Voter registration deadline is Monday, October 4

If you want to vote in the general election on November 2, you must register by Monday, October 4. In a general election, the voters choose the candidates who will hold the offices that are open for election. On the federal level, this election will cover one of Pennsylvania’s two United States Senate seats and all U.S. House seats. In the state, the governor, lieutenant governor, state senators in even-numbered districts, and all state House members, are up for election.

This is a critical election for our country. It’s called a mid-term election because it’s right in the middle of the president’s four-year term. The results can shift the balance of power in Congress, and thus the direction of the country for the next two years. A similar tug-of-war is occurring in Harrisburg, for control of the state government.

Read More . . . http://www.examiner.com/public-policy-in-pittsburgh/voter-registration-deadline-is-monday-october-4

Are you a patriot?

Saturday is "Patriot Day", in memory of the terrorist attacks in the US on September 11, 2001. I'll never forget that terrible day, and I'm sure you won't either. Unfortunately, some people have twisted the meaning of the term "patriot". A patriot is "a proud supporter or defender of his or her country and its way of life". (Encarta Dictionary) There's more to patriotism than flying the flag and saying the right words. A patriot should know something about her/his own country's laws, principles, and customs. A patriot should behave in ways that demonstrate the nation's values.



Read more . . . . http://www.examiner.com/public-policy-in-pittsburgh/are-you-a-patriot-1

Labor Day parade reveals Democrats’ weakness

On Monday, I participated in the 29th annual Pittsburgh Labor Day Parade, sponsored by the Allegheny County Labor Council. On the surface, it was the usual – groups of union members in the Civic Arena parking lots, forming the annual T-shirt rainbow. Hugging old friends, and meeting new ones. Saying “Remember the year it rained all day?” Lines for the portable toilets. Signing petitions for this and that. Dogs wearing T-shirts and hats. Stroller-bound babies wearing T-shirts and hats. Tailgating. Politicians working the crowd. It marks the de facto starting gun of the general election campaign season. One detail was agonizingly clear. If the Democrats want to win a single race, they have to step up their game.



Read more . . . . http://www.examiner.com/public-policy-in-pittsburgh/labor-day-parade-reveals-democrats-weakness

Thank a Union Member on Labor Day

On Monday September 6, Americans will observe the 129th Labor Day celebration. The Allegheny County Labor Council will host its 29th consecutive parade downtown. Pittsburgh’s parade is one of the largest Labor Day events in the United States, with nearly 200 groups and 80,000 people participating. Everything good about your standard of living came to you through the organized labor movement.

Read more . . . . http://www.examiner.com/public-policy-in-pittsburgh/thank-a-union-member-on-labor-day