[412] In the news -- and ethics update -- we need an UPGRADE, but only have an update

Email blast:

[412] In the news -- and ethics update -- we need an UPGRADE, but only have an update

Hi,

Today's (Monday, Oct 15, 2007) Post Gazette has an article about me and a few other political pals seeking public office from outside the ranks of the D party.

See my blog for a peek between the lines of that article:

http://rauterkus.blogspot.com/2007/10/p-g-coverage-running-is-all-uphill-for.html

Furthermore, my website, http://Elect.Rauterkus.com, has a had a face lift! Check it out.

On Friday I spoke before Pittsburgh's Ethics Hearing Board. I've seen glaciers move faster.

By the way, check out my new website, http://Elect.Rauterkus.com.

Two-fer theme

P-G coverage: Running is all uphill for Pittsburgh's 3rd-party candidates

Running is all uphill for Pittsburgh's 3rd-party candidates: "Running is all uphill for Pittsburgh's 3rd-party candidates CAMPAIGN 2007 Monday, October 15, 2007 By Rich Lord, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette David Adams has put up wanted posters accusing his electoral opponent of ducking debates.

Mark Rauterkus has filed ethics complaints against rivals.

We made the news today, oh boy.

There are a few points to make about the article, reposted here with comments throughout.

For voters, the Dave S, Dave A, Mark R, Mark R, Mark D makes for an interesting 'ticket.' There are only two names one needs to remember. I've been working with Dave A and Dave S on a regular basis. We're on the same page. I'm a team builder.

Meanwhile, the Republicans have never been cooperative -- even when I ran for Mayor as a Republican because I hated what Tom Murphy was doing to our city. By the way, my experience with the issues and throughout the years as a vigilant watchdog was overlooked.

David Schuilenburg has a Web site that includes a "Darlene Watch" listing what he views as his incumbent foe's missteps.

They're Pittsburgh's political insurgents, carrying third-party banners in uphill battles, hoping that unusual tactics and an unsettled climate yield Nov. 6 upsets. With no Republicans running for any city office other than mayor, they are the alternatives to the long-reigning Democrats.

I'm able to carry a third party banner, the LIBERTARIAN BANNER. Tony Oliva joins me in that effort. We have three slots for Libertarians. Dave S and Dave A are hardly holding a 3rd party banner. Dave A is 'no party.' Dave S is something like 'reform Democrat' or 'new Democrat' or 'Independent Democrat.'

To lump us all together under the "party banner" tag is a little weak. "Don't Put Me -- or US -- in a BOX." I tried to get them to join me in running as a "Libertarian" -- but each declined. They knew that goofy reporting would be forthcoming.

And they're eternal optimists.

Guilty. Furthermore, I think we are 'idealists' and mostly optimists who have faith in our fellow citizens and voters.

Only those who think that they can change the world are the ones who do change the world. Those that think make the first step. But we who think and have the energy of action are the real change agents. One needs to be an optimist to run for public office. One needs to be an optimist to stand and fight. One needs to be an optimist to live in the city, especially with a family.

By the way, I've helped to change the city in a number of ways. We have won some battles. We have turned the tide in some domains. I am optimistic that my involvement has made Pittsburgh a better city and region.

"If I can get 1,500 kids to come out to vote, I'll win this election," said Mr. Adams, the independent candidate for the seat being vacated by Councilwoman Twanda Carlisle.

Mr. Adams, 49, of East Hills, faces the Rev. Ricky Burgess, who won the Democratic primary in May.

Mr. Adams has tried to paint Mr. Burgess, 50, of North Point Breeze, as a pawn of outside interests and white gentrifiers. Both men are African-American.

"Mr. Burgess has the idea that other people can solve our problems," Mr. Adams said. "There's a plan to take over the 9th District, to push us out."

The Democrat has countered that his opponent is too polarizing.

"This district is not an African-American district," said Mr. Burgess. "This is a peoples' district. ... You want to bring more people into the district, not just black people."

Something further from the truth has never been said about David C. Adams -- and it figures it would come from a challenger like Burgess. Mr. Burgess is using double-speak. But, he won't show up for a debate. Mr. Burgess tells the Post-Gazette editorial board one thing. Yet, he tells neighborhood groups another.

Both say crime is the key issue in the district, which covers the city's northeast corner.

Mr. Burgess would use crime data to identify areas to be targeted with police activity and social services, the effort advised by churches serving as the "liaison between the police and the community. ... We don't want tanks and militia indiscriminately coming down the streets."

He wants to fight crime while encouraging job development and housing construction.

Not really. Burgess is talking about using POLICE RAIDS. The talk we given witness too from Burgess about crime is alarming.

Mr. Adams said before any new development or housing push starts, crime has to be cut by 40 percent. He wants teams of "surveyors" to canvass every city neighborhood identifying their needs, followed by police cooperation with five-person community advisory committees to craft action plans.

His proposal calls for effective social service programs to be advertised in a resource guide, offenders to be given second chances and efforts to promote healthy living.

Exactly. David Adams is pushing for and PULLING for real community driven interactions with the police. This is what it is going to take. The people have to get involved, and they need to trust those in charge. They will be able to know that Dave C. Adams is with them, for them and going to stand tall to the troubles, both within the force and within the streets.

