That writer accidently swerved into the truth with his effort to dismiss me, along with the concept of accountable and responsible government. I absolutely do not seek to reconcile or compromise with the liberal majority in the Legislature who have steered this state into a fiscal catastrophe. The liberal agenda is to take care of their pet special interests first, then turn to the taxpayers to somehow shoulder an ever-increasing tax load to pick up the tab.
Part of my job as a conservative Republican is to restructure priorities so that the state remains above water and the taxpayers can keep some of their hard earned money. Another part of that job is to provide voters a real choice for change. More of the same under a different party label is not a choice.
I have no desire to go to Sacramento as a “Republican Lite.” This may deeply disappoint certain people at the Merced Sun Star, but for the people of California it represents a path out of the seemingly intractable mess that the liberals have gotten us into.
My desire is to stop the flight of businesses from Taxifornia, and to stop the exodus of tax slaves who are moving in droves to other states to work and retire.
Registered Democrats are hurt by the current mess just as much as registered Republicans and Independents. If those voters put their party label ahead of their economic self interests, they will get the government they deserve. If they feel it’s finally time to vote for responsible government, I look forward to a victorious 2010 campaign.
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This past year has been a difficult one for many people in California and across the country. The economy is plowing through uncharted waters with the help of, I believe, a misguided Congress and its massive bailouts and Congressionally-induced housing crisis. The Democrats gained larger leads, to the consternation of Republicans everywhere, at both federal and state levels, making a federal triple play by winning the Presidency and the leadership of both the Senate and the House. In California, we still don’t have a balanced budget and the financial situation is as bleak as a foggy Valley day.
The silver lining, even though the Democrats are pursuing an end run around the state constitution with their budget shenanigans, is we still have enough Republicans in the Assembly and Senate to keep the Democrats from having the super majority they crave. Additionally, there are responsible Democrats in both houses who are willing to at least listen and consider our ideas. This silver lining is not enough to overcome what I believe, from both a business and societal perspective, will be a tough 2009.
What I believe we must do as Republicans is be ready for 2010. There will be opportunities during the next two years as the liberal agenda unfolds for the voters to consider the wisdom of Republican core values such as smaller government, individual responsibility, the right to life, and lower taxes. We must be ready to accurately tell people what Republicans believe and what we need to do to turn our state and country around as we work with like-minded Democrats to better California. We must be ready to hold our elected officials responsible for their votes and actions. They need to understand we expect them to be above reproach and concerned, first and foremost, with the long-term good of the country and California, not their personal agendas or their next elections.
It is my hope that as this year unfolds you will be blessed and be a blessing to others. Do not lose heart. There will be opportunities for us to turn the state back to the right path. California and the country will come out of this fiasco stronger and more resilient. Republicans, working with responsible Democrats, have to be ready to fill the leadership void which I believe will develop over the next two years.
My best wishes for you and your family as we begin this challenging New Year!
A wise man once said that the definition of insanity is to keep doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results.
Nothing could better illustrate the fiscal mess that the State of California is in today. We keep sending the same people to Sacramento, where the liberal legislative leaders continue to raise taxes to fund an ever-growing burden of salaries, benefit packages and plush retirement programs. It never ends. This year’s budget crisis will be repeated next year, the year after that, and into infinity, unless we make some radical changes in the make up of the Assembly and Senate.
One man, Senator Jeff Denham, stood up to the tax-and-spend Democrats last year, and those Democratic legislators retaliated by trying to recall him from office. What Senator Denham did showed character and courage.
Senator Denham needs more allies who will stand with him and show respect for you, the taxpayers. That is why I chose to run for the State Assembly. I am not interested in building a political career, and I am not beholden to the special interests that feed at the public trough. I will work with Senator Denham and like-minded fiscal conservatives to begin the difficult process of turning our State around.
I appreciate your vote and support. Together we can build a better, more secure future for our children and grandchildren.
of the Assembly and Senate.