Feinstein Lies
by Bob Serrao

Dialogue: Senator Diane Feinstein and Robert Serrao, Dec. 15, 2009, 10 a.m., Senator Feinstein’s Washington office.

Serrao: Hello, Senator Feinstein. I’m pleased to meet you. I’m Bob Serrao and this is my wife, Peggy.

Feinstein: Hi, Bob; hi, Peggy.

S: We flew here all the way from Irvine, California, to talk with you, and more specifically, about healthcare.

F: O.K.

S: The question I have is, by what Constitutional authority does the Congress mandate that U.S. citizens buy goods and services from the government?

F: It doesn’t! Every citizen will have a choice as to which insurance they will buy. If they don’t buy their own insurance, they can buy government insurance.

S: And, if they don’t buy insurance, won’t they be fined?

F: Yes, I believe it’s $35. And that’s the thing I disagreed with. I thought the fine should be more.

S: And, if the fine isn’t paid?

F: Well, there’s a lot of misinformation out there about healthcare. You see, young people like these here (pointing to two staffers) think that they are invincible because they are young. They may not see the need to have insurance. But, they still have to have it. You see, we need a larger ‘pool’ of people so that those that can least afford it still get it.

S: But, Senator, isn’t that socialized medicine?

F: Oh, no. Socialized medicine is where the government insures everyone and is the single payer for them.

S: But, isn’t that what the President wants and where we are heading?

F: Well, there’s no telling where this might be heading.

S: You may know that most of us don’t want this bill.

F: Yes, but, we have received 435,000 letters of support. (short pause).

S: (nods respectfully)

F: Well, thanks for coming in. I must get to work now.

S: Thank you for your time. Oh, and one other thing, Senator.

F: Yes….?

S: …Turn on the water.

F: (energetically) Yes, turn on the water. I’m doing all that I can to get the water back to the Central Valley.

S: Thanks for your good work.

Goodbye.

Follow-up email to Senator Feinstein from Bob Serrao, Dec. 17, 2009

Senator Feinstein,

Thank you for your time in a short meeting on Tues. morning, Dec. 15. Our meeting was providentially appointed. I'm sure you would agree.

It is so obviously clear by your deflected answers and incorrect responses to my questions, that you have not read the healthcare bill (if indeed there is one) and that you are disseminating wrong information for partisan reasons.

It is also obvious that your political party (Democrat) is using bribery and strong-arm tactics to attain senators' votes that they would not have otherwise endorsed (vis-a-vis Landrieu, Nelson, Lieberman, Nelson, etc.).

Without a doubt, your leadership is not 'of, by and for the people.' Therefore, I am holding you in contempt of the Constitution and misprision of high crimes and misdemeanors by you and your party. When will you and the Congress respect personal liberties and uphold justice for all in Constitutional authority?

For freedom and The Republic,
Bob Serrao

Message to blog readers: PLEASE phone your non-Representatives and tell them that you want Obamacare repealed.

Why Is Atlas Shrugging?

The Regency Theaters South Coast Village in Irvine was one of approximately 300 theaters last week that held an opening night screening of “Atlas Shrugged.” It was hosted by the OC Register and the Pacific Research Institute.

On April 15, the film adaptation of Ayn Rand's classic novel “Atlas Shrugged” hit over 300 theaters across America. The film, “Atlas Shrugged: Part One,” celebrates values Tea Party activists hold dear: limited government, free markets and individual liberty.

In the film, the productive members of society or "Atlases" who hold up the world, slowly disappear and thus "shrug" from under the weight of a government that undervalues, suppresses and demonizes individual achievement.

Even though it was written more than 50 years ago, Rand's story shares ominous similarities with our nation today. Government bailouts of failing enterprises, crony capitalists perverting the free market and the skyrocketing price of oil—all newspaper headlines today—are themes ripped right from the pages of “Atlas Shrugged.”

And while the book and the film are fiction, the message hits home because when we look around at our floundering economy and hapless political leaders, one thing is clear: Atlas IS Shrugging.

