Ramblings #12 - Why Am I A Libertarian? Rambling views of The Common Libertarian:

A small snipt from a site called The Common Libertarian.Ramblings #12, elsewhere

I love this country. But this country is not the government in Washington, or in Arkansas, or in Jonesboro. This country is the people that live here, work here, no matter where they were born. All are included in the first words of the Constitution: We the people.... This document sets forth the form of government we should have. A limited, small government whose only duty is to protect my God-given rights of life, liberty, and property from infringement by others...including the government itself! This country became great and prosperous because the people worked hard with little or no government interference in a free market that allowed any single person to be rewarded for his hard labor, ingenuity, and persistence. It wasn't perfect, but it worked. Now, starting with the beginning of the 20th Century and continuing today, the government has taken powers for itself that We The People never gave it. The government run by the Demopublican duopoly is taking away our very God-given rights of which a few were enumerated in the Bill of Rights, the first 10 amendments to the Constitution (which for all intents and purposes should be considered a part of the original document). I want to see this country returned to the principles that made it great, preferably in my lifetime, but if not in mine, in the lifetime of my children. I was raised with the belief that we were put on this Earth to steward it and pass it on to our children as good as or better than when we received it from our parents. This is not happening and I want to change that.

Can I do this on my own? No, of course not. But if all of us band together with a common purpose, we become an army that can take back our country from those who have usurped the power of We The People. That is why I am a Libertarian.

Here we go again: Murphy rebuffs oversight board's threats

Murphy rebuffs oversight board's threats Tom Murphy yesterday sent the city's fiscal oversight board a missive with a message about the firefighters new contract: Back off or we will beat you in court.

In a strongly worded letter to the board, Murphy defended the cost cuts in the contract and vowed the city will win any court battles with the oversight board, which criticized the plan and voted to sue the city.

In the most simple terms, Murphy does not play well with others. On another level, he is happy to fight it out in court.

We don't need to go to court like he has done. And, we need to work much harder at working it out.

I'm willing to deal well with others that are not willing to deal well with me.

I'm not a push over that is full of agreement, just to make nice. I can stand fast in my resolve in matters where I justifications. However, throughout, I stay with an open mind.

I can be proven wrong. I can listen to those that are in disagreement. And, I don't give up.

Prosperity report, given big air at QED, draws scorn

See the comments section for the press release from another outlet.

Up & Down - and finger pointing on a vile message board system

PoliticsPA.com has a web site and the site has some message boards. This was noticed in an article there:

Up & Down Bad news for the users of the PoliticsPA Scranton/ Wilkes Barre anonymous message board, as a court order will force us to reveal the identities of all users.

The Pittsburgher in me says, "Get-out!"

Jeepers, creepers.

Some bad boys are going to be decloaked -- perhaps.

I wonder what Mike from Pittsblog has to say about this?

FYI, I don't think I've even peeked at the message board in question.

April First -- and I'm not fooling around. I'm serious about public endeavors that lay ahead.

Happy April 1. I'm not fooling. Providing serious concerns for public endeavors. (Concert: 7 pm on 7th)

I sent out the following email today. The letter went into the message body, and it went as a PDF attachement as well. This is the first I've sent along a PDF. The letter prints on two pages and could make for a simple pass along note to others who you come in contact with throught the next weeks.

---

Open letter to residents of Western Pennsylvania
From Mark Rauterkus, Libertarian Nominee,

Citizen Candidate for Jack Wagner’s vacated State Senate seat in the Special Election on Primary Day, May 17, 2005


April 1, 2005

Dear voters,

As a parent, community activist, professional swim coach, and former publisher, my career life has been dedicated to performance and meaningful improvements.

I have coached state-record breakers in four states.

I’ve edited, published and marketed more than 100 books for athletes participating in cutting-edge competitive sports. I can write, communicate in technical terms, and interact among a broad spectrum of citizens. Anyone can offer their own opinions on numerous issues at my website: Platform.For-Pgh.org.

I believe my abilities and acquired skills would stand me in good stead as a legislator in our modern, crisis-driven times. I can provide a strong voice for new regional leadership. I understand that our system of local and state government is broken -- and, financially “broke”, as well.

Career politicians have put the Pittsburgh region in a tailspin.

