Henry Waxman: "Where Have All the Adults Gone?"

I did not learn about Congressman Waxman's plan to visit Hermosa Beach last night (1 -- 30 -- 2013)

It took me nearly half an hour to get any information about this meeting, the news of which was announced practically the same day. What gives?

Not once but now twice, when Waxman sets up a forum in the South Bay, I have found out about it at the last minute. The Beach Reporter has been more than willing to inform readers, but why does it often happen that I do not learn about these things until the last minute?

Does the Congressman have something to hide, or what?

One of many phrases which stood out at the Hermosa Beach townhall meeting included the point when Congressman Waxman said that the "adults need to show up" in Washington.

Not a matter of fear or frustration, but I did have to hold my tongue when I heard him play the "adult" card in condescension, as if Congressman Waxman has any business making such comments.

Was it "adult", or mature, for Waxman to say in open committee "We're not broke!" in the face of trillions of dollars of debt?

Is it mature to spend taxpayer dollars on wasteful green-tech companies? Or to run oversight hearings on baseball or announce sympathy with religious minorities halfway around the world, while this country faces fiscal crises?

Is it mature to ignore homeless veterans, to condemn Republicans for taking away entitlements, when they actually want to ensure them for the future?

Of course, we can also talk about his obstreperous behavior as Chairman of the House Oversight Committee, when he grilled Richard Fuld about the fallout of Lehman Brothers "Is that fair?" Or perhaps he would like to explain why he justified slamming his gavel repeatedly while then ranking member Congressman Darryl Issa of Vista demanded that Waxman play fair and share time among the members of the committee.

Maybe he would like to explain his rude and uncouth exchanges with Energy sub-committee chairman Ed Whitfield of Kentucky, from his baseless accusations against the Koch brothers (whom he mentioned at the townhall meeting, too).

Waxman wonders where all the adults have gone in Washington. When will he start to act like one himself?

Waxman in Hermosa Beach IV

After the townhall meeting, I spoke with two residents from El Segundo.

They really believe that climate change is a serious issue, one which government must step in to do something about it. When I shared with them what I had been reading, they did not have much to counter with. I talked about the data that I had read, which demonstrated that Cap and Trade was an abysmal failure, causing fuel prices to rise, while the price of the carbon credits varied wildly, and more pollution resulted, not less. This information I learned about from a committed environmentalist, by the way.

The two I spoke with, a married couple, argued that they had seen the data and came to a different conclusion. I told them my views on climate change: it's real, but so what?

A couple of Democratic club leaders approached me to talk to me. I was really impressed by their willingness to speak with me. The first person who approached me was from Los Angeles. I asked for specifics, but he told me nothing particular. Then another club leader approached me, a Democrat from West Hollywood, a New Jersey native. I "gushed" about Chris Christie. He told me about his specific opposition to Republican policies on social issues. When I asked him if he favor abortion at the third trimester, he was not so sure. There is more debate than one is willing to admit on these issues.

Then came Congressman Waxman up the middle aisle.

"See, that wasn't so bad."

I told him very simply that I was going to keep him accountable. I suggested that he set up Occupy Brentwood outside of the VA and tell the federal government to get moving. I even pressed him on the pension funds in Indiana.

I can see that I am having an impact. Who knows what will happen from here on.

When I returned to the lobby, I spoke with other Democratic leaders. Like the woman from Pacific Palisades, the people I spoke with did not have a sturdy command of economics, or even a more subtly discussion about identity and sexuality. I was willing to discuss anything, I was willing to admit my ignorance on issues, yet more often than not the explanations that I received from one person were contradicted as soon as communicated. Homosexuality as behavior vs. identity. The role of government in regulating the free market or in creating jobs: it appeared to me more often than not that the person I was talking too had not really thought through his values.

Waxman Visits Hermosa Beach Part III

I saw Congressman Waxman congregating with some voters in the Playhouse lobby. I moved aside for the moment, then found a seat in the theater.

I must admit that I do not have the fondest memories about the Hermosa Beach Playhouse. The last time I was there,  I bought a ticket to see "The Nerd", and boy was it bad. Five years ago, Hermosa Beach staged their own production. The theater manager addressed the audience before the start of the show, told everyone, in politic terms, that the actors were not going to be very strong that evening. The actors' "performances" confirmed his fim appraisal. They did a bad job the whole time, and I walked out after one hour. I told the usher on the way out that I did not like the show. I expected to get my money back, but nothing.

As I settled in, I spoke with other people. Some were visiting from El Segundo, Torrance, the Beach Cities, and even Los Angeles. The 33rd Congressional District is one of the most widespread in the state, thanks in part to the "ribbon of shame" along Dockweiler Beach.

Congressman Waxman walked down the aisle. He glanced at  me.

"Hello, Congressman Waxman." I said. He was not too thrilled to see me, but he gently waved to the side, then joined other visitors in the front row.

Before the Congressman took the podium, former Hermosa Beach mayor Jeff Duclos shared his "gushing" admiration for Waxman. As Duclos delineated Waxman's record of fighting and winning for everyone. he  reminded of the Pacific Palisades woman who had shared her enthusiasm for the Congressman.  One of hte most revealing elements of visiting a Democratic Club was to understand the values and mindset of these voters. The esteem Waxman the man, not just the policies of the party, necessarily.

After Duclos, it was Waxman's turn. He seemed uncomfortable, somewhat shaky while standing and addressing the group. Then he outlined the issues which were facing the country and the district. After discussing the fiscal cliff deal, he reminded the audience about three more major deadlines which Congress would have to deal with: the sequester, the debt ceiling, and funding the government.

