Republicans are in trouble in regards to the Presidential Campaign 2012

Some time ago I said that Republican Presidential candidate, Mitt Romney was looking pretty good to win the GOP candidate spot in the upcoming United States Presidential Election 2012, then the Iowa Caucus took place and Rick Santorum came out on top by 13 or 18 votes to win the Iowa Caucus. Mitt Romney took second but was not worried because he took the New Hampshire Primary by a landslide, so Romney looked like the sure candidate right not quite, the South Carolina Primary took place and guess who joined the top spot for the Republicans, former U.S. House Speaker, Newt Gingrich he took South Carolina by storm with Mitt Romney in second place. I know and understand that this is still way to early in the 2012 Presidential Campaign to worry but to the Republican Party, I would start worrying a lot this is just a prime example of how divided the Republican Party is as well as our country.  The Grand Old Party (GOP) lacks stability as well as leadership for who will be the prime candidate to take on Barack Obama in the 2012 General Presidential Election.  Some say that Newt Gingrich has the power and ability to defeat Obama but others think that Romney has a better chance and just for the record some people think Rick Santorum still has an outside chance to win the Republican Party nomination for President. Not to be completely negative but this is now officially a disaster waiting to happen. The Republican Party needs to get their act together put all their differences aside and together as a whole select unanimously a strong and powerful Presidential candidate and Vice Presidential candidate that can defeat Barack Obama in November 2012. The 2012 Presidential Campaign now focuses on the Florida Primary and Mitt Romney must come out on top and win Florida if he is to be the top GOP Presidential candidate because if Newt Gingrich wins the Florida Primary that gives him some power and resurgence to put him as the top Republican contender which is not a bad choice because he does have a lot of political leadership and experience in government that can help lead our country out of this economic crisis and deficit as well as maybe bring back all our United States military soldiers and troops that are still fighting in wars in other countries risking their precious lives for us to be free.  I cannot say this enough, the Republican Party (aka: GOP) needs to get their act together in selecting a Presidential candidate that will beat Barack Obama but soundly or else as I mentioned previously this is just a blue print for disaster and the Democratic Party will take full advantage of it.  The GOP can only hope that they can have their Presidential candidate and Vice Presidential candidate before the 2012 Republican National Convention so the United States voters can see that this is a strong and unified political party with a strong Presidential and Vice Presidential candidate that the United States can be proud to elect to the White House.

Social Services in the State of California really help people in need.

A few days ago, I went with my friend to the Department of Social Services (aka: the Welfare, Medi-Cal, Food Stamps and General Assistance office) located in the County of San Mateo. I was totally amazed and blown away by how many people were waiting in line to get help and assistance for probably themselves and/or their families.  These were people of very low-income and living in a low-income close to poverty part of the County of San Mateo, how shall I put this delicately, lets just say the complete opposite of people living in Hillsborough, Portola Valley and/or Atherton.  I saw one woman sign up and ask for Medi-Cal benefits for her and her young children that was her number one priority to see a Doctor and just have the Medi-Cal benefits just in case something happens.  Another person was just asking for General Assistance and Food Stamps to help both pay his rent and get something to eat at the same time.  My friend was there just to drop off their monthly income report needed to continue receiving his Food Stamps and Medi-Cal benefits, someone told me that the State of California as well as all the counties were getting much more people requesting and/or asking for help and assistance with not only the loss of jobs and income but with the high deficit that we are encountering.  I am personally very happy to see that the State of California does not neglect and abandon there constituents and their residents and that they can go to their Department of Social Services (Human Services Agency) in any county (i.e. County of San Mateo) to get help and assistance with Food Stamps, Medi-Cal, General Assistance as well as other help and information like Family Planning and Family Budgeting.  I do understand that the State of California would prefer to see all these people finding steady and full-time jobs and working instead of being unemployed and receiving help and assistance but until more jobs are available all these very low-income people just do not have a choice and if they have a family with young children to help and support their need is more urgent and dior than anyone else.

