MY TURN: The Loud Minority
Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 9:21AM By Jack Wu
Out of the 62,471 voters in Newport Beach, 56% are registered Republicans, while 22% are registered Democrats.
In Anaheim, out of 145,188 voters, 39% are Republican, 38% Democrat.
Our City Council is 85% Republican and Anaheim’s is 80% Republican.
Why am I comparing Newport Beach to Anaheim?
Because on Feb. 8, the Anaheim City Council voted UNANIMOUSLY to rename Toyon Park in Anaheim Hills to Ronald Reagan Park.
And not one Anaheim resident stood up to speak against it. No one asked for committee discussion, no one asked for private donations.
Not only did not one Anaheim resident speak up against it, but the Anaheim City Council actually nixed the original park to be renamed in favor of a LARGER park.
In speaking with Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait about it, he was actually surprised at how easily it went through.
And in a City where there is a 1% spread between Republicans and Democrats, a “Divisive and Extremely Partisan” former President was given the fitting tribute that he deserves.
But here in Newport Beach, where the Republicans overwhelmingly outnumber the Democrats, where we have a newly elected Councilman Rush Hill touted his personal friendship with President Reagan, we get Councilman Keith Curry booed and shouted down for having the audacity to have Reagan honored with a privately funded statue.
Shame on you who did that.
But before I further incense you, let me ask you something.
Why are you Republican? Why does Newport Beach have 34% more, 21498 more Republicans than Democrats here in this City?
Are you all, like our former Governor Arnold, Nixon Republicans?
No, most, if not all, are Republicans BECAUSE of Ronald Reagan.
I am a Republican because of Ronald Reagan.
Now, in doing my research for this little column, I found the comments to be the most interesting.
Revisionist, destructive, lacking of morals, embarrassing are some of the responses to honoring President Reagan.
And I’m sure that I’ll get my share of angry responses.
But I don’t care.
I know Ronald Reagan was a Democrat until his mid-50s.
I know Ronald Reagan raised taxes in his first term of Governor.
I know Ronald Reagan was the head of a major Labor Union.
These “offenses” would have ironically precluded him from receiving the Republican Party of Orange County endorsement in any election.
However, as President, Reagan faced up against Unions and squashed them.
Reagan faced up against terrorists and squashed them.
But most importantly, Reagan faced up against the Communist Soviet Union and squashed them, and made them tear down a wall.
Heck, they even made a “Star Trek” movie using that Cold War victory as a theme.
And according to Gallup, President Reagan left office with a 63% approval rating, with only Clinton and his 66% approval rating being higher in the 20th century.
President Obama’s approval ratings during this past midterm election? 44%
So what is wrong with having a Park named after President Reagan? I’m sure there are plenty of parks in Newport Beach, which could have used that honor, with the “Weed Park” being the first one that comes to mind.
But our republicans (note the small “r”) were too … um … apprehensive (read: SCARED) to do that.
So a privately funded statue was suggested, and that has received tons of heat. Why?
Because Reagan was, as one anonymous commenter wrote, “Divisive and Extremely Partisan.”
But Councilman Curry said, “Reagan is a historical figure; he is no longer a political figure.”
And he is absolutely right.
California, with its overwhelming Democrat majority, recognized February 6 as Ronald Reagan Day. An airport in Washington D.C. is now named after him; hospitals, tollways, stamps, an Aircraft Carrier and generations of children are now being named Reagan.
All these people honored Ronald Reagan, not because of his politics, but because he made history.
Perhaps the loud minority in Newport Beach should get off their political high horses and honor President Ronald Reagan as the historical figure that he was.
And our Republican City Council need to quit being such populists and support Councilman Curry in honoring the man who made us all proud to be Republicans.
Made us all proud to be Americans.
Reader Comments (1)
Nice piece Jack. Well put. But you were way too nice about it :)