TThhee NNeeww DDeemmooccrraatt A Publication of the Peninsula Democratic Coalition (PDC) February 2016

Mark Your Strong contenders for Assemblymember Rich Calendar! Gordon’s assembly seat to Sunday, February 21 attend the PDC Annual 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. Meeting: AD-24 Democratic PDC/PYD ANNUAL Candidate Forum MEETING Los Altos Youth Center, 1 North San Antonio You are invited to the PDC/PYD ANNUAL MEETING on Where: Sunday, February 21, from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Los Altos Road, Los Altos 94022 Youth Center, 1 North San Antonio Road, Los Altos to meet the Program: A forum will be held between the AD 24 declared AD-24 Democratic Candidates, hear their views and candidates and moderated by Sen. . ask your questions. Lunch is provided. Tickets are $5 for members of the public; free for (newly-registered) PDC SEE THE ARTICLE ON THIS PAGE * members! RSVP at www.peninsulademocrats.com. FOR MORE INFORMATION! With current AD-24 Assemblymember Rich Gordon termed out in 2016, PDC members have stepped forward to fill some Sunday March 20, 2016 - 4 to 6 pm Los Altos Hills pretty big shoes. AD-24 includes the communities of North Fair Climate Change, Local Challenges & Solutions Oaks, Atherton, Menlo Park, East Palo Alto, Woodside, Portola A Discussion with Community Environmental Experts Valley, Palo Alto, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, a portion of Cupertino, and the San Mateo County SEE PAGE 7 for more information. Coastside – from El Granada to the Santa Cruz County border. As of press deadlines, in alphabetical order beginning with PDC members , following are highlighted qualifications of The Century Club on the declared AD-24 Democratic Candidates as drawn from their website profiles. Paris Conference SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE / CLEAN ENERGY by PDC Member Herb Engstrom INVESTOR At the January meeting of the Century Club Jesse Simons, the Chief of Staff of the national Sierra Club spoke on the recently Josh Becker is a Green Energy concluded Paris conference on climate change. He opened by Entrepreneur who for over 20 years noting that there was both good news and bad news. has worked at the nexus of First the good news. There were three important results of the community activism, technology, conference: 1) The number of attendee nations was about 200, environmentalism, and social justice. and they all agreed that anthropogenic global warming was a He has broad volunteer experience serious problem. All must contribute to a solution. 2) They in public service. Josh was an agreed to a target of limiting warming to 1.5 C° above the organizer for MassPIRG at Williams historical average. 3) Although individual nations are allowed to College where he supported passage set their own goals, they are all required to report progress of the Massachusetts 1989 Toxic Use toward their goals periodically. Reduction Act, a national model for There is more. The prices of clean energy -- solar panels, wind monitoring and reducing toxic waste generators, and batteries -- have dropped precipitously to the production; worked as on the point where clean energy is becoming competitive with fossil fuels. campaign staff of Democratic congressional candidates and In the past the non-industrialized countries have argued that served on the staff of U.S. Representatives Howard Berman (Continued on page 3) (Continued on page 4) The New Democrat 2 February 2016

Honoring Jaime Escalante By Carol Kuiper President’s Column Nicole Fernandez

It's time for me to admit something I've held in for a little while: I am not super enthused about Hillary Clinton's candidacy for president. She is everything my party and my country needs. She's smart, she's decisive, she's experienced. She is well-versed in domestic policy and international policy, has clear legislative priorities, and a proven track record as a legislator and a member of the Cabinet. In all likelihood, Secretary Clinton will be our country's first female president – I just can't get excited about it. (I EDUCATOR/ FOREVER/USA. This is the caption under a want to make sure that I note that just because I am dispassionate 2016 stamp honoring JAIME ESCALANTE, high school math about Secretary Clinton does not automatically make me a teacher and Bolivian immigrant, who taught from 1974-1991 diehard Senator Bernie Sanders fan.) at Garfield High School, a Los Angeles inner-city school. But you know that likeability problem The Washington Post , Although in his 60s when he moved to Northern , Jezebel , Slate , and every other newspaper and blog have Escalante taught from 1992-1998 at Hiram Johnson High expounded on? I'm one of those people who thinks she is – to School in Sacramento, where he continued to expect quote President Obama - “likeable enough,” but I'm mostly excellence from his students. apathetic to her campaign in general. I wish there was something You may remember the inspiring 1988 film, “Stand and in her with which I could identify. As someone who has followed Deliver”, starring Edward James Olmos as Jaime Escalante. The politics since high school (almost 15 years ago), she's just never film shows Escalante not only teaching math, but also building been one of my political idols. (And at this point, I'm sure some a first-class math program with high rates of student success on of you are grousing about the fact that capability, not likeability, the Advanced Placement calculus exam, although most of his should be the determining factor in what makes a good students were recent immigrants or from struggling families. It candidate. I'm not disagreeing with you.) also reveals the personal commitment Escalante felt for his A New York Times article indicates that Mrs. Clinton is having students, expressed in his personal gifts of time, talent, energy an exceedingly difficult time garnering the support of millennial and belief given quietly, freely and far beyond the school day. women (“Moms and Daughters Debate Gender Factor in Hillary In a Sacramento Bee interview when asked how he Clinton's Bid,” 12/12/15). But recently, Secretary Clinton and her continued to inspire students’ remarkable achievement, campaign have been doing a superior job in showing the lighter Escalante said, “When students are expected to work hard, side of her personality based on her numerous appearances on they will usually rise to the occasion, devote themselves to the Saturday Night Live and talk shows. She's been playing up her task and do the work.” competence and experience in her debate appearances, and Escalante’s story has a number of lessons reminding us that above all, I think she will make a most excellent Commander-in- our country’s greatness continues to be built on the Chief. contributions of immigrants, that individual achievement is Growing up, my nana told me that sometimes the best things sparked by “ganas”—desire to achieve—and that teachers for you tasted the worst. This was usually in reference to the often ignite that spark in students that fuels remarkable cough syrup in her hand from which I was running away. No achievement and contributions benefiting us all. matter how bright the colors on the box, no matter how much I His story underscores the importance of leaders with vision, knew the medicine would stop my coughing, my nana would leaders who believe each of us worthy and capable of meeting undoubtedly find me behind the couch, hiding from the scary the expectation to “Stand and Deliver” and who provide the syrup. Eventually, though, I'd agree to ingest it (usually with some vision, inspiration and support we need to light our inner sort of reward), and feel better within the hour. As in all things, spark. Escalante’s story shows leadership matters. Nana was right. In this election year—which some pundits caution is among As difficult as it is for me to admit this, Secretary Hillary the most critical election in our nation’s history in determining Clinton is cough syrup for me in the modern day. She's good for the future of our country—the leaders we choose and their me, she's good for the party, she's just so hard to take in. vision for our future matter. Let us seek out leaders of vision, leaders who—like Escalante,—inspire, uplift and light our country’s inner spark—our ganas— to Stand and Deliver. The New Democrat 3 February 2016

