I decided to have a look at Republican Assembly candidate Don Wagner’s website tonight – and found it to be about what I expected. He sounds reasonable on some issues then goes nuts on immigration and comes off sounding like some sort of religious fanatic.
But the worst was to come. I clicked on endorsements and while I recognized a few decent people on that list, most of it was populated by a Who’s Who of awful Republican hacks, inlcuding:
- U.S. Rep. Dana Rohrabacher – a total loon who bashes Mexicans even more than Whitacre and his boys do
- Michael Schroeder. Nuff said.
- Hugh Hewitt – one of the lame OC Children and Families Commissioners who gave thousands to Matt Cunningham, for ridiculous services including blogging and writing on Facebook.
- Tom Fuentes. Ousted as OC GOP Chairman but still wreaking havoc on the South OC Community College District Board of Trustees.
- John Williams, the corrupt OC Public Administrator/Guardian. Figures.
- Costa Mesa Councilwoman Wendy Leece. An ally of Mexican-basher Allan Mansoor.
- Jim Righeimer, the next lame Costa Mesa Councilman
- Alexandria Coronado, who was ousted from the OC Board of Education by the voters in this year’s primary.
- Ken Maddox, the Capo Trustee who is facing a recall
- And the Family Action PAC, which is actually into preventing actions that cause families. But as Sarah Palin’s daughter showed us, abstinence doesn’t really work, does it?
Wagner is running against Democrat Melissa Fox. She doesn’t list her endorsers but click here to see her website. His other opponent is Libertarian Debbie Tharp. Click here to see her website. Either one is preferable to Wagner, although I prefer Tharp of the two.
That’s a real “Who’s Craziest” of the OC GOP, Art. You ran out of steam toward the end –
Alexandria Coronado, driven out of the OC Board of Education by the voters for her tireless and strident GAY-bashing.
Jim Righeimer, serial carpetbagger but consummate OC GOP insider & Rohrabacher campaign manager, whose proudest moment so far is the horrible deal giving away public control of our Fairgrounds to the FMW profiteers for 55 years, after promising to “blow up” the better deal with American Fairs
Ken Lopez-Maddox-Lopez, the worst of the CUSD trustees that are being recalled, also a carpetbagger and immigrant basher, who tried to mend bridges with the Latino community by comically taking his third wife’s unused maiden name (lots more on him coming out soon)
Don’s another one who hasn’t (to the best of my knowledge) confirmed that he is debating! What the heck…what is with these scared Republicans?!!!! The Debate for State Assembly is taking place on Wednesday October 27th, 6pm.
http://www.newportjaycees.org/clubportal/EventDetailPublic2.cfm?clubID=178&EventID=124566&mo=10&tDate={d%20%272010-10-10%27}
Yeah, we gotta shame these guys. Maybe I or somebody should show up in Wagner’s and Campbell’s place, prepared with a stack of their statements and votes. I’m not sure I would really do them justice though… They’d probably do better speaking for themselves.
That would be great Vern!!!! Love it!
Any ideas on how to shame these guys into showing up?
wait… Oct 27? Why only six days before Election Day? Lots of people will already have voted. Is that the only thing scheduled for AD 70?
Yes, that I know of.
Odette,
Don doesn’t need to debate because he already has won the seat. Why waste his time debating two candidates who don’t have a chance at winning?
“Why waste his time.”
Is that really how Mr. Wagner feels? He doesn’t even want to spend a couple hours this campaign season letting his constituents know how he’s gonna represent them and why he’ll be so much better for them than the already-doomed Melissa and Debbie?
That’s pretty arrogant of him if that’s how he feels. Are you his spokesman?
Vern,
“Why waste his time” is how I feel. I can’t speak to Don’s feeling and I don’t want any confusion or mis-attribution of my opinion to Don (or any improper attempt to spin it on here). If I’m a spokesperson for anyone, I’ll let you all know. As for letting his constituents know how he will represent them, he spent almost every day during the primary campaign going door-to-door and to meetings in his district, and given his success in the primary it seems as though many of those constituents agreed with him. I suspect he’ll do the same in the general election, and even you Democrats in the 70th will get your chance to grill him, maybe even in person, on his positions. Please don’t attribute any purported arrogance to him based on something I said, and I won’t point out the arrogance of Democrat Ms. Fox claiming to share the values of the 70th District’s values when registered Republicans outnumber the Democrats by 13%.
Why then, Ándale, let’s rumble!
Vern,
Even a crazy lefty like you can make me smirk from time to time.
