Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/19303
6A – Daily News – Monday, November 8, 2010 Opinion 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. 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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 As your resident liberal opin- ion page columnist I have much to be happy about regarding the recent election. The voters of California overwhelmingly reject- ed Proposition 23 that would have suspended AB32 - the Global Warming Solutions Act. It is now clear that the vast majority of Californians recognize the validity of climate change science and the imperatives to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and aggressively pur- sue energy use efficien- cy and clean energy solutions. Regrettably, north state conserva- tives ensured the reelec- tion of Wally Herger to be our U.S. congressional repre- sentative despite his irrational denial of human responsibility for climate change. The election of Jerry Brown proves the governor’s house can- not be bought although due to budgetary shenanigans it can be sold, or it can be otherwise used as was the case when Jerry was gov- ernor before. Meg Whitman’s personal campaign investment of over $150 million, supplemented by millions more from conserva- Richard Mazzucchi Positive Point tive voting groups could not over- come the wisdom of the elec- torate. We selected an experi- enced and frugal public servant for this office over an e-commerce bil- lionaire that blanketed the airways with mud- slinging spots demoniz- ing her opponent. It appears now that her pandering to the intelli- gence of the electorate back-fired, as most of the electorate felt she offered little substance of her own. By keeping Barbara Boxer in office the peo- ple of California have done a huge service for our state and planet. Although Carly Fiorina was a capable opponent with relevant experience and a tremendous resume, her commit- ment to put corporate gains above environmental protection and social equity did not resonate with a majority of the electorate. As evidenced by the defeat of Prop 23 the voters of California place a premium upon the quality of their environment and demand that cor- porations be held responsible to operate as efficiently and cleanly as economically practical. Now Senator Boxer can leverage Cali- fornia’s commitment to environ- mental protection to substantively influence federal and international policies pertaining to global warming and sustainability. Our failure to retire Wally Herger from office was pre- dictable given the number of con- servative voters in the north state and the anti Obama sentiments of the poor losers in the last election. The degree of vitriol and disre- spect for our commander in chief is unprecedented and unwarrant- ed, and those that use such tactics to remain in office should be ashamed of themselves. Mr. Herger has achieved international recognition as an extremist in this regard and is an embarrassment to those of us that believe in civil dis- course and respect for those with differing opinions. Never have I had the experience of being cate- gorically against every position my congressional representative endorses, but then again prior to Representative Herger I have never had the misfortune to be represented by a Republican Party rubber stamp. I can only hope that calmer minds will prevail after the Tea Party tempest has an opportunity to demonstrate why we need more representative and respectful governance in Wash- ington. I count the defeat of Prop 19 to normalize marijuana prohibition as a loss to those of a liberal per- spective but count the vote on Prop 25 as a victory so that a sim- ple majority of state representa- tives and assemblymen can craft state budgets in spite of partisan intransigence. This victory com- bined with the election of a demo- cratic governor ensures a budget that balances economic, environ- mental, and social equity interests will be instituted in a timely fash- ion. By passing Prop 26 the vot- ers removed a loophole to enact fees with a simple majority vote thereby requiring that limited state funds be promptly distributed so state agencies can responsibly plan how to best meet California’s needs within fiscal restraints. Although political tides have turned to the conservative shore liberals in California prevailed by electing Brown and Boxer but are disappointed that Jim Reed must await another opportunity to unseat Wally Herger. With regard to the state propositions, we can be gratified that Props 23 and 25 went our way, only to lose Prop 19 to be fought for another day. Overall liberals should be happy because two out of three ain’t bad, particularly where state represen- tatives and propositions are at play. 