David's approach is thought out. It is calculated. It is full of hard work. It is necessary. And, above all, it is a plan of change that cuts the the root issue. The cancer there now is the disengaged citizens. "Snitching" is negative. That has to change.

Mr. Rauterkus, a 48-year-old volunteer swim coach from the South Side, is running for both City Council and controller as a Libertarian.

I'm a volunteer who has been a paid coach. Rich Lord took a cheap shot there. "Rauterkus is a professional swim coach that also volunteers to lead his son's school swim team." We had practice last night (Sundays from 6:30 to 7:30 pm) with 19 kids at the Oliver Bath House. I've stepped away from coaching this fall to run full-time campaigns. In September I was offered another job with another team to return to the day-to-day coaching.

The repeat candidate faces two Democrats, Allegheny County Prothonotary Michael Lamb in the controller's race and interior designer Bruce Kraus in the council race to represent the South Side, nearby hilltop neighborhoods and parts of Oakland.

Now the P-G calls me a repeat candidate. Both my opponents are 'repeat candidates.' I ran for mayor, so did Lamb. I ran for city council, so did Kraus. Wonder if Kraus is a 'volunteer painter' when he covers graffiti.

One does what one is called to do in life. Kraus does wallpaper and paints. That makes him good at painting, rose colored glasses optional. I work with kids. I'm called to recreational leadership and to volunteer as a coach. Voters get to choose.

Meanwhile, Lamb is a gentle bureaucrat from the dominant party. He'll be happy to have others on the Ethics Hearing Board tell him what is right and wrong. He'll be happy to report to the party bosses or foundation wire pullers as to what to do, who to hire, and when to make waves -- or not. I think we need someone in city hall where citizens can get a grip on this town's policies. We need a controller who cares about PERFORMANCE.

Though neither Mr. Lamb nor Mr. Kraus is a city employee yet, Mr. Rauterkus has filed complaints against both with the Ethics Hearing Board, which is empowered to review actions of city officials and workers. Both say the complaints are groundless.

Mr. Rauterkus accuses Mr. Lamb of a conflict of interest by being involved in the A+ Schools reform group while running for a post that oversees city and school district finances.

"If I'm fortunate enough to win this election, I plan to seek the advice and opinion of the Ethics Hearing Board on what a conflict is and isn't," Mr. Lamb said. He'll resign from any board that conflicts with his office, he said.

Mr. Rauterkus complains that Mr. Kraus has tried to keep current Councilman Jeff Koch, who lost the Democratic primary, from getting another city job.

Mr. Kraus called that "rumor and innuendo," and said he hopes Mr. Koch gets "any job he is qualified for, for as long as he chooses to work."

Rich Lord must be upset at the editor's editing of this section. I know he'd never do such a hatchet job with gross omissions. I put THREE complaints to the Pittsburgh Ethics Hearing Board.

The main target was the Ethics Hearing Board itself. They are the most unethical with the confidentiality aspects and damages that can be delivered against citizens that have the courage to raise a complaint.

My complaints have now come into view with the board. They gave fleeting mention of how the code needs to be overhauled and the confidentiality elements need examination.

Without the other examples where Kraus and Lamb were targets, my compaints could have been knocked out without the necessary 'standing.' More needs to be done with ethics in the city. I have the mindset and capacity to stand and fight. Others told me that the Ethics Hearing Board was a joke. I have to agree. But, to let the joke linger without pushing it into a serious discussion would be equally troubling.

The complaints I filed are clearly visible at http://Elect.Rauterkus.com/ethics. However, the coverage from the Post-Gazette only went into the P-G blog, Early Returns, not into the newspaper. The City Paper covered the story. (add links)

As to the Pittsburgh Ethics Hearing Board scope, I feel that it needs to be willing to examine cases that deal with candidates, not only employees. Candidates and campaigns are perhaps the one area where the most mud and trouble unfolds. And, it is the one place where voters have the upper hand to oust bad politicians and parties. If the Ethics Hearing Board only has a mandate to focus on employees, then it is only a puppet of the regime in power, not the people.

The Ethics Hearing Board needs to be 'proactive' and not only 'reactive.' Heck, the golf saga with Luke Ravenstahl won't be settled until the first of the year. If two days of golf tie up the Ethics Hearing Board for more than six months, how responsive can they be with more pressing issues. We can't lead by only looking into the rear view mirror. We need to move the city 'forward' -- so to speak. Let's not make 'ethics' and 'end of the day' experience. We need to consider ethics in real time: morning, noon and night. We need ethical discussions to dive into the future as well as the past.

I want a city that can be 'proactive.' Watchdogs are proactive tools. A controller can be 'proactive.' We need to get a grip on this city in proactive ways -- before the assets are torn down, before the money is spent, before the kids are shot, before the jails are overcrowded, before our vets return home from Iraq to rehab.

Mr. Rauterkus' primary platform plank is improving parks and youth programs. He wants to create a new city-county parks district, with elected trustees who would take parks leadership "off of Grant Street."

"What works for me is freedom and liberties," he said. That means no subsidies for skyscrapers or home rehabilitations, a return to the city's pre-2001 system of taxing land at a higher rate than buildings and no security camera systems in neighborhoods.