Newbie-
Maybe people in Don’s district want to know what he has accomplished other than be investigated for blackmail (Source: http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2010/02/25/chancellor-alleges-blackmail-in-whistleblower-complaint/51949/).
Odette,
I think you posted the wrong link. The real link (http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2010/02/25/chancellor-alleges-blackmail-in-whistleblower-complaint/51949/) says that it was merely a complaint filed against Wagner that alleged blackmail. The complaint was subsequently dismissed by the individual who filed it as part of a settlement with the District. The complaint was surreptitiously sent to the OC Register along with defamatory statements about Don’s character that the Register admitted could not be verified. Moreover, IVC President provided the only real evidence in the story, and it proved that the allegations against Don were false. So, the next time you want to try to rely on lame and unsupported allegations in a bogus complaint, be careful what you wish for. The last time I checked, our judicial system required an individual to prove the charges in Court by at least a preponderance of the evidence. You may try to convict Don in the court of public opinion (well at least among your lefty brethren on here), but he’ll be laughing all the way to the Assembly in November.
I invited Wagner to speak at the Prop 19 town hall/debate on Sept 11th so we can go off on his paranoid rant about Prop 19 being the gateway legislation to ushering in an immoral, unChristian society. (Dogs sleeping with cats, whorehosues on every street corner, et al.) He never answered the call, so we have Alexandra Datig, CEO of High Road Consulting (I wish I was kidding) and John Redman, Director of Californians for a Drug Free Youth debating Judge Jim Gray and two pro legalization Episcopal priests, The Very Rev. Scott A. Richardson and The Rev. Canon Mary Moreno Richardson of St Paul’s Cathedral in San Diego, instead.
Well, Judge Gray’s a Wagner supporter, so I guess some individuals can agree to disagree and still manage to be civil.
Newbie,
Weird! I wonder if Gray knows Wagner is committed to the drug war?
I’m sure Judge Gray is fully aware of his Drug Warrior stance. Anyway, let me state once again that this is the ONLY political blog in Orange County that has been supportive of our campaign (Prop 19) despite our partisan differences on a few issues. Big thanks to Art, Vern and the rest of the heavyweight gang at the OJB 🙂
Art,
I’m sure they’re both aware of their respective stances. I don’t think it’s weird, I just think they agree that there are other important issues they agree on and can put aside their differences in support of common causes. I know that’s unusual in this political climate, but I respect both for it.
“High” Road Consulting. LOL. You can’t make this stuff up.
How come Don’s holding that feather-duster?
Roy,
I am awful at photoshop! That was supposed to be a red lightsaber. Only the bad guys get the red ones…
Art,
I’ll defend your Photoshopping skills. While I disagree completely with the story, the Vader light saber was very evident to me.
Newbie,
Gracias!
BTW, Fuentes is not “wreaking havock” on the South County cc. He is, however, wreaking havoc upon it. It is, dear sir, havoc that he wreaks. Not “havock.”
Roy,
LOL! I blew that one. Teabonics! A mixture of havoc and hammock, as in go get back in your hammock Tom, you are causing too much havoc!
Here is Ms. Datig’s profile: http://www.fiveyearsfromnow.net/Alex.html. She also runs organizations like “Five Years from Now” and the anti-Prop 19 site (not the official one) Nip It in the Bud 2010 (http://www.nipitinthebud2010.org).
I need some bud right now…not of the Aneheuser Busch strain.
You know, I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. I don’t think Don has this in the bag at all. He BARELY won in a four way race, getting only 33% of the Republican vote. He isn’t really campaigning. His backers aren’t the best examples of Liberty Republicans to say the least. I meet people on a daily basis who hear about my platform and say “goodie, now I don’t have to vote for Don!” and Melissa is gaining steam. I think this is going to be a very close election, and Don’s lack of willingness to participate in campaigning events, public forums where his views will be questioned, and engage the non-Republican population will be a big factor. I wish the debate were at an earlier date, Vern, but this is the best we could do. Perhaps we can arrange even another one on an earlier date. Know of any good venues? Maybe the water district? If Melissa is up for it, I think we may be able to get it going for September also.
I’ve been thinking about this all day, too, Deb. I think I’ll make it a special cause to shame John Campbell, Don Wagner and Ken Calvert into coming out to defend their positions in front of voters this fall or be known as chickens. To be fair maybe I’ll include Loretta, Lou and Jose – I’m not sure if Van Tran etc are trying to set up debates with them or not. And I’ll talk to the Melissa camp, see if we can find something in September, Oct 27 is just way too late.
