This election year marks a crucial moment in world history. America’s attempt to create a nation based on our original motto — e pluribus unum — is under siege.
While it’s easy to understand nationwide dissatisfaction with both political parties, we shouldn’t ignore that one of those parties has endorsed totalitarianism and is engaged in a slow motion coup that could upend our long effort toward equal opportunity and justice for all. Anyone who doubts our slow but sustained drift toward a repressive government need only consider the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to severely limit women’s rights.
Even while Vladimir Putin continues his attempt to subdue and disenfranchise a sovereign nation, we have a crisis at our southern border that demands immediate action. One party has thwarted every attempt to address these crises, most recently when Senate Republicans rejected a plan that would have strengthened border security and provided urgently needed aid to Ukraine.
What these events mean to San Joaquin Valley voters couldn’t be more clear: Those of us who believe that a democratic republic is our best form of government must reject Republican candidates at the ballot box. In most cases, the superiority of the Democratic candidate will be patent based on the record.
Josh Harder, for example, has proven himself one of the Valley’s best congressional representatives ever. He’s won recognition for accessibility and bipartisanship, and is the hardest-working representative the Valley has seen at least since Tony Coelho. If we want representatives who will work toward effective government for all, he’s the clear choice in California Congressional District 9.
We face a similar choice in Districts 5 and 13, where incumbents Tom McClintock and John Duarte face off against Mike Barkley and Adam Gray. Both McClintock and Duarte are skilled politicians, adept at projecting independence and public spirit. Both, however, are subject to the whims and career-ending enmity of Donald Trump, who has a stranglehold on their party that has squeezed the honor and vitality out of most of every Republican unfortunate enough to be in office during his rise to power — just consider the inglorious demise of Kevin McCarthy, among other sad examples.
Gray is preferable to Duarte on most every issue, but especially on the environment, energy, and climate change. As opposed to Duarte’s “drill, drill, drill” mantra, Gray received an award for his work in the state legislature to assure funding for river and wetland restoration at Dos Rios Ranch, our newest state park and wildlife refuge. Gray’s work has been an important component in efforts to assure better flood control, groundwater recharge and salmon production along the San Joaquin, Tuolumne, and Stanislaus Rivers.
Aside from his ongoing support for the transformation of the Republican Party into a Donald Trump personality cult, Tom McClintock is also an absentee representative. He’s too rarely in his district and too often sending out disingenuous emails featuring extreme right talking points. Mike Barkley may be eccentric, but his views on civil rights, the environment, and democratic institutions are far preferable to McClintock’s. Vote Barkley.
Democrats have several good candidates for Senate. We prefer Katie Porter’s economic policies to those of Barbara Lee and Adam Schiff; however, Schiff has a strong record of standing firm for democracy while opposing efforts to demolish the laws and institutions that that protect our civil liberties and rights. Barbara Lee is also a staunch defender of democracy and democratic institutions; however, she’s far behind Schiff and Porter in fundraising and has little chance at winning this election. A vote for Schiff or Porter can’t go wrong.
As for Republican Steve Garvey, even his own daughters have exposed the fraud behind his carefully cultivated “family values” image. We already have enough shameless politicians in office; voters should send a strong message that we don’t need or want any more by ignoring Garvey at the polls.
The fundamental rule of thumb for this election is that we should preserve democracy and recognize that during this time of world crisis, only one of our political parties has been willing to take on the difficult task of governing at home and leading the world in the fight to preserve freedom and democracy. We’re voting for Democrats all the way down the ballot.
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If the candidates are campaigning with fear for self because of powerful people, they are not possessed with a strong spine of conviction. If their words contradict their actions, that’s a flaw. If they say yes when all facts say no, then beware. Don’t vote blindly on party line. This is heresy to some, but there are good people on all sides and if your party fails all, then vote opposite or not at all.
The Valley Citizen has a very good grasp of all the things important when voting. Only thing I would hope for would be actual place where the voters could look to be more informed. Remember, California puts the top 2 winners on the ballot. Could be 1 of each party instead of 2 of same party. Important here.
Thanks for your picks, I will definitely pick anyone you don’t pick. Adam Schiff- and all of the veteran Democrats have you all totally hoodwinked into believing they are here for you, Just try something new- try finding out about each of their ‘net worth’ while in public office. Let’s see: Newsome, whose net worth has increased by 10000% in the past 24 years, Adam Schiff schiff’s net worth increased from $1 M in 2018 to $70 M today- how did he do that on a $174k Salary in 6 years?
But not to worry, there are plenty of gullible voters out there.
You are the gullible one. Maga anti democracy and support pathological liar trump. By the way Trump and his family made lots of money while in white house. Didn’t Fox, Oan, and newsmax tell you that
Sorry sir, you focus on money only. You forget that the Supreme Court decision of “citizens United” made money even more necessary to win any Office in this land. You have no choice if you want to go anywhere. You would prefer a person who says “they would be a dictator for a day” which means always, instead of a ruling with the country’s laws. Only a king or dictator has absolute immunity from law. I have to assume you approve of a person that flaunts their crimes as a badge of honor, because those, apparently, are the only ones you would vote for. I personally will only vote for those who consider people, environment and strive to keep a balance between business, people and other creatures.
I agree with your endorsements. In the year of 2024 Americans can vote for democracy or they can vote dictatorship. My vote will be for democracy
its important to have opposing points of view, unless you want the North Korea style of government, where everyone agrees with the dictator and those that don’t are dead. the two tiered Justice system of the USA where Democrats Like Joe Biden are too feeble to answer simple questions, but its ok for him to lead this country to ruin. My focus is not on money, but on integrity- for which there is none in the DNC. Look at the local issues of homeless ness- Gavin Newsome has done a great job hasn’t he on that front. the Border is overrun thanks also to inaction by Joe Biden and his minions. But, I am not concerned for myself , I am concerned for my grand kids who will get stuck wiht the $100 Trillion in debt caused by the current government……how is your chinese- as they will soon be running this country- thankfully after I am long gone.
I agree with you that it is important to have opposing view points. I also share your concern about the future tax burden for our grandchildren. Governor Newsom is also not my favorite politician because his spending is taking us to a deficit. It concerns me that we have two very old guys running for president, the oldest on record.
However, I visited the Nazi Documentation center in Nuremberg Germany where they explore how to use propaganda and rallies to get the support of the people for their policies. When I watch Trump, I see him use these methods. Sometimes, his words are paraphrasing Hitlers. He has this love towards dictators like Putin, Duterte in the Philippines, Kim Jon IL in Korea, etc. He doesn’t follow laws and incites violence on January 6. He doesn’t pay taxes. He cheats people who work for him. He asks people who work for him to break the law.
Democracy is more fragile than you think. This man is more interested in becoming a dictator than a president. He is a legend in his own mind. If you care about Democracy, you won’t vote for Trump.