oct. '14 socdc newsletter

5/19/2018 Oct. '14 SOCDC Newsletter

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Next SOCDC MeetingOctober 8 for phone banking for CUSD

candidates. We support Gila Jones and

other progressive candidates.

Lets all help get them elected!

When: Wednesday, October 8thfrom 5:00 to 7:30 p.m.

Where: Capistrano Unified Education Association offices27422 Aliso Creek Road, Suite 100, in Aliso Viejo

RSVP: Call Mike Weinell, 949-395-5084 or [email protected]

Please, if you cant help on the 8th, call Mike to volunteer for another time before Oct. 10.

Note from the Chair

September was a busy month for the SOCDC. As chair, Ihad the privilege of attending many events representingour club including the NWPC Candidate Forum featuringBetty Yee and the Truman Dinner DPOC fundraiser. We

also had a wonderful meeting with over 50 people in at-tendance at our new location! At all of these events, can-didates emphasized that the most important thing wecan doto support them is get people to the polls. AsBetty Yee said, our democracy can be strong only if eve-ryone participates!

Were quickly approaching the November election, andcandidates all over Orange County are requesting ourhelp with precinct walks, phone banking, fundraisers, and

donations. Thats why we are taking advantage of aunique opportunity for our October meeting. We havebeen asked to help get out the vote in the Capistrano Uni-fied School District.(CUSD) campaign for Trustees. In-stead of meeting in Dana Point, we will be supporting theTeachers union in their efforts to provide quality publiceducation for all children in CUSD.

The Capistrano Unified Education Association (CUEA)needs your help! Voter turnout is key to this election,and you can make a difference. You will be providedwith phone lists and a script to use in your conversa-tions. It is pretty easy, definitely interesting, and veryrewarding. CUEA will provide refreshments, too. PleaseRSVP to Mike at [email protected].

Shelly

October 2014 NEWSLETTER www facebook com/socdc


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Wasserman Schultz Rocks

The Truman Dinner

Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz,the chair of the Democratic National Committee,

rallied hundreds of people from all over thecounty Sept. 21 with her enthusiastic keynoteaddress at the 20th annual Truman Dinner.

She encouraged guests to do all they can toget out the vote for the midterm elections, particu-larly to maintain the Democratic Senate majority.

The Honorable Debbie Wasserman Schultz

Pictured on the Orange Carpet at the

Truman Dinner are Shelly Blair and Sam Hooker

Lois Rothschild and Mike Getto

New Logo for Democratic Party of

OC; Call for Election Help Sign-Ups

The Democratic Party of Orange rolled out itsnew logo in time for the Truman Dinner andmade a request for volunteer neighborhoodambassadors, as well as phone bank callers atthe phone bank location, 1916 W. Chapman,Orange. The neighborhood volunteers areneeded to deliver door hangers to more than50,000 households. Phone callers will be con-

tacting fellow Democrats to remind them tovote.

Email David Brena at [email protected],

or call us at (714) 634-3367 to sign up to vol-unteer. Every vote counts!


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UCI Law School Dean Erwin Chemerinskiy

Recipient of the 20th Annual Truman Award

Dean Erwin Chemerinsky of the UCI Law School was guest of honor at the September 21stTruman Dinner in Anaheim. In accepting the Truman Award honor, the Dean, a preeminentConstitution scholar, spoke of the current threat to the basic rights promised by the U.S. Con-stitution. The Supreme Court today has been a consistently sided with the interests of busi-ness at the expense of workers, unions, and consumers. He urged the audience to elect sena-tors who will support the Constitution in their vetting of, and recommendations for, newCourt justices. Newly elected senators will be in office for six years and will more than likelyparticipate in the replacement of the aging justices by new appointees. It is important to sup-port candidates for the Senate who will enforce the Constitution and protect the rights of mi-norities.

Dean Chemerinsky recognizes that there is no single reform that will make the Court morelikely to succeed, but with a posting on the website of Bill Moyer, the Dean puts forth fivereforms that he feels would change the Court significantly for the better:

1. Clarify the role of the Supreme Court

The Courts role is to enforce the Constitution against the will of the majority. This means,to protect the rights of minorities that cannot rely on the political process, and to uphold theConstitution against repressive political majorities.