Don is a great guy and will make a fabulous assemblymember if elected in November. The 70th is a tough district for Democrats to win…my prediction is Wagner wins by 20%…but whether he is a lock or not, I am sure Don will be out there in front of the voters. I know for certain that his campaign knocked on more doors and talked to more voters in my town of Lake Forest than any other candidate. I expect nothing less from him in the next few months and the following years if he is fortunate enough to earn the votes of 70th district residents.
Michelle Malkin endorsed Don Wagner? This is the same author that tried to justify the internment of Japanese American citizens during WWII. First he accepts the endorsements of Latino bashers like Arpaio and now the Japanese with Malkin who happens to be Filipina….unless she suffers from Allanmansoor-itis.
What does Don do, what has he done, to get the attention of controversial national figures like Malkin and Arpaio? This guy is scary.
No, scary is something like the current administration that is worshipped in China. I was there during the Oba-Mao tour this past November and I regret not grabbing an Oba-Mao t shirt complete with a picture of our glorious President depicted wearing a worker’s cap. Unfortunately, they were banned the next day and instantly pulled off of the shelves – guess they were afraid that the truth about their hero might hurt him in the long run.
Don is a solid guy with solid credentials, sorry if you think that crazy.
I’m sure he’s a really nice guy and all, and of course we all regret his personal tragedy, as we’ve repeatedly said. It’s just a whole lot of his political positions that I have a big problem with. I could list some of them.
But it would just be really nice, and respectful of democracy and south-county citizens, for him to lay out his positions in public contrast with Melissa and Debbie. I don’t think that’s asking much.
Vern,
I know you vehemently disagree with Don on his politics, and you’re entitled. But do you really think he hasn’t laid out his positions to the public? Have you checked his website with an “Issues” link with 9 issues and how he stands? And let’s be honest, Don’s beliefs are more in line with the voters in the 70th than Ms. Fox’s or Ms. Tharp’s. That’s why the primary was effectively the general election. With that said, knowing Don, he will not sit on his laurels and he will be just as tireless walking the district to meet the people and discuss his issues face-to-face.
OC voters deserve to hear Don lay out his positions, and those be criticized by Melissa and Debbie, and him defending them. And Melissa laying out her positions… etc. etc.
I know we’ve become unused to democracy in this County, but we here at the OJ aim to be a big part of fixing that problem.
if you’re a friend of Don’s, Newbie, please pass these sentiments on to him. We’re going to demand the same of Loretta Sanchez, John Campbell, Lou Correa, Ken Calvert, and Jose Solorio.
He’ll have a turkey frame if he gets one of these three to endorse him
Orly Taitz
Jim Gilchrist
The Rev. Lou Sheldon
Currently awaiting the following endorsements:
Tom Metzger
former Atlanta Braves relief pitcher John Rocker
Ann Coulter
Maggie Gallagher
Bob Dornan
*Guess you guys forgot that his son just died…..and that he was contemplating – not
running at all. Everyone begged him to stay.
Picking on the “solid Republicans” that support Don is a worthless endeavor. Picking on
those so-called moderate “New OC Repulicans” – we can get behind as well.
Hopefully, Don has just gathered all the usual Aristocats….for the election and will smartly
vote on his own – from there. It will be interesting to see.
rw
Ron,
I knew someone would mention that. Look, we all feel bad for the guy, but he is running and as such he is fair game. He chose to list these lame endorsers. He has to live with that.
His son read our blog by the way, and was a fan. His lost will be felt for years to come.
For the record, I am the furthest thing from an Obama supporter. I could discuss my mutualist economic theories (aka real free market economics) with Don Wagner or any of his supporters, which would make your (read Republican Party members) so-called version of “capitalism” (it’s really corporatism) look like a Soviet style system by comparison. But I’d probably be called a socialist by him anyway because he and his supporters would not be able to comprehend the concept of a true free market with limited governance. Hell, the Republicans endorse wireless wiretapping anyway so the similarities between the potato liquor swillers of Cold War era Mother Russia and the GOP are not that far off.
Is this Guy Fawkes? Last call, bud.
Yes it is. “Behind the mask is an idea….and ideas are bulletproof!” 🙂
Besides, I never liked vodka anyway. Kentucky Bourbon was my drink of choice..
Shit…I meant warrantless wiretapping.
Warning: Too much Don Wagner is bad for your health
If he debates, he’ll merely spew the standard talking points–lower taxes, no to socialism, yes to God and families, and screw any sort of healthcare system. He will just puke out that crap several times, then go out for drinks.
Does his debate appearance come with the complimentary sick bags?
