A MESSAGE FROM DAVID HERNANDEZ

After securing the nomination for the 47th Assembly District, Jeffers Macarthur Dodge drove from Los Angeles to Sacramento to meet with state legislators.

At his own expense, this community advocate drove to meet with leaders in the State Assembly to obtain vital information in order to better serve the community he has chosen to serve.

Meeting after meeting, politician after politician, special interest group after special interest group brought Jeffers to the astounding conclusion that the voice and well-being of the community had long been silenced and abandoned.

Politicians of both major political parties had-˜by creative and deceptive means˜established districts which were formed to protect the office holder and the political party they represented, not the people. The system was set up to serve special interests not the community.

Jeffers was also advised that in accordance with an unwritten rule, no office holder would help a challenging candidate in a District held by a member of another political party. By no uncertain terms, it was made clear that any attempt to challenge the status quo would be met with swift and substantial retribution.

With a district drawn with a 5 to 1 ratio to protect the party in office, the elected official ceases to be accountable to the people. The need to get up in the morning and go to work to do a days work on behalf of the people is no longer a motivating force. Needing only a handful of votes to retain their seat, elected officials need only watch out for the interests of those who bank roll their campaigns.

In spite of these factors, Jeffers returned to his community with a resolve to fight for the community with even more determination and conviction.

The community may have little time left in which to act. Illegal immigration and unchecked numbers of people exhausting social services, destroying well-paying Trade Union jobs and flooding local schools, creating volatile and dangerous conditions which will not be addressed or resolved by the current office holder.

On November 8 all of our current challenges will still be in place. We know too well what the outcome of the election will be for most if not all of the races. Is this to be the end of the Republican Party in Los Angeles County? We have men and women who have been willing to step up and answer the call, but will that continue?

Given the system stated above, why should these warriors throw themselves on the political sword just to have a Republican on the ballot? They are spending their money, their time and their energy, why? Because they still believe. But given the lack of support they have experienced this election, the next round may find most seats held by democrats, unopposed.

So here is my challenge to you. Have you done what you can do to support your local candidates? Have you contributed even $25.00 to their campaigns? Have you telephoned voters? Have you sent out e-mails to pass the word about a candidate who is engaged in the heat of battle for our party?

If not, why not? If you won't support them, why should they put themselves on the line for you?

P. S.

Please don't give me the "coat tails" line. In a district which has been sold out, there are no coat tails long enough. These men and women deserve more than just party rhetoric.

PASS THIS ON TO YOUR E-MAIL GROUPS, IF YOU CARE OR DARE.

David Hernandez