From the left and from the right, pundits, politicians, activists, and the grumpy guy down the street are always saying America had better wake up. If you are on the left, you were decrying the pending doom of our planet due to man made global warming, or how we could never win the war in Iraq, if you were on the right, you were predicting a titanic increase in spending, deficits, and government regulation. No matter where you came down on those issues, the refrain from both sides was, "Wake up America!"

The only honest assessment I can give you is this; Americans enjoy their slumber.

Sure, the alarm goes off from time to time, and we are jolted from our dreamworld, at least for a short time. However, in the end, we roll over hit the snooze button. Why do we do this? My short answer is this; paying attention is hard work.

It is much easier to come home from work and turn on your favorite sitcom or drama, sit down in from of your computer, or put in that DVD from Netflix. Who wants to read a piece about a Senate hearing on this, that, or the other? Who wants to read about the city council, or board of supervisor's meeting? Who want's to keep track of just how much of your money was promised to someone else today? Judging from the tremendous amount voter apathy, and the vast numbers of those who don't understand the issues, not many Americans are awake right now.

Every election cycle, we hear one side or the other declaring a mandate from the people. Really? Even in the last election, where we were told about this huge influx of newly active, informed voters, the actual turn out was about 56% of eligible voters. That was only up a few percent from the last election. I'm not sure you can have a true mandate from 52% of the 56% of eligible American voters. This goes for Republicans as well as Democrats. If the GOP makes some headway in the 2010 election cycle, the plaques on the offices in DC will change, but I have to wonder if there will be any real, fundamental change until Americans start showing up, awake, informed, and in larger numbers.

We see a bit of this in the Tea Party movement, and in the last few statewide election in Virginia, New Jersey and Massachusetts. But a word of caution, as much passion as there is in these grass roots efforts, I remember the legions of Obama volunteers, meeting in homes, on campuses in 2008. They thought they were going to change the world too. What a difference a year makes.

You may ask, so what do want me to do? I work all day, come home, make dinner, make sure the kid's homework is done, and the laundry gets from the hamper to the washer. Where am I going to find the time to become informed? I don't know, most everyone has these same responsibilities. I would suggest that becoming informed is not that hard a task if you are willing to take a few minutes each day to make it happen.

In some ways, I miss the days of political ignorance. I just went along living my life, hoping some jackass behind a mahogany desk would not screw it up too badly. When I really started looking at the difference between my gross pay and my net pay, that is when I started to ask, who are these people, and what the heck are they doing with my money?

Here is your first assignment; know the players. This is a vital first step, one that many politicians hope you never take. Start locally and go up from there. I don't live in an incorporated city, so I don't have a city councilman or mayor to worry about. Living in Esparto, my first representative is Duane Chamberlain, the 5th district supervisor for Yolo County. From there I go to the State of California, and my local Assembly district, District 2, and Assemblyman Jim Nielsen. Then up to the State Senate, District 5 and State Senator Lois Wolk. The to the Governor.

Okay, get up and stretch for a second, we are almost done, now on to the Feds. My local Congressman in the 2nd District is Wally Herger, then on to our two Senators, Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein. From there it goes to the President of the United States, Barack Obama.

Who knew there were so many people to complain to?

The first step is knowing who they are, then what they are doing with your money and freedoms. Next comes working to support or working to replace them as your representative.

Walt Lucas - guest commentator.

The Yolo County Republican Party Central Committee opposes all six ballot measures on the May 19th Ballot.

Oh to have a President Romney right now.......




Just minutes ago at the convention

I will be blogging from the 2009 California Republican Convention. I hope to post a few stories this weekend.

Thought it timely as we approach the 2008 election that I espouse my viewpoints (that are exceedingly accurate)
on the merits of the Grand Old Party, and why the US will elect John McCain as President. Inversely you will be exposed to the dysfunctional Democratic party, one that has little vision but to promote socialism (YIKES!)

