Politics for A New Earth (updated)

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Politics is often about a specific focus on the current issues with an eye to the future. In his book A New Earth, Eckhart Tolle examines the power of a broader focus that rests on the moment, an approach that can effectively be applied to politics.

Tolle suggests that individuals are too identified with their egos, which leads to drama and role playing, including turning both pain and happiness into roles. The ego clouds one’s true self and leads one’s mind and actions away from an objective examination of the present to an unproductive focus on the past or future. To find one’s true self, Tolle emphasizes that one must accept chaos, not judge what happens, eliminate an obsession with time, rise above thoughts, and embrace the joy of being. Very pertinent to politicians, he also explains in Chapter Eight, “The Discovery of Inner Space,” the importance of ‘Right Action’ and ‘Perceiving Without Naming.’ “When instead of reacting against a situation, you merge with it, the solution arises out of the situation itself” (Tolle, page 238). He further espouses that most individual’s reality focuses on perception, interpretation, comparison, and labeling good or bad; one is trapped in objects, in a focus on thoughts and consciousness.

Examine each political reality as an exploration of the present, unconnected to your own ego; be aware of others and yourself but not circumscribed by your own thoughts and past. His book has a great deal of information and is well-organized and logical. Read it with the idea that it can lead you to know yourself better and thus be a more effective politician.

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A Tale of Two Immigrants (updated with photo)

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Evan Low and Susan Tobias
Evan Low and Susan Tobias

In 1923, two men were born three weeks and a world apart and came to the United States, three years apart, with one purpose—to begin living a dream. G. James Tobias in 1935 from Hanover, Germany, and Raymond Low in 1938 from Toisan, China, arrived in America. James and his family settled in Grass Valley near Sacramento. Raymond settled near his brother in Sacramento. Both served their newly adopted country during WWII as members of the United States Army. Raymond served as a GI in Europe and James as an doctor at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines. Each found their way to the Valley of Hearts Delight, known today as the Silicon Valley, where both worked hard and raised families. Raymond first worked at the Continental Can Company during the week and at Frank Fat’s Restaurant in Sacramento on the weekends. Raymond eventually moved to the Silicon Valley to raise his family. James had a private medical practice in Los Gatos, tended patients at O’Connor, Good Samaritan, and Los Gatos Community—at times as Chief of Staff and Chief of Medicine—and was instrumental in setting up the early CCUs (coronary care units) for these hospitals.

Each loved their children and grandchildren and watched generations of Tobias and Lows grow up with opportunities that Raymond and James missed in their earliest years but found here in America, in Silicon Valley. Evan Low, Raymond’s grandson, is a vibrant member of the Campbell City Council and currently serves as its vice-mayor and a field representative for Assemblyman Paul Fong. Susan Tobias, James’ daughter, is a member of the Campbell Civic Improvement Commission. Mr. Low died 7 April 2009, and Dr. Tobias is still enjoying his long life. The Low and Tobias families started in this country in seemingly unrelated beginnings, but their descendents came together—in a country of politically active, civically engaged individuals—to benefit one city. Each one of us, here, in the Silicon Valley are equally and uniquely connected!

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Otto Lee Doing Well in Iraq

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Sunnyvale City Council Member, Otto Lee, is currently serving an 18-month tour of duty in Iraq.  While Mr. Lee left for training in December 2008, he has been in Iraq for about a month.  Mr. Lee is a U.S. Naval Reserve officer attached to the U.S. Army.

Through his blog, http://ottolee.org/blog, Mr. Lee reports that he is quite busy and misses his family.

Mr. Lee invites his friends and acquaintences to send an emai to him at ottolee@gmail.com.

