MIKE GIORGINO'S ADDRESS TO THE IMPERIAL COUNTY FARM BUREAU, 1/12/04

By Michael Giorgino

There could not be two candidates more opposite than Bob Filner and Mike Giorgino.

Its an honor for me to be here today for two reasons.

First, its an honor to speak to the leaders of a group representing the farmers of Imperial Valley, which for over 100 years has been one of the most productive agricultural producers in the world.

Its also great to see old familiar faces and meet new ones.

I love coming to this Valley.

During a political campaign people say good things about you and not so good things about you. When I ran for State Senate last year, the one thing that meant the most to me and I think was my highest complement was the endorsement of the Imperial Valley Press.

Because in that editorial, they said the smart thing to do would have been to endorse my opponent.

"We wish we could endorse [Denise] Ducheny, but at this point we prefer her Republican opponent, Michael Giorgino. Yes, Giorgino, a retired Navy officer and law school graduate, is a newcomer to politics, but he has boundless energy and an engaging personality. And while it likely will be a Democrat-controlled Legislature when he arrives, Giorgino is far from an ideologue and already shows a willingness to break from the party on issues."

"More than anything what we like about Giorgino is his affinity for the people of the Imperial Valley."

And you know what? The paper was right. I care about the issues and the people of this Valley. And I developed relationships that didn't end when the campaign did.

I have stayed in touch with this community by weighing in on many issues in the Imperial Valley Press. I was out here during the Recall campaign, putting up signs and walking precincts. And you know what--it worked! Imperial County voted to Recall Gray Davis and is still the bellwether county in California--voting to elect Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger!

I was proud to see Arnold keep his promises: rescinding the tripling of our car fees, repealing drivers licenses for illegal aliens, and proposing a budget solution that combines a cap on future spending with cuts and borrowing that, while painful, will keep California from going bankrupt. And he kept his promise not to kill our fragile recovery with new taxes.

The governor has also proposed sweeping changes to workers' compensation. "Our workers' comp costs are the highest in the nation + nearly twice the national average," Schwarzenegger said. "Our high costs are driving away jobs and businesses." I know how your workers comp costs have tripled in the past 10 years. Arnold has given the Democrat-controlled legislature until March 1 to act and then he will go directly over their heads to the people. And I'll circulate those petitions at my campaign stops.

It nice to have played a part in electing a governor that keeps his promises.

I have stayed involved in the issues in Imperial County. I understand many of those issues very well. And I know there are some very serious problems.

Agriculture is the economic heart of this Valley. And when you look at issues of air quality regulation, the Endangered Species Act, and state regulations like Workers Compensation, its obvious that government has let us down.

Government has driven hundreds of farmers out of the business through over-regulation and environmental lawsuits.

Air quality is a perfect example. The Federal Government isn't doing enough to address the massive amounts of smog and dust drifting North from Mexicali. The EPA acknowledged that fact, and, in a rare moment of common sense, granted the county PM10 and ozone ratings of "moderate."

The Sierra Club sued the EPA, claiming the county's air should be classified as "serious," which would cost everyone in this room millions of dollars in dust controls, diesel restrictions, burn permits, and paving fees--while not addressing the increasing cross-border pollution from Mexico. A panel of the Federal 9th Circuit Court (the same court which said school kids can't say the Pledge of Allegiance) ruled in favor of the Sierra Club. Thankfully, this County has appealed.

These are the same environmentalist tactics used by the Center for Biological Diversity to close off major additional portions of the Glamis Dunes to off-roaders in a law suit against the Bureau of Land Management. In that case, they used the Endangered Species Act as a club against public access to public lands, defending a subspecies of locoweed to deny recreation opportunities to you and your families.

Environmentalism has become a business and the profits are staggering.

What's their business? To put you out of business!

The reason I'm here to talk with you today is because there has ever been a more critical election and there have never been two candidates that have been more opposite.

Politically and philosophically, there are two sides in this battle.

On one side of the fence are the Sierra Club and the Center for Biological Diversity and other radical environmentalist groups.

At a recent Congressional hearing dealing with off-road issues, Congressman Bob Filner said as a "city boy," farm and off-road issues are all new to him--that he has a lot to learn. Well, apparently he really hit the books.

He said he wasn't sure what side he was on.

Well, he must have worked hard at it. He not only decided what side he was on, he's on the board of directors of Californians for Western Wilderness, a poster child for the environmental extortion racket.

CalUWild defines Off-road Vehicles as: "QUOTE: "Probably the greatest threat right now to wilderness in the West."

Any of you that has ever spent a weekend at Glamis knows that is absurd!

And his website brags he has a 100 percent voting record with the League of Conservation Voters, a Sierra Club clone.

On the other side of the fence are leaders like Congressman Duncan Hunter and Imperial County Supervisor Wally Leimgruber (who have endorsed my candidacy) and who have fought to protect the environment, but who recognize the need for a common sense balance between conservation and jobs and recreation.

I will stand with Duncan and Wally and will fight to reduce air pollution from South of the Border. I read just yesterday that InterGen has "voluntarily" shut down operation of their Mexicali power plant until scrubbers can be installed. That not-so-voluntary action came as a result of Democrat Senator Diane Feinstein and Republican Congressman Duncan Hunter working together to put pressure on these polluters.

I said there could not be two candidates more opposite than Bob Filner and I.

I am a U.S. Navy and Gulf War Veteran. Filner has never served.

I support President Bush and our troops in the War on Terror. Filner voted against the War in Iraq and the Defense Authorization Bill that increases pay and family separation allowances for our Soldiers and Sailors in time of War.

I believe in advancing Freedom; Filner believes in bigger government.

I will cut taxes; Filner voted against repealing the Death Tax, against repealing the Marriage Penalty, against increasing the Child Credit, and against the President's tax cuts which are the fuel behind our current economic recovery.

I support the re-election of President Bush. Filner supports Howard Dean.

The differences could not be more clear.

During the Recall, Californians demonstrated they are sick and tired of career politicians who won't work together and think they can get away with anything. The 51st Congressional District voted overwhelmingly to recall Gray Davis and to elect Arnold. I believe it will vote overwhelmingly to support President Bush's continued efforts to make America strong and win the War Against Terror.

And I believe the voters are fed up with Bob Filner, too and will elect me to Congress.

I am asking for your votes. I am asking for your contributions. And I'm asking you to ask your families and friends to vote for me and support me, too.

When Filner was in Iowa stumping for Howard Dean, he said it would take ONE MILLION DOLLARS for anyone to challenge him. Can you imagine? Its outrageous, but my opponent will probably spend more than that.

I don't think it will cost $1 million to get the truth out about Filner, but it sure will take a lot of money. That's why I am asking for your most generous contribution today.

Together, we can beat Bob Filner and his environmental extremist friends and restore common sense leadership for Imperial County in Washington.