Beware of California Phony Slate Mailers

The Looney Left Report

Radical leftists are trying to buy elective offices by sending out mailers implying that candidates are being endorsed by the Republican Party. These include non-partisan offices such as district attorneys, auditors, controllers and judges.

Beware of  phony endorsement mailers being sent out by Voter Guide Slate Cards of the Seedborg Campaigns company, who is affiliated with the West Los Angeles radical Democrat political machine headed up by Michael Berman. These "endorsements" are totally bogus as candidates pay to be included in these slate mailers. For all anyone knows, that candidate may be a total lunatic! 

If you receive such an endorsement mailer that implies that he/she is being endorsed by the Republican Party and it is sent out by Voter Guide Slate Cards, check with your county's Republican Party headquarters before voting.

Beware!

Sherman Introduces Article of Impeachment

Above, Rep. Brad Sherman.

Well, he did it. Rep. Brad Sherman (I reside in his district) introduced an article of impeachment against President Trump against the wishes of his own party's house leadership.

According to The Hill:

Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) formally introduced an article of impeachment against President Trump on Wednesday that accuses the president of obstructing justice during the federal investigation of Russia’s 2016 election interference.

This is the first time a lawmaker has offered an impeachment article against Trump, and comes as Democrats have debated whether it is politically wise to press the case for impeachment at this time.

A majority vote in the House, currently controlled by Republicans, is required to impeach a president. Republicans have a 46-seat advantage. 

White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders slammed the move.
“I think that is utterly and completely ridiculous and a political game at its worst," she told reporters Wednesday at an off-camera briefing.

To date, Sherman has not accomplished much of anything of note for his district. Now he will be known as the imbecile who introduced an article of impeachment and who physically assaulted a primary opponent at a debate (Rep. Howard Berman).

To read more, go here.

Electoral Votes Controlled By Moscow, Rep. Brad Sherman Says

Above, Rep. Brad Sherman

Well, it's been a while since I last reported on any dumb statement or action by Rep. Brad Sherman, who just happens to be the congressman in my district. In fact, I supported Sherman over former Rep. Howard Berman a few years ago when reapportionment put the two into the same district.

But, sooner or later, Sherman was bound to say or do something stupid. And he has done so this week.

PoliZette reported:

A Democratic congressman from California on Monday said President-Elect Donald Trump’s pro-Russian posture helped him win “Electoral College votes that are controlled in Moscow.” 

Rep. Brad Sherman’s statement came in response to a question by CNN anchor Carol Costello about alleged Russian interference in the U.S. election. She wanted to know if Sherman believed Trump himself was “in cahoots” with the Russians. He said probably not, but suggested that direct participation by Trump was irrelevant. 

"The fact is, in the campaign, Trump said things that would have hurt him — just a little bit — with American voters, but it helped him with the Electoral College votes that are controlled in Moscow," he said. "And Moscow returned the favor." 

Sherman backed off after Costello challenged him on that preposterous assertion. He conceded that Moscow does not, in fact, control Electoral College votes and acknowledged that there were dozens of other factors in Trump's surprise victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Although Sherman tried to walk back his comments, he still made those remarks and they are now in the public record. Jeez.

To read more, go here.

Rep. Brad Sherman Opposes Iran Nuke Deal

Above, Rep. Brad Sherman.

Readers of this blog know that I have had numerous disagreements with my area's U.S. Congressman, Brad Sherman. (Note: I did back Sherman two years ago in his election battle with Rep. Howard Berman.)

On occasion, Sherman has shown that he could be independent of his party's policy positions. I will continue to point out those positions where he's right, and those where he's wrong.

This week, Sherman announced that he will oppose the Iran nuclear deal recently negotiated by Secretary of State John Kerry. (See http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/aug/7/brad-sherman-defects-obama-iran-nuke-deal/)

Kudos to Rep. Sherman for opposing this bad deal.

California's 30th Congressional District: Vote For Mark Reed

Above, Armand with Mark Reed in 2010.

In a little over a week from now is Election Day.

I was going to post ballot recommendations, primarily on the California propositions and judges, but somehow, my sample ballot (that I had completed) had disappeared.

I will have to re-do it if it doesn't show up (I doubt it will). I may do a blog post on California ballot recommendations if it turns up (or if I get riled up enough).

However, there is one choice that is on the ballot is the candidate for U.S. Congress for the 30th Congressional District I can easily recommend: Mark Reed.

The 30th Congressional District is comprised mainly of Chatsworth, Encino, Woodland Hills, Canoga Park and, my community, Tarzana.