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San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom to Address Santa Clara County Democrats

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San Francisco’s Mayor Gavin Newsom will address South Bay Democrats as their keynote speaker at their annual Jefferson Jackson Dinner on Friday, April 17, 2009. The dinner will be at San Jose’s Fairmont Hotel. The Jefferson Jackson Dinner is most common event among local Democratic Party organizations throughout the United States. The event is named for Presidents Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson. During presidential election campaigns, certain dinners are considered important venues for candidates to attend. It is most likely that California Democratic Party candidates for 2009 and 2010 elections will be attending the dinner as well.

The Republican Party’s equivalent event is usually a Lincoln Dinner, a Reagan Dinner or a Lincoln Reagan Dinner. The Silicon Valley Republicans held their Lincoln Dinner earlier this year when Meg Whitman, 2010 Gubernatorial candidate for the Republican Party addressed South Bay Republicans. Ms. Whitman is a Silicon Valley resident from Atherton, CA.

Mayor Newsom will most likely drop by the Silicon Valley Young Democrats after party event on the same evening between 9:00 pm and 11:00 pm. at Azucar Latin Bistro & Mohito, 71 E San Fernando Street, San Jose, CA 95113.

Statewide Special Election – May 19, 2009 (updated 10 May 2009)

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On Tuesday, May 19, 2009, registered voters in California will be voting on Propositions 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, and 1F.

Proposition 1A.  State budget.  Changes California budget process.  Limits state spending.  Increases “rainy day” budget stabilization Fund

Proposition 1B.  Education funding.  Payment plan.

Proposition 1C.  Lottery modernization act.

Proposition 1D.  Protects children’s services funding.  Helps balance state budget.

Proposition 1E.  Mental health services funding.  Temporary Reallocation.  Helps balance state budget.

Proposition 1F.  Elected officials’ salaries.  Prevents pay increases during budget deficit years.

For more information on the ballot measures, please refer to the Voter Information Guide on the California Secretary of State’s Website .

Also, please check your county’s Registrar of Voter’s website for local ballot measures and early voting schedules.

Update as of 16 April 2009
The following is an update from a Public Policy Institute of California
press release dated 25 March 2009.

The results from the poll follows:

  Percent
  Yes No Undecided
1A 39 46 15
1B 44 41 15
1C 37 50 11
1D 48 36 16
1E 47 37 16
1F 81 13 6

According to the press release, California’s likely voters are divided on five of six propositions related to the state’s budge crisis. The poll was conducted by the PPIC with funding from the James Irvine Foundation.

The vast majority of most likely voters, 77%, feel the state is headed in the wrong direction and 85% of the voters see California’ fiscal situation as a big problem. Only 11% of those polled approve of the legislature and with the voter’s own legislators 29%. Governor Schwarzenegger dropped to 33%.

Silicon Valley Political Parties

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American Independant Party Organizations

Democratic Party Organizations

Green Party Organizations

Libertarian Party Organizations

Peace and Freedom Party Organizations

Republican Party Organizations

 

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Asian Pacific American Elected Officials Discuss Ethical Considerations

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On Mar 20, 2009 Asian Pacific American Leadership Institute’s (APALI) Senior Fellows met for lunch at Cupertino’s Cypress Inn to discuss “ethical considerations for public officials.”

The program was a timely and lively discussion on ethics in general and how promising public careers are derailed by lapses in ethical behavior.  Moderated by Dr. Michael Chang, APALI’s founder and executive director, the discussion was lead by panel members:

  • Erica Yew, Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge
  • Kirk Hanson, Executive Director, Santa Clara University’s Markkula Center for Applied Ethics
  • Randy Okamura, President, San Jose/Evergreen Community College District Board of Trustees

The Senior Fellows luncheon was well attended by elected and appointed officials:

