( Mitt Romney supporting a mandate to purchase healthcare insurance.)

I post guest blog entries on a variety of topics from my readers. If you would like to post a guest blog entry send me an email. I don't need to agree with your point of view to post your entry. That said I agree with much of what community activist Jay Kapitz has to say.

Opposition to Health Care Reform Spells Trouble Ahead for GOP and Tea Party By Jay Kapitz

A new Associated Press-GfK Poll finds a widespread hunger for improvements to the health care system, which suggests President Barack Obama and his Democratic allies have a good chance for a political gain with their successful enactment of the "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act". According to the poll only 4 percent of Americans say the existing health care system shouldn't have been changed at all. Although there had been was no clear majority opinion on the best way to reform the health care system, most polls have indicated that at least 40% favored President Obama's plan while another 13% favored an even more extensive overhaul.

The challenge for President Obama was that although there was always great support for health care reform there was never a particular formula for reform that was easily supported by enough members of Congress in order to obtain the supermajority needed for earlier passage.

Imagine if the President needed to order a military action for our national security and that 96% of the public and Congress were supportive of this action. Now suppose further that there was no obvious consensus on which strategic plan: land, sea or air forces, to use. Should the President take no action at all? This turns out to be the trouble for the GOP , both in their opposition to the health care reform by their entire Congressional membership and their alleged desire to repeal it. They may now be labeled as the party against all health care reform even though some form of health care reform was supported by almost all Americans. Even worse for the GOP is that many reforms are expected to be very popular once enacted - especially prohibition of pre-existing conditions, students remaining on parents policies until 26 years of age and tax breaks for small business.

The GOP and the Tea Party gambled that health care reform could be blocked. Now that they have failed, they continue to fight for repeal and block other initiatives that are linked to support for working Americans including extension of unemployment benefits.

The GOP and Tea Party brand is already demographically and regionally limited and now may be further limited to Americans who were against health care reform and against support for working families. The Democrats stand to lose some Congressional seats in 2010 because President Obama is not on the ticket. Do not be surprised if 2012 is a good year for Democrats, especially if the economy improves.

Community Activist Jay Kapitz is asking you for help lobbying the Federal Government over Rocketdyne. Jay has been a frequent supporter of this blog over the years by posting comments, writing guest blog entries when he went to DC for the inauguration, and keeping me informed over local grassroots politics.

Here is his latest guest blog entry:

Rocketdyne Clean Up Is a done issue
By Jay Kapitz

There is a very serious situation that affects my community of Oak Park in Ventura County.

The Santa Susana Field Laboratory, currently owned by the Boeing Company, is located approximately five miles from Oak Park. A partial nuclear meltdown, thousands of rocket tests and decades of nuclear reactor development have left radioactive and chemical contamination at the site.

Click on continue reading for the rest of his guest blog entry.

Follow me on Twitter at Twitter.com/dennert

I sometimes post stories there that I don't post here.

Local community activist Jay Kapitz has sent out an email detailing why he is supporting Linda Parks for supervisor. Jay often usually backs Democratic candidates but he is supporting Linda Parks who has been a Republican since 1996. It isn't a surprise he is supporting her as Linda Parks is a local hero to environmental activists.

Supports of Audra Strickland are making the strange sounding argument that Linda Parks is getting too much bipartisan support for this nonpartisan position. I am sure this will add to their evidence of her bipartisan support.

Send me an email if you would like to write a guest blog entry for my blog.

Support Linda Parks
By Jay Kapitz

Dear Friend:

Please join me in supporting Linda Parks for Ventura County 2nd District Supervisor. Supervisor Parks is being challenged by another Republican Audra Strickland. Strickland is the ultra-right wing conservative who recently relocated from her home in Simi Valley in order to run in this race. There are no Democrats running and it is with careful thought that I endorse and will be volunteering to support the re-election of Supervisor Parks. Supervisor Parks is endorsed by Democrats including State Senator Fran Pavley, Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, Ventura County Supervisor Kathy Long, activists Hank Lacayo, Sandy Emberland and many, many others. She is also endorsed by the Ventura County Deputy Sheriffs Association and the Ventura County Professional Firefighters Association.

