Please Wake Me!

Have you ever awakened from a nightmare feeling disoriented and not sure if it was real or not? That’s how I feel right now. I just left a Townhall given by Assemblymen Matt Dababneh (District 45) and Congressman Brad Sherman. It was standing room only, four or five deep.

I’ve never had a more difficult time sitting through a Townhall. I was crawling out of my skin wanting to run screaming or crying from the building. The event began with a lengthy talk from State Controller Betty Yee. She mentioned the people holding signs that said “Healthcare is a Human Right” and said she agreed. But there would need to be serious tax reform to pay for single payer healthcare. I was clearly outnumbered as the majority of the people applauded in agreement. These uninformed people want to impose the failing VA single payer system on all of us. About three quarters of the crowd were senior citizens that haven’t a clue it’s their healthcare that will be rationed, that sick people will flood into California for it’s “free healthcare” and overwhelm the system and that they will be waiting 6 months or longer to even see a doctor. And, of course, before you can say “healthcare” it will be over budget and out of control.

Controller Yee said tax reform would need to focus more on capital gains than payroll deductions. She said (and you will love this) that 40% of California’s state taxes are paid for by 7000 people. She said nothing about the other 38,993,000 paying their fair share. But she did brag about the earned income tax which gives about $6000 a year to low-income families.

She mentioned that she, Dababneh and Sherman were very opposed to Trump pulling out of the Paris Accord (to thunderous applause in agreement). She said how difficult it was to budget with the threat of the Trump administration pulling Federal funding from various programs. So, because the stock market was doing so well (why do they think that is?) they are putting money in the Rainy Day Fund as “Trump Insurance”. Again thunderous applause.

Congressman Sherman, with his permanent smirk, was up next. After 20 years in Congress, I consider him the poster boy for term limits. He congratulated Dababneh for being part of a state government that works (because it has a super majority and can run over the rest of us). He promised that the federal regulations Trump is rolling back, California will pass into state law.

He praised Dodd/Frank and promised to fight any attempts to change it because no bank should be too big to fail (thunderous applause). He fails to mention Dodd/Frank made the Big banks even bigger and denied small banks access to funds to loan small businesses. But we can rest easy, Brad Sherman is here to help. He proudly told the audience that he is sponsoring two bills, one to end Citizens United (but certainly not Union dues being used to fund Democrats) and one to end the Electoral College. Again thunderous applause.

If I wasn’t devastated enough he ended by saying never in our history, since Galileo, has science denying had such power. I’m sure he must be referring to those denying the science of gender. Gender is determined by DNA not wishful thinking.

Assemblyman Dababneh jumped up to heap praise on Sherman saying he was on the front line against the assault from the Trump administration.

He then went on to pat himself on the back for working to ensure his children will have the opportunities he had. He said he never loses sight that he works for us. He would fight against the Federal government trying to sell off our parklands to Big oil and developers (I picture Simon Legree twirling his mustache here). He is going to see that they provide more incentives for people to drive electric cars (read “force” them to). He is in full support of 100% alternative energy. (Ah, yes, instead of using and selling our ABUNDANT, CHEAP, EFFICIENT natural resources, let’s keep them in the ground and BUY expensive, unreliable solar panels and windmills that provide no income). Sadly, his children will not have the same opportunities he had if his vision is achieved.

He’s very proud that we will be having Cap and Trade and is concerned about Big farms and ranches being a greater threat to our environment than cars. As a vegetarian he thinks we should all eat more vegetables. Gee, do you think he’ll sponsor some legislation to see that we do? Why not?

One of my constant complaints at Brad Sherman Townhalls is that he doesn’t allow people to line up to ask questions. We have to have a number called or write questions on cards. This Townhall was even worse. An aide came up with cards and called out the names on the first five cards. They turned out to be either people who personally knew Dabaneh or were supporters. The first woman almost had the vapors telling him how wonderful he was. She was from Laguna but wanted to be an adopted constituent of his. Her Congressman, Dana Rohrabacher, was so awful. She didn’t have a question she just wanted to breathlessly thank him. The next woman also had no question. She knew Dababneh and had asked him to sponsor the bill that would outlaw pedigree dogs from pet stores. She just wanted to thank him also. Next was a member of a union who wanted to thank him for supporting green energy that was employing him and his union members. Next was a woman who asked him to sponsor a bill to reduce bail to help people who couldn’t afford to pay it. They didn’t have time for any more “questions”. I couldn’t get out of there faster.

On the way home I tried to think why this Townhall was so different. I’ve been to nearly all of Brad Sherman’s Townhalls for the last 8 years and they were usually very contentious. People yelling at him, booing, yelling at each other. Now everyone is applauding. I realized that when Obama was President, people who belonged to the Tea Party went to Townhalls to express their displeasure with what was happening. Now that Trump is President the Left is going to express their displeasure with what Trump is doing. They don’t understand Obama was taking their liberty from them and Trump is trying to give it back.

I don’t drink, but if I did, this would be the time to have a few.