  • Paul Fong, Assembly member, District 22
  • Yoriko Kishimoto, Council member, City of Palo Alto
  • Evan Low, Council member, City of Campbell
  • Gilbert Wong, Council member, City of Cupertino
  • Ash Kalra, Council member, San Jose
  • Rod Hsiao, Trustee, San Mateo County Board of Education
  • Jeff Gee, Planning Commissioner, City of Redwood City
  • Grace Mah, Trustee, Santa Clara County Board of Education
  • Art Takahara, former Council member and Mayor, City of Mountain View
  • Patrick Kwok, Director, Santa Clara Valley Water District
  • Lucy Koh, Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge
  • Thanh Ngo, Assistant District Attorney, Santa Clara County
  • Carrie Zepeda, Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge
  • Alan Fong, Trustee, Orchard School District
  • Cynthia Chang, Trustee, Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union High School District

After the the discussion which included comments from everyone, Judge Yew expressed her thoughts to Dr. Chang:

Thank you, Michael, for giving us the forum to gather – you’ve created an amazing thing. Thank you, Randy, for the great idea – you spark a very interesting and energetic discussion. Thank you, Kirk – it was good to see you again and I learned more about the issue of ethics. I’ve come to see that for me a big piece of it is the lack of self interest, or selflessness. I’ve been having an internal quandary – whether there is a difference between what is ethical and what is moral and this piece about selflessness is helping me define it better for myself. Take good care, gentlemen!  Great event.

Mr. Hanson added:

I agree with you that selflessness is at the core of everything.  All five types of ethics questions require it –Determining the option which produces the greatest net benefit to ALL requires you not to value the impacts on yourself more than those on others. The rights concept requires an equal respect for the rights of others as for your own rights.  And duties are responsibilities to others that you take upon yourself.

During the discussion, Mr. Hanson shared a document that was compiled by Judy Nadler, a Markkula Center Senior Fellow and  former mayor of the City of Santa Clara.  Ms. Nadler convened mayors and council members from Santa Clara and San Mateo counties to share the top ethical dilemas confronting every person who comes into local elected office.  The following document can be found on the Markkula Center’s website: 

Unavoidable Ethical Dilemmas of Newly Elected Local Officials

 

1. Now that you are elected, with whom can you meet, and what can you talk about?

Members of council outside of public meetings (Brown Act rules)?
Union leaders without violating the collective bargaining process?
Petitioners and special interest groups?
Contractors who are bidding on government projects?
Developers and others with business before cities?

2. What do you owe those who supported and elected you?

Can you show favoritism to supporters?
Should you vote against those who worked against you?
Should appointments to commissions go to political friends and insiders?

3. Whom do you represent?

Your personal priorities and values?
Your neighborhood or the larger community?
Your community or broader regional and national priorities?

4. Are you a public servant or a politician—or both?

Supporting good public policies vs. advancing your political interests
Supporting good public policies vs. the interests of your political group
Supporting good public policies vs. creating political IOUs

5. Where are your personal conflicts of interest?

Employment?
Family and personal relationships?
Community involvements?
Personal relationships?
Partisan affiliations?
What do you have to resign from?
On what matters should you recuse yourself?

6. How do you honestly present your positions on issues?

When do you reveal your position?
Should you obfuscate your position for political gain?
Do you reveal why you voted for something?
When can you legitimately abstain from voting?
How can you present an honest change of position?

7. What ethical standards apply to the process of decision making and contracting?

What are the standards of due consideration?
What is fair treatment of petitioners?
What is fair treatment of bidders for city contracts?
What communication with bidders or vendors is permitted?

8. How can you use your power and position in other parts of your life?

Benefiting your business or profession?
Job seeking for yourself, for your family and friends?
Favoring your charities, your associations, etc.?
Using your title, using the city seal?
Abrogating parking tickets, etc.?
Using influence to get grants for favorite causes?

9. What gifts and freebies can you take?

What are the requirements of California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) standards?
What actually compromises you?
What appears to compromise you?
What is the motive of others who are giving you gifts?
What are the limits on seeking freebies and preferential treatment?

10. How can you help those who seek your assistance?

Friends
Community groups
Other elected officials—I’ll scratch your back; you scratch mine
Building your own political IOUs

11. What is your proper relationship with city staff?

With whom can you confer?
What can you discuss with a staff person who is a personal friend?
When can you make specific requests of staff?
What important information should you share with staff?
Are there different standards for meetings, conversations, correspondence, emails, etc.?

