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Opinion
I am a congressional candidate, one of four people on the ballot. It is very difficult to get your voice heard when you are an anti-establishment candidate running against a very establishment incumbent.
This paper, and a couple of others, have been very kind about printing a few letters and my press releases. I appreciate it.
Several other papers, including one of the largest papers in the district, seem to be giving me a news blackout.
One way I thought I could bring my ideas to the public would be through a public debate or even a candidate forum.
I have written Mike Thompson several times, including on social media and sending him physical letters to all of his offices. He refuses to even acknowledge my existence.
I've stepped it up and protested (peacefully) at his last four or five town hall meetings with a sign that says, "Debate me, Mike.” I even tried to hand him the letter with my debate challenge. He just pretends I'm not standing there.
So, I contacted the League of Women Voters in Napa, Sonoma and Benicia, and finally got a response, thanks to an editor of a different paper. They said they would host a candidate forum. Success!
But lo and behold, after a few days I got an email from them saying that Mr. Thompson wasn't available on the two days they offered, so they gave up and won't do it, because it’s in their bylaws that all candidates have to be present.
I tried to explain to them that this bylaw allows incumbents the unfair power to silence challengers, but to no avail.
I have been contacting chambers of commerce, Rotary clubs, Lions clubs, Soroptimist clubs, but the answer I keep getting is, "We are nonpartisan and don't like to have political speakers.”
I'm writing this because I want everyone to see how the establishment makes it difficult for challengers.
If I were you, I would be wondering why my congressman is afraid to debate a political newcomer from the Green Party and what is he hiding? Thank you.
Jason Kishineff is a Green Party congressional candidate. He lives in American Canyon, Calif.
This paper, and a couple of others, have been very kind about printing a few letters and my press releases. I appreciate it.
Several other papers, including one of the largest papers in the district, seem to be giving me a news blackout.
One way I thought I could bring my ideas to the public would be through a public debate or even a candidate forum.
I have written Mike Thompson several times, including on social media and sending him physical letters to all of his offices. He refuses to even acknowledge my existence.
I've stepped it up and protested (peacefully) at his last four or five town hall meetings with a sign that says, "Debate me, Mike.” I even tried to hand him the letter with my debate challenge. He just pretends I'm not standing there.
So, I contacted the League of Women Voters in Napa, Sonoma and Benicia, and finally got a response, thanks to an editor of a different paper. They said they would host a candidate forum. Success!
But lo and behold, after a few days I got an email from them saying that Mr. Thompson wasn't available on the two days they offered, so they gave up and won't do it, because it’s in their bylaws that all candidates have to be present.
I tried to explain to them that this bylaw allows incumbents the unfair power to silence challengers, but to no avail.
I have been contacting chambers of commerce, Rotary clubs, Lions clubs, Soroptimist clubs, but the answer I keep getting is, "We are nonpartisan and don't like to have political speakers.”
I'm writing this because I want everyone to see how the establishment makes it difficult for challengers.
If I were you, I would be wondering why my congressman is afraid to debate a political newcomer from the Green Party and what is he hiding? Thank you.
Jason Kishineff is a Green Party congressional candidate. He lives in American Canyon, Calif.
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- Written by: Jason Kishineff
What an amazing community we live in!
Clear Lake High School Sober Grad 2018 continues to work hard accumulating funds necessary to give our graduates a safe place to gather after graduation to reminisce with classmates and say farewells before beginning their career paths that will take them in all different directions.
Prizes to the graduates will also be given as gifts of encouragement supporting their pursuit of success.
This community has shown their love by generous monetary donations, their time and by opening their businesses to our fundraising efforts.
Such support includes Lake County Contractors, Paradise Skate Roller Rink, Rob Brown (as emcee/auctioneer for Talent Show), Papa Murphy’s Pizza - Lakeport, Lake County Fairgrounds, Pat Lambert (as chef of Crab Feed), Lakeport Police Department, Kiwanis, Sheriff Brian Martin (as emcee/auctioneer for crab feed), Lake Events & Design, Flowers by Jackie, Madelene Lyon, Mark Birch, Village Auto & Detailing, Linda’s Hallmark, Plaza Paints, Suzie Qs Donuts, City Fitness, Shoe Box, Carlton Tire, Henny’s Shear Delight, Main Street Bikes, Gorman Fine Jewelry, French Bakery, NorCal Cuts, Lannette Huffman DDS, Soap Shack, Jimmy’s Deli & Taqueria, Disney’s Boat Rental, Liv Fashion and numerous businesses along with families/friends for
providing fabulous ‘silent auction’ items for our events.
