Independent's Day

I've always had a soft spot for people who decide to run for office as minor party candidate or an independent. It's a big hill to climb and they almost always fail but I'm always heartened by their dedication to the democratic process despite the history.

Local Libertarian chairman Lou Jasikoff sent me a couple of emails this last week about petition drives for Libertarians, Greens, obscure 3rd parties and true independents trying to get enough signatures to get on the ballot for various offices. Pennsylvania has one of the worst laws in the country regarding 3rd party access, just ask Carl Romanelli who is still dealing with the fallout over his doomed effort to be a US Senator. Taking all that money from the head of Blackwater didn't help.

I'm glad to see that our local Lib's and Green's are trying to get people on the ballot for local offices and are working together. But they are still shooting for the Moon trying to get Marakay Rogers and Mark Kaisoglus on the ballot for the appellate Judge's spots.



Locally I think that Libertarian Tim Mullen has good shot as being an alternative to the Dem's and Rep's for Luzerne County Council. He gathered a bunch of signatures for his run in his run for state rep against Mundy and Goldsworthy but that didn't translate into votes. Still he got 15% which just may work that into a winning campaign this time.


Shane Novak wants to be the Green Party candidate Luzerne County Council. There should be more.

We all know Charlie Hatchko who is running as an American Independence Party candidate. Bible Buck is quick to quote the scriptures but I have to ask is he a member of Popular Front or the People's Front. Splitter.

For those of you that have beating me up in the comments I have a request. Send me links to the candidates websites and Facebook fan pages

Of course, I always welcome guest posts.

State of the World

From the left: Daniel Kingery, Joseph A. Oliva, Bill Ingram, Donald K. Allen and Christopher Popham Smith. All are independent candidates for President.

I attended Mario Mario Fiorucci's annual State of the World forum in Sugar Notch yesterday. He's been doing this for about 10 years and he had new catch this time by inviting some independent candidates for President.

The common theme from all of them was that the Democrats and Republicans have monopolized power to the detriment of the American people, hard to argue with that.


First up was Don Allen, a veterinarian from Youngstown, OH who was Staff Sargent in the US Air Force when he was an enlisted guy and is now a Lt Colonel in the Air Force Reserve. He railed against the NAFTA Superhighway, the New World Order and North American Union. He also opposes creating a single currency for the US, Canada and Mexico which he dubbed the "Amero."



Christopher Popham Smith from Boston wants to withdraw the troops from Iraq and secure the southern border by parking them next to Mexico. He alleged that our elected officials in Washington live a lavish lifestyle complete with free health care for life putting them out of touch with working people. On immigration he said people have to knock on the door and ask to come in.



Bill Ingram, a truck driver from Wisconsin had many detailed policy proposals like outlawing fossil fuels and nuclear energy within 10 years and mandating renewable energy. He wants to crack down on the banking industry practice of raising interest rates on credit cards without notice and tacking on more and more fees that put people in a hole. He has an insurance plan that would cover health care, disability and life insurance that should cost $500 a year. One part of that plan would exempt all health care providers from lawsuits. On trade with China he wants a barter system requiring them to buy products from the US and wants 100% of imports to be inspected to be paid for by a fee on the importers. He wants to pay for the Iraq war by giving a bill to the Iraqi government and seize their oil fields if they don't pay.





Joe Oliva , a New York native acknowledged that it's a ridiculous proposition for an independent to run for President but contends that it's not more ridiculous than what has been going on with the 2 party system. He stated that 1200 elite people make all the decisions for the rest of us leading to a one world government mindset that encourages illegal immigration. He also opposes the UN Law of the Sea Treaty.



Daniel Kingery from Arizona wants you to buy a raffle ticket to win his car as a way of financing his campaign. He points out that the Declaration of Independence gives the power to the people to alter or abolish the forms of government over us that no longer protect us or our rights. He wants to abolish the Electoral College and the Congress requiring all laws and treaties to be put to a vote by the people. And he wants to expand the definition of treason to include politicians that make promises that they have no intention of keeping.

I put some photos of the event on my Facebook page.

Alan Keyes in Hazleton today

Former and soon to be Presidential candidate Alan Keyes will be making an announcement at Best Western Genetti Inn in Hazleton, PA at 8:30Pm. Keyes said he will reveal his reasons for departing the GOP and pursuing the Constitution Party nomination for President. The event will be video-streamed live at Keyes' website, http://www.alankeyes.com/.

Congratulations to Mayor Lou Barletta for his success in attracting a Presidential candidate to Hazleton to address the illegal immigration issue. John McCain had previously declined his invitation, Barrack Obama is still busy trying to get a bitter taste out of his mouth and a 3AM phone call to Hillary Clinton went unanswered. Aides said she didn't hear it ringing because she was sleeping off the effects of a few shots and beers.