It is a newly-formed district, having been created from the last census. The first election for the new district in 2012 pitted Rep. Brad Sherman and Rep. Howard Berman, both Democrats. Since the state's crazy "top two vote-getters" primary system, no matter what party they're in, had Berman and Sherman battle for the seat, I held my nose and backed Sherman. He won.

Now, this year, things are a little more "normal" and I have a much better choice.

Mark Reed is a mainstream Republican candidate who would make an excellent congressman. His chances are very slim, given that the party registration very much favors the Democrats. But I urge a vote for Mark Reed, even from Democrats who are equally concerned over the mess their party leaders have made of this country and state.

From Mark Reed's campaign website:

Ask yourself;  

Is Congress and the Federal Government doing a good job?  

Would you retain an employee if you only approved of his performance 10% of the time?  

On November 4th you have the power to change that by choosing new representation. I'm humbly asking for your vote. I have a strong belief that real representation will put country before party and people before politics.  

I am running for Congress in California's 30th District to bring our voice to Washington D.C. and express our concerns and needs.  

Because of partisan politics, our country is mired in multiple scandals, including the VA, the IRS and Benghazi. We are over 17 trillion dollars in debt, welfare spending has been increased by 60% and 43 million people are now collecting food stamps. Over nine million jobs have vanished, millions have given up looking for work, and the unemployment rate remains stubbornly high. Economic growth is stuck in the 2%-3% range. In the first quarter of 2014 the GDP plummeted 2.5%.  

World respect for the United States is at an all-time low. Our Mid-East policy is in complete disarray, and for the first time since 1947, Israel's existence is truly in danger. Radical Islam, Russia, Iran and China are on the march. Iraq has disintegrated since we withdrew our troops, and ISIS (the Islamic State) has declared the Islamic Caliphate in the heart of the Middle East, stretching from northern Syria to Baghdad, Iraq. The recent Affordable Health Care Act rollout has been an ongoing disaster with millions losing their healthcare insurance, their family doctor, and their local hospital.

Please join my campaign by making a donation or volunteering some of your talents and time. Please send me an email or join me at one of my events. Together we can restore America for our grandchildren and preserve the freedoms promised to us by our Founding Fathers.  

I am humbly asking for your vote on November 4th.  

God bless you and God Bless America.  

Mark Reed 

Mark Reed's campaign website is here: http://www.markreedforcongress.com/

Payback Against The Waxman-Berman Machine

Above, Paul Bannai receives a novelty frog gift from
Armand in Bannai's Gardena district office in 1974.

Two years ago, thanks to reapportionment and the wacko new primary election system in California that pits the top two vote-getters against each other, even if they are of the same party, Rep. Brad Sherman had to face Rep. Howard Berman in the general election.

At the time, many GOP bigwigs were tripping over themselves in issuing endorsements of either Sherman or Berman, I stayed true to my conservative principles and endorsed and voted for Republican Mark Reed in the primary. Unfortunately, Reed wasn't one of the top two vote-getters so it ended up being a choice between Sherman and Berman.

Regular readers of this blog know that I am not particularly enamored with some of the policy positions of Brad Sherman. I was not fond of Howard Berman either. Both are liberals. But the choice was made easier for me as I remembered how the Henry Waxman-Howard Berman machine installed a carpetbagger into the 53rd Assembly District (Hawthorne-Gardena) to run against Assemblyman Paul Bannai with big West L.A. money backing him. I worked as a field representative for Bannai off and on (college permitting) back in those days. So, it was natural for me to give Mr. Berman a little "payback."

Therefore, I came out in support of Brad Sherman and Sherman sent Berman into retirement. Some of my conservative friends almost had strokes over this. But, as Sir Winston Churchill put it, "If Hitler invaded hell I would make at least a favourable reference to the devil in the House of Commons."

Above, Paul Bannai and Armand at the Little Tokyo Oshogatsu celebration on New Year's Day 2014.

In case you would like to read a little about the Waxman-Berman political machine, former Bannai campaign director Allan Hoffenblum has an article about it.

To read the article, go here.

Sherman vs. Berman: Satisfaction!

There's one good aspect on tonight's election returns: I have the satisfaction of voting to retire Rep. Howard Berman.

He was up against another Democrat congressman, Rep. Brad Sherman in the newly-created 30th Congressional District.

Since the new cockamamie law pitted the top two vote-getters against each other in the general election (no matter what political party each belongs to), it was a choice between two Democrats. I supported Mark Reed during the primary campaign.

