While relatively new to Chico politics, Chico City Council candidate Cynthia Van Auken is no stranger to politics in general.
Van Auken formerly ran for Congress in Georgia’s 4th Congressional district and lost in the general election to Democrat Denise Majette by a 77% to 23% margin.
Keep in mind that running as a Republican in Georgia’s CD4 is almost akin to running as a Democrat in California’s CD2 where Congressman Wally Herger has enjoyed a wide voter registration advantage for decades.
My suspicion is that Van Auken is even more conservative than incumbent Larry Wahl, who I would describe politically as to the right of mainstream Republicans I know.
Why do I think Van Auken might be even too conservative for Chico and Butte County?
First, Van Auken is part of Libertarian candidate Bob Barr’s Liberty List on June 14, 2008.
Second, Van Auken seems to have a disregard for public schools as a place with too much “social engineering.”
According to this report, “Cynthia Van Auken said her disgust with the public school system prompted her run for the House. ‘There were a lot of things that were going on in the classroom that shouldn't be happening,’ she said. ‘All the teachers knew it but they said, 'There's nothing you can do about it,' and I said, 'Oh, yes there is.' We need to get back to educating our students, as opposed to social engineering.’
Third, Van Auken’s very anti-gay comments appear to be some of the reasons why she was passed up to fill a vacant Georgia State Board of Education seat in 2003.
According to this report, “Van Auken opposed gay civil rights legislation and said gay activists should spend their time asking doctors "what was wrong with them."
I’d like to see Van Auken ask City Councilor Scott Gruendl, who is openly gay, when the last time he went to the doctor to find out what was wrong with him.
Locally, Van Auken spoke out very strongly in favor of developing part of Bidwell Ranch near Upper Bidwell Park. And apparently, she has good downtown parking karma but hates to pay for parking.
But then again, as someone with Libertarian tendencies, she’d probably rather let the “free market” take care of downtown parking by letting everyone fend for themselves without any government assistance like spending taxpayer money on parking structures and regulating parking with annoying meters.
Today's Scrabble word is vis, force or power.
It is too bad people who post opinions do not take the time to research the truth they seem to know so much about.
Yes, I did make a donation to Bob Barr. I moved to Chico from Atlanta. I know both Bob and his wife Gerri. They are both very fine people. I have on more than one occassion sat in Bob's office discussing issues.
Yes, I do think education should be about education and not social engineering. I taught in a Title I school. I feel strongly that all students should be given challenged to do their best. When teachers say, "why should I bother to teach these kids when their parents won't even take time to feed them breakfast," that pretty much riles me. It is not the childs fault parents make poor decisisions. This is just one example why there is even a lame excuse for a Title I school.
The report about gays and lesbians was so out of context that it does not even qualify as reporting. Because of that story, the President of the Log Cabin Republicans called me and we talked for over an hour. When he heard what I had said and why I said it his response was, "If I could vote for you I certainly would."
The parking comment was taken the wrong way too. I don't mind paying the parking, it is just a pain to have to worry about going back to feeding the meter when you are shopping, lunching, or even doing business. Haven't you ever experienced that?
I am not a mean spirited person. I do hold firmly to traditional values which I feel are the foundation of this country and why this country is the best place to live. I also understand that change takes place, some good, some not so good.
I did not vote for Obama for president but I wish him well. He will be my president too. Just like my views on education, when one neighborhood rises we should all applaud because we all rise in the end. I will be a gracious loser but will continue to work toward the betterment of all people, not just some of the people. That is not social engineering. That is working toward challenging all of us to be the best we can be. And yes, I do believe in free markets and also free speech. You can still write "uneducated" opinions about me and I won't work to stop you. I do think you should know more about me before editorializing again.