The biggest issue of the evening was not the financial issues pressing against this country, nor was it the social issues (gun control, gay marriage), but "climate change". The environmentalists leapt out of  their seats, so it seems, over "climate change". The alarm which some people shared in that playhouse exposed to me how crucial this issue, and all other environmental issues, has become for the Democratic Party. Strange, indeed

Unlike his demeanor during the 2012 campaign, Waxman struck a slightly more conciliatory note, telling members of the audience that he wanted to work with Independents and Republicans. He has to, because now he represents a district for the first time in his career which is not majority Democratic. Still, no one should assume the best from any politician, but rather bank on his or her greatest incentive for anything: to get reelected. At this point, Congressman Waxman does not have a choice, since the Republicans in Washington still run the House of Representatives. Still, his comments about the need for "adults" and "leadership" where grating, not great, to say the least.

Aftere his brief speech, Congressman Waxman took questions from the audience. Most of the issues touched on the environment. The moderator of the townhall meeting allowed me to ask questions, too. I was impressed with the reception that I received. A Republican got to ask questions at a Democratic forum. There is hope for bipartisanship after all.

I avowed to all that I believe in climate change (although I do not believe that man can do anything about it, nor do we have to do anything about it). I then pressed about the business climate of this country, in part because of the taxes in ObamaCare which we had to learn about after Congress passed the bill (per Nancy Pelosi). I then shared about the poor climate which homeless veterans are forced to endure, and how he is accountable and responsible for giving them shelter. I also asked about the pension funds of retired the retired teachers and police officer in Indiana.

He shrugged off the question about the Indiana pension fund, then praised the GM bailouts. He talked about the movements he was making on the Brentwood VA, blaming the Republicans, including Eric Cantor, who allegedly wanted to sell the land for debt reduction. Of course, he made no mention of what he did for the previous 38 years of his tenure, which was next to nothing.

Waxman Visits Hermosa Beach Part II

I am grateful to the city of Hermosa Beach. The ample parking along Valley Drive provided me easy access to settle in and get ready for the evening.

I arrived about twenty minutes early. The Democratic leaders had sent up name-tags and a counter of goodies. It was very welcoming, much like the Hesse Park debate in Rancho Palos Verdes.

I spoke with one lady right away, a resident of Pacific Palisades, although her other home is in Santa Barbara.

I was impressed with a number of things that she had shared with me. She was a major fan of Congressman Waxman. She recounted to me the discomfort of boarding a plane, when people were still allowed to smoke. She was grateful to the Congressman.

The heroic aura which surrounds Congressman Waxman is still too much for me to take in, but more on that later.

The lady from Pacific Palisades was open enough to share with me her views. She admitted that she had very little knowledge about economic issues, which I find to be very common among Democrats. A greater awareness of economics, based on cold, hard facts and numbers, has led many liberals to see the light and free their minds.

She and I shared a great disgust for many of the decisions made by George W. Bush. I also asked her about the 2012 election, including the contest between Bloomfield and Waxman. Surprisingly enough, she did not know very much about Bloomfield at all. After all that money that the Independent from Manhattan Beach had spent, one would have believed that almost everyone would have known something about the man who grew up in Pacific Palisades. I was astounded. At that point, I felt at ease telling her that I supported Bloomfield, that I even made phone calls for the guy to get him elected instead of Waxman. She was conciliatory, even funny:

"Oh, that's OK!" she said, at ease talking with me all the same.

I have often shared with other Republican candidates: "Democrats are people, too! GOP candidates should not fear talking to Democratic voters, even if they cannot change their minds, they can get them to think about issues from a different, and better perspective.

She later told me that she was on the fence about the Presidential election, unsure whether to support Romney or Obama. In the past, long ago, she had even voted for a Republican candidate for President.

I have often believed that Democrats are more conservative than media outlets or party leaders are willing to admit. Her lack of knowledge about economic issues might be one tack for Republicans to take in the future in order to turn out the vote for free market, limited government candidates.

While we were talking, another gentleman approached us. At that moment, I was talking about the need of the state of California to advance school choice. She then shared with me her concerns about her granddaughter attending kindergarten with thirty-four other students. Appalling. The man who joined us shared his concerns, about the environment, but also about education.

While I was talking, another woman approached me, a leader of one of the Democratic Clubs. While we starting talking, another woman approached her to draw her aside.

I knew what was going on. One was telling the other that I have been the one writing about the Congressman at length, spreading the word to end "the 38 year tenure of Congressman Henry Waxman."

The leader wanted me to sign in as a member of the press,  but I refused, since I do what I do unaffiliated with any media conglomerate. At this time, I am moved to share what I believe, to hold Congressman Waxman accountable, and perhaps if it all possible, to get some Democrats to pay attention to more widespread and pressing issues.

Waxman Visits Hermosa Beach

Congressman Henry Waxman made one of his first "post-election" visits to the South Bay.

The South Bay Democratic Clubs connected together and sponsored an open forum for the Congressman at the Hermosa Beach Playhouse.

I only learned about the meeting the same day, that very afternoon. I called the Hermosa Beach Playhouse, and I got a disconnected number.

I called the Hermosa Beach City Hall to get some information.

They could only tell me that the city leaders had booked the room for the Congressman.

Then they gave me the bright idea, which I should have thought of right from the start:

Call Henry Waxman's office.

He just set up shop in Manhattan Beach, although the office will not be open to the public until the end of the month, or very soon, at any rate. The staff were very polite, although the first person I spoke had no knowledge about the event.

She turned me over to another staffer, who answered my questions.

My first concern was if I had to pay to visit. I had wanted to go to the Santa Monica Democratic club in summer of last year, but they were charging people to come. I did not want to contribute any money to the Democratic Club.

Fortunately, there was no charge.

I then asked -- I could not help but wonder -- were men and women from other political parties welcome to attend? He gave me an enthusiastic "Yes!" He personally invited me to come to the Hermosa Beach Playhouse and see Congressman Waxman and mingle with Democratic Club leaders.

