Republican Club
by Brian Harmon
LW contributor
On March 16, the LW Republican Club took a trip down “Constitution Avenue” with Steven Maikoski, a constitutional expert who dressed in the uniform of an American officer in the Revolutionary War. The Republican Club meets the third Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. in Clubhouse 3, Room 2.
Maikoski is the author of a just-released book titled “The Real Constitution and its Real Enemies.” He has written a number of books on the Constitution and has spoken nationally.
During the meeting, Maikoski talked about who defends the Constitution in the United States. He also reminded club members that when the choice is between a Republican who does not always support Republican values and a Democrat, Republicans should still vote for the Republican. He said that in swing districts, if conservatives do not support the moderate Republicans, Democrats will take the seat.
Electing a Democrat, even a moderate one, to a legislative body increases the power of the Democratic Party, he said. In each House, whether it be the U.S. Senate, the House of Representatives, a state Senate or state Assembly, the majority party holds the leadership in that body. All committee and subcommittee chairs are held by members of the party that holds the most seats in that particular chamber. The number of seats in each committee is also determined by the percentage of members of each party. Therefore, by electing a Republican whose values a Republican voter may not always agree with, Republican Party power increases. The GOP as a whole has promoted constitutional principles fairly consistently, he said.
George Boutros, an aide to Assembly Member Janet Nguyen, briefly addressed the club and had yard signs available. Nguyen is running for State Senate in the newly refigured district that includes Leisure World.
A representative of the school board recall group also addressed the group, saying the group decided to target one board member instead of three. After the proper number of signatures are gathered, the election will take place in November.
Before signature gathering can begin, a summary of the reasons for the recall must be sent to the school board member being recalled so that he can write a response. These documents will be sent to the Orange County Registrar of Voters, which will review the papers, and then signature gathering can begin.
To sign the petition, residents must live in that voting district, which includes Mutual 1, Mutual 17 and the part of Mutual 2 that is west of St. Andrews.
The Republican Club booth is open every Monday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. outside Clubhouse 6. Volunteers continue to collect signatures for the school choice initiative. This ballot proposition, if passed, will make it possible for parents of all income groups to send their children to the school of their choice, whether it be a secular private school, religious school, charter school or home school. This will be done by providing up to $14,000 per child for parents who choose educational alternatives to public schools.
To join the club, volunteer or receive more information, residents can call (714) 928-1950. Club membership is free.
