On December 19, 2007, at 7:00 PM, the Rocklin Unified School District will be holding a public hearing on whether to support a charter for the Western Sierra Collegiate Academy (WSCA).  This charter school is a grade 7 - 12 Public School of Choice for Placer County.

In previous posts I have mentioned that the Rocklin School Board, led by Superintendent Kevin Brown and his 5 anti-charter school Rocklin School Board members, slick attorney, Todd Lowell, Steve Paul, the “Grand Poobah,” of the board, “deer in the headlights” Wendy Lang, the nice lady but very liberal Camille Maben, and “I am only a Republican when I need an endorsement,” Greg Daley.  And lets not forget the California Teachers Association who pulls the strings of this school board.  Over the last 2+ years, they have donated around $20,000 to keep school choice out of Rocklin.

December 19 should be a very interesting night.  I have been told that Eric Hogue, a candidate for the 4^th Assembly District, plans to be at the meeting and voice his support for school choice in Rocklin.  Remember Mr. Hogue’s opposition in this race may be our current Assemblyman Ted “in my pocket” Gaines.  Speaking of Gaines, will he show his face at this meeting?  He was the individual that bragged that without his logistical support, the “slick attorney”, the “Grand Poobah,” and  “deer in the headlights,” would of never been elected last year.  One can say that Mr. Gaines helped eliminate school choice in Rocklin.  There is a rumor that “in my pocket” was asked to be an advisor for the WSCA but never answered the letter.  He must have been too busy collecting his $175/day per diem check.  And this guy is thinking he wants to be a Congressman?  Must be the per diem is higher in Washington.  I have also been told that someone from Congressman Doolittle’s camp will be reading a prepared statement from the Congressman that will say he supports the high school charter.  Even Democrat Charlie Brown will have a prepared statement read to the Rocklin School Board saying he supports parents right to school choice and the charter school.  A Democrat that supports charter schools and school choice?  I think that is great.  I wonder where Eric Egland stands on this issue?  Will he be at the meeting?  If he believes in school choice, he will attend.

Maybe I should call the TV stations to tell them about this public hearing and how an Assembly candidate will be present, Congressional candidates will have prepared statements read, and our current Assemblyman Ted “in my pocket” Gaines will probably be missing in action because he is afraid to show up and face the public on this issue.

This is sure looking to be a very interesting night. 

I would like to direct this post to Tom Hudson, Chairman of the Placer County Republican Party.  Mr. Hudson, on December 19, 2007, the Rocklin Unified School District will be holding a public hearing to discuss the Western Sierra Collegiate Academy’s (WSCA) request to the Rocklin School Board Trustees to grant a charter so this school can open for the 2008 – 2009 school year in Rocklin.  In previous posts I have explained in detail that the WSCA is a grade 7 – 12 charter school.  This meeting will start at 7:00 and is located at 2615 Sierra Meadows Drive in Rocklin.

Mr. Hudson, during the 2006 campaign, the Placer County Central Committee endorsed Republican Todd Lowell and Steve Paul.  During the 2004 campaign, the Central Committee endorsed Republican Greg Daley. 

Since the 2006 election, Republicans, Mr. Lowell, Mr. Paul, and Mr. Daley, have done everything to oppose school choice in Rocklin.  This goes against one of the core values of the Republican Party and your Committee.  While school choice is only one Republican core value, it is one of the most important when it comes to local school boards.

Rocklin Superintendent Kevin Brown has already told 2 Rocklin Academy Board members that the Rocklin School Board will not support the WSCA charter.  As Chairman of the Placer County Republican Party, I am asking that you and your Committee publicly support the WSCA’s request for a charter from the Rocklin School District Board of Trustees.  To sit on the sidelines and do nothing will only harm the credibility of the Placer County Republican Party.    

On December 19, 2007, the Rocklin Unified School District (RUSD) will be holding a public hearing to discuss the granting of a charter for the Western Sierra Collegiate Academy.  This school would be housed in the City of Rocklin 

The Western Sierra Collegiate Academy (WSCA) is a 7 - 12 public choice charter school for Placer County.  The Board of Directors of Rocklin Academy will govern the WSCA.  Rocklin Academy is one of the top performing elementary schools in California.

The RUSD Board of Trustees must approve this charter petition for the WSCA to open in Rocklin.  On June 19, 2007 RUSD Superintendent Kevin Brown indicated to Rocklin Academy Board President Wendy Boyd and Executive Director Dave Patterson that the RUSD will not support this charter.  Superintendent Brown would only make this statement if he had the support of his Board of Trustees.

Rocklin City Councilman Scott Yuill is an advisor to the WSCA working group.  In a previous posting, I questioned Mr. Yuill’s commitment to this charter school.  How can Mr. Yuill be a supporter of the WSCA when he does not support the Rocklin taxpayer’s right to attend Rocklin Academy?  Mr. Yuill agrees with the 5 anti-charter school Rocklin board members, slick attorney Todd Lowell, Steve Paul, the “Grand Poobah,” of the board, “deer in the headlights” Wendy Lang, the nice lady but very liberal Camille Maben, and I am only a Republican when I need an endorsement, Greg Daley, that not all Rocklin residents have the right to attend a school they paid the taxes to build.  In fact they forced Rocklin Academy to have 20% enrollment outside Rocklin.  Kids from outside Rocklin can attend this school but Rocklin residents cannot.  Mr. Yuill, I thought you were a smart guy and would not support this travesty.  Obviously I was wrong.