Looking at this race…if was down to the major party candidates, voting for my two cats is looking more appealing everyday.
cute. but I’m still waiting for a substantive criticism of the Fabulous Ms Fox.
yes of course, but he will have two articulate people there with microphones responding in real time – and that’s proper American democracy!
Thanks Vern,
I will be talking to the debate supporters in a few hours. I am betting it will be possible to do two debates for assembly, and maybe senate too. Looking for locations right now…
Someone up there mentioned that it was wierd that Don had supporters who didn’t agree with all of his positions. This is generally how it works out in politics. I think in Don’s case, it has a lot to do with the fact that he is thought by many to be a genuinely decent man. He asked me a while back why I was in this race if I felt the same way, and considered him to be a great candidate on so many issues. The truth is, he is great, but I don’t support all of his issues, and I especially don’t support many of his endorsements. I think the people deserve to have a better alternative, and I think that a lot of people who like Wagner on a personal level who like Wagner on a personal level will not vote for him on a political level.
Debbie.
Don Wagner is a decent man and I gladly supported him in multiple campaigns.The fact that Vern has posted this story is not to be misinterpreted that Don has even seen it. In addition to my posts where I mention an elected official, be it our local city council or staff, to the governor and president Obama, I send an email directly to them (if I can find their email address). Both Vern and Art can confirm this comment to be truthful.
I didn’t post this story. It was Art. But please go ahead and send a link to Don if you can, that’s a good idea. We would just like to hear him debate Melissa and Debbie.
Brother Vern.
No excuse. I am under the weather and was too lazy to see the post author.
It might have been the party for Bruce on Saturday. No, I was ill before that date
Are you suggesting, Larry, that I should send this posting to Don, so that he knows why I am in the race, even though I think he is a decent man? I actually told him this already, in person, but if you think he needs to hear it again, I will gladly email him. This is, as Don well knows, a political race, not a girl scout meeting, and I will gladly take what I am dishing out. I think that my opponents are refusing to directly address me because their campaign managers consider it a smarter idea to marginalize and ignore me than to directly attack me on my issues. That is the usual modus operandi when a Libertarian joins the race. It may not work this time, seeing as I am running a real campaign and the general public is so completely disillusioned with the one party system. Perhaps we should just email all of the postings that mention Don directly to him? Do you have his political email address?
Oh, and also, to Ron and Anna, you said “*Guess you guys forgot that his son just died…..and that he was contemplating – not running at all. Everyone begged him to stay.” Well, guess what? I was one of those people. Not all fiscal conservatives are as socially liberal as I am, and they deserve to have the best representation for their opinions as well. Don is the best representation for those people. I simply argue that they are not the majority of this district anymore. Do not mistake my attacking Don on a political level as me being insensitive to his loss. Personal tragedies aside, I am sure he is a strong person, and I will not treat him as less. To do so would be an insult to his character.
Debbie. Having assisted underdogs get elected I have no issue with anyone, yourself included, challenging an incumbent or a frontrunner in the campaign to debate the issues.
My point about Don is that we do not read every word posted in the media that mentions us such as one of my Mission Viejo nemesis, blackballed from the OJ, who trashes me on his own blog every so often.
I don’t waste my time reading his blog posts. In fact some of his comments may have appeared on Red County. The fact that I do not respond is quite simple. How can I respond when I don’t even read the Red County blog or the allegations they post.
Debbie. I just checked out your web site where you address a few issues.
Knowledge of issues is the easy part. How do you plan to bring “outsourced” jobs back to CA?
Education. You correctly point out how well our Universities rank yet not K-12. Did you ever consider that we have a roughly 50% drop out in some school districts such as LAUSD? Might that have anything to do with our poor national K-12 ranking? Of course it does. So what’s your point? Just a few quick observations of your web site.
PS: I admit voting for a Libertarian colleague. Art Olivier over Arnold for his second term. Just to point out that I can move outside the GOP box when I don’t like the choice.
Hey GF,
Didn’t Tom Metzger run as a Democrat back in the day?
Dwight
and this proves… (come on, waiting for some dramatic comeback…)
If memory serves me correct, I believe he did. Which goes to show that there is room for all kinds of assorted nutcases in any political party’s “big tent.” And this is exact reason why I refuse to be sucked into party politics or affiliate myself with a party. Even the party that is close to representing my beliefs (Libertarian) I tend to shy away fromk because of their of the infiltration of some pro-war Republicans (won’t mention any names…BC) who joined for the sole purpose of smoking weed or supporting same sex marriage.
