Bible (Represented by Christians For Ron Paul) Pastor Brian Jacobs of the Metroplex Family Church http://metroplexfamilychurch.com/#/something-for-everyone who used to work with Rev. Billy Graham, is a spokesman of Christians for Ron Paul,http://www.facebook.com/ChristiansForRonPaul?sk=info and has been sending 1,000's of DVD's to fellow Christian leaders. It was Pastor Jacobs that introduced Rev. Graham to President George W. Bush during the 2000 election.

Minister Derrick Grayson, (aka TMOT) is also a spokesman of Christians For Ron Paul and has been making hard hitting and entertaining videos in support of Ron Paul.http://www.youtube.com/user/tmotofga/videos

Dr. Walter Block http://www.walterblock.com/ is a founding member of Jews for Ron Paul http://www.facebook.com/groups/jews4ronpaul/ and is also available for interviews.

3. 2nd Amendment (Represented by Gun Owners For Ron Paul) Gary Marbut is the President of the Montana Shooting Sports Associationhttp://www.mtssa.org/ and is also spokesman of Gun Owners For Ron Paul 2012. http://www.facebook.com/groups/6648566514/ Gary has been featured on the Glenn Beck Show and other nationwide media for his work protecting the 2nd Amendment.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nu0J_N2GXXk&feature=youtu.be

To liberal, independent and libertarian media I've been promoting Robin Koerner. Robin is the founder and editor of watchingamerica.com, also writes at the Huffington Post and has started the "Blue Republican" movement of Democrats and Independents supporting Ron Paul. You can read his article that started it all here - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robin-koerner/blue-republican_b_886650.html
The facebook group and website that has grown from this article can be found here - http://www.facebook.com/bluerepublican?sk=infohttp://www.bluerepublican.org/

And last but definitely not least I've been promoting Jun Dam to libertarian media. Jun is the founder of Grassroots for Liberty SuperPAC, is also behind http://rp2012.org/ (check out their petition drive!) has set up a phone for Ron Paul from home program, has hosted contests, and helped get supporters to Iowa.http://www.youtube.com/user/rp2012org Jun rocks!

Even if you don't have personal media connections, just sending out emails/faxes and making phone calls is a huge help!

To Victory! Ron Paul 2012!

In Liberty, Zak Carter
http://cvrp2012.com/ 

Candidate debate in the East End of Pittsburgh slated soon.

Pa24 Debate Aala Bpep Wpbpa

To see the handout at full size, click the link at the top of the blog posting.

Save the date: Thursday, April 5, 2012, at 6:00 p.m at Ethan Temple Church, 1205 Wood Street, Wilkinsburg (Corner of Wood & North Ave). For More Information call 412-295-1935 or email info@AALApgh.org.

Can't shake up Ron Paul

Ron Paul, the movie

Fw: Exclusive Pass: Ron Paul Spin Room - Saturday

From: "Revolution PAC" <mailer@revolutionpac.com>

Subject: Exclusive Pass: Ron Paul Spin Room - Saturday

Dear Mark, Had enough of the anti-Paul media bias? Well, we don't want to watch the skewed reporting from FOX or CNN on Saturday either. So, buckle up for a LIVE primary broadcast, for Paul supporters by Paul supporters! SOUTH CAROLINA PRIMARY WEBCAST Saturday, January 21, 6:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. RevolutionPAC.com Join Revolution PAC for Skype commentary from our boots on the ground in South Carolina. In studio, a five-person panel of seasoned Paul pundits headed by Forrest Jehlik, grassroots leader and founder of the Libertate clothing line, will analyze the race and results and get YOUR feedback throughout the evening. The South Carolina contest is bringing the Republican race into clear focus. Rick Perry's exit and Newt's ... eccentricities ...  are drawing increased public curiosity. Let's talk about how we capture that attention and direct it to the Ron Paul liberty camp! So, plan to join us, and please share the event on Facebook. . We'll see you in the Ron Paul Spin Room! Yours truly, Gary S. Franchi Jr. Chairman, Revolution PAC P.S. Dana Bash and Sean Hannity are not invited . . . Copyright © 2011 Revolution PAC. All Rights Reserved. 3149 Dundee Rd. #176 | Northbrook | IL 60062 | info@revolutionpac.com

Ken is running for state rep.