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. Local elections and our military vets Commentary I was generally pleased with the election outcomes locally. Living in the county and not vested in the outcomes of many races, I was, nonetheless, happy to see Mr. Gary Strack successful in his bid for Corning Mayor. I’ve had a warm spot in my heart for Corning since arriving here in 1988 and taking my first job as a Burger King manager. Gary was, still is I believe, deliver- ing for Rainbo breads and never once let me down when it came to his abilities, honesty and warm friendliness as he went about his assigned duties. My impression over the years is that Corning is blessed to have his leadership when called for. When the City Counsel votes were totaled, it was good that a public servant and businessman like Wayne Brown was returned to his position. Some late-breaking controversy over questionable health insurance premium pay- ments may have played a role with some voters in those who lost. Newcomer Danielle Jackson had appeared to make a good impres- sion at the Tea Party Patriots’ meet- ing, garnered quite a following through the hard work of door-to- door campaigning, and will now have her chance to engage in on- the-job learning. Keep us all posted on what you find out, will you? My operating principle has been that if public employee unions, specifically teachers unions, are for or against something, the opposite position is usually better for par- ents, students and taxpayers. The somewhat corrupting influence of taxpayers’ money going to teach- ers’ paychecks, only to have a slice taken off for forced dues to unions, which spend lavishly on political campaigns to support candidates or measures that will assure teachers of sufficient compensation that they don’t mind paying dues to their union – yeah, that’s not a problem. I was, therefore, pleased to see that the most identifiably liberal local Democrat, supported by the teach- ers’ union, fell short of success. Thursday is Veteran’s Day and I am thankful that we have such respect and appreciation for veter- ans in our area. The Tea Party Patri- ots ask veterans to stand and be rec- ognized at the beginning of each meeting; for those few moments, I often find myself overwhelmed to consider what their collective expe- riences have been in their service to their fellow Americans. I know that many, not unlike my dad who served as a Navy machinist in the Second World War, had rather humble and inglorious deeds to tell of. However, as is truly said, and deeply felt, "all gave some and some gave all." Election issues related to those who have served, are serving or will serve in the military bear men- tioning. The VFW political action committee (PAC) endorsed Senator Barbara Boxer, among other liberal Democrats, and came under such fire, so to speak, that the head of the VFW took measures to disband the PAC. The outrageous idea of sup- port by veterans for someone who condescended to a decorated military officer addressing her as "ma’am" in a hear- ing ("Could you please call me Sena- tor; I’ve worked so hard for that title?"), and, I believe, voted against funding for our troops in the field, was not to be tolerat- ed. Vets For Freedom (enter "vetsforfree- dom.org" in search box) supported ten candidates that adhere to their platform of victory in Iraq/Afghanistan, and support for victory in the War on Terrorism. The VFF is the largest group of Iraq and Afghan war vets and has been con- sistently outspoken on the need to prevail over America’s enemies, setting themselves distinctively apart from smaller anti-war veter- ans groups like "Vote Vets." The eight who won their races, with ranks of Lt. Colonel (2), Cap- tain, Colonel (2), Major, Comman- der and Corporal, "now join two other pro-victory Iraq veterans already in Congress, Duncan Hunter and Mike Coffman, and create a strong, new block – leaders who have seen the enemy firsthand and understand what’s at stake on Don Polson The way I see it the battlefield (VFF)." Please also note: 1) Every anti-war Iraq veteran in the House lost on Tues- day, and 2) Every single VFF candidate ran as (you probably won’t be sur- prised) a Republican. The next most important current controversial mili- tary issue settled in the elec- tion was the near-certainty that "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" (DADT), which prohibits openly "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender" individuals from military service, won’t be repealed. Those keeping their sexual leanings private have no more risk of termination now than they have ever had. A Republican Congress simply will not allow the policy to be abandoned, while Democrats and President Obama want to allow gays and lesbians to serve openly. The two most identi- fiable pro-repeal military veteran Democrats, Pennsylvanians Patrick Murphy and Joe Sestak, were defeated. The Military Culture Coalition surveyed 1,000 likely voters in July and found that more voters want the law kept in place than repealed; by 3 to 2 they would- n’t support a pro-repeal candidate; and by 2 to 1 believe Obama sup- ports repeal for political reasons, not principle ("Gays in the Military: A Losing Cause" by Elaine Don- nelly). Two out of three ain’t bad