Click on continue reading for the rest of his email.

Ventura County Progressive activist Jay Kapitz is continuing to organize a coalition to reform how campaigns are funded. Here is his latest email:
Ventura County grassroots activists, community leaders and average citizens like you will be meeting to organize the local grassroots campaign for the California Fair Elections Act.
Would you like to get politicians out of the fundraising game so they stay focused on the job we elect them to accomplish?

Click on continue reading to see the meeting information and more details. I have seen Jay Kapitz work for other candidates and I know he is very talented at what he does. If you are interested in this issue email him or attend the meeting.

The Conjeo Valley Democratic Club is holding a luncheon with a guest speaker in honor of Cesar Chavez Day. The topic will be Cesar Chavez's work in Ventura County.

Click here for a Wikipedia page Biography of Cesar Chavez. Taking a day off from work isn't an option for most people, but reading and reflecting on the life of Cesar Chavez can help to inspire many of us. I have studied him before but the basic article on Wikipedia was thought provoking and inspiring again.

Many labor activists are calling upon the memory of Cesar Chavez to advocate for the Employee Free Choice Act.

Click here to read a basic explanation of the law.

Click here to read arguments for it.

Click here to read arguments against it.

Click on continue reading for details for the Cesar Chavez Day lunch and lecture.

Ventura County Democratic Activist Jay Kapitz sent in a press release bringing attention to National Eating Disorders week. I know from a young woman that I respect and admire that eating disorders impact all sorts of different lives. If you are suffering from an eating disorder please tell someone you love and get help. We often think we can take care of our own problems but in reality asking for help is taking action to get better.

Here is a personal note from me to someone that is recovering from an eating disorder:

S.,

You had me worried for so long that it is a relief to know you are recovering. You are smart, talented, energetic, and you have so much to offer the world. The process will be tough, and from time to time you might even relapse. But don't give up on yourself. Your friends and family will never give up on you.

I am proud to know you are now helping other people to get help. Hopefully what you have learned we help ease the burden others might go through. I am glad you liked the sermon I sent you. We all have something we can do to help others.

Here is the press release from Jay Kapitz:

NATIONAL EATING DISORDERS AWARENESS WEEK EVENT IN VENTURA COUNTY

National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, the largest eating disorders outreach effort in the country, is held the last week in every February and has helped reach millions of people with messages of prevention, hope and recovery. The mission of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week is to ultimately prevent eating disorders and body image issues while reducing the stigma surrounding eating disorders and improving access to treatment. Eating disorders are serious, life-threatening illnesses -- not choices -- and it's important to recognize the pressures, attitudes and behaviors that shape the disorder.

National Eating Disorders Awareness Week is a collective effort of volunteers, eating disorder professionals, health care providers, educators, social workers, and individuals committed to raising awareness of the dangers surrounding eating disorders and the need for early intervention and treatment.

Rader Programs in Oxnard, California, has over 25 years experience in the treatment of eating disorders. As part of a national effort to support National Eating Disorders Awareness Week and raise awareness, Rader Programs will be hosting a free event for the public on Tuesday, February 24, 6:30 PM at the Thousand Oaks Library. There will be an interactive experiential presentation to help the public understand the basis of eating disorders and the devastating effects they have on both the victims and their families.

To obtain more information about this event, call 800-841-1515 or visit www.raderprograms.com.

UPDATE: Click on continue reading for details for the walk this weekend.

( Jay, I don't have pictures for all of the leadership of your club but here is your Barack Obama style image. Mike Chandler was correct, this really is addicting.)

The Conejo Valley Democrats sent out their February newsletter. Click on continue reading to see it.

Click here for their website.

I have been very impressed that many of the Democratic clubs haven't taken time off after the campaign but instead are holding events with guest speakers, helping local charities and making future plans. With the change in registration numbers and the better organizations locally Democrats should continue to make gains in Ventura County.

Here is the latest update from Jay Kapitz. Get some sleep Jay!