Martin’s Paris (Continued from page 1) EDITORIAL the industrialized ones took advantage of cheap, plentiful fossil fuels to achieve their high standard of living. It was unfair, The Second Amendment to the Constitution is used they argued, to penalize the emerging nations by requiring inappropriately as an obstacle to sensible gun legislation. Gun them to sacrifice such fuels. But the first and third largest advocates would have people believe that statement absolutely generators of greenhouse gasses, China and India, now suffer prohibits restrictions on the possession of firearms. But neither from horrendous air pollution from burning these fuels. That history nor current practice supports that position. None of the has caused them to agree to accelerate a conversion to green other freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights, or guaranteed energy. Mr. Simons added that even here in California, one is elsewhere in the Constitution, are absolute. more likely to die from air pollution than from being hit by a The First Amendment would seem to be absolute and car. unambiguous: He added, we have at last U.S. leadership on this issue. He Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment noted that we could halt global warming if only we put the of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or same effort into green energy that we put into 1) defeating the abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the fascists; 2) the interstate highway system; or 3) putting a man on right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to the moon. petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Finally, he noted that the agreement calls for the total Yet it is well understood that there are limits on free speech. elimination of fossil fuels by the year 2100. The clearest uncontested limitation is that no one is entitled to Now the bad news: Even though the Paris conference set a yell “fire” in a crowded theater. Concerns of public safety goal of limiting temperature rise to 1.5 C°, the goals as override the freedom of speech in that case. More recently, and currently set by individual nations, if met, would result in a with slightly more controversy, it has become illegal to publically temperature rise of 3 C°, dangerously high. There was nothing speak well of organizations deemed to be “terrorist in the agreement on workers' rights. None of the goals are organizations.” required by law; all are voluntary targets. Other examples abound: property thought to be involved in He made one final comment on politics: Electing a the drug trade is seized by the government with no pretense at Democrat as president is not enough. We must take back the due process while the owner is given the burden of suing to get it House and the Senate. This brought a cheer from the back; those unable to post sufficient bail are held in jail before audience. being proven guilty; those accused of violating some laws are As is customary, the talk was followed by questions and prosecuted without the ability to face their accusers or to view all answers, but perhaps comments from the audience were most of the evidence against them. interesting. David Cohen suggested that the specific weather In each situation the government asserts that the safety of the phenomena like the drought, tornadoes, floods, etc. should be country and its citizens outweighs the loss of Constitutionally blamed on global warming. Mr. Simons replied that it is true guaranteed rights. that global warming does result in extreme weather events, It should be absolutely clear that the current lack of control but any individual event cannot be pinned on it. David over gun ownership poses a direct threat to the safety of citizens replied that such an answer is still too nuanced. What we – and other inhabitants – of this country. Weapons whose only must do is say the the victims of such events, "Your house is purpose is killing lots of people in a very short time are available under water because of global warming!" to anyone. People suspected of terrorist leaning who are I myself pointed out that the three examples he gave of a deprived of the right to board an airplane are still allowed to huge national effort -- defeat of the fascists, the interstate purchase an assault rifle. highway system, and the race to the moon -- were all linked The number of dead in the US attributable to guns – excluding to national security. We might do the same for green energy. those killed by police – exceeds 30,000 each year. That is Point out, for example, that Saudi Arabia is a major producer significantly higher than the number of dead as a result of of oil, oil is a fossil fuel, and profits from the sale of Saudi oil terrorist activity in the country. The Congress sees fit to protect us go to support jihadist extremists. Hence we should say, "We'd from terrorists at the expense of guaranteed civil liberties while it better convert to green energy or else ISIS is gonna getcha!" refuses to consider sensible limitations on gun ownership. Mr. Simons replied that this was an interesting idea that he Martin Gorfinkel might have to include in future talks.