Despite my differences with Rep. Brad Sherman, I voted for him (and announced my intention to do so a week or so ago). This is the first time in my life I voted for a Democrat for Congress. At present, Sherman leads by 59% to Berman's 41%.

Why do I have the satisfaction of retiring Berman?  Back in the 1970s, he and Rep. Henry Waxman put up carpetbagger candidates against GOP legislators that included Assemblyman Paul T. Bannai in the Gardena-Hawthorne area, where I lived.  I also worked for Bannai.  One such carpetbagger they put up was Maurice Mayesh.

Well, ol' Howie can consider this payback!  (Yes, I do have a long memory!)

The icing on the cake tonight:  I was checking to see the election returns on this race and found this on NBC-Los Angeles:

The 30th Congressional District

The election is down to the wire.  I have decided on the people and issues I will be voting on.  There was one race that I had not made up my mind on and was sitting on the fence.  Until now.

That is the race for the 30th Congressional District in the San Fernando Valley.  This morning, I received the following email:

Dear Friend,
As the San Fernando Valley’s only Republican elected official, I can appreciate Democrats who are willing to cross political boundaries and work together with Republicans to solve common problems. 

In these tough times we need to elect representatives who will fight for the Valley’s fair share. 

That’s why I am supporting Brad Sherman for re-election to the U.S. Congress. 

Brad has worked to hire more police officers in the Valley and played a leadership role in securing funds to add a new lane to the 405 and the two new lanes on the 5. 

Brad Sherman had the courage and integrity to stand up to the leaders of both parties and fight to stop the $700 billion TARP bailout of Wall Street. Brad Sherman believes that capitalism means that no business can be “too big to fail.”

Brad Sherman also Co-sponsored the Line Item Veto Act, to give all future Presidents the power to eliminate pork barrel spending and earmarks. 

His Democratic opponent, Howard Berman, voted for the TARP bailouts and against the line-item veto. Because Berman doesn’t want to talk about these issues, he is using doctored pictures to exaggerate an incident that the LA Times correctly calls “a silly spat”. 

We should focus on the issues, and on who works hard for the Valley. 

You should know Sherman has been endorsed by my friend Michael Reagan. Michael Reagan is a conservative commentator dedicated to the legacy and philosophy of his father, Ronald Reagan. Michael Reagan is also a long-time Valley resident, active in our community. 

For me, this is an easy choice. Brad Sherman is an outstanding member of Congress. Join me in voting to keep him there. 

Yours truly,

Mitchell Englander Los Angeles City Councilmember Chair, Public Safety Committee Reserve Los Angeles Police Officer 

P.S. Please join me, Councilmember Dennis Zine (the only registered independent elected official in the Valley), former Republican Councilman Greig Smith, Republican Assemblyman Cameron Smyth (who represents the North Valley), and over 30,000 frontline law enforcement officers in supporting Brad Sherman for Congress.

Those of you who follow this blog know that I have been critical about Rep. Brad Sherman.  Well, that can go for the whole Democratic Party as a whole.  That party has been virtually taken over by radicals who are hell-bent in transforming this country into a European socialist state.  That kind of system has never worked and will never work, but the radical Left are still pushing it.  

The race, thanks to the cockamamie system that is now in place, pits two Democrats against each other.  There is no Republican candidate to vote for (unless one does a write-in). Rep. Howard Berman's district was reapportioned out of existence and he is now in a district that contains a majority of Sherman's current district.  Berman is running a mud-slinging campaign against Sherman.  

Although there is little difference on the issues, except those that Councilman Englander mentioned above, between Sherman and Berman, at least Sherman does go out into the district to meet with constituents by holding regular "town hall meetings."  

Berman is a 71-year-old dinosaur.  He needs to be retired.

Accordingly, although it goes "against the grain" for me to vote for a Democrat, I will be voting for Brad Sherman on November 6.  

Michael Reagan Endorses Brad Sherman

Above, Michael Reagan and Armand, circa 1977.

The other day I received a mailer from Michael Reagan on behalf of the Brad Sherman campaign.  It was a surprise to see Mike endorse Brad Sherman (who is running against Rep. Howard Berman in the new 30th Congressional District).  

At this time, I am still on the fence in this race.  To me, it is a case of Tweedle-dee and Tweedle-dum.  Anyone who regularly follows this blog knows that I am no fan of Brad Sherman.  Recently, at a candidate's forum, Sherman assaulted (or came awfully close to it) Berman while on stage.  Sherman is my age and Berman is 71.  I have to wonder about Sherman's stability and self-control in assaulting an old man.  I am no fan of Howard Berman either (this goes back to the days when the Waxman-Berman machine had carpetbagger candidates run against Republican legislators such as Paul Bannai).