To show this, we just released a mashup video and quiz showing the parallels between rhetoric used by Democrats today and government bureaucrats in the film. Here’s the link to watch the video and take the quiz. http://www.freedomworks.org/atlas-is-shrugging

Matt Kibbe
President and CEO, FreedomWorks

Political and Government Events Calendar

Capistrano Valley Republican Women Federated will meet on April 20, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Marbella Country Club, 30800 Golf Club Drive, San Juan Capistrano, (949) 240-6799, featured speaker John Drew, Ph.D., “Why Obama’s past is more important than his future.” RSVP to Sue Schultz, (949) 240-6799 or esue39@cox.net, $20 includes breakfast, http://www.CVRWF.org

Saddleback Republican Assembly, April 21, 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Norm Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Room Jacaranda B, Mission Viejo, featured speaker will be Congressman Gary Miller, “Washington Update,” (949) 830-8088. The public is welcome, no charge to attend.

Republican Club of Laguna Woods Luncheon Meeting, April 22, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., April Luncheon, Clubhouse 5. Featured speaker will be Charles Wiley, “Accuracy in Media,” 24262 Punta Alta, Laguna Woods Village, (949) 951-1080, http://lagunawoodsvillage.com

Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees, regular meeting and Public Hearing (Student Teacher Ratio General Waiver Request for Grades 4-8, Fiscal Years, 2011-12 and 2012-13), April 27, 7:00 p.m., 33122 Valle Road, San Juan Capistrano, (949) 234-9200, http://capousd.ca.schoolloop.com

Aliso Viejo Republican Women Federated, dinner meeting, April 28, 6:30 p.m., featured speaker will be former undercover FBI Agent Bob Hamer, “Enemies Among Us,” Aliso Viejo Conference Center, 31 Santa Barbara Drive, Aliso Viejo, RSVP to (949) 859-2818 or (949) 735-0718.

World Affairs Council of Orange County, Sir Eldon Griffiths, “The Pros and Cons of a Royal Monarchy for a Democratic Nation,” April 28, 6 p.m. reception, 7 p.m. dinner, 7:45 p.m. program, Hilton Costa Mesa, 3050 Bristol Street, Costa Mesa (949) 253-5751, http://www.worldaffairscouncil.org

Saddleback Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees will meet May 10, 6:15 p.m., 25631 Peter Hartman Way, Mission Viejo, (949) 586-1234, http://www.svusd.k12.ca.us

Tustin Area Republican Women Federated General Meeting and Luncheon, May 27, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tustin Ranch Golf Club. Guest Speaker will be Bruce Herschensohn, “Crisis in Egypt: The Impact on U.S. Foreign Policy and Our Efforts in the Middle East,” 12442 Tustin Ranch Road, Tustin, (714) 544-2063.

Non-government Events

Following is a sampling of events and activities that are not funded by taxpayers or promoted by the Nanny State. Please support private enterprise.

“Seed Starting” presented by Master Gardeners of Orange County, 10:30-11:20 a.m. and 3:30-4:30 p.m., April 19 and April 26. Pretend City Children’s Museum, 29 Hubble, Irvine, http://www.pretendcity.org

“Coffee Breaks with Native Plants,” coffee and mini-lectures, 10:00-10:30 a.m., April 20-22, Tree of Life Nursery, 33201 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, (949) 728-0685, http://www.californianativerplants.com

Movies, Edwards Kaleidoscope Stadium 10 in Mission Viejo, 27741 Crown Valley Pkwy, (949) 582-4020, get show times, watch movie trailers, see what's coming soon at
http://www.moviefone.com/theater/edwards-kaleidoscope-stadium-10/32/showtimes

Youth Theatre: “Treasure Island,” April 22 through May 1, Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, (949) 497-2787, ext. 1, http://www.lagunaplayhouse.com

Easter Family Fair in Mission Viejo, Sat., April 23, 11 a.m., Mount of Olives Church, 24772 Chrisanta Dr., Mission Viejo, (949) 837-7467, http://www.moochurch.org

Jazz Monsters Concert with Nat Adderley, Jr., Founders Hall, 3rd Floor, April 23, 7 p.m., Soka University, 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo, (949) 480-4000, http://www.info@soka.edu

Farmers Market, Laguna Hills, Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Laguna Hills Mall, (714) 573-0374.

Farmers Market, San Juan Capistrano, Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Historic Town Center Park, (949) 493-4700.