RENEW YOUR PDC MEMBERSHIP! See page 10 for renewal form! The New Democrat 4 February 2016

MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNCILMEMBER Forum MIKE KASPERZAK, JR. Mike joined the PDC in 2009. (Continued from page 1) Elected to the Mountain View City Council in 1998, he has served on Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky; constructed public facilities and the Mountain View City Council for taught village children as a 1992 El Salvador Peace Corps 14 years—Mayor in 2003 and member; supervised the web-based Relief-Net to direct donors 2012—advocating for affordable to relief organizations servicing Rwanda in 1995, and was a housing, balanced growth, housing fundraiser for Obama for America in 2008. and transportation systems necessary Josh holds both a M.B.A. and J.D. from Stanford University for a growing economy, a healthy and works as a venture capitalist. Uniting entrepreneurial environment and high quality of life. expertise with a passion for social change, Josh co-founded New He has served as a board member of Cycle Capital, a pioneer in building socially responsible the National League of Cities and the businesses. Josh has served in several nonprofit and philanthropy League of California Cities, serving as organizations, including co-founding the Full Circle Fund, president in 2012 and as Vice Chair and board member of the SmartTransportation.org, and National Lab Day. His priorities in 24 local municipalities’ Bay Area Water Supply and the Assembly include improving state support for cities to issue Conservation Agency. clean energy bonds, foster the growth of capable businesses in A Mountain View resident since 1977, Mike holds a BA from the clean energy sector, and to overcome California's state budget Lewis & Clark, where he has served on the Board of Directors, challenges through job growth, resulting in tax revenue growth. and a JD from Hastings College of Law. A professional mediator, Josh lives in Menlo Park with his wife, Jonna, and their two he founded Dispute Resolution Specialists in 1993, has mediated children. and arbitrated for the courts and trained mediators at Stanford www.facebook.com/Josh-Becker-for-State-Assembly- and Santa Clara University Law Schools. A 30-year affiliate of the 210830555954/timeline American Red Cross, Mike is past board member of the Community School of Music and Arts, Los Altos Community PALO ALTO COUNCILMEMBER Foundation, Acterra and Avenidas. MARC BERMAN www.kasperzakforassembly.com / An eight-year board member of PALO ALTO-BASED PATENT ATTORNEY the PDC and PYD, Marc is a past president of the PDC. Elected to the VICKI VEENKER Palo Alto City Council in 2013, Marc Vicki joined the PDC in 2015. For is a Council leader on such issues as nearly 25 years, Vicki has worked to infrastructure improvements and improve Silicon Valley, advising top financial transparency, including inventors as an IP attorney, fighting passage of Measure B to help fund poverty as President and board public safety, street, sidewalk and member of the Law Foundation of park improvements, Chair, Finance Silicon Valley, promoting sport and Committee; Member, Regional women’s equality with the founding Housing Mandate Committee; of Women’s Professional Soccer, and Liaison, Human Relations resolving disputes as a volunteer Commission and Chamber of Commerce. mediator for federal courts. As a Endorsed by incumbent Rich Gordon, Marc grew up in Palo leading patent attorney, Vicki Alto attending public schools where his public service began represents many of the Valley’s top working in Congresswoman Anna Eshoo’s District Office and as innovators involving new technologies and life science inventions. an intern for Congressman Mike Honda’s campaign before In 2002, Vicki was named a California Top 20 Lawyers Under 40. graduating from Georgetown University, where he served as a Vicki serves as a Director of the Silicon Valley Arbitration and summer analyst in the Voting Civil Rights of the Justice Dept. He Mediation Center, brokering compromises on complex earned his JD from USC Law School, serving as president of the technology issues. Student Bar Association and on the Southern California Law Vicki graduated from Indiana University with a BS in Review. Marc is a founding member of the Advisory Board of Biochemistry and BA in Political Science. She attended New Leaders Council—Silicon Valley. He said he knows from Georgetown University Law Center. Vicki seeks to bring a fresh personal experience the difficult issues facing AD-24 of perspective and spirit of innovation to Sacramento that has maintaining quality education, protecting the environment and helped make Silicon Valley the economic engine of the world. housing for all our people. http://voteberman.com/ She said she will be a champion for education, an informed

(Continued on page 5) The New Democrat 5 February 2016 Forum Funnies by Janice By Janice Hough, PDC Member (Continued from page 4) voice on science, technology and environmental issues, and a leader on advancing social justice. www.vickiforassembly.com/ on the PDC Board KATHERINE FORREST CUPERTINO COUNCILMEMBER Katherine Forrest, a BARRY CHANG lifelong Democrat, has Following eight years on the been a political and Cupertino School Board, Barry was social activist since she elected to the Cupertino City Council was in college. Kate is a in 2009 and currently serves as public health physician Mayor. Among Barry’s contributions (MD, MPH) by training. are serving as an advisory board Now retired, she is member of the Santa Clara Valley particularly focused on Water District, urging water the worsening climate conservation; fighting to achieve a crisis and its implications 90% reduction of mercury emissions for the future. Kate and at Lehigh Southwest Cement Plant; her late husband, advocating for self-sufficient public Leonard Salle, founded transit and improvements in the VTA; the Commonweal negotiating with Apple to bring the companies $5 billion Campus Institute in 2001, when they recognized that progressives had 2-Project to Cupertino, producing local construction jobs and shared values and would be more effective if they retention of 12,000 high-tech R&D jobs collaborated, rather than focusing on separate issues such as Barry holds an MS in Civil Engineering from University of labor OR reproductive rights OR the environment. Thanks in Cincinnati and is a realtor. He is the founder and chairman of the part to their efforts, we now take the progressive movement board for Bay Area for Clean Environment (BACE) and a member for granted. Kate has been on the PDC Board since 2009. of the Cupertino Rotary. As an Assemblymember, he says his priorities will be to conserve water and natural resources, protect the environment and public health and safety, relieve regional traffic congestion, create and retain jobs, further excellence in education. A devoted family man, Barry and his wife Sue have three adult children educated in local public schools. www.barrychang.com/

The Forum will be moderated by California State Senator Jerry Hill.