Graduation is approaching quickly, just a few short months away! Sober Grad Committee continues to accept donations and would like to thank you, the community, for your support of our 2018 Clear Lake High School graduates.
Diane Allen lives in Lakeport, Calif.
Clear Lake High School Sober Grad 2018 continues to work hard accumulating funds necessary to give our graduates a safe place to gather after graduation to reminisce with classmates and say farewells before beginning their career paths that will take them in all different directions.
Prizes to the graduates will also be given as gifts of encouragement supporting their pursuit of success.
This community has shown their love by generous monetary donations, their time and by opening their businesses to our fundraising efforts.
Such support includes Lake County Contractors, Paradise Skate Roller Rink, Rob Brown (as emcee/auctioneer for Talent Show), Papa Murphy’s Pizza - Lakeport, Lake County Fairgrounds, Pat Lambert (as chef of Crab Feed), Lakeport Police Department, Kiwanis, Sheriff Brian Martin (as emcee/auctioneer for crab feed), Lake Events & Design, Flowers by Jackie, Madelene Lyon, Mark Birch, Village Auto & Detailing, Linda’s Hallmark, Plaza Paints, Suzie Qs Donuts, City Fitness, Shoe Box, Carlton Tire, Henny’s Shear Delight, Main Street Bikes, Gorman Fine Jewelry, French Bakery, NorCal Cuts, Lannette Huffman DDS, Soap Shack, Jimmy’s Deli & Taqueria, Disney’s Boat Rental, Liv Fashion and numerous businesses along with families/friends for
providing fabulous ‘silent auction’ items for our events.
Graduation is approaching quickly, just a few short months away! Sober Grad Committee continues to accept donations and would like to thank you, the community, for your support of our 2018 Clear Lake High School graduates.
Diane Allen lives in Lakeport, Calif.
- Details
- Written by: Diane Allen
To the community of Clearlake Oaks, Spring Valley and Double Eagle Ranch, please check your real property tax bill and you will learn that for 13 years now we have been paying a $60 parcel tax fee for a single family home.
Now look at your sample ballot and do the math. Your new fee will be a 100-percent increase to a $120 parcel tax per year, which is a forever tax with no sunset. Undeveloped and vacant property has more than doubled.
The special election on April 10 is costing the district more expense. Why not wait until June or November and keep the cost down?
I am grateful for the services provided by the Clearlake Oaks Fire Department and firmly believe we need to keep updated on all services, but not with an open cash account.
Vote no and send the measure back to the board, asking them to come up with an equitable solution.
Dennis Pluth lives in Clearlake Oaks, Calif.
Now look at your sample ballot and do the math. Your new fee will be a 100-percent increase to a $120 parcel tax per year, which is a forever tax with no sunset. Undeveloped and vacant property has more than doubled.
The special election on April 10 is costing the district more expense. Why not wait until June or November and keep the cost down?
I am grateful for the services provided by the Clearlake Oaks Fire Department and firmly believe we need to keep updated on all services, but not with an open cash account.
Vote no and send the measure back to the board, asking them to come up with an equitable solution.
Dennis Pluth lives in Clearlake Oaks, Calif.
- Details
- Written by: Dennis Pluth
Regarding the recent Board of Supervisors decision (2/6/2018) to put a 1.5-percent sales tax increase to a vote on the June ballot: I was one of those mentioned in the news who received a phone call, asking for my input on budget decisions.
I quickly recognized this was a "push-poll."
A push-poll seems to ask people's opinion, but the real purpose is to manipulate. Each question is designed to lead the respondent toward a destination-answer. When successful, a push-poll makes participants believe that this answer is their own idea.
First, it was explained to me that resources are limited, and I was asked which county services I least wanted to see cut. I waited for the words that would tell me what this phone call was really about. Finally: "Would you support a 1.5 cent sales tax increase?"
Nope. Absolutely not.
I joined the 34 percent who resisted being manipulated into saying "Yes."
I am against the proposed hike because sales taxes are regressive and hurt people who can least afford to pay.
