I met Dan Onorato today, and I endorsed him for County Commissioner over Jim Roddey. Jim is very charismatic and seems like an effective executive. But Dan has better ideas, especially around investing in small companies.

Dan didn't recognize my name, though, until he saw the Crystle For Senate sticker. The funny thing is, we've lent him 8 computers for his campaign but I don't think he was aware of that. Sure, we didn't do it for the name rec, but...

I said a few things tonight during my speech that I think will upset some people, and, well, I don't care, because it's a matter of conscience. First, I said gambling is not a structural solution to Pennsylvania's economic problems, it's just a bandaid. Second, we need to separate gambling and education and judge gambling on its own merits. Tying gambling to the emotional issue of educating our children is just wrong. Third, the policy of gambling to fund education is the clearest example I've seen of the need for campaign finance reform in Pennsylvania. And if you think this issue is a state issue and none of my business, maybe you're right, but I don't think so.

Pennsylvania suffers from international trade policies, plain and simple. Stop the bleeding by fixing the trade policies. When they are fixed, the tax base will return and the state treasury will have more money, so gambling will no longer be "necessary" to fund education. Second, repeal the tax breaks on the rich and give states more money for education. Again, it obviates the need to consider gambling as a bandaid for education funding.

PA clearly needs to fix its campaign finance laws. This is a separate issue, of course, but it is an issue of eqality of opportunity for all, not just the owners of racetracks. By the way, folks, the tracks would pay $300 million for the licenses, so why is the state only asking $50 million?

I met a lot of great women business owners tonight, and was inspired by some of them and their progressive politics. Pittsburgh has such a varied and strong business community, and clearly the women in business here are a vital part of the community. So how about running more women for office? I'd step aside for a progressive women candidate and back her. And why doesn't Wal-Mart advance women to executive and management positions when 78% of the Wal-Mart over-worked-underpaid-force are women? It's not that hard folks, just embrace it: equality of opportunity for all.

University of Pittsburgh was fun too--I dropped in on a student political group here, and they let me talk for entirely too long! They asked great questions. I was too tired, though, and a bit more negative than I like to be, but they were quite nice regardless. Hoping some of them sign up!

It's been a long trip, and it's not over yet...still have a cold, but I'm feeling a little better. And hey--please check in from time to time and particpate in the blog--it's here for you, not just my ramblings.

Now go to sleep :)