Republican Party Members and voters please think carefully – Presidential Election 2012

I was reading several news publications and many of them have already started making predictions about who should and will represent the Republican party as candidate for President of the United States.  As I presently see, Mitt Romney appears to be the leading front runner with maybe Newt Gingrich in a bit of a close second but again that is my opinion. What really worries me is that the United States voter is truly and really unpredictable which might explain how someone like Barack Obama was elected as our current President and Commander in Chief and we as a nation are strongly regretting it. My overall message to all the United States voters but especially to my friends and colleagues of the Republican Party please do your research and homework regarding each and every United States Presidential candidate no matter what political party or affiliation they represent so you make the wisest, smartest, and best choice. In addition, we need to be unified and/or united as a political party because the so-called Democratic Party (aka: Liberals and Socialists) thrive and take full advantage when the Republican Party (aka: GOP) is divided and has so-called new little parties (aka: The Tea Party) which tells America we are not in unison and we are overall divided which will tell the United States voter we better vote for another choice for President.  I am going to borrow this saying and cliché because it does relate to us as a political party at this moment; “United We Stand, Divided We Fall.”  If in 2012 we are going to elect a Republican as President of the United States in the White House, then we need to right now start being together and united to show America that we are a United political party and we are ready to help bring the United States back to its strong foundation, leadership, and back to a positive economic workflow and cashflow.

Goodbye possible businesses in Redwood City II

A few days ago, I was walking in downtown Redwood City, California and I was noticing a lot of places that use to have businesses for example; coffee shops, restaurants, specialty stores, even a photography studio are now empty and are either up for lease and/or up for sale. I thought to myself why is this happening in Redwood City where we just finished building and opening a brand new movie theater complex with several small stores, restaurants, and office space along side to keep the local city ecomony strong and flouirishing. I kept walking along and even at the new movie theater complex there were a couple of spaces that use to have a business there but is now empty and the usual for lease sign. Then at a spur of the moment, a friend of mine and I were discussing how expensive it is to live here in Redwood City, now do not get me wrong I love Redwood City and the San Francisco Bay Area in general but in my opinion it is getting very expensive not only to live here but it is even more expensive to work and/or start a business here in Redwood City with all the fees, requirements, monthly lease, and other costs that make prospective business owners, propietors, and even future homeowners nervous, scared, and decide to go somewhere else to start their American dream as well as help the financial economy of another city instead of Redwood City that is not a good idea in my eyes or in other citizens of Redwood City that see more financial opportunity and prosperity disappearing because of the financial obstacles that can be fixed. What we need to do here in Redwood City as well as the entire San Mateo County, we need to help lower the prices of business spaces that are available for sale and/or for lease and at the same see if the city of Redwood City will help and cooperate by lowering just a little bit the fees, costs, and requirements to start up and/or open up a new business that in the long run will ultimately help Redwood City financially. In the past couple of weeks, I have noticed almost 4 or 5 spaces that are empty and available for new businesses and entrepreneurs to start up but I guess not only the monthly rental fee is a liitle bit to high but the city business permit requirements are also very high as well. I do not even want to start about the property taxes that are charged by San Mateo County not only to current business but of course to homeowners as well they are completely out of control that could be another factor why prospective businesses and owners are looking at other cities to go to. My point is the city of Redwood City needs to start thinking about the future and start to look at how they can lower the cost(s) and requirement(s) so that prospective businesses and owners will want to come here to Redwood City and make our future brighter. Because if we do not act now, more people and businesses will leave Redwood City and we might end up as a neglected and deserted place.

CalTrain should not be losing money II

I was just reading a newspaper article that the CalTrain, which is the commuter train that travels from San Francisco all the way down to Morgan Hill/Gilroy in the South Bay passing through San Jose on the Peninsula in both San Mateo County and Santa Clara County.  I read that they are losing about $53 million dollars per year and at this moment are in a real serious financial deficit.  Now I do understand that the entire State of California is in a financial crisis but CalTrain will all the commuters and/or passengers that travel on that system everyday including weekends and let us not forget when the San Francisco Giants and/or the San Jose Sharks play at home the trains are even more fully loaded with true die-hard and loyal fans that would like to save some gas and money in regards to getting to the game(s).  Even after all this, CalTrain is still in financial troubles, maybe it is because of the price of taking the CalTrain which is I believe about $10.00 per zone and/or area as they are called but I could be wrong.  Lowering the ticket prices just a little bit can help in these tough financial situations because not only do  hard-working Californians have to pay high taxes and high prices on food, gas, and other necessities, but to also have to pay a high price on commuting to work can be a heavy burden and can take its toll on anyone.  The funny part about that news article is that one of the ideas and suggestions that the Board of Directors made was just to use one train for the entire day which in my opinion would not be a smart idea especially to people that are trying to get to work or to a specific place in a certain and specific time.  Let’s see if there are any other suggestions and/or ideas to help solve CalTrain financial problems.