Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/34916
6A Daily News – Monday, June 27, 2011 Opinion Can redistricting reduce Republican reign? 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 For the past 24 years, Republi- can Congressman Wally Herger has supposedly repre- sented the Northern California 2nd con- gressional district that includes depressed mountain and farm- worker communities, fertile ranchlands and rice fields, and liberal- leaning Chico. Wally's unbending conser- vatism has been an ongoing source of frustration to progres- sive activists like me as Wally holds onto his seat, seldom facing opponents who have had the financing or support to present a serious challenge. Redistricting, now under way by the California Citizens Redis- tricting Commission, is stirring-up hope that there might be an upheaval in 2012 for a district that stretches from north of Sacramento to the Oregon border. Residents are eager for competitive campaigns that address high unemployment and poverty rates, immigration reform and health care needs. When the citizens’ commission held an April meeting in Redding, about 70 people attended. Some argued that District 2 should keep its north-south configuration, ensuring that in the foreseeable future it would be a Repub- lican stronghold. Others lobbied for an east-west configuration that would include liberal enclaves on California’s coast and lead to healthier party competi- tion. Richard Mazzucchi Positive Point The draft voting maps released by the redistrict- ing commission last week divide most of what is now Herger’s District 2 into what the commission calls the "Modoc-Tehama Dis- trict" and the "Yuba Dis- trict." In doing so, they split four counties, includ- ing rural Glenn County. Hamilton City would land in the Modoc-Tehama Dis- trict, where Herger has his Chico home, and Orland and Willows in the Yuba District, where Congress- man Mike Thompson, a Democrat, resides. Splitting Glen County into two congressional districts could be problematic but the configuration in Shasta County into the Modoc- Tehama District should give Democrats a slight boost. The new Assembly district that Chico would belong to is an improvement over presently split Butte County. The commission designed Modoc- Tehama as a district that reaches east to the Nevada border. For the first time in at least a decade, Butte County will be kept whole in all its voting districts—Assembly, Senate and congressional. The shape of the Modoc- Tehama District would reduce the number of Latino voters in the dis- trict represented by Herger as small minority communities are dis- persed throughout what is now Herger’s District 2. The district’s expansiveness as it runs through 10 counties and includes the cities of Redding, Chico and Yuba City makes it difficult for minority com- munities to exercise their voice on issues of common concern. According to census data, Lati- nos are now 19 percent of the Dis- trict 2 population. At present, almost 10 percent of District 2’s eligible voters are Latino. In the Modoc-Tehama District, only about 7 percent of eligible voters would be Latino but Latinos would be about 13 percent of all eligible voters in the Yuba District. Latino voters can help the Democratic Party boost its ranks, but more out- reach is needed before that happens in a significant way. Wally’s stance on immigration reform is offensive to many immigrants by placing blame for dysfunction of the sys- tem on "illegal aliens." We should- n’t blame a broken system on the people who live on the fringes because they’re struggling to make a living or may be unsure of their rights. The present configuration of District 2 makes it difficult to elect moderate candidates. That’s in part because the Democrats have lost most of the white voter base in the rural North State where the Demo- cratic Party has increasingly come to be seen as a party of women, gays, environmentalists, and minorities. In this area where it seems that God and guns trump every other issue it is virtually impossible to elect Democratic candidates. While redistricting is most like- ly going to help Democrats unseat Wally their candidate must have sufficient campaign money and start early to do so. Theirs is going to be an uphill battle but one that could at last provide some relief to North State progressive, liberal, Democratic, and Independent vot- ers wanting a voice in the U.S. House of Representatives. Even if they don’t win, Wally may be moved to soften his hard right posi- tions by such a shift in the elec- torate. Information on the redistricting process can be found, and com- ments on the draft maps can be submitted, at www.wedrawthe- lines.ca.gov. Your officials STATE ASSEMBLYMAN — Jim Nielsen (R) State Capitol Bldg., Room 6031 Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 319-2002; Fax (916) 319-2102 STATE SENATOR — Doug LaMalfa (R) State Capitol Bldg., Room 3070 Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 651-4004; Fax (916) 445-7750 GOVERNOR — Jerry Brown, 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. Winning strategy, results for region, state Commentary Hundreds of local Republicans and Tea Party Patriots showed