As necessary, I will buck established authorities and demand personal and fiscal accountability, sacking the practice of “done deals,” promoting fair and competitive bidding, and encouraging the participation of a fully-informed public in government affairs.

Winning, in sports and life, entails being prepared, showing up, and scoring more points. We should aim to thrive, not merely survive.

As a citizen candidate, and not a political machine player, I intend to represent the broad socio-economic diversity of the multi-generation, multi-cultural population of the entire 42nd district, ranging from the city neighborhoods to the suburban municipality boundaries.

Misuse and abuse of state laws in schemes such as the attempted WE-HAV tax on Southwest Pittsburgh neighborhoods, and the practice of TIFs such as Deer Creek Crossing in northern Allegheny County do not advance the prosperity of all.
Public funds should be applied to maintaining existing public roads, pedestrian walkways and trails. Public funds should provide affordable and efficient mass transit, not be squandered on things such as the Mon Valley Tollway, which will wreak havoc throughout neighborhoods.

I've actively struggled for preservation and re-use of our historic sites and valuable local resources, including St. Nicholas on the North Side, the Pittsburgh Public Libraries, WQEX 16, the now-closed and lone indoor ice rink in the city (Neville), city recreation centers, and some swimming pools.

I battled against corporate give-a-ways that loomed in Fifth & Forbes (plans A, B, and C) and pushed for pedestrian-accommodating design, reliable transit funding, and internet-accessible property assessment listings.

Assessment buffering and land value taxes work for the benefit of regular taxpayers, while the unified tax plan, taxing freezes, and the deed transfer tax cripple the economy and harm the region.

I questioned UPMC's expansion to the South Side Works by calling a public hearing in city council and releasing my first position paper. I fought eminent domain with emails to the Institute for Justice and in public testimony. I fought the loss of Pitt Stadium with former Pitt players and networked with the Women’s Sports Foundation to raise Title IX concerns. I fought the stadium tax.

I raised alarms with the red-carpet arrival of dual Oversight Boards. I want self-reliance from elected officials, not bailouts.

I say no to wrongheaded spending on a merry-go-round in Oakland that is to replace a parking-area and vendors. Yes, a real merry-go-round is in the works; it’s not a figure of speech.

My critical editorial ran in the Pgh Park’s Conservancy newsletter and my objections are know from public hearings and my direct communications. As the city administration, planning officials and the community gathered for the proud release of the park’s master plan, I simply objected to the document's title. Their document should not have been called a master plan. A more fitting name would be lesser plan. Other concerned citizens shared in the process and were also in disbelief.

Wasteful spending, in my opinion, includes the glass-enclosed subway station re-do in Gateway Center, the one-way HOV-ish Wabash Tunnel, and the under-the-river route of light-rail T-expansion to the North Side.

I fought the elimination of the City's two rodent control workers who hunt and trap rats from empty lots and work to keep rats from our homes.

Downsizing the City’s lone traffic engineer was more folly. Likewise, the Citizens' Police Academy got my support as I helped in the crafting of a plan that could have moved the program to into a money making entity.

I spoke to the Pittsburgh Public Schools' board and to community meetings about saving vo-tech opportunities. I suggested new courses and methods for increasing outreach to Community College of Allegheny County departments.

At the end of 2004, when public comment at City Council was under attack, I called a public hearing and the sponsoring member took the bill off the table.

In my opinion, lawful efforts of bounty hunters shouldn't be hindered when we have a police shortage and an abundance of criminals that need to be captured.

We should liquidate the parking authority, then lower the parking tax to 15%. Let's create a yearly Youth Technology Summit. Let's organize a new Pittsburgh Park District and have it come with a replacement of a portion of the RAD tax and RAD Board so as to spur cooperation among volunteers and operate under the sunshine laws and with democratic participation.

As a member of a 12-week task force established by a city council memeber, I'm supporting campaign finance reform that has a prayer of working as intended. I support "political debates" that include ALL candidates.

Pittsburgh's greatest treasure is its people. I always support human investment and shy away from governmental giveaways to corporations. I'll struggle hard to better the environment, health care and wellness efforts for all.

With respect,


Mark Rauterkus, Candidate, Mark@Rauterkus.com

Please make an informed vote on May 17.
Resident of South Side, Pittsburgh http://Elect.Rauterkus.com 412 298 3432

What did you think of the debate?

