Since I'm pretty much doing a one-man operation here on Daily Kos in covering the race in California's 49th Congressional District, it is clear that Rep. Darrell Issa has to go and his challenger Jerry Tetalman has to go IN. Absolutely NO question about that.
However, you don't have to take my word for it. Here are a number of letters to the editor published in newspapers all around California's 49th Congressional District and San Diego County:
Letter #1 - Published in North County Times on October 12, 2012:
http://www.nctimes.com/...
October 12, 2012 12:00 am
By Edith Fine - Encinitas
Many North County voters are surprised to find themselves in the 49th Congressional District. We are fortunate to have a strong candidate in Jerry Tetalman, a longtime North County resident.
Democrat Jerry Tetalman offers long experience in business and entrepreneurship, has co-authored an award-winning global law book and has strong credentials in political activism. He holds a psychology degree and has worked in mental health units and Tri-City's emergency room.
Mr. Tetalman is running against Darrell Issa, one of the richest men in Congress. Apparently, though, this opponent lacks the funds (or the will) to take a red-eye (or a private jet) back to North County to debate Mr. Tetalman in open forum so that we, the voters, can make an informed decision on Nov. 6.
Notably, 10 of the dozen cities Mr. Issa now represents in the 49th District are new to him. Yet Mr. Issa is on record in this newspaper as saying he will not campaign ("Issa confident he'll win seventh term," Aug. 26). Sounds remarkably like a presidential candidate caught recently on tape dissing a large percentage of voters.
Be sure you're registered (deadline is Monday, Oct. 22), then use the power of the voting booth on Nov. 6 to elect Jerry Tetalman for Congress.
Letter #2 - Published in North County Times in it's Letters Campaign 2012 section on October 25, 2012:
http://www.nctimes.com/...
Our representative to be, Darrell Issa (if he is not defeated by Jerry Tetalman in the upcoming election), has betrayed the citizens of the United States by putting in jeopardy Libyans trying to help resolve the Libyan crisis in the interest of the U.S. One cannot help but believe the decision to release these documents two weeks before the election and before a thorough analysis is completed and without redacting the actual names of people who are risking their lives to support America and keep us safe is an attempt to enhance Representative Issa’s political profile before this crucial election. Sen. Dick Durbin said the document dump “shows the lengths many will [go] to to try to politicize this tragic situation.”
This is just another example in Representative Issa’s four-year history of using McCarthy-like tactics to defeat anything our president tries to achieve in order to ensure that President Obama is a one-term president and preserve Representative Issa’s own political future. – Bill Ziefle, Carlsbad
Letter #3 - Published in North County Times on October 3, 2012:
http://www.nctimes.com/...
By Susan Cadman, Vista
I believe the purpose of government is to help us to do the things that we cannot do as individuals. Working together for the greater good ---- things like making sure the air we breathe is clean, the water is drinkable, the roads are in good repair.
I don't need the government's help with who I should marry and how many children I should have. I want a government that looks at the larger picture and protects my interests against huge special interest groups that want to shred our environment and our economy for a buck.
That's why I support Jerry Tetalman for Congress. He will help re-focus the government on the big picture ---- where its focus belongs.
Letter #4 - Published in Carlsbad Patch on October 26th, 2012:
http://carlsbad.patch.com/...
Letter: Congressman Issa, You Are a Political Coward
In a letter to the editor, David S. Golman, of Encinitas, writes his views of the 49th Congressional District election.
There are approximately 339,000 registered voters in the new 49thCongressional district. BUT you hide behind the Republican Party (and a 43% to 30% GOP-Democrat advantage), your coveted House Chairmanship, your intimidating personal wealth, as an excuse to not campaign, hold town hall meetings, meet your constituents, or debate your challenger Jerry Tetalman.
As the only Congressman actively managing dozens of multi-million dollar businesses you probably know about "mission statements," when used as a guiding principal tool. Does the Federal Government have one? I don’t know.
I’d write one to simply read:
“It is the responsibility of the Federal Government to constantly work towards making our nation a more perfect Union of states, to establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility and promote the general Welfare for ALL its citizens, and provide for the common defense of its people and possessions, in order to secure the Blessings of Liberty for ourselves and our Posterity." [Re-edited: Preamble, US-Constitution]
With this statement in mind, let’s look at just one set of issues:
Budget, Economy and Domestic Enemies
You voted for the Ryan budget and stated to local media your only issue is that it doesn’t go far enough - that spending should be trimmed further.
In July, as a keynote speaker at the Association of Government Accountants in Washington, DC, you called Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, Ponzi schemes. Really, Social Security a Ponzi scheme?
You signed the Grover Norquist “Taxpayer Protection Pledge,” playing a high stakes game of economic chicken with the Federal Debt Ceiling votes.Remember this country was founded on the principals of taxation with representation, the Constitution establishes the ‘right’ through fair and representative taxation to pay for the things it needs. Remember, Mission Statement!
Do you support the ‘general Welfare’ of your districts Citizens? Your voting record suggests you are intent on attacking and tearing down fundamental programs intended to help our citizens, young or old, with health, education, living conditions, or our environment.
Domestic Tranquility? Not when you vote to hold our country economically hostage during the debt ceiling debate, causing a credit rating downgrade, costing taxpayers $1.3 billion and counting! That did not help the tranquility of my 401K or my business planning. The Republican Party whines about jobs, but won’t embrace bi-partisanship and the spirit of compromise, as set forth in the Constitution. Why? Because, it might make the current President look good!
Look in the mirror Mr. Issa, you should be seeing a “domestic enemy” looking back at you.
Since Congressman Issa will not spend time in his new district to meet his new constituents, here are some stories from serious, reputable media organizations that our citizens can read to become more self-informed: (1) The New Yorker, 24Jan2011, Don’t Look Back; (2) The New York Times, 14Aug11, A Businessman in Congress Helps His District and Himself. Enjoy.
Dr. David S. Golman
Encinitas, CA
49th Congressional District
Do these letters convince you about why Darrell Issa should not be re-elected to Congress?
If so, then read the following diaries I've previously posted:
Jerry Tetalman's Statement on Darrell Issa's Libya Press Release:
http://www.dailykos.com/...
Jerry Tetalman's News Conference on Darrell Issa's support of HR 6082:
http://www.dailykos.com/...
My Interview with Jerry Tetalman:
http://www.dailykos.com/...
AND of course, the following links:
Jerry Tetalman for Congress:
http://jerryforcongress2012.com/...
Donate:
https://secure.actblue.com/...
Volunteer:
http://jerryforcongress2012.com/...
Here are some videos of Jerry Tetalman:
And here's an amusing video posted on "The Rap on Issa" :