Pittsburgh's real problems (Penn: layoffs, transfer, buyers)
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Hey guy's, since this thread has the title going 'Pittsburgh's real problems' I'd like to introduce a sort of lack of response to not so great times in the city. I had heard on local radio a professor from CMU predicting that next month's mayoral election will have very low voter turnout. He predicted around 20 or 25 percentage of turnout for voters. Given all the negative issues facing the city such as likely bankruptcy, out of control city pensions, high taxes, Not for profits taking control, crime and liter to name a few and the fact we actually have a choice for mayor, doesn't it seem crazy that we wouldn't have a greater turn out at the polls? If the vote does turn out to be that low percentage wise I know I'll be bummed.
Sadly, most of us live in the suburbs so we can't really do anything about it. I wish I could vote for city officials because their mismanagement will ultimately end up a county responsibility. It's a darn shame the residents of Pittsburgh aren't interested in trying to influence their local politics.
Hopes, I couldn't agree more with you. For as much as we love Pittsburgh, it's a crime we struggle so much for any change. I've joined the Mark DeSantis attempt for change. I figure it's worth the effort to try to get the word out.
Actually, in a way, the low voter turn-out to me is a messed up sign that Pittsburghers are exercising their choice.
See, there are plenty of dyed in the wool, vote straight ticket Dems in the city. People who couldn't imagine voting for a Republican (even one as liberal as DeSantis). People who would show up to vote for anyone with a D after their name, no matter what.
However, I think the low voter turn-out is a sign that even they are fed up with the workings of the machine and especially the antics of the current administration.
I think there are a lot of folks out there who don't want to vote for Luke, but would never vote Republican. Those are the folks who are predicted to stay home.
And that is just fine with me - that makes my vote for DeSantis go that much further.
Ignore the Mayoral Race cause I'm just plain tired ??
Hey Suzeeq
Interesting thought and you might be on with that one....I could see that being the case. I would love to see actual change and the more I hear and have spoken to Mr DeSantis, the more I believe in his mission. If you had to garner votes period, how would you do it ??
Even with a mayor as bad as I hear this Luke is, I will be highly surprised if a Republican will ever hold the mayoral office in Pittsburgh. As most of you know, the Democratic primary IS the election; The key would be to get better Dem candidates to oppose Luke.
I was never been a "straight ticket" Dem in my life until the debacle that was/is the Bush administration and the past couple congresses. I am actually more conservative than "traditional" Democrats, but, the current Republican party does not even come close to being representative of real American Values. You wouldn't be able to tell that from all of their PR about "America do or die!" etc. (The cherry on the cake for me is Bush's Veto of a CHILD HEALTHCARE bill.)
Right or wrong, Democrats will ALWAYS be a better party for the middle/working classes, both in Pittsburgh and the country as a whole.
Even with a mayor as bad as I hear this Luke is, I will be highly surprised if a Republican will ever hold the mayoral office in Pittsburgh.
Hell will freeze over first, I think.
Quote:
(The cherry on the cake for me is Bush's Veto of a CHILD HEALTHCARE bill.)
That's because he thinks it's too expensive and wouldn't help the poor like its original intent. He only wants a 5 billion dollar budget increase, not $30. Amazing coming from the administration that has no problem asking for hundreds of billions of dollar to sustain a war America doesn't believe in. I'm telling you, him and his administration WILL go down in history as the worst in the modern era, possibly ever.
And if I were republicans I would start distancing myself from Bush more than ever. Many already do. This will really bite him in the ass and their party next year. Veto a health insurance plan for children????? Can you be more stupid?????
That's because he thinks it's too expensive and wouldn't help the poor like its original intent. He only wants a 5 billion dollar budget increase, not $30. Amazing coming from the administration that has no problem asking for hundreds of billions of dollar to sustain a war America doesn't believe in. I'm telling you, him and his administration WILL go down in history as the worst in the modern era, possibly ever.
And if I were republicans I would start distancing myself from Bush more than ever. Many already do. This will really bite him in the ass and their party next year. Veto a health insurance plan for children????? Can you be more stupid?????
Have you watched the Republican candidates? They aren't even TRYING to win; They know that a snowball has a better chance in Hell than they do of winning in 2008. We'll also get many more seats in the House and Senate. Sadly, though, Bush has left his permanent mark on the Supreme Court. Roberts will be chief justice for at least the next 30 years. He is one of, if not the youngest, Chief Justices to ever serve. O'connor should have held out till 2008, imo.
Actually, in a way, the low voter turn-out to me is a messed up sign that Pittsburghers are exercising their choice.
Sadly, this is not just in Pittsburgh. The Country's overall voter turnout is deplorable! Only 50% or so of the citizens of this country choose how it will be governed. How absurd! I would actually be in favor of MANDATORY voting laws.
Last edited by PApisces; 10-03-2007 at 11:33 AM..
Reason: Spelling
The problem with "getting better Dem candidates" is that it can't really be done. The straight ticket voters will always support the Democratic candidate with the party's endorsement.
And the party's endorsement goes to someone like Luke - a third generation politician, someone with "connections" and hand-chosen.
That machine's spell can only be broken through the use of other parties. The Dem's in Pittsburgh are too far gone to save and bear no resemblance to the true ideals of the Democratic Party.
Back to RockLobster's questions:
I think that key to garnering DeSantis votes is to show that he is a real person with real business experience. It is also key to not make him out to be a "business man", where folks think he can't relate. I think that is one mistake that some folks make - thinking that Luke is a regular guy, like them. He isn't - he was born into the the royalty of Pittsburgh Democrats.
PAPisces: Mandatory voting laws? Really? Like those that are present in most dictatorships? Wow, that just doesn't sound healthy to me.
PAPisces: Mandatory voting laws? Really? Like those that are present in most dictatorships? Wow, that just doesn't sound healthy to me.
Perhaps "Mandatory" is too harsh of a word, but, the fact that only half the country choose who charts the course of our collective future is ABSURD. The dictatorships you refer to are not democratic elections; there is typically only one candidate on the ballot and the votes are NOT secret ballots.
The new "early" voting practices seem to be helpful in increasng turnout at the polls. In Dallas, I have been voting 3 or 4 days before election day for the last couple years. If we had more voter turnout, they would be a great step in the right direction to end the "Party machines" like the one in question in Pittsburgh.
Like you, I am definately in favor of a true multi-party system. However, the 2parties in power now are far too entrenched in the system to be easily removed. The Dems just absorb the more liberal 3rd party ideas and the Republicans do the same on the right. Sure, you see an occasional Jesse Ventura here and there, but, it will never go beyond that in our current political establishment; they simply won't allow it.
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