Central Pennsylvania Reform Party Group

Dear Fellow American Voter:

The national Reform Party is holding its nominating convention in Philadelphia this August. That creates an exceptional opportunity for us Pennsylvanians – as the national convention is right here in our own backyard!

Over the next few months, we will hold meetings to determine:

1. What our main issues of concern are
2. Whether any of us are interested in running for local, state, or national office, or whether we would like to support someone who is running
3. Becoming delegates to the August Convention in Philadelphia.

If you are interested in being part of these exciting developments, particularly now that there is a ground-floor opportunity for playing a major role, or if you simply would like to attend a meeting just to see what’s going on – please email: chairman@centralpareform.org

I sent the following letter to the editor of the New York Times, and a copy to Thomas Friedman, because of Mr. Friedman’s call for a national bold centrist third party:
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Thomas Friedman has been clamoring for a legitimate, respectable, centrist third party to emerge as a viable alternative to the dysfunctional two party oligarchy with which Americans have been saddled. Well, there is one right under his nose and, inexplicably, he has yet to embrace it.

The resurgent national Reform Party is the answer to Mr. Friedman’s prayers. Its platform is undeniably centrist and its slogan – which I helped write – is: “honest leadership, real solutions.” The Reform Party welcomes divergent points of view, and usually finds the most value in a combination of the best ideas that the Democrats and Republicans have to offer, while dismissing their petty bickering and destructive stubbornness. We have zero tolerance, however, for deception, corruption, and demagoguery. We insist on honesty at every turn, and do not talk about a problem without also providing what we sincerely believe to be the best solution.

We do not have delusions of grandeur – such as electing a Reformist president in 2012 and attaining a Congressional majority. Rather, we have the patience and resolve to try to persuade the American people to join our noble cause, one voter at a time. If an internationally-respected political thinker and writer like Mr. Friedman were to support us, however, we would fulfill our aspiration – which he shares – much sooner: to establish a viable, permanent, proud, and bold centrist third party, one that best represents the will of the American people.

As Central Pennsylvania’s affiliate to the National Reform Party, we are delighted to welcome former Louisiana governor and Congressman Buddy Roemer to our Party! (Yes, that’s right, he was BOTH a governor AND a Congressman – only one running with those credentials – impressive, eh?)

Governor Roemer announced today (Feb. 22) that he has left the Republican Party but will continue seeking the nomination for president of the United States – under the banner of the Reform Party!

This has been a long time coming! The GOP virtually shunned Gov. Roemer this entire primary debate season, not inviting him to any of that party’s debates for dubious reasons, such as he had not raised enough money (since when is that a legitimate criterion?) and did not rank high enough in the polls (though at one time he out-polled Texas Gov. Rick Perry in New Hampshire, who was invited to the debate in that state, and every other debate while he was running).

Could it be that because Gov. Roemer refuses to take PAC money or donations over $100, he would expose the other GOP nominees (and President Obama) as political sellouts? Whatever the reason, the GOP ignored Gov. Roemer, and very wisely, he has moved on. Much like Ronald Reagan, when asked why he had left the Democrats to join the Republicans responded “I didn’t leave the Democrats, they left me,” the Republicans have left Gov. Roemer – and many, many others – and the Democrats have too, for that matter.

The Reform Party is the ideal home for Gov. Roemer, because its platform so closely mirrors his own, it might as well be called the “Roemer Party.”

In addition to seeking the Reform Party’s nomination, Gov. Roemer is trying to become the candidate for Americans Elect – which is not a actually a political party, but a grass roots movement committed to mobilizing the country to “pick a president, not a party.” Some of AE’s faithful, however, have lost all confidence in ANY political party, and so they do not think Gov. Roemer’s decision to join the Reform Party was wise. Of course, as one might expect, we disagree.

But in disagreeing, we ought to explain why: if AE members, or anyone else for that matter, had an issue with a particular Reform Party position on a particular issue, then that would be a valid argument against the governor’s decision. Some AE supporters, however, think that because the old Reform Party had some questionable candidates a long time ago, that it will conjure negative images to those who otherwise might be inclined to support Gov. Roemer. That is highly unlikely, however, because any of those old Reform Party remnants are long gone.

To follow that logic would be to think that a Democrat could not be elected because Democratic Presidents Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan, and Andrew Johnson, among others, were supporters of slavery. No political party with a national history has been perfect every day of its existence: the key is to examine what the Reform Party believes NOW, not THEN. Just like folks who have flocked to the Reform Party are former Democrats and Republicans, judging both of those major parties for what they stand for NOW.

As Americans Elect has no political platform (it is merely a vehicle to mobilize voters behind the candidate of their choosing), there is no reason why we here at Central PA Reform Party Group would not wish them well, and we intend to support their efforts as best we can. We hope that they return the favor, and unite with us in our common goal: to elect Buddy Roemer as the 45th president of the United States.

The Central PA Reform Party Group wishes everyone a happy President’s Day!

Take a moment today to learn a new and interesting fact about any of our presidents. Here’s one: James A. Garfield was able to read a document in English, and translate it into Greek writing with his left hand, and into Latin with his right hand, at the same time!

This video sums it up – all in two and a half minutes

Today would have been Ronald Reagan’s 101st birthday. Last year, his 100th, was a rather big deal, but 101 largely goes unnoticed, particularly if the individual in question is no longer alive (as is the case with Reagan, who passed away in 2004).

Many visitors to this website are among the millions who adored Reagan and considered him one of the greatest presidents in history. Many, but certainly not all. Others blame Reagan for taking deficit spending to a whole new level, and for jump-starting the deregulation that led to the 2008 economic meltdown.

The national Reform Party – as well as the Central PA Reform Party Group – welcomes members and supporters from all across the political spectrum, including Democrats and Republicans who have become disenchanted with their party and are looking for a better way. And for many Republicans, the main reason they left (or are considering leaving) the GOP is because there are no more “Ronald Reagans” there.

Happy birthday, Mr. President, we miss you.

President Obama delivered his State of the Union speech on Tuesday evening. Millions of Americans watched the event on live television or simply obtained the “CliffsNotes” version – the truncated news media’s carefully cherry-picked bits and pieces.

Some people thought it was great when Obama said that “America is back,” while others scoffed. Amid all of the praise and condemnation, however, most folks missed the main point: a State of the Union speech is about the president ASKING, not TELLING, Congress to do certain things.

Why does he ask and not tell, you may wonder? Because presidents don’t make laws, Congresses do. All the president can do is suggest, persuade, and – if he happens to have a substantial chunk of the American people behind him – threaten.

No matter who wins the presidential election – whether it be Obama, the Republican nominee, or even a third party candidate – very little will change unless the Democrat/Republican duopoly in Congress changes as well.

And that is the MAIN reason why the Reform Party is so important. Not because we think that there is a serious chance that our candidate will win this time around (though miracles do happen), but because we can make some small dents in elections throughout the country. A Reformist here, a Reformist there. Pretty soon, when the president addresses Congress, he or she will not be talking just to Democrats and Republicans anymore. And once those Dems and Reps see Reformists in their midst, they’ll know that the only way they’ll keep their own seats is if they start listening to the American people!

Break the duopoly! Vote Reform!

The Reform Party’s ballot access petitioning window opens February the 17th, and concludes August 1st. Anyone seeking to run as a party candidate for office would need to obtain their needed signatures during this time period.

Great job by Buddy Roemer on Real Time last night.  He actually engaged Bernie Sanders in a meaningful discussion!  The Governor appears to have genuine integrity.  I wish he would get more media attention.