I Voted to Buck the Parties Today! Did You?

 

 

 

 

Thank you and Buck the Parties!

My deepest heartfelt appreciation to all who have supported me and shown me such kindness during my campaign as Independent candidate for State Senate in the 25th district! It's been truly an honor to meet so many wonderful people,  have this extraordinary experience, and play a small part in our great democracy's political process!

I hope  you will give me the chance to work for you in the State Senate but no matter the outcome of this election, please know how proud I am to be an American citizen and that I will continue my lifelong passion of fighting for the greater good with the hope of inspiring others to do the same.

Thank you for taking the time to stay informed and using your right to vote. It's good citizens like you who are role models for our youth and are making a difference.

Now on to victory! Time to Buck the Parties!  Vote Column 3 and elect Independent candidate, Maureen Castriotta, for State Senate in the 25th district. Together we can end the entitled culture of NJ politics and bring common sense and common decency to NJ government!

Today's a Special Election Day

Today's a Special Election Day in New Jersey. As citizens, we have a responsibility to keep our democracy strong and vital. Buck the Parties and go out and vote Independent!

Speaking Out

NJ ELEC's Sanctioned Gubernatorial Debates Without the Independent Candidates

Tonight's the first of the two NJ ELEC sanctioned gubernatorial debates between Republican incumbent, Gov. Christie and Democratic candidate, Sen. Buono. Participants had to agree to raise and spend $380,000 in private donations.  Although approximately 46% of registered voters in NJ are unaffiliated, none of the Independent gubernatorial candidates will be participating in the debates since they did not qualify.

Here are links to:

NJ Candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor http://nj.gov/state/elections/2013-results/2013-official-general-candidates-governor-lt-governor-0808b.pdf

NJ ELEC Debate Agreement http://www.elec.state.nj.us/pdffiles/forms/guberforms/DebateAgreementGeneral_GUB.pdf

NJ Gubernatorial Public Financing info http://www.elec.state.nj.us/publicinformation/gub_man.htm
  

                               

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equal Right for Independent Voters

“If the two parties don’t respond and don’t act in changing the laws to ensure that independent voters are given equal right and protections under the laws, then there will be other steps that independents across the nation will have to consider." Everything from peaceful demonstrations and further litigation, to voting in a united fashion and voting professional politicians out of office if they don’t work for equal right of independent voters.”
- Robert Robel, Independent Ohio Leader

http://ivn.us/2013/10/04/presidents-election-commission-continues-ignore-independent-voters/

I Am A Feminist

Remember Those Who Serve

Please keep our deployed military and their families in your daily thoughts. 
Remember to thank them and our veterans for their devoted and courageous service to our nation and the sacrifices they've made to protect freedom here and around the world.

"We still have 70,000 American men and women fighting every day in Afghanistan, and I don't think we're seeing enough of that on any evening news broadcasts" 

-Scott Pelley, The CBS Evening News

"As of Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013, at least 2,142 members of the U.S. military had died in Afghanistan as a result of the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan in late 2001, according to an Associated Press count." - The Associated Press

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/us-military-deaths-afghanistan-2142-20436183

 

Character

Sad to say, character is something sorely lacking in our politicians.

Overcoming Conflict

Abuse of Power

"The problem of power is how to achieve its responsible use rather than its irresponsible and indulgent use - of how to get men of power to live for the public rather than off the public."

 

~ ~ ~ Robert F. Kennedy, 'I Remember, I Believe,' The Pursuit of Justice, 1964

Citizenship

Truth

 

Today is POW/MIA National Recognition Day

Today we observe National POW/MIA Recognition Day so that we may honor the courageous members of our nation's Armed Forces who were captured as prisoners of war and those who are still missing in action. It's a time to remember and reflect on the cost of freedom. We must never forget the untold sacrifices made by valiant soldiers who went to war and suffered cruel imprisonment by the enemies or still remain missing with their fates unknown.