2. Establish merit-based selection of justices (and federal judges)

Dean Chemerinsky suggests the creation of a panel for merit-based selection of candidates

that would present two candidates to the president for his choice of justice. The panels wouldbe ideologically diverse.

3. Change the confirmation process

The Senate should insist that candidates answer questions during the process so that their judi-cial philosophy regarding important constitutional questions is clear.

4. Impose term limits for justices and a system that sets up regular vacancies

5. Mandate strong ethics rules and a recusals process for Supreme Court justices

The same standards that are applied to lower federal court judges should be applied to Su-preme Court justices. In the matter of recusals, the other justices or a panel should make thedecision for the individual, rather than the justice deciding for him or herself if recusal isneeded.More information is available regarding Dean Chemerinskys recommendations for SupremeCourt reform on Bill Moyers website, http://billmoyers.com/2014/07/15/its-time-to-reform-the-supreme-court-here-are-five-ways-to-do-it/cherm/


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September 10th Meeting Explored

our Dollar Democracy

Professor Peter Mathews, guest speaker at the Sept.10th SOCDC meeting, discussed the impact of cam-

paign funding and lobbying dollars on the decisionsof public officials. Passage of the Citizens Unitedlegislation, which granted personhood to corpora-tions, has allowed them to make huge donations topoliticians, resulting in government decisions thatbenefit the donors, not the American public. Profes-sor Mathews spoke of the benefits corporate entities

enjoy under various loopholes and court decisions, such as the Halliburton Loophole, that exemptsfracking from the Safe Drinking Water Act. He also referred to the $9 billion in corporate tax loop-holes and government subsidies endorsed by the Cheney-Bush Congress energy bill for the coal in-dustry. According to Mathews, The coal corporations got the gold mine, and the American people

got the shaft. Further details and suggestions for change are presented in the guest speakers book,.Dollar Democracy: With Liberty and Justice for Some. Below is a chart fromDollar Democracy.

John Boehner

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Republican-Ohio

Total Contributions to Boehners Campaign 2011-12: $22,024,288Total Contributions to Boehners Campaign 2013: $11,020,540

Brett Covey, left, with Professor Peter Mathews


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What Democrats! Gerry and Veronica DeVries chose to

spend their 48th wedding anniversary at the meeting.

Pete and Joyce Toth Paul Hinman, Linda Baker, Bob Baker

Gloria Sall and Tom Whaling

Phone Bank set for next SOCDC meeting,

October 8th, to support school board

candidates. See page 1 for complete details.

Lets get our candidates elected!

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Joy Borsellino, Elizabeth Balsamo, and

Connie Lawson from the Canyon Club

Members and Guests at the September 10th SOCDC Meeting


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Assembly candidate Wendy Gabriella and

Aliso Viejo Councilman Ross Chun

Mike Getto, Noreen Kukkonen, and

Barbara and Steve Szemenyei

More Happy

Truman Dinner Diners


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Move to Amend: We the People, Not We the Corporation

A Move to Amend representative addressed the September 10th SOCDC meeting and urged theaudience to be involved with MTAs campaign to pass the We the People amendment. Theamendment can be briefly summarized in two parts: artificial entities are not persons and can beregulated; and money is not speech and can be regulated. Visit the Move to Amend website forfurther information: www.movetoamend.org.


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WE THE PEOPLE

AMENDMENT

Section 1. [Artificial entities are not persons andcan be regulated]

The rights protected by the Constitution of theUnited States are the rights of natural persons only.

Artificial entities established by the laws of any State, the United States, or any foreign stateshall have no rights under this Constitution and are subject to regulation by the People, throughFederal, State, or local law.

The privileges of artificial entities shall be determined by the People, through Federal, State, orlocal law, and shall not be construed to be inherent or inalienable.

Section 2. [Money is not speech and can be regulated]

Federal, State, and local government shall regulate, limit, or prohibit contributions and expendi-tures, including a candidates own contributions and expenditures, to ensure that all citizens,regardless of their economic status, have access to the political process, and that no persongains, as a result of their money, substantially more access or ability to influence in any way theelection of any candidate for public office or any ballot measure.