12. What information should you bring to your decisions?

Should you rely totally on formal information and recommendations presented to you by staff?
Can you investigate issues personally?
What actions undermine city staff?

13. What is personal integrity in political life?

Your commitment to work hard enough to do a quality job
Your willingness to speak the truth even if it is uncomfortable
Your ability to withstand pressures to influence your votes
Your ability to resist temptation to take advantage of your position

14. How do you handle conflicts between your role as a council member and as member of a special commission?

Differences between your position and that of your city
Differences among the several cities you may represent

15. How do you deal with “friends of the city?”

Former elected officials
Former city officials and staff
Prominent community members

16. How do you function as a minority or even a whistleblower?

Should you join a voting bloc or remain independent?
When should you voice dissent from a majority position?
When shoud you be a whistleblower?

17. What level of respect and civility should exist among council members?

What do respect and civility require toward colleagues, staff and the public, especially when offering criticism?
Toward those you do not trust?
What is your duty to respect the will of the council when you have lost on a particular issue?
When should you seek outside information or expertise?
How can trust be built and sustained?

18. How do you protect the confidentiality of information made available to you as a council member?

Closed session confidentiality
Personnel issues
Contracting issues
Trading and doing business based on insider information

19. How do you deal ethically with the press?

Respecting the confidentiality of sessions and issues
Keeping colleagues and staff informed
Clearly label your views vs. the city’s views
Accurately characterizing your opponent’s views

20. How can you ethically campaign while in office?

Twisting arms with implied threats regarding current business?
Making current decisions based on political contributions or support?
Using insider information to favor your campaign?
Using privileged access to city government and community to favor your campaign?
Promoting initiatives solely to create a record for your campaign?
Accurately representing your record and past role in government?

Visit the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics  to help you discover answers to the posed dilemmas.

 

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Voters Registered in Santa Cruz County for May 19 Election (updated)

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As of Mar 20, 2009, here is the number of registered voters by party affiliation in Santa Cruz County.

Eligible voters 179,693  
Registered 146,930 81.77%
     
Democratic 80,952 55.10%
Republican 26,897 18.31%
American Independent 2,854 1.94%
Green 3,232 2.20%
Libertarian 1,122 0.76%
Peace and Freedom 442 0.30%
Other 5,910 4.02%
Decline to State 25,521 17.37%
Total 146,930 100.00%

Source:  http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ror/ror-pages/60day-stwdsp-09/ror-032009.htm   Registration by County


Voters Registered in Alameda County for May 19 Election (updated)

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As of Mar 20, 2009, here is the number of registered voters by party affiliation in Alameda County.

Eligible voters 993,040  
Registered 772,927 77.83%
     
Democratic 447,163 57.85%
Republican 116,521 15.08%
American Independent 13,821 1.79%
Green 10,117 1.31%
Libertarian 2,941 0.38%
Peace and Freedom 2,656 0.34%
Other 5,891 0.76%
Decline to State 173,817 22.49%
Total 772,927 100.00%

 

Source:  http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ror/ror-pages/60day-stwdsp-09/ror-032009.htm   Registration by County


Voters Registered in San Mateo County for May 19 Election (updated)

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As of Mar 20, 2009, here is the number of regsitered voters by party affiliation in San Mateo County.

Eligible voters 481,859  
Registered 362,071 75.14%
     
Democratic 187,030 51.66%
Republican 76,884 21.23%
American Independent 6,916 1.91%
Green 2,785 0.77%
Libertarian 1,527 0.42%
Peace and Freedom 703 0.19%
Other 1,142 0.32%
Decline to State 85,084 23.50%
Total 362,071 100.00%

Source:  http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ror/ror-pages/60day-stwdsp-09/ror-032009.htm   Registration by County