There are two news stories that caught our attention today amidst the latest presidential candidacy announcements (check out Pulse of America for those links).
A chilling effect on third parties?
We’re a little late coming to the first one, but a big thanks to GEA for posting it in the Shoutbox. On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court let stand a Pennsylvania court ruling that requires Ralph Nader to pay $89,821 for costs incurred by Democrats who challenged his ballot access papers in the 2024 general election. (Read an AP article on the topic here.) While ballot access fraud is certainly a legitimate concern, this ruling could have a chilling affect on future third party ballot access efforts. Do you think this is an example of the two major parties using whatever means possible to shut out a third party? Business as usual for the drug lobby? The second is a Washington Post article on the prescription-drug legislation passed today in the U.S. House. It shows that no matter the party, or voting philosophy, if a corporation spends enough money, it can generate favorable outcomes on Capitol Hill. Unity08 doesn’t have a position on how to solve high healthcare costs for seniors, but we certainly take issue with the fact that lawmakers of any political affiliation will overtly change their position if corporate lobbyists spend enough money. Use the comments below to let us know what you think.
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This box keeps popping up wanting my user name and password. I type them in but am not accepted. Would you please tell me what to do to correct this. I am out until I hear from you. I guess you will have to email me your snazzy little box will not let me in. Thanks
An Independent from Oklahoma
MFV,
You can find an explanation to your question here.
If you can post comments, you're "in" as far as the website goes. The pop-up was just a mistake that was quickly corrected thanks to you and others bringing it to our attention.
Thanks!
Many Pennsylvanians are in open call for reform, and it has been mainly internet based, a collection of reformers with web sites and mail lists. Another source of assistance has been the media, they put on what we watch, and we are hungering for reform stories. That was translated into action over the past 18 months and now we have a state government that is mouthing reform (although taking little action).
There could have been a bigger impact if we could get on the ballot, but in Pa that is nearly impossible. The courts have backed those who openly thwart open ballot access. It is shining a light on how crooked the process is where we only get to pick between the lesser of two evils.
We have found that in PA, all three branches of government are in on it, and that is really scary because it is the balance of power between all three that is what really protects our liberty, freedom, and resources.
Now we find that the US Supreme Court has supported the process, so the only assumption is that they are in collusion, perhaps not overtly, but certainly through their self interests. It's no wonder, because the federal folks all came from the state ranks, so they are simply doing what they did before on a grander scale.
Frankly they know no better. They believe that they know what is best for us and we don't. This power we have given them corrupts them. Again, I am not saying overtly in most cases, but they simply become elites and consciously or unconsciously, their primary motivation is to stay there independent of their party affiliation.
Below are some of the organizations in PA. Look, if Unity08 is going to make an impact they need to address this problem and Pa has THE most entrenched system for restricting ballot access that I can see. Unity08 is nothing more than "ballot clutter" here and will be dealt with accordingly by "the authorities." My suggestion -- use Unity08 resources to make an example out of PA -- use the most corrupt state to prove your point.
http://pacleansweep.com
http://paballotaccess.com
http://www.democracyrisingpa.com/we_not_alone.asp
http://commonwealthfoundation.org
http://pa.lwv.org/issues/issues.html
Well, again, trying to get on the ballot in PA has been punished by the system. See: http://www.ballot-access.org/2007/01/25/romanelli-loses-fee-lawsuit-in-commonwealth-court/
More at: http://www.citizensvoice.com/site/printerFriendly.cfm?brd=2259&dept_id=571464&newsid=17767807
Unity can probably not win without Pennsylvania. It is clear that PA will not allow a third party on the ballot.
Therefore Unity08 must join the fight for equal ballot access in PA!
I HAVE CONCLUDED THAT THE REPUBLICANS WILL NOT MAKE A SERIOUS BID FOR THE PRESIDENCY BECAUSE THEY'VE DONE THEIR THING; LOOTED THE TREASURY AND REWARDED THEMSELVES HANDSOMELY IN THE PROCESS; TYPICALLY THEY LEAVE AT THIS POINT AND LET THE DEMOCRATS CLEAN IT UP. HAS IT OCCURRED TO THE DEMOCRATS I WONDER, IF THEY SHOULD NOT RUN EITHER, AND LEAVE THE MESS FOR BUSH AND HIS CRONIES TO LIVE WITH, RIGHT UP TO THEIR INEVITABLE IMPEACHMENT WHEN THE TRUTH ABOUT THE WORLD TRADE CENTER IS EXPOSED: THAT THEY KNEW IT WAS COMING, AND THEY LET IT? I WANT TO KNOW WHEN THE TRIP TO THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WHERE THE PRESIDENT WAS FOUND INNOCENTLY READING A STORY BOOK WAS PLANNED?? I BELIEVE IT WAS ACTUALLY HELPED ALONG, TO PROVIDE IMPETUS FOR WHAT THEY HAD PLANNED IN THE MIDDLE EAST TO BEGIN WITH.
Yes the pirates have already loading their ships as our treasure has already set sail toward a foreign land... Either way the treasure is lost! But this will be the last time as technology is now here to monitor every penny! The question is will they? As monitoring every penny will eliminate trillions in waste, fraud and abuse? Which in reality accounts for 86% of it all!!! When we do the math computers could now replace it all if implemented properly! For more visit the website - Earn Snyder
Modern Progressive Independent
IM: earnsnyder@yahoo.com
For more policies visit www.appyp.com/fix_main.html
Pennsylvania politics makes Tammany Hall look like a box social.
It doesn't surprise me they are actively supressing the creation of a third party.
Heck, they even use county governments to cover up murder investigations (google State Senator Bob Regola)
http://journals.aol.com/kweinschen/Veritas/
Pennsylvania provides some very good examples for the reform motivated types. First, PA is possibly the most repressive state as far as ballot access and one of the highest states in incumbent relection, till recently that is.
In 2024 a sneaky, huge, middle of the night, no debate, closed door backroom pay raise was cooked up for legislators and judges. This is the spark that ignited the fire, but the fire is about reform of the whole cesspool which is Pa Politics.
And we have had successes at ousting long entrenched inscumbents, and next the judiciary will be voted out enmass. Then again in 2024, more entrenched incumbents will be gone. We are turning over the elected in record numbers, and its non-partisan for the most part, affecting both parties equally.
The most recent Pennsylvania issue are bonuses paid to legislative staffers. Many of these staffers took unpaid leaves of abscence to work on their bosses campaigns. Unpaid is legal, but paid is not. Then after taking the "unpaid" leave to work on the campaign, they come back to work and get a secret bonus, ostensibly to cover for their "unpaid time off" working on campaigns.
Now, a State Senator was found to be using fund at his disposal from a "non-profit" funded by the government for campaign stuff, including digging up dirt on his opponent. So in PA, we already have the public paying for campaigns!! But only the campaigns of incumbents.
Incumbents get all sorts of campaign help, they restrict others from ballot access, and this all along with the "normal" gerrymandering of districts. Its a joke if it was funny, but people here are waking up and taking action.