Federal, State, and local government shall require that any permissible contributions and expen-ditures be publicly disclosed.

The judiciary shall not construe the spending of money to influence elections to be speech un-der the 1st Amendment.

From Move to Amend.org

Hats Off to our New Member

Wendy Starks 21122 Foxtail Rancho Santa Margarita [email protected]


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Show Us the Money!

Our Millionaires in Washington

As the OC Register opined Sept. 23, 2014,

Sometimes, the rich among us are also our best and brightest.Sometimes, not so much. Lets hope that the rich people we electto Congress are among those best and brightest.

Following this wisdom, a chart of the richest congressman was presented. Below are the topfive U.S. senators and representatives.

In the Senate In office Re-election Net worthMark Warner, D-VA 5 years In November; likely $257 millionRichard Blumenthal, D-CT 3 years 2016 $104 millionJohn D. Rockefeller IV, 29 years Retiring; seat likely to go $101 millionD-VA to GOP

Dianne Feinstein, D-CA 22 years 2018 $68.4 millionJames E. Risch, R-ID 5 years Unopposed this fall $53.5 million

In the House In office Re-election Net worthDarrell E. Issa, R-CA 13 years Likely $464 millionJared Polls, D-CO 5 years Likely $198 millionJohn K. Delaney, D-MD 1 year Likely $155 millionMichael T. McCaul, R-TX 9 years Likely $143 millionScott H. Peters, D-CA 1 year Toss-up $112 million

Why Dont More People Run

for Office in O.C.?

Long-time Republican Party activist, JackWu, had an Op-Ed piece in the OrangeCounty Register, Sept. 24, 2014, in which he

decried the lack of enthusiasm by potential candidates for public office. That means Republi-can OR Democratic candidates. He noted that Laguna Hills has cancelled its city council elec-

tions for the third time since its inception, due to a lack of candidates. The Orange County Reg-istrar of Voters, he adds, details 33 school districts, water districts, and library districts wherethere are too few candidates to run elections.

The writer questions why, with compensation such as the $380,000 paid to the Laguna Hillscity manager, candidates arent falling all over themselves to get their names on the ballots.Good question, if we pride ourselves on the good life here in Orange County, but are not willingto represent it in public office.


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Shenanigans Dont Deter

Supporters of Wendy Gabriella

Republicans and Democrats gathered togetherat Jacks in Dana Point to support Wendy

Gabriella, candidate for the 73rdCaliforniaAssembly, on Sunday, Sept. 14. One of hercontributors, Jerry Rudmann, attended onWendys behalf, admitting he is a patheticRepublican, and others spoke up for Wendysposition on local and state issues, and urgedvoters to investigate her opponent, Bill

Brough, who, according to official docu-

ments, has misrepresented his business and

financial interests.

The SOCDC co-sponsored the event, with the assistance of Jack Loconsolo, the owner ofJacks Restaurant/Bar, who stepped in at the last minute after the owner/manager at Stillwatercaved in to the request by Broughs campaign manager, Tony Beall, to cancel Wendys eventjust days before her supporters were planning to gather in her honor. That information camefrom Stillwater when the restaurant and bar canceled the Democratic candidates fundraiser.That was the trigger, Wendy said, to look at Brough and his Republican cohorts and revealdocuments about that candidates financial and behind-the-scenes manipulation of District 73voters.

Some attendees at Jacks submitted comments on Yelp www.yelp.comto complain aboutthe incident and wrote directly to Stillwater to complain about unfair political practices.

But whats new? After sending a review into Yelp about the cancellation, I was assured, auto-matically, that my online comments would be published. One week later I received the follow-ing:

We wanted to let you know that weve removed your review of Stillwater Spirits and Sounds.Our Support team has determined that it falls outside our content guidelines (http://www.yelp.com/guidelines) because it lacks a first hand experience.

Wendys positions on state and local issues have brought her a lot of attention from residents ofOrange County and across the state. That kind of following raises concerns from Republicans,and nefarious individuals who support taxpayer spending on private development, who brush

aside environmental concerns and dismiss quality of life issues in south Orange County. Theywill do anything to defeat progressive thinking in order to make big bucks and contribute evenmore to the divide among those who have, and those who work hard to make better lives forthemselves and their families.