Still, I was hesitant. I spoke with a colleague of mine to bounce around some ideas. How to approach this new forum. I had already been "forced" to leave from the Jewish Community Center because I was  "hostile". Was I prepared for more rejection should it happen again.

The reporter I spoke to shared that  more often than not he covered more liberal venues. He had even worked in Maryland for a few months before relocating to the West Coast. He suggested that observing rather than participating might be the better approach.

I have since learned that I can make the decisions, for better or for worse from within, and everything else breaks forth without let up.

I decided to attend.

"No Budget, No Pay" Passes the House

The Republicans have been the reformers all along.

Bill Bloomfield must be dancing a merry jig.

The House of Representatives has agreed to raise the debt ceiling tentatively, for another three months, but an added provision may force the Senate to offer something more than continuing resolutions.

In the even that Congress does not pass a budget, a "No Budget, No Pay" provision will kick in, stripping every member of Congress of their pay until the Congress outlines a budget for the nation.

Some say that this move is grossly unfair to the minority party, since they often have no real say in the final budget, or whether a budget even passes.

Other people claim that this amendment would violate the Twenty-Seventh Amendment, which stipulates that a Congressman's pay must be paid out in a timely manner.

Either way, Bloomfield's "No Budget, No Pay" provisions are working their way into Congress, putting an end to the gridlock and forcing our legislators to get busy.

Henry Waxman -- do you expect to get paid? Then we expect you to get your work done!

Henry Waxman: Union Stooge?

June First, 2012: Congressman Henry Waxman was running for reelection in the new 33rd Congressional District, facing real competition for the first time in 38 years. CNN re-released a House Budget Committee hearing, with a tense exchange between Congressmen Henry Waxman and Mick Mulvaney of South Carolina. Congressman Henry Waxman made a fool of himself. Is Congressman Waxman a union supporter, a union stooge, or an opportunist who will take the side of whoever has the upper hand?

The exchange between them was both revealing and revolting (at least on Waxman's part):

Mulvaney: MR. WAXMAN, I'VE HEARD THE AUTO BAILOUTS MENTIONED SEVERAL TIMES. THEY WERE DESIGNED TO SOMEHOW STAVE AUTO INDUSTRY FROM BANKRUPTCY. OF COURSE YOU KNEW THAT CHRYSLER WENT BANKRUPT ANYWAY, RIGHT?

Waxman: I KNEW THAT --

Mulvaney: DID CHRYSLER GO BANKRUPT IN APRIL OF 2009?

Waxman: YES, THEY DID.

Mulvaney: DID GM GO BANKRUPT IN JUNE OF 2009?

Waxman: WELL, I DON'T KNOW. I'LL REFER THAT TO MR. RYAN.

"I don't know" -- one of Mr. Waxman's famous phrases.

Mulvaney: DID GM GO BANKRUPT AFTER THE AUTO BAILOUT?

Waxman: I DON'T KNOW.

Once again, Congressman Henry "I Don't Know -- I'm Sorry -- We're Not Broke" Waxman shows his true colors, an out-of-touch politician who supported massive subsidies to union-backed industries, yet does not acquaint himself with the basic facts of the bailouts.
 
Mulvaney: THEY DID. I CAN ASSURE YOU THEY DID. IT WAS THE SECOND LARGEST BANKRUPTCY IN THE HISTORY OF THE COUNTRY. I'M SURPRISED YOU DIDN'T HEAR ABOUT IT. ONLY ONE QUESTION.

Waxman attempts to defend himself, but the damage is done.

Mulvaney: I'LL ASK THE QUESTION, AND I APPRECIATE YOUR ANSWERS. WHEN -- WHEN CHRYSLER WENT BANKRUPT, IT DID SO IN AN EXTRAORDINARY
BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDING THAT DENIED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME, IF NOT EVER, SECURED BONDHOLDERS OF THE RIGHTS TO WHICH THEY WERE ENTITLED. ONE OF THOSE SECURED BONDHOLDERS WAS THE INDIANA STATE TEACHERS RETIREMENT FUND. ANOTHER WAS THE INDIANA STATE POLICE PENSION FUND. TOGETHER THOSE TWO PENSION FUNDS OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEES -- TEACHERS AND POLICEMEN -- LOST SEVERAL MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF THEIR RETIREMENT MONEY. AND MY QUESTION TO YOU, IN SUPPORT OF THE AUTO BAILOUT, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO TELL THEM?

Secured bondholders cannot lose their investment, no matter what happens to the market or the economy. A legal statute from the early annals of common law, secured bondholders are supposed to get their funds, no matter what. Or do they?

Waxman: WELL, I'M NOT AN EXPERT IN THIS AREA, BUT I KNOW WHEN THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY GOES INTO BANKRUPTCY THEY TELL THEIR WORKERS YOU CAN'T CONTINUE THE PAY THAT YOU'VE ALREADY NEGOTIATED FROM US. THIS IS A WAY TO BREAK THE UNIONS AND TO TAKE AWAY BENEFITS FROM THEM. PEOPLE GET HURT. AND WHEN BUSINESSES GO BANKRUPT, THE STOCKHOLDERS GET HURT, THE BONDHOLDERS GET HURT, BUT IN THIS COUNTRY, THE CEOs ALL COME OUT ON TOP.

Congressman Waxman plays the "99%" card to justify his decision, yet one segment of "The 99%", public sector union employees in Indiana, lost millions of dollars to protect autoworkers in Michigan, an interest which supported President Obama. One theme of union power is "An injury one is an injury to all". Except of Obama supporters are in danger.

Mulvaney: MR. WAXMAN, DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SECURED BONDHOLDER AND A STOCK HOLDER?