I questioned Mr. Yuill’s sincerity to the charter school cause in Rocklin in a previous post.  Word on the street is Mr. Yuill has complained to a few people that if his commitment is going to be challenged in this blog, maybe he should not donate any of his time as an advisor to WSCA.  This is the first time Mr. Yuill has been challenged in public.  Because he raised so much money for his city council campaign last year nobody ever challenged him.  Because of that money, I would say he bought his seat.  Someone finally takes him to task and he cannot handle the truth.  Maybe Mr. Yuill wanted to pad his resume as an advisor to the WSCA and use it for higher office. 

I said this before, if Mr. Yuill really supports school choice in Rocklin, he would condemn the RUSD Board of Trustees for not allowing all Rocklin residence to attend Rocklin Academy.  He has chosen not to.

That brings me back to my main point.  I do not believe Mr. Yuill supports school choice.  He endorsed the slick attorney, Todd Lowell and Grand Poobah, Steve Paul during last year’s election.  Will Mr. Yuill stand up at the December 19^th public hearing and request that the RUSD Board of Trustees support the charter for WSCA?  If he does not, the Rocklin Academy Board of Directors should ask that he resign his position as an advisor. 

I hope Mr. Yuill proves me wrong.  This new charter school would be a great asset to the City of Rocklin.

Should we be impressed that Ted “in my pocket” Gaines has decided not to accept the $3,110 pay increase for the California Legislature, which is already the highest paid in the nation?  Does Mr. Gaines really think that his constituents will see this as a sacrifice?   Does “In My Pocket” think we are that stupid?

If Mr. Gaines really wanted to show us he was making a sacrifice, he should stop accepting the $175 per day, $35,000 a year per diem.  I have experience in the private sector and 22 years in the military and per diem is used for travel expenses when away from home.  This includes hotel and meal expenses.  Mr. Gaines lives 20 miles from the capital.  He does not have any travel expenses. 

“In My Pocket” is not doing anything illegal.  The leaders of our legislature allow members to collect per diem when the Assembly is in session.  The $175 a day is not unreasonable for members that live out of town.  Last time I looked on the map, I do not think living 20 miles away from the capital is considered out of town. 

Liberal Sacramento Democrat State Senator Darrell Steinberg does not accept the per diem.  Ted Gaines’s character needs to be called into question.  Ted calls himself fiscally conservative.  Maybe he is conservative when it comes to his money.  But when it comes to our tax dollars he is a liberal with $35,000 a year going straight into his pocket just to drive the 20 miles from his home to the capital.

We all would like to have $35,000 a year just to drive 20 miles to work.  Can you think of any job, other than being a member of the California Legislature, which has this benefit?  Next time you interview for a job and your office is located 20 miles from home, tell your potential employer that you want the same per diem benefit as California Assemblyman Ted ‘in my pocket” Gaines.               

It was nice to hear that the pro-tax advocates Rocklin Mayor Kathy Lund and Rocklin City Councilman Scott Yuill have decided not to push for the ¼ sales tax increase in Placer County for highway projects.  The down side is they are planning to bring the issue back again in 2010.

I upsets me that these 2 Republicans are tried to take money out of our pockets.  Next time you go to fill your car up take a look on the fuel pump and see how much money we are sending to Washington and Sacramento in taxes for each gallon of gas.  Do not forget you are also paying the sales tax on each gallon of gas. 

These 2 tax and spend Republicans say we need the money to widen the highways because of all the traffic.  Maybe Mayor Lund and Councilman Yuill should of thought about that before all the growth they have approved over the years.  This is especially true with Mayor Lund.  But what would you expect since they both received most of their campaign donations from the developers.

I wonder how many hundreds of thousands of dollars were spent at the intersection of Highway 80 and Rocklin Road, just to move some rocks and dirt around? 

The Rocklin Park Development and Maintenance tax has existed since 1987.  It is scheduled to expire in 2009.  This will not happen if Councilman Scott Yuill succeeds in getting the tax extended.  Nobody denies that the parks in Rocklin are very nice.  But why do we need a tax for every program?  Scott Yuill will tell you if we do not have this tax will not be able to maintain the current status of our parks.  Everyone should take a look at his or her property tax bill.  Besides the tax on your property, you see a numerous taxes for the Rocklin Unified School District, the city of Rocklin CFD 1, 2, and 3, Placer Mosquito & Vector Control, City of Rocklin LLD 2.  The City of Rocklin plus the Rocklin Unified School District already taxes us enough.  Why not let the park tax expire?  Tell them to take the money out of the general fund for park maintenance. 

Remember that Mr. Yuill already supports the Rocklin Unified School District taxing you for a school they do not let you attend.  I will have more on that issue on my next posting.

People are concerned that if Democrat Charlie Brown is elected, it will add to another tax and spend politician to Congress.  Maybe Charlie will try to raise taxes or maybe he won’t.  Today, we need to be concerned with the tax and spend Republicans like Mayor Kathy Lund and Councilman Scott Yuill.  It is getting very difficult to tell the difference between who is a Republican and who is a Democrat. 