My biggest qualm with Melissa Fox is that she is using some of the same buzzwords to try to appeal to the voters such as “secure borders” where she did not make clear her position and “public safety is non-negotiable” which pretty much tells me she’ll comply with the wishes of law enforcement and their powerful lobbies. Yeah, yeah, I know she said she supports Prop 19 which is fine and dandy, but it feels more like pandering for the youth vote than her actual beliefs. As I read her blog entries, she tells me that she supports ceasing off shore drilling (which is fine with me since I believe we should look at using alternative sources for fuel including…dare I say it….INDUSTRIAL HEMP!), public education, marriage equality and abortion rights. But other than a few flowery blog entires that offered no real specifics or policy solutions, I just don’t feel that there is much substance behind the rhetoric that would convince me to vote for her. Or so my gut feeling tells me. Which seems to be very common in partisan politics and the exact reason why I don’t affiliate myself in partisan politics or politicians.
As far as her fundraising events go, she has held them at places where the working class, who the Democrats claim to represent in the rheotric and various policy papers, would not be able to afford to go. C’mon, The Bluewater Grill at the District in Tustin? Really? Does she not see the disconnect there between her rhetoric and her actions? At least Chuck DeVore hosted a pizza party for a fundraiser (I’d like an extra cheesy slice please Mr. DeVore). Didn’t vote for him, but he at least made an attempt to try to appeal to everyday folks with his one publicized fundraiser with Andrew Breitbart, who most likely made an appearance via satelite. That is more than I can say those other cavalcade of comedic characters in various races.
At least with Don Wagner, I know where he stands and frankly, nice guy or not, I really don’t want anything to do with his vision. Unless someone can convince me otherwise, my two cats are looking more and more appealing for the 70th AD seat everyday. Ms. Fox may be “fabulous” to you, but I see nothing really fabulous about having a choice between two empty suits. Because after all, an empty suit is still an empty suit no matter how much you try to justify its existence and usefulness.
But then again, what the hell do I know anyway? I’m the same guy that voted for someone whose cremated ashes are spread throughout the lush green Woody Creek, CO countryside for OC Sheriff. (Hunter S. Thompson for those unfamiliar with the greatest literary artist/wordsmith of the 20th century)
I know she said she supports Prop 19 which is fine and dandy, but it feels more like pandering for the youth vote than her actual beliefs
Well, I know better. She and I and her husband have had extensive conversations on this, and HE and I are the driving force behind getting the Dem. Party of OC to endorse the initiative (we’ll find out on the 23rd if we’re successful. As in so many political dramas it’s the grass roots versus cautious timid insiders.)
I’m eagerly awaiting to hear what the OCYD will do tonight. A source from Beth Krom’s campaign told me that they (the OCYD) convinced the state YD to endorse the initiative. Which means more names to add to the software database of supporters. Oh damn!
If Krom comes out and supports Prop 19, would she be willing to introduce a resolution to have the Irvine City Council endorse the initiative? After all, she still is a councilmember. If I run into her at OC Pride this weekend, you can be damn sure I will aks her that question.
Do you think this swell of support will eventually seep into the brains of Boxer, DiFi and Brown? Or better yet Obama, Biden and co? Knowing that Biden and Lieberman (back when he was a Democrat) were two of the biggest supporters of the Drug War back in the day (and still are), you can see why my optimism towards full Democratic Party support is very wary. Having been with this campaign since its beginning stages (and a 23 year legalization activist to boot), I have had more than my fair share of trouble convincing the older establishment “progressives” to support this initiative. I knew what to expect with the older social conservative Republicans with their adherence to the “reefer madness” proproganda, but the lack of knowledge of the actual subject and the issues surrounding legalization from the older progressives was astounding and surprising. Especially since a good percentage of these folks that I have met with consider themselves to be committed to “social justice” and “humanitarian” issues and a few of them even asked me what does ending the Drug War have to do with social justice.
I’ll give the younger people from both parties and the members of this blog credit. They seem to be in tune with the failure of this current prohibition policy, are encouraging an open and honest dialogue on this issue on their blog and are making an effort to change it. Whic is more than I can say about Jerbal, the Dead County Drug Warrior and his complaint competition from that “other” blog run by DC (not the comic book company).
I know how frustrating the Democratic Party is. I live in it. It seems the general tendency is the Republicans get further and further batshit-crazy-rightwing, and then the Democrats, far from balancing that off, tack farther rightward themselves, because THAT’S WHERE THE BIG MONEY IS.
But the grassroots of the Party is full of people like me, liberal libertarians. And we’re trying hard to make it OUR party.