Waxman: I DO.

Mulvaney: SO WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO TELL THE SECURED BOND HOLDERS, WHO WERE ENTITLED TO CERTAIN PROTECTIONS UNDER ORDINARY BANKRUPTCY LAW, WHO DIDN'T GET THEM IN THIS PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCE, AND SPECIFICALLY I'M SPEAKING OF THE RETIRED TEACHERS AND RETIRED POLICEMEN IN THE STATE OF INDIANA.

Waxman: TELL ME WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO TELL THE UNEMPLOYED AUTOWORKERS AND THE OIL INDUSTRIES IN THE MIDWEST THAT ARE DEPENDENT ON THEM IF WE LET THE AUTO INDUSTRY GO DOWN THE TUBES?

All of a sudden, Waxman champions the Oil industries. Five months prior, he wanted to subpoena the Koch Brothers because of their suspected interest in the XL Keystone Pipeline. For a legislator who cares more about the enviroment than about drilling for oil, why did Waxman suddenly stick up for Big Oil?

Mulvaney: I WILL ASK YOU AGAIN, MR. WAXMAN, DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE LEGAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SECURED BONDHOLDER, AN EMPLOYEE, A SECURED BONDHOLDER AND A SUPPLIER, OR A SECURED BONDHOLDER AND AN ORDINARY STOCK HOLDER?

Waxman: I DON'T WANT ANYBODY TO GET HURT. BUT THE FACT IS THAT PEOPLE DO GET HURT WHEN WE HAVE A MISMANAGEMENT OF THE ECONOMY SO THAT WE HAVE BANKS TAKING HUGE RISKS WITH OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY ON SECURITIES THAT DON'T MAKE SENSE AND THEN SLICE THEM AND DICE THEM AND SELL THEM ABROAD. AND THE WHOLE BUBBLE FELL. AND GOVERNMENT SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE TO STOP THAT FROM HAPPENING, AND GOVERNMENT WASN'T THERE.

President Obama has continued these same ruinous policies as President Bush, even hiring the former CEO of General Electric, who demanded a life line from Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner.
 
Mulvaney: AND INSTEAD WHAT GOVERNMENT WAS THERE TO DO, MR. CHAIRMAN, WAS TO STEAL MONEY FROM RETIRED TEACHERS AND POLICEMEN IN ORDER TO GIVE IT TO UNIONS. WITH THAT, I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. THANK YOU.

Congressman Waxman opposed Prop 32 because he supports union interests, yet from his own testimony, clearly some unions are "more equal" than others.

Henry Waxman: Union support, Union stooge, or just a stooge for the Obama Administration, and the joke is on the rest of us?

Hahn at No Labels -- What About Congressman Waxman?

Congresswoman Janice Hahn has been elected to her first full term in Congress, and she was the only California delegate who appeaed at the New York "No Labels" forum.

Congressman Waxman joined "No Labels" too, did he not?

Where was he?

Has his pledge to bipartisanship fallen over the ledge along with the fiscal cliff and the rancor over getting anything done in Washington?

Letter to the Palos Verdes Peninsula News

33^rd Congressional District Representative Henry Waxman has opened an on Rosecrans Ave., between El Segundo and Manhattan Beach. Whose interests will he represent while in office?

Easy Reader News reported that Hermosa Beach veteran Larry Delassus died trying to save his home from foreclosure. Waxman must address the plight of all veterans, including the growing homeless population. He loves to write letters. He demanded information on the private leases at the Brentwood VA. Private interests should not be leasing property which belongs to our veterans, who should not be living on the street without proper in-patient care.

Congressman Waxman supports the ineffective assault weapons ban. Waxman still talks about Cap and Trade, which is raising electricity rates in California. Waxman investigated bribery among Wal-Mart executives instead of President Obama’s abuse of power. Waxman supported the last minute fiscal cliff deal in order to stop middle class tax hikes, yet Waxman has voted against ending the death tax and the marriage penalty. His signature legislation, Obamacare, levies taxes increases on South Bay businesses. He should repeal or delay that misguided legislation.

For almost forty years, Waxman never paid attention to voters or researched waste, fraud, or serious breaches of public trust. Following his first had-fought campaign, Waxman must now respect all voters, North and South of Dockweiler Beach.

Waxman’s Congressional record can be summed up in three sentences:

“I don’t know” – about baseball, bankruptcies, and his own Cap and Trade bill.

“I’m sorry” – He apologized for the massive waste of federal taxdollars to bankrupted green tech companies, then he voted against the “No More Solyndras” Act.

“We’re not broke!” which Waxman declared despite trillion dollar debts.

Peninsula residents, tell Congressman Waxman what he should know. He should have no reason to apologize, and he better not ignore our nation’s fiscal crises.

About Waxman's New Office

Congressman Henry Waxman is opening a South Bay office on Rosecrans Ave., between the cities of El Segundo and Manhattan Beach. Will he serve district constituents or himself?

Easy Reader News reported that Hermosa Beach veteran Larry Delassus died trying to save his home from foreclosure. Waxman failed to assist this man. He must address the plight of all veterans, including the large homeless population. He issued a flurry of letters to investigate the private leases of the Brentwood VA campus. Private interests should not be leasing the land at all. There is no excuse for veterans’ living on the street without proper in-patient care.

On gun control, Congressman Waxman supported Senator Dianne Feinstein's assault weapons ban, a sweeping reform which did not prevent gun violence. Waxman wanted to reintroduce Cap and Trade, which will put a cap on trade. He has investigated Wal-Mart and religious minorities instead of President Obama’s abuse of power. Supporting the fiscal cliff deal, he claimed to prevent middle class tax hikes. In the past, Waxman voted against middle class tax cuts. He drafted Obamacare, and tax increases have hit South Bay businesses starting this year. Will he support repeal or at least delay for that misguided legislation?

