a personal note

My father was born September 9^th 1920.

Maury Tutin

My father is 90 years old today, not "90 years young" because that skirts the truth. He'd be the first to say he's old. He was the first.

I respect him for being a straight shooter and a character. He retired to live out his years with my mother, not like fathers pretending to represent someone in the House or the Senate, like many of our erstwhile representatives, who must be brought in on a stretcher to vote, who seem to believe there is no one younger to step in.

Dad never got involved with politics. He voted, and passed on the family's mistaken belief that the Republicans are for the rich and the Democrats are for the poor. That has changed little over the years. The Republicans are still for the rich and the Democrats for the rich. With politicians using their power to control the electoral process and assure their own good fortunes, even if they retire or are retired involuntarily.

My dad worked hard to provide his family with the advantages never given to him. When my grandfather died years before I was born, my father had to work from an early age. He never went to college, but made sure my sister and I could, encouraging us to get good grades, so we would be accepted by a "good" college. My family believed a college education was the key to success, although dad was fond of relating an Army story where the sergeant asked who went to college. There was a show of hands and he chose one of his troop, saying "Okay, you get to clean the latrine."

He tells stories and jokes, most of which he tells better than I can.

I know I've disappointed my father, not because I didn't become a doctor or a lawyer, but because I never really got to use my talents in any of the jobs I've held. He would be proud to see his son elected to the California Assembly.

I'm not making vague campaign promises, like creating jobs, or not cutting social spending. One assemblyman out of 80 cannot save California from its legislature. I promise I will put our district on the map. No longer will you need to explain that you live in the Peninsula. Politicians like Obama and McCain always promise they will talk straight, name names and so on, which no one believes. Politicians don't like upsetting other politicians; they'd rather upset their constituents.

I am not a politician and I am upset at the direction this state is heading. You can count on me to shake things up in Sacramento. If you are skeptical, look through my web site. Do I seem restrained to you? My father had his hands full with me — no fan of authority and a bit of a scamp.

So vote for me for yourself and your family, or do it for my dad. Certainly not for me. I don't relish the responsibilities, but California can be a better place. And my father will be so proud.

  — Gary Tutin, September 9, 2010