Do you have something brilliant to say about the political landscape today? Does something really get your goat and you want to share it with everyone? This year will be filled with lots to talk about so send us your stories! Do you know who this Submissions subject to review and acceptance by the elected offical is? Editorial Board. Find the answer Send with subject line “PDC editorial” to inside on page 7. [email protected] . The New Democrat 6 February 2016 PDC/PYD Annual Membership Luncheon The Peninsula Democratic Coalition (PDC) and The Peninsula Young Democrats (PYD) present A forum presenting the AD 24 candidates and moderated by Sen. Jerry Hill. (SEE PAGE 1 FOR MORE INFORMATION!) Sunday, February 21, 2016 Time: Doors open at 11:30am for Lunch Buffet at noon at the Los Altos Youth Center, 1 N. San Antonio Road, Los Altos Lunch Buffet Cost: FREE for members Cost: $5 for lapsed or non-members. Join the PDC/PYD onsite and lunch is free! Renew/Join for 2016 and skip the renewal lines: www.peninsulademocrats.com/join_pdc Don’t miss this PDC 2016 Annual Meeting: Board

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Stew Plock is an active member of 350 Silicon Valley’s Coordinating Committee Don’t Miss ThIs PDC Event: with a focus on partnership development. He is a founding member of the Sunshine Climate Change, Local Climate Action Alliance, which includes representatives from a dozen local climate Challenges & Solutions and social justice organizations. Stew grew up in PA and has a 30 year career in high A Discussion with Local tech including IT management positions wtih KPMG, Glaxo SmithKline, H-P, and Genentech, followed by senior Market Development positions at Tandem Computers and Environmental Experts Sun Microsystems. Stew and his wife Kathy met as undergrads Sunday March 20, 2016 - 4 to 6 pm and have lived in Palo Alto for 40 years. Los Altos Hills Judy Borcz is an active member of the Loma Prieta Chaper of the Sierra Club and Climate Change, Local Challenges & Solutions: A has served on their Fracking Committee for Discussion with Community Environmental Experts will be two years. Judy was directly involved in held on Sunday, March 20, 2016, from 4 to 6 pm, in Los Altos helping San Benito County consider and Hills. This event, hosted by the PDC and supported by Peninsula pass a 2014 resolution prohibiting and Interfaith Climate Action (PICA) and other Silicon Valley banning extreme oil extraction methods in environmental groups, will provide an overview of climate the county. She is currently working to have change issues and identify local challenges and solutions that Santa Clara County’s Board of Supervisors individuals and local communities can and are taking here in ban future oil and gas development in Silicon Valley. Sargent Field with 16 active oil wells including one injection well Discussion will take place regarding the many opportunities and very close to three earthquake faults. There is a substantial available to individuals to get involved in climate issues on a local risk of water, and air contamination due to toxic chemicals at the level from signing a petition to writing letters of support to local site. Judy lives in Redwood City with her husband and family. and state legislators to testifying at public hearings. Michael Closson, Ph.D. , is a long-time Debbie Mytels , former Associate environmental activist currently focused on Director for Programs at Acterra and local solutions to climate change. At present convenor of PICA, a coalition of a dozen he is a consultant working with the Center local faith-based groups working to curtail for Climate Protection promoting greenhouse gases and protect our climate Community Choice Energy in Silicon Valley. will moderate the session and speakers will Prior to this, for over a decade he was include Gary White, a climate activist executive director of Acterra, based in Palo trained by former Vice President Al Gore Alto. He has also been executive director of and his Climate Reality Project Biodiversity Northwest in Seattle, programs organization; Judy Borcz, a member of the director of the Earth Day Network also in Seattle, and executive Sierra Club Loma Prieta’s Fracking Committee; Stew Plock, 350 director of the Center for Economic Conversion based in Silicon Valley Partnership Development Manager and Sunshine Mountain View. Alliance organizer; and Michael Closson discussing the progress being made regarding Community Choice Energy and Climate Reservations are required. Register at Action Plans in cities on the Peninsula. www.peninsulademocrats.org and obtain address location and directions. Donations on the PDC website or in person are Gary White is a climate activist who was welcomed and appreciated. For questions, contact Judy Plaska at trained by former Vice President Al Gore and [email protected] or 650-964-4837. his Climate Reality Project organization. Using an updated and abbreviated version of The Peninsula Democratic Coalition is Silicon Valley’s oldest the presentation used by Mr. Gore in his and largest Democratic Club, committed to promoting award winning film, An Inconvenient Truth , Democratic values and engaging the public in the political Mr. White informs and motivates various process. www.peninsulademocrats.org groups and organizations on the perils and solutions to climate change. Previously, Mr. White worked as a human resource executive for 30 years in Silicon Valley at Apple, Intuit, and Palm. He lives in Belmont, CA with his wife of 15 years. The New Democrat 8 February 2016