What did you think of the debate? I'd love to get your written reactions in the comment section here.

Debate in East Liberty

O'Connor picks up Onorato's support - PittsburghLIVE.com Asked if he supported an elected or appointed Pittsburgh Public Schools board, O'Connor said he favored the current arrangement in which board members are elected.
Lamb called that a 'flip-flop,' contending O'Connor has said he favors an appointed board, even though the mayor's office has no authority over the schools.

The mayor does have a bit of authority over the schools. Our current mayor cut the school crossing guards. That move cost the schools a few million dollars.

The school board in Pittsburgh has been appointed and has been elected. Both have been with ups and downs and one is not clearly the right way to operate in terms of being effective. Both have some merits. We've seen them both over the years.

If I was in charge, I'd want an elected board. The power should reside with the people. I'd love to strengthen our democratic ways, not weaken.

I'd also like to have a role in making more educated voters in the process of school board elections. I've hosted school board candidate forums and would love to do more of them in the futue, even online.

However, the one school board point that I'd love to see come into place in the city deals with the power hungry. Too often our school board members are in those positions to seek personal power, not help with the education. Various candidate manuals encourage people to run for school board first. Then run for other offices later. Even AT&T, and perhaps some other large corporations, used to encourage its employees to run for school board offices. Support was given with work-release time.

In Pittsburgh a number of our school board members, past and present, used the board as a stepping stone to other offices. Valerie, Barbara, and now Mark B are easy examples.

I don't want our schools to be stepped upon. I don't want to see relationships (say with contractors, construction firms and unions) in the school realm be leveraged for political power and gain.

Case in point: Pgh Public Schools has a number of its buildings up for sale. If a developer was to get a sweetheart deal to obtain a property, such as the former South Vo Tech High School, then a payback might be crafted to finance that board member's re-election campaign.

These board members are working all the angles, and that scares me.

To curb the problem, a simple change could be constructed, much like exists in County Council now. Similar rules apply to those who work at the White House.

I don't think school board members should be able to run for other elected office while on the board and for a period of time after exiting the board.

The quality of the performance of the school board members and the untainted judgements of their actions would skyrocket as soon as everyone understood that the school board members were in a dead-end political job.

What Patrick, Alex and Jean (present PPS school board members) say now could be for the benefit of a political posture or the benefit of the students in the district. Everything they do is suspect to a degree.

Most of all, those that want to serve on the school board would serve on the school board. Those that want to use the school board as a stepping stone to advance a political career would go elsewhere.

Michael Diven, ex-D, present opponent in the state senate race, worked with others in his old party to fund certain school board races in the past. The band of cronies used their influence to advance friends and gain their politcal capital. Their PAC, while legal, floundered, as did the board itself. An eventual retraction of foundation support to school programs came because of school board divisions. Political wrangling has trashed the trust of the citizens.

A new rule would defuse the situations with overt political gimics that Diven helped to worsen.

Finally, don't think for a minute that an appointed board would be less politically charged than an elected board. They only would be less accountable.

Pittsburgh needs to get out of its authority madness. We need to get rid of all appointed boards that have powers to govern. I'd also like to see elections with retention votes for PAT board members, the URA board, etc.

Irony in Lending and Ferlo's April Fools Day Efforts

This past Tuesday State Senator Jim Ferlo was before city council in advance of a program that is slated for today on Grant Street. Ferlo, staffers, and others are trying to raise public awareness and provide new governmental regulations to PREDATORY LENDING.

This is a bad problem where nasty events can unfold. Citizens can sign away their house by taking a loan that is worth more than the property. Then when trouble arrives, and it is often built into the contracts, equity is lost and more.

A Pittsburgh Community Investment Board has looked at this problem. Statements from its director presented the topic to those in the audience including the Oakland Catholic championship basketball team and myself. As the team was to depart the floor and return to school, I had an opportunity to speak quickly to the players and coaches and provide a quick civics lessons.

To start, I admit that predatory lending is a serious problem. This problem is growing like crazy. And, the present public officials have been trying very hard to fight it.

With the team meeting in the hallway of city hall I put the situation in a sports context. I asked them what would happen if a squad worked very hard, season to season in tireless training. However, the record and margins of defeats got worse and worse. With defeats mounting by bigger and bigger margins, season to season, in something taken seriously -- I expect that the coaches would be fired.

