Mailbag: Californians should return to the Republican Party

In his final remarks at the White House in 1974, President Nixon said, “Only if you have been in the deepest valley, can you ever know how magnificent it is to be on the highest mountain.”

With this past election, California bucked the national trend and became bluer, allowing Democrats to gain seats in the state Legislature and deepening the valley in which the California Republican Party resides.

However, it is in this hour that the opportunity for California Republicans is the greatest. This is the time for expansion, not retreat. This is the time for optimism, not remorse. This is the time for action, not promises. This is the time to start climbing the mountain.

Our fellow citizens that self-identify as “Democrat” or “Decline to State” have never been more concerned about the overreach of the federal government, nor have they been bigger supporters of states’ rights contained in the10th Amendment. The Republican Party’s message of small government, personal freedom, accountability and financial restraint has never been more timely or needed. The time of Ronald Reagan’s “big tent” party has arrived, again. This is the time we invite our fellow Californians to join or rejoin our party.

We invite membership with sincerity and respect, we invite without a litmus test, because our beliefs are strong enough to withstand questioning. We shed our exclusivity for inclusiveness. We celebrate diversity of thought, knowing that we do not have a monopoly on good ideas. We admit our faults, where they exist. We champion our kindness and compassion, because we are a party made up of good, caring people.

We celebrate and love our country, and we help others to see a strong America not as a source of guilt, but as a source of pride. We reject the divisions created by the left to keep communities fractured, we promote assimilation. We welcome people from diverse backgrounds, recognizing the strength of our culture is based upon the contributions of many.

We engage in sincere and open conversation with people who do not look like us, or live in our neighborhoods, but who are part of our American community. We do not pander to people, instead, we speak intelligently and respectfully to them. We do not change our message for political expediency or for the sake of populism, but we also do not entrench our thoughts to the point of being unmovable. We evolve. We grow.

Now is the time to get out of our comfort zones, to meet new people, reconnect with old friends, spread our message, and grow our party. We are the party of tomorrow, we are the Party of economic prosperity, we are the party of freedom. Our time on the mountain top is approaching, we just need to seize the opportunity and get to work.

Michael Torres

Corona de Mar

Give your teacher a Valentine

As Valentine’s Day approaches, I am reminded of the ways I celebrated this holiday with my elementary school students. At that time, it was fairly customary for kids to exchange Valentine cards with their classmates, followed by a party of candy, music and games. For many students, it was also a time to find the perfect card for their teachers. It had to say enough nice things, without being mushy. So, for those of you who are currently on the hunt for such a card, let me give you a few thoughts to consider.

Enough has been written about the virtues of teachers and their strengths. But let me tell you about what a teacher is not.

A teacher is not in this profession to become wealthy. Most teachers are grossly underpaid for the enormity of their job — to educate future generations and prepare the leaders of tomorrow. More than likely, the majority will use their own money to supplement class supplies.

A teacher is not in this profession for the short school day hours. This is an illusion, as their day extends well beyond the final bell. There are lessons to compose, papers to correct, grades to post, and students with whom they confer. Their responsibilities go well into the evenings and weekends.

A teacher is not in this profession for a stress-free job. It is impossible to understand the demands put upon a teacher unless you walk in his or her shoes. I often thought how helpful it would be for every parent to assist or observe in a classroom for just one day. It would be eye-opening, to say the least. Often, your child spends more time with the teacher than with you. She knows about your family, the struggles, and the challenges. Your child’s stress becomes the teacher’s stress. She leaves a piece of her soul with each student.

So, when you are looking for that special Valentine’s Day card, you won’t find it in a store. Write a note from the heart. These are the ones the teacher keeps, and rereads during the really hard days.

These are the ones she cherishes!

Terri Goldstein

Newport Coast

Porta-potty in H.B. needs to go

For three weeks now, we’ve had the pleasure of having an outdoor toilet in front of our homes in “beautiful Huntington Harbour.” If this is to be a permanent structure, please, at least, paint it pink.

Pat Hickey

Huntington Harbour