well. If a child can’t open a bottle of aspirin, we should also make sure she can’t pull the trigger of a gun. Guns Are Our Shared Yet today, the gun industry is almost entirely unaccountable. Thanks to the gun lobby’s decades of efforts, Congress has Responsibility blocked our consumer products safety experts from being able to require that firearms have even the most basic safety measures. By President Barack Obama, They’ve made it harder for the government’s public health January 7, 2016 experts to conduct research on gun violence. They’ve guaranteed (Submitted by Martin Gorfinkel) that manufacturers enjoy virtual immunity from lawsuits, which means that they can sell lethal products and rarely face THE epidemic of gun consequences. As parents, we wouldn’t put up with this if we violence in our country is a were talking about faulty car seats. Why should we tolerate it for crisis. Gun deaths and injuries products — guns — that kill so many children each year? constitute one of the greatest At a time when manufacturers are enjoying soaring profits, they threats to public health and should invest in research to make guns smarter and safer, like to the safety of the American developing microstamping for ammunition, which can help trace people. Every year, more than bullets found at crime scenes to specific guns. And like all 30,000 Americans have their industries, gun manufacturers owe it to their customers to be better lives cut short by guns. corporate citizens by selling weapons only to responsible actors. Suicides. Domestic violence. Ultimately, this is about all of us. We are not asked to perform Gang shootouts. Accidents. the heroism of 15-year-old Zaevion Dobson from , Hundreds of thousands of who was killed before Christmas while shielding his friends from Americans have lost brothers and sisters, or buried their own gunfire. We are not asked to display the grace of the countless children. We’re the only advanced nation on earth that sees this victims’ families who have dedicated themselves to ending this kind of mass violence with this frequency. senseless violence. But we must find the courage and the will to A national crisis like this demands a national response. mobilize, organize and do what a strong, sensible country does in Reducing gun violence will be hard. It’s clear that common-sense response to a crisis like this one. gun reform won’t happen during this Congress. It won’t happen All of us need to demand leaders brave enough to stand up to during my presidency. Still, there are steps we can take now to the gun lobby’s lies. All of us need to stand up and protect our save lives. And all of us — at every level of government, in the fellow citizens. All of us need to demand that governors, mayors private sector and as citizens — have to do our part. and our representatives in Congress do their part. We all have a responsibility. Change will be hard. It won’t happen overnight. But securing a On Tuesday, I announced new steps I am taking within my woman’s right to vote didn’t happen overnight. The liberation of legal authority to protect the American people and keep guns out African-Americans didn’t happen overnight. Advancing the rights of the hands of criminals and dangerous people. They include of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans has taken making sure that anybody engaged in the business of selling decades’ worth of work. firearms conducts background checks, expanding access to mental Those moments represent American democracy, and the health treatment and improving gun safety technology. These American people, at our best. Meeting this crisis of gun violence actions won’t prevent every act of violence, or save every life — will require the same relentless focus, over many years, at every but if even one life is spared, they will be well worth the effort. level. If we can meet this moment with that same audacity, we Even as I continue to take every action possible as president, I will achieve the change we seek. And we will leave a stronger, will also take every action I can as a citizen. I will not campaign safer country to our children. for, vote for or support any candidate, even in my own party, Barack Obama who does not support common-sense gun reform. And if the 90 President of the United States.

percent of Americans who do support common-sense gun

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All of us have a role to play — including gun owners. We

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over $2 billion more, creating a nearly $400 increase in per pupil spending. This investment marks the continuation of a trend Young Voices bringing California from the bottom in per pupil spending into Brought to you the middle of the pack; a more respectable place among the by the states. Higher education will also receive increased funding, attempting to limit tuition raises for in-state enrollees without hurting the quality and availability of their education. Social Services- Locally, a rise in the minimum wage has been the topic de jour with many localities raising the minimum wage Governor’s Budget Review to as much as $15 an hour and many more discussing this By Zack Ross change. The Governor has proposed increasing the state-wide minimum wage to 10 dollars an hour, an amount that may be It’s a new year! With a new year comes a lot of excitement in low for local cities but for the state can be a very important State Government. Along with a flurry of new bill proposals and a improvement. The Governor is also dedicating millions of dollars fresh look at the new year’s policy priorities comes the to pay for COLA adjustments for many, including those who are Governor’s first draft of the budget. There is no doubt that disabled and the elderly. This is also an important change for this Governor Brown has taken our state from deep financial region specifically for those continuing to receive fixed amounts insecurity to a stable fiscal plan and with that, surpluses. This despite costs everywhere around, namely rent, increasing rapidly. year, we find ourselves again with a very optimistic outlook for Transportation- California (like the nation as a whole) is large California’s budget and a plan that hovers north of $120 billon in overdue for a revamp of the transit system throughout the state. terms of the General Fund budget. The roads, highways and bridges continue to age, and the costs Often, a governor’s budget is highlighted by what the governor to repair and improve them increase, all while the funds to is planning to do in the upcoming year and what big moves he is maintain them decrease. The Governor has dedicated 36 billion planning to make. However, this year, the focus of our dollars over the next ten years to transportation. This money will Governor’s budget, and subsequently the speech he gave be allocated towards repairing and improving the transit system unveiling the budget, highlighted what the Governor would not both at the state and local levels. Some of that money will also be doing. Governor Brown used the budget unveiling to discuss be dedicated to new rail projects as well as the much maligned the importance of fiscal prudence in a time of budget surplus. high speed rail which will receive an influx of additional monies. Discussing at length that with highs come inevitable lows, and Despite being highly criticized, high speed rail, if successful, that despite the current positive years, there are certain negative could provide efficient and cheap transit to allow people to live recession years to come. He is focusing on making monetary where they can afford to live and yet be able to work where the commitments where they are most needed, while still investing a jobs exist. large chunk of the money to the Rainy Day Fund and debt A note on transit funds- while spending money on road and payments. Further, in making these decisions, he was very careful highway repairs is extremely important, we need to continue to to avoid setting down a path of extensive long term commitments invest in larger scale public projects. Whether it is increased or and guaranteed funds that during recession years may not be new rail routes or other forms of mass transit, our infrastructure is there or available. reaching capacity and between our extended region and regions Everyone has different priorities when it comes to government in Southern California, our roads and highways have nearly funding. From education or transportation to the environment or maxed out. I believe that rather than spending more money to health care, every individual reading this probably has a number allow people to stay in their cars we should seek out alternative one priority that is different from someone else’s number one transit methods to encourage people to get out of their cars, into priority, despite all of us being what we may call- ‘good liberals’. a bus or train, or even better to walk or bike. I am encouraged On the positive side, there is a lot to be very optimistic about, that the Governor did allocate funds to mass transit and also to regardless of your priority. On the slightly negative side, your subsidizing electric vehicle and hybrid purchases. In addition to priority could always use more money from the state to reach the using public transportation people will continue to want their optimum level of funding. If you do have a priority you think own cars, so it is better to have environmentally friendly options deserves more attention you should reach out to your rather than the gas guzzlers of old. representatives in state government as I am sure they would love In short, there is a lot to be happy about in the current budget to know! proposal and more generally, California. Though, as the Governor I will shine the light on a few of the true highlights in the says, we cannot expect to have surpluses every year, it is good to budget proposal, with minimal insertion of my own opinions. spend funds where they are needed while still paying down our Due to the depth of the budget I will only briefly mention a few debt and saving for recessions. Because of the relative brevity of topics from a long list of important items: this article I would be more than happy to discuss any element Education- From early childhood to K-12 to higher education that was under-discussed or not discussed in more depth directly. there is something for everyone to be happy about. It is pretty Please feel free to reach out to me at [email protected] with well established that investing in early childhood education yields any questions or comments. very positive results. The budget includes $1.6 billion of investment in early childhood education with a focus on low- income and at-risk families. Further, K-12 education funding has PENINSULA DEMOCRATIC COALITION PENINSULA YOUNG DEMOCRATS ATTENTION: JOIN or RENEW your PDC/PYD membership now!