After spending 22 years in the Air Force, first as an Electronic Warfare Officer in the B-52, a Weapon Systems Officer in the RF-4, and on the Air Staff at the Pentagon, I am very concerned that the USAF (United States Air Force), in the near future, will not be able to meet the threats from possible adversaries such as China. 

The USAF has controlled the skies since the Korean War.  I read that since 1953, not one member of the US military has lost his or her life because of an enemy air force dropping a weapon from the air.  That is proof that the USAF has maintained air superiority since its birth  in 1947.

When the USAF goes to war, we do not believe in a fair fight.  We go to war with the best aircraft in the world and the world’s best-trained aircrews.  The USAF’s mission is to shoot down all enemy aircraft before they become a threat.  Even better, they like to destroy enemy aircraft before they have a chance to become airborne.  During Desert Storm the Iraqi Air Force was afraid to take the USAF on in the air.  Many Iraqi aircraft never got airborne, and the ones that did flew their aircraft to Iran.  Because of precision weapons, USAF aircraft can put a weapon through a window in a building.  The USAF has the ability to locate and target any moving threat.  If it can be seen, it can be destroyed.

While this all sounds good, things are changing.  The USAF has been at war for the last 17 years in the Middle East.  The USAF never came home at the end of Desert Storm.  This has created enormous stress on our fighters, bombers, transport, tankers, and support aircraft.  The Clinton and Bush Administrations have failed to provide the money to procure enough new aircraft that will guarantee that the USAF will continue to dominate both air and space.

The F-15, our air superiority fighter, is over 30 years old.  Recently the entire fleet was grounded because an airplane came apart in the air during a training mission.  Luckily the pilot was able to eject.  The multi-role F-16 is suffering fatigue problems.  Sixty plus B-52s make up the bulk of the USAF bomber force with the last aircraft coming off the production line in 1962.  Our KC-135’s are over 40 years old.  I have not even mentioned the sad state of our airlift aircraft. 

The F-22 is operational and will eventually replace the F-15.  The F-35 is still in development and will replace the F-16, A-10, and F-117. 

Who knows what the actual F-35 numbers will end up being?  Congress has authorized only 183 F-22s.  The USAF is requesting a minimum of 383 aircraft. 

The Chinese are looking to challenge the USAF in the Pacific.  The Russians are flying bomber missions towards the US coastline again, a throw back to the cold war days. 

President Clinton and President Bush have not provided the leadership or funding required for the USAF to maintain its overwhelming superiority in the future.  The Republican Congress also let the country down by not providing the necessary funding to modernize the USAF.  Today’s Democratic controlled Congress has also let us down.  What can we do to reverse this trend so we continue to own the air and space in any future conflict?  We must elect people to Congress that understand the current condition of the USAF.

Lets start with the 4^th Congressional District.  Congressman John Doolittle has done very little to help out the USAF.  JTD was more interested in helping his good friend Jack Abramoff, with issues in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and with Indian casinos.  One must think very hard about returning JTD to Washington.  Does he deserve our support? 

Next we have Ted ‘in my pocket” Gaines who would like to replace JTD in Washington.  Gaines would be a worse choice than returning JTD to Washington.  Gaines cannot be trusted.  He stabbed JTD in the back.  If it were not for JTD, Gaines would have never been elected as a county supervisor, let alone to the California Assembly.  Ted Gaines is actually a liberal when it comes to education.  He is a supporter of the California Teacher’s Association and does not support the right of parents to send their kids to charter schools.  I do not see Ted helping out the USAF if he was elected to Congress.  Remember his Chief of Staff told me that Ted is making his sacrifice by serving in the legislature.  He continuous to make that 30 minute sacrifice driving 20 miles from his house in Roseville to the state capital so he can collect his $175 a day per diem.  Maybe Ted should of thought about serving his country by joining the Reserves.  But his supporters would say, he is already making a sacrifice by buying his seat to the legislature with JTD’s support while collecting his $100K+ salary and his per diem.

Finally we have Major/congressional candidate Eric Egland.  Make sure you know which Eric Egland you are talking about, the Air Force Reservist or the candidate.  It is hard to tell the difference.  When compared to JTD and Ted “in my pocket” Gaines, Egland looks like a hero.  He is a hero to a point.  He has worn the uniform, a sacrifice that JTD or Gaines would never understand.  However, he is another back stabber just like Gaines.  Egland also supported JTD during the last election.  Is he another opportunist like Gaines?  Egland should know more about what is going on in the USAF than most.  I have never heard provide any details on how he would improve the USAF.  In fact, I have never heard him provide any ideas or support for anything he would do if elected to Congress. 

Democrat Charlie Brown, with over a half of million dollars in the bank will be a very strong candidate.  While, I have not come out to support Charlie Brown, one must look at his military record.  He is a graduate of the Air Force Academy.  He was a search and rescue army pilot in Vietnam.  He had one of the most dangerous jobs during the war.  He earned the Distinguished Flying Cross (Something JTD and Gaines would not understand.  Could Gaines earn a medal for driving his 20 miles on Interstate 80 to the state capital to collect his per diem?)  Brown served in Desert Storm.  His son is a C-130 pilot flying missions in Iraq.  I would assume Charlie knows something about the USAF.  What real sacrifices have JTD and Gaines done for their country?