Here’s how it’s been. There are two of these things (illustration) –
…fighting each other. One is quite methodically destroying the universe. The other seems to be confused, between its desire to destroy the other monster and its natural tendency to also want to destroy the universe. Some of us notice that there seems to be different people fighting over the controls to the second monster. Some of us notice there’s a ladder where we can climb up into the second monster and take it over. That’s kind of where us Progressive Democrats are at right now.
GF,
The drug war has killed 28,000 Mexicans in just the past year. Untold thousands of American minorities are in jail as well. And our state is spending more on the prison budget than on education.
Voting for Prop. 19 is the very least we can do to start ending the failure that is our drug war.
Art, that stat does not surprise me in the least having seen the effects of the Drug War up close and personal. I remember telling someone at my church about the Drug Policy Alliance study where it showed that more Caucasians use marijuana than African Americans. Yet, the incarceration rates among African Americans for marijuana possession (a non violent crime) is greater than Caucasians.
If that isn’t a call for change and for the interfaith community to rally behind this proposition, I don’t know what it will take. More deaths, more overcrowded prisons?
Art. You will also be happy to know that The Rev. Canon Mary Moreno Richardson of St. Paul’s Cathedral in San Diego will be one of the panelists along with Judge Gray at our Prop 19 town hall Q&A at Irvine United Congregational Church. She is a longtime critic of the Drug War and the first Latina to be ordained by the San Diego Episcopal Diocese. We hope all of the OJB staff will attend.
Oh, hey Larry, I just read your comment. Thanks for the personal response. I don’t read Red County much either. It’s hard to keep up with all the blogs. This blog is by far my favorite.
So you had a couple of questions, I will try to answer, as always, I ask your permission to post the content on my website as it helps me to keep observers more informed of my positions.
You said: “How do you plan to bring “outsourced” jobs back to CA?” This is a big one. I answered this in my response to Melissa’s attack on offshore oil drilling on my website. The problem here is that California has so many regulations that it creates a business unfriendly environment. I am not one of those Libertarians who thinks that we need to live in a completely unregulated capitalist economy to work, but I think that regulations should be limited to the mere purpose of protecting persons and property and preventing monopoly. I have spoken to many small business owners who are just tired of dealing with the hassle and the taxes. Every time a small business shuts down because they can’t afford the tax burden or a large business shuts down because it can outsource to an environment that is less hassled, everyone suffers, including the new employees at the overseas sweatshops who work under no regulations what so ever. We have actively chased business out of California, rather than just let it go or failed to woo it, and the only way to bring it back is to start cutting red tape. I believe that Melissa’s attitude toward off shore drilling reflects her attitude toward business in general, whatever her website says.
In addition, out of control environmentalism will be the downfall of this state and must be stopped. This can be seen in the example of the San Joaquin valley, where the water has been shut off to protect a non native fish. The environmental impact is severe. The impact on our food supply is severe. The impact on the wildlife in the valley is severe. We must consider the unintended consequences of such regulations and control our knee jerk responses. Farms are collapsing, families are losing their property and business is closing across the valley. Chasing away business this way will result in the economic collapse of our state, and ultimately, opportunism from less than conscientious businesses and lawmakers as desperation sets in. Yes, I AM saying that we have to cut some of the ridiculous environmental regulations and business taxes in order to PROTECT our environment in the long run.
You said: “Education. You correctly point out how well our Universities rank yet not K-12. Did you ever consider that we have a roughly 50% drop out in some school districts such as LAUSD? Might that have anything to do with our poor national K-12 ranking? Of course it does. So what’s your point?” Yes, I have considered our drop out rate. As a matter of fact, I mention it almost every time I speak about education. My point is that competition is what makes our collegiate educational system so fantastic, and competition is exactly what is lacking in our K-12 system. Our collegiate system doesn’t suffer from the same government imposed stranglehold that our K-12 system suffers from. Our K-12 system is suffering as a direct result of government interference and regulation, the same as our economy.
My point is, Larry, that both the Republicrats and the Demicans see more laws and more regulations as the answer to our failing empire. I see the truth, which is that unless we start doing away with these overreaching laws, regulations and interfering policies, our nation will choke to death on its own red tape.
You said: “PS: I admit voting for a Libertarian colleague. Art Olivier over Arnold for his second term. Just to point out that I can move outside the GOP box when I don’t like the choice.”
Good to know. I am now actively pursuing your vote! 😀
Debbie,
You know that NONE of our colleges, community or otherwise, offer safety programs. There is a HUGE need for safety engineers that is being unmet. Bilingual safety engineers are especially needed, in all industries.