The "home rehab" quote isn't 100% complete. I say that we should not do tax breaks for home fix-ups in certain neighborhoods and not others. No unfair, special interest tax breaks. However, the policy that I advocate, the land tax, is all about a city-wide home rehab tax break. Everyone gets a tax break for fixing up their properties when the taxes are only calculated upon the land. I don't want to tax the buildings. I only want to tax the land. That is the direction we should go and return to.

If one has a house and adds an addition, a sun-room, a new deck, a new porch -- whatever -- great. They'd get a tax break under my plan. The home owners who fix up properties under today's plan get punished with higher taxes. That's wrong.

The land tax is all about home rehabilitations for everyone, including tax breaks. The taxes stay the same because the land hasn't changed.

Furthermore, I'm not saying 'no security cameras in neighborhoods.' I'm saying that we need security cameras. However, I want to point all the security cameras at the politicians, public meetings, treasury, police, public works employees and all authorities. We'll need a lot of cameras to cover that. We've got to get away from the back-room deals. We need to cut through the 'smoky city' legacy. Then, after all the government elements are fully monitored, then let's talk about pointing cameras at citizens.

"If all of the cameras that arrive in town are pointed at the public officials, as well as the public treasury, then I would welcome them," he said.

Like other third-party candidates, he's running on the cheap.

Cheap. Yeah, right. Cheap shot. I'm prudent. I'm not going to run a campaign that costs lots of money and racks up a lot of debt. Likewise, I'm not going to govern in a way that generates debt and costly spending.

I'm running a campaign that is visible. I'm hyper in my presence and willingness to debate. I'm able to leverage the internet for outreach and to sustain discussions. I'm not hunkered down doing as little as possible such as my opponents -- and Ricky Burgess.

He's a regular speaker during council's televised public comment periods, an Internet blogger and a dogged distributor of campaign DVDs that, he said, cost him around 23 cents each.

I also speak to county council, state hearings, Pgh Ethics Hearing Board (not on TV), unions that will have me, and other community meetings -- not on tv.

Mr. Schuilenburg, 34, of Summer Hill, is a city 911 dispatcher trying to unseat Councilwoman Darlene Harris, who won the seat in a special election a year ago. He finished sixth in that race, and is again running as an independent.

His Web site promises detailed plans on attracting homeowners, combatting crime, reforming government and encouraging development, but details were not posted by Friday.

His campaign seems focused on painting Ms. Harris, a former school board member and longtime Democratic Committee ward chairwoman, as old school. His Web site proclaims that "the status quo will no longer be tolerated by citizens, and change to what has become the norm in [traditional] leadership in the City-County Building is now desired."

Go, Dave, Go!

From people & vips

The insurgents see hope in May's primary election, which saw three incumbents losing Democratic primaries. If that tumult continues, it will be the unexpected result of unusual tactics.

Unusual tactics -- give me a break. Well, I guess it is 'unusual' to stand tall, to be so confident because the others are so weak at heart and mind, and to champion citizen candidates working for everyday opportunities.

Rich Lord can be reached at rlord@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1542.

At least the article didn't have a mention of the other 'third party candidate' seeking to win a seat on Allegheny County Council, David Tessitor. He is another Dave. He is NOT a member of either the D or R party. It will be interesting to see if he gets any coverage for that at-large seat on Allegheny County Council.

	Click image for a larger view.
From Mark Rauterkus

Younger voters giving GOP the cold shoulder | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

Younger voters giving GOP the cold shoulder | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle... young people are less likely to embrace the Republican Party than any generation since the '60s.

The reasons for the GOP's woes among under-30 Americans include frustration with the long-running Iraq war, libertarian or liberal views on social issues, which clash with Republican social conservative orthodoxy, and changing demographic trends that have created the most ethnically and racially diverse group of young people in American history.

South Side Step Trek -- walking along

It is a good day for the South Side Slopes Step Trek.

My son is a teenager and we've had a birthday sleep over with some cousins and have a Sunday morning and afternoon party. Laser Storm, here we come.

Yesterday both boys swam in a meet at Woodland Hills. Grant and Erik did fine. It was the first meet of the season. Erik's 100 breast time was about equal to his 100 fly time, 1:20.

Wilburn was in town and just loving his opportunity in Toronto. Good to see them last night at a party.

Cider pressing party mid-day today should be fun.

Tonight, we have the second practice for the Phillips Swim Team at the Oliver Bath House -- at 6:30 pm.

Enjoy the weekend. Go Red Sox.

A HOME RUN

A HOME RUN: "When I’m Mayor, I’ll work to strengthen the City’s ethics code, not weaken it for my own benefit."

DeSantis wants to strengthen the ethics code. Ravenstahl wants to weaken it.

Meanwhile, I want to be certain that the ethics code isn't about politicians at all. It needs to be stronger for the sake of citizens and whistle blowers.

Let's strengthen the ethics code by elimination of the confidentiality clause -- right now. Let's strengthen the ethics code with the elimination of all threats of punishments and liabilities against those who file ethics complaints.

DeSantis needs to be much more specific.

One could think that the ethics code could get stronger by giving them more powers -- and bigger clubs to pound against citizens who wish to file complaints yet hold onto First Amendment Rights too.

I have been specific in my complaints with the ethics hearing board.

Mark DeSantis and Luke Ravenstahl should, and could, join with me, along with other members of city council, to demand that the ethics hearing board's code eliminate the confidentiality clause and eliminate all threats against citizens.

