Committee of Self-servers

Despite an abundance of private-sector activities in Mission Viejo, some residents rely on City Hall for entertainment. Acting as City Hall’s Character Committee’s Subcommittee, a group of teenagers have thrown catered parties for themselves, treated themselves to banquets and watched movies at City Hall – all at taxpayer expense.

The character program isn’t the most egregious example of waste, but it demonstrates the council majority either doesn’t understand the purpose of government or doesn’t care enough to stay focused.

For months, the character committee has been placing ads in the PennySaver, with the headline “FREE MOVIE!” The movie isn’t “free,” and government isn’t any more qualified to teach character lessons than it is to teach economics. No one needs examples of the city’s failed economic policies, but the city should encourage its citizens to patronize a theater if they want to see a movie. Instead, City Hall uses tax dollars to compete with private enterprise.

Councilwoman Trish Kelley foisted the character program on city taxpayers in 2003. Despite her claim the program would use no city funds, the illogical basis of her proposal should have been challenged. Character development is a responsibility of parents, and a child’s value system is theoretically established by the age of eight. Kelley’s claim of no public funding was false, and city staffers were soon diving into inane activities of coloring “character” posters and illustrating “character” words.

Recent online character committee minutes indicate that two of the attendees are paid by taxpayers to participate, and only a handful of others are attending the meetings. Instead of directing teenagers to become engaged in genuine community service as volunteers, the city absorbs them with “free” movies, “free” food and “free” crafts projects. The minutes describe teenagers wanting polo shirts for participating in the program.

The endless giveaways are hastening the day when the government at all levels will run out of money for programs, including essential public services.

End Obamacare
by Bob Serrao

Obamacare is a social program dressed in a hospital gown. 

“Obama Universal Coverage for Health” – (O.U.C.H) —

• Obamacare requires insane amounts of tax money to rent its offices, pay the staffers, and fund related bureaucratic costs.
• Your taxes will be raised immediately, but your “one-size-fits-all” universal health insurance will have to wait until 2014.
• 400,000 Americans lose their jobs each week. Raising taxes on the unemployed is also insane.
• A $10-trillion program over 10 years is unsustainable.
• Medicare and Medicare Advantage will be stripped of $500 billion immediately, leaving you less insured.
• You lose freedom of choice, or pay fines and risk imprisonment.
• You become prey to political predators...dictators.
• Legislators work for us, yet are exempt from such humiliation and oppression.
• Remember, we Americans are citizens, not subjects.

It’s NOT ENOUGH to know these facts. YOU MUST PHONE WASHINGTON, D.C., and voice your opinion.

Reagan’s view of socialized medicine:
http://search.creativecommons.org/?q=Reagan+on+Healthcare&sourceid=Mozilla-search

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.

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

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

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

Learn about Metallic “Suede” Wall Finishes, Wed., May 18, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Studio Primrose and Surfaces of Distinction, 27601 Forbes Road, Suite 34, Laguna Niguel, (949) 584-1917, http://studioprimrose.com

“Songbird Friendly Native Garden,” Sat., May 21, 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m., Tree of Life Nursery, 33201 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, (949) 728-0685, http://www.californianativeplants.com

“Create a Succulent Wreath” class, May 21 or May 28, 10:00 a.m., and “Plant a Bird Cage” class, May 22, 11 a.m., Cottage Home and Garden, 31720 Los Rios Street, San Juan Capistrano, (949) 493-3920, http://www.cottage-home-and-garden.com/events.htm

Art Exhibit, “Scrimshaw: the Art and Craft of the American Whaler,” May 21 through September 30, Bowers Museum, 2002 N. Main Street, Santa Ana, (714) 567-3600, http://www.bowers.org/index.php/art/exhibitions_listing/current

“So You’ve Got Compost, Now What?” with Randy Ritchie, Sun., May 22, 10 a.m., Plant Depot, 33413 San Juan Creek Road, San Juan Capistrano, (949) 240-2107, http://www.plantdepot.com

Sierra Sage Late Spring Walk, Sun., May 22, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., The Donna O'Neill Land Conservancy, Rancho Mission Viejo, San Juan Capistrano, (949) 489-9778, for fastest response, email your comments, questions or reservation requests to staff@rmvreserve.org, http://theconservancy.org/Calendar.aspx

Jazz Monsters Concert with Roni Ben-Hur, Nilson Matta Septet and the Exotic New York-Budapest Brazilian Ensemble, May 25, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Soka University’s Campus Green Stage, 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo, (949) 480-4000, http://www.info@soka.edu

“Sweet Charity,” through May 29, Camino Real Playhouse, 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, (949) 489-8082, http://caminorealplayhouse.org

Young Rembrandts Art Class, Mondays through June 6, noon to 1:00 p.m., Pretend City Children’s Museum, 29 Hubble, Irvine, (949) 428-3900, http://pretendcity.org

Saddleback Lanes bowling alley has been in business since 1974; great gathering place with special discounts for groups. Events throughout the week, 25402 Marguerite Pkwy, Mission Viejo, (949) 586-5300, http://www.saddlebacklanes.net

Political and Government Events Calendar

Orange County Board of Supervisors will meet Tues., May 17, 9:30 a.m., in the Board Hearing Room, First Floor, 333 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana, (714) 834-3100, http://www.ocgov.com/ocgov/Government/Board%20of%20Supervisors

Capistrano Valley Republican Women, Federated, Wed., May 18, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Marbella Country Club, 30800 Golf Club Drive, San Juan Capistrano, (949) 240-6799, Sue, http://www.cvrwf.org

Casta del Sol Democratic Club meeting, Wed., May 18, 7:00 p.m., featuring a special screening of the movie, “Lose With English,” written and directed by Michael Glover, son-in-law of CDS Democratic Club President Norm Rosenkrantz. One of the movie’s producers is Robyn Rosenkrantz, Norm and Simone Rosenkrantz’s daughter. The club will meet in the Vista Room at Casta del Sol. Free admission, RSVP to (949)380-0171.

