Candidates
Emerald vs. Ethics Commission, “Anonymous” vs. San Diego Republican Party
Emerald vs. Ethics Commission
So the “Troubleshooter” doesn’t like it when the shoe is on the other foot. As investigations from the Ethics Commission move her closer and closer to a large fine for various violations, Emerald is going to have the gall at the next meeting to “openly challenge the ethics panel over an enforcement action” while at the same time “her argument isn’t that she is innocent”. This is delightful. I think anyone who watched the “Troubleshooter” over the years knows she was Judge, Jury, and Executioner… right or wrong. Now that the shoe is on the other foot, listen to the squeal. My key question: in what looks like a Republican year will the scandals finely catch up with her?
Chula Vista Watch: A Special Endorsement
by Hon. Larry Breitfelder
Recently I shared with you two endorsements that are very special to me. Supervisor Ron Roberts for (among other things) his extraordinary accomplishments in governmental reform at the County and Former Chula Vista Police Chief Bill Winters for his legacy of personal integrity and always putting the public interest ahead of the selfish special interest agendas that are so influential today.
In addition, the endorsement of Congressman Brian Bilbray has a unique personal significance for me because he is why I became a Republican in the mid 90’s. I was brought up in a staunch Democrat household and until about the age of 30, I considered myself free market, strong defense JFK sort of Democrat. Over time that became a lonely and unpopular thing to be, but I guess I didn’t have the imagination to look further.
Fair or Unfair Use of Anonymous Speech
The internet has added another layer to politics. Anonymous political commentary, long an American tradition, has had a rebirth. I would argue that anonymity has an important place in political discussion, but that we as a community need to decide exactly what that place is.
My opinion is that anonymity is appropriate if the topic of the commentary is controversial enough to cause trouble to the writer. Thus, for me, who goes by the pseudonym “Criticus” given my penchant for discussing internal matters of the Republican Party, I have no doubt that my employer might be nervous about retaliation when I am critical. Whether or not such retaliation is probable is not the point, the point is that this is my protection from grief.
Freshman Democrat Assemblyman Martin Block will face a challenge this year as Rick L. Powell and Emma Turner filed preliminary papers this week to seek the GOP nomination in the 78th Assembly distriict.
Shirley Horton won the seat for the GOP in 2002 and held it 6 years until term-limited. Block got the 78th in the Obama wave of 2008, but has lagged in fundraising so far this cycle.
Emma Turner of Spring Valley is an elected member of the La Mesa Spring Valley school board and winner of 2 elections there. She is a psychologist and retired US Naval officer. She has a PhD in psychology and a Master’s in Human Relations.
A Defense of Proposition 13 Revenues
A Defense of Proposition 13 Revenues
by Richard Rider, Chairman, San Diego Tax Fighters
When it comes to gathering sufficient property taxes, Prop 13 is no problem at all — except for profligate spenders.
Look at the history of our own San Diego County — a history which pretty much reflects the history of property taxes in the urban/suburban counties that hold over 90% of California’s population.
According to the SD County Tax Assessor, in 1977 — the year BEFORE Prop 13 took effect — our countywide property tax revenue was about $639 million. For this past 30 June concluding 2008-2009 fiscal year, our county assessor is projecting revenues of $4.656 BILLION. For every property tax dollar collected in 1977, the county today collects $7.29.
UPDATE: CA vs. other states 1/26/10
Breaking Bad: California vs. the Other States
by Richard Rider, Chairman, San Diego Tax Fighters
Version 1.57 Revised 26 January, 2010
Phone: 858-530-3027
Here’s a depressing comparison of California taxes and economic climate with the rest of the states. The news is breaking bad, and getting worse (I keep updating this article):
California has the 3rd worst state income tax in the nation. 9.55% tax bracket at $46,349. 10.55% at $1,000,000
http://www.taxfoundation.org/files/bp59_es.pdf
By far the highest state sales tax rate in the nation. 8.25%. 7% is next highest (does not include local sales taxes)
http://www.taxfoundation.org/files/bp59.pdf Table #15
SDUSD first PLA bid contract a complete disaster
RICHARD RIDER COMMENT: Reality comes home to roost in the SD Unified School District. See the press release below.
Will the Three Union Stooges on the SDUSD school board notice? Or care? Or change their moronic PLA policy?
Answers: Yes, no and no.
For Immediate Release
February 5, 2010
Contact:
Eric Christen
858-431-6337
WINNING BID IS FROM LOS ANGELES COMPANY AND 35% OVER BUDGET!
Big Labor Promises of “On Budget” and of
“Local Jobs” Ring Hollow as Bid is Awarded on First Prop. S Project with PLA
Giving Credit where Credit is Due!