More to come on this topic, as I spoke on Friday at the Ethics Hearing Board meeting.

Calling Penn Hills High School class of 1977 -- reunion party

You're given 3 minutes to speak and you have to follow 90 minutes of chatter from the big-party politicians. Here is what Tony said.

Thanks to Chris Potter at PghCityPaper.com, we can see the transcripts of the PUMP debate. He went and posted the message from Libertarian, Tony Oliva, too. Thanks!

Tony got to speak for 3 minutes. Meanwhile, candidates Ravenstahl and DeSantis spoke for more than an hour. Was it 60-minutes or 90-minutes?

Any way you slice it -- it wasn't fair. And, Tony did a great job to establish a relationship with the audience in this 'quickie.'

Funny chatter comes from the bigots who say that a shrinking city should have a shrinking debate stage, despite people being on the ballot. They say that Tony Oliva, the Libertarian, brings little to the discussion. They are using the exact same words that Tony said! Tony says, "I've heard it all before."

Tony is right. DeSantis and Ravenstahl are talking about different special interest tax breaks. Ravenstahl's goes to certain neighborhoods and not others. DeSantis has a plan to give tax breaks to start ups. Meanwhile, we've been living with Onorato who gives tax breaks to US Airways (new call center), and Westinghouse (move to Cranberry) and the Penguins (new arena with public funds).

I'm not against tax breaks for everyone. I'm against tax breaks for special interest groups. They offer a trifecta -- and the city goes down the drain farther and farther.

Tony Oliva: Good evening. I'd first like to thank the outpouring of support I got to actually be here tonight. I wasn't initially invited to this debate, nor any of the upcoming debates. It's going to be pretty interesting when I actually win this election. Some people might have some egg on their face, but that's quite all right.

Now, the way I see Pittsburgh right now -- or the way I see the two candidates to the left of me -- I see it as a choice between painting a bare room. And you have a choice right now of people who debated here tonight, between painting it eggshell-white or mother-of-pearl white. They even look like they have the same tailor. Now, maybe a splash of color is just what this city might need. I listened, I sat up there and listened to what they had to say, and I've heard things like this before. I've heard it all before. It's the same political rhetoric that Republicans and Democrats spew at each other. And I think it's time that we hear a different voice.

With me, I can safely say that the buck stops here. As mayor, if the city continues to stay in trouble, I wouldn't accept my full pay because any sane person who doesn't do the job shouldn't get 100 percent of their own benefits or a pay raise. And that would extent to city council and any appointed official. That's just a personal little quirk of mine.

Basically my idea for the city, put things back on track. Lower taxes for the working people, lower taxes for small businesses to increase the ability for small businesses to work here, or to start and have better jobs. Right now, even if you have a job in Pittsburgh, likely after coming out of college you're under-employed. You're not getting paid what you're worth, and what you paid $40,000 for that little piece of paper called the diploma for. Now, people say, "Tony, you talk about the young college graduates too often." And I do. But it's not only them that my ideas will benefit. It's also older Pennsylvanians, because if the younger people keep leaving, then the tax burden will pass on to older Pennsylvanians, people near retirement, people who are retired. People on a fixed income. And when you're on a fixed income and you're being taxed more, you have to get another job or leave the city. Now me, I'm 28 years old, and getting a second job -- no problem. I can take care of that. But when you've worked 40 years of your life, and you're enjoying the golden years and have your grandchildren you should be playing with, you shouldn't have to go be a greeter at Wal-Mart in order to cover up city government's mistakes and squandering of your money.

As a city, we need to be more inclusive, be more welcoming to new ideas, to all peoples. A big complaint I've heard about Pittsburgh is we're an old, white town. We need to offer more opportunities for more diversity in our city, and be welcoming to all peoples. Because right now, that will make us a better and stronger, and more welcoming place for everyone. We can start by including a Libertarian in the next mayoral debate. Thank you.

After the debate, Tony and I mingled at a Libertarian table and had plenty of great conversations with those in the audience. A few dozen offered to check out our DVD. And more offered up their email info to us. Some were very happy to see the Ron Paul handouts as well.

Best Ron Paul video yet

Bram at the Pgh Comment does NOT want you to read this post

All the candidates on the ballot should be in all the debates.

If you advocate the elimination of candidates from the debates, or if you are hosting a debate that isn't including the four candidates on the ballot, you are both:
-- a baby, and
-- helping to shrink the region deeper into its public-life despair.

Bram is wrong.

News flash: After the election on Nov 6, 2007, life will continue.

Adults have the ability to understand time. The debates are not only about November 6. Great community events and candidate debates are forums for pondering the long life we hope to lead. They are far greater than one vote. After November 6, life will continue and it might even include the arrival of a micro-credit in town, if you believe Mark DeSantis. The downside and downtime of inclusion is nothing next to wearing the shame of a lifetime of being a bigot for a moment.

The candidates on the ballot should be in the debate because the future of the region matters more than the November 6 election. The debates become bigger parts of a greater overall struggle when inclusion occurs. Without inclusion, the debates are just about the election on November 6.

News flash: Four people are on the ballot for mayor.