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Those of you who find Hillary unlikeable – there’s hope! In Pearls of Wisdom: 2007, I felt as many do now: she was by far the most qualified and knowledgeable candidate, Democratic or Republican, I News from Amy Pearl didn’t really warm to her, but I figured I’d support her. Then in 2008 in a more informal setting I heard her give a personal talk about her mother and her own history. My perception changed, and my feelings changed. I’ve since heard her quite a few times Is Hillary Clinton likeable? in that kind of setting and she is phenomenal - heartfelt, brilliant, humorous, human, even sometimes extemporaneous! Someone you’d want as a friend (assuming you like smart, funny, warm How do we know? people). It’s too bad everyone can’t see her in that setting. I wish Is Hillary Likeable? they had videotaped that talk. Like our club President (see President’s Letter), I have a Hillary Not all brilliant leaders are natural communicators to large Clinton confession: Unlike many of my feminist peers who were audiences; conversely some people who can speak brilliantly to lifelong rabid Hillary fans, I didn’t used to like Hillary. I’d heard large anonymous audiences are uncomfortable in small groups her in person a few times: in a big auditorium, and I’d heard her and even terrible to people one on one. It is the rare person at a fundraiser for John Kerry. She was brilliant and eloquent, and whose communication skills scale at all levels. Perhaps Hillary I (who loves smart people) just thought “meh.” The tonal thing - I Clinton is a brilliant woman, effective leader and public servant get it, I hear it sometimes when Hillary speaks in a public setting. who is more effective communicating in some settings than in She sounds careful, rehearsed, arrogant and sometimes others. When she’s not busy being qualified and brilliant, she’s bombastic. She has so much information and knowledge to very likeable. impart that sometimes my brain gets tired. I used to not like She’s Likeable and It Shouldn’t Matter Hillary because of her speaking style. And the media view of her Is sexism at play? Research shows that people expect women reinforced my emotional reaction. to be pleasing; a woman who is not focused on and practiced at Is Hillary really so unlikeable? Curiously, only a year ago, pleasing is perceived to have something wrong with her. Some Hillary was the most admired woman in America . When she was people who find brilliance and competency pleasing in men are Secretary of State and not running for office, her popularity still aggravated by those qualities in women. ratings were incredibly high and you didn’t hear about her lack of Barrier breakers have hard edges. They can’t get through if “likeability.” Just a year ago, before Hillary announced running they don’t. Change agents, such as someone changing for President, people were clamoring for her to run and unite the hundreds of years of predictably male presidents, can’t do it Democratic Party behind an obviously extremely qualified, highly without a single-mindedness that is sometimes off-putting. That admired successor to the Obama Presidency. In 2014 she was focus and desire to be right, best, appropriate, smartest, etc. can the speaker at a lecture series at San Jose State – the basketball make an essentially like-able person seem distant and false. stadium was absolutely packed with people of all ages, Let’s be careful about how heavily we weight likeability. Cast backgrounds and genders. your memory back to the long-ago election of the guy people How did Hillary regain her lack of likeability so quickly?!? Do voted for because “he was the guy you would want to have a we interpret her behavior differently when she is competing? beer with.” Never mind that he dodged military service, was a Does the media amplify negative impressions to keep our mediocre student, and was a mediocre businessman and adult. attention? Is she less relaxed and relatable when she is The guy he was running against was too serious, too wooden. campaigning? Imagine if that guy had been elected rather than the “likeable” How well would any of us handle having our appearance, our guy who was elected President who lied and got us into a war relationships, and mannerisms be on an online loop playing for that has had more than a decade of unanticipated consequences. the entire world, 24/7? Would we be vulnerable, charming, The question of Hillary’s likability is becoming more and more unguarded, “likeable” in addition to being required to display absurd, especially when you consider her credentials, arguably our competency and qualifications? Being as good a dancer as the most impressive of any of the 2016 presidential candidates, Barack Obama while dancing backwards in high heels might and the consequentiality of the role of President. Why is that make it hard to see her humanity. when it comes to Secretary Clinton, the sheer force of her www.politico.com/story/2016/01/obama-iowa-2016-sanders- experience and intelligence just isn’t enough? Or that she’s off-message-218166 likeable in some settings, but not all? We should be suspect of In a fantastic Slate article, Sady Doyle says “How long would likeability – as attractive as it is, it can mask real weaknesses, you make it, if people treated you the way [people have treated] limitations and problems. Let’s be careful judging a book by its Hillary Clinton? … Unless you really take a look at those pressures cover, or a politician by their rhetorical style. [the nasty things people have said about her dating back to the early 1990s] the narrative around Hillary Clinton’s “likability” is doomed to be inaccurate. Trying to parse Hillary Clinton without also parsing Hillary hate is like trying to drink water without touching the glass. ” (my emphasis) www.slate.com/articles/double_x/doublex/2015/12/saying_nice_t hings_about_hillary_clinton_has_become_a_subversive_act.html The New Democrat 12 February 2016

