SILICON VALLEY REPUBLICAN WOMEN FEDERATED NEWSLETTER

                     April 2008          

 

President: Ellen Longworth (408)354-0419 ~ 1st V.P & Program: Carol Greenleaf (408)867-5680

~2nd V.P/Membership: Laura Riffle (408)263-0990 ~ Treasurer: Naomi Blais ~

Secretary: Gloria Estes ~ Newsletter Editor/Legislation: Eve Bretzke  

Website: www.svrwf.org, Address: PO Box 2153, Sunnyvale, CA 94087

 

All SVRWF Luncheon and Dinner Meetings are held at the Ramada Inn,

Silicon Valley located at 1217 Wildwood Ave. Sunnyvale, California.

Luncheon Meetings: Social 11:30 AM., Lunch 12:00 PM, Cost $18.00.

 

 

Our next luncheon meeting is April  3^rd  at 11:30 AM. 

Menu Choices:  Fiesta Taco Salad or Hawaiian Chicken w/ Mango Sauce

Louise Kenny 739-4724 or Alice Wilson 733-6352 for reservations. 

“A reservation made is a reservation paid!”

 

Our guest speaker this month is Richard T. Burress.  His presentation is titled “Whose Party Is It?” 

 

Richard T. Burress is a Senior Fellow Emeritus at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University.  Born in Omaha, Nebraska, he has a B.A. degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, a J.D. from the Law School of the University of Iowa, and a LL.M. from the School of Law at New York University.

 

Mr. Burress has practiced law before the U.S. Supreme Court in 1954, and others in Iowa, California, and Washington, D.C.  He also served as a platoon leader on Iwa Jima in B Co., 1^st Bn., 23^rd Marines, 4^th Marine Division.  Prior to joining the Hoover Institution in 1973 as an Associate Director and Senior Fellow, Burress was chairman of the Renegotiation Board, deputy counsel to President Richard Nixon and deputy assistant to the President for Domestic Affairs. 

 

Richard T. Burress served as the Staff Director of the Republican Party Committee and counsel to the Republican leadership of the US House of Representatives in several areas, and also as a F.B.I. special agent.  In 1974, Burress left the Hoover temporarily to serve as an assistant to President Ford.  Mr. Burress lives on the Stanford Campus with his wife.  They have two daughters and three grandchildren. 

 

Let’s welcome Richard T. Burress to this month’s luncheon meeting.  Bring a friend or two!

 

SILICON VALLEY REPUBLICAN WOMEN FEDERATED NEWSLETTER – APRIL 2008

 

 

 

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE (3/22/08)

 

We live in a world where things happen so much faster. Everyday a situation comes up that will make you wonder how it could happen!  We don’t have the luxury of time to really think and decide whether it is good or bad.

 

We have been bombarded with political campaigns for months now.  Just when you think of how you will vote, everything changes.  At first we had so many people running for office it was almost like a circus.  Now that our party candidate is all but nominated, quite a few Republicans are not happy.  We are at a cross roads where it is imperative that we VOTE.  Do note refuse to vote because you don’t like the choice you have.  We must unite and remember our principles, our values, and pray that we win.  It’s time to STAND UP, SPEAK UP, and SHUT UP and listen.  God Bless America!

 

In sympathy, our thoughts and prayers are with Alice Wilson.  Her husband W.L. “Bud” Wilson passed away March 18^th, 2008. 

 

Regards,

 

 

Ellen Longworth,

President, SVRWF

 

 

 

UPCOMMING EVENTS

 

Apr. 3              Regular Luncheon Meeting, 11:30 AM Social, 12:00 PM Lunch.  Tom Del Beccaro - Speaker, Topic:  The New Conservative Paradigm. Ramada Inn Silicon Valley, Sunnyvale

 

Apr. 5-6           2008 Northern Division Spring Conference, Jackson Rancheria Hotel and Casino in Jackson, CA.

 

Apr. 10            Regular Board Meeting, Home of Louise Kenney, 1478 Enderby Way, Sunnyvale, 739-4724.

 

Apr. 20-22       CFRW 33rd Advocacy Workshop and Spring 2008 Board of Directors' Meeting,

Hyatt Regency at Capitol Park, Sacramento, April 20-22, 2008.

 

Jun. 21             NFRW 70th Anniversary Celebration, Chicago, IL.  In 1938, Founder Marion Martin called a meeting at the Palmer House in Chicago to organize independent Republican women's clubs into a national organization.  Inspired by the Republican Platform of 1872, which said: "The Republican Party is mindful of its obligation to the loyal women of America for their noble devotion to the cause of Freedom ...," Republican women’s clubs were off and running. In fact, the oldest such club on record was founded in Salt Lake City in the late 1800s.

