- Home
- News Grid
- Local News
- Green Hawk
- Business
- Politics
- School Zone
- Nonprofits
- Missing Pets
- Multimedia
- Arts
- Movies
- Outdoors
- Sports
- News Releases
- Columnists
- Blogs
- Opinions
- Classifieds
- Advertise
- Donate
- Partners
Republican Tom Watson Running for Congress in Bid to Promote Change
Summerland resident Tom Watson is taking the 23rd District congressional race personally.
He will formally announce his candidacy at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Rose Garden at Fess Parker’s DoubleTree Resort in Santa Barbara, becoming the fourth Republican to challenge Rep. Lois Capps, D-Santa Barbara, for the next term.
Watson, a retired Navy pilot and successful entrepreneur, worked for IBM and helped create a Los Angeles-based startup technology company before joining Agile RF Inc., a Goleta company that designs and manufactures next-generation wireless components.
He married late in life, and he credits his 2-year-old son as a main reason for running.
“I’ve never been this worried about the future of our country,” he told Noozhawk ahead of Thursday’s announcement.
He said has a big problem with the federal government’s spending habits, and he decries passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the proposed health-care bill.
He said single-payer options will lead to rationing and a lack of cost sensitivity at the point of purchase.
“A universal health-care system is a bad idea,” he said. “It has failed everywhere it’s tried.”
Watson added that the threat of increased health costs and regulations hinder California businesses as well.
“You don’t take on debt and risk if you don’t know what the environment is going to be,” he said.
He said his solutions are to do more than stop spending. He wants to reduce budget spending to 2007 levels and “under no circumstances raise taxes.”
While California used to top national lists and draw people from all over the world, Watson said businesses — and others — are being driven out by its policies.
In such fiscal difficulties, he believes Californians should at least have an open mind to the possibility of onshore or offshore oil and gas drilling for additional revenues and local jobs.
Watson opposes Assembly Bill 32, saying it’s wrong for government to be “subsidizing inefficient forms of energy to make ourselves feel better.”
His campaign launch is being lauded by the Santa Barbara Tea Party & Culpepper Society. He has begun fundraising, though he says he’ll “never be able to outspend” Capps.
— Noozhawk staff writer Giana Magnoli can be reached at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Comments
Noozhawk's comments are moderated, but by posting here you accept your responsibility to follow our rules as part of Noozhawk's shared online community. Please keep your comments civil and helpful. Don't attack other readers personally, and do not use vulgar, abusive or discriminatory language. Use the "Report Abuse" link if a comment violates these standards or our Terms of Use.
» on 03.17.10 @ 09:36 PM
I like what I’ve read. I was surprised to read that there are 4 other Republican applicants and I need to read up on them but for now, it’s looking like I could be a “Tom Watson” man.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 03.17.10 @ 11:03 PM
Capps is a tax and sped your money fool, she has no business experience>
Taxin Cappsin—no tax she is a bad tax…
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 03.18.10 @ 06:23 AM
“It has failed everywhere it’s tried.” — Nonsense! I thought as a Navy pilot you got see some parts of the world. But of course also as a Navy pilot you enjoyed “socialized” healthcare. Europe has proven pretty well that a public system works and forget all your scare propaganda and speak with people who live there or have lived there. The system here is bankrupting families, denying access, enriching CEOs and still you might have to wait for appointments. How come the richest and strongest nation cannot afford a universal healthcare system, while other can? They care about their people…
You have already flagged this entry.
» on 03.18.10 @ 07:14 AM
jnm (Lois) “How come the richest and strongest nation cannot afford a universal healthcare system, while other can? They care about their people…”
We are no longer the richest nation. And if this bill passes you will first pay taxes on it for four years before you will “enjoy” it; and then I think you will be one of thr first to complain about being denied. Speaking of denial. What insurance program do you think has the highest denial rate?
