Patch asked that I share my thoughts on the election. My thoughts are few, but upper most is the thought that this election will soon be over. I am looking forward to that.
Four years ago in the last general election, I voted for John McCain for president. This election I am voting for Barack Obama. I am voting for Barack Obama because Mitt Romney declared that I was in the 47 percent group.
I am retired and receive Social Security and because of that I am in Mitt Romney's 47 percent group. I paid into Social Security for 54 years. Then, Medicare came along. I paid into Medicare for 45 years.
I did not appreciate being lumped into any group, let alone Romney's 47 percent group. During the 80's and 90's I maxed out my payroll requirements for Social Security. During the 90's my government required payroll deductions for federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, state income, state disabilty, etc, etc. reaching six figures.
If the government would return all of the Social Security and Medicare money they withheld to me, they can keep their Social Security and Medicare benefits. I would not need or want government benefits.
Medicare is not free. I pay for it. I am 100 percent self-insured. My Medicare, Medicare supplemental, dental, prescription meds cost over $500 every month. I don't know where Mitt Romney's head is, it isn't on his shoulders. Then, Mitt Romney stated middle income folks have incomes of $250,000 year.
For the propositions and measures on the ballot, I voted NO on 30 through 39 and YES on 40. For Pleasanton Mayor I am going with Thorne, because I do not like the pro labor candidate Cook-Kallio.
For City Council I am going with Karla Brown and without enthusiasm I go with Pentin. The other council candidate Erlene DeMarcus is over bearing pro-labor and consults for a silly developer from Hong Kong. Simply put, there just was not enough good qualified candidates for City Council.
I am going with Eric Swalwell because Pete Stark has been on a free ride far too long and has been a constant embarrassment. We need to throw Stark out of office.
I am going with Mark Meuser for state Senate because he was responsive to Patch and blogged on the issues. Mark DeSaulinier was not responsive to Patch and refused to blog on the issues. Like Pete Stark refused to debate the issues, and like Pete Stark, DeSaulinier is on a free ride, too.
I have worked to defeat Mary Hayashi to keep her out of office for the district 2 supervisor seat in Alameda County. That will be a close election and Hayashi could win with 35 percent of the vote. Here's hoping she loses the election.
There are a number of folks who will not like my choices and there are a number of folks who will like my choices. All comments are welcomed so long as all comments are civil.