For nearly forty years, Waxman never had to pay attention to voters or research serious breaches of the public trust. It’s time to make Waxman pay attention to his constituents. South Bay voters should consider initiating "Occupy Henry Waxman's Office" and remind him who he works for.

Time for "Occupy Waxman's Office"

Congressman Waxman is setting up a South Bay office off of Rosecrans Ave. in Manhattan Beach. The real estate is an ideal location, right on the border between El Segundo and Manhattan Beach, near the aerospace industries as well as the Beach Cities.

Someone ought to set up shop outside of his office and demand that he address the following issues:
1. The plight of homeless veterans. The Santa Monica Daily Press reported that Waxman issued another flurry of letters to investigate the amount of money which private lenders are taking in on the Brentwood VA campus. The truth is that the land does not belong to those private interests in the first place, but to the armed forces who return stateside and need care. There is no excuse for veterans to be living on the street or burdened by excessive pharmaceuticals without proper in-patient oversight.
A corp of contactors will be fitting in seismic improvements to the Brentwood VA, in partial readiness for the veterans will be living there. While Waxman "laments" the amount of time that it took for the restructuring to take place, he should look no further than himself, since he was representing the Brentwood VA and the surrounding regions for nearly four decades. Now that Waxman has set up shop nearby, it's time that every veteran in the region give this Congressman more than a piece of their mind on his sluggish response to Veterans homelessness.

Easy Reader News also reported that a Hermosa Beach veteran, Larry Delassus, died in the Torrance Court House last year. He was engaged in fraught ligitation in trying to save his beach-side home from foreclosure. Wells Fargo Bank has assessed his properly incorrectly, relying on an incorrect parcel number. Delassus had paid his mortgage two months in advance. As far as mismanaged paperwork is concerned, the bank took responsiblity for the mistakes in paperwork, according to one source, yet the bank refused to relent on demanding a higher interest rate because the homeowner had missed a payment.

One has to wonder: where was Congressman Waxman when this man was struggling to hold onto his home? He has helped Russian immigrants process their paperwork. He has helped other constituents in their battles with big banks. Where was the Congress when Delassus was left to his own devices (plus the assitance of a strong advocate named Anthony Trujillo)?

2. Stop talking about Cap and Trade and global warming. Now that Congressmamn Waxman has an office in the South Bay, he cannot ignore the truth that the region endured an intense cold snap over the past week. On some nights, the temperature reached into near-freezing levels. So much for the notion that the sun is burning up the earth. The earth is getting warmer, perhaps, but that does not imply that the causes are manmade, or that man needs to do anything about them at this time.

3. Gun-control is all the rage now, and President Obama brought forth a wall of children at his latest press conference, in which he outlined the executive orders for tracking down the criminally insane, toughing sanctions for gun crimes. "Woe to the nation whose prince is a child" wrote King Solomon at the end of his days, when he rued the gross mistakes of his younger days marrying strange women instead of relying on his child-like "hearing heart". For the President to enact sweeping domestic policy following the emotional plea of a small gathering of school-aged children nearly amounts to the same. Like the children at the President's press conference, Congressman Waxman is leading with his emotions and not his reason, and certainly he is avoiding the heart of the matter.

Santa Monica has even discussed banning toy guns from the city. As if children playing cops and robbers is a threat to public safety, Santa Monica City leaders want to disarm the kids. They can take away the guns from "the good guys", but it does not mean that the "bad guys" won't still get the guns and engage in all sorts of crimes. Congressman Waxman has been a vocal supported of resurrected US Senator Dianne Feinstein's assault weapons ban, a sweeping reform which did not prevent gun violence, like Columbine or Oklahoma City.

Of course, there are the three major deadlines pressing on the United States Federal government, from the sequester to the debt ceiling and finally funding the government. Congressman Waxman voted for the fiscal cliff, and he continues droning about protecting the middle class from tax hikes, even though he has a distinct record of voting against middle class tax cuts, and he supported a massive number of tax increases, Obama-WaxmanCare, which haev descended on us starting this year.

Perhaps "Occupy Manhattan Beach" or "Occupy Henry Waxman's Office" would be in order at this time. It would likely be a shock to his system, since for nearly forty years he never had to pay attention to constituents or research series breaches of the public trust, like the ill-treatment of LA area veterans.

Henry Waxman: The Democrats' "Best Friend"

Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., famously said it would be worth losing a few members of Congress to get Obamacare passed.  (NewsMax)

No wonder a number of Democrats were unwilling to endorse this man's reelection in 2012.

One Democrat in Virginia called Congressman a disgrace, as well.

Another Democrat worked on the "Bloomfield for Congress" campaign.

I called many voters throughout the 33rd Congressional District, many of which were more than happy to get rid of the guy. The number one complaint against the man:

He has been in office too long.

Democrats had a viable option in Bloomfield. If only he had believed in himself a little more. If only the Independent from Manhattan Beach had knocked on some doors in the Pacific Palisades and Santa Monica areas.

Perhaps a mailer or two detailing how Congressman Waxman would throw fellow Democrats out of office for his "signature" piece of legislation would have made enough traditional Democrats mad enough to throw the guy out of office.

One can only hope that the next election, a Republican with libertarian leanings, more consistent than the Republican Party elites, will push for all voters. Democrats in some respects are more conservative than party leaders give them credit. Another  Independent could topple Waxman the Taxman. Another Democrat could take down Waxman the same way that Eric Swalwell pushed out Peter Stark once and for all.

One things' for sure: Waxman does not seem to be the Democratic Party's best friend.