Richard Nixon Library hosts former Congressman James Rogan, Thurs., May 19, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., lecture, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, (714) 364-1181.

Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees, regular meeting, Wed., May 25, 7:00 p.m., 33122 Valle Road, San Juan Capistrano, agenda and supporting documentation will be published on the website 72 hours prior to a meeting, (949) 234-9200, http://capousd.ca.schoolloop.com

Aliso Viejo Republican Women Federated, May 26, 6:30 p.m., “Honoring Our Military,” with guest speaker WWII Veteran Lou Mauro, Aliso Viejo Conference Center, 31 Santa Barbara Drive, Aliso Viejo. RSVP: Cathy Miller, (949) 859-2818, or Janine Heft, (949) 735-0718.

Republican Club of Laguna Woods, May 27, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., guest speaker will be Assemblyman Don Wagner of the 70th Assembly District, Laguna Woods, Clubhouse 5, 24262 Punta Alta, Laguna Woods, (949) 588-8514.

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.

Flag Day Dinner – save the date, June 13, 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Irvine Hyatt, 17900 Jamboree Road, Irvine, guest speakers will be New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez and commentator Bill Whittle. For more information, go to http://www.ocgop.org/flagday, or call Scott Loenhorst at the OCGOP headquarters, (714) 453-0900.

Lose with English Short Film

The new film “Lose with English” will screen at the Casta Del Sol Democratic Club's meeting on May 18 at 7:00 p.m. This is a comedy produced by the Robyn Rosencrantz and Michael Glover who are known by the screen name Bright Blue Gorilla. Some of their other films have been shown in Mission Viejo to critical acclaim.

If you would like to attend, please RSVP to normsim@myway.com

The Buzz

The Capistrano Dispatch reports the Juaneno Indians will appeal the March 15 federal denial to recognize their tribe. The Juanenos, who started working on official recognition in the 1940s, have until mid-June to appeal the decision. If the tribe were to get federal recognition, it would have the same limits as states, which include operating casinos. Juaneno leaders say they will continue functioning as a tribe regardless of the government decision. http://thecapistranodispatch.com/bookmark/13269703

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What does City Hall’s character committee do besides plan its next party? According to minutes of a character meeting, the committee says “grandparents are important.” Note the focus is on teenagers, not 3-year-olds. The committee’s teen group created a project of visiting pharmacies around town, alerting pharmacists that customers might be abusing prescription drugs. Imagine the surprise this news is to pharmacists. Check the five pages of minutes City Hall wrote to capture the essence of their important government work: http://dms.cityofmissionviejo.org/sirepub/cache/2/hk2rzk45fmispz45cv5wapz3/2261494051420110705354 97.PDF

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Limited special offer (now through July 4th while supplies last). Buy WE THE PEOPLE, The DECLARATION & CONSTITUTION in Today’s English ($5) and get JAMES for only $1. Both books are written by Amazon author F. Robert Serrao; tax and shipping, $6. The perfect God & Country combination for Memorial Day and 4th of July would make great gifts for family and friends. JAMES is the New Testament answer to the testing of being human. The CONSTITUTION is always the answer for a tested America. You’ll get answers! $6 to PayPal or check or Money Order to Fathers Heart Publishing, PO Box 60731, Irvine, CA 92602. Constitution alone $5 -- amazonkindle book $4 -- pdf email attachment $3 ( bobserrao@cox.net ) Visit the website, www.intodaysenglish.com , or email for bulk prices.

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Sheriff Paul Babeu of Pinal County, AZ, visited Southern California last week. On May 12, he was a guest of South Orange County Republican Assembly, which meets in San Juan Capistrano. Babeu received national recognition as one of America’s toughest sheriffs on illegal immigration for his stance and actions against drug and human trafficking. On April 30, he said at the NRA annual meeting in Pittsburgh: "Our border is not secure, and our citizens are not protected. I challenge Obama, Napolitano, Eric Holder or any of their buddies to have to guts to do what Wayne LaPierre [CEO, National Rifle Association] did: come down to my county and see the situation for yourself." Check out the links:
http://sonoranalliance.com/2011/04/20/sheriff-paul-babeu-national-sheriff-of-the-year-dinner and http://nra.org

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Approximately 250-300 students walked out of Huntington Park High School on May 10 to protest their school board’s decision to replace half the school’s teachers. TV coverage showed students holding up traffic as they walked seven miles to a board meeting location. The rest of the story: the board had demanded change in the school where only one in four students tests proficient in English and 95 percent fail to meet state math standards. Students were apparently asserting their rights to remain at the bottom of the heap. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/05/huntington-park-high-students-walk-out-to-protest-pending-removal-of-teachers.html