Great News! Legislation has been introduced in the New Jersey General Assembly that would protect us against lemon-y emergency vehicles. State Sen. Steven Oroho and State Sen. Barbara Buono have introduced S2304, and it has been sent to the Senate Commerce Committee.  State Assemblyman Gary Chiusano and State Asemblywoman Allison Littell McHose have introduced A3396, which has been sent to the Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee.

I’ve posted the bills’ content in a separate page (still learning this blog thing — I hope that’s the best way to do that for you). You can track the bills yourself at http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bills/bills0001.asp.

I want to thank the legislators from the 24th District and Sen. Buono for listening to me explain the issue, doing their own investigation and then introducing this legislation. I also want to thank Jeff Spatola, who is the chief of staff in the 24th Legislative District office for his support.

Now we have to spread the word and let our legislators know that we need this law passed.

You can find out who your legislators are by going to http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/legsearch.asp and following the directions there (if you still can’t figure it out, write me here and I’ll hook you up).  It’s easy to send them an email telling them they should support these two pieces of legislation.

And please us know you’ve written and let us know if you’ve had a situation in your department where you could have used this law.

The Ithaca Journal gives us the run down on the candidates to represent the 24th congressional district. Nothing very inspiring in this race.

They both believe the Federal government needs to rule over the abortion issue (using the commerce clause of the Constitution). I guess that is reasonable since the birth delivery of a child is reported to the Department of Commerce.

They agree on carbon credit trading, a scam to make environmentalist think government is saving the planet while the politicians fill the pockets of their donors.

They both either have no clue or wish to ignore the true problem associated with a fiat monetary system. Either way, you can not fix a problem by tinkering with a symptom.

Arcuri swore an oath to the Constitution to guarantee free health to all. I guess that is in the general welfare clause. It looks like Hanna just wants to nationalize regulation of health care; I get the feeling we don’t need States at all.

On energy, they once again quibble about bits and pieces and ignore the relationship of gas price to fiat money ratio. Inflation is not a natural event. It is a product of a monopoly banking system. It is a product that the average American can live nicely without.

Iraq; there was no way the Dems could stop the war (unless they cut funding). I’m not buying that stuff.

Campaign finance is the golden goose to be protected at any cost. Somehow I think it might be related to the fiat money system.

So here is my bottom line. I’m going to vote for Richard Hanna. Like Thomas Paine, I think we can do better without a political class. Mike Arcuri and 433 of his associates should be returned to the working class. And in two years we can get rid of Richard Hanna too.

So the door rings and I see some guy with flyers… “uhhhhh political” my first thought….. Obama has a campaign shop down the street next to my laundromat… and ugh the bumper stickers on those campaign workers cars!  They turn me into a rabid raving lunatic who wants to bomb everyone.

Anyway, on topic…

I opened the door and saw on the flyer “Slattery”

“Oh no thank you, I am so sorry but I’m voting for Senator Roberts….” “say what?  Jim Slattery is your dad?  don’t tell him I’m not voting for him!  But well, I just love Sen. Roberts.”

“The way you just said that it sounds like Sen. Roberts is your guilty pleasure.”

(I love the man!  He’s a Marine! Pro Military Pro 2nd Amendment Pro Agriculture Pro Education and Pro Kansas.)

I digress.

Mike Slattery is running for State Representative (24th District) www.mikeslattery.org … his platform that he stressed to me was education… better wages for teachers, better student performance, smaller class size.  I’m all for it!  After perusing his site, I’m also glad to see his other platforms are expanding the industries in our area for new jobs, tax breaks for small businesses, and updating our grid for lower cost energy sources.  (I lose power everytime a branch lands on a wire….)

I’m going to vote for him simply because he knocked on my door, shook my hand, didn’t hate me for not voting for his dad, listened to my concern about the increase in crime in my neighborhood, and the guy that I voted for in the last election is supporting him.

My parting words, “please don’t tell your dad!”

(Sorry, but I do just love Senator Roberts… I feel so guilty)

My politics flip flop…. I tend to vote Democrat at local levels and Repulican at federal.  But really, KS puts out some good Democrats. 

To be fair, I’ll go check out the republican dude’s website, but I’m pretty sure my mind is made up for the State Rep. vote.