Heather Peters: Sue Congressman Waxman

Heather Peters took Honda to small claims court, since that way the car company could not run and hide behind a team of corporate lawyers. Her story was featured front-page in the Daily Breeze

The legal prowess of auto manufacturers all but guarantees that they can get away with selling shoddy cars or offering empty promises.

Peters took them to court, to small claims court, and the company had no choice but to fork over the maximum amount. Honda sold hybrid cars which were not as fuel efficient as they had claimed. If Peters had filed a complex civil suit, Honda could have dragged out litigation for years.
Heather Peters should file a small claims suit against Congressman Henry Waxman.

She was the political director for the Bloomfield for Congress campaign. She has worked in the Santa Monica area before. She knows plenty about the ins and outs of the Santa Monica Bay region.

She knows what Congressman Waxman is capable of. She told voters and party leaders throughout the region about the man. She knows the law, she knows what it takes to challenge a large corporation.

Heather Peters, sue Congressman Waxman. Take him to small claims court for the insidious taxes which are beating down voters and hospital, doctors and businesses. Take Waxman to court because he threatened corporate interests with his Energy Chairmanship because they threatened huge writedowns because of the excessive costs of Obama-WaxmanCare.

Take Congressman Waxman to court for failing to amend the Clean Water Act. The number of property owners who cannot build anything on their land because of a loose or running rivulet of water should not dam up our courts.

Take Waxman to court for harassing Oversight Committee Chairman Darrell Issa, who demanded that the Congressman pursue regular order while the former Oversight Chairman

If you can take him to court and win, imagine how many doctors, lawyers, and professionals overwhelmed and tied down by Obama-WaxmanCare would take him to court. Even Big Pharma would be incapable of paying out all the settlements.

An Office in Manhattan Beach

For the past two months, I was calling Congressman Waxman's office in the West LA/ Beverly Hills region.

The Congressman has an entirely new contituency awaiting him south of Dockweiler Beach.

He just set up office in a studio loft near Trader Joes in Manhattan Beach, near the Marriott Hotel, where Bloomfield eventually conceded the election to the LA Congress, the closest election win for Waxman in his entire career.

I stilll can't quite wrap my head around it: Congressman Henry Waxman in the South Bay.

Don't blame me. I voted for Bloomfield.

Waxman Whacking at Wal-Mart

Congressman Henry Waxman is whacking at Wal-Mart, but not because of an essential hatred of capitalism, but because of claims that Wal-Mart executives were aware of bribery with Mexican officials.

Mexico is on the roads to becoming a failed state, much like the Central African "democracies" which have votes every three or four years, followed by disputes and gun shots among rebel leaders.

If Congressman Waxman was so upset about bribery, then how come President Obama loaded Obama-WaxmanCare with lots of benefits and giveaways to diverse US Senators just to get the bill past? Has anyone forgotten the Cornhusker Kickback which would exempt Nebraska from Medicare cuts? How about the Louisiana Purchase, in which federal earmarks would sweeten the deal for Mary Landrieu approval the deal? The unions were guaranteed their Cadillac health care plans, as well. And one bank in South Dakota would receive sole proprietary rights to distributed student loans.

Congressman Waxman should not be investigating private companies which years ago were investigated for malfeasance among subsidiary offices. Perhaps Waxman would like to answer some penetrating questions before the House Oversight Committee about the hidden costs of Obama-WaxmanCare, including the hidden taxes which are just now exploding onto homeowners and medical device manufacturers and small business owners?

Waxman, Brentwood VA, Delassus, and ACLU Lawsuits

Congressman Henry Waxman finally wrote some letters for information about the private lend-lease agreements taking place at the Brentwood VA.



Too bad he did nothing for the Hermosa Beach resident Larry Delassus, who died in court last year. Reported by Easy Reader News, the disabled veteran was trying to keep his home from Wells Fargo Bank, which was pursuing an unfeeling and unaccountable foreclosure because of filing errors which had nothing to do with Delassus. He would have ended up another homeless veteran.



Then again Waxman’s efforts on behalf of homeless and disenfranchised veterans are hardly a refreshing course change, since the long-standing and self-serving Congressman has represented the Westside, including the Brentwood VA, for nearly four decades.



How many of our area veterans have suffered from poor treatment and inadequate health care and housing in that period of time, when they should have received top care from the top Veterans Hospital in the West LA are? While the war dead from Vietnam, the Iraqi wars under Bush I and Bush II, and the fated to fail conflict in Afghanistan can find a perfect final resting place in the Los Angeles National Cemetery, the war-wounded  who survive still have to sleep on the street. Laundromats, merry-go-rounds, and domestic animals get to set up, play around, and roam free on land which was meant for our returning armed forces.



The ACLU already filed a lawsuit against the Brentwood VA. Perhaps they should sue Congressman Waxman for his negligent lack of oversight.

Congressman Darrell Issa: Subpeona Congressman Henry Waxman

"Ask me Anything. . ."

Congressman Darrel Issa (R-Del Mar) became the Chairman of the House Oversight Committee in 2010, following the massive rebuke to Democratic overreach and encroachment into the sovereignty of the states and the integrity of the American people.

During his tenure, Congressman Issa has investigated the following issues:

1. The breakdown in security at the American consulate in Benghazi, Libya . On September 11, 2012, terrorists attacked an understaffed and under-protected consulate. Their frequent requests for more staffing were ignored. Four state department officials died during those unprecedented attacks. President Obama faced a firestorm of allegations. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton will testify before the Senate about her knowledge and responsibilities relating to this attack.

2. The reckless program entitled "Operation Fast and Furious ". President Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder engaged in a gun-walking policy with drug dealers in order to lead United States Justice Department Officials to major drug cartels. This unthinking program contributed to the deaths of American Department of Justice personnel, along with American and Mexican civilians. Attorney General Holder was later cited by the House for contempt because he refused to testify on this abortive program.