Perhaps it would be most effective to initially point out the two words that best summarize the most fundamental differences in the two opposing perspectives: Accountability vs Entitlement . I will point to real life examples, observed 1st hand, that properly reflect these values for you. So let's begin:

1. Unionization of Workforces: The left has and always will support this tired, worn-out, one-for-all concept. It has all but broken the airline, automobile and textile industries. The democratic party, through legislation being proposed in the misleading "Employee Free Choice Act," strives to replace the time-honored and respected NLRB sponsored secret ballot election process with authorization cards (Card Check.) This misguided effort seeks to allow union thugs to pressure employees to sign cards. Let's make no mistake, the ONLY objective of modern-day union drives is for the normally criminal union bosses to earn dues - they care absolutely nothing for the actual well-being of the employee base. You will not hear of this in the DNC, as it would not be received well by the undecided. Nonetheless, the Dems back this concept completely. Unionization is a living example of the entitlement mentality, as all unions I've encountered are in place to rebute the employees that put in a good days work and diligently try to get ahead. Their cause promotes gaining as much as possible by doing the least amount of work. They are adamantly opposed to the rule of accountability. The union leadership (if you can call it that) abhor it and are afraid of it.

2. The Dems hold dear the concept of bloated, tax & spend governments, that, through their disciples in bureaucracy, place a chokehold on the notion of individual freedom and advancement. All of the government agencies that I have tried to work with, without exception, are convoluted, often in direct conflict with each other, and most of the time serve no meaningful purpose but to stifle business, spend our hard earned money, and seek to protect their own selfish perpetuity. California is a beautiful example of the perfect storm of waste, manifested by out-of-control government (we have a $20 Billion deficit), implementing needless services through self-policing unions. A recipe for disaster.

You will hear the Dems talk about their annual theme "serve the less-fortunate." Sounds indisputable, Mom and apple pie. Who could argue with this....the key difference, again between the right and left is in the approach. I have personally witnessed dozens of good men and women earn prosperity and increase their standard of living through hard work , loyalty, innovation and thoughtfulness. They truly moved from lower to middle class, some in short order. This is Accountability in it's finest form; in an manner that can be sustained. Contrast this to the Dems approach which is basically characterized by government handout, a version that is not sustainable. O'bama, the Messiah, a Marxist, proved his adherence to Entitlement recently through his very visible promotion of the checks distributed nationwide to compensate for higher fuel prices. Obviously, this gesture did little to stimulate consumer spending, and in my and most opinions I trust, was a complete and utter waste of tax $.

Business prosperity is really the only road to individual betterment, fostered by an absence of government intervention, taxation and oppression. The government's role (if real change is being sought) is to reduce government to the lowest levels needed to cover the principle responsibilities of national security and fiscal, monetary policy aimed at growing the economy.

3. Energy policy: The Dems truly do not dislike high fuel prices (they are responsible for the mess we are in - through their destructive and oppressive historical ban on oil drilling); rather, they believe that someday this will lead to a government allocation program (entitlement). Dems do not pay tribute to free market principles, they don't understand and are fearful of business and capitalism (meaning accountability). Because crude oil is strictly a commodity, market forces and most dominantly supply and demand, dictate longer-term pricing trends. In the short-term, perception dominates. The mere notion of increased drilling would have an immediate and favorable impact on prices. Please do not believe what other, less-informed may tell you. The free-market is the ONLY WAY to solve this issue. The Dems would have you believe that all forms of energy need to be pursued; beware - this is a ploy for greater government as most non-fossil fuel energy sources would require subsidy to be economically viable. They are non fully matured entities.


So, you make the call. Do you like Entitlement or Accountability? Do you like a proven thought and action leader like McCain, or do you think the Messiah with little but the most liberal record to offer? Do you like a workhorse or a show horse?

How do know when you have connected with Americans? When they start calling you by your first name. While I drove home today I listened to the radio and I heard more than a few callers refer to the Republican Vice Presidential running mate as 'Sarah'. Alaska's Governor Sarah Palin seems to have that certain something that makes you take notice and pay attention. She is real. A real woman, a real mother, a real person and a real reformer. If you look at most politicians today and see car salesmen with high priced educations in very nice suits, you probably look at Governor Palin and say, she is one of us, only she's crazy enough to get into politics.