In another sign of questionable integrity, Jill Martinez, who is running in the 24th Congressional district June 3rd primary, has again added outdated endorsements to her website that are no longer valid.

Today, June 2nd, Martinez has placed an endorsement from the Iron Workers Local #433 on her website that is from a 2006 election.  Campaign protocol dictates that  endorsements are valid for the current year only.  Here is that 2006 page from the Ironworkers.  You can also find this page from the first page of Martinez’s website.  View the list of names on that list and you will find candidates from an election long past.

Here is the current  Ironworkers Local #433 site
Not cool Jill.  I would never support your candidacy for Congress. I think we’ve had enough of this nonsense in politics.

Amendment to American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act - Vote Passed (266-154, 13 Not Voting)

The House passed a comprehensive housing-stimulus bill through three separate votes, including this measure authorizing the Federal Housing Administration to help refinance as much as $300 billion of subprime loans.

How the U.S. House from California voted:	voted
• Rep. Joe Baca (D-43)	Y
• Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-31)	Y
• Rep. Howard Berman (D-28 )	Y
• Rep. Brian Bilbray (R-50)	N
• Rep. Mary Bono Mack (R-45)	N
• Rep. Ken Calvert (R-44)	N
• Rep. John Campbell (R-48 )	NV
• Rep. Lois Capps (D-23)	Y
• Rep. Dennis Cardoza (D-18 )	Y
• Rep. Jim Costa (D-20)	Y
• Rep. Susan Davis (D-53)	Y
• Rep. John Doolittle (R-4)	N
• Rep. David Dreier (R-26)	N
• Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-14)	Y
• Rep. Sam Farr (D-17)	Y
• Rep. Bob Filner (D-51)	Y
• Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-24)	N
• Rep. Jane Harman (D-36)	Y
• Rep. Wally Herger (R-2)	N
• Rep. Michael Honda (D-15)	Y
• Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-52)	N
• Rep. Darrell Issa (R-49)	N
• Rep. Barbara Lee (D-9)	Y
• Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-41)	N
• Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-16)	Y
• Rep. Dan Lungren (R-3)	N
• Rep. Doris Matsui (D-5)	Y
• Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-22)	N
• Rep. Howard McKeon (R-25)	N
• Rep. Gerald McNerney (D-11)	Y
• Rep. George Miller (D-7)	Y
• Rep. Gary Miller (R-42)	Y
• Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-38 )	Y
• Rep. Devin Nunes (R-21)	N
• Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-8 )	S
• Rep. George Radanovich (R-19)	N
• Rep. Laura Richardson (D-37)	NV
• Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-46)	N
• Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-34)	Y
• Rep. Ed Royce (R-40)	N
• Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-47)	Y
• Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-39)	Y
• Rep. Adam Schiff (D-29)	Y
• Rep. Brad Sherman (D-27)	Y
• Rep. Hilda Solis (D-32)	Y
• Rep. Jackie Speier (D-12)	Y
• Rep. Fortney Stark (D-13)	Y
• Rep. Ellen Tauscher (D-10)	Y
• Rep. Mike Thompson (D-1)	Y
• Rep. Maxine Waters (D-35)	Y
• Rep. Diane Watson (D-33)	Y
• Rep. Henry Waxman (D-30)	Y
• Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-6)	Y

Here is Mary Pallant’s responses to their candidate questionnaire:

House of Representatives, CD 24 California; election year 2008

Previous Political offices held or progressive credentials/experience:

-Elected delegate 41st AD 2005-07 and 2007-09
Chair 41st AD Democratic Alliance
Lead Organizer for PDA VC
Trustee for the Community Foundation of Oak Park
Chair, Ventura County Commission for Women
Host and Organizer for the Ventura County Speaker Series

What is your mission and why are you running for office?
Specify how your support the mission of PDSMM (Our mission is to support progressive democratic values, policies and policy makers who will work to support peace and justice at home and abroad and promote diversity and equity for all.)

-The impetus for change we saw in 2006 is much stronger now and the citizens of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties have an opportunity to make history and change the direction
of the community and the country. Unseating Gallegly may be a daunting task, but I cannot sit idly by and I gladly accept the challenge to fight for my community and our
Country! To remain silent is to condone the acts of Bush and Elton. I believe we must all stand up for what is right so that we can say, without hesitancy, we did our part.
And, I am proud to be a progressive liberal who is not an apologist for my values, beliefs and principles. When democrats run as progressives, democrats win. It is our values that are fundamentally American, Democratic values. To have the support and endorsement of PDSMM will reflect that when we stand together, we stand together stronger.