I received the following email from the Sherman campaign with Michael Reagan's endorsement:

Dear Friend, 

You know me as a conservative Republican leader dedicated to the legacy and philosophy of my father. You may also know that for decades I have lived in the San Fernando Valley and been active in the Valley community. 

Prior to June 5, I endorsed a Republican candidate to represent our district in the United States Congress. Under California's new system, however, on the November ballot there will only be two candidates, both Democrats. 

For the first time that I can remember I will be voting for a Democrat for the United States Congress. 

My father always stood for stopping unnecessary spending. He always believed that the President of the United States should have a line item veto so he could block pork barrel projects and cut waste in government. Brad Sherman cosponsored and voted for the Line Item Veto to stop unnecessary spending. His opponent voted against it. 

The $700 billion TARP bailout of Wall Street was an intrusion of the federal government in the private market. Brad Sherman led the fight against the Wall Street bailout, and forced changes that saved America hundreds of billions of dollars. 

Trust me, Brad Sherman and I certainly do not agree on all issues. However, Brad Sherman is dedicated to the San Fernando Valley. He works personally every day to help Valley residents unsnarl problems with the federal bureaucracy. He and his staff are unmatched in their service to our communities and they have helped thousands of Valley residents.

Brad Sherman has held over 160 town halls in the San Fernando Valley, where he listens not only to Democrats but also to us Republicans. That is why, on November 6, I'm voting for Congressman Brad Sherman.

Yours truly,

Michael Reagan

Sherman vs. Berman: The REAL Smack-down!

The real smack-down wasn't Biden vs. Ryan, the real one was right here in the San Fernando Valley.

A friend sent me this email with video:

The REAL smack down was between Brad Sherman and Howard Berman fighting for the new 30th Congressional District in the Valley.

It was a Beat Down! It was the Five Moves of Doom! 

Click here: Brad Sherman Grabs Howard Berman At Debate, Challenges Him To A Fight - Los Angeles - News - The Informer 

Click here: Berman-Sherman: When congressmen attack - POLITICO.com

Note: Berman and Sherman are Democrats.

30th Congressional District: Democrat vs. Democrat

Regular readers of this blog know that I refused to jump on the "bandwagon" with elected Republican officials in supporting either Rep. Brad Sherman or Rep. Howard Berman in their battle in the 30th Congressional District (the district of my residence).  Neither one of them were acceptable to those of us who stand by our conservative principles.  I supported Republican Mark Reed.



This is due to the new law that the top two vote-getters in the primary election are able to face each other in the general election.  It doesn't matter which party the top-two belong to.  In this case, the top two are Democrat Liberals.

The 30th Congressional District only has a 26% Republican registration, while the Democrats have 48%.  Not much of a chance for a Republican to give the Democrats a contest.

California is dominated by Democrats who have brought this state to near-bankruptcy.  The GOP is virtually powerless to stop them.   One may as well call this a one-party dictatorship as in the former Soviet Union or China.

I considered the possibility of supporting one of the Democrats (the lesser of two evils), but there is nothing in their records that I can sink my teeth into to offer support for.  Both are "no damn good."

If the Republican Party is to make any inroads in California, it needs to rebuild itself.  The California Republican Party (i.e., the Republican State Central Committee) is primarily comprised of ineffective political hacks and virtually no money.  It really hasn't been an effective party organization since the 1980s at best.   A thorough house-cleaning is in order.

Gary Julian has posted his thoughts on the Sherman-Berman race.  To read it, go here.

Sherman or Berman?

California's screwy election system of having the "top two" candidates advance to the general election (regardless of party) has given my congressional district only a choice of two Democrats.

Brad Sherman (left) will face off against Howard Berman (right) in November.  There will be no Republican candidate on the ballot in the district.

I have to decide on which of the two liberals are best on economics/spending, national defense and the space program and vote accordingly.  I may publicly endorse one.  (Gad!  I can't believe I just wrote that!)

At least it appears that Proposition 28 (term limits) passed and Proposition 29 (cigarette tax) failed.  Mitt Romney (who already clinched the GOP presidential nomination) won the GOP presidential primary.

Congratulations to Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker in surviving the recall effort by Big Labor and the Democrat Party machine.

Republican Endorsements In Democrat Primary In 30th Congressional District

Left, Howard Berman.

The Democrat primary contest between two congressmen, Howard Berman and Brad Sherman, is interesting.

