I'm confused.

I'm trying to get a handle on the Democratic platform. I called my kid to tell him that I switched parties. My son told me that I have been a Democrat all these years, but I just didn't realize it. Thanks, Joe.

Looking for answers, I first went to the Mt. Lebanon Democrats website. I thought I would start with their useful links. Oh boy.

Local Blogs

Blog-Lebo – bloglebo.blogspot.com
Center Court – jposti.blogspot.com

Not what I am looking for. I want a list of Democratic values. So I went to the state level.   Pennsylvania State Democratic Party –www.padems.com Nope. Not there either, but I did find out something interesting. Mt. Lebanon's commissioner from Ward 4 is no longer on the staff. 

Is this odd or what?

President of the commission, Dave Brumfield, is not running for re-election again. Yay. The Democratic candidate running in Ward 4 is Craig Grella. Craig is on the PA Democratic Party staff as Digital Operations Director. It is a paid position. http://www.padems.com/party/staff/ Does anyone see that as a problem?

Still on the quest for the Democratic platform, so I went to the Democratic National Committee – www.democrats.org Bingo!

The 2016 Democratic Platform

So here is where I get confused.

Preventing Gun Violence
Our newly elected congressman seems to be leaning toward Republican values. Four more people were killed with an AR-15 outside of Nashville, TN.

Reining in Wall Street and Fixing our Financial System

Both Conor Lamb and Keith Rothfus voted to weaken a Wall Street regulation. 

And some progressive Democrats took issue with Democrats like Lamb for supporting the rule change, worrying that the Democratic Party is sending out the wrong message to Americans who are wary of financial institutions. U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) tweeted on April 17, “Why did 78 House Democrats vote with Republicans to weaken the Volcker Rule, which was passed after the financial crisis to stop banks from making speculative investments? We need a Congress that stands with the American people, not the big banks.”

I'm still trying to sort it all out.

Meet Ray Tomorrow!

Want to meet Ray Linsenmayer? Come to the Meet and Greet at Panera Bread at the Galleria tomorrow. Ray is the Democratic candidate running for Congress in the new 17th District, which includes Mt. Lebanon.. It will be held from 6:00 to 7:00 tomorrow, April 11, 2018.

Following the Meet and Greet, Ray will be attending the Mt. Lebanon Democratic Committee Meeting at 7:00 PM, in the Mt. Lebanon Municipal Building Commission Chambers. 

All are welcome!

MORE LIES

God, I hate this place. More lies.

From the MLDC.

Long-time resident    He moved here four years ago.

Active in the community Seriously? Which boards? Which authorities?

Bob Fischer has lived in Mt. Lebanon all of his life. 

Bob Fischer didn't march in the Halloween Parade this year. Why? He was coordinating it from the Mt. Lebanon Cemetery, as he has done for years. What did Gorilla do? He carried his sign while walking in the parade. 

This speaks volumes, Elaine and Mary.

Original publication date: 3/15/17 2:09 PM

Mt. Lebanon Democrats endorse School Board Directors

Last Wednesday, March 8, the Mt. Lebanon Democratic Committee endorsed the slate of Mike Riemer, Stephen Strotmeyer and Aviva Diamond for Mt. Lebanon School Directors.

We believe our candidates to be well educated, successful volunteers with a strong history of service to Mt. Lebanon, as well as, a desire to serve our District's students. This slate is composed of fresh thinkers who respect tradition, embrace accountability and innovation.

You can learn more about our endorsed candidates at

www.friendsofmtlebanoneducation.com

What does the color purple represent?

On the color wheel, purple is a combination of two primary colors, red and blue. Purple is associated with royalty. It also represents the future, wisdom, and stimulates the imagination. Red (Republican) combined with blue (Democrat) also make purple.

On June 24, 2014, Charlotte Stephenson wrote this comment here on Lebo Citizens at 12:07 AM:

The Democrat Committee of Mt. Lebanon won't rein in their environmentally hazardous elected officials in spite of the "principles" the local committee espouses on their website, and the RCML won't rein in their RINOs. Is it time to start over? Let's see....red and blue make...purple? Could there be a group of people here who will stand by their principles?

At 7:48 AM, same day, "Jason" followed up with:

As per Charlotte, if someone wants to start a 'purple' local political movement -- an intentionally cross-party/non-partisan group to promote candidates who will restore integrity and honor to the local democratic process, I am in.

 Today, "Jason" submitted this:

What brings “D”s and “R”s together in Mt. Lebanon??? 

The DReadful Mt. Lebanon Commissioners! 

We are tired of:

•  Excessive and unfair taxing practices 
•  Environmental degradation
•  Back-room deals
•  The enabling of an out-of-control School Board
•  Snickering at residents during Citizens Comments
•  An “agreement” to never disagree and debate publicly
•  The refusal to listen to The People of Mt. Lebanon
•  A toxic mix of arrogance and ignorance 

Impeach and remove All 5 Mt. Lebanon Commissioners … 

Restore democracy to Mt. Lebanon.

What was once considered a divisive plan to put artificial turf in Mt. Lebanon's Middle and Wildcat Fields, is evolving into a unified front of residents, of all political parties. Republicans, Democrats, and Libertarians agree that the Commissioners' plan is a bad plan.

I have said that the Democrats have their act together, but I am finding out that there are quite a few Democrats unhappy with the current state of affairs in our local governments. In general, people hate the good old boy network; hate anything that involves the abuse of power. I think the commission meeting on June 23, 2014 was a turning point in Mt. Lebanon. People from all parties came forward to oppose Commissioners Bendel, Brumfield, Linfante, and Silverman's plan to turf Middle and Wildcat Fields. Now there is talk of TRANSCENDING BOTH PARTIES -- based on truth and justice.

Yes, the Commission majority may award the bids to turf Middle and Wildcat Fields on July 8, 2014, but it could create a shift from red or blue, and Mt. Lebanon may turn purple.