Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/18030
6A – Daily News – Monday, October 18, 2010 Opinion Your vote is vital – register today D NEWSAILY RED BLUFF TEHAMACOUNTY T H E V O I C E O F T E H A M A C O U N T Y S I N C E 1 8 8 5 Greg Stevens, Publisher gstevens@redbluffdailynews.com Chip Thompson, Editor editor@redbluffdailynews.com Editorial policy The Daily News opinion is expressed in the editorial. The opinions expressed in columns, letters and cartoons are those of the authors and artists. Letter policy The Daily News welcomes let- ters from its readers on timely topics of public interest. All let- ters must be signed and pro- vide the writer’s home street address and home phone num- ber. Anonymous letters, open letters to others, pen names and petition-style letters will not be allowed. Letters should be typed and cannot exceed two double-spaced pages or 500 words. When several letters address the same issue, a cross section of those submit- ted will be considered for publi- cation. Letters will be edited. Letters are published at the discretion of the editor. Mission Statement We believe that a strong com- munity newspaper is essential to a strong community, creating citizens who are better informed and more involved. The Daily News will be the indispensible guide to life and living in Tehama County. We will be the premier provider of local news, information and advertising through our daily newspaper, online edition and other print and Internet vehi- cles. The Daily News will reflect and support the unique identities of Tehama County and its cities; record the history of its com- munities and their people and make a positive difference in the quality of life for the resi- dents and businesses of Tehama County. How to reach us Main office: 527-2151 Classified: 527-2151 Circulation: 527-2151 News tips: 527-2153 Sports: 527-2153 Obituaries: 527-2151 Photo: 527-2153 On the Web www.redbluffdailynews.com Fax Newsroom: 527-9251 Classified: 527-5774 Retail Adv.: 527-5774 Legal Adv.: 527-5774 Business Office: 527-3719 Address 545 Diamond Ave. Red Bluff, CA 96080, or P.O. Box 220 Red Bluff, CA 96080 Perhaps the greatest privilege of being an American citizen is the right to elect the officials who establish the laws and policies of government. In California the power to vote is even more potent because the state constitution also gives voters the power to directly enact laws and policies through the initiative process. To wield this power on Nov. 2 you must be regis- tered today by midnight. By so doing you can join the 30,600 currently registered voters in Tehama County to decide who will represent you in local, state, and fed- eral offices and help decide the outcome of nine initiative propositions. Any U.S. citizen living in California over 18 years of age is eligible to vote unless they are presently incarcerated or under parole, so unlike some states those convicted of felonies may otherwise vote. The most recent census data indicates that there were 61,138 people in Tehama County, of which 75 percent were of vot- ing age, and 5.4 percent were foreign born and not naturalized citizens. This means with the exception of those incarcerated or on parole that the county has 42,552 potential voters. Thus approximately 12,000 eligible voters will be able to par- ticipate in the upcoming election only if they register today. To register all one needs to do is put a completed and non-intrusive registration form in the Red Bluff post office mail slot by 4 p.m. or stop by the elections office at 444 Oak St. in Red Bluff, Room C by 5 p.m. with a driver’s license or provide the last four of digits of their social security number. There is no cost to vote, other than taking the time to register, determine your preferences, and complete the ballot. So, if you are not registered, incarcerated or on parole you must act today to use your vot- ing power and fulfill your duties as a U.S. citizen. Let this be the year you step-up to set the direc- tion of government rather than sit on the sidelines and defer this vital task to others. As motiva- tion please consider that count- less soldiers have died or suf- fered serious injuries to offer you this gift of citizenship and ability to shape your govern- ment. To neglect this simple responsibility is to render their sacrifices moot, as you accede to regulation without representa- tion, or in other words totalitari- anism. To the 13,562 republicans, 9,767 democrats, and 7,271 other voters now registered to vote in Tehama County I encourage you to not only vote in this and other elections but also to ask your neighbors to do the same. And please ask today if they are registered and help get them registered so they can also participate. You should in particular realize how vital and valuable voting is to the health and richness of our democracy. For those of you that have been follow- ing my column over the past several weeks you know why I support Jim Reed for U.S. Congress and the passage of Props 19, 20, and 25 and why I strongly oppose Props 23 and 27. Nonetheless, I encourage all voters to read the Official Voter Informa- tion Guide and come to your own deci- sions before voting. Please don’t give great weight to political pundits, television spots and campaign slogans as these often cleverly appeal to your emotions rather than your intellect, and may reflect only how much money has been invested to support special interests. Richard Mazzucchi Positive Point The influence of money in this election is unprecedented due to the recent Supreme Court deci- sion that extends constitutional freedoms of speech to corpora- tions, as if they have a life of their own. This decision has literally opened the floodgates of corpo- rate and other moneyed interests to influence the electorate with advertising from phantom non- profit organizations having disin- genuous names. The full extent of such egregious conduct is as yet unknown, but judging from the millions now being so spent on conservative cam- paigns, it is more important than ever that thinking Americans exercise their right to ensure ours is a government of the people and for the people rather than of the cor- porations for their profit. Wield it or yield it – the