August 2024 Newsletter

What's Inside Our August 2024 Newsletter!

President’s Message
Political Courage: A Letter From President Biden
The Web Affair: Upcoming Coronado Democratic Club Fundraiser
Introducing Our Fabulous Club Secretary Carol Grimaud
Terra Lawson-Remer Needs Your Support!
Canvass for Candidates!
The 2024 Initiative That Wasn't
Remembering Rebecca "Becca" Taylor
Save the Dates!

President's Message

Greetings Friends,

I’m writing this literally weeks before it reaches you. That’s the reality of our process. Articles need to be submitted for editing 10-11 days before publishing; then submitted to our webmaster, formatted to fit within our newsletter’s structure, and then scheduled to send by the 1^st of the month.

Thank you to all who submit articles and information, and those involved in the process: Kathy Upton, Steph Kaupp and Judy Bambace (who saves me from my misspellings, poor proofreading and misuse of the Oxford comma).

Why a whole paragraph to tell you that? Because Saturday, July 13 happened: the assassination attempt on a former U.S. President.

Immediately, I reached out to our social media person and our webmaster who worked to put statements up on our various social media sites condemning all political violence. But I was feeling very disconnected from being able to speak directly to all of you, and realizing that anything I wrote for a newsletter, by the time it reaches you, is “old news.” Other events that impact our democracy could be happening, and they also may call for a response by our club. (As you’re reading this, is President Biden still running for reelection? That’s being debated as I write this.)

I don’t have an answer for how we can be more connected. I will, however, encourage you to engage with our club in whatever forms of social media you already use. I am committing to working with our social media person to keep posting regularly on these sites moving forward. She has shared that if you check them more frequently and click “like” or add a comment, it helps the algorithm to make these more visible.

On your own platforms, I encourage you to use them to advocate for peace with justice. But I hope that you will keep any comments from devolving into ugly memes. In our frustration, anger, and hurt, we can easily slip into demonizing others and adding bricks to the wall between citizens. In the face of watching the dismantling of our democracy and the move toward a theocracy, the rise of political violence is not surprising and only divides our citizens even more. The desire to lash out even if only with snarky words and pictures is hard to resist. Please try. At least try on those platforms related to our club.

We are a people of a story with a long history. Not just within our chartered club in Coronado, but as part of the national Democratic Party’s story that has progressed since it formed in the 1800’s. We Dems once supported things we’d never support today. We have evolved as a party and as a people. But this is still all our story. Today, we take pride in our commitment to justice and equality for all people. We take pride in our work for access to healthcare, reproductive rights, and for environmental justice. The list of our accomplishments on behalf of others and our planet is long and proud.

Our story has expanded and continues to unfold. With our continued civic engagement, we can move the needle toward a more just future. So on days when we feel overwhelmed, and worry about what we see happening and fear what may yet happen, I would remind us that we are still within our own story. We are the ones who will work to write these next chapters for our communities and move toward rebuilding this fragile democracy for our country. I encourage us to keep our compass near and clear so as not to lose ourselves in all that would distract us from our larger story of creating a more just, prosperous, and clean world for all.

Thank you for your involvement,

Lori

Political Courage: A Letter from President Biden

Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

July 21, 2024

My Fellow Americans,

Over the past three and a half years, we have made great progress as a Nation.

Today, America has the strongest economy in the world. We’ve made historic investments in rebuilding our nation, in lowering prescription drug costs for seniors, and in expanding affordable health care to a record number of Americans. We’ve provided critically needed care to a million veterans exposed to toxic substances. Passed the first gun safety law in 30 years. Appointed the first African American woman to the Supreme Court. And passed the most significant climate legislation in the history of the world. America has never been better positioned to lead than we are today.

l know none of this could have been done without you, the American people. Together, we overcame a once in a century pandemic and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. We’ve protected and preserved our Democracy. And we've revitalized and strengthened our alliances around the world.

It has been the greatest honor of my Iife to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.

I will speak to the Nation later this week in more detail about my decision.

For now, let me express my deepest gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to see me reelected. I want to thank Vice President Kamala Harris for being an extraordinary partner in all this work. And let me express my heartfelt appreciation to the American people for the faith and trust you have placed in me.