Not three. Not two. Not five. Just four. Not Jena Six. Four, like the four legs of a chair. A two-legged chair makes for a poor platform for building prosperity. A three-legged chair is a drastic improvement. But a robust economic engine is sure to shake, rattle and roll a great deal. Fortify the foundation by standing upon all the available legs. Every asset must be put into the mission. To choose to knock a leg or two from the chair is to choose to play only a delicate game with feather-like balance that isn't even fun to watch.

News flash: Life isn't fair.

However, the ONE place in life when fairness counts is here. Every person gets one vote. Every vote should count. Elections must be fair. Judges, courts, voting and the democratic process need to be the best place in life where fairness does count. Life isn't fair, except for this one sacred space. We go out of our way to make this ordeal fair. Fairness matters here most of all.

I'd also like to see some fairness in blood tests, SATs, the World Series strike zone and property taxing policies. But, for now, those issues can take a back seat.

As life's winds blow into and storm upon the sanctity of what should be "fair" -- it is called "crooked." Bent presentations by limited participation on the debate stage taints what follows, the election. Stop the spread of the slime here.

Corruption in our voting, democracy and public life kills. Wars occur because layers of corruption pile deep. Wars, killings, and other damages happen as other creative, constructive options dissolve.

I'd much rather have Ryan (of the Socialist Workers Party) on stage yammering as opposed to him (or others) hurling bricks and torching police cruisers.

Sunshine is the best disinfectant. And, the limelight from the sunshine has been known to melt those in 'bondage.' But, the bondage may melt too. The perception of "class" might go away, or else be bridged.

I expect Ryan would opt out and won't run for the full duration, as happened in the past with other socialist candidates. He is there to make a point. And, after it is made, life goes on. But, when he is not on the stage, the point (the system is rigged) gets made for him by others.

By excluding the socialist from the debate stage, the socialist point was trumpeted by the "boss class." Insert Forrest Gump saying here.

News flash: Elections are not like the TV show, Elim-a-date. Elections do not unfold like your college choice either.

For example, as you prepare for college, generally, the prospective university student eliminates other options and narrows the search and decision. However, the thinning of the field of options for you has no impact upon the decisions of your peers. Just because you don't want to go to IUP nor PSU does not mean that your buddies won't. If they go there, that's fine.

You are not to choose for others, even as you make up your mind.

Pennsylvania would be a more 'streamlined Commonwealth' if the state just picked ONE university to accredit and fund. Close all the others. They are expensive. NUKE the rest.

Case in point: In New Zealand, they had one engineering university, one medical school, one teachers college. If you went into that field, you went to that campus. Simple. Streamline. Efficient. What if we did the same in Pennsylvania? What if we said that there was only ONE University -- and you had to close down all the others because you didn't think that they were good enough for you and your interests.

I was glad when my best high school friends made choices to go to college in different places. They went to Virginia Tech and Wake Forest. Great, I had new places to visit. Those places were not for me -- but -- I could visit and celebrate the fit they had elsewhere.

Newsflash: This is America!

China is booming with its economy. Perhaps the USA could learn something from China's one party system. Look at the redundancy we could eliminate. Let's get away from the two-party system and just have one. Let's start by getting rid of the third party candidates and just have two.

News flash: This year's race for mayor is a special election and it isn't even for a four-year term.

We are electing a mayor for two years. Life will still go on after 2009. When you grow up and become an adult, you have a world of choices. That's part of being in a mature life.

Children are not as 'developmentally developed' and are often better when given limited choices.

Face it, Pittsburgh's political landscape needs to evolve, mature, grow-up, be open, be inclusive, be thoughtful. Perhaps the young people (PUMP) like dealing with baby choices. I don't. Grow up. Grab onto life. Grin and bear it for short periods. Adults behave with civility and patience.

Besides, Luke told us that one of his problems is that he goes too fast, as we have seen. Haste makes waste. Same too with the debate inclusion issue. Don't be so quick to rush ahead with only two on the stage because you've said so. That's acting childish. A childish mayor and a childish population could present troubles.

News flash: Pittsburgh is still shrinking.

I don't like the fact that dozens and dozens of neighborhood family friends of ours have packed up and left town. They didn't like leaving either. Uprooting is hard work and it hurts -- for all.

Our city is shrinking -- not growing -- and so goes the debate stage and the maturity of our political landscape.

I wrote about this to the Ethics Hearing Board. You don't fix ethics with unethical acts and unethical policies.

You don't fix a shrinking city by shrinking the debate stage to only those with deep pockets and labels you approve.

It is painful to listen to them all. Folks, the quality of our candidates is weak because of that whole 'crazy' thing. (footnote to Mark DeSantis saying something about being crazy for running.)

A person runs for political office and there are NO debates -- that's crazy.

A person runs for office and gets on the ballot and is excluded from a rare debate -- that is crazy.

We include everyone now, without question, because the next time we want better candidates. That is sanity and logical.

Newsflash: Schultz, I didn't run for MAYOR, because I KNOW that there are too many bigots in this town in high places.

If I would have run for mayor, or County Executive, I would have been getting very close to breaking my #1 rule of political engagement -- "Don't burn out."

Frankly, Tony Oliva did a better job at the PUMP / Duquesne Univ. forum than what I would have done had I entered that race. He went onto the stage and spoke for 3 minutes and gave the audience the best humor of the entire night. Tony Oliva was made into a minority, put in the back of the bus, but still made everyone smile. -- Mr. Bo Jangles.

I'm more like Rosa.