The Republicans have some very poor choices when looking for a candidate to represent us in the 4^th Congressional district. 

Will the real Scott Yuill stand up!

I hear that Rocklin City Councilman Scott Yuill has signed up to be an advisor to the Western Sierra Collegiate Academy.  The Western Sierra Collegiate Academy is a 7 – 12 public charter school in Placer County that hopes to open its doors during the 2008 – 2009 school year.  The leaders of this school plan to present their charter to the Rocklin School District Board of Trustees sometime during the next couple of months.  It is likely that their request to house this school in Rocklin will be turned down by the Rocklin School Board of Trustees.  Rocklin Superintendent, Kevin Brown has already told a member of the Rocklin Academy Board of Directors that a public charter school that will require all students to be enrolled in course work required for entrance to the University of California, California State University, and select private universities is not going to happen under his watch and the watch of his anti-charter school Rocklin Board of Trustees.   Why would anyone want to oppose a school that will only give parents another choice of where to send their children?  The group that is organizing this charter school has no animosity towards the Rocklin School District.  All they want is school choice.  Remember that California Assemblyman Ted ‘in my pocket” Gaines, and the California Teachers Association (CTA) control the Rocklin Trustees.  Anyone who reads the paper knows the CTA is opposed to charter schools.

Remember it is the Rocklin School Board that is forcing Rocklin residents to pay taxes for an elementary school they cannot attend.  That school is the highly successful Rocklin Academy charter school.  Rocklin Academy is housed in a Rocklin School District elementary school.

How does Rocklin City Councilman Scott Yuill enter the picture?  During the last school board campaign, Mr. Yuill supported the 3 anti-charter school board candidates, Todd Lowell, Steve Paul, the “Grand Poobah,” of the board and “dear in the headlights” Wendy Lang.  I sat down with Mr. Yuill and explained the charter issues to him before the election.  He listened and said he would think about it.  He did think about it and decided to throw his hat in with the other Rocklin City Council members and supported the anti-charter school candidates.  And now the citizens of Rocklin are paying the consequence for that support.

Maybe Mr. Yuill has had a change of heart by volunteering to serve as an advisor to the Western Sierra Collegiate Academy.  I have great respect for someone that can admit they made a mistake.  How do we know Mr. Yuill really supports the Western Sierra Collegiate Academy?  He can show his support by addressing the Rocklin Academy enrollment issues.  I know Mr. Yuill reads this blog.  Mr. Yuill, you can post a comment on this blog saying the Rocklin Unified Board of Trustees made a mistake by forcing the Rocklin Academy to have 20% of their enrollment from outside Rocklin, even though there are hundreds of Rocklin families on the waiting list who paid the taxes to build the school that houses Rocklin Academy.  By addressing this issue, you can really tell the citizens of Rocklin that you support their right to school choice.  Failure to address this issue will only confirm your opposition to the school choice movement in Rocklin.

I will also be interested in how you respond if the Rocklin School District Board of Trustees really does turn down the Western Sierra Collegiate Academy’s request for a charter in Rocklin.

Mr. Yuill, you based your campaign on a new voice in Rocklin.  Please fulfill that campaign promise and stand up for school choice in Rocklin.  Separate yourself from the “good old boys” network that is alive and well in Rocklin.  You have an opportunity to be a true leader.

With the help of California Assemblyman Ted “in my pocket” Gaines and his new friend, the California Teacher’s Association, elected officials in Rocklin, California have forced Rocklin families to pay taxes for a local public school that is used by families from outside Rocklin who do not pay taxes for this facility.  These elected officials have gone so far to even restrict Rocklin families from being allowed to attend this school even though they paid the taxes to build the school.  Let me provide you with a little history on this injustice.

There is a public charter school in Rocklin, called Rocklin Academy (RA).  RA is the top performing elementary school in Placer County.  It is also one of the top performing elementary schools in the entire state of California.  RA shares the Ruhkala Elementary School site with one of the Rocklin Unified School District Elementary Schools.  Rocklin residents pay a special tax that is used only to build elementary schools.

Rocklin residents believe that they should have the right to send their children to their school of choice, especially if they have paid the taxes to build the school.  This all changed in March of 2007.  The Rocklin School Board with the support of the California Teachers Association (CTA), the Rocklin City Council, and California Assemblyman Ted “in my pocket” Gaines forced the Rocklin Academy Board of Directors into signing an agreement that eliminated the right of some Rocklin families to send their children to RA.  The agreement signed last March requires 20% of the enrollment at Rocklin Academy to be from outside Rocklin.  The Rocklin School Board, the CTA, Ted Gaines, and the Rocklin City Council are afraid of the competition RA brings to the other Rocklin School District elementary schools.  It is strange, that a majority of the Rocklin School Board, the entire Rocklin City Council, and Ted Gaines, claim to be Republicans.  Republicans know that competition is good for business and helps schools become more successful.  However, in Rocklin these groups want to squash RA.  They want the school to go away.  They are trying to do this by restricting enrollment and eliminating the opportunity for tax paying Rocklin families to send their children to one of the top schools in the state and a school that they paid the taxes to build.   Because of the success of RA hundreds of Rocklin families are on a waiting list to get their children into this school.  There are also hundreds of families that have not bothered to put their names on the list because they know they do not have a chance of getting in to the school.