Stitching Sisters Embroidery Seminar, April 29-30, Moore’s, 25390 Marguerite Pkwy, Mission Viejo, (949) 829-0003, ext. 10, http://www.moores-sew.com

Art Exhibits featuring Sunny Kim and Howard Hitchcock, through May 2 daily except Tuesdays, noon to 5 p.m., Sandstone Gallery, 384-A N. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, (949) 497-6775, http://www.sandstonegallery.com

“Growing Beautiful Roses” with Cristin Fusano, May 15, 9 a.m., Plant Depot, 33413 San Juan Creek Road, San Juan Capistrano, (949) 240-2107, http://www.plantdepot.com

PALs Update

Open enrollment is continuing for the recently and unanimously approved charter school in Capistrano USD, Oxford Preparatory Academy South Orange County. Oxford Prep is a public school that is tuition-free opening this September. It is open to all K - 8 students within CUSD. Oxford Prep utilizes Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences in the classroom. Parents who wish to enroll their children in Oxford Prep must attend one mandatory Pre-Enrollment Information Meeting and submit a completed student application at one of the scheduled Enrollment Intake dates.

You can find more information at http://www.oxfordchampions.com or attend a Pre-Enrollment Information Meeting.

Remaining Dates of Pre-Enrollment Information Meeting Schedule:
Wed. 4/20 Noon-2:00pm, Temple Beth El, 2A Liberty, AV
Tues. 4/26 7:00-9:00pm, Clarence Lobo Elementary
Sat. 4/30 10:00am-Noon, Church of Christ, 26558 Marguerite Pkwy, MV

Enrollment Intake Meeting Schedule: (Please bring a copy of the following for EVERY child you would like to enroll: (proof of residency: utility bill; gas; electric; mortgage); proof of immunizations; Proof of age (birth certificate, passport); IEP or 504 Plan (if applicable); most recent grade report; parent signature on Learning Partnership Agreement; Home Language Survey (acquired at the Parent Information meetings).

Wed. April 20 2:00-7:00pm Temple Beth El
Sat. April 30 9:00am-4:00pm Church of Christ

All the best,
Julie Collier
Parents Advocate League

The Buzz

City Hall has apparently realized its very big mistake of erecting stone outhouses on Crown Valley Parkway medians. A commonly used technique for covering up architectural abominations is “shrubbing them up.” Is that not what City Hall is doing, hiding the outhouses with palm trees and excessive vegetation? As another error, City Hall put pictures on the outhouses instead of signs saying “Men” and “Women.” In the latest shrub-up, medians are severely over-planted with what looks like tall weeds.

***

Abundant rainfall in California has led to the governor lifting restrictions on residents’ water use. With an odd sense of timing, City Hall invited residents to enter a water-saving contest after the shortage abated. Mayor Dave Leckness several weeks ago asked residents to give their email addresses to an artist who is sponsoring a water conservation campaign. Leckness made such conservation suggestions as “don’t flush your toilet all the time.” The campaign is sponsored by Robert Wyland, a marine-life muralist who resides in Hawaii. Wyland’s commercial success and marketing savvy have made him world-famous.

***

No citizen, business or organization wastes as much water as some of the municipalities that are engaging in the contest. Shouldn’t a genuine conservation contest in which various cities are competing with each other address the most wasteful offenders? To enter the contest, residents go online and give their email address to Wyland’s foundation. The “winner” of the contest isn’t the one saving the most water. It’s the city with the highest percentage of residents giving their email addresses to Wyland. Why would anyone do that?

***

For full coverage of the April 15 Tax Day Protest in Mission Viejo, go to the Mission Viejo Dispatch to read the article and view photos, http://missionviejodispatch.com/politics/spitzer-baugh-schlicht-keynote-tea-party . Speakers at the street corner rally included former Assemblyman Todd Spitzer, Orange County GOP Chairman Scott Baugh, Mission Viejo Councilwoman Cathy Schlicht. former Dana Point Mayor Col. Joe Snyder, Laguna Niguel Councilman and former Mayor Robert Ming, OC GOP Manager Scott Lowenhurst, CUSD Board Member Ellen Addonizio, OC GOP Central Committee Vice President Mary Young, Liz Mimm, Paula Steinhauer, Congressman Gary Miller’s Chief of Staff Steve Thornton and SRA President Matt Corrigan.

***

Celeste Grieg was reelected on April 17 as president of California Republican Assembly. CRA convened April 15-17 in Sacramento for its annual convention. Others elected on April 17 were Vice Presidents Karl Heft, Tom Hudson, Bob Kowell, Tim Thiesen, Cliff Wagner and Mike Zimmerman, Treasurer John Fugatt, Assistant Treasurer Baron Night, Membership Secretary George Park Jr., Recording Secretary Craig Alexander, Voter Registration Secretary Sam Cannon, Sgt. at Arms Aaron Park, Corresponding Secretary Janine Heft and National Committeewoman Angel Zarobinski.