These governmental officials are spinning their wheels and the problems are getting much worse. They see the problem as a market problem or as a dumb-citizen problem. Sadly, the failures are never hitched to the people in charge of dealing with the problem.

Some type of accountability is necessary, for the governmental leaders. Sala Udin is on that board. He works, but it gets worse. Perhaps he is not able to be effective. Perhaps are doing the wrong things. I'm certain that they have NO ACCOUNTABILITY.

Goals should be tied to results or else other actions need to occur. When things get worse, fire the executive directors. Fire the board members. Nuke the organization. Make the organization a volunteer status, without pay, until certain benchmarks are established.

Athletes underestand how performances are hooked to measured results and to tenure.

Of course this is a poison pill from Fitzgerald

Officials eye campaign bill - PittsburghLIVE.com When the bill came up for consideration at a campaign finance reform committee meeting last night, council President Rich Fitzgerald, D-Squirrel Hill, added an amendment to have the legislation cover all candidates for local, city, county, state and federal offices.
Price called the amendment a deliberate attempt to make the bill illegal. 'I think this is, in essence, the poison pill,' he said.

Fitzgerald is going to try to look like he cares -- but he is really taking the issue and killing it in a backhanded way. He had five amendments last month. They were all suspect.

From what we are seeing, Doug Price from County Council gets it. He gets two thumbs up from me on these efforts.

Hope that Bill Peduto sets a date for a public hearing for the city's version of campaign finance reform. It should be in mid-April. That bill was put into a 10-week task force. It is time for that work to come public.

I was named to the campaign finance reform task force. Not much work has been done in recent days as there is no known reaction from the legal beagles within the city. Oh well. We've waited long enough for their input. It can come at a later date.

GOP legislators defend fiscal oversight board

GOP legislators defend fiscal oversight board Republican legislators support the Pittsburgh oversight board's effort to nullify the city's new 'budget-busting' firefighter contract, but still hope that a nasty courtroom showdown between the board and city officials can be avoided.

AP Wire | 03/31/2005 | Analysts unclear

AP Wire | 03/31/2005 | Analysts unclear on effect: "Analysts unclear ...."

So this newsworthy. They don't know. Duhh.....

Of course they are unclear. Furthermore, of course the clarity comes within the reading of such insightful news editorial / commentarty / feature / profile -- not.

The only thing that we do know is that we don't know these other guys. And, the only thing that I'll be certain to repdict is that with two weeks to go in the campaign, the voters are sure to score a high percentage as "undecided" -- despite the wishes of the front-runner.

With Bob and Tom four years ago, the undecided percentage with two weeks to go exceeded 20-percent.

Skews go to FUD, (fear, uncertainty, doubt). Pile on brother. Kick up some FUD. Make a career of it here.

Campaign for Wagner's Senate post heats up - PittsburghLIVE.com

Campaign for Wagner's Senate post heats up - PittsburghLIVE.com Mark Rauterkus of the South Side is running as a Libertarian.

My photo directory isn't hard for the Trib to find. My cell phone is obvious too: 412 298 3432.

uComics Web Site featuring Tom Toles

Welcome to uComics Web Site featuring Tom Toles -- The Best Comic Site In The Universe! Toles

Cool political cartoon sent to me by a friend.

Other friends have just completed a "green book." I can't wait to read it. More on that later.

When it rains, it pours. Michael Lamb shows up for another job. But again, this isn't OUR Lamb.

Michael Lambs are everywhere. Too bad our Michael Lamb isn't everywhere. I'm sure Michael is a lot of places, so I don't mean to be critical in a mean-spirited way. It's just a chuckle.

Library director taking Ohio job Michael Lamb will take over while they look for a permanent replacement.

Tip to the Lamb for Mayor campaign. Invite everyone named Michael Lamb to Pittsburgh and hold a rally. Perhaps a whole flock could form?

In another type of chuckle, I was amazed to hear from the United Jewish Federation as they were searching for Joe Weinroth, R, candidate for Mayor and Jew. They couldn't reach Joe to invite him to a debate to occur in the future at the Jewish Community Center. The amazement builds as they contacted me in homes of trying to reach Joe.

Furthermore, when I was a candidate for Mayor in 2001 in a contested GOP Primary, I spoke at the event. I took that opportunity to scold the leaders of the organization for only inviting a few of the speakers on the Dem's primary ballot.