I believe the Rocklin Academy Board of Directors did not want to sign this agreement.  The only action the could of taken was to take the Rocklin School District to court.  The Rocklin School District has very deep pockets compared to RA.  A court fight would of drained RA resources.  The Rocklin School District knew this and that is why they forced the RA into an agreement that is unfair to Rocklin families.

The entire Rocklin City Council supported the Rocklin School District’s actions against RA and the hundreds of Rocklin families.  When people challenged the City Council’s support for this injustice, city council member Peter Hill decided to use character attacks against the people that opposed paying taxes for a Rocklin school they were not permitted to attend.  While the entire city council worked with Rocklin Superintendent Kevin Brown, the Rocklin School Board, the CTA, and Ted “in my pocket” Gaines to take away school choice in Rocklin, a member of the city council decided to send a family member to RA.  What a bunch of hypocrites. 

Hear is the big picture.  The Rocklin City Council supports Rocklin residents being taxed to pay for a school they cannot attend.  Ted Gaines helped put this agreement in place with his friends from the CTA.  Rocklin School Board member Todd Lowell, a big Ted Gaines supporter, and Rocklin School Board member Steve Paul, the “Grand Poobah” of the board misled the Placer County Republican Central Committee by saying they supported charter schools.

What can us ordinary citizens do?  If one does not mind being on the receiving end of Rocklin City Councilman Peter Hill’s and his comrades character attacks, we run a successful campaign to replace these elected officials who like to tax us ordinary citizens.

We will have 3 seats on the Rocklin City Council and 2 seats on the Rocklin School Board that us ordinary citizens need to win next November.  We need to start now.  Join me, and lets take back Rocklin from the elected officials that think they can continue to tax us and spend our money.  The wheels are already in motion to replace the backstabbing Ted ‘in my pocket Gaines.        

Stay tuned for a posting on how the Rocklin City Council wants to continue to tax Rocklin residents.

Last night, I received a phone call from Ted "in my pocket" Gaines to join his telephone town hall meeting.  It does not take a rocket scientist to know the calls that Ted took were all screened.  Dave from Rocklin asked Ted a question about education.  Ted said he supported charter schools.  Mr. Gaines, quit lying to us.  I am disappointed that Dave in Rocklin did not ask why Mr. Gaines supports the anti-charter school Republicans on the Rocklin School Board.  I called Dave and asked him how long he waited to talk with Ted.  He said 5 minutes.  I was on for over 30 minutes.  It is obvious they were screening phone numbers.  Mr. Gaines, you are already lining your pockets with taxpayer money. Stop using our money to stage a fixed telephone town hall meeting.  And Gaines thinks JTD has an ethical problem.  Ted should take look in the mirror. 

Lets look at the facts.  The Rocklin School District is the largest school district in the 4^th Assembly District.  The school district has nearly 10,000 students.  Ted Gaines helped spend over $15,000 of teacher union money to help elect 2 Republicans and one Decline to State to the Rocklin School Board last November.  His Chief of Staff bragged during the victory celebration on election night (remember it was held with JTD) that they got the 3 CTA candidates elected.  The Rocklin School District Superintendent, Kevin Brown, said that the school board would not support a charter high school in Rocklin.  Don’t take my word, read the board minutes from the Rocklin Academy board meetings.   

I would like someone to ask Mr. Gaines if he will support a high school charter school in Rocklin.  He needs to answer yes or no.  I hear JTD supports this charter high school. 

Because of Gaines, Rocklin residents who pay a lot of taxes, in school bonds, cannot even send their children to a school of choice.  Call the Rocklin Academy charter school and ask how many Rocklin residents are on the waiting list.  There are hundreds.  If the Ted supporters think JTD has ethical problems, Ted “in my pocket” Gaines is lying to the voters with regards to charter schools.  There is nothing worse than a politician that lies to the voters. 

Maybe Ted will get lucky and the governor will call another special session of the legislature so he can line his pockets with the $175 a day per diem.  Ted, since you insist on taking the per diem and you say it is a “sacrifice to serve in the Assembly” why not donate your per diem to the men and women who are really making the sacrifice.  Why not pick a charity that is supporting our troops and donate your per diem to them?   

Message for Ted, do not spend our tax dollars on a telephone town hall meeting just to make yourself look good.  Show some real leadership by not being afraid to answer the hard questions from the voters. 

We can only hope that “in my pocket” does challenge JTD.  JTD wins the primary and then we have Gaines out of the California legislature.  He can go back to making the big bucks in his insurance business.   

Chaos continues in the California 4^th Congressional District.  Congressman Doolittle has caused most of his own problems.  I tell my kids that you know a lot about a person by who their friends are.  You can make your own judgment about Congressman John Doolittle’s friend, Jack Abramoff.   I believe JTD would have an easy re-election if it were not for this friend.  I do support JTD’s efforts to clear his name if he has truly done nothing wrong.