Over 40 years ago, members of Catholic War Veteran Post 870 in Woodside, Queens spearheaded a nationwide petition drive calling for the release of the 82 man crew of the USS Pueblo taken prisoner by the North Koreans. Their demand for the crew's freedom never ceased throughout the arduous eleven months they were held in captive in prison of war camps. This drive was led by my dad, Joseph S. Petrula, a WW II Army veteran and then Commander of CWV Post 870. As a young girl I learned through my dad's example and that of his comrades that Americans must always support and give recognition to the men and women who served our country so well and this lesson needs to be passed on from one generation to the next. American citizens must make a solemn pledge to never forget the sacrifices of all the brave men and women who defended our country and are defending it still today so that we may enjoy the freedoms of our great nation.

Let us take the time today to honor the valor of America’s POWs and MIAs and give continuing support to their families and loves ones.

The following is President Obama's POW/MIA National Recognition Day Proclamation & a fact sheet from the Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office about the significance of the Missing Man Table Ceremony depicted on the 2013 National POW/MIA Recognition Day Poster:


For Immediate Release

September 19, 2013

Presidential Proclamation -- National POW/MIA Recognition Day, 2013

NATIONAL POW/MIA RECOGNITION DAY, 2013

- - - - - - -

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

Our country endures because in every generation, courageous Americans answer the call to serve in our Armed Forces. They represent the very best of the human spirit, stand tall for the values and freedoms we cherish, and uphold peace and security at home and around the globe. Today, we pay tribute to the service members who have not returned from the battlefield, we stand beside their families, and we honor those who are held captive as prisoners of war. We will never forget their sacrifice, nor will we ever abandon our responsibility to do everything in our power to bring them home.

America remains steadfast in our determination to recover our missing patriots. Our work is not finished until our heroes are returned safely to our shores or a full accounting is provided to their loved ones. We must care for the men and women who have served so selflessly in our name, and we must carry forward the legacy of those whose fates are still unknown. Today, and every day, we express our profound appreciation to our service members, our veterans, our military families, and all those who placed themselves in harm's way to sustain the virtues that are the hallmarks of our Union.

On September 20, 2013, the stark black and white banner symbolizing America's Missing in Action and Prisoners of War will be flown over the White House; the United States Capitol; the Departments of State, Defense, and Veterans Affairs; the Selective Service System Headquarters; the World War II Memorial; the Korean War Veterans Memorial; the Vietnam Veterans Memorial; United States post offices; national cemeteries; and other locations across our country. We raise this flag as a solemn reminder of our obligation to always remember the sacrifices made to defend our Nation.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 20, 2013, as National POW/MIA Recognition Day. I urge all Americans to observe this day of honor and remembrance with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this nineteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-eighth.

BARACK OBAMA

Thoughts from former U.S. Attorney General District of NJ, Chris Christie

Interesting thoughts about politicians from former U.S. Attorney General for the District of New Jersey, Chris Christie, now Governor of NJ, taken from the 4/25/07 issue of the News Transcript by Clare Marie Celano:

The U.S. attorney said some students may have parents who say voting does not matter, that all politicians are crooks and that it does not matter who you vote for. He acknowledged that many people in public service have given citizens reason to become cynical, but he urged the students not to become cynical.

"Rise above that feeling," Christie said. "It's easier to be cynical. It's easier to not care. It's easier to think that you cannot make a difference. It frees you from the obligation and responsibility to do anything about it. It's easier to say, it's not my problem and let someone else fix it. Unfortunately, no one else is fixing it. There are two types of people in politics, those who want to do something and those who want to be something - beware of those." 

http://nt.gmnews.com/news/2007-04-25/Front_page/004.html

September 17th, Constitution Day

The United States Constitution was drafted and signed during the Constitutional Convention held in Philadelphia from May 14 to September 17, 1787.
http://www.constitutionfacts.com/us-constitution-amendments/

Civil Obedience Is Our Problem

Leadership

Democracy

One of the Saddest Lessons of History