Shame goes to those who would choose to wear blinders. Shame squared for those who are baby enough to think they should be putting blinders on others.

This is a struggle for maturity.

Bram, you are a baby by crowing for the elimination of Tony Oliva from future debates. Grow up. Move beyond the bigoted behavior. Cope.

Tony is a intelligent, reasonable, impressive young man (as you posted) who also fought for freedom as a paratrooper. He has come to the ballot out of additional duty to community and public good so as to speak his peace.

You loose everything when you don't see the big picture. Pittsburgh is at the brink. Bigots will drive the final nail into its coffin.

What kind of fixtures should we leave for our kids?

Newsflash: I run because of my children and their peers in the city.

Frankly, I know that this city isn't good enough for my kids -- at this point. I want to give my kids "golden opportunities." Pittsburgh doesn't provide them. My kids are going to be competitive with anyone -- the world over. My kids should be free to be whatever they want. And, they should not need to settle for something inferior. Pittsburgh's landscape does not provide the liberties to be all you can be in any kind of pursuit. There are too many holes, too many sinks, too many gottchas. Most are institutional weaknesses. Many talents can't bloom here.

Too often we grow our kids and tell them, "it is time to leave." Pittsburgh's departures are painful and obvious.

Furthermore, my kids are not your typical children. No kids are 'average.' But, it is safe to say, we don't worry much about 'no child left behind' in my home. We don't leave our kids behind when we go to China (3 times), New Zealand, Canada, Chicago, California, or even to paddle on a canoe in the river. We are blessed. And, we stay in the city. And, we stay to fight the good fight.

So, when Bram calls for a departure from the debate stage -- he needs to realize that he is falling into the same rut. Pittsburgh does not need more departures. Brams wish makes it harder for our kids to stay here and shine no matter what label they choose for themselves.

Pittsburgh needs to be a place where we can explore different visions, new ideas and hear from different voices. Pittsburgh needs to garner its strength and passion by blending all its elements into a patchwork of diversity.

Everyone has roles. We need the coal miners. We need the veterans. We need the sewing machine operators. We need the pickets from time to time too. We need to listen.

In the debates, there is a lot of chatter from both Luke Ravenstahl and Mark DeSantis about how the city does not listen to residents. "Did too. No way. Yes sir. No answer, etc." Public process has come under scrutiny. United this, neighborhood that, whatever. Luke Ravenstahl snubbed the hearing with the women seeking resolution to the promotion of police officers with domestic abuse matters. Luke missed a packed house of North Side residents raising demands in advance of the slots parlor's arrival. Being heard is important. Learning to listen is this global goal for politicians. Meanwhile, DeSantis didn't even campaign in the spring primary. Go figure.

Unless, of course, it applies to them and their election and their debates.

Well, this election is "OURS" -- not "theirs."

I'd love to see each campaign (Ravenstahl's and DeSantis) issue a statement that all the candidates on the ballot should be included in all the debates. That would move Pittsburgh forward.

I'd love to see every citizen of the region issue their own statements to all the media outlets and all the neighborhood groups that debates should be held for all the races and all the candidates on the ballot should be included.

Otherwise, the shrinking continues. Otherwise, the quality withers. Otherwise, those seeking freedom depart.

Jon Delano of KDKA TV said that only 30,000 or 40,000 people will vote in the election. No wonder. KDKA needs to hold its debate and have all the people on the ballot in the studio -- else Pittsburgh's silent majority is going to continue to vote with its feet by leaving the city, leaving the county, and leaving the region.

Source:

The Pittsburgh Comet: Eliminate the Libertarian and the Socialist (pt 4) Tony Oliva (L) seemed like an intelligent, reasonable, impressive young man -- who has not a single interesting thing to say.

On or off the ballot

Once again, at last night's debate, Les Ludwig was there passing out his cards and showing his sign saying he'd deliver free college education to high school students in the city, if he is elected as a write-in candidate for mayor.

Once again, the Les Ludwig slogan was used by another of the candidates while at the podium -- "Do More with Less." If Les could have gotten a trademark on that slogan, he'd be rich.

But there is an opening I see for Les. He could move to Michigan, home of the famous college tuition program established by a billionaire in Kalamazoo, Michigan. And from his Michigan beach head he could mount a campaign for president as a Democrat.

Les is presently a Republican. And, less is humping for write-in votes as mayor. But, Les has a golden opportunity there, much better than his opportunity in Pittsburgh. In Michigan, they don't know him.

Post-Gazette NOW - Local News - Early Returns With the exception of Mrs. Clinton and Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., all of the leading Democrats have pulled their names from the ballot in Michigan, which is defying party rules by holding its primary on Jan 15.

Post-Gazette NOW - Local News - Early Returns

Post-Gazette NOW - Local News - Early Returns 'We have to look at every expense, and make sure it fits into our mission,' said Mr. Preston, who received a $113,000 bonus on top of his $218,000 salary this year. 'Our public-service mision is still very important to us, and every dollar that we can put into that is what we need to do while keeping out business going.'

Heard enough. I don't trust this guy. He is being paid a $113 K bonus, with public money, and he is now talking about looking at every expense.

Vote Libertarian!

Electronic ballots change order of candidates' names

Another Dan Onorato screw up is illustrated below. The spec for the voting system is NOT able to be met by the voting machines he purchased.