California Assemblyman Ted “in my pocket” Gaines continues to get publicity for his exploratory committee for his possible run in the Republican primary against incumbent John Doolittle.  I wonder how many thousands of dollars ‘in my pocket” Gaines collected when he made that life altering sacrifice driving from his Roseville home, on Interstate 80 for the 20 mile commute to the state capital during the Governor’s special session of the legislature?  Remember Mr. Davies (Ted’s Chief of Staff) comment, “IT IS A SACRIFICE FOR TED GAINES TO SERVE IN THE ASSEMBLY.”  Mr. Gaines does not have the character to represent us in the 4^th Assembly District.  He definitely does not have the character to be a United States Congressman.  He is more concerned about his sacrifice driving on Interstate 80 to collect his $175 a day per diem than representing his constituents.  Mr. Gaines, what do you think our troops are getting for per diem in Iraq?  Do you think you are making more of a sacrifice than our troops?  According to your Chief of Staff you do. 

Where is the Republican leadership opposing Ted Gaines efforts to unseat Doolittle?  We know that Aaron Park, a member of the Placer County Republican Central Committee and Placer County Supervisor Bruce Kranz oppose Gaines.  Does my party lack the leadership to say what most people believe?  That Ted Gaines is an opportunist who lacks character. 

Lets not forget about Eric Egland.  Eric is another opportunist who supported John Doolittle and then decided not to support John Doolittle.  While I respect Eric’s service to our country, I am tired of getting the emails that he is on Fox News or CNN as an intelligence expert.  A lot of military officers that are guests on these news shows are just there to stroke their egos.  I think Eric may fall into this category.  I spent 22 years in the Air Force.  I was an Electronic Warfare Officer on the B-52 during the cold war.  I sat nuclear alert with our targets located in the former Soviet Union.  Maybe I should go put on my flight suit, with the old Strategic Air Command insignia, and call CNN and tell them I am an expert on bomber and nuclear issues.  I also flew the RF-4 tactical reconnaissance fighter.  Maybe I should take the Strategic Air Command insignia off my flight suite and replace it with the Air Combat Command insignia, and claim I am an expert on a reconnaissance issues.  That is how the opportunist Eric Egland thinks he is going to be elected to Congress.  What does Eric really do in the Air Force?  I would like to know what his duty code is.  I saw a picture of him in Iraq with a gun.  Maybe that was done just for show.  Is he a military police officer?  Will the real Major Eric Egland stand up?  Besides showing up on CNN in his fatigues, where does he stand on the issues?  Does he believe in charter schools?  We know Ted ‘in my pocket” does not.  Is he a fan of the teacher’s union?  We know Ted ‘in my pocket’ Gaines is.  Where does he stand on taxes?  What about social security?  I am sorry but an opportunist like Mr. Egland cannot win the primary or the general election by wrapping himself in the flag.

What are we going to do?  The Republican Party is in trouble.  Most of the local leadership has been silent.  We have 2 opportunists in Egland and Gaines.  If JTD is convicted of wrongdoing, he needs to go.  If he did nothing legally wrong, I think he probably has learned his lesson on who are really his friends.  One way or the other the Justice Department needs to conclude its investigation of JTD.

We do not want the 4^th Congressional seat to fall to the Democrats.  Even if JTD decided not to run, our options are limited between Egland, who thinks wrapping himself in the flag and ignoring issues will get him elected and Ted “in my pocket” Gaines who would rather line his pockets with our tax dollars.  Maybe we can get Mickey Mouse to run.  Anyone know if he is a Republican?

In my last posting, I provided an example of 2 schools going in opposite directions in Rocklin, California.  One school, a public charter school called Rocklin Academy, and the other Twin Oaks Elementary School.  These schools are located approximately 3 miles apart and serve students from the same socio economic background.  Rocklin Academy received the highest rating from the California Department of Education when compared to similar schools.  Twin Oaks Elementary School received the lowest rating from the California Department of Education when compared to similar schools.  The Rocklin School Board with the support of the pro-teacher union, anti-charter school California Assemblyman Ted “in my pocket” Gaines has limited school choice within the Rocklin Unified School District.

While Twin Oaks has met the minimum standards set forth by the California Department of Education, Rocklin parents should not be satisfied with just meeting minimum standards.  This minimum standard may be OK in other school districts or cities around California.  There are 5 people in Rocklin that are satisfied with meeting the minimum standards, and they are Rocklin School Board member Steve Paul, the“Grand Poobah” of the board and his 4 comrades.

Twin Oaks parents, should be upset that their school was ranked at the bottom by the California Department of Education.  But what can they do?  They could send their children to Rocklin Academy.  But because of Ted “in my pocket” Gaines, the Rocklin School Board, and the California Teacher’s Association, that is now a long shot at best.  Remember this anti-parent group has limited the growth of Rocklin Academy and mandated that 20% of the enrollment be from outside Rocklin.  I wonder what the Twin Oaks parents think about their tax dollars going to families outside of Rocklin.  Those families outside Rocklin are occupying a seat at Rocklin Academy that should be yours.  Maybe we need an education attorney to see if this agreement mandated by the Rocklin School District is legal.  If there is an attorney out there, I will provide a copy of the agreement. 