3. Congressman Issa has proposed comprehensive reforms to salvage the United
States Postal Department. In the last six years, the mail volume of the USPS has declined by 46 billion parcels, yet the outstanding financial obligations remain, and since federal workers must receive their pensions, someone has to pay. Currently, the taxpayers are getting "stamped" for bailing out the USPS.The Issa-Ross Postal Reform Act, will prevent taxpayers from picking up the tab on postal workers' pensions and benefits and ensure that the programs remain solvent without shutting down the US Postal Service.

4.Congressman Issa is leading on Intelligence Technology reforms of federal government information. The current structure and retrieval of government data remains cumbersome, outdated, and extravagantly wasteful. The taxpayers deserve their money's worth in Washington, and Congressman Issa is taking steps to streamline and implement innovations and greater efficiency where possible (which is pretty much everywhere in the federal government).

5. In line (or perhaps in response to) labor reforms in Wisconsin and Michigan,
the House Oversight Committee is investing and encouraging workplace fairness and equity in labor unions. Workers have a right to choose whether they pay dues or join a union. Union power had its place years ago , but now the statist status quo of collective bargaining rights has crippled cities and state capitals across the country. Even private corporations like Hostess foods have declared bankruptcy and closed their doors because they could not compete nor negotiate with collective bargaining units which would not yield on pensions and benefits.

In October last year, Issa issued a subpoena for information relating to cuts in Medicare Advantage. The Oversight Chairman suggested that the Obama Administration instituted perks and kick-backs in ObamaCare in order to buy senior votes before the November 6th election. Just after the fiscal cliff deal passed at the last minute, Issa resisted the Hurricane Sandy stimulus bill, which was laden with pork barrel spending, nothing but wasteful earmarks and handouts to constituencies as unrelated as Michigan and Alaska, neither of which were devastated by Superstorm Sandy the previous winter.

Congressman Issa and his Committee should spare neither time nor energy from the penetrating glare and stare from his chairmanship.

In addition to investigating payouts in the midst of massive Medicare cuts, Congressman Issa must drag the Obama Administration over the carpet over ObamaCare, which is already taxing the middle class and the medical facilities in this country. Issa must dredge through every penny of waste and fraud and frivolous spending which pours out of Washington.

Issa must subpoena Congressman Henry Waxman, the former "Eliot Ness" of the House Oversight Committee from 2007-2009. The same Congressman who attempted to harass corporations who could not afford ObamaCare mandates, the same Congressman who threatened to remove Congressman Issa from the committee if he refused to stop demanding for regular order during a 2007 hearing. One report suggests that Congressman Waxman hid the underlying and punishing costs of the new entitlement. ObamaCare, or rather Obama-WaxmanCare, is already threatening hospitals and diminishing access while increasing health care costs.

A number of governors are refusing to establish Medicare exchanges. The taxes that were hidden in the bill, which would were supposed to learn about when the Democratic majorities passed the bill, are arlready creeping up on the American people and crippling small businesses. Congressman Waxman claims to care about the middle class taxpayer. Congressman Issa should hold Waxman in contempt for not telling the truth, since he has voted against tax cuts for working and middle income Americans.

. . . Except the Taxes, Regulations, Hidden Costs.
Regulatory Burdens, Declining Access. . .

Congressman Issa, do not let the chief architects of Obama-WaxmanCare -- President Barack Obama and Congressman Henry Waxman -- get away with foisting on this country another trillion-dollar entitlement which no one person, business, or state can afford. Show them that everyone in the federal government, including long-standing, self-serving progressives, must be held to answer for their reckless legislation which is wrecking the economy and the healthcare industry.

Reflection on WSJ's "Boehner's Second Chance"

The Bigger they Are. . .

The Wall Street Journal claims that re-elected House Speaker John Boehner cannot be “ the main party spokesman.” He has hardly been a spokesman at all, even to his own party. He said nothing to influence the Presidential election. Boehner bombed his first chance with the fiscal cliff. He played the cards dealt to him, but poorly. He has caved on revenue increases. He did not even bother to run Plan B by his conference before pushing it on them.

More Congressmen should fill the role of PR for the GOP. Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield, CA) has already produced commercials to inform voters about the deleterious consequences of raising taxes on small business owners. Mick Mulvaney (R-South Carolina) has distinguished “good compromise” with spending cuts vs. bad compromise with spending increases.

Republicans definitely should reprise and revise the tactics of Democrats John Dingell and Henry Waxman, my current Congressman, who for the first time in his career barely won reelection in 2012 in a newly-drawn district.

Oversight Chairman Darrell Issa (R-San Diego, CA) could be the PR for the GOP and grandstand against Waxman, Obama, and their joint signature legislation, which I jokingly refer to as “Obama-WaxmanCare.” Give the liberal-progressives a taste of their own regulatory medicine. Perhaps the media frenzy would invalidate the new and unfunded entitlement so savagely that Congress will postpone enactment. What delicious irony if Issa used his subpoena power to vitiate Obamacare, the same legislation “proudly” drafted by the previous Democratic Oversight Committee Chairman: Congressman Henry Waxman!

"Now I am Very Much in Charge"

Bandwidth Auctions Better than Cap and Trade

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_22180261/u-s-lawmakers-say-auction-spectrum-will-leave

Waxman is going after the Internet bandwidths. The auction of space and broadcasting online is a better source of state revenue than Cap and Trade, which will place a Cap on Trade and drive businesses out of this country.

Just look at California.

Now, instead of focusing on  more revenue, when will Waxman go after the spending? The spending remains the problem, no matter what is going on.

When will he leave businesses along and free up the Internet bandwidth market?

Is there nothing that this man will not tax and regulate?

