Inland Empire Progressive

The gloves are off, and Democrats have a fighting opportunity to go on offense in all 52 California congressional districts, not just the competitive races that the consultant class like to obsess over. Conservatives have made their brand so toxic, so extreme, and so wildly detached from California values that even Republicans should be looking for the exit ramp that leads them straight into the Democratic Party.  For too long, Democrats have treated deeply red districts as write-offs with Democrats in those districts left to be sacrificial lambs. That mentality is outdated. California’s demographics have shifted, younger and more progressive voters are turning 18 every day, and even moderate Republicans are exhausted by the extremism dominating their party. Democrats in state leadership should fund organizers to canvass, register voters, and develop strong candidates everywhere from Modoc to the Inland Empire where affordability and opportunity are on the ballot. MAGA is incompati...

By Todd S. Purdu   It’s the predominant paradox of contemporary American politics: If Republicans prevail in this year’s midterm congressional elections, it will be because of their party’s sharp-edged stances on topics like abortion and Benghazi, Obamacare and immigration, gay marriage and the minimum wage — issues that energize the GOP’s core base of support. But if Republicans lose the race for the White House in 2016, it will be because of their party’s polarizing, out-of-step stances on those very same issues, which alienate much of the broader electorate the GOP needs to win a national contest in a country whose demographics and political realities are shifting under its feet. Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2014/05/how-republicans-lose-by-winning-106961.html#ixzz32nYjPyds

I think Rep. Takano broke the mold when he was first elected in 2014. He was the first (openly) Progressive candidate to get elected in the Inland Empire. I have to admit I was a bit envious because I was hoping that it would have happened in San Bernardino County first. I think since his election we have seen more Progressive stances on issues coming from the Inland Empire and really challenging the Conservative narrative that permeates the policy making in this region. In addition, his leadership has really put the Inland Empire on the map and makes him a thought leader on Progressive issues. Whether it be gay marriage, immigration reform, defending Social Security he has been on the forefront of these fights to ensure that the silent majority is heard. Here is an oldie but goodie on immigration reform:

The Baca Dynasty is now in ruins and I am glad. No more hubris or taking advantage of minority voters from the Baca Clan. I am hoping that this time in the political wilderness will teach them valuable lessons on power and the responsibility that it entails. I do think, Sen. Gloria McLeod owes a debt of gratitude for Mayor Michael Bloomberg's timely assist. Without his help I think the results of this race would have been very different. However, disconcerting money in politics is, it does produce results...sometimes. I still believe a popular, disciplined, and policy driven politician can overcome monetary challanges and win. Now we get to see what is more important for the voters of the 35th Congressional District and that is how Congresswoman Elect Gloria McLeod will govern. These are some challenging times in American politics and I wish her well.

It’s hard to believe that Sen. Bob Dutton ever ran a business let alone was successful in politics. As I listened to You Tube, floor speeches, and other web content, I was kept thinking: “This guy is the guy who wants to represent us to develop 21st Century policies for the Inland Empire?” I think when it comes to government and business policies the elitist good ole boy network has seriously made him lazy and weak. His campaign his had no original thought or creativity and I don’t expect his policies in Congress will be any different. He will not express any creativity and will certainly follow the party line. He might have lived in the 31st Congressional District for 30 yrs., but his policies and thinking are from 30 years ago. But I guess a daft congressman is better than an extremist.  

Progressive Democrats (myself included) are not happy about the choices they have in November. The prospects of living under Republican governance for the next two years is met with a glumness. MoveOn.org publishes a ballot guide asking local voters their ballot choices. As you can see from the statements below, that glumness is palpable. The most laughable statement is that he is the more moderate of the two candidates. I would say his recent comments against a pathway to citizens for Mexican immigrants beg to differ. Both Rep. Gary Miller and Sen. Bob Dutton are Conservative extremists in moderate clothing, twisting their principles to try and comform with a nonexistant moderation. Some of the top rated reasons for supporting Mr. Dutton are to vote against Gary Miller. There is much resignation in the ranks of Democrats that a plum seat has been lost in the short term. In 2014, wh...

Vote Renea Wickman June 5th. I enthusiastically support this forward-looking vision for the Inland Empire.

