My Recent Comments

• Commentators decry the low expectations set for our students. What about the low expectations the Governor sets for her Regent appointments? Is Jay Heiler, a bigoted man who shows a fundamental disregard for civil rights and civility, worthy of appointment to the Board of Regents? Another embarrassment for the state of Arizona.
  3 months ago
• Monti's tactics last night were deplorable. In transparent Karl Rovian, Hugh Hallmanian fashion, he tries to take Mark Mitchell's strengths: the connections he makes across the country to benefit Tempe and his regional approach to the issues, and turn them into weaknesses. Absurd. Mark Mitchell is a leader in the Valley (e.g, he is Vice President of the AZ League of Cities & Towns) and has been zealous in seeking out opportunities for federal funding for Tempe in those trips he made to DC (staying at his parent's place, BTW). Monti is launching a demagogic attack on Mark's travel and, though teaparty folk may respond in Pavlovian fashion, Tempe's voters will see right through Monti's tactics. The voters want a Mayor who will work alongside Greg Stanton and other Valley Mayors. They want a mayor with experience, who will increase Tempe's share of Federal funding. Monti will stick his head in the sand (of Tempe Beach Park?) and set Tempe in the wrong direction.
  4 months ago
• I admire David Schapira's commitment to his Tempe/South Scottsdale constituents. He's the most energetic elected official in Arizona and has the ability to lead the Senate Democrats and run for Congress at the same time, unlike Kyrsten, who has never served as a leader. Schapira represents something larger than himself and his own ambitions. He was just named one of Tempe's "Most Exemplary People" for a reason. I hope he announces his intentions soon, because if he doesn't run, then I sure hope someone who actually lives in the District runs.
  5 months ago
• David will indeed be formidable candidate for Congress and his Tempe roots will serve him well. David is the person best poised to follow in Harry's footsteps. If it can't be Harry, it must be David. He has knocked more doors than any other elected official in the area, and his policy abilites were soon evident in the state house, as he rose to leadership in the State Senate in his first term as as state senator. We need advocates for education in the Congress. Run, run, run!
  6 months ago
• David, contrary to your condescending remarks, opponents of your legislation (and your constituents) can "do the math." What he fails to disclose is that his measure will give billions of taxpayer dollars to mining-industry interests.Now let's examine his recent campaign contributions. (Not only can we do math, we can google). Lookee here: $5000 from FREEPORT-MCMORAN COPPER & GOLD INC. CITIZENSHIP COMMITTEE 1/28/11. And who are Freeport-McMoran but one of the world's-largest copper-mining companies. It doesn't surprise me that Dave is trying to pull the wool over our eyes, but Howie, you really should learn to google!
  7 months ago
• "Accuracy" -- Your Mobile Office Hours are not equal to the representative facing the music, in his own district.. Of the 11 mobile office hours you have planned, all but 1 are outside of Tempe, which comp[rises 1/3 of CD5's voters. The one Tempe location is north of the 202. Methinks David is a bit intimidated by the well-informed electorate in Tempe. We know a huckster when we see one. And please do not attempt to score points off Gabby Giffords and the Tucson tragedy. If you insist on doing that I will need to tell you. Congressman, you are no Gabby Giffords."
  9 months ago
• Hi Dale. No, Harry made no promise whatsoever to vote against the Affordable Health Care Act. He met with all manner of folks to talk about his vote, prior to his vote. On Election Night he said that if he lost his Congressional seat because of his vote to reform our broken health care system, than it was well worth it. Schweikert only consults with his teaparty brethren, if at that. He has cancelled so many of his listening sessions, I have lost count. And DemocraticDad, you are so right about his junked to Orange County. He has time for fat cat donors, doesn't he?
  10 months ago
• Here's Schweikert has REALLY been up to: 1. During the campaign, Schweikert promised to "be there to represent your interests, not big spending special interests. I will push for...reforms in Congress that will reduce the influence of lobbyists and special interests." Turns out he invited lobbyists to a debt-retirement fundraiser in early December. The suggested contribution was $500 for an individual, $5000 for a "benefactor." This guy oozes hypocrisy. 2. Schweikert voted to oppose requiring members of congress to come clean about whether they were signing on for government health care ( violating a campaign pledge to make Congress more transparent) 2. After that, he chose to sign up for government-funded health care, even though he campaigned against government-funded health care and pledged to repeal it (Well, no wonder; his wife has a prior condition!) Schweikert sees no contradiction in personally benefitting from a federally sponsored plan while denying others basic health-care rights).
  Jan 28, 2011
• Tom makes excellent points. I well remember how Schweikert ran on a pledge of transparency. Why is he hiding his healthcare selection, then? Former Congressman Harry Mitchell personally turned down the federal-employee health insurance and stuck with Medicare instead. I highly doubt Schweikert will stay true to his Tea-Party principles and turn down health care for himself and his wife (who I hear has a preexisting condition)
  Jan 18, 2011