Tell us your position and efforts to date on the following issues:

1. End the US military occupation and privatization of Iraq?
My top priority is to end the occupation and to never support the unilateral invasion of a sovereign country that did not invade or attack us. I have attended or organized several anti-war rallies, out of Iraq rallies, and stop the funding rallies. I have been outspoken in the community against the invasion from the inception. I will join the out of Iraq Caucus once elected as they are taking a more demanding approach to the war than the other representatives.

2. Support global peaceful conflict resolution. Oppose all wars?
I am in full support of a Department of Peace. We have to have a paradigm shift away from war profiteering to Peace and away from the Military Industrial Complex and toward a Peace Industrial Complex. Peace can be profitable as well. I support diplomacy, dialogue and engagement. If we ever have to go to war, it will be as a last resort and only against a nation who attacked us, not against sovereign nations, not unilaterally, not without the full consent of Congress and the UN.

3. Create a universal, single-payer health care system that provides medical Insurance for every US resident. Do you support SB840?
I was one of the first to send a letter to Sheila Kuehl’s office in support of SB 840. Also, my second pillar for my campaign is to have Universal Single Payer Health Care for every man, woman and child. Health care should be a right, not a privilege. We have the money to fund it; we just have to make the decision to do it. And, with a stronger majority of Democrats we have a stronger chance of passing universal coverage.

4. Work to ensure abortions are legal and safe and rare. Protect every person’s right to make decisions without interference from the state?
My position has always been that the government has no right to tell you whether our not you can reproduce. I am in full support of Roe vs. Wade and the right to privacy. I am also against passing any legislation that limits these rights or requires teens to gain parental permission.

5. Support media reform that ensures a diversity of viewpoints and calls for the Reinstatement of the Fairness Doctrine?
The Media, our 4th Estate, has been just as responsible for the dismantling of our democracy over the past several years as this administration. They have not done their job media was to inform, educate the populace, and give us the facts. They were to question and add balance to all issues. It is imperative to a democracy to have an informed citizenry and hence I am in favor of media reform, restoring regulation and a return of the Fairness Doctrine.

6. Protect every American’s right to vote through passage of the Voter Rights Act of 2005, The Holt Bill and other legislation consistent with this goal?
I am in favor of Election Protection, a verified paper trail. Everyone, across the US, should vote via paper ballot with guidelines sanctioned throughout all states
and counties. And, then, hand-count our votes and ballots with civil servants, not computer software.

7. Support Clean Money public financing of elections and Instant run-off voting?
I worked tirelessly in support of Prop 89, the California Clean money proposition. I am in full support of all campaigns, state, federal and local being financed with
public funds. I also support instant run-off voting as a measure that would have avoided the fiasco we saw in 2000 and would save money as it would reduce the necessity of
special, additional elections.

8. Preserve Social Security?
Social Security is a safety net to keep our elderly out of poverty, to provide disability benefits and living benefits to children. We should never tamper with this program. Al Gore was absolutely right in his notion of treating it as a lock box. I am in favor of lifting the cap to ensure funding beyond 2040. I would never support any legislation to privatize or partially privatize.

9. Support public education that closes the achievement gap, promotes critical and affords students opportunities for ongoing civic and community engagement?
I am an advocate of public education. Education is the foundation of a strong and thriving democracy and imperative to keeping our democracy strong and thriving.
I would not support vouchers or mass funding of charter schools. I support midnighting NCLB as it is leaving too many children behind.

10. Protect our environment through legislation, education and the development of renewable resources?
The debate is over on global warming. We must join with the Apollo Alliance, create green collar jobs, reduce and cap co2’s. We must also engage China and India as well or our efforts will not matter. I am a member of the Sierra Club and the Environmental Caucus in the CDP as I believe education about these issues to be imperative to reversing our polluting trends and I believe we must all become
stewards of the Earth.

