POCONO TOWNSHIP, PA -- 189th State Representative hopeful, Gail
Mastroberte, feels that there are better solutions to everyday problems
than to have government impose more laws and to throw more money at a perceived
remedy.
According to the Cato Institute, a libertarian,
free-market think tank in Washington, DC, Americans gave $125 billion to
private charities last year, and mutual aid organizations. "More
than 85 percent of all adult Americans make some charitable contribution
each year," said Michael Tanner, a senior director of director of Health
and Welfare Studies at the institute. "In addition, about half of all American
adults perform volunteer work: more than 20 billion hours in 1991. Translated
into dollars, the value of that volunteer work was more than $176 billion.
Americans’charitable contributions total more than $300 billion per year."
Mastroberte cited examples of private initiative
where individuals took an active role in correcting societal problems.
"I like the fact that the Sedona Arizona Libraryis a 25,000 sq. ft. privately-run public library built by and funded
solely on donations with over 100 volunteers who assist with everything
from running the Circulation Desk to shelving, cataloging and book processing.
Approximately 55,000 books are on their shelves.
"The American Red Cross is a non-governmental agency
which offers disaster assistance and holds local blood drives.
They demonstrate the American's good nature...when the need arises, you
can count on people to give blood voluntarily.
"I admire Grace Steiner, a volunteer professional
teacher at the Wabash County Jail (Illinois) who need to start an educational
program at the jail to assist offenders in obtaining their GED. Since her
program (Gateway Paths to Adult Learning) was instituted, over 500 offenders
have gone through the program. More than 200 have obtained their GED.
It is a strictly volunteer program and when started, Mrs. Steiner relied
totally on donations from the community and no tax money is used! Everything
comes from the private sector.
"People are relying more and more on conflict resolution,
mediation, and arbitration services instead of the legal court system.
Groups like the National Institute for Dispute Resolution and the Society
of Friends (Quakers) help save the taxpayers millions of dollars
every year in court trials.
"Victim Offender Reconciliation Program provides
restitution as an alternative to jail. Meetings are arranged between offenders
and their victims providing the opportunity for communication, responsibility,
restitution, and reconciliation.
"Underwriter's Laboratories and the Good Housekeeping
Institute are the leading third-party certification organizations in the
United States which valuates products in the interest of public safety
without the use of tax dollars.
"Volunteers in Medicine Clinic in Hilton Head, South
Carolina provides free medical and dental services to families and
individuals who otherwise have no access to health care. More than 100
medical professionals (doctors, dentists, nurses and other specialists)
living in the area donate their services.
"More than 24,000 children are homeschooled in the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Dedicated parents have taken the initiative
to be totally involved with their child's education saving the taxpayers
money."
Mastroberte stated that "wonderful things are being
accomplished without government involvement and intervention in the economy.
All these people are ordinary citizens who live the libertarian ethic of
personal initiative and volunteerism. It can be demonstrated that
time and time again throughout history, in terms of charitable giving and
volunteering, Americans are the most generous people on the earth."
"My candidacy for State Representative is to demonstrate
how libertarian principles work in the real world." She went on to
say that, "we can have a society without so many tax burdens, if we only
take more personal responsibility for our lives and actions. When
one gets to keep more of the fruit of their labor, they would be free to
give to others in need."
"If you volunteer your time today, you help preserve
a free society for tomorrow. Random acts of kindness can go a long
way."
Mastroberte is a registered nurse by profession
and a homeschooling parent living in Pocono Township. She is challenging
Democrat incumbent Joseph W. Battisto as he is seeking his 9th term for
the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
Gail
Mastroberte for State Representative