|
Biography
My father only came close to throwing me out of the house
twice… a lifelong Democrat and teamster, he was horrified to learn in
the summer of 1976 his first born and only son had changed party affiliation
to Republican…
The other time was when we got into a… disagreement… over whether Jimmy
Hoffa deserved to go to jail or not.
I have been given some unique perspectives by my life, being a single
father of two children. Not only do I understand the challenges faced
by single parents, but with both children being mentally challenged, I
completely understand and have experienced the challenges this alone can
pose to a loving parent. This - and my concerns for my three grandchildren
- has helped to strengthen my passion for education, along with a deep
desire to truly protect and encourage the education of our children. I
have experienced first hand through my son and daughter the terrible effects
of well meaning but too often ineffective or actually destructive regulations
and bureaucracy which ultimately only serve to hamper our teachers and
schools, instead of providing them with the tools they desperately need
to prepare the next generation of leaders for our future.
As for me, I’m a product of the California Public School System… So I
remember when our public school system was once nationally respected,
shaping some of the brightest minds of our country… and I know, with your
help, we can have that public school system again.
I have just celebrated the 15th anniversary of my 39th birthday (yes,
that makes me 54). Other than a few years when I was assigned to East
Texas, I have lived in Southern California my entire life. I was born
in Los Angeles, the product of a truck driver father (you didn’t dare
call him a ‘trucker’, he considered that akin to being called a ‘drug
store cowboy’ - he was a professional truck driver!), and my mother was
a waitress who became an assistant cafeteria manager for the college I
attended. My father was forced to drop out of school after the 8th grade,
yet he raised his family to a comfortable upper middle class living standard
by hard work and determination. He instilled both values in me. From my
mother I learned the importance of love, family, compassion, and education,
in that order. From both I learned loyalty and pride of country and community.
Neither of my parents was ever able to figure out how I became so politically
involved.
I have a business degree and am an Enrolled Agent (tax accountant). I
paid my way through college by working as a commercial tire man in Brawley,
changing tractor and combine tires in the middle of summer in the Imperial
Valley. I now have a tax practice I practice out of my home in North Park/Hillcrest,
as well as being the CFO/Business Manager for a moderately sized company
in Encinitas. In my spare time, I volunteer for the Hillcrest Youth Center.
While some have tried to make an issue of my sexuality, and others have
even criticized me for not declaring it as a badge of honor, the simple
truth is I do not want anyone to vote for me as the ‘gay’ candidate, nor
vote against me because of it. I stand as proof that a gay man can hold
faith to Christian values and beliefs, to be true to himself, and also
be a true Republican and fiscal conservative. The issues I stand for,
and my moral integrity, are the prime measure by which I am to be judged,
as your candidate and, God willing, your assembly member.
My primary political belief is that we as a state and nation can only
accomplish great things through education. We can solve society’s problems
by first addressing educational needs of our children, to challenge them
with ideas, and help inspire their patriotism. We can only solve our budget
crisis by spending wisely and conservatively, by bringing back businesses
that employ our people, and to facilitate the entrepreneur spirit that
facilitates the creation of new businesses and opportunities. We can solve
the problems that now face us by reducing the bureaucracy and freeing
ourselves of the convoluted regulations that strangle our economy.
The bottom line is, we must bring back common sense to Sacramento and
to government…
And with your help and support… together we can do exactly that…
|
|
District Map
Register to Vote
Contribute
VoteRalph2008 Committee
ID # 1282013
3790 Florida Street, #AG06
San Diego, CA 92104
619.865.4755 |