We hope you will join us for this reception as this is one of the last times as President Obama visits the Atherton as President of the United States for. As the presidential primaries begin, it is CALENDAR of critical importance that the Democratic Party has the resources OF EVENTS necessary to ensure the White House stays in Democratic hands in order to preserve President Obama’s incredible legacy and the future of this country. Tickets are available at the following MONTHLY MEETINGS levels: $250 – General Admissions; $1,000 – Premium Seating; Santa Clara County Democratic Central $10,000 – Photo Line Guest; $25,000 – Co-Host. RSVP: HERE Committee Meets at 7:00 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month at Thursday, Feb. 11, 7-9 p.m. 70 West Hedding, San Jose. Call 408/445-9500 for information. Peninsula Stonewall Democrats: Scott Wiener for CA State Senate Anll are welcome to attend. (SD-11) Fundraiser. Where: Trapeze Restaurant in Burlingame, 266 Lorton Ave. San Mateo County Democratic Central Facebook Event: Committee www.facebook.com/events/223632584642672 /; Contribute Meets for their General Meeting on the third Thursday of every online: month at 7:30pm at the Transport Workers Union, Local 505 https://scottwiener.nationbuilder.com/peninsulastonewall . building located at 1521 Rollins Road in Burlingame." RSVP: Celeste Sempere at 347-527-3368 or celeste@bedford- grove.com PDC Board of Directors meets at 7:30 p.m. on the second WEDNESDAY of each month at the Palo Alto Unitarian Saturday, Feb 13, 6-9 p.m. Church, 505 East Charleston Road, Palo Alto, Fireside Room; all are Congressman Mike Honda, CD-17 Fund Raiser with special guests Dr. welcome. Steven Chu and John Chiang Where: 43 Flood Circle, Atherton, CA 94027 EVENTS: FEBRUARY 2016 Dr. Steven Chu, is the former U.S. Secretary of Energy under President Obama & Nobel Laureate. John Chiang is California Wednesday, Feb 10, 6:30-7:30 p.m. State Treasurer. For more information and reservation: State Senator Jerry Hill (SD-13) Interactive online Town Hall. bit.ly/021916SusanAkbarpour or over the phone: (408) 641- 1717. Plan to join Jerry to learn about top issues facing our community and state. I'm delighted to have the opportunity to share my thoughts with you on how the legislative year is shaping SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21 up so far in the Capitol and how that will affect our community.I a.m.-2 p.m. also want to know what issues are important to you and your 11:30 family, and what questions you may have about state ANNUAL PDC/PYD Members Meeting government. You can submit your questions and watch online as I respond in real-time in the "Ask Jerry" question-and-answer Los Altos Youth Center 97 Hillview Ave, session of the online town hall. Click here or visit Los Altos 94022. http://sd13. senate.ca.gov/AskJerry2016 to submit your questions before or during the online town hall. I hope you will SEE PAGE 1, 4, and 5 FOR MORE join the discussion now and connect with me online. INFORMATION! Wednesday, Feb 10, 11:45 a.m. Modeling the Impact of Natural Disasters. SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 4-6 P.M. Hangen Szechuan Restaurant, 134 Castro Street, Mountain View. Cost: $12. RSVP Bob Kirby, 650-969-7215. Guest Speaker: Climate Change, Local Challenges & Anne Wein, a member of an interdisciplinary team at the US Solutions: Get Involved on the Local Level. Geological Survey (USGS), Menlo Park, modeling societal impact of natural disasters such as earthquakes, flooding (El Niño), Reservations are required. Register at tsunamis. Sponsored by the Technology and Society Committee. www.peninsulademocrats.org and obtain address location and directions. Donations on the PDC Thursday, Feb 11, BRUNCH for President Barack Obama at the Home website or in person are welcomed and appreciated. of Steve Westly, Atherton. For questions, contact JudyP at [email protected] or The Democratic National Committee is pleased to announce a brunch reception with special guest President Barack Obama on 650-964-4837. February 11th, 2016. The reception will take place Atherton, CA SEE PAGE 7 FOR MORE INFORMATION! at the home of Steve Westly. Please RSVP here to attend: https://finance.democrats.org/page/contribute/SanFranciscoFeb ruary10 The New Democrat 13 February 2016