Do not give up hope there still might be a way.  Maybe we should turn Twin Oaks into a charter school?  Since Rocklin Academy is one of the top rated schools in California, why not take the Rocklin Academy model and implement it at Twin Oaks.  For the record, I do not speak for Rocklin Academy.  But maybe we can convince the Rocklin Academy Board to run Twin Oaks.  I know the Rocklin School Board would never let this happen.  Maybe we could go around the Rocklin School Board?  What about a ballot initiative?  All we need is around 2,700 signatures to get this initiative on the ballot.  Last week, a group of people that are against the Rocklin City Council’s approval of the Clover Valley project, gathered enough signatures to get a referendum placed on the ballot.  Why can’t parents that want school choice in Rocklin do the same?  Are there any education attorneys out there that may know how to do this?

Maybe we need to see where our candidates for the 4^th Congressional district stand on this issue?  Congressman JTD has been silent on charter schools.  Although, I heard from a trusted source that a person who is a friend of JTD spoke at a Rocklin Academy public meeting last spring and said, that JTD believes the entire Rocklin School Board should be recalled because of their opposition to charter schools.  Can that person confirm if JTD really said that?  We already know that Ted ‘in my pocket” Gaines opposes charter schools.  I assume Jim Holmes is in the same camp.  That leaves us with Eric Egland and Charlie Brown.  I plan to meet with both of these candidates to discuss their views on charter schools.  It would be strange if Democrat Charlie Brown supported turning Twin Oaks into a charter school.  Stay tuned.     

Our elected officials in Washington are hypocrites when it comes to our public school system.  They continue to tell us how good our public schools are but send their own children to private schools.  These hypocrites have teamed with the teacher unions around the country and local elected officials to prevent competition in our schools.  Many are against supporting public charter schools. This would allow parents to have a choice of where to send their children.  They are afraid that too many families would opt to send their children to these charter schools.  They are afraid of loosing control.  Do not be fooled by their rhetoric when they claim to be interested in only providing the best education for your children.  It has come down to control.  And they do not want to give you that control.  

Evan Feinberg, a research assistant for Heritage reports that "37 percent of Representatives and 45 percent of Senators in the 110th Congress sent their children to private schools—almost four times the rate of the general population."

This hypocrisy does not only exist in Washington, it is alive and well in Rocklin, California.  Rocklin is a community of approximately 50,000 residents and is located about 30 miles East of Sacramento.  Members of the “elite” Rocklin City Council have turned their back on supporting school choice.  The 5 members of the Rocklin City Council have supported the anti-charter school agenda of the Rocklin School Board.  This anti-charter school agenda is led by California Assemblyman Ted “in my pocket” Gaines.  Remember Ted has told his district that he is making a sacrifice serving as a California Assemblyman.  This sacrifice includes fighting California drivers on Interstate 80 during his 20-mile drive from his home to the state capital.  Ted believes he deserves the $165 a day per diem just to make this drive.  Maybe Ted thinks he is making a 20-mile drive out of Kabul.  No that can’t be right, Ted would never understand the sacrifice of serving in the armed forces.

A member of the Rocklin City Council, who supports the Rocklin School Board’s anti-charter school agenda, did everything to prevent pro-charter school candidates from getting elected to the Rocklin School Board in 2006.  That person now sends a family member to a charter school in Rocklin.  What’s good for the masses does not seem to be good enough for the ruling elite.  People think this hypocrisy only happens in Washington.  I am sorry to say it happens even in small towns like Rocklin, California. 

Eric Egland is running for Congress in the 4^th Congressional District in California.  Eric is an intelligence officer in the Air Force Reserves.  As an Air Force veteran, with 22 years of service, I would like to thank Eric for serving his country.  Eric has served in Iraq and Afghanistan.  However, I am concerned about my fellow Air Force officer.  He is using his uniform as a political tool to try and get elected to Congress.

I do not have any problems with Eric bringing up his military experience in his campaign.  That is part of who he is.  One of his potential opponents is California Assemblyman Ted Gaines.  Just to remind everyone, Ted “in my pocket” Gaines is also making his sacrifice for the people of California.  He is driving 20 miles down Interstate 80 to the state capital in his car that is leased for him by the people of California.  For his sacrifice, he is collecting $165 a day per diem.  How many state workers or people who work in private industry would like to be making the same 20-mile sacrifice that Ted “in my pocket” Gaines is making and collect $165 per day?  Hey Eric, what was the per diem rate for Air Force officers in Iraq and Afghanistan?

My support of Eric Egland stops with his service to our country.  I am sorry to say Eric has become an opportunist, just like Ted “in my pocket” Gaines.  The incumbent in the 4^th Assembly District is John Doolittle.  John does have his problems.  Like being investigated by the Justice Department for his ties to lobbyist Jack Abramoff.  At this time he is only under investigation.  In the 2006 election, Eric Egland campaigned for Congressman Doolittle.  He even appeared in a TV add for veterans supporting the Congressman.  Very little has changed regarding the Doolittle investigation since the election. 

Today, Mr. Egland is running against Congressman Doolittle.  He said he is running because he wants to keep the seat in Republican hands.  Egland thinks he needs to be the Republican nominee because Doolittle won by only 3% of the vote in 2006. 