The two most regressive taxes are sales tax and wage tax. Wage taxes have risen steadily over the past several decades, while taxes on the wealthy have decreased.
In 1960, 35 percent of all taxes were paid by corporations, while less than 10 percent came from wages.
Today, those numbers have flipped – 35 percent of all tax revenue comes from wages, while less than 10 percent of the total is paid by corporations.
That's 40 years of the largest transfer of wealth in history – trillions of dollars from the pockets of the paycheck-earning classes into the tax havens of the wealthy. Working folks keep being taxed more, while services decline.
After watching 40 years of trickle-down failure, I do not believe that the solution to a budget shortage is to raise taxes on those who can least afford to pay more.
The working poor, people on disability, seniors on fixed incomes … In California, Lake County has the highest percentage of people living in poverty. These people will be most hurt by a sales tax increase.
Bernie Sanders said, "Enough is Enough."
And, Lake County is Bernie Country!
In the 2016 primaries, the number of Lake County votes for Bernie dwarfed the number for either Trump or Clinton.
Bernie ran on policies that would help most Americans. His revolution continues today, as hundreds of citizens have taken up Bernie's call to action, running for seats at local, state and federal level. Real people, running for real change.
Lake County's Our Revolution chapter endorses candidates for local, state and federal office in 2018.
The June 5 primary is an opportunity to vote for positive change, to vote for a better future.
Our Revolution's Lake County chapter meets the second Thursday every month at 6:30 p.m at Stone Fire Pizza, 383 Lakeport Blvd. in Lakeport. Our next meeting is March 8. We welcome all party affiliations.
Find out how different things could be, if politicians actually represented us, the people. Help restore government of the people, by the people, and for the people.
Please visit www.ruralvalues.org to learn more about Lake County's progressive movement.
Deb Baumann lives in Upper Lake, Calif.
I quickly recognized this was a "push-poll."
A push-poll seems to ask people's opinion, but the real purpose is to manipulate. Each question is designed to lead the respondent toward a destination-answer. When successful, a push-poll makes participants believe that this answer is their own idea.
First, it was explained to me that resources are limited, and I was asked which county services I least wanted to see cut. I waited for the words that would tell me what this phone call was really about. Finally: "Would you support a 1.5 cent sales tax increase?"
Nope. Absolutely not.
I joined the 34 percent who resisted being manipulated into saying "Yes."
I am against the proposed hike because sales taxes are regressive and hurt people who can least afford to pay.
The two most regressive taxes are sales tax and wage tax. Wage taxes have risen steadily over the past several decades, while taxes on the wealthy have decreased.
In 1960, 35 percent of all taxes were paid by corporations, while less than 10 percent came from wages.
Today, those numbers have flipped – 35 percent of all tax revenue comes from wages, while less than 10 percent of the total is paid by corporations.
That's 40 years of the largest transfer of wealth in history – trillions of dollars from the pockets of the paycheck-earning classes into the tax havens of the wealthy. Working folks keep being taxed more, while services decline.
After watching 40 years of trickle-down failure, I do not believe that the solution to a budget shortage is to raise taxes on those who can least afford to pay more.
The working poor, people on disability, seniors on fixed incomes … In California, Lake County has the highest percentage of people living in poverty. These people will be most hurt by a sales tax increase.
Bernie Sanders said, "Enough is Enough."
And, Lake County is Bernie Country!
In the 2016 primaries, the number of Lake County votes for Bernie dwarfed the number for either Trump or Clinton.
Bernie ran on policies that would help most Americans. His revolution continues today, as hundreds of citizens have taken up Bernie's call to action, running for seats at local, state and federal level. Real people, running for real change.
Lake County's Our Revolution chapter endorses candidates for local, state and federal office in 2018.
The June 5 primary is an opportunity to vote for positive change, to vote for a better future.
Our Revolution's Lake County chapter meets the second Thursday every month at 6:30 p.m at Stone Fire Pizza, 383 Lakeport Blvd. in Lakeport. Our next meeting is March 8. We welcome all party affiliations.
Find out how different things could be, if politicians actually represented us, the people. Help restore government of the people, by the people, and for the people.
Please visit www.ruralvalues.org to learn more about Lake County's progressive movement.
Deb Baumann lives in Upper Lake, Calif.
- Details
- Written by: Deb Baumann