Libertarian Party Pennsylvania candidates respond to Bonusgate

Candidates demand ballot access in face of Harrisburg corruption

Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania
3915 Union Deposit Road #223
Harrisburg, PA 17109
www.lppa.org
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 8, 2008

Contact: Doug Leard (Media Relations) or
Michael Robertson (Chair) at 1-800-R-RIGHTS / chair@lppa.org


Harrisburg, PA – Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania  (LPPa) candidates for 2008 election today responded to the recent Bonusgate scandal.  The most recent in a series of Harrisburg indiscretions, Bonusgate refers to the indictment of current and former public officials and employees for illegally using tax dollars to influence elections and keep candidates off the ballot.

Attorney General candidate, Marakay Rogers announced that "’Bonusgate’ is a sign both of the depths of financial corruption in our state government and of the fear that the majority parties have of any third party candidates challenging their campaigns.  Third parties and independent candidates suffer enough from Pennsylvania's absurd, antiquated, and illegal ballot access rules simply trying to achieve ballot status in the first place. Illegal activity in the legislature and among its staff to attempt to remove third party candidates is completely undemocratic.”
 
The LPPa is calling for passage of the Voters Choice Act which Senator Mike Folmer (R-Lebanon) plans to introduce when their next session begins. This legislation will remove the Commonwealth’s unfair hurdles that obstruct ballot access for independent and minor party candidates for public office.

Commenting on the bonus allegations, State Treasurer candidate, Berlie Etzel remarked “It is welcome news that the Attorney General will be checking all present lawmakers and their office staff.  I believe this illegal activity has been occurring for a long time here in Pennsylvania.  I do not wish to fill up our prisons so perhaps we can pardon non-violent offenders. This will allow room for current legislators and their staff who are indicted and found guilty by a jury of their peers.”

Auditor General candidate, Betsy Summers responded “Bonusgate is looking to be the audit that reveals that the politicos in Harrisburg are cooking the election books to maintain their power. The Voters Choice Act is a good step toward fixing this problem by empowering Pennsylvanians to elect independent candidates of integrity to represent them.”

The Libertarian Party is the third largest political party in Pennsylvania and the United States. More than 200,000 people across the country are registered Libertarians, and Libertarians serve in hundreds of elected offices. Please visit www.LP.org or www.LPPA.org for more information.


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