I must give credit to the North County Times editorial board for having the integrity and honor to very boldly publish a correction for a previously published misleading piece. They didn’t hide it on the page two “corrections” blurb, they put it right out there in the editorial section where the error occurred. If this type of responsive and admirable journalistic character and integrity were the norm in the mainstream media, I believe the public would have far more respect for it, and they would have far more credibility with the public. Thank you North County Times for doing the right thing. You make me proud to be a subscriber and occasional Community Forum contributer!
“Demon Sheep”
Has anyone else seen the “Demon Sheep” Youtube video released by the Fiorina for United States campaign attacking Tom Campbell, also running for the seat. The video is a pretty good example of how over-the-top political advertising rarely works: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yo7HiQRM7BA
DeMaio Opposition to Mayor/Council Pay Hike
Councilmember Carl DeMaio issued the following statement in reaction to the recommendation to raise Mayor and City Councilmember salaries from the City’s Salary Setting Commission: “I urge the Mayor and City Council to reject these salary increases. The city faces a severe fiscal crisis – and our taxpayers are feeling the pinch of a rough economy. ”
“Furthermore, I call on the salary setting commission to examine reform to elected official pensions – which are the costliest and richest benefit packages of any city employee group. I would like to see reform of pensions for all city elected officials so we can lead by example.”
Yes, Being Moderate Certainly Sounds Good, But Maybe It’s Only A Sound
Lately, I’ve been hearing about how “the public doesn’t want the Far Left or the Far Right.” Supposedly, if Republicans take over the House and the Senate again in November, they should remember to be more moderate.
Yes, that always sounds good, to do things in moderation. But sometimes this is simply impossible for those who hold to standards with any degree of consistency. For example, if I believe abortion is murder, how do I moderate that position? It does not mix with the notion that abortion is not murder.
Baldwin hosting Amato show tonight, 9-11 PM, 1170 AM
I will be guest hosting tonight for Rick Amato once again, 9-11 PM, KCBQ, 1170 AM. My call- in guests are Mark Krekorian and Lance Izumi. Mark will come on shortly after 9 PM. He is the Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies, the nation’s foremost immigration reform group. We will discuss Obama’s dismantling of border security and his funding cuts for the Border Patrol. At 10 PM our guest will be Lance Izumi, Director of Education Studies at the Pacific Research Institute, one of California’s leading conservative think tanks. He will discuss charter schools, vouchers, the Obama education agenda and so forth. Of course, if there’s any time left over, there are plenty of other issues to discuss such as terrorism, Obama’s budget, the State of the Union speech, the lifting of the national debt, etc. Feel free to call in tonight. The call in number: 888-344-1170.
The predicted major challenges to County Supervisors Ron Roberts and Bill Horn are not apparent in the 1st round of campaign finance reports, SD Rostra can report tonight.
Ron Roberts (District 4) has a 6-1 edge in the vital Cash-on-Hand category ($101,087 to $17,643) compared to Assemblywoman Lori Saldana. Bill Horn (District 5) is even further ahead of Vista Councilman Steve Gronke. Bill Horn has $ 97,536 cash on hand, compared to just $2,114 for Councilman Gronke.
Roberts and Horn are both Republicans. Lori Saldana is a Democrat. Steve Gronke switched to “decline to state” (from Republican) last July.
The SD Union-Tribune ran this breathless headline in today’s edition:
———— COUNTY ASSESSOR RACE GETS NEW PLAYER —————-
The lead sentence gushed, “A new candidate has joined the race for
county clerk-recorder-assessor in a big way.” Their “new” candidate
is, “Fallbrook tax consultant Ernest Dronenburg”.
“Rostra” readers will remember Ernie’s candidacy was first reported
right here…. LAST YEAR (!) on December 11, 2009. That is 54 days
ago for the math minded. Here’s the link: http://sdrostra.com/?p=1600
In an abundance of courtesy, we’ll omit the name of the U-T reporter who
“broke” this story seven weeks after it was reported locally, and widely
discussed too, by the way.
Destroying the Family Is Key to Hindering Black America
Since the dawn of time, the heart of life has been family. Any other support unit envisioned is clearly unimaginable, albeit being existent in great quantities. The entity of family teaches individuals the cores of life and the values necessary to be successful during our time on earth. Having a stable one, particularly, with competent parents has proven to be the most viable recipe for human success and achievement. With family, individuals grow up with guidance and the basic foundation implanted in their minds to be successful, productive, and most importantly, happy. Unfortunately, the presence of a strong family unit is virtually nonexistent in the black community. This is spelled out in broken families that constitute Black America today, where the lack thereof of a stable familial unit is ever-present and sadly permeating with broken homes, single mothers, and abusive relationships. With the entrenched pattern of having the family unit destroyed, the act of moving forward and forging an industrious society in Black America will be absent and ever-troubling. What are the people of America to do if a key demographic is continually diminished and denigrated for being “unfortunate” because of the color of their skin?