Following is the Yelp submission I originally posted on its website, and which was removed:

Shame on Stillwater for canceling a fundraiser at the last minute for Democratic Candi-

date Wendy Gabriella who is running for Assembly District 73. Six weeks of planning was

Continued on next page


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called to a halt when the reservation was canceled just days before due to political pres-

sure from the opposing candidate Bill Brough, when his campaign folks called the owner

of Stillwater and asked him to throw the plans "under the bus." Bad public relations,

Stillwater, and your decision to cave in to Mr. Brough's request, cost you when about 60

of Wendy's supporters met at a nearby restaurant with a great welcome and wonderful

amenities. You must know people who support Wendy Gabriella's candidacy will not becomfortable visiting your establishment knowing Stillwater's business standards are be-

low par. Lois R.

November 4, 2014 General Election Endorsements

of the Democratic Party of Orange County

Governor Edmund G. "Jerry" Brown

.

Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom

Attorney General Kamala D. Harris

Treasurer John Chiang

Secretary of State No official endorsement.

Alex Padilla and Derek Cressman

are Democrats in the race

Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones

Controller Betty Yee

Supt. of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson

Yes on Proposition 1

WATER QUALITY, SUPPLY, AND INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT ACT OF

2014 (CALIFORNIA WATER BOND) --Provides a reliable supply of water to farms,

businesses and communities, especially during droughts. It supports economic growth and

protects the environment. It is fiscally responsible, is guided by a comprehensive state wa-

ter plan and does NOT raise taxes.


STATE BUDGET. RAINY DAY FUND. LEGISLATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMEND-

MENT -- Requires annual transfer of state general fund revenues to budget stabilization

account. Requires half the revenues be used to repay state debts. Limits use of remaining

funds to emergencies or budget deficits. Fiscal Impact: Long-term state savings from

faster payment of existing debts. Different levels of state budget reserves, depending on

economy and decisions by elected officials. Smaller local reserves for some school dis-

tricts.


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APPROVAL OF HEALTHCARE INSURANCE CHANGES INITIATIVE -- Requires

health insurance rate changes to be approved by Insurance Commissioner before taking

effect. Requires sworn statement by health insurer as to accuracy of information submit-

ted to Insurance Commissioner to justify rate changes.

Neutral on Proposition 46

DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING OF DOCTORS. MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE INITIA-

TIVE --Requires drug and alcohol testing of doctors and reporting of positive test to the

California Medical Board. Requires Board to suspend doctor pending investigation of

positive test and take disciplinary action if doctor was impaired while on duty. Requires

doctors to report any other doctor suspected of drug or alcohol impairment or medical

negligence. Requires health care practitioners to consult state prescription drug history

database before prescribing certain controlled substances. Increases $250,000 cap on pain

and suffering damages in medical negligence lawsuits to account for inflation.

Yes on Proposition 47CRIMINAL SENTENCES. MISDEMEANOR PENALTIES. INITIATIVE STATUTE --

Requires misdemeanor sentence instead of felony for petty theft, receiving stolen prop-

erty, and forging/writing bad checks when value or amount involved is $950 or less. Re-

quires misdemeanor sentence instead of felony for certain drug possession offenses. Al-

lows felony sentence for these offenses if person has previous conviction for crimes such as

rape, murder or child molestation or is a registered sex offender. Requires resentencing

for persons serving felony sentences for these offenses unless court finds unreasonable

public safety risk.


INDIAN GAMING COMPACTS REFERENDUM -- This is a challenge to a state lawpreviously approved by the Legislature and the Governor. The law ratifies two gaming

compacts (with the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians, and the Wiyot Tribe); and it

exempts execution of the compacts, certain projects, and intergovernmental agreements

from the California Environmental Quality Act. A Support position (Yes vote) supports

the law, an Oppose position (No vote) backs the Referendum.