Libertarians nominate Ken Krawchuk for State Rep in PA

Mon Jan 16, 2012
For more information, contact Ken Krawchuk at (215)-881-9696 or Ken@KenK.org

LIBERTARIANS NOMINATE KEN KRAWCHUK FOR STATE REP IN PENNSYLVANIA'S 153rd DISTRICT

Abington, PA -- Ken Krawchuk, the Libertarian candidate for Pennsylvania
Governor in 1998 and 2002, was chosen as the Libertarian Party candidate in
the upcoming special election for State Representative in Pennsylvania's
153rd District. The seat became vacant earlier this month when the
incumbent Josh Shapiro resigned to accept the position of Montgomery County
Commissioner. A date for the special election has not yet been set, but is
widely expected to take place on Primary Day, April 24, 2012.

"I would like to thank the Libertarian Party for once again selecting me to
be their standard bearer," Krawchuk said to the Montgomery County
Libertarians after his nomination at their monthly meeting on January 4th,
"especially in these exciting times. Thanks to true Americans like Ron
Paul, voters all across the nation are finally awakening to the libertarian
message of constitutionally-limited government, less taxes, and more
freedom. It's long past time someone championed those sentiments in the
Pennsylvania State House, and I plan to do just that."

Krawchuk indicated that his campaign will reaffirm the core message of his
prior campaigns. "It all comes down to a single principle," he said. "You
have the God-given, inalienable right to live your life your way without
interference, provided you respect the rights and property of others. It's
the political Golden Rule. Everything else follows from that."

Unsurprisingly, topping his legislative agenda are economic issues. "Taxes
are simply too high. Government spends far too much, most of which is
either unnecessary, counterproductive, or blatantly unconstitutional. To
help reign in that kind of out-of-control spending, I'm proposing an
entirely new approach: the separation of Society and State. Reduced to its
essentials, the idea is to transfer responsibility for all of the
well-meaning, unconstitutional programs to a separate public entity I call
Society. Society would work just like government, including three elected
branches, except that it would not wield any coercive powers, such as forced
taxation and mandatory regulations. Society would have a dual mission: to
help provide for those who can't provide for themselves, and to create a
viable mechanism for kind-hearted citizens who wish to help their fellow
man."

Separation of Society and State is also the central theme of Krawchuk's
latest novel, Atlas Snubbed, a pastiche parody sequel to Ayn Rand's Atlas
Shrugged.

Still ahead for Krawchuk lies the perennial challenge of ballot access,
which is another hot item on his agenda. "Pennsylvania's draconian election
laws are very effective at limiting choices on the ballot," Krawchuk
contends. "Take this race, for example. To get my name on the ballot, I
need to collect hundreds and hundreds of signatures in a very short period
of time, but the candidates from the two old parties need to collect no
signatures at all. None. Zip. Nada. Such blatant favoritism flies in the
face of the constitutional mandate that 'all elections shall be free and
equal.' Apparently some candidates are more equal than others."

In response, Krawchuk is championing Senate Bill 21, the Voters' Choice Act,
which would work to equalize signature requirements for all candidates.
"This is a bill that the outgoing state rep Josh Shapiro promised in writing
to support, but when it came up before his committee he flip-flopped and
withdrew his support," Krawchuk noted. "His two-faced behavior makes it all
the easier for his friends in the two old parties by making it all the
harder for someone like me to challenge their unconstitutional game.
Correcting the inherent unfairness of Pennsylvania's ballot access laws is
yet another issue that drives me to seek public office. Enough is enough,
wouldn't you agree?"

Ken V. Krawchuk, 58, is a Philadelphia native and long-time political
activist who has run for political office eight times, including two
record-breaking campaigns for Governor of Pennsylvania. He is an
entrepreneur, an Information Technology professional, and holds three US
patents related to computer database theory. He is also a professional
public speaker, an author, and an award-winning Distinguished Toastmaster.
He and his wife Roberta have three daughters and two grandchildren, and have
lived in Abington Township, a Philadelphia suburb, for over 30 years. More
information about Mr. Krawchuk can be found on Wikipedia.

Founded in 1971, the Libertarian Party is the third largest political party
in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, and the nation, with over 150 elected or
appointed officeholders nationwide, 27 in Pennsylvania, and 2 in Montgomery
County. For more information about the Libertarian Party, the public may
contact the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania at www.LpPa.org or (800)
R-RIGHTS, or the National Libertarian Party at Lp.org or (202) 333-0008.


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Ta.

Mark Rauterkus       Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com      http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com

http://FixPA.wikia.com

http://CLOH.wikia.com

412 298 3432 = cell

Fake Mitt Romney

http://www.endorseliberty.com/press/fakemitt/