But the Rancho Santiago Community College District spent MILLIONS on a deputy Sheriff training academy, even though the OC is withing thirty minutes of half a dozen such schools. Amazing.
Debbie. I have endorsed Don. In addition we do not live in the same AD.
While you reference Melissa I have not read all of the comments on this post so I am in the dark as to her remarks.
Outsourcing of jobs did not happen yesterday. In 1991 I spoke at an international electronics conference in which I addressed Maquiladora manufacturing in Mexico which preceeded the flood of jobs to Asia. We live in a shrinking world and must compete internationally. You can thank organized labor and their contracts with big wages and benefits for accelerating the departure of American jobs. The same is true for all major corporations where they focus on ROI for their investors. Take a trip around the country and look at all the closed steel mills to get a clue. Some jobs will NEVER return.
Larry is right about the lost jobs. Many companies I work with have outsourced all production overseas. Now they keep only one warehouse open, to receive goods from overseas and ship them out to U.S. outlets.
The key is going to be for Americans to learn new jobs that are relevant in this new economy.
Co-ops and mutual aid societies should be staples of a new free market economy instead of the corporatism we have now. I think we could learn a lot from the way the American Indians lived before our government interned them to the reservations. The closest model I have seen in this country when it comes to an anarcho-mutualist economy would be the traveling bands of Deadheads that would travel to see The Grateful Dead in concert selling their wares to others in the community. I’ve met a lot of uptight Wall Street types, but the vendors at Dead concerts were some of the happiest, sane laid back people I’ve ever met. I’m sure taking a few hits from the bong had something to do with it, but is it really a bad thing to partake?
Another good model would be Clifton’s Cafeteria in Los Angeles or the various independent grocery and cafe co-ops in Minneapolis/St Paul (where I went to college). Their business models has been successful for many, many years despite the changes around them. They never “sold out to corporate interests and have remained run by a family or mebers of the co-operatives. Never met an uptight onwer or manager from that bunch either.
Art,
just a brief point of information. Not all of the people listed as Wagner’s endorsers continue to endorse him. For instance, here at the South Orange County Community College District, we are painfully aware that Wagner and fellow trustee Tom Fuentes–an early Wagner endorser–had a HUGE falling out nine or ten months ago (over support of our then-Chancellor) and they’ve been seriously at odds ever since. Board meetings are tension-filled and the Ronny Reagan Board Room (I kid you not) typically reeks of sulphur. (That’s Fuentes.)
I’ve given Wagner credit (on my blog) for defying “Big Foot” Fuentes and doing what’s right for the district, despite the invevitable Fuentean fury unleashed in the midst of Don’s Assembly primary campaign. Don may be a right wing lunatic (he really hates when I call ’em that; he can be pretty humorless about gibes and criticisms), but he does have his good points.
Don’s smart, and so I’ve always assumed that some of his position excesses reflect pragmatism, not his actual views. But it is difficult to defend and explain his cozying up to the Tea Party crowd. Either he believes their crap–in which case, he ain’t so smart after all–or he’s way cynical. Way.
No?
Roy,
I was in that same machine years ago. Few people actually believe all that BS. They just parrot it because they are Republicans and that is how it works.
Interesting news re Fuentes and Wagner’s now frosty relationship. Fuentes can cause trouble but since he was ousted from the OC GOP leadership he is more of a figurehead than a real leader. This is Scott Baugh’s party now and he and the boys are firmly behind Wagner.
I wish more Republicans would stand up to the BS in their party. Sadly, they won’t. Their party is doomed because of that. I figure by 2016 they will be the new Whigs…
*As all can see….Don is going to win this seat…going away! We suppose the biggest
question is….who will be supporting him “after he wins”? A couple of thought balloons for
our deaf friend Lorenzo and our alter ego “Deborah”: Outsourced jobs can be stopped
immediately…if the the Congress had “the juevos” to tax American Companies that move
their manufacturing facilities “out of the country” or “outsource to foreign climes” sub-contract
work. In many cases…it is only to get the goods closer to the foreigners…..rather than
dealing with labor unions. Pappa Lorenzo, there is little doubt that the American Auto
Manufacturers – in league – with the AFL – CIO made if almost impossible to support labor,
pension and health insurance programs for Detroit. There were more people moving to
Detroit for jobs that there were jobs. People were standing in line to work part-time! It
was the likes of Ford & GMC that were more than happy to move their Truck Manufacturing
Facilities to Guadalara, Mexico in the 70’s and 80’s. Did the price of the F-150 fall like a
rock even though the pay scale was 1/5th of Detroit City? Not likely folks…..no Ford,
GM and Chrysler were all doing the Mexican two step. Now it is the Chinese Fire Drill……..