11. Support Fair Trade and other labor initiatives that protect workers’ rights and Guarantee workers a living wage?
I support the right to organize and the Freedom of Association. When we have a say in our society, and a say in the work force, this strengthens our democracy, is
good for American and is good for the middle class. I am in favor of ending our current trade agreements, NAFTA, CAFTA, WTO, as these are neither fair nor free and I will fight to return jobs to the US. I also resolve to support new job
industries, such as green collar jobs, and will always vote in favor of livable wages.

12. What is your position on the Death Penalty?
I oppose the Death Penalty. It has never been a deterrent to crime. I am in support of life in prison. And, I do not support the privatization of our prison system. They need to all be managed by the state and not for profit.

This blog fully supports Mary Pallant’s candidacy for the 24th Congressional District. We have been under the thumb of Elton Gallegly for too many years at our own expense. It is truly time for a new direction. Mary has the experience and the ability to beat Gallegly. With Democrat voter registration up in the 24th district, this could be our year to retire Gallegly. He has already shown he wants to retire, lets grant his wish this year. Go Mary!

This weekend I decided to turn my attention locally. Just what are the local representatives saying about the Cheney/Bush administration and how are they voting?

Our local representative is Elton Gallegly, California District 24, and a Republican. In many hours of searching on the internet, it is difficult to find any stance of substance that he has presented in Washington. He appears as a good ‘ole boy Republican.

In terms of his response to the Cheney/Bush administration, he appears as a yes man. How disappointing. With even Republican approval of this administration down significantly, and many Republican candidates trying to distance themselves from the White House. Gallegly goes along with Cheney/Bush in step.

An interesting tidbit of information that is significant in beginning investigation of Mr. Gallegly must start with his ridiculous support of impeachment hearing against previous President Bill Clinton during his administration.

Elton Gallegly was one of the 37 members of the House Judiciary Committee who decided President Bill Clinton’s actions were impeachable with respect to the Lewinsky matter.

Just what is Mr. Gallegly doing now while the Cheney/Bush administration shreds the Constitution, washes away our rights as American citizens, continually lies about the Iraq war, personally profits from the war machine, and pardons officials that cover for their lying?

He supports them!

Certainly the excesses of the current administration warrants the attention of our elected officials more critically than involving the nation in the personal affairs of a family. Does it not Mr. Gallegly?

Elton Gallegly has consistently voted for the Iraq War, to fund it, and has not demanded an exit date.
Elton Gallegly is a high school graduate, attended Los Angeles State College for one year, and has worked as a real estate broker. He was mayor of Simi Valley for 6 years before being elected as a representative in 1987 as a Republican. He has served as a representative since that time.

In October 2006, the Sunlight Foundation, a Washington-based non-profit organization which advocates better transparency in government, reported that Gallegly’s campaign committee paid his wife $41,792 to serve as the campaign manager during 2005-2006.Project Vote-Smart.org has repeatedly asked Mr. Gallegly to complete the National Political Awareness Test, he has refused to respond per the Vote Smart website. The National Political Awareness Test is important as it helps voters understand where candidates and elected officials stand with respect to about 20 issues of interest to American voters.

Interestingly, Mr. Gallegly has consistently voted for Right To Life issues, however he fails to support Children’s Health Care, children born to immigrants, or educational issues that would support real education for children (No Child Left Behind has been under funded and focuses on testing rather than education), he has voted against teachers consistently. If anyone has data with respect to who cleans his house or cuts his lawn, or even if he eats strawberrys grown in Ventura County, please send that along.

A review of Mr. Gallegly’s voting record can be found here. If this representative can not represent American citizens’ rights and will only cover for an administration that has lead us into a quagmire of war (to quote Dick Cheney) and spending for no other reason than profit, it looks like it is time for Mr. Gallegly to retire.

In a response letter from Mr. Gallegly’s office, he states that there was a resolution by Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich to Impeach Dick Cheney, it has been sent to the Judiciary Committee. Mr. Gallegly stated that he is a “senior member”. Well as “senior member”, what has he done. Has Mr. Gallegly read the constitution or does he just blindly approve anything the White House spews out?

In the 24th District, we need responsible representatives. Please sign the petition to Impeach Dick Cheney. Send a strong message to the Judiciary Committee that the American People insist on living by the United State Constitution and will hold elected representatives accountable.

Elton Gallegly