[412-public-news] Election Day and invite for discussion on Civic Arena

[Mark Rauterkus]

Hi All,

Tomorrow, Tuesday, election day. That means we vote. Well, to be more
exact, a few will vote. I can't vote on May 18, 2010, here in
Pennsylvania. It is forbidden for me, as I'm a member of the
Libertarian Party. I'm among the nonvoters and generally in the
majority on these primary Tuesdays.

Any 'reform' of state government needs a focus on election laws and
practices. Some of the ridiculous rules are not real laws but are just
the way the judges and election departments have made their
interpretations.

Since I can't vote, here are some thoughts from me to you. Perhaps you
are a primary voter, as I love discussion, debate and a democratic
process driving public policy decisions. This concept of elections
with decisions made at the ballot box MUST THRIVE so decisions are not
made in the streets with bullets. Yesterday I returned from Dubai, UAE
-- a place where voting is absent. But, they've got no taxes and a
"Pittsburgh Promise" that gives free education and college tuition to
all the locals, for studies anywhere in the world. Meanwhile, if in
Thailand, (translation = Free Land), I might find myself perched with
my video camera within the fray among the "Red Shirts," demanding
elections. Thankfully, I just get to make an email blast.

So, do vote, if you can, but don't vote in a clueless ways. It is okay
to skip parts of the ballot. And, by all means, never vote for anyone
who is running without any opposition. That's the worst. We have far
to many elections where there is really no choice at all. And, voting
for someone over nobody sends the wrong message. I'd much rather
have "NONE OF THE ABOVE" inserted onto all ballot questions.

As for voting in Allegheny County, Dan Onorato was at the helm when
new electronic voting machines were purchased. He made a very bad
choice. I have no trust in that decision -- and that alone should
disqualify him from being governor. But there is more. Dan Onorato
also was at the helm of the county and had wonderful opportunities to
do something about PARKS. He did next to nothing on the overall issue
of PARKS, an issue I care greatly about. With Mr. Onorato, the bulk of
the talk of parks was about minerals and the unannounced killing of
geese, not about care for our kids, coaching and programs that build
community. His "nonprofit parks foundation" is a complete failure and
huge fumble by Mr. Onorato. It Onorato wins, I guess I won't get
appointed to the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness. Vote, if you
can, for Jack Wagner, in that race.

Other great voting advice:
+ PA Republicans, please vote for Russ Diamond for Lt. Governor. He is
3rd on the ballot.

+ A couple of "Libertarians" are in two special elections in PA. One
is for PA House and Don Walko's former seat and the other if for US
House and John Murtha's former seat.
- Demo Agoris is the L candidate as Representative in US Congress,
District 12.
- Daryl Putman, L, is the candidate and Representative in the PA
General Assembly, District 20.
Both are worthy of your vote if you reside in those districts.

+ Kentucky Rs, please vote for Rand Paul for US Senate.

+ Change is good with politicians, IMHO. I hope the D party sees fit
to vote out the snarlin, err, Senator Arlen Specter.


Change is bad when it comes to authentic physical assets. Really, I
balk about CHURN that wants to cloak itself as progress. So, tonight,
Monday, May 17, some will meet to talk about the Civic Arena after the
Penguins move out. A free event called CITY LIVE! REUSE THE IGLOO?.
This lecture is from 6:00pm to 8:30pm at North Side's HAZLETTE THEATER
on May 17, 2010. We should keep the Civic Arena for reuse. That would
be prudent public policy.

I love to keep in touch. Send me changes to your email address. I'm at
Mark at Rauterkus.com.

Plus, let's be Facebook Friends: http://www.facebook.com/rauterkus
  FB Group: Pittsburgh Schenley Swimming =
http://www.facebook.com/rauterkus#!/group.php?gid=194350183762
  FB Group: Pittsburgh Schenley Waterpolo =
http://www.facebook.com/rauterkus#!/group.php?gid=128799118436

Twitter: http://Twitter.com/rauterkus

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/rauterkus

Reactions welcome on the Running Mates blog: http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com

--
Ta.


Mark Rauterkus       Mark.Rauterkus at gmail.com
Swimming and Water Polo Coach, Schenley High School, Pittsburgh, PA
http://CLOH.wikia.com
412 298 3432 = cell