I remember hearing her name mentioned a few weeks ago and I thought she would be a great pick, but I really figured McCain would choose Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty. While Alaska and its 3 electoral votes factored little in choosing Palin, once you look at her accomplishments in the 49th state, one image starts to emerge.

Reformer.

Here is someone who has a solid reputation as an executive with little tolerance for BS and will stand up to special interests and the status quo, even in her own party. If you are like me, a republican who has lost faith in the GOPs ability to stop spending like democrats and cut the corrupt dead wood from inside the party, Palin seems like the perfect choice. She says no to 'feel good' legislation, pork barrel projects, and she is a true conservative.

I'm sure in the next few weeks the microscopes will be pointed at every vote, veto and personal decision Sarah Palin has made in the past few years, and guess what, we will find out that Governor Palin is human. She has obviously made a few decisions she wishes she could change, a few words she wishes she could have back, but that is where her ability to be a real person and connect will show. I am not sure what skeletons are rattling around in Palin's closet, but I'll bet she doesn't have an unrepentant terrorist as a friend and political backer.

As for those who think Senator Joe Biden will tear her to shreds in a debate, don't count those chickens too fast. Carter was going to clobber the paper thin intellect of Reagan, and Kerry was going to demolish the dim witted Bush. The great thing about Americans is their ability to see candidates for who they are. Every few decades they make a mistake, President Jimmy Carter comes to mind, but on average, they pick the right leader for the right time.

In the dangerous times we live in, who would you put your trust in, the number 1 and number 3 most liberal US Senators, or a politically moderate combat veteran and a tough, reform minded mother of 5?

The Yolo County Republican Party held it's annual Lincoln/Reagan Dinner tonight at the Hotel Woodland. The dinner was wonderful as well as the silent auction, but when you have a group of republicans get together, you had better believe that the talk will turn to politics and it will be spirited and inspiring. I had the chance to speak with Doug LaMalfa and two of the men who are running to take over his seat when Doug is termed out this fall, Charlie Schaupp and Jim Neilsen. It will be an interesting race to be sure. Greg Aghazarian was on hand as well as John W Jones and a few more I am sure I missed. Oh, and a table full of Davis College Republicans, great to have you here!

While many local candidates for office spoke to the crowd of 100, the featured speaker of the evening was Tom Del Baccaro, the Vice Chair of the California Republican Party. Tom is also the man behind the Political Vanguard website and the author of The New Conservative Paradigm.

If you have not had the chance to hear him, Del Baccaro is wonderful speaker. Not only does he speak with conviction about the issues we as republicans hold dear, he speaks about the ideas all Americans care about. Having heard my share of political speeches, I always ask two question when the speaker has finished. First, did I learn anything new and important, and secondly, did I feel that the speaker was talking from his heart?

Tonight, Del Baccaro kept coming back to the 1976 election, where many republicans who were pulling for Reagan stayed home on election day because they were not all too thrilled with Gerald Ford. What did that get us? James Earl Carter, along with double digit inflation, 21% mortgage rates and a rudderless foreign policy. Tom's point hit home with me. McCain isn't my guy, he's not even my second choice, but he is far and away a better choice for President than Barack Obama. He finished with this question, what will we do, we as republicans? Will we stay at home because John McCain isn't all we want in a candidate or will we look past our differences in policies to keep a slick talking guy selling false hope out of the White House?

An honest question, and one we had better figure out quickly. If you are a Huckabee supporter, keep on believing, but be ready to throw in with McCain when your guy is out of the race. For all you Romney folks, Giuliani folks, FredHeads, and you Ron Paul supporters, who are thinking about sitting this election out, ask yourself this. Did I 'get back' at the country for not supporting my guy and staying home, or did I 'teach my party a lesson' by sitting this election out?

Let me answer that one for you. No, you didn't.

You gave us three new Supreme Court Justices nominated by Barack Obama and confirmed by Harry Reid.
(the sound of me stepping down off my soapbox)


This year's dinner was another success thanks to all of the volunteers who worked behind the scenes to make it happen. Great job, and we will see you next year.