Mark Simon’s Jan. 19, 2023, column on Republicans on the Peninsula prompted a response. Neither party should hope for the demise of the other. Our country has prospered when both parties are engaged in healthy debate to solve big problems. The role of both parties is to be a voice for the people. Unfortunately, Proposition 14 installed a top-two vote receiver system, essentially eliminating a candidate from each party in the primaries, which has led to one-party rule — an antithesis to democracy.
In California, this has led to a majority Democratic Legislature and governor, which has turned a projected budget surplus of $97.5 billion to a deficit of $22.5 billion. Further, the exodus of California companies and families to other states has also eliminated much-needed tax revenue for social programs.
The Democratic Party’s fascination with turning crime, homelessness, drugs, immigration and climate change into political issues as opposed to social solutions is wearing thin on voters. Identity politics and name calling has driven many to hide behind a No Party Preference designation.
Hopefully, the issue of education will energize Republicans, independents and Democrats alike. Our schools rank 44th in the country. Declining core curriculum, dismantling of merit-based education and divisive curriculum with inappropriate gender studies are driving a wedge between students, parents and teachers.
History has shown moving the pendulum to one extreme or the other is never sustainable. The past is not always a window to the future.
Wow. You said a lot. Some I agree with and some... eh, not so much.
I was a card carrying, bag totin' Democrat for 30 years. I don't want to say "the party left me"... it's too much of a cliche, but I did leave 15 years before the WalkAway campaign started. I'm not hiding behind my NPP choice, and I would welcome the opportunity to affiliate with a party that represents me. I don't know if that will happen.
I like the optimism in your statement, "Our country has prospered when both parties are engaged in healthy debate to solve big problems." I agree that education is a big problem that needs our attention right away and could benefit from a healthy debate.
Well Daniel - is there any hope for the Democratic Party now that Pelosi has endorsed shifty Schiff for succeeding Senator Feinstein? The Party is really scraping the bottom of the barrel.
Dirk, if I may follow Taffy’s train (more of a handcar) of thought… what Taffy forgot to add is that if you scrape beneath the Republican, you’ll find Democrats, beneath that, rabid lefties, and beneath that, Biden.
Mr. Torunian - thanks for your letter. Unfortunately, because there’s no political will to change the status quo, I don’t see our schools moving much higher in the rankings. I wouldn’t be surprised if more of our taxpayer education dollars support retired educators and administrators than currently supporting our kids. Every few years, I see articles that highlight the amount of money being paid to Los Angeles teachers for extended periods of time to not teach due to complaints or some other reason.
Previously, I had proposed we overhaul the public education system by privatizing it. Perhaps implementing a free agent policy and running the education system similar to a sports organization. Pay for performance. Sign educators to contracts and if they’re good enough, they’ll be inked with higher contracts. If not, they’re cut. I know – a pipe dream because unions own the Democrats, but one can dream. Or better yet, put one’s kids in private school.
You make an excellent point. The idea of America was we’d merge into "one people”. We are now far more united now than century ago but the Democrats' identity politics threaten to re-divide us.
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(8) comments
Hi, Daniel...
Wow. You said a lot. Some I agree with and some... eh, not so much.
I was a card carrying, bag totin' Democrat for 30 years. I don't want to say "the party left me"... it's too much of a cliche, but I did leave 15 years before the WalkAway campaign started. I'm not hiding behind my NPP choice, and I would welcome the opportunity to affiliate with a party that represents me. I don't know if that will happen.
I like the optimism in your statement, "Our country has prospered when both parties are engaged in healthy debate to solve big problems." I agree that education is a big problem that needs our attention right away and could benefit from a healthy debate.
Well Daniel - is there any hope for the Democratic Party now that Pelosi has endorsed shifty Schiff for succeeding Senator Feinstein? The Party is really scraping the bottom of the barrel.
Dirk,
If you scrape the bottom of the barrel hard enough you might even find a Republican.
Taffy - you fall into the same trap as your cohort Jorg. I mention a specific person and you generalize.
Dirk, if I may follow Taffy’s train (more of a handcar) of thought… what Taffy forgot to add is that if you scrape beneath the Republican, you’ll find Democrats, beneath that, rabid lefties, and beneath that, Biden.
Mr. Torunian - thanks for your letter. Unfortunately, because there’s no political will to change the status quo, I don’t see our schools moving much higher in the rankings. I wouldn’t be surprised if more of our taxpayer education dollars support retired educators and administrators than currently supporting our kids. Every few years, I see articles that highlight the amount of money being paid to Los Angeles teachers for extended periods of time to not teach due to complaints or some other reason.
Previously, I had proposed we overhaul the public education system by privatizing it. Perhaps implementing a free agent policy and running the education system similar to a sports organization. Pay for performance. Sign educators to contracts and if they’re good enough, they’ll be inked with higher contracts. If not, they’re cut. I know – a pipe dream because unions own the Democrats, but one can dream. Or better yet, put one’s kids in private school.
Fixing anything politically requires going through the sausage factory and it is not a pretty sight.
You make an excellent point. The idea of America was we’d merge into "one people”. We are now far more united now than century ago but the Democrats' identity politics threaten to re-divide us.
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Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
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PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.