Is there no issue of greater importance than balancing budgets and ensuring that there is a fiscal budget in place for the future generations of this country?

Congressman Waxman's priorities from the beginning have been all about Big Government, Big Spending, and Big Everything else.

This country is founded on limited government, and Big Citizens.

Tell that to your bandwidth!

Obama-WaxmanCare and King Henry Waxman the Taxman

"All those taxes? Well we had to pass
the bill so that you could see what
was in the bill"

You need to know that your arguments fall on deaf ears in Santa Monica. This City has a large majority of registered democrats and we LOVE Henry Waxman. I can't imagine anyone better suited to represent me in congress than Henry Waxman. I actually feel blessed to have him as my representative! His "reign" has been underpinned by a large majority of very satisfied voters. He represents our views, he's effective and responsive. Since you brought up the imperial term "reign", I'll respond with an imperial slogan - "LONG LIVE HENRY WAXMAN!". Ellen Brennan Santa Monica

So, King Waxman the Taxman is showing his true colors for the first time. Over the past few days, the first few of many Obama-WaxmanCare taxes have come into effect.

The medical device surtax of 2.9% has become law, a charge which liberal Senator-elect Elizabeth Warren from liberal Massachusetts opposed. Now, every time a hospital wants to refurbish or replace medical devices, think stints, catheters, and the rest -- the hospital will have to pay more, and so will the patient. In Michigan, a purple state which is tilting slightly to the right, a number of medical device firms will either lay off workers or close down entirely.

A new 3.8% surtax on all capital gains and dividends, including homeowners, will now be levied. Want to invest in anything, you will pay a tax on it. Want to buy or sell any property, you will also pay a tax on it.

The bigger tax does not hit until January 2014, when businesses will either have to provide health insurance, or they will pay a hefty fine. Small businesses are giving up their healthcare plans altogether

Obamacare does not care for the young and still healthy in California, either:

1. Young health insurance recipients will pay higher premiums, even though the older demographics will use uo five times as much health care. Younger drivers pay more for the car insurance, but not because older people get into more accidents or take up more space on the road.

2. Because Obsama-WaxmanCare prohibits insurance companies from establishing annual limits, most universities will no longer offer low-cost health coverage for students since they cannot bear the cost of unending health care.

3. One unnoticed provision in the bill has nationalized the disbursement of student loan dollars. The federal government will print as much as it chooses to, followed by increase college costs, and more borrowing, which will only make a college education all the more unaffordable and unattainable.

4. The Medicaid expansion will crush already overburdened state budgets, which have no money left for education.

5. Young voters will be the diminished workforce of torrow, and they are going to be saddled with today's debt.

Speaking of national debt, Congress just passed a "Satan sandwich" fiscal cliff deal with will raise taxes on all who make more than $400k a year, followed by an extension of unemployment, a deferral of the sequester, and no spending cuts. The deal, hatched and patched in the midnight hour, will add four trillion dollars to the national debt, and the next generation will be paying for it.

When I contacted Congressman Waxman's office (January 3, 2013), the staffer acknowledged that Waxman voted for the fiscal cliff deal. According to the same staffer, Waxman did not approve the deal. He wanted the fiscal matters to be resolved, but he does not want the burden to fall on the middle class.

This noble talk flies in the face of reality, or assumes that his constituents have no knowledge, wisdom, or intelligence. During the previous decade, Congressman Waxman voted against every middle class and working class tax cut. He opposed tax credits for health savings accounts, and he voted against ending the marriage penalty and the death tax.

His signature law, Obama-WaxmanCare, is driving hospitals into bankruptcy while raising premiums and diminishing access. While one glowing website claims that more Americans have "access" to health coverage, the reality is far different. Just because there is more "access" does not mean anyone will get any more coverage. In fact, states must expand their Medicaid rolls, which will force current recipients to fight against the millions of newcomers for care from a wasteful and overburdened program. USNews and World Reports outlined how Obamacare kills job growth. A growing number if businesses are placing workers on part-time status to avoid the excessive healthcare costs associated with Obama-WaxmanCare.

While voters in 2012 may have chimed "Long Live Henry Waxman!", the fate of our health care and our state may not live as long as long as King Henry Waxman the Taxman remains in power. Then next time someone looks for a job, or uses their "access to health insurance" to get health care, they can thank Congressman Waxman for drafting a 2,400 page law which even he could not explain, which had to be passed so we could find all of these taxes in it, which is costing this country and its citizens dearly, and the worst is yet to come.

From YouTube -- Waxman the Progressive

@soapboxlady: California is a case study in what happens when progressives have control over state government. Going from one of the most efficient, educated populations, and well run states into a basket-case in 25 years. A place where everyone believes they are entitled to the fruits of someone else's labor. Well, when everyone wants "someone else" to pay and no one is left to earn the money, you are in serious trouble.

Exactly:

Socialism fails because eventually the government runs out of other people's money to spend.

Congressman Waxman and his President Barack Obama want to expand the power of the state.

The more laws the better, in their opinion. American citizens need as much help as they can get from the government, since individual liberty, responsibility, and  private enterprise are just too much for the average citizen.

Congressman Waxman is pushing the American nation closer down the road to serfdom. When will Democrats wake up and realize that equality is an elusive concept at best, that state force takes away power and liberty for anyone to do anything good for anyone, that the best intentions of the best men can produce the worst outcomes, for no one can overcome human nature by human force or will.

Congressman Waxman is still pushing the same offensive, pervasive nonsense that human beings are basically good, but if they just got a little bit of help, then a little bit more, then a little bit more, that mankind would be better off.

The notion is worse than a "Satan Sandwich", but a "Satan Banquet" which got Lucifer kicked out of heaven to fall into this fallen earth.

Not more government, but less government is what we need, but Congressman Waxman is not having any of it.