SILICON VALLEY REPUBLICAN WOMEN FEDERATED NEWSLETTER – APRIL 2008

 

LEGISLATION

 

California Update from CRWF and other sources:

 

AB 2086 “A Parent’s Right”.  Assemblyman and Republican Caucus Chair Bob Huff (R-60) CFRW has taken a position of Support on 2086.  This bill requires that notice be sent to the parent or guardian of a pupil regarding the proposed discussion on gender identity or sexual orientation other than a class on comprehensive sexual behavior education & HIV/AIDS prevention education. The notice would require an outline of the matters to be discussed and the manner in which the parent or guardian can request that the pupil not attend during the discussion.  Children of a certain age should be aware of the dangers of certain sexual behavior and about AIDS/HIV. Parents should have the option of taking their child out of any of these discussions. – CRWF Legislation Update March 2008

 

State’s Retailers Will Get Clobbered by Perata’s Tax Hike. Senate President Don Perata (D – Oakland) has thrown down the gauntlet in saying he will hold up the state budget rather than accept the across-the-board cuts the Governor has proposed.  It is disheartening to see Perata’s solution is a one-cent increase in the state portion of the sales tax, which by the way is a 16% increase in the tax (6.25% to 7.25%).  Remember, this is a tax that must be paid by retailers only -- not lawyers, therapists, web designers, political consultants, gardeners, etc. The sales tax was meant to tax consumption, but the amount of consumption being captured by it is decreasing every year relative to the whole economy.    In 1990 the state had roughly 900,000 retailers.  18 years later, we have roughly 1 million.  This is an 11% increase, which might sound good except for the fact the state’s population went up 44% in the same period.  The vacancies in the strip malls will get even worse if this tax increase becomes law.  Perata’s tax hike would only bring in maybe $4.2 billion.  But wait, this dynamic estimate was done in 2003.  Since 2003, people are even more likely to choose the Internet than put up with a 9% surcharge on tangible goods.  I doubt Perata’s plan will even bring in $4 billion, and even that assumes that we do not enter a full recession that could make it even less.  In this new economy, tax hikes only generate a race to the bottom.  We need to compete for people and businesses.  If we do not lower both taxes and state spending, California is going to lose, and lose big.  – Excerpts from the full article, The Leonard Letter, 3/17/08

Assembly Bill 2829 (Davis) would allow a new tax, at a still-unspecified level, on the plastic bags used by grocery stores and other retailers to package purchases.  Under this new bill, stores would have to continue to provide an at-store recycling program (and pass on the cost to us), but in addition, the bill deletes the provision against government mandating that stores charge you a fee for using plastic bags.  In other words, if this bill passes, you will very likely be charged for saying “plastic” when asked what type of bag you want. – contact your local assemblyman and tell them to vote “NO” on AB 2829.

National Update from NRWF and other sources:

 

National Federation of Republican Women Endorses McCain at Spring Board Meeting

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Federation of Republican Women (NFRW) unanimously endorsed Senator John McCain for president during its spring board of directors meeting on March 15.

SILICON VALLEY REPUBLICAN WOMEN FEDERATED NEWSLETTER – APRIL 2008

 

(cont.)  More than 300 Republican women leaders from across the nation attended the meeting, held in the Washington, D.C., area March 14-15. In addition to unanimously approving a resolution endorsing McCain, board members heard from a diverse line-up of Republican officials and leaders regarding the upcoming

elections, including House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH); U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao; Jo Ann Davidson, co-chairman of the Republican National Committee; and, Judy Black, Women for McCain. “We are energized and enthusiastic about Senator McCain,” NFRW President Shirley Sadler said. “Our members are committed to his presidential campaign and are working at the grassroots in every state to turn out voters to the polls for him and our other Republican candidates in November.” Founded in 1938, the NFRW is one of the largest women’s political organizations in the country with more than 1,800 local clubs in all 50 states and in the U.S. territories. The grassroots organization recruits and elects Republican candidates, advocates the Party’s philosophy and initiatives, and empowers women in the political process. -- NFRW NEWS RELEASE, March 18, 2008

Senator McCain today issued the following statement on the fifth anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq (March 19, 2008):  "Today in Iraq, America and our allies stand on the precipice of winning a major victory against radical Islamic extremism. The security gains over the past year have been dramatic and undeniable. Al Qaeda and Shia extremists -- with support from external powers such as Iran -- are on the run but not defeated. Tough fighting remains ahead, especially in places like Mosul. Important political gains have also been made, but far more must be done in coming months to cement the gains made in huge cost in American blood and treasure.