I believe today what I always have: that there is nothing America can’t do – when we do it together. We just have to remember we are the United States of America.

Save the Date!

THE WEB AFFAIR:

A CORONADO DEMOCRATIC CLUB FUNDRAISER TO IMPROVE MEMBER COMMUNICATION SERVICES

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2024

4:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Celebrate and support our club’s new updated website with friends and festivities at the lovely Cays home of Jim and Doris Besikof.

Anticipate an afternoon of delightful company, refreshing beverages, entertaining activities, and a silent auction. It's a chance to have fun while supporting the growth of our club membership and keeping our members informed.

Help keep club Notices of Meetings, Calls to Action, E-blasts, Newsletters, and other necessary messages coming! Current club dues do not fully cover these costs.

Look for your Eventbrite invitation in early August.

YOUR PRESENCE IS VITAL AT THIS FUN, IMPORTANT EVENT. Your participation is not just appreciated, it's crucial for the success of our club.

Get Connected to the Fundraiser!

Tickets Available Here August 1st!

Introducing Our Fabulous Club Secretary

Carol Grimaud

Carol was born into a military family and traveled throughout the U.S. and Asia as a child. At an early age, she found herself drawn to the disenfranchised and matters regarding social justice. After nursing school, she worked at Coronado Hospital where she met her future husband who was a local law enforcement officer stopping by for coffee.

When they finished raising their two sons, Carol spent years volunteering for Mama's Kitchen (serving people living with Aids), the Humane Society, her church’s Caring Ministry, and Coronado’s Friends of the Library book store. Since joining the Coronado Democratic Club in the early 2000's, Carol is currently serving her third term as club secretary. She loves that Democrats stand up for social justice. Our club is so fortunate and grateful to have Carol volunteer her amazing skills and passions to support democratic policies and values.

Terra Lawson-Remer Needs Your Support!

Terra Lawson-Remer is the San Diego County Supervisor representing our District. She is up for re-election in November and is running against the former San Diego Mayor, Kevin Faulconer. It is critical that she be re-elected because if Faulconer wins, the Republicans will hold 3 of the 5 Supervisor seats (a majority).

Terra Lawson-Remer is a tireless and effective advocate for all that we value as Democrats. Her priorities include the following:

Environment and climate change
Homelessness, mental health and addiction
Gun safety
Reproductive freedom
Healthcare
Affordable housing

Terra is an economist, attorney, community organizer and university educator. She served as a Senior Advisor in the Obama administration.

Please help us re-elect Terra! Talk to all of your friends to encourage them to vote for her. If you would like to canvass for her, contact Patti Flores-Charter at patti.flores.charter@gmail.com. If you would like a yard sign (see above), contact Frank King at f ranking48@gmail.com.

Canvass for Candidates!

What is the GO Team?

The GO (Grassroots Organizing) Team “gets out the vote” by walking door to door to talk to voters and/or delivering door hangers that include all County Democratic Party endorsed candidates and positions on propositions on the ballot. PLEASE sign up for our GO Team for the Fall General Election. (See article in this Newsletter about helping Terra Lawson-Remer)

We make this easy:

1. Sign up with the San Diego County Democratic Party link below.

2. Zoom training, with various date options, is provided for all new GO Team members.

3. If you prefer, you can walk with a seasoned GO Team member to get started.

4. Frank King (franking48@gmail.com) and

Patti Flores-Charter (patti.flores.charter@gmail.com) are here to support you.

GO Team volunteers will make a difference in races won by 50 to 100 votes in Coronado and in races won by a few thousand votes in the county and state elections.

The 2024 Initiative That Wasn't

By Susan Marrinan,

Public Policy Committee

Since 1911, the California electorate has had the ability to adopt legislation, approve or disapprove of legislation, and amend or revise the State Constitution through the initiative, referendum, revision, and amendment processes.

The State Constitution sets forth the ways by which the electorate can participate in government. Since its adoption in 1879, it has been amended by initiative 57 times. The most recent amendment was Prop. 1, The Protection of Reproductive Freedom Act, which passed in 2022 by 66.88%. The average passage rate for initiatives and amendments is about 35%. Ten initiatives and constitutional amendments will be on the ballot in November. An initiative that will not appear on the ballot is the Taxpayer Protection Act (TPA).