Electronic ballots change order of candidates' names 'The system that we bought doesn't have the capacity to prevent a voter from voting for a candidate twice if they're listed twice,' he explained. With the old system, a locked lever would prevent someone from voting twice for the same candidate.

The voting machines purchased by Allegheny County are going to the junk heap soon.

Told ya.

Tonight's debate: Tony Oliva, Libertarian, serves up a great opening food joke. Best line of the night.

Lots of people in Pittsburgh are going to have egg on their faces.

You had to be there.

Meanwhile in all the statements at the debate, mainly by the old-party Dem and old-party Republican, I didn't hear the word "kids" nor "freedom" nor "liberty" once.

In another blog I post:

The overlords suck. The overlords don't present anything of merit to hang one's hat upon for long term vision.

What is "progressive" and what counts as "real reform" needs to be understood, talked about and more. Sadly, when some are excluded -- not INCLUDED -- we many never hear the full story.

Harrisburg isn't going to bail out Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh must save itself. We must pull our own weight.

The R politicians who serve in Harrisburg, such as Jane Orie and Mike Turzai are not the ones who put the city in its ugly position. And, I have no faith that they will help do anything positive either. Like the overlords, the state reps and state senators are nearly worthless. There is no hope with them.

We are own our own. That is the progressive way. That is what we must do. That is real reform.

Be prudent. Be free. Pull YOUR OWN WEIGHT, Pittsburgh. Grow our way out of this mess by parenting our kids and making them the strongest generation ever -- able to compete with anyone.

City school board incumbent moving out

City school board incumbent moving out: "Pittsburgh school board member Daniel Romaniello Sr. isn't running for re-election after all. The Brookline resident said he and his wife, Debora, plan to move to Collier in March."

Court allows Pennsylvania election code to restrict voter choices

U.S. Supreme Court ignores Pennsylvania ballot access suit

Court allows Pennsylvania election code to restrict voter choices

Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania

For Immediate Release

October 11, 2007

For more information contact:
Doug Leard (Media Relations) or
Michael Robertson (Chair) at 1-800-R-RIGHTS / chair@lppa.org

Harrisburg, PA – The U.S. Supreme Court has decided not to hear Rogers v. Cortes, which was a challenge to Pennsylvania’s election code, a code which effectively restricts participation in the election process to the two old parties (Republican and Democrat).

In 2006, the entrenched party candidates needed 2,000 signatures to appear on the taxpayer-funded primary election ballot and winners needed do nothing further to appear on the ballot in the general election. All other parties and independent statewide candidates were required to collect at least 67,070 valid signatures for their names to appear on the November ballot. In addition, these parties are precluded by law from conducting primary elections.

In remarks made at a rally on the steps of the Supreme Court last week, Ken Krawchuk, former Libertarian candidate for Governor and a co-plaintiff on the suit, remarked, "The late Congressman Larry McDonald noted that our nation's freedom rests on four boxes: the jury box, the ballot box, the soap box, and the cartridge box. Long ago we lost the jury box, on the day jurors became prohibited from trying the law as well as the facts of a case. With this ruling, Pennsylvania has now lost the ballot box and the competition of ideas it fosters. We still retain the soap box, at least for now. Let us pray that it, too, is not taken away from us. There aren't many other boxes left."

John Haley, former Libertarian Party state chair, noted "The Republican and Democrat Parties are wrong to force Pennsylvania taxpayers, many of whom are NOT registered Republicans or Democrats, to pay for their primary elections. When they pass ballot access laws making it difficult and sometimes nearly impossible for other candidates to get on the ballot, they demonstrate that they do not care about free and equal elections and will do anything to keep their stranglehold on political power."

The Center for Competitive Democracy (a Washington D.C. based non-profit whose mission is to strengthen American democracy by eliminating bureaucratic barriers to electoral competition) filed the amicus brief to the court which argued that Pennsylvania’s election code “severely burdens minor party candidates by subjecting them to costs that grossly exceed fees this Court has struck down as unconstitutional” and “severely burdens minor party voters by forcing them to cast write-in votes that the State fails to count.”

The LPPA holds the position that voters in the Commonwealth deserve choices on the ballot for their representatives in government. In recent elections, there have been many cases where only a single name appears on the ballot in the general election. For example, in the 2004 general election, if restricted to the two old parties, voters would have had no choice in 27% of the Congressional races and 28% of the State Senate races.

Officials in the old parties shamelessly admit to liking it this way. Pennsylvania Democratic Chairman T.J. Rooney commented regarding Democrats’ efforts to collect an $81,102 judgment against Ralph Nader for running in 2004 “I think that’s great. You’re goddamned right he should pay, and he should go away, because he didn’t learn his lesson in 2000.”

Michael Robertson, LPPa Chair added "It seems ironic that the US military is currently engaged overseas to provide others in the world the opportunity to choose their representatives in government, often from dozens of choices, yet Pennsylvania goes to great lengths to prevent the same opportunity for its citizens."

The Libertarian Party is the third largest political party in both Pennsylvania and the United States. Nationwide there are over 200,000 registered Libertarians with organizations in all 50 states. Libertarians serve in hundreds of elected offices throughout the nation. Please visit www.LP.org or www.LPPA.org for more information.

Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania
3915 Union Deposit Road #223
Harrisburg, PA 17109

www.lppa.org 1-800-R-RIGHTS info@lppa.org

Stay tuned

Peek into the future.