  Read:   Gary Miller vs. Pete Aguilar: Super PACs Of Realtors, Credit Union Spend Big In California Primary Election Los Angeles and Orange County developers versus Nevada banks. These are two are the so called front runners in the race for the 31st Congressional District of California. No, no the politicians running, they are just surrogates. Proxies in a battle over one thing…houses. One thing we can be sure of, is that if one of these men is elected the local control is lost and the destiny of the Inland Empire will be handed over to outsiders.

  Vision, Integrity, and Leadership. I have worked with Renea Wickman since the early days of 2008. Back then a no-name novice with a funny name, Barack Obama, went on to become our 44th President. It wasn’t easy, but we did it. Since then Renea Wickman and I have worked hard to build a more Democratic Inland Empire and challenge the one party rule that has led to so much corruption here. We have succeeded in making Inland Empire Democrats know that they are not alone and that they have just as much power to shape our destiny as Republicans do. However, this time the stakes are higher. The Inland Empire is on the precipice of being over run by outside special interests from Orange County and Los Angeles developers by supporters of Gary Miller. At the same time, Nevada banking interests are looking to carve up the Inland Empire by supporters of Mayor Pete Aguilar. Vote for a true voice of Local Control on June 5th. Vote Renea Wickman.

Listen: Election 2012: In Inland Empire, Economic Distress May Drive Voters: The California Report | The California Report *Correction: The 31st is where Rep. Gary Miller is running, not the 35th. From redistricting to Ontario Airport, the talk in political circles is about two words: Local Control. With so much talk about local control, how is it that we, the residents of the Inland Empire, are now in the process of becoming renters to Orange County and LA interests.  Right now foreclosed homes are being auctioned off to outside interests for the highest bet. These outside interests may be thinking that they are helping by providing employment. But what is the cost? Local residents have little to no say in shaping the future of the Inland Empire. The building industry is heavily backing Rep. Gary Miller in the 31st Congressional District race. I wonder if the loss of local control was the price that was paid.

While my posts take a principled Progressive stance, I can be a realist. I understand that the 31st Congressional District is  very closely divided between Progressives and Conservatives. So my question would be where will Democratic the candidates break from principle? I believe in principled compromise (1 for 1 ratio) on issues defining the budget. The budget sets the priorities for the nation and should not be ignored by the Left. Progressives should aspire for a robust welfare state in addition to balanced budgets. Does this mean that the tax rate should go up? Definitely! However, everyone needs to sacrifice. On social issues, LGBT marriage, the decriminalization of marijuana, and true freedom of religion (and non-religion) should be at the forefront of our pursuit of happiness. The majority of these issues encompass the principle of Equality that is at the heart of the Progressive agenda. Some of these principles require political risk. A candidate with the intestinal for...

Everyone and their momma has a budget out these days. The President, Progressives, Republicans, and Conservatives have a budget for FY13. But what about the so called defenders of fiscal responsibility the Blue Dog Coalition? These folks proclaim to be the common sense/conservative/mainstream voice of the American people. As both candidates, Gloria Negrete Mcleod and Joe Baca,  for the 35th Congressional District are Blue Dogs. I ask where are their budgets? The residents of the 35th Congressional District and the American people deserve to know where these folks stand when it comes to policy. The next series of elections are not going to be like the elections of the past. We demand policy positions and expect results. It might good to say things, but you have to put your money where your mouth is.

Another article in a series revealing the true nature of Redlands Mayor Pete Aguilar. Why did Pete Aguilar choose to run as a Democrat? Pete Aguilar has many questionable, unscrupulous, and disreputable relationships with corrupt Republicans that other Progressive Democrats and I find very unsettling. These are just a few of Pete’s Conservative Pals that I have recovered: Jerry Lewis Republican politics in the Inland Empire begins and ends with one man, Jerry Lewis. Mr. Lewis’s corruption is well known, but since he hails from a safe district that brings in the pork (earmarks), he was never seriously challenged. Pete Aguilar knew Jerry Lewis through Larry Sharp the former CEO of Arrowhead Credit Union. During the Lobbyist Copeland Lowery scandal, Redlands Councilman Mr. Aguilar defended the lobbyist by giving the rational that public officials have no relationships with other public officials.  How can they not? They sit on many boards and commissions together.  Mr. Lo...