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 03.18.10 @ 09:21 AM
It is funny. Tom says he is running to help ensure a secure future for his son, yet all of the policies he endorses here would have the opposite effect. He opposes a public option for health care, so his son may not have health care in the future. He is against all new taxes, so his son’s school may have fewer teachers and his college expense may be beyond his reach. And, he supports offshore oil drilling. All I can say to that last one is to ask if he was here in 1969? If not, then he should ask someone who was; he should then change his mind.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 03.18.10 @ 09:30 AM
>>> And if this bill passes you will first pay taxes on it for four years before you will “enjoy” it
Dan Petry, I would consider it an honor to be able to pay taxes to support a health care system that will offer care to everyone. I would hope you would feel bleses if you make enough money to pay taxes.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 03.18.10 @ 10:01 AM
I’m guessing by your comment that you currently don’t pay any taxes. As for me I have not given you nor any ignorant politician the ability to take my rights nor try to force me to buy insurance. But your viewpoint is not surprising since you already live in a banana republic called California.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 03.18.10 @ 10:56 AM
Glad to see another candidate wants to enter the race. Good luck.
Campaigns are expensive and unpleasant these days. Lot of time away from that two-year old child Watson claims to revere. How does that work out?
Since Watson says he’s running to promote “change” (Obama’s line two years ago), it’s interesting that Noozhawk’s reporter discusses no situations in which he’s been a successful agent of change anywhere, so far.
Nor what experience he has (if any) in how Washington actually works.
Not legally essential, of course.
But one reason that Obama often seems so buffaloed by the Health Reform imbroglio is that -even after several years in the US Senate- he himself doesn’t know how to implement “change” either.
Given that Mrs. Capps is (mostly) honest, healthy, works hard, helps her district and constituents as often as she can, and tries to keep (many of) her campaign promises, how all her new challengers will campaign against her remains to be seen.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 03.18.10 @ 11:11 AM
Walgreens: no new Medicaid patients as of April 16. Yep that is what you have to look forward to when you add another 30 million into government welfare. Lovely job Lois.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 03.18.10 @ 11:56 AM
No, the trouble with Medicaid is that the reimbursement rates are too low. The trouble with the health care plan is that they plan to put more of the poor on Medicaid, which will not provide very good coverage because to few providers will take it.The rest of the health care plan is quite good, actually.
If you can afford your own health care, then you are very lucky and should feel lucky. You can keep your coverage. For many more people, health care will be an extraordinary benefit. I hope you can feel, for just a moment, some compassion for those less fortunate than yourself.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 03.18.10 @ 12:17 PM
Not to high a business IQ with that comment. I’m not going to get into a pointless healthcare debate with you. Good lick Tom we will be working with you. Should be a hard campaign especially since the Dems have gerrymandered her district to the point where a Dem poodle could get elected. Wait they did elect a poodle.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 03.18.10 @ 03:19 PM
Not a word on his website about his views on illegal (or legal) immigration. Pandering to illegal aliens is Capps’ greatest weakness in the eyes of many independents and even some Democrats.
Hmmmm—another cheap-labor Dick Armey-type Republican? Be wary.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 03.18.10 @ 03:41 PM
I like this guy already, military discipline and a common sense approach, watch out you hippies. European healthcare is a failure because they cannot pay for it. Yes they do deliver something to EVERYone, but it is mediocre and the rich if they cannot subvert the socialist system there just come here then. The rest get the crumbs. But what really gets me is this attitude that “I think it’s good and we should do it, so therefore I want to force everyone else to do it too”. Really JustBobF? Here is a suggestion, you foot the bill for someone who doesn’t have health insurance and see how that works for ya. Oh, no fair picking the recipient, must be random, so I don’t want to hear you complain that you got stuck with some idiot loser that is just milking you. When you have done that for let’s say 5 years then tell me how it worked out. Then explain why we should all do that as a society. Most of you liberal socialists would not spoil your children and would make sure they had the ability to take care of themselves once they have left the nest but then turn right around and treat the rest of the adult population like they are helpless infants that need your constant care and protection. Problem is you are projecting your own qualities on the rest of us. We don’t need you and get your damned hand out of my wallet, theif!