	Click image for a larger view.
From Mark Rauterkus

Buy Me: 91 South 24th Street, South Side Flats -- Wilburn's old house

Our good friends are now settled in in Toronto and doing well. But they come back to town for the weekend. Visiting with them will be fun.

However, their South Side House is for sale.

http://wpn.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1380538941&s=WPN&t=WPN

Residential 91 S 24th STREET
County: East Allegheny Directions: CARSON TO 24TH Level Dimensions Level Dimensions Levels: B = Basement 16X15 L = Lower M = Main 32X12 U = Upper 13X11 Family Room: Den: Insulation: U Game Room: Entry: Features Style: 2 Story or 2 Level Architecture: Row Construction: Brick Inclusions: Dishwasher, Electric Stove, Microwave/Convection Oven Combo, Refrigerator Taxes: $1,950 ICD: BAC: 3.0

West Penn MLS, Inc.-- MLS#: 680266 Status: Active List Price: $289,900 Address: 91 S 24th STREET Area: South Side Zip Code: 15203 Bedrooms: 4 Baths Full: 2 Baths Partial: Lot: 20.17X40.25 Acres: School Dist: Pittsburgh Zoning: School Trans: Y Public Trans: Y General Information Living Room: M Mstr: U 29X15 Dining Room: M 2 BR: U 15X9 Kitchen: M 3 BR: U 14X12 4 BR: U 29X13 Pool: N 5 BR: Remarks HISTORIC HOME W/ HRDWD FLOORS,CENTRAL AIR,LOFT SPACE WITH SKYLIGHT AND WOOD STOVE Type Property: Residence Years Old: 127 Floors: Hard Wood, Wall to Wall #Fireplace/Desc: 1 Basement: Y #Pkg / Desc: / On-Street Parking Roof: Heat Type: Gas, Forced Air Cooling: Central Water: Public Sewer: Public Show: Appt Req/Lock Box Construction Type: Existing Office Information Value: Market Value - $66,300 N Ent: CK : OFC TLC: 3.0 SAC: 3.0 Maint Condo: Owner: WILBURN HAYDEN Tour Date: Contact: JORDANA ZOBER Phone: 412-521-5500 Agent: JORDANA ZOBER Phone: 412-657-3555 Cell Phone: Email: jzober@prudentialpreferred.com Tour URL: www.visualtour.com/show.asp?T=1106095 List Office: PRUDENTIAL PREFERRED REALTY Phone: 412-521-5500 Office ID: 13220 List Date: 06/18/07 Expire Date: 06/17/08 Pending Date: Sold Date: Sold Price: Sold Terms: Selling Office ID: Office Name: Phone: Selling Agent ID: Agent Name: Phone: DOM: Buyer Name:

Citizen Observer - Alert Detail

Citizen Observer - Alert Detail Come meet your zone commander, the chief's of police and the Mayor and many other city department heads.

I went to this meeting. The mayor did NOT attend. The NEW web site, citizenobserver.com, said that he would attend.

The chief of police, Nate Harper, did not attend either. Many chiefs did.

Here we go again. Another big meeting in the community. Word comes that the mayor will be there. Then the story changes. The meeting happens. The mayor doesn't attend.

All of this could be fixed with a Google Calendar.

Discussion on dates should happen on a calendar.

Another game of political chicken. This really sucks.

The blog post is great, but the overall position for the city residents sucks.

The Burgh Report: BURGH REPORT EXCLUSIVE: Orie's Letter Threatens to Withhold State Funds if Mayor Signs Parking Tax Freeze BURGH REPORT EXCLUSIVE: Orie's Letter Threatens to Withhold State Funds

I made a statement within the blog's comment area. My words are reposted here:

Another real problem is the issue with Jane Orie -- a regional R. This is a trend that sucks. Let me explain.

It is a cut-off-the-nose-despite-the-face ordeal.

For a 5% parking tax reduction, she'd crush the city and yank away MILLIONS.

This is also a 'political game of chicken.'

Tom Murphy played it time and time again.

The foundation folks (old money) played the same game by pulling out millions from the city's school budget because some bickering came to a boil and to help Ed Rendell look better for his flop in Philly.

In the end, the city residents and the city kids get screwed.

Behaviors like this suck.

All Ds and Rs in elected office are to blame. Their tiny views are killing the city and the urban center of the region.

This is what I mean by them batting at the leaves on the tree of suffering. Attack at the roots!

I expect that Luke, on the 9th day, will veto the bill. Then council will gather up the steam to over-ride the veto -- for a couple cycles yet to come. Huffing and puffing on the increase.

Here is a bold idea: Shut down Grant Street until after Jan 1. Throw them all out. And the rage should extend to Orie and the overlords too.

The solution -- in the end -- is to have the city pull its own weight. Same too with the county. We have to be masters of our own destiny. I want self-reliant positions.

This city shrinks its population and youth continue to leave until we are 'free' to do what we should be doing. City government needs to act with a clear purpose -- with limited government.

In terms of resolving this parking fight -- go to the Parking Authority. This 5% decrease is but a pimple when you have a better plan for the long term future -- i.e., liquidation of the Parking Authority.

Real leadership is not going to be afraid to put real solutions onto the table for full-blown discussions.