Above, Brad Sherman.

Berman has been sending out mailers touting endorsements from Republican office-holders such as Supervisors Michael Antonovich and Don Knabe, Galpin Ford owner Bert Boeckmann and former Mayor Richard Riordan.

Today, I received a mailer from Republican Congressman Dana Rohrabacher in support of Brad Sherman.  Rohrabacher wrote that Sherman opposed the TARP bailout and doesn't "automatically vote with Nancy Pelosi."

It'll be interesting to see if any more Republican politicians get involved.

To me, the Sherman/Berman race is nothing more than a race between Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum.  I am still voting for Mark Reed.  But, if the race for the general election is between the two Democrats, I may get involved.  It is a matter of determining "the lesser of two evils."

L.A. Weekly: "Howard Berman's Last Stand"

Above, Armand with Mark Reed on Election Night 2010.

L.A. Weekly has an interesting article on the Howard Berman/Brad Sherman contest in the 30th Congressional District.

I have a long memory, and there's no way in hades that I would become a "Republican For Howard Berman" as some prominent Republican office-holders have.  Berman put up carpetbagger candidates in districts over the past 40 years to run against Republican incumbents.  He did so in the old 53rd Assembly District of Paul T. Bannai.  Luckily, he was unsuccessful there.

As I won't check my principles at the door, I am voting for Mark Reed next Tuesday.

To read the full article, go here.

Thanks to Mark Reed for the tip on the article!

Howard Berman's Political Whores

Above, Armand with REPUBLICAN congressional candidate Mark Reed.

A letter arrived in today's mail from former Republican National Committee Chairman Rich Bond.

This isn't unusual as I get plenty of mailers from GOP leaders. The exception this time is that Bond is supporting Democrat Rep. Howard Berman. In his letter, Bond refers to Berman as "my friend." WTF?!

That is like Ronald Reagan referring to Nicaragua dictator Daniel Ortega as "my friend." Berman, along with Rep. Henry Waxman, set up a political machine in California spreading their brand of radical liberalism. Their tactics include putting carpetbagger candidates in districts against Republican incumbents (anybody remember Maurice "Jack" Mayesh against Assemblyman Paul Bannai?).

Berman and fellow Democrat Rep. Brad Sherman find themselves in a newly-drawn congressional district. The letter from Bond decribes Berman as "universally respected" by people of both parties and Sherman as "the poster boy for term limits."

That isn't all. The letter contains a letterhead of prominent Republicans as "Republicans for Berman." They include:

Supervisor Mike Antonovich
Supervisor Don Knabe
Former Mayor Richard Riordan
Galpin Motors Owner Bert Boeckmann
L.A. Police Commission V.P. Alan Skobin

Sorry, no matter how many big name Republicans are involved, there's no way in hell that I would ever remotely consider voting for Howard Berman. I am supporting Mark Reed for Congress.

This isn't easy as some of these Republicans are friends and those who I respect.

Reed may have little chance to win this November, but I am not about to become a political whore and check my principles at the door!

Mark Reed For Congress 2012

Above, Armand with Mark Reed.

2012 will prove to be interesting in the new 30th Congressional District.

First, we have Rep. Brad Sherman facing off against Rep. Howard Berman for the Democratic nomination for congress. Berman is better known in the West L.A. area. But he and Brad Sherman find themselves in the newly-formed 30th C.D. So now they are fighting like two roosters.

Frankly, it is a choice between Tweedledee and Tweedledum. These are two hardcore left-wing liberal statists. Berman has been a career politician (allied with Rep. Henry Waxman, they formed the Waxman-Berman political machine back in the 1970s while in the California state legislature) who has been in Congress since 1983. Essentially, Berman is a political dinosaur.

Sherman is no better, policy-wise. But at least he is of the San Fernando Valley. They both supported Obamacare and the failed 2009 stimulus package that has put this country on the verge of bankruptcy.

It is questionable whether a Republican can win in the new district, but of the two GOP contenders, Mark Reed and Susan Shelley, Reed appears to be able to wage more of a campaign. He has big-name endorsements, more organizing and has already begun raising campaign funds. Since he ran in 2010, Reed has some built-in name recognition.

I am sure Shelley, a writer, is a good person, but it is my considered opinion that Reed would wage a stronger campaign in 2012 against Berman or Sherman. Accordingly, I am supporting Mark Reed again this year for Congress.

I've met Mark and he would be an excellent representative for the 30th district in Congress.

We need someone in this district to hit the ground running. Reed can do that.