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 03.18.10 @ 04:14 PM
Connect the dots
Santa Barbara Tea Party seems to endorse Tom Watson
http://www.santabarbarateaparty.com/index.php?s=watson
SB Tea Party seems to be sponsored by Dick Armey’s Freedomworks, or at least links to it.
Dick Armey favors absolutely open borders and amnesty
http://michellemalkin.com/2010/03/17/in-response-to-amnesty-stooge-dick-armey/
How can we have responsible government spending when we keep importing millions of poorly educated, low-skilled immigrants (legal and illegal) who rely on government-funded health care and welfare and will invariably vote Democrat?
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 03.18.10 @ 06:02 PM
I have read some comments about the so-called failure of other government-run healthcare systems. I’d like to counter by saying that my grandmother was so happy to get medicare in the 1960s. She didn’t want to be a burden on her family, she would say, and Medicare and Social Security ensured that she would not be a financial burden. (She was never any kind of burden, BYW).
I have been listening to the BBC recently. Their healthcare system is called the National Health Service, or the NHS, I believe. They apparently love it so much they are loathe to say anything against it.
I think we should honestly listen to people from other countries before saying that their systems are bad. Maybe we could learn something.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 03.19.10 @ 07:44 AM
Well AN50 — “European healthcare is a failure because they cannot pay for it.” What do you know about European health care? Have you ever lived there, experienced it and compared with what’s happening here? How are you insured, who pays for you? And I am sure that an insurance CEO has his fingers in your wallet, how else can he make millions a year, while we pay fortunes for our insurance always in danger of being kicked out or denied treatment if it is costly for them? That is theft!
“Yes they do deliver something to EVERYone, but it is mediocre…” Again, what do you know? It seems you don’t know anything, you are just parroting some stupid propaganda.
“... and the rich if they cannot subvert the socialist system there just come here then. The rest get the crumbs.” That is one of the problems, this has become a country for the rich and everybody else is getting the crumbs here, under even worse conditions.
And by the way, calling it “socialism” proves also that you don’t have a clue and just repeat propaganda — do you even know what “socialism” is? It is something where society shares burdens and tasks for the best of all, the British invented the word “commonwealth” — and that is what every functioning democracy is doing. Maybe it never occurred to you that we have a “socialized” police force, “socialized” fire department, “socialized” street works, and even “socialized” military…
“Problem is you are projecting your own qualities on the rest of us. We don’t need you and get your damned hand out of my wallet, theif!” ... Well, and so do you, theif! “Theif?” — “Thief!”
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 03.19.10 @ 08:29 AM
AN50. Why argue with these drones. Each one is an intellectually ignorant pigmy. They have no problem spending other peoples money. Unfortunately there is no money. When we lose our AAA rating our ability to fund anything will collapse. I had a long talk with one of these people and it was truly shocking how he thought that money would always be there. The really shocking final comment was how anyone who disagees is viewed as one who should be placed in camps.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 03.19.10 @ 10:56 AM
Dan, I wish you wouldn’t call people names.
The way to fund programs is to raise taxes, then there is money to be spent. And yes, I believe the rich should pay more than the poor because they are better able to do so. The Bible even says, “to those who more is given, more will be expected,” to paraphrase.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 03.19.10 @ 12:30 PM
Slave.
You have already flagged this entry.
» on 03.19.10 @ 05:37 PM
JustBobF - I amazed. With just 60 words you have been able to highlight how bankrupt a progressive is.
“The way to fund programs is to raise taxes, then there is money to be spent.” Beyond being one of the most ignorant statements I have read. My response is - until you have either sucked em dry or chased them away.