A Raspberry for the Raspberry!
I was troubled by the “Raspberry” the NCTimes handed out to SANDAG the other day for a number of reasons. I have emailed them my concerns but doubt they’ll have the fortitude to publish any correction, so I’ll post here and you will know the accurate facts. It’s a shame the editorial Board couldn’t have the courage or courtesy to call and confirm their concerns… I guarantee you they have my phone number and email address… Too much trouble I suppose. The editorial is in italics, and my corrections are in bold:
Posted in Editorial on Monday, February 1, 2010 12:00 am Updated: 10:25 pm.| Tags: Editorials, Nct, Opinion
The Poizner For Governor Campaign Is Done
I don’t know about other readers, but I haven’t heard a good thing about the Poizner campaign’s erratic charges that Meg Whitman was Sopranos style threatening him in order to make him drop out of the race. Want to have some fun? Do what I did yesterday and call a few local Poizner supporters and ask them what they think. They are mortified. Frankly, I think this whole mess is important, and a good thing. The GOP came within a few months of potentially nominating a candidate, Poizner, with this kind of lack of common sense. But we didn’t. He blew up early. The campaign is now over for him – the only thing he can spare us is the endless tv ads and himself further embarrassment. Got this article from Poizner’s hometown newspaper several times in the email this morning and last night:
DeMaio Calls for Reform of Questionable City Bonus Program
DeMaio Calls For Reform of “Bid-to-Goal” Bonuses in Wake of Critical City Audit
After City Awards $28 Million in Bonuses, Audit Requested by DeMaio Finds $10.7 Million in Savings Were Over-Stated and 40% of Goals Were “Incorrectly Reported”
SAN DIEGO – In the wake of a city audit report that has found flaws and weaknesses in a controversial employee bonus program in the Utilities Department, City Councilmember Carl DeMaio called on the Mayor and City Council to enact comprehensive reforms of the program.
Campaign Money in Assembly 77 Race
The Republican candidates for Assembly 77 were required to report their campaign fundraising last night. I’d guess none of them was in a giant hurry to do so, given the lackluster numbers. Coming in on top was conservative Brian Jones with 21k. Next was Councilman Bill Wells with 13k. Moderate Christine Rubin didn’t even have to electronically file, which means her campaign is hardly flush with cash. This race is wide open. Will someone with the capacity to raise some money please consider running. We don’t need another Jay LaSuer keeping the seat out there warm.
For the Love of Israel
As a conservative and staunch supporter of the state of Israel (if you do not know or cannot tell, I’m Jewish), I feel it is imperative that Americans fight for Israel’s existence and being. Being a productive entity in this world, full of culture, and also a big supporter and ally of the U.S. (well, Obama is not exactly advocating for this great nation), Israel is very important in world affairs. It is constantly being threatened by those who hate its existence, deny the Holocaust and its devastation in the world, and those who wish for the death of Western Civilization.
I Guess Sticks and Stones Break Poizner’s Bones
We all enjoy the fun and games of politics, like public safety workers coming to doors during an election in “costume uniforms” during the recent special election here in Oceanside, but I got a press release from the Poizner for Governor campaign today that makes me think that the Commissioner, or maybe his staff, have lost their collective minds. In short, Poizner’s campaign has reported the Whitman campaign to the FBI, the US Attorney, and the AG for “threats and intimidation.” For the sweet love of all that is holy, Poizner wants to be GOVERNOR and he doesn’t even know the old rhyme by children sing about sticks and stones?
If I only had a brain…
A brilliant piece of commentary, in which San Diego News Room Founder David King quotes an Al Pacino character, knows that his dog Milhouse is more certain than the Labor Council , and asks, “With its only meaningful content coming from op-ed pieces, how is the U-T any different from a blog?” (SD Rostra will take that part as a compliment.)
Original article appeared 1/31/10 on San Diego News Room. Republished with permission of the author.
If I only had a brain…
Guest Column by DAVID KING
It’s Living Proof- We Need More Young Conservatives!
I just recently found out that I won an essay contest from the Conservative Agenda Project (CAP), which I discovered from The California Review editor Alec Weisman from a Collegiate Network editor’s conference. Originally, the contest was to have 25-35 winners to make up a book on how young conservatives talk to their peers about conservatism. Unfortunately, there were only six winners (although, I must add I’m fortunate to have won), including myself, and the book won’t be published as a result.
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