Our endorsement of Cardoza and Galgiani

We feel that our endorsement of Dennis Cardoza and Cathleen Galgiani needs an explanation, because down deep we feel that both the state of California and the nation are headed for a train wreck.

The recent action in Britain and the meltdown of Greece should be fair warning that a country which continues to spend like there is no tomorrow will find it has no tomorrow.

The spending does not reach the core of the state’s and the federal government’s problems.

Having said this, why re-elect two Democrats to continue to represent us in the valley?

Let’s take our endorsement of Dennis Cardoza first.

After being re-elected to office several terms, he has now the seniority which gives him power to make a difference in Congress.

Our valley has suffered because representatives like Tony Coelho and Gary Condit were forced to leave Congress just when had reached a point where they could do the most good for the valley.

Dennis Cardoza now has that power.

But his power must be used to stop some of the waste in Washington.

It must be used to see that money spent to bail out banks actually arrives at local banks and is earmarked for loans to new and growing business.

The balance of federal funds coming to our area must be fair. There needs to be real help in the foreclosure crisis, not just delays which allow foreclosed properties to stay vacant as eyesores in our communities.

President Obama needs to have some support in Congress if any of his proposals are to be approved. Asking him to run the country with an antagonistic Congress will not work.

This is why we have endorsed Dennis Cardoza for another term.

Galgiani for Assembly

Cathleen Galgiani is another breed of Democrat. We have supported her in office because she brings back to this district as much if not more than most other assembly members.

Her list includes funding for the Merced Theatre project, the G Street underpass, $1 billion for Highway 99 improvements, funding for UC Merced, and her center piece High Speed Rail.

She has the ability to work with both sides of the legislature which today is very important. She realizes that she is termed out if re-elected so her concern can be focused on getting things done.

Jobs are a major concern and she is working toward removing restrictive legislation which makes California uncompetitive for business.

She has focused a lot of energy on preventing convicted killers from being released in the valley even when the courts feel they are no longer a harm to society. She is also a strong advocate in placing rewards for those who have been killed and law enforcement agencies have failed to find and convict the guilty.

We feel the job is not done for Cathleen Galgiani and we want to see her returned to Sacramento to finish the job. That is why we endorse her for another term as a state assemblywoman.