“The Bible even says, “to those who more is given, more will be expected,” to paraphrase.” No one gave me jack s**t, I have worked hard my entire life and give a good portion to charity and Jesus didn’t support stealing.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 03.20.10 @ 10:05 AM
As for illegals….from the L. A. Times
1. 40% of all workers in L. A. County ( L. A. County has 10.2 million people)are working for cash and not paying taxes. This is because they are predominantly illegal immigrants working without a green card.
2. 95% of warrants for murder in Los Angeles are for illegal aliens.
3. 75% of people on the most wanted list in Los Angeles are illegal aliens.
4. Over 2/3 of all births in Los Angeles County are to illegal alien Mexicans on Medi-Cal, whose births were paid for by taxpayers.
5. Nearly 35% of all inmates in California detention centers are Mexican nationals here illegally.
6. Over 300,000 illegal aliens in Los Angeles County are living in garages.
7. The FBI reports half of all gang members in Los Angeles are most likely illegal aliens from south of the border.
8 Nearly 60% of all occupants of HUD properties are illegal.
9. 21 radio stations in L. A.. are Spanish speaking.
10.. In L. A. County 5.1 million people speak English, 3.9 million speak Spanish.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 03.20.10 @ 10:35 AM
40% work for cash? 90% wanted to murder? Hard to believe. But, just to be safe, better fire your gardener. And, better not get someone down at the rescue mission to help clean out that ditch.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 03.20.10 @ 12:55 PM
Cute JustBobF. Your deplorable education in economics is now matched by your equally deplorable understanding of sociology.
Just raise taxes, eh? That’s your answer? That’s what you have to contribute?
You are right Dan. It is pointless arguing with idiots who haven’t a friggin clue how economics works, not one. These are the idiots who elected Obama and his Chicago band of mobsters who are now poised to saddle our already staggering economy with a fatal blow. We will not recover and we will end up a third world country as a result. And these morons will be crying and whaling that the government health care services are way worse and way more costly. But nanny will tuck them in at night and all will be better.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 03.20.10 @ 03:16 PM
Ok. We will call them Undocumented Democrats from now on. Daniel Petry
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 03.20.10 @ 03:40 PM
The one thing these statists don’t realize is that they think that America is like European nation states. We are not. We are a federal system created by states. And 50 at that. It happened over 150 years ago and it could happen again. Believe me that there are states that are getting sick and tired of covering California’s f**k-ups.
You have already flagged this entry.
» on 03.20.10 @ 05:42 PM
Dear JustBobF on 03.19.10 @ 11:56 AM
I have no problem with the Bible’s reference of paying more if you have more. The Catholic church, as well as others, have a tradition of “tithing” (paying 10% of your earnings).
10% of 10 million dollars is a lot more that 10% of $50,000.
That approach works for me.
Thanks for the suggestion.
Mark King
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 03.23.10 @ 12:24 AM
It will be interesting to see if my comment makes it past the gatekeeper, but I have to say Daniel Petry’s comments seem to violate rule #1 of Noozhawk’s comments policy. He’s calling people “poodles” “drones” and “intellectually ignorant pygmies”.
If I were the esteemed publisher I’d block Mr. Petry from the site, including his poorly-written op-ed rants.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 03.23.10 @ 01:05 PM
Typical Saul Alinsky tactic to try to shut down someone you disagree with. Don’t like what one says - ban them - just sit down and shut up as the Dear Leader is so fond of saying. Can you imagine what these fools would do if they had the power to imprison people? I love it when marxists yell that they are compassionate and caring. As long as you agree with them. They turn ugly when you don’t. Keep writing Dan you really do get under these idiots skin.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 03.23.10 @ 01:50 PM
Good points Randy, I agree! Dan was just telling the truth and that always seems to hurt the left (hee, hee)!
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 03.23.10 @ 07:29 PM
Voice of Reason? Like the phrase, “Accidentally on Purpose”.
Isn’t that an oxymoron in your case Baghdad Bob?