"Americans should be proud that they led the way in removing a vicious, predatory dictator and opening the possibility of a free and stable Iraq. Americans should be proud that once we implemented the surge and new counterinsurgency strategy, a dire situation has been dramatically improved. And, Americans know that the consequences of failure would leave our nation less secure for generations to come."

John McCain's campaign today further re-released a web feature on www.johnmccain.com that chronicles the Senator's leadership on Iraq and in the larger fight against Islamic extremists. The page, entitled "Fighting Islamic Extremists: Progress in Iraq," features a four year timeline of John McCain's unrelenting call for a new strategy for victory in Iraq -- the strategy currently winning on the ground.

Democrats brought to the House floor Tuesday a vote on so-called “ethics reform” —H.R. 1031, which passed 229-182 by dubious maneuverings. The measure creates an independent Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE), no longer self-policing House members but instead relying on an OCE composed of six board members, none of whom are sitting lawmakers. This new “ethics” office could conduct partisan witch hunts against members based on accusations from outside groups and individuals, which could then go forward to the full congressional ethics committee for further investigation. What’s most interesting, though, is that the voting on this purported improvement in congressional “ethics” seems to have itself violated new “ethical” rules put in place by the Democrats—holding the voting open longer than officially specified in order to change the outcome. That’s correct—House Democrat leaders could get this passed only by an ethical violation, and House Republican Leader John Boehner has called for an investigation into the floor actions.

Democrat Bill Foster won the special election to fill former House Speaker Dennis Hastert’s congressional seat, defeating Republican Jim Oberweis with 53 percent of the vote.

 

SILICON VALLEY REPUBLICAN WOMEN FEDERATED NEWSLETTER – APRIL 2008

 

Other

 

Newt Gingrich Announces American Solutions' Silicon Valley Office  PALO ALTO, Calif., Feb. 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- American Solutions for Winning the Future announced today that it will expand its organization with the opening of a new office in Silicon Valley that serves as the organization's technology headquarters. This new office makes American Solutions one of the few national grassroots organizations with a visible presence in Silicon Valley. Former Speaker of the House and American Solutions General Chairman Newt Gingrich made the announcement in a video posted on American Solutions' YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/americansolutions. "We're excited to be in Silicon Valley and to learn from the best of the private sector so we can utilize the latest technological breakthroughs to fundamentally transform government from the world that fails to the world that works," said Gingrich. "We believe it's possible to create a world that works and to move the bureaucracies of the past - obsolete, slow, cumbersome, paper-based institutions - into a very dynamic, networked, information technology future." "Our office will be looking to work with the innovative and entrepreneurial people located in Silicon Valley to establish ourselves as a leader in online politics and serve as a model for successful online political efforts," said David Kralik, Director of Internet Strategy for American Solutions and manager of the Silicon Valley office. "We want to engage in a dialogue with technology leaders and to communicate a message of free market principles where consumers decide who wins and not the government." American Solutions is committed to utilizing the latest technology to connect elected officials at all levels and millions of activists to form a diverse, decentralized, collaborative network that will aggregate the best ideas and solutions to move government into the 21st century. American Solutions for Winning the Future is a new, non-partisan organization built around three goals: to defend America and our allies abroad and defeat our enemies, to strengthen and revitalize America's core values, and to move the government into the 21st Century. Its General Chairman is former Speaker Newt Gingrich. For more information about American Solutions visit www.AmericanSolutions.com. -- Source: American Solutions for Winning the Future

 

 

ADOPT-A-CHAPLAIN UPDATE

 

Please bring your donations to the next club meeting.  The chaplains and the soldiers really appreciate the items they receive.  There is a full list at the back of the newsletter. 

 

Highlights from the field

 

• Thanks again for all you and your organization do for us.  Not only are the things you send helping us to help the troops, some of the items help us to help the troops to help some Iraqi women and children near our bases.  Ch OM
• The enclosed literature and the cards were well received.  Thank you for the goodies.  We truly appreciate your kindness.  Be blessed and be well.  Ch VD
• I just received the package with the Casting Crowns CD.  What a great CD!  Thank you for sending this.  I would love to have a good supply for Ch CD

 

The rumors of Marines heading to Afghanistan are no longer rumors.  Some of our Marine units with their Navy chaplains are now on the ground in Afghanistan. “Because they are there and I am here” was the answer given when someone asked a friend why he was sending goodies to our troops and their chaplalins.  Few of us think too far beyond doing something for our young men and women who are in harm’s way, but there is an eternal aspect to the act of providing to our troops”. 

 

SILICON VALLEY REPUBLICAN WOMEN FEDERATED NEWSLETTER – APRIL 2008