power to vote is yours to choose. Richard Mazzucchi is a retired research engineer specializing in energy efficiency and renewable energy. He has travelled extensively and now makes his home in Los Molinos, where he is striving to manifest a sustainable and spiritual lifestyle. He can be reached at living- green@att.net. Your officials STATE ASSEMBLYMAN — Jim Nielsen (R), State Capitol Bldg., Room 4164 P.O. Box 942849, Sacramento 94249; (916) 319-2002; Fax (916) 319- 2102 STATE SENATOR — Sam Aanestad (R), State Capitol Bldg., Room 2054, Sacramen- to, CA 95814. (916) 651-4004; Fax (916) 445-7750 GOVERNOR — Arnold Schwarzenegger (R), State Capitol Bldg., Sacramento, CA 95814; (916) 445-2841; Fax (916) 558-3160; E-mail: gover- nor@governor.ca.gov. U.S. REPRESENTATIVE — Wally Herger (R), 2635 Forest Ave. Ste. 100, Chico, CA 95928; 893-8363. U.S.SENATORS — Dianne Feinstein (D), One Post Street, Suite 2450, San Francisco, CA 94104; (415) 393-0707. Fax (415) 393-0710. Barbara Boxer (D), 1700 Montgomery St., Suite 240, San Francisco, CA 94111; (415) 403-0100. Fax (202) 224- 0454. Meet candidates – what a country! Commentary It says a lot for our political sys- tem that almost anyone can, with some effort, get to meet and shake the hands of candidates and repre- sentatives at bus tours, indoor appearances, festivals and our local Tea Party Patriots’ meetings. Your humble columnist has met and enjoyed brief interaction with Michael Steele (head of the Republican National Committee), Carly Fiorina (Republican candi- date for U.S. Senate), Wally Herg- er (our Republican Congressman) and Meg Whitman (Republican candidate for Governor). All in the last 10 days. We got notified that Mr. Steele’s "Fire Pelosi" bus tour and traveling rally would be in Redding at the Republican headquarters on Hill- top Drive. Though not a candidate himself, Michael Steele is heavily involved in many races for Senate and Congress, and is determined to help bring the expected massive Republican tide on November 2. He traveled with Ron Nehring, chairman, California Republican Party, and our own Jim Nielsen and Doug LaMalfa. Now, I’ve had less-than-kind words for Mr. Steele for some of his verbal political gaffes and inconstant defense of conservative positions and candidates. However, the man was on fire with a mission that the majority of Tehama Coun- ty voters will share: wrest control of Congress from the far-left agen- da of San Francisco Democrat Nancy "special Air Force jet privi- leges" Pelosi, and Harry "the war is lost/General Betray-us" Reid. One thing could not be denied: Michael Steele was among the more inspirational and command- ing speakers that I have personally seen and heard. He truly fired up the gathered Republicans for about 15 minutes without the benefit of a teleprompter. For all the accolades President Obama has received for his speaking ability, it is widely recognized that once the ‘prompter is gone, his verbal skills greatly diminish. African-American Michael Steele is the real deal. When word came that Carly Fiorina would appear at Simpson College, it became the main event of our day. Arriving an hour early provided a chance to grab a park- ing spot, as well as a front row seat. The back of our Tea Party Patriots caps could be seen on the TV cov- erage. In addition to personal hand- shakes from Ms. Fiorina, we were well positioned to get a real feel for the woman and her capability, positions and leadership. The mes- sage could be summarized that Californians, north and south, need a Senator to represent the center, the needs of farmers, businesses and families, and help us in Wash- ington to reclaim prosperity as a state and nation. I got to question the candidate by stating that her message was powerful, compelling and could not be defeated by the smears and the negative ads emanating from the Boxer campaign, and asked how she plans to close the several point gap with Boxer. In an instant, she segued into her campaign’s well thought-out, well-organized final weeks push for grassroots support and media advertising. I hope it works – we so need an effective non-ideological center-right Senator to work for rebuilding a strong private-sector dri- ven economy. At last Tuesday’s Tea Party Patriots candidates night, I was reminded by Congressman Wally Herger’s address to those gathered, as well as his responses to our ques- tions, that I have person- ally listened, interacted and spoken with him over many years, for many hours of my time. I would be the first to acknowledge his occasional references to grow- ing up on a dairy farm and milking cows, as well as his sometimes- repetitive statements of beliefs and positions on issues. However, that would put him in the company of most politicians, including Presi- dent Obama, who wax prolific about their formative years, and have many standard talking points. He has a few years on me, and I have many opportunities for occa- sional mental lapses, both on the radio (shameless plug alert: KBLF, 1490, with Cal Hunter from 8 to 9 AM), in public addresses and pri- vate conversations. I really don’t have a clue what his Democrat Don Polson The way I see it opponent, Jim Reed, is referring to when he states that Herger’s Republican rivals "told him (Reed) they’d heard rumors Herger had a medical condition … (and) may be suffering a mental disease" but Herger could disprove it "by debating me" (reporter Scott Mobley). Mr. Reed, I say this to you: as children, we were hopefully brought up to never engage in gossip, because it’s mostly untrue and scur- rilous. As adults, and I would think that as a lawyer you would be particularly aware, we should certainly all know that hearsay reports are utterly unre- liable. I would call you a liar except that you have cleverly limited your statements to the equivalent of the aforementioned "gossip" and "hearsay." Based on that, I would have to state that it appears that your character suffers a condition, disease, or at the very least a pro- found flaw that disqualifies you from holding public office. Next week: meeting Meg Whit- man and ballot recommendations from a Tea Party conservative per- spective. Don Polson has called Red Bluff home since 1988. He can be reached by e-mail at donplsn@yahoo.com.