The chuckle turned quickly into an event that got my blood to a boil.

The United Jewish Federation is repeating the same mistake. Four years ago, Josh Pollock was on the ballot and litterally cut his teeth at the Jewish Community Center. He wasn't invited to the candidate's forum. Same too this year with Les Ludwig. With friends like that, no need for an enemy.

The UJF is part of the blame and explains why Pittsburgh is bankrupt.

We are getting Bob O'Connor in 2005 as a front-runner, who is in dodge mode, because he can take cover with the help of the UJF. The PDP fits the same mold. (pun intended)

When it rains, it is going to pour.

Ombudsman - A concept that is missing from our public landscape in western PA -- for now.

OmbudsmanAn ombudsman is a government official charged with representing the interests of the public by investigating and addressing complaints reported by individual citizens. The term arose from its use in Sweden, with the Parliamentary ombudsman instituted in 1809 to safeguard the rights of citizens by establishing a supervisory agency independent of the executive branch. The word ombudsman and its specific meaning has since been adopted in to English as well as other languages, and ombudsmen has been instituted by other governments and organizations such as the European Union.

We don't have any ombudsman. None in the school district. None in city government. None in the county. None in house or senate districts or even with state government. Zippo.

The recent matter when the citizens entered into the struggle to remove the WE-HAV program makes a perfect illustration for the need of an Ombudsman.

The citizens can mobalize, organize and defeat poor governmental programs. However, it is always a long-shot operation. It is painful for the champions of the cause. It makes for burn-out and hard-feelings among neighbors.

This call for the the creation of an ombudsman is a splendid way to give the citizens more leverage to control government officials and the process of self-government.

As a state senator, I will push for the creation of an ombudsman on various levels.

As a citizen of Allegheny County, I'm putting out a call for others to join in efforts to introduce the concept of an ombudsman to be injected into the county charter. First, we need to eliminate row offices. But soon after, we need to retool our offices and make an ombudsman part of our public landscape. We can put out an educational campaign that is matched with a petition and a ballot question before the county council or if necessary, with the voters.

Open Letter from Candidate Mark Rauterkus

Open letter To residents of the Western Pennsylvania, especially the PA Senate 42nd district

From Mark Rauterkus

Libertarian Nominee

Citizen Candidate for Jack Wagner's vacated State Senate seat

in the Special Election on Primary Day, May 17, 2005

March 30, 2005

Dear voters,

As a parent, community activist, professional swim coach, and former publisher, my career life has been dedicated to performance and meaningful improvements.

I have coached state-record breakers in four states.

I've edited, published and marketed more than 100 books for athletes participating cutting-edge competitive sports.

I can write, communicate in technical terms, and interact among the broad spectrum of citizens.

I get along well with others. Anyone can discover and provide their own opinions on numerous issues at my website: Platform. For-Pgh.org.

I believe my abilities and acquired skills are important qualities suited to any legislator's responsibilities in our modern, crisis-driven times.

My candidacy for community service and elected office is a call for the emergence of a strong voice for new regional leadership. I understand that our system of local and state government is broken --and, financially "broke”, as well.

Career politicians have put the Pittsburgh region in a tailspin.

As necessary, I will buck established authorities and will demand personal and fiscal accountability, sacking the practice of "done deals," promoting fair competitiveness, and encouraging participation of a fully-informed public in the affairs of their governing.

Winning, in sports and life, entails being prepared, showing up, and scoring more points. We should aim to thrive, not merely survive.

As a citizen candidate, and not a political-machine player, I intend to represent the broad social-economic diversity of the multi-generation, multi-cultural population of the entire 42nd district, ranging from the city neighborhoods to the suburban municipality boundaries.

Mis-use and abuse of state laws in schemes such as the attempted WE-HAV tax on Southwest Pittsburgh neighborhoods, and the practice of TIFs such as Deer Creek Crossing in northern Allegheny County have no place in the prosperity of all. Public funds should be applied to maintaining existing public roads and pedestrian-ways and trails; and providing affordable efficient mass transit; not squandered on the Mon Valley Tollway which wreck havoc through our neighborhoods.

page 2 

 I've actively struggled for preservation and re-use of our historic sites and valuable local resources, including St. Nicholas on the north side, the Pittsburgh Public Libraries, WQEX 16, the now-closed and lone indoor ice rink in the city (Neville), city recreation centers, and some swimming pools.
I battled against corporate give-a-ways that loomed in Fifth & Forbes (plan A, B, and C) and pushed for pedestrian accommodating design, reliable transit funding, and internet-accessible property assessment listings.

