Daniel B. Jeffs, founder
The Direct Democracy Center

Dan Jeffs has worked in the criminal justice system for many years. He is a fiercely independent voter, and the author of America's Crisis: Democracy and Education, Letters to the Editor: From the Trenches of Democracy and three novels. Dan's passion for real democracy grew out of running for public office and writing his first novel, Black Robes on White Horses, which is disturbing account of the Supreme Court gaining absolute power in the country. His search for a solution for too much government and not enough democracy resulted in founding the Direct Democracy Center.

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FOUNDER'S FILE - PAGE 1
FOUNDERS FILE - PAGE 2

FOUNDER'S FILE - PAGE 3

Commentary by Daniel B. Jeffs,
founder of The Direct Democracy Center

It's time to privatize education

Though the federal "No Child Left Behind" program is a worthy effort to improve our education system, the nation's report card is riddled with mixed results and little to no progress. However, there are deeply entrenched historical reasons for the difficulties experienced by students, teachers, parents and the education establishment in general, which cannot be easily overcome or corrected.

Re: American Caesar: Nero Fiddled While Rome Burned
by Rosa Brooks
L.A. Times commentary September3, 2005
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-brooks3sep03,0,7334703.story?coll=la-news-comment-opinions

Who is Rosa Brooks?

Rosa Brooks' "American Caesar," comparing President Bush and the hurricane disaster in New Orleans to Emperor Nero's burning of Rome, is undoubtedly one of the most shallow commentaries the L.A. Times has recently published.

Washington Times
August 13, 2005

Cindy Sheehan, Bush and Iraq

ABOUT CALIFORNIA'S INITIATIVE PROCESS
(letter from the Daniel B. Jeffs, founder DDC)
Re: "Ways to Reform the Initiative Process" by Michael Hiltzik (Golden State) Los Angeles Times C-1 July 28, 2005

Too much government, media and activism, and not enough democracy
Two corrupt mayors caused a second election in less than nine months and exacerbated costly and inept city government in San Diego. A partisan attorney general ignores the California Constitution and tampers with the marriage and re-districting voter initiatives.

Petition the Supreme Court: maybe it's time for concerned citizens to step in, take on the two-party system, and test the constitutional veracity of the Supreme Court before it's too late...

Newsweek Magazine
July 25, 2005 Issue
Lead letter by DDC Founder

The Legacy of a Historic Supreme Court Justice

Before the ink dried on Sandra Day O'Connor's resignation, political adversaries fired the first shots of what will undoubtedly be an unprecedented, uncivilized war over President Bush's nominee to replace her ("O'Connor's Odyssey," July 11).

Founder's letter published in the Washington Times
July 7, 2005

How to help Africa

Founder's letter published in
The Washington Times
July1, 2005

Re: President Bush on Iraq
June 28, 2005

Founder's letter published
San Diego Union-Tribune
June 10, 2005

'Deep Throat': heroic or not?
W. Mark Felt is no hero.

Founder's letter published in USA TODAY
May 18, 2005 Page 10A
(Lead letter of four letters - other letters included)

Eschew (avoid, shun) filibuster - and partisan politics

Founder's letter published in the Washington Times
May 19, 2005

Newsweek's blunders send troubling message

Founder's letter published in the Washington Times
April 25, 2005

Jane Fonda, then and now
After the notoriety of Jane Fonda's book tour cools down, she will still be the anti-American icon people love to hate

Published in the Los Angeles Times
April 9, 2005 - lead letter of three letters

Re: "Cheapskate Conservatives Cheat Students"
By Richard Rothstein
L.A. Times Opinion April 3, 2005

L.A.Time Editorial Page Editor Commended
Andres Martinez was appointed Los Angeles Times Editorial Page Editor in September 2004. His commentary, "Filibuster Doubletalk" is important, worth reading, and a welcome, objective departure from the left-leaning op-ed pages of the newspaper.

FILIBUSTER DOUBLETALK
By Andres Martinez, editor of the editorial page
Los Angeles Times April 6, 2005
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/opinion/la-oe-martinez6apr06,1,429278.column

...The filibuster goes too far in upsetting the balance struck by the Constitution and empowering an obstructionist minority. Surely the founders didn't intend for the Senate's "advice and consent" review of presidential nominees to require a supermajority.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR from DDC Founder

Re: "Filibuster Doubletalk"
By Andres Martinez
L.A. Times April 6, 2005

Founder's letter

Published in the Daily Press
April 3, 2005
Re: Cal State says most freshmen not ready
Daily Press March 29, 2005

Founder's letter
Published in the Daily Press
March 18, 2005

Exit exam no place for timed essays

Letter from the Founder published in USA TODAY
February 15, 2005

My letter and a second letter writer's letter were published under a large photograph of Ward Churchill with the following text below the photograph:

Founder's letter (unedited) published in the Daily Press
February 6, 2005
Barbara Boxer: small "s" senator and the Wicked Witch of the West

Founder's letter published in the San Diego Union-Tribune
January 14, 2005
CBS' problem: clear bias against Bush

Founder's letter published in the Daily Press
January 16, 2005
Let's have a swearing in, and not a coronation

Founder's letter published in the Los Angeles Times
January 20, 2005
Gingrich's Potential Run for the Presidency

Founder's letter published in USA TODAY
January 28, 2005
Senator misses mark

Founder's letter published in U.S. News &World Report newsmagazine
November 22, 2004 issue, published November 15, 2004.
Re: Morals and Values Crowd (2004 election article) November 15, 2004 issue

Founder's letter published in the San Diego Union-Tribune October 9, 2004
Quagmire or