Third parties receive shabby treatment in Pa.

"State of oppression" better describes Pennsylvania elections than does any inconvenience involved in shuffling primary day ("States of Confusion: America's Primary Voters Deserve a Little Order," Oct. 9 editorial).

In 2006 Pennsylvania's third-party candidates for statewide offices needed more than 67,000 valid petition signatures to get on the November ballot. Major-party nominees required zero and a mere 2,000 for their primaries.

I attended the privately funded Libertarian Party 2006 state convention to nominate our statewide candidates. A challenge-proof 100,000-signature hurdle denied our statewide candidates free and equal ballot access.

We pay for our own nomination process, our taxes help pay for primary day, yet we're not allowed to vote on primary day. Even worse, the Green Party U.S. Senate candidate suffered Democratic Party lawsuit retribution, which cost nearly $1 million.

The Pennsylvania election bureau added insult to injury by ignoring its duty to report third-party write-in votes during the 2006 general election. In many races it shabbily reported third-party and independent write-ins lumped together.

Just recently the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear a challenge to Pennsylvania's restrictive election code. This does to free and equal elections what free speech zones do to the First Amendment. Moving primary day to Jan. 32 would be less deceptive.

MARK CROWLEY
Plum

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His every move

Everywhere you turn these days -- radio, television and print -- Mayor Ravenstahl's life had been documented play by play. Every day something new is reported, from what car he drives to a beer he drank at a Steelers game.

You know what, Pittsburgh? Get off his back and let him do his job, as well as live his life. I don't ever recall a play-by-play report on Tom Murphy's life or any other past mayors. Is that because their lives were boring? Or is it because they weren't 27 years old?

Hasn't Pittsburgh seen enough examples from Hollywood as to how the media can ruin lives? To avoid their wrath, the media have already succeeded in having Mr. Ravenstahl "lying low" until this upcoming election. Will the day soon come that the media will start following his wife around like they do Britney Spears?

Just like a fair-weather fan, Pittsburghers will jump off and on Luke's bandwagon, depending on what the media shout from the rooftops. My advice to you, Pittsburgh: Do some thinking on your own. Show up on Election Day and vote for the 27-year-old mayor who has proved himself to be a true man among men.

CONNIE DUSAK
North Side

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Lacks judgment

In Pittsburgh, everyday political and sports conversations are dominated with talk of NHL MVP Sidney Crosby, Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin and Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, who all happen to be 35 or under and relatively short on experience in their respective career fields.

While all rose to their lofty ranks through a combination of fate and self-determination, only two deserve to be in their current positions. Sidney Crosby and Mike Tomlin offer both young and old invaluable lessons by setting the example of leadership, particularly in taking responsibility for their organizations' shortfalls. Luke Ravenstahl, on the other hand, could write a best-selling textbook on what not to do when the incumbent chief executive tragically passes away and you are unfortunately put in charge of a large municipality for which you don't possess the experience, training or maturity to effectively manage.

While Messrs. Tomlin and Crosby always seem to say and do the right things, Mr. Ravenstahl continues to make poor decisions and stick his foot in his mouth when trying to explain his personal misjudgments. It is clear to anyone with half sense that Mark DeSantis possesses more maturity, experience, judgment and leadership to be Pittsburgh's next mayor. The region can ill-afford more unethical and immature behavior as exhibited by Luke Ravenstahl. It is time for him to go.

Unfortunately, decades of cronyism and political nearsightedness on behalf of city Democrats will probably not let this happen. I hope I am wrong.

JOHN DOWLING
Cecil

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Playground pride

More than 1,500 children live within a five-block radius of Perry South's Fowler Park; therefore, The Pittsburgh Project submitted an application to the national nonprofit KaBOOM! to secure a new playground ("KaBOOM! Playgrounds Built in a Day," Sept. 30). While KaBOOM! did not provide funding toward this particular playground, it did help to facilitate and manage the project. The Pittsburgh Project contributed $7,500 toward the playground before being partnered with the Junior League of Pittsburgh.

The league is building three playgrounds in three years in collaboration with KaBOOM, a $180,000 commitment from the Junior League toward the betterment of our community. This would not be possible without the league's fund-raising efforts, including the Designers' Show House, an event that drew more than 5,000 visitors. In essence, this playground was made possible by a large portion of our community through its support of the league's activities.

While the Post-Gazette story included comments from a few individuals who doubted the longevity of the playground, it is unfortunate that the article focused on their negativity when the overwhelming majority of people in the area are enthusiastic about the project -- as evidenced by the fact that more than 300 people showed up to help build it. Those volunteers are entrusting its care to the community and giving the residents the responsibility of maintaining the structure. I anticipate their continued pride in their community in not only maintaining the playground, but also in continuing to work together to renovate Fowler Park.

GRETCHEN SMATHERS
Squirrel Hill
Chair, Playground Build initiative, Junior League of Pittsburgh

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Roadway jungle

In business we often discuss capacity issues. Do we have the physical and human resources to perform a service? As a Morningside resident, it has frequently crossed my mind as to how seriously the capacity of the surrounding area was considered in the recent improvements made to the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium. As far as I can tell, all improvements were to the zoo interior and none were made to support the safe travel of zoo visitors and those residents who live near or pass through the zoo's surrounding neighborhoods.

Since the opening of the Water's Edge exhibit in November 2006, zoo attendance has seen a dramatic increase, setting attendance records after the exhibit's grand opening in the late spring. Good for them, bad for me. Bad for all of us who sat on the Highland Park Bridge for an hour recently and everyone who sat on Allegheny River Boulevard and Butler Street waiting to pass through, go to the zoo or just go home.

And, it's not just bad -- it's unsafe. Scary even. Quite possibly also a waste of city resources when policemen are required to man every intersection because they are so ill-equipped to handle the volume of traffic. Scary because of the blatant disrespect of traffic laws and signage -- you cannot go straight from a left-turn-only lane! Scary because of the woman in the middle of the intersection screaming at people and dropping "f-bombs." Scary because a good portion of these cars are carrying children -- my children included.

I am sure that these issues were considered on some level. In fact, I would be appalled if they had not been, but seriously ... it cannot go on in this manner.

HEATHER MEDIATE
Morningside

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Why is health care so complicated and expensive in America?

My daughter came to Pittsburgh for a long visit in August. A week before her return to the United Kingdom, she realized that she had insufficient medication. She took her pill bottle with full information and her passport to various pharmacies, which could not help her. Nor could several doctors, who advised us to go to an emergency clinic.

At Shadyside Hospital emergency department, we waited for three hours, until she was given the necessary prescription for seven pills. This was immediately filled at a nearby pharmacy, at a cost of $20. We later received a bill for $775 from the hospital, minus an adjustment of $155 for an uninsured patient, a total of $620. Since this charge was simply for a prescription, I regard this as outrageous.

By contrast, here are two other cases. During my recent visit to China, at one hotel there was a permanent clinic with pharmacy. Because of our recent encounter with UPMC, I asked my Chinese guide about extending a prescription for a traveler, anywhere in China. She told me that seeing the doctor would be quick and free, with only a small charge for the prescription because "this was a simple problem." Another time, a friend broke her arm on vacation in Scotland, and was seen immediately and tended to free of charge.

It should be obvious that "something is rotten in the state of America" -- apologies to Shakespeare.

DIANA M. GALBRAITH
Point Breeze

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