6:15 – Social Networking

6:45 – Club Meeting

Ferial’s perseverance has been years in the making and now she has an Open Seat! High School Civic & American Government Teacher at Distinguished San Fernando Valley School. She is a grassroots activist, small business owner, labor member, neighbor, friend, mother, wife, committed community member, and she has name recognition.

ADMITTANCE: Bring several dry goods or canned food, your dancing partner, shoes and noise makers. Free ample parking. Open to the community. Great Networking! Free hors d’ oeuvres, Desserts & Drinks! Ventura County 2010 Candidates, Propositions, Voter Registration & Special Guests. Opportunities available for campaign endorsements and fund raising.

LOCATION: Casa De La Senda Clubhouse, 3780 Cabrillo Avenue, Newbury Park, CA 91320
Date: May 2, 2010
TIME: 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
RSVP: Ventura County (805) 498-7608; LA County (661) 295-9318

Sponsored by Friends to Elect Ferial Masry for (California’s 37th) Assembly District, 2010.
FPPC ID # 1321069 http://www.ferialmasryforassembly.com
POB #19244, Newbury Park, CA 91320‐0213; MasryforASSEMBLY@GMAIL.COM;
Ventura County: 805‐498‐7068 or Los Angeles County: 661‐295‐9318
Financial Contribution limited to $3,600 per person. Contributions are not tax deductible

The challenge for President Obama was that although there was always great support for health care reform there was never a particular formula for reform that was easily supported by enough members of Congress in order to obtain the supermajority needed for earlier passage. 

Imagine if the President needed to order a military action for our national security and that 96% of the public and Congress were supportive of this action.  Now suppose further that there was no obvious consensus on which strategic plan: land, sea or air forces, to use.  Should the President take no action at all?  This turns out to be the trouble for the GOP , both in their opposition to the health care reform by their entire Congressional membership and their alleged desire to repeal it.  They may now be labeled as the party against all health care reform even though some form of health care reform was supported by almost all Americans.  Even worse for the GOP is that many reforms are expected to be very popular once enacted – especially prohibition of pre-existing conditions, students remaining on parents policies until 26 years of age and tax breaks for small business.

The GOP and the Tea Party gambled that health care reform could be blocked.  Now that they have failed, they continue to fight for repeal and block other initiatives that are linked to support for working Americans including extension of unemployment benefits.

The GOP and Tea Party brand is already demographically and regionally limited and now may be further limited to Americans who were against health care reform and against support for working families.  The Democrats stand to lose some Congressional seats in 2010 because President Obama is not on the ticket.  Do not be surprised if 2012 is a good year for Democrats, especially if the economy improves.

Jay Kapitz
Dem Club of Conejo Valley, Election Strategy Chair
VCDCC, Alternate for Julia Browley

“I applaud the courage and tenacity of the U.S. Congress for bringing the decades-long health care debate to a vote and passing historic health reform legislation and lifting up the common good of all Americans.

Major provisions of the bill would:
- Strengthen coverage by reining in the worst insurance company abuses.
- Help small businesses to provide coverage with new tax credits
- Reduce premiums for many who buy their own coverage by an average of nearly 60 percent –while getting better coverage than what they have today.
- Substantially reduce prescription drug prices for Medicare recipients if they fall into that gap in coverage known as the ‘donut hole.’
- Provide the largest middle class tax cut for health care in history to help folks buy coverage.
- No longer determine eligibility by health status or pre-existing conditions – insurance companies will be required to offer coverage and they cannot boost rates or drop you from your coverage when you get sick.

As parents of college age children, my husband and I can keep our children on our insurance plan until the age of 27, if necessary. Cost estimates by the Congressional Budget Office show that the bill would reduce federal budget deficits by $143 billion in the next 10 years. This represents significant savings over our current system and is especially appealing to me.

It is the right thing to do. It confirms the best hopes for our country.

How did Elton Gallegly vote on this? ‘No.’ That is totally unacceptable. He has been holding our country back for too long. It is time for the good and decent people of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties to rise up and say, ‘We demand better than this!’”

Having received 82 percent of the vote from Democratic Party Delegates within Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, Das Williams well-surpassed the 70 percent needed to earn the formal endorsement of the State Democratic Party at the April Convention.

“Das Williams has dedicated his life to serving Santa Barbara and Ventura counties,” said E.J. Borah, local longtime Democratic activist. “He grew up here and knows our community. No other candidate in this race has a better understanding of we what need in Sacramento.”

“For too long, California has been held captive to the politics of Sacramento,” said Amanda Wallner, President of U.C. Santa Barbara Campus Democrats, who have also endorsed Das Williams. “To create true and lasting change, the citizens of our great state must take action. Today the local activists of the Democratic Party voted to endorse Das Williams for State Assembly because he has the most impressive record of grassroots organizing and is demonstrating his campaign’s commitment to the power of the people.”

Carol Lindberg of the Ventura Democratic Club added, “Das Williams is a coalition builder and has a proven record of getting things done. We need his leadership in Sacramento and I am proud to have given him my vote for the endorsement of the California Democratic Party.”

Garnering the formal support of Santa Barbara and Ventura County Democratic Party activists, as well as numerous other leaders and organizations representing labor and other key grassroots constituencies, Das Williams’ field campaign is likely to be unbeatable leading up to the June 8th primary.

“I am so honored by the overwhelming support my Assembly campaign received at today’s Pre-Endorsement Caucus,” said Das Williams. “I have always taken great pride in the work I have done to advance the core Democratic principles of fairness, opportunity, and investment, and today’s delegate vote represents a humbling recognition of my record.”