California State Assembly

55th District: Gregg Fritchle

65th District: Sharon Quirk Silva

68th District: Anne Cameron

69th District: Tom Daly72nd District: Joel Block

73rd District: Wendy Gabriella

California State Senate

32nd District: Tony Mendoza

34th District: Jose Solorio


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US House of Representatives

38th District: Linda Sanchez

39th District: Pete Anderson

45th District: Drew Leavens

46th District: Loretta Sanchez

47th District: Alan Lowenthal48th District: Suzanne Joyce Savary

49th District: David Peiser

Non Partisan Races

School Districts

Anaheim City School District: David Robert Heywood, Jeff Cole, Ryan Ruelas

Anaheim Union High School District Area 1: Al Jabbar

Capistrano Unified School District Area 6 : Gila Jones

Centralia School District: Art Montez, Connor Traut

Coast Community College District Area 5: Joel FloresCypress City School District: Steve Blount

Fullerton Joint Union School District: Joanne Fawley

Huntington Beach Joint Union School District: Bonnie Castrey, Kathleen Iverson

La Habra City School District: Cynthia Aguirre, Ida MacMurray

Newport Mesa Unified School District Area 7: Fidel Mora

Orange Unified School District Area 5: Florice Hoffman

Rancho Santiago Unified School District Area 4: Lawrence Labrado

Santa Ana Unified School District: John Palacio, Valerie Amezcua

City Council/Mayor

Anaheim City Council: Jose F. MorenoAnaheim Mayor: Lorri Galloway

Buena Park City Council: Greg Ferguson

Costa Mesa City Council: Katrina Foley, Jay Humphrey

Fullerton City Council: Doug Chaffee

Garden Grove City Council: Kris Beard, Quang "Mike" Tran

Garden Grove Mayor: Bao Nguyen

Huntington Beach City Council: Connie Boardman, Joe Shaw, Mark Bixby

Irvine City Council: Larry Agran, Melissa Fox

Irvine Mayor: Mary Ann Gaido

Laguna Beach City Council: Toni Iseman

Santa Ana City Council Ward 2: Michele MartinezSanta Ana City Council Ward 4: David Benavides

Santa Ana City Council Ward 6: Sal Tinajero

Stanton City Council: Kevin Carr

Tustin City Council: Rebecca Gomez


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Other

Municipal Water District of Orange County Area 1: Greg Diamond

Municipal Water District of Orange County Area 5: Ron Varasteh

The Democratic Party of Orange County has the authority to conduct additional endorsementsin future meetings, including candidates for office and measures.

While the Democratic Party cannot endorse a candidate who is not a registered Democrat, beaware that in some races without a registered Democrat in the race, there are clear distinctionsbetween candidates from other parties. In some important races there are extremists runningagainst more moderate candidates. Do your homework before voting or contact your local De-mocratic Club for assistance.

Green Light to Power Steering

The IdeaIncrease tractor-trailer fuel efficiency by 50 percent from 2009 levels by 2015. TheSuperTruck Initiative is more than a goalits a federal mandate, the first-ever standards setfor heavy-duty vehicles in the history of the United States.

Why it Just Might WorkIn February 2014 the first of these next-generation rigs scored10.7 miles to the gallon. Thats no mean feat, considering most 18-wheelers get as little as 5miles per gallon. Fueled by Department of Energy grants, the countrys four largest truck mak-ersVolvo, Daimler, Cummins, and Navistarare currently developing SuperTrucks.

Why it Might NotFuture leadership might pull the plug. But for now, with the support ofthe Obama administration, the initiative will keep on trucking.

Climate FactorTractortrailers account for just 4 percent of all vehicles on the road, butthey guzzle more than 20 percent of the countrys fuel. If every semi were a SuperTruck, itwould cut transportation-related carbon emissions by 43 percent and save 300 million barrels ofoil a year.

Show Me the MoneySuperTrucks could save drivers up to $20,000per year in fuel costs,and $30 billion nationwide collectively. The price of a single truck hasnt been set, so no need

to worry about sticker shock yet.

Time HorizonBased on government projections, up to 59 percent of all trucks on the roadcould be SuperTrucks by 2020, and up to 73 percent by 2050.

More InfoEnergy.govReprinted from Audubon magazine, September-October 2014

oct. '14 socdc newsletter

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