for the presidency is Jeb. Funnies by Janice • Rick Perry has endorsed Ted Cruz. Wonder how many reasons the Texas Governor gave for the endorsement? By Janice Hough, PDC Member • Glenn Beck today called a “very dangerous man” after Trump’s remarks about shooting someone last week. Just how insane do you have to be for Beck to call you • Can’t wait for the Steve Harvey interview with Donald dangerous? Trump on his Iowa Caucus win • A Texas grand jury looking into allegations against Planned • On Feb 2, the House failed to override President Obama’s Parenthood has issued indictments – against the anti-abortion veto of a bill to repeal Obamacare. So maybe Paul Ryan actually activists who made the videos. Waiting for some GOP candidate has a sense of humor in scheduling the vote on Groundhog Day? to say, “Well, of course that’s what happens in a commie-pinko • Marissa Mayer says Yahoo will lay off 15% of its global blue state…. Oops, never mind. workforce and close five offices. And this plan “will enable us to • So now that the Texas grand jury has cleared Planned accelerate Yahoo’s transformation.” So sounds like Ms. Mayer is Parenthood but indicted the people who made those misleading well on her way to following Carly Fiorina into politics. videos can we name Carly Fiorina as an unindicted co- • On the night of the Iowa caucuses CNN covered Cruz, conspirator? Trump, Rubio, Clinton and Sanders' speeches. only • Donald Trump says he could shoot someone dead on Fifth covered the GOP candidates. So fair and balanced only means Avenue and not lose any votes. And somewhere Charlie Crist is between “right” and “far right?” thinking “But just try putting your arm around President Obama.” • Marco Rubio does an awfully good job of attacking Hillary • Chris Christie, in response to a questioner who asked him Clinton for not keeping her personal and work emails separate why he was in New Hampshire campaigning instead of back in for someone who has been almost indicted for, at best, not dealing with storm damage and flooding “What do keeping his personal and work credit cards separate. you want me to do, bring a mop?” • Some say the young Senator Marco Rubio is a GOP Barack If he does get the nomination, Christie could do the near Obama. One major difference - one of Obama's parents was impossible – make Hillary Clinton look warm and cuddly. actually a U.S. citizen. • In Kansas, State Senator Mitch Holmes instituted a dress • The NY Times noted this quote from an email sent to Mich. code for women testifying before committees – no short skirts or Gov. Rick Snyder that a state nurse told one young mother to not plunging necklines, as he says they look provocative and are a worry when her son’s blood showed an elevated lead level. “It is distraction Hmm, now for men, what about comb-overs, bad just a few IQ points. … It is not the end of the world,” toupees. and pants belted under bellies, which look ridiculous So was the tainted water part of a plot to create more GOP and are a distraction. voters? • Donald Trump wants Megyn Kelly off future debates. Fox • Regarding the Clinton email situation it’s good to see how has responded “Megyn Kelly has no conflict of interest. Donald all the people who are up in arms over the potential security risks Trump is just trying to build up the audience for Thursday’s and want indictments are the same ones who wanted to indict debate, for which we thank him.” Cheney and others in the Bush administration over Valerie How often do I say this, “Fox News is right.” Plame…. Oops, never mind. • Rick Santorum says if he doesn't do well in Iowa he may • Marco Rubio said that Bernie Sanders “is a good candidate end up ending his 2016 Presidential campaign. Shocking. for President of Sweden.”. What’s next, him saying Ted Cruz Santorum is still running in 2016? should be President of Canada? • Jeb Bush praised Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder for "stepping • Martin O'Malley just suspended his campaign. Wonder if up" and accepting responsibility for the Flint water crisis. Amazed he’s found a moving company to return him from the midwest he didn't say "Rickie, you're doing a helluva job." TO Baltimore in middle of night? To all who love to dismiss the idea of gun control working (The above is a football joke, sports fans will get it, has to do when there is a shooting in Canada or a city or state with tough with Colts leaving...) laws. So since there are still deaths resulting from drunk drivers • Ah Donald. In Council Bluffs, Iowa, Trump went to church, does that mean we should give up on DUI laws? Heck, for that mistook the communion plate for the collection plate and tried matter why have laws against murder. It doesn't stop all of them. to put in an donation. Well, when this election is over he can • George Zimmerman’s divorce has been finalized. So guess relax and start not going to services except for weddings again. what ladies, he’s single. • Adele said through a spokesman that she has NOT given • Barbara Bush has made a campaign ad for Jeb’s run for Donald Trump permission to play her “Rolling in the Deep” and President, “Rather than talking about how popular they are or “Skyfall,” So how long until Trump adds the British onto his anti- how great they are, he’s doing it because he sees huge need and immigrant list? it’s not being filled by anybody.” • President Obama has announced $1 billion in funding over Wonder how long it will take another GOP candidate showing the next two years in an effort to cure cancer. Waiting for the Barbara saying we’ve had enough Bushes in the White House? GOP rebuttal. • Now Michael Bloomberg is talking about jumping into the Donald Rumsfeld said that George H.W. Bush’s criticisms of Presidential race as a third party candidate. If nothing else he’ll him are not “very helpful” to Jeb’s run for the presidency. With give Trump a run on who has the biggest ego in New York City. all due respect, the person who is the least helpful to Jeb’s run (Continued on back page) DEM The Peninsula Democratic Coalition LA O U C P.O. Box 97 S R N A Los Altos, CA 94023-0097

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Funnies (Continued from page 11) • Donald Trump said at a rally in Iowa “I could stand in the middle of 5th Ave, shoot somebody & I wouldn’t lose any voters, it is incredible.” I am not sure what’s scarier, that Trump said, it, or that it’s probably true. • So the SAT test is changing and will no longer require the vocabulary section with often obscure words. Those of us who got into college partly because of how much we read find this rather lugubrious. • A 21-year-old University of Virginia student who was on a 5-day tour out of China has been arrested in North Korea, for allegedly committing a ‘hostile act under orders from DEM LA O Washington.” U C S R Thinking, if you are American who goes voluntarily to North N A

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• Jeffery H. Cohen, 70, of Pittsburgh died in January. In his C O N obituary: Jeffrey would ask that in lieu of flowers, please do A LITI O not vote for Donald Trump.” Well, the primary is April 26, don’t suppose that for him Cohen’s family could file a VERY absentee ballot? The New Democrat • Willie Robertson of “Duck Dynasty” has endorsed Donald Published monthly by Trump. But his dad Phil has endorsed Ted Cruz. Well, it could The Peninsula Democratic Coalition do wonders for ratings if father and son decide to settle this with a duel.– P.O. Box 97, Los Altos, CA 94023-0097

President: Nicole Fernandez Vice President: Judy Plaska Editor: Emy Thurber Design/Layout: Kristen Lohnes Johnson Email: [email protected] Web site: www.peninsulademocrats.com Opinions expressed in signed columns represent views of the author and are not necessarily official positions of the PDC. For advertising rates, email Kristen Johnson at [email protected] The Peninsula Democratic Coalition (PDC) is chartered by the Santa Clara County Democratic Central Committee, and affiliated with the California Democratic Council (CDC) www.cdc-ca.org Join the Peninsula The Peninsula Young Democrats (PYD) is a group within the PDC for members under age 36; the PYD is Democratic Coalition on affiliated with the California Young Democrats. Facebook!