SOC 912 meeting with congressional candidates Chris Riggs & Lee McGroarty

Lee McGroarty, the tea party candidate who is challenging Congressman Gary Miller

Last night I attended a two hour meeting of the South Orange County 912 Tea Party project.  The event was held at the Capistrano Unified School District HQ in San Juan Capistrano. One of their handouts is a flyer containing the 9 principles and 12 values of this group. It includes an opening statement alongside the name Glenn Beck which reads:

” The 9-12 Project is designed to bring us all back to the place we were on September 12, 2001. The day after America was attacked we were not obsessed with Red States, Blue States or political parties. We were united as Americans, standing together to protect the values and principles of the greatest nation ever created. If you can believe in at least 7 of the 9 principles, Glenn Beck said you can be part of this group.”  Note: I will add that list at the end of this post.

Having seen  some of the attendees at last year’s Tea Parties in Mission Viejo I was surprised with the level of involvement of this newly formed organization.

After the Pledge of Allegiance, and prayer by Roger Bayless,  unit organizer Cathy Richardson  provided an update on their prior organizational meeting  and upcoming activities including a Tea Party to be held at the Laguna Hills Mall on April 15th. Note: Their web site is www.meetup.com/SOC912

UPDATE: I overlooked another GOP candidate for the 42nd CD who was in attendance but was not on the Agenda  as a speaker. Phil Liberatore, CPA who resides in Whittier.

Bill Malenius, V.P. Applied Cardiac Systems,  debunked global warming which could be an entirely new post so I will skip ahead to the featured guest speakers.

Chris Riggs, candidate for the 44th Congressional District seat  currently held by 9 term GOP Representative Ken Calvert, was first to provide his  background and position of current policy challenges. His web site is www.riggsforcongress.com

Following Chris was Lee McGroarty, candidate for the 42nd Congressional District seat currently held by 6 term GOP Representative Gary Miller. Lee’s web site is www.mcgroartyforcongress.com

What we hear across the nation is true in our own back yard. Conservative Republicans are not happy with some of our own representatives  in Congress. The days of feeling secure in a safe gerrymandered seat should not be taken for granted. As Lee had earlier agreed to be interviewed by myself tomorrow I will not go into any details of Lee’s presentations other than to say members of both major parties had better wake up, listen, and serve our interests, not special interests.  The people are angry and feel betrayed.

One disadvantage of incumbents, which I share with all challengers  is the incumbent’s voting record.  Philadelphia native Lee McGroarty exposed actions taken by my congressman, Gary Miller, last night. As much as they try to “spin” justification,  you cannot hide from your voting record.

Case in point is the invitation which closed with the following words:

“Both  incumbents voted for TARP in 2008 (H.R.1424), Cash for Clunkers (H.R.2751), Senator Reid’s $146B stimulus bill that preceded TARP 2008 (H.R.5140”

The days of automatic incumbent votes in this part of the County may be over.

As promised above. The 9 Principles:

1.  America is good

2.  I believe in God and he is the Center of my life

3.  I must always try to be a more honest person than I was yesterday

4.  The family is sacred. My spouse and I are the ultimate authority, not the government

5.  If you break the law you pay the penalty. Justice is blind and no one is above it

6.  I have a right to liberty and pursuit of happiness, but there is no guarantee of equal results

7. I work for what I have and I will share it with who I want to. Government cannot force me to be charitable

8. It is not un-American for me to disagree with authority or to share my personal opinion

9. The government works for me. I do not answer to them, they answer to me


About Larry Gilbert