Assessment-buffering and land-taxes work for the benefit of regular taxpayers, while the unified-tax-plan, taxing freezes, and the deed-transfer-tax cripple the economy and work against the benefit of the region.

I questioned UPMC'S expansion to the South Side Works. I fought eminent domain, the loss of Pitt Stadium, and the stadium tax. I raised alarms with the redcarpet arrival of dual oversight boards.
I want self-reliance; and I say no to wrongheaded spending on an Oakland merrygo-round in place of parking-area and vendors. Yes, a real merry-go-round is in the works. Its not a figure of speech.
Wasteful spending, in my opinions include the glass-enclosed subway station re-do in Gateway Center, the one-way HOV-ish Wabash Tunnel, and the under-the-river route of T-expansion to the North Side.

I demanded rodent control, a traffic engineer, Vo-tech opportunities, citizens' police academy, Community College of Allegheny County outreach, public comment at public meetings,
In my opinion, lawful efforts of bounty hunters shouldn't be hindered when we have a police shortage and an abundance of criminals that need to be captured.

Liquidate the parking authority, then lower the tax to 15%. Create a yearly Youth Technology Summit and a Pittsburgh Park District replacing a portion of the RAD tax and forcing cooperation among volunteers with sunshine laws and democratic participation by citizens.

I'm supporting campaign finance reform that has a prayer of working as intended. Political debates should include ALL candidates.

Pittsburgh's greatest treasure is the people. I always support human investments and shy away from governmental investments to corporations. I'll struggle hard to better the environment, health care and wellness efforts for all.

With respect,

Mark Rauterkus, Candidate

vote as you see fit on May 17.

Resident of South Side, Pittsburgh http://Elect. Rauterkus.com Mark@Rauterkus.com 412 xxx-xxxx

Letter for politics

Johnsmith's music on iTunes

Called into the Jerry Bowyer show today and got to talk with Ron Morris who was a sub host and his guest of MacWorld. Ron is a big Macintosh fan, as am I.

This iTune button takes you to Johnsmith's song, Kicking the Stone.



The title track for the concert, however, is called, Don't Put Me in a Box.



Check it out. Come to the concert at 7 pm on April 7 at the South Side Holiday Inn Express on 10th Street.

As the weather breaks -- guard your bike.

Stop Head Start, says the Trib editorial

Stop Head Start - PittsburghLIVE.com Stop Head Start

Monday, March 28, 2005

The scandalous mismanagement of the misnamed Head Start program is another reminder that a village cannot raise a child.

Humm....
The one quote that stands out like a sore thumb, "Parents must be allowed to reclaim their children."

That line makes a show stopper and doesn't wash well enough. I'm okay with the headline. It is my feeling that we need more attention paid to the middle school and high school kids than we do to the tiny tots. My other hunch is that the school teachers unions have been making a push to head start as a way to grow their base and influence.

I want to keep schools out of the lives of the youngest kids as parents and other care givers are better suited. Private day care centers are great, not just mom, dad and grandma.

I'm scratching my head when the editorial speaks about parents being allowed to reclaim their children. That's a big stretch.

I've been very fortunate to be able to stay home with my children for most of the past ten years. My kids are 10 and 7. These have been the best times of my life. It is, without a doubt, the best job ever. I'd wish the same on nearly every couple. But, we are lucky for these choices.

It takes a good bit to stay home with your kids. But I'm thinking that it takes a good bit more to get your kid through ninth grade algebra too. More parents are capable of keeping a 16-week kid in a smooth setting with the right stimulation than a 16-year old kid.

I'd want to lean lightly on the governmental programs for the wee ones -- and dedicate more energy and coaching to the more difficult years between 6th and 11th grades.

In an ideal world, those in 10th grade would get a good glimps of what it means to be with a baby so as to take out the glamor of having one at such a young age.

Our first kid came when I was 35. Patience pays dividens when it comes to parenting. And we could all use more of it.