Although this initiative gained enough signatures to be on the ballot, the California Supreme Court ruled it could not come before the electorate. The GOP supported this initiative and it is an example of the tax protester movement, which emerged in the 1940s and spread during the 1970s. The GOP bills itself as the “Anti-Tax” party and opposes tax-supported social programs. If someone says, "I am socially liberal, but fiscally conservative," inquire about which social programs that rely on taxes they want to eliminate. Posse Comitatus adherents, Howard Jarvis and his anti-tax movement, The Tea Party, and other organizations protesting taxes make regular attempts to change the tax structure of our local and state governments. California's history of successful tax measures on the ballot includes Prop. 13 in 1978 (property taxes), Prop. 62 in 1986 (Local Tax Initiative), Prop. 281 in 1996 (limited local government ability to tax), and Prop. 26 in 2010 (redefined "tax”).

In the case of The Legislature of the State of California v. Shirley Weber (June 2024), the California Supreme Court took the unusual pre-election step of keeping the TPA off the ballot. Governor Newsom and the Legislature were planning a counter-initiative to this initiative, which would have resulted in a battle of taxpayer competing initiatives.

The Court, in its role as a guardian of stability and order, heard this case pre-election. It believes that the confusion created by the TPA's passage would bring local and state governments to a halt, resulting in massive confusion and damage to necessary tax-supported public services. In addition to changing the definition of "tax" to include all service fees, charges, and levies by the government, this initiative contained a tax roll-back provision, among many others, of all taxes adopted after January 1, 2022, which would have created uncertainty for the government and the electorate.

The California Supreme Court's decision to keep the TPA off the ballot was a crucial one. The Court held that the proposed initiative would revise the State Constitution and did not comply with the procedures set forth in the Constitution for revision. Therefore, the Secretary of State was prohibited by Court order from placing this initiative on the November ballot.

The Court observed that although the changes proposed by this initiative are individually within the electorate's prerogative and could be included in initiatives on the ballot, the totality of the proposed changes cannot be done by initiative because they would revise the basic tax structure of our state government.

To revise the State Constitution, the following is required:

Convene a Constitutional Convention
Submit to the voters
A supermajority of the Legislature

Those who oppose taxes because they oppose social services will continue to propose initiatives like the TPA, appealing to those who would like lower taxes but don’t foresee the resulting decrease in social services for those most in need. In the future, the potential impact on social services by tax reduction measures should be a cause for concern for all citizens voting on a tax measure.

Remembering Rebecca “Becca” Taylor (1983 – 2024)

In early July, the San Diego County Democratic Party released the following announcement about the untimely passing of its Chair, Rebecca Taylor:

“On behalf of our Democratic Clubs, our members, and our communities...

We are devastated and heartbroken to learn that our friend, and San Diego County Democratic Party Chair Rebecca "Becca" Taylor has tragically passed away.

A Veteran of the United States Navy, throughout her life, Chair Becca Taylor stood up and organized tirelessly to support numerous civil rights and social justice initiatives. Her passion for equity and fairness drove her to be a vocal and active participant in the fight for the rights of all individuals, regardless of their background. Becca was a beacon of hope and a source of inspiration for those who sought to make a positive change in the world.

In addition to her advocacy work, Becca played a pivotal role in San Diego's political landscape. She was instrumental in guiding our Democratic clubs to organize, strategize, and ultimately elect numerous candidates who shared her vision of a more just and equitable society. Her strategic acumen, coupled with her ability to bring people together, made her an invaluable leader and trailblazer. Becca's positive spirit was a light in an often turbulent landscape.

Becca was a friend to all, and to all a friend.

Our condolences go out to her immediate family and friends. We all share in our collective grief during this time.”

SAVE THE DATES!

Upcoming CDC Meetings and Events

Saturday, August 17: General Meeting. Winn Room, Coronado Public Library. Social time 10 a.m., meeting at 10:30 a.m. Program: Presentation on the November Ballot Propositions by the club’s Public Policy Committee.

Saturday, September 14: The Web Affair. Join us for a fundraiser to celebrate our new website and help improve club member communication services. It will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. at the home of Doris and Jim Besikof. Tickets available August 1st. See the link in the above article!