Internet Links From Our Club Meeting
We had a great club meeting yesterday. Thanks to our special guest Thad Kousser, UCSD Professor of Political Science, who presented findings from his team’s recent research on “Trust in Elections”. It was a fascinating presentation followed by an engaging group discussion with questions and answers. Thanks also to our other guests who provided updates on the diligent work being done by the public officials that they represent. Our guests posted internet links in our Zoom Chat for those of you who are interested in learning more about the information that they presented, and these links are copied below.
From Thad Kousser, UCSD Professor of Political Science:
Report on trust in elections: https://yankelovichcenter.ucsd.edu/_files/reports/After-The-2022-Midterms-Do-Americans-Trust-Elections.pdf
Article on politicians on TikTok: https://thehill.com/opinion/campaign/3703860-what-happens-when-politicians-meet-tiktok/
From Doug Case, representing Senator Toni Atkins:
Report on what the Sheriff’s Department has done on jail deaths (Pro Tem Atkins will be meeting with the Sheriff soon, and the issues that were raised during the club meeting are on her list of things to discuss): https://www.sdsheriff.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/6249/638102360112530000
From Rachel Beck, representing County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer:
For more updates, please sign up for our newsletter: https://remer.nationbuilder.com/join
For info on the Senior Rent Subsidy, visit this info page: https://www.countynewscenter.com/pilot-shallow-rental-subsidy-program-for-older-adults-now-accepting-applicants/
From Matt Rubel, representing Senator Catherine Blakespear:
https://twitter.com/SenBlakespear
Dear Club Members and Friends,
Please join us for our monthly club meeting, via Zoom, on Thursday, February 23rd starting at 6:00pm. You can view the agenda HERE.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87106677935?pwd=Qlo1MkVaaysvVTJrR3YrdjBPZzdYdz09
Meeting ID: 871 0667 7935
Passcode: 190259
Our program will feature Thad Kousser, UCSD Professor of Political Science, who will speak on “Trust in Elections”.
Thad Kousser
UC San Diego Professor of Political Science
Thad Kousser, who studies American state and national politics, voting reforms, direct democracy, and how politicians use social media, joined the department in 2003 and served as its chair from 2016-2022. His work has been published in journals such as the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Political Science Review, the Revue Francaise de Science Politique, the Journal of Politics, and Political Analysis. He has authored or edited the books The Logic of American Politics, Politics in the American States, The Power of American Governors, The New Political Geography of California, Term Limits and the Dismantling of State Legislative Professionalism, and Adapting to Term Limits: Recent Experiences and New Directions. He has been a visiting professor at Stanford University, held the Flinders Fulbright Distinguished Chair at Flinders University in Australia, received UCSD’s Academic Senate’s Distinguished Teaching Award, served as co-editor of the journals Legislative Studies Quarterly and State Politics and Policy Quarterly, and has worked as a staff assistant in the California, New Mexico, and United States Senates. Kousser also comments on American politics for venues such as NPR, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, Politico, and the Los Angeles Times.
President’s Message to Members:
Greetings to all! I am excited to step in as the new Prez of the TP Dems. As we prepare for our next club meeting on February 23 here are some tidbits from me. Note: These reflect my personal views only, and I welcome your feedback:
- National Politics.
- Are Republicans Crazy? Wow! The repubs in the house are actually doing what they promised: investigating Hunter Biden’s lap top; rehashing grievances from 7 years ago about Hilary Clinton, airing conspiracy theories, and attacking the FBI, Department of Justice, and our democratic institutions. Note the contrast to President Biden who is talking about improving working wages, protecting social security and Medicare, and other issues people actually care about. It seems likely the republican strategy will appeal to the most hard corps MAGA base, but not so much to the rest of the U.S. This bodes well for future federal elections for the democrats!
- Senator Adam Schiff? Adam Schiff, outstanding democratic house member, is running for Diane Feinstein’s US Senate seat. Schiff was the first to endorse Mike Levin in his initial run, served as an impeachment manager in Trump 1, and has chaired important committees. Look for him to visit San Diego in the near future.
- State Politics.
- Money Crunch. Last year the state had a budget surplus of almost $100 billion. Lots of democratic goals were funded—from addressing homelessness to climate change and more. This year the projection is for about a $20 billion state budget deficit. So, get ready for some crunches and cutbacks. We’ve already seen proposed cutbacks in state climate change programs that have angered many in the environmental community.
- Local politics.