up in Redding for a breakfast presen- tation by Dr. Frank Luntz on numerous topics drawn from his work, and current book "WIN," on polling and how to use winning words and phrases to achieve posi- tive results in politics and business. It doubled as a fundraiser for our own State Assemblyman, Jim Nielsen, as a similar lunch event was for State Senator Doug LaMalfa in Chico. I occasionally see Dr. Luntz on a neighbor’s dish-broadcast screen (I only have an antenna), with a focus group after speeches and debates on Fox News, drawing thoughts, opinions and feelings out of people. As I found out, that is only a portion of the man’s talent, which includes a vast knowledge and research base on how to utilize words, phrases and interpersonal skills to advance worthy ideas and projects. Also, he helped to make folks aware that a big part of such success is avoiding words, phrases and images that can undermine worthy ideas. For instance, his message for Republicans centered around trad- ing out words like "drilling" for "energy exploration" among many suggestions, and to always seek to listen to constituents more than talk to/at them. He mentioned to the Tea Party folks that, while he understood the emotional intensity of their cause, it was crucial in attracting concerned voters to be sure that signs, slogans and verbal messaging maintain a positive tone. Good advice for all. He also possessed a comedian’s ability to deliver one-liners and narratives guaranteed to leave an audience in stitches, even impro- vising on a dime to turn something into humor, to everyone’s delight. Finding out that Nielsen’s lovely wife is directly related to Abraham Lincoln, Luntz quipped that that probably explained why she tried to take Jim to the theater so often (cue rim shot). People forgetting to turn off phones left a few red faces, includ- ing our own Supervisor Dennis Garton, whose ringing phone set off some hilarity. Dr. Luntz promptly seized Garton’s phone, walked over to the Young Marines, who had been engaged for Color Guard duties and to sit quietly and politely for the balance of the pre- sentation. When Luntz thrust the phone toward them, he insisted that someone in their group reprogram Garton’s ring tone to a song, "Play that funky music, white boy." Being cooperative and respectful Young Marines, they did their best to accommodate Dr. Luntz and managed to come up with a bugle- themed ring tone. I hope Mr. Gar- ton is enjoying his new ring tone, or asking some young person how to change it back. Also, knowing how to set it to "vibrate" in meet- ings is useful. Just sayin’. Next topic: Tea Party Patriots are getting informed and active on your behalf, if you enjoy our National Forests for camping, fish- ing, ATVing and general recre- ational activity. You may not know that the U.S. Forest Service is inex- orably and rather arrogantly removing vast areas from use by people who, after all, are the actual owners of said federal forests. Many forest roads, that have traditionally been open to the public, are being closed with gates and chains; rules are being implemented to reduce the ability of the public to visit, travel and camp on public lands. You see, many employees of the federal agencies, together with policies formulated by bureaucracies, are driven by ideologically radical environmentalism with an agenda to scrub peo- ple from nature wherever possible and practical. I believe Teddy Roo- sevelt, under whose presidency National Forests were first estab- lished to serve the public need for recreation and resources, would turn over in his grave to see the cur- rent generation of feds in these agencies using regulatory and quasi-tyrannical means against the people. However, local citizens and their elected officials are learning that – codified in the law – the words "shall coordinate" require the feds to allow locals to deter- mine what is done on lands within their jurisdiction. Look up your nearest Tea Party Patriots group – listed in the "Local Calendar" sec- tion on Tuesdays (Red Bluff) and Don Polson The way I see it Thursdays (Corning). For those interested and close enough to Redding, just enter "ReddingTeaParty.com" in an Internet search to see their meeting info. We, the people, can win if we know what to do and show up to do it. Finally, sometimes winning comes from just standing your ground without compro- mising principles. This is what Republicans are doing in Sacramento in the face of hysterical Democrats, irate mobs of teachers and public employees, a Democrat Governor Jerry Brown with all his rhetorical tricks and double-speak, and state-wide media that act as lit- tle more than stenographers of P.R. spin from all the above groups. Republicans will allow votes on tax hikes only if there are also propositions to 1) cap state spend- ing, 2) reform pensions, and 3) reduce the regulatory burden on businesses, which are leaving the state at 4 times the rate of a few years ago. Also, the Big Lie about budget deficits is exposed: $88 bil- lion in revenues is more than 2 of the last 3 years ($83 and $87 bil- lion). It’s the spending, stupid. Don Polson has called Red Bluff home since 1988. He can be reached by e-mail at donplsn@yahoo.com.