“Earning the California Democratic Party’s early formal endorsement would be a highlight of my career. I am so thankful for the confidence and support showed to me today by our Region 10 delegates,” ended Williams.

Das Williams is running to succeed fellow Democrat and termed-out Assemblymember Pedro Nava in 2010.

Joining Dantona at the Ventura County Clerk’s office to file were former Mayor of Ventura and author of SOAR, Richard Francis, California Teachers Association Regional Director Arleigh Kidd and Ventura County Firefighter Association President Chris Mahon.

Francis was emphatic about his support for Dantona. “Jim Dantona has been a person who has dedicated himself to making life better for others. I support his campaign for the Clerk/Recorder’s office in the County of Ventura because I believe he brings the best spirit of improving conditions for all Ventura County voters who use this most important tool of democracy.”

Jack O’Connell previously represented portions of Ventura County as an Assembly Member and has known Dantona for more than twenty years. “Jim Dantona’s vast involvement in the election process is perfect for the role of County Clerk and Recorder. He will oversee voter outreach and be sure that elections are fair, results are timely and the voter is respected. Beyond that, his dedication to young people speaks volumes about his integrity.”

2010 AD35 Jordan vrs. Williams Debate

Carbajal explained that he was motivated to run for County Clerk/Recorder in late 2009 after he saw that the only declared candidate lacked the non-partisanship necessary to effectively run the county’s elections office.  Carbajal described his motivation for running: “Every candidate and every voter must trust the integrity of the elections office and must be 100% certain that the person responsible for elections is independent.  In good conscience, I could not sit by and let an officer in the Republican party take control of this office without voters having a choice.”

AC Carbajal is a registered Democrat but has never served on the central committee or in any position within the party and has never raised funds for either party.  He has always believed and acted independently of either party.

Carbajal went on to explain his reasons for stepping aside.  “When Jim Dantona entered this race, I investigated his experience and credentials much like I investigated Mark Lunn.  Jim Dantona has never served on any party central committee and has truly been an independent voice in Ventura County politics.  In addition, Dantona has excellent experience in elections, management and serving the community.  When I realized that we shared a deep respect for independent elections, I decided that the stakes were too high to have three candidates in this race.  For these reasons, I have decided to step aside and support Jim Dantona.  I intend to work hard for him and for the people of Ventura County to elect the most independent person in this race who will best protect taxpayer dollars.

Jim Dantona is an independent small businessman who runs a legislative and governmental consulting firm.  An dedicated youth advocate, community leader and philanthropist, he founded Baseballers Against Drugs in1989, helping over 60,000 young people to fight drugs and gangs and stay in school. The organization was awarded the 2003 Volunteer Organization of the Year and Dantona was honored by the FBI with the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award.

“I am honored to have AC Carbajal standing beside me in this race,” states Dantona.  “We are both passionate about protecting the American democratic process as we have both seen examples in the county of Election Day mistakes, needless delays of election results and poor investments of our hard-earned tax dollars,  With AC’s help, I will fight for a county-wide voter outreach while working to prevent voter fraud.”

“When the Republican opponent refers to the candidate as an inspiration and promises to run a fair, positive campaign, we can only hope our Democrats can share this enthusiasm and bolster her with pride also,” says Percy Severn, a Newbury Park resident.

This is now an open seat. After coming within 4.5% of winning the last campaign, Masry still realizes that she will garner early support, in spite of Gorell’s $250,000 treasury and the full backing of the Republican Party.

“Yes, she has been the standard bearer for the 37th Assembly District when others didn’t believe it was possible for a Democrat to even run”, says Todd L. Hoover, a Castaic resident, “This time we believe that, with her name recognition, residents identifying with her will stay with her to the finish line due to her persistence and perseverance.”

Lynn Landers, a neighbor of Masry, summed it up in four words, “Her campaign should be renamed to ‘2010: Yo Go Girl’.”

For more information regarding the campaign please contact her Communications Team at: Friends for Ferial Masry Assembly 2010. #1321069; Post office Box # 19244, Newbury Park, CA 91320-0213.

Phone: 805.498.7608
Cell: 805.300.7226 and 661.295.9318
website: http://www.ferialmasryforassembly.com and email: masryforassembly@gmail.com

A good example of the problem is the over $7 million dollars raised on the Tony Strickland (R), Hannah-Beth Jackson (D) race for the California 19th State Senate District race which made it the most expensive legislative campaign in California history. Strickland raised $4.3 million to win the seat, and Jackson raised $2.7 million and lost. Over 60% of Tony Strickland’s contributions came from corporations, business leaders and individuals outside of the 19th State Senate District. When one sees numbers like this, one must ask who the elected really represents.

The average politician spends 4 hours per day fund raising to get elected to office.

The full text of the Resolution passed is:

Endorsement of California Fair Elections Act campaign activities in Ventura County
Author: Jay Kapitz
Sponsor: Sandra Kinsler

WHEREAS, The California Fair Elections Act on the June 2010 ballot creates a voluntary system for candidates for Secretary of State to qualify for a public campaign grant if they agree to strict spending limits and take no private contributions.

WHEREAS, Candidates under the California Fair Elections Act would have to qualify before receiving the grant, would have to demonstrate sufficient public support would receive the same amount and would be prohibited from raising or spending money beyond the grant.

WHEREAS, The Ventura County Fair Elections campaign is organizing events including but not limited to awareness meetings, tabling, phone banking, and canvassing in Ventura County,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ventura County Democratic Central Committee shall support these activities.