Meanwhile, tell us about all the Right Hand Drive Vehicles that our American Auto Makers
refused to make for Australia and Japan? They didn’t want to sell those trucks to those
people…they wanted the big bucks in the gold old USA. Ever heard of Hedge Funds and
Derivatives? How about the early years?
rw
Art, Good point. One has to wonder what the impetus was for Rancho Santiago Community College District to do this?
Larry, Too bad you’re not in my district. I don’t mind that you have endorsed Don, you can always change your mind! That’s politics. 😀 It is interesting you mentioned your speech in 1991. I had a similar engagement that year as a young college student on the debate team. I lost in the first round because I started foaming at the mouth when I found out how NAFTA was going to result in outsourcing of our best jobs. What I predicted that day came true, and your right, we are now all dealing with those consequences. As far as taking a trip around the country, well Larry, I was an over the road truck driver for eight years, from 1996 to 2004, and in the immortal words of Jonny Cash…”I been every where man.” I have definitely seen it. I have a tour of Detroit on my website. You should check it out. What you described… you are exactly right.
Had the Libertarian party been in power, this wouldn’t have happened. Scratch that… Had ANYONE but the crooked Republicrats and Demicans been in power, this wouldn’t have happened. Ok, I’m going overboard there, the Communist party may have managed to do more damage… I don’t know. Perhaps I shouldn’t answer these comments at one in the morning and after a full day of talking to business owners who tell me that they don’t know how they are going to hang on for another year…You’re right, Larry. When those jobs go away, they are probably never going to come back.
Maybe we really can develop green jobs and tout the quality of our manufacturing. Perhaps people will consider it worth paying the higher price. I think, however, that Rancho Santiago Community College District’s decision to invest in the deputy sheriff training program is indicative of a darker future economy. Perhaps they are onto the fact that our new economy will be based on enforcement of a police state and an overbearing federal and state government which is more interested in perpetuating it’s own interests, than in protecting the rights and liberties of a free population.
I’m just saying…
Ron & Anna, How did I become your alter ego? You think I would have noticed that or something? Maybe felt the squeeze in my already overloaded brain as I have so much ego in there already? All kidding aside, your protectionist idea to tax the dreaded outsourcers MIGHT work, but it is a moot point as you won’t ever convince any Republicrat or Demican to do that. They are too much in bed with the corporations to care at this point, and laughing at you all the way to the bank. I think that labor unions can have their place in a free market, but they become a problem when they get too much power.
Truth is, we wouldn’t be worrying about all these pensions, or “unfunded liabilities” as my good college Mike Binkley (48th district congressional) likes to say, if we hadn’t chased all of our funding out of the state in the first place. With all due respect, Don is NOT going to win this race. The establishment is going down. EVERYONE I talk to now is AWAKE… Eyes wide open. This is no longer a Republican district. Not by a long shot. Here are the demographics, as of 2009,
42.99% Republican
30.02% Democratic&
23.02% Decline to State. Believe me, that 23% decline to state is PISSED! And, as of 2010, even more voters have moved away from the Republicrat party. Now, consider the fact that Don only won his party’s nomination by 900 some odd votes in a squeaker of a four way race, that many Republicrats are pissed that he won, and that Scott Baugh is losing support on a daily basis because of his smarmy backroom dealings and empty pandering to the radical fringe, and you have even more who’s who of lame duck Republicrats for his support.
Don has MAYBE and guaranteed 25% of the Republican vote in a three way race against a Democrat who won 75% of her party’s nomination. (Now don’t go gettin’ all teary eyed on me, Vern. I just call it like I see it.) Combine that with a Libertarian who is actually out there campaigning, instead of crunching numbers in front of a computer as my Greenie friend likes to say, and I smell a good time on the ol’ campaign trail! Fun for all. It’s a nice psychological ploy, trying to convince the prey that they are dead before the chase even starts, but you have the wrong of it when you say that the Republicrat party will continue to rule in the OC; and those angry, disillusioned Republican, Democrat and especially Decline to state voters smell blood in the water.
Just remember, after this election is over… it not you against me, it’s all of us against an overreaching, tyrannical federal government. We’re in this together. Should I be elected, my first order of business will be to tell Washington to get the hell out of our businesses, schools and homes and I’ll support Don or Melissa, if they remember that too.