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 03.24.10 @ 12:05 AM
It’s kind of like that, Lieutenant Dan. Have your frag wounds healed yet?
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 03.24.10 @ 07:49 PM
Unfortunate decline in the quality of debate here. The real test of tax policy is very simple - will the people stand for it. Well, it’s been documented many times that the top 140,000 or so of CA taxpayers pay about one half of California’s personal income taxes - in a state with 38 million people. Karl Marx predictions have come true here - the ‘masses’ vote to penalize the ‘successful’. Even given that those with more should pay not only more dollars, but at a higher percentage of ther income, how can anyone possiblly think that a system in which 0.36%, that’s 1/3 of 1%, of the taxpayers pay half the taxes is in any way ‘fair’.
Now, I’m sure that JustBobF and his ilk think that’s just fine - better spend Other Peoples’ Money than one’s own, the ‘rich’ can afford it, blah, blah, blah, the usual lefty drivel. But the reality is that those 140,000 can and are leaving the state. The migration is OUT of California in spite of frantic denials by certain politicians and LA Times columnists who just can’t seem to believe the numbers published by their own state government (even illegals are leaving since the recession hit, but that will reverse when the economy picks up as long as CA continues to provide free education, free medical care, etc. to them).
The ‘rich’ 140,000 can generally live wherever they want and at some point the beautiful geography and beautiful weather will no longer conterbalance the poisonous political atmosphere and confiscatory tax policies that currently exist in CA. I personally know of 5 households that in the past four years have moved their legal domicile to a no-income-tax state, specificlly to avoid CA income taxes. And that is quite legal so long as they spend at least 183 days in the ‘other’ state. BTW I’m not one of those ‘rich’ folks; I just think that depending on so few for so much is just plain stupid policy.
Think about this real hard, big spenders: whatcha gonna do when those ‘rich folks’ with incomes to tax leave? what if only half of the 140,000 leave? Voila - a $25 billion budget hole. Think our completely dysfunctional Legislature could deal with that?
Ever read this old fable about the goose and the golden eggs? Many in the erstwhile “Golden State” apparently have not. How do you spell ‘failed state’? C a l i f o r n i a.
And to finesse the expected snotty comments (you know who I’m referring to - the ‘if you don’t like it then leave’ crowd): I do not plan to stay in CA and participate the coming financial Armageddon. I’ll observe it from a low tax state that knows how to live within its limits and leave the CA cleanup to those who asked for continual deficits and ever-increasing taxes on those few ‘rich folks” and who weren’t foresightful enough to predict the inevitable outcome.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 03.24.10 @ 08:16 PM
John. Right on target. Sometimes it feels like we are standing in a swamp being swarmed by blood sucking mosquitos. Thanks for the sanity. Daniel Petry.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 04.19.10 @ 05:16 AM
Funny how the “banana republic of California” still attracts the amnesia afflicted whitewingnuts.You would think they would be more attracted to Mogadishu where there is limited government and the rifle rules .
Maybe we can look forward to a future Petryrant about the superior financial condition of the state of Arizona , where he apparently translanted here from .
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
More Local News »
Tom Watson Kicks Off 23rd District Congressional Campaign
Speaking in Santa Barbara, the candidate tells supporters, 'I promise I will not waste your money'
Republican Tom Watson Running for Congress in Bid to Promote Change
The 23rd District candidate talks with Noozhawk ahead of Thursday's formal announcement
County Budget Concerns Fuel Dan Secord’s Bid for Supervisor
The Second District candidate says he's ready to use his experience to help turn local government around
Goldberg Files Nomination Papers as Republican in Assembly Race
Candidate to vie with Stoker for Republican nomination
Wolf, Secord Ready for Rematch in Race for 2nd District Supervisor
In filing campaign paperwork, Wolf cites record while Secord focuses on county's budget woes
Weather: Fair 57.0º
Search Noozhawk »