Rep. Joe Baca’s love for golf is a legendary in Inland Empire. However, try as I might, I have never witnessed the Congressman in golf pants or seen a photograph of him in them and probably never will. However, I have seen photographs of him sporting Dodger Blue throwing fastballs across home plate. Also being a member of the Blue Dog Coalition whose stated aim is: Blue Dogs advocate for mainstream American values, a commitment to fiscal responsibility , and a strong national defense. Rep. Joe Baca’s “concern” for the deficit is also advocated in almost every press release that concerns the budget. What do the Golf and Deficits have in common and why do I mention them? Well as the post implies these are the concerns of the wealthy. Incomes above $250,000 are the majority of those who play golf. With a median income of $50,000, cities represented by Rep. Joe Baca simply do not have the leisure time or prosperity to play rounds of golf. Don’t let me get started on the wasted water ...

  In the Inland Empire, unemployment is one of the highest in the nation standing at approx. 13%. In the city of San Bernardino, scores of houses sit underwater or in the process of foreclosure. Some remain abandoned with squatters and other vagrants sometimes moving in and becoming “residents”. Personally, I won’t buy a house because Single Family Homes (SFH) do not create wealth, can be abused easily (used as ATMs), and are an antiquated form of property that is a waste of space. I might be in the minority on this one, but living through and seeing the consequences of the housing boom and now the bust has turned me off to SFHs. In addition, big banks, investors, and governmental entities sit on mortgage loans whose value are inflated, inaccurate, and speculative. Because of the way Mortgage Backed Securities, Derivatives, and other financial products were packaged and sold I have severe doubts as to the true value and ownership of any housing mortgages held by MERS or any of t...

  Since “moving” into the Inland Empire and escaping the rolling hills of Diamond Bar, Rep. Gary Miller has really had an “oh shit” moment. He must be thinking to himself: “Not only am I a carpet bagger who just moved here to get elected. I am also fucking richer than most Tribal Members. I also cater to Wall Street interests because I sit on the Financial Services Committee and will repeal Dodd-Frank faster than a federal government bailout. Finally, I live in a district full of ‘brown people’ y no hablo espanol and don’t want to either (English only baby!). But these illegals make up 49% of the Congressional District. Oh what am I to do? I know! Say nice things like this:” Immigration: “ Congress must continue efforts to strengthen enforcement along the southwest border, remove loopholes in current law that invites manipulation of our laws, and shut down the job magnet that encourages individuals to enter our country illegally .” When I really mean this (you can’t hide from...

What do a political science professor from the University of Redlands,  and reporters from the Los Angeles Times, and Politico have in common? They all declare Redlands Mayor Pete Aguilar as one of the top two in the June primary race even though there are approx. two months left to go. As far as I am concerned, from a grassroots level, Mr. Aguilar doesn’t have a lock on anything. This is because even though the race has been sleepy so far, organization plays a big part in close elections (and this race will be close). He has won some endorsements from local political players but these folks live outside the district. Outside of Redlands, who has heard of Mr. Aguilar? I may be at a moderate level of expertise when it comes to politics, but I know that politics is full of surprises. He has a 1 in 6 chance of winning, like the rest of the field.

Lindsey Graham calls CFPB ‘Stalinist’ - Robin Bravender - POLITICO.com The independence of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is what gives this government agency its strength. By having Congress oversee it the CFPB is more subject to partisan influence. Progressives will passionately protect consumers and in a preventative manner if need be. Conservatives will let the “free market” decide and will Monday morning legislate whatever crisis happens to appear when the shit hits the fan; and it will when you let the “free market” ride. In San Bernardino, we see payday lenders or euphemistically the alternative banking system take advantage of consumers by making loans at rates as high as 300%. I know because I had to use them from time to time to cover cash shortfalls. Living on the margins is tough and one slip can land you into poverty, but I have my youth for now. But, I despise having to borrow against my next check and will ensure that the lending works to my advantage. The ...

06/27/11 The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) recently released its revised estimates for federal government spending and revenues. The top graph represents what would happen if Congress followed the laws it already passed by allowing the Bush Tax Cuts to expire, the AMT to reset, and discontinue "doc fix" to Medicare. The chart shows that taxes will evenutally line up with Total Primary Spending and the deficit would be erased. The bottom graph outlines the alternative fiscal scenario in which the Bush Tax Cuts are extended, modifications to the AMT occur, and "doc fix" is not allow to reset payment to doctors. Federal government revenues would be about 18% GDP while spending would be at around 25% and rising. I know that the Bush Tax cuts cost 3 Trillion Dollars for those making under $250K and 4 Trillion with those above making $250K included. The AMT and "doc fix" are spending I am still researching costs estimates on and will repost wh...