- SANDAG Fracture? SANDAG, our key regional government agency with representatives from each of the cities and the county has had recent excitement. A group of cities predominantly represented on SANDAG’s Board by Republicans, staged a walkout at a recent Board meeting in protest over SANDAG’s weighted voting rules. Since those voting rules are set by state law, change in the voting rules seem unlikely. Those who walked out argued it was “unfair” for a minority of the cities to be able to outvote the majority of cities. The other side argued that it was “unfair” for a minority of the population to outvote the majority of the population. We’ll see if this rift gets worse, or is healed.
I hope to see you at our coming meeting on the 23rd where we will hear from Thad Kousser, UCSD Professor of Political Science, who will speak on “Trust in Elections”.
Dwight Worden
TP Dems President
Monthly Club Meeting, Thursday, February 23rd, 6:30pm (via Zoom)
Please join us for our monthly club meeting, via Zoom, on Thursday, February 23rd starting at 6:00pm. Our program will feature Thad Kousser, UCSD Professor of Political Science, who will speak on “Trust in Elections”. You can view the tentative agenda HERE.
Town Hall with Congressman Mike Levin
Don’t miss this opportunity to get the inside scoop on what is going on in Congress with Mike Levin’s first in-person Town Hall of 2023. Mike will be giving an update on his work and answering your questions.
Date: Monday, February 13, 2023
Time: 3:00 PM
Location: Carlsbad Exact location will be sent to those who RSVP.
RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/town-hall-with-congressman-mike-levin-tickets-529851789967
Dear Fellow TP Dems:
I am pleased to report that our Torrey Pines Democratic Club elected the following officers at our meeting of January 26, 2023. Thanks to all who voted!
President: Dwight Worden (to fill the remaining term through October 2023 of President Wayne Dernetz who has temporarily stepped back for health reasons).
Vice President: Ken Burtt
Secretary: Phil Currier (still serving in his previously elected 2-year term position)
Treasurer: Deborah Currier
The Board decided to utilize an online electronic voting system called OpaVote. You can read more about this voting system here: https://www.opavote.com/. OpaVote is widely used by nonprofit and for-profit organizations and clubs. It is free to users and generally quite reliable. Jim Smith and Phil Currier conducted the election and tabulated the results, so thanks to them!
Upcoming activities. With the help of our very talented Program Coordinator, Marisa Hildebrand-Criqui, we are actively pursuing exciting speakers and programs for the coming year. Please look for email announcements.
Membership. If you haven’t renewed your membership for 2023, please take a moment to do so. We value your membership! We have membership options that range from $25 per year for a regular membership to $200 or more for Benefactors, with options in between. Read about the options, join and make your payment here: https://www.torreypinesdems.org/membership/
Feedback. I’d love to hear from you with your ideas, suggestions for speakers and activities, or anything else on your mind related to Democratic politics and our local community. Email is a good way to reach me: torreypinesdems@gmail.com.
Best to all
Dwight Worden
TP Democratic Club President
It’s Time to Renew!
Dear Members of the Torrey Pines Democratic Club,
If you care about our city and county governments, our school systems, climate change, equity in government, fair wages, and good government, then the Torrey Pines Democratic Club needs you and you need us! This is where we discuss these topics and welcome your input, where we hear expert speakers, where we hear out candidates for federal, state, and local offices seeking to serve our region, and where our input matters. We hope you will renew your membership and please, encourage your democratic friends to join us. Your membership provides the financial support to make these things possible. You can renew online or mail a check. There are several categories of membership as outlined here: https://www.torreypinesdems.org/membership/.
Accomplishments for 2022
- We continued to hold successful meetings via Zoom video conferencing,
- The Club held three endorsement meetings for federal, state and county offices
- Provided a platform throughout the year for direct interaction between our members, elected officials and local candidates running for political office.
- Enjoyed a fun picnic social in August and a holiday party in December
- Invited local political scientists to discuss Presidential politics
- Our membership totals 61 members.
Why your membership is important
- It provides our club a vote at the pre-endorsements conference
- Members help cover meeting room costs/zoom fees
- It pays for SD County Dem charter renewal
- Dues pay for post office box and the website
- Being a member in good standing provides you with a vote for club endorsements and other business including electing officers
- It keeps our meetings free
What’s coming for 2023
- Opportunities to learn about important issues that affect us locally and across the nation
- Continued opportunities to make a difference in our community and to dialogue with like-minded people
- Annual summer and holiday social events
- Presentations by interesting speakers on timely political issues
Looking forward to a great year.
Janette Shelton, Membership Chair