IT IS 6 AM.

Until next time, Jay.

Here is the latest update from Jay Kapitz:

More Notes From The Inauguration of Barack Obama

Until next time, Jay.

More Notes from the Inauguration of Barack Obama - Sunday

Jay.

( Jay Kapitz is the tall guy.)

Jay Kapitz is a Democratic Party leader and a community activist in Oak Park. He is involved with many issues but this week he is in DC for the inauguration. If you are thinking of putting together a campaign people like Jay Kapitz are dedicated to moving us forward. Jay, thanks for your hard work electing Barack Obama.

Here is his update:

Brian

Some DC inauguration notes, though not very noteworthy yet.

Forgot my camera cable so no pics. Remembered my thermals and other cold weather gear - very good thing. I was planning on staying in Virginia and taking Metro in and out of DC - even rented bike for inauguration day - but at the last minute scored an inexpensive room in a historic 1890s home two blocks from the Capitol. This will save many hours!

First full day was today - spent it checking out logistics and getting used to the weather. I walked from one end of the Mall to the other, starting at the Capitol and finishing up at the Lincoln Memorial with a side trek to the White House.

The Capitol was pretty well setup for the swearing in ceremony with last minute tweaking of big screens and sound systems - it was strange seeing it so empty and contemplating the scene on Tuesday with 2 million projected, Very emotional for me to think this is really going to happen . At the other end, near the Lincoln Memorial, the sounds checks were ongoing for the free Sunday Welcome Concert with musical acts including Beyonce, MJ. Blige, Bono, Garth Brooks, Sheryl Crow, John Legend, Usher, Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, will.i.am, and Stevie Wonder.

Today was 25 degrees and as cold as I have been. My layers held up well - especially my first ever winter coat - way to go Burlington Coat Factory. Sunday is projected at balmy 39 degrees - why does that make me so happy?

I start to hook up with my fellow VC and SB county travelers tomorrow. There are about 50 of us here and we are meeting for a dinner I organized on Monday night. Some elected officials and members of VC County Star press will be there.

The folks here are having a great time so far. Some of our VC County group members were able to attend Senate sessions and the rest of us have done the museums, monuments, tours and parties.

I got a last minute ticket to the Western Ball on Tuesday night but alas no tuxedo. Never fear - black jeans, white shirt, dark jacket and a borrowed bow tie will do the trick.

Busy and historic days ahead. Till next time.

Jay

The Star set up a blog for three people writing from DC this week. The three writers are Star reporter Anna Bakalis, Star reporter Stephanie Hoops, and Santa Paula City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz.

Click here to check it out.

Wally also has a blog dedicated to Santa Paula. Click here to check it out.

I like when elected officials hold public forums where voters can ask questions not filtered by the media and the average voter can attend. Events held in the middle of a work day at a Country Club with an admission charge do not count.

Jay Kapitz, a Barack Obama volunteer and a community activist, sent me an email with information on the upcoming community forum to discuss the landmark open space law known as SOAR.

Are you going to go? Anyone know if it is going to be televised? If it is, please post it on youtube for us.

Here is the email from Jay Kapitz:

Dear Friends:

You are invited to a meeting on Saturday, January 31, 2009, 10 AM to Noon, at the Oak Park Community Center regarding protecting the open space in Oak Park, the Conejo Valley and all of Ventura County.

Ventura County Supervisors Linda Parks and Steve Bennett will discuss the law known as SOAR -Save Open-Space and Agricultural Resources."

Currently the SOAR law is set to expire in less than 12 years. It protects us against development of the hillsides around Oak Park, Thousand Oaks and surrounding areas. There is currently a deed restriction prohibiting development around Oak Park by the Rancho Simi Park District, which owns the open space. This deed restriction will expire in a few years and that is a huge reason that SOAR is so important to anyone living in Oak Park. Similar issues are in play for Thousands Oaks.

Please attend this meeting. Come find out more about SOAR and how we can protect these and other open space areas that could be at risk for development.

Hope to see you there.

Jay Kapitz