2/4/2012
Our Breakfast With Jim Reed, Candidate for California’s 1st Congressional District
Blog: Sierra Voices by Don Pelton

"As luck would have it — and entirely by accident — we shared a table with Jim Reed and his wife Carol at breakfast this morning at the Nevada County Democratic Women’s Club meeting at the Trolley Junction restaurant in Nevada City. Jim was there to address the meeting, as part of his campaign to represent the newly re-mapped 1st Congressional District. . . .

Jim is an attorney and tax expert who has been called to public service for a complex set of reasons, not the least of which apparently is a real sense of joy at being in the vital mix of things. His ready laugh and quick wit are a refreshing change from the McClinctock style of mean-spirited discourse that we have suffered through in the last few years.

He spoke for over half an hour on a number matters, including the plight of the middle class, the need to “tweak” Social Security, financial sector reform (including a stock transaction tax), his poltical strategy in the 1st district, etc.

He wants to be in Washington to participate in the reform that must take place in order to return our system to fairness. He feels that he has the exact skills needed for that reform, and — after listening to him — we believe he does too. . . ."

See a video of Jim's speech that day here.

12/29/2011
San Francisco Chronicle by Leland H. Faust
Wall Street is a raw deal for the 100 percent
(This article is used with permission of the author but is not an endorsement.)

"The stunning reality is that five years into the financial meltdown, it's business as usual on Wall Street - outlandish rewards for insiders with downside for almost everyone else. Occupy Wall Street protesters are right - something is wrong - but they're not sure what. Here's what I say: A rigged game affects not just the 99 percent, but everyone, and with global repercussions. . .

Make no mistake . . . I'm a hard-core capitalist. But capitalism has been hijacked, and I'm infuriated. For capitalism to work, people who assume risk should reap the rewards of success, but they also must suffer when losses occur.

If you're unconvinced, let's revisit the latest debacle - the implosion of yet another Wall Street darling, MF Global. The fallout of its bad bets on European bonds is hitting home hard, even in rural America, where many of its agricultural customers work. As the eighth-largest bankruptcy filing in U.S. history, MF Global represents just about everything that is wrong on Wall Street.

1. The cult of a Wall Street superstar: In 2010, Jon Corzine, the former chairman of Goldman Sachs and former governor of New Jersey, became CEO of MF Global. His goal was to transform the little-known futures broker into a powerhouse investment bank. It took him only 19 months to blow up an institution that dates back to 1793."

Read the rest of this article here.

1/3/2012
Record Searchlight by Jim Reed
Letter to the Editor -Refine Canada's oil here in California

"2011 was the year of the dysfunctional Congress. Just keeping the government running was a partisan battle with each side more interested in scoring points than accomplishing anything. Congress did less in 2011 that any year in memory. But at least the hated "earmark," funding for some congressman's pet project attached to a legislative bill that had nothing to do with it, was eliminated.Then as the year ended, Republican members of the House decided to revive the earmark. Both parties agreed that the country needed to have the payroll-tax holiday extended, unemployment benefits extended and the scheduled reduction in fees Medicare pays doctors delayed. As expected the parties fought over how to pay for it
The newer members of the House of Representatives would only agree, however, if an earmark was added to the bill funding a pipeline to bring oil from Canada to the Gulf Coast refineries. They knew that Democrats would not agree to this earmark because of environmental concerns, but the question has to be asked why they were willing to sacrifice their only shining accomplishment and use an earmark to make a political point."

December 2011
Plumas County News 

"Democratic candidate for District 1, Jim Reed, was welcomed to Quincy by the Plumas County Democratic Central Committee on October 20th when he spoke to the group at their monthly meeting.

Reed, of course, emphasized jobs and the economy.  He probed the crowd about the local unemployment rate, which he said was similar to the rest of District 1, in that across the Northern California mountain areait is higher than the national average, not just now, but for a long time previously.  He discussed several ways to change that, noting that better funding for education and infrastructure are good places to start, as they represent long-term investments that benefit the economy both now and in the future..."

11/18/2011
Redding Searchlight by Neil Posson
We deserve better than Wally Herger

Social Security is a critical issue for our district. Our congressional district has a high poverty rate and a high percentage of older people who depend on Social Security for their retirement. What are Rep. Wally Herger's beliefs regarding Social Security?

Herger has quietly supported privatizing Social Security for years. His official website states, "I believe Congress has an obligation to consider ... allowing younger workers to establish voluntary personal retirement accounts within Social Security." This is a clear first step toward privatizing Social Security. Last week I phoned Herger's office and asked if Herger supports privatizing Social Security. His office staff informed me they were not allowed to discuss Herger's stand on privatizing Social Security over the phone.

Herger is a multimillionaire who has been the U.S. congressman for this district for 24 years. In 24 years he has done almost nothing of value. It is time to retire Herger and elect someone who will actually represent our district.

I support Jim Reed for Congress. Please look up Reed's position on the important issues by Googling Jim Reed for Congress. We deserve a better congressman than Wally Herger.

10/13/2011
Redding Searchlight by Sean Longoria
Dining Democrats: 150 Attend Party Benefit in Redding

"Some 150 people spent part of Wednesday night enjoying food, drinks, music and politics at "An Evening with Democrats" inside the Atrium at the Market Street Promenade in downtown Redding....

Reed has said his key campaign points include closing corporate tax loopholes that give tax breaks for sending jobs overseas. He's also said he supports raising the capital gains tax for the wealthy, who he says receive a "huge tax break" merely for living off the interest of their investments.

Reed's also focused on saving Social Security, which has been under fire recently from right-wing Republicans.

"It's not really in deep trouble like people would have you believe," he said..."

8/31/2011
Redding Searchlight by Ryan Sabalow
Reed Seeks to Unseat Herger; New First District Will See Rematch

"Jim Reed, a Democrat lawyer from Fall River Mills, hopes a newly drawn district and a fresh campaign season will help him unseat U.S. Rep. Wally Herger, the entrenched Republican who bested him in the last election.

The 61-year-old Reed, who will announce his candidacy officially Thursday at a series of campaign events in the new 1st Congressional District, said he believes he has a legitimate shot at unseating the 25-year incumbent in 2012...."

6/5/2011
Redding Searchlight by Jim Reed
Government can balance budget and protect middle class

"In 2008 we were on the precipice of a depression. Congress, led by President Bush and accelerated by President Obama, drastically increased government spending to avoid a depression. Some people talk of the "failed stimulus," but we did avoid a great depression. Had we cut spending in 2008 to balance the falling tax revenue resulting from the declining economy, we would have repeated the history of the Hoover administration, which led us into a decade-long depression. When it comes to the economy, timing is critical..."

4/7/11
Chico News & Review by Jim Reed
Wally Herger fails to protect our water

"My complaint remains the same about Wally Herger: He has been in Washington, D.C., too long and is not paying attention to those local issues most important to the people he represents..."