Mr. Egland’s actions show he is in this race for Eric Egland and Eric Egland only.  He is an opportunist just like Ted “in my pocket” Gaines.  I know when I was in the military, they taught us about loyalty.  Mr. Egland, you were loyal to Congressman Doolittle 10 months ago.  Now that loyalty is gone?  Very little has changed since November 2006.  At first, I might have been able to support Mr. Egland’s campaign.  However, Egland’s character is on the same level as Ted  “in my pocket” Gaines.  In fact, Mr. Egland reminds me of another politician, the flip-flopper John Kerry.  I guess we can say Eric Egland was for Congressman Doolittle before he was against John Doolittle.  Word on the street is Mr. Egland is now called Eric “Kerry” Egland.

Mr. Egland needs to be careful.  There are strict guidelines for campaigning for office while in uniform.  Since he is a Congressional candidate he needs to stop appearing on the TV national news programs acting as an Air Force officer. 

I respect Mr. Egland’s service to our country.  However, he is tarnishing that image by playing a dirty game of politics.  I expected more out of my fellow Air force officer. 

California Assemblyman Ted Gaines claims he is a conservative.  We have already established that he is a liberal.  He accepts $35,000 a year of per diem because he claims it is a sacrifice to drive 20 miles down Interstate 80 to the state capital.  Those are our tax dollars Mr. Gaines is using because he claims he is making a sacrifice to serve as our California Assemblyman.  Maybe Mr. Gaines should drive those 20 miles on the highway out of Baghdad?  I forgot Mr. Gaines probably couldn’t even spell the word “sacrifice.”

Mr. Gaines claims he is a conservative when it comes to education.  Lets me set the record straight.  Ted Gaines is a liberal when it comes to educating your children.  Do not let him fool you.  If you speak with any conservative or moderate Republican, they will tell you that parents should have as many options as possible when deciding which school to send their children to.  I believe the Rocklin Unified School District (RUSD) is the largest school district in Mr. Gaines district.  The district has approximately 9,000 students.  The Rocklin Academy is a public charter school that is housed in a RUSD elementary school campus.  Rocklin Academy has the highest test scores in Placer County and the 3 surrounding counties.  Their test scores are one of the highest in the entire state.  It is a well-known fact that the RUSD Board of Trustees opposes charter schools.  The school board has a majority of Republicans.  However, they are the ones most opposed to charter schools.  Ted Gaines made it possible for the Rocklin School Board to limit parent’s right to send their children to the Rocklin Academy. 

During the 2006 campaign Ted Gaines helped 3 Rocklin School Board candidates (2 are Republicans) in their campaign to limit school choice in Rocklin.  Mr. Gaines was proud to use approximately $15,000 in teacher union donations to get these 3 people elected.  With the help of Ted Gaines, the Rocklin Academy was forced to sign a 10-year agreement with RUSD that places limits on the number of Rocklin children able to attend the Rocklin Academy.  There are hundreds of families that are on a waiting list to get into the school.  There are hundreds more that have not put their name on the waiting list because they know they will not get into the school.  This agreement (made possible by the liberal Ted Gaines) mandates that 20% of the enrollment at Rocklin Academy must come from outside Rocklin.  That means over 100 children from outside Rocklin are sitting in classrooms, while Rocklin children are turned away and while Rocklin parents pay taxes that are used specifically to build elementary schools in Rocklin.  We have Ted Gaines to thank for making this agreement possible. 

Why is Ted Gaines not condemning the Rocklin School Board for this unfair agreement with the Rocklin Academy?  The reason is Ted Gaines wants to limit the choice of Rocklin parents to send their children to one of the best elementary schools in the state of California.  His is on the side of the teacher’s union.  The California Teacher’s Association does not support charter schools.  On election night, Ted and his chief of staff celebrated the election of the anti-charter school Republicans to the Rocklin School Board. 

There is another charter school that is trying to find a home in South Placer County.  The Western Sierra Collegiate Academy, a 7 – 12 public school of choice, thought Rocklin may be a good home.  The Rocklin School Board that Ted Gaines helped put into office said not in our town.  Why would anyone that is involved in educating children not provide another option for educating children?  The RUSD even has the space to house this school.  Liberals such as Ted Gaines and the majority of the Rocklin School Board hide under the Republican umbrella but are really liberals when it comes to educating your children.  Will Ted Gaines use his influence to stop this charter school from opening?  We hope not.  Maybe Ted Gaines pulls a John Kerry.  First I was against charter schools then I was for charter schools.  In this case it would be a good flip-flop. 

Remember, Ted only commits to issues when it is good for Ted Gaines.  Just like the per diem.  Ted supports the per diem because it goes straight into his wallet.  Remember, Ted will turn on his best friends if he thinks it makes himself look good.  Just ask Congressman Doolittle.

How can we even think of sending Ted Gaines to Washington?  I agree with Congressman Doolittle’s description of Ted Gaines.  He called him a weasel in the September 8^th edition of the Sacramento Bee.  We already saw what Ted Gaines did to the people of Rocklin when it comes to school choice.  He helped eliminate it.  Do we want him to make educational decisions for the entire country? 

Lets keep our liberal assemblyman, who calls himself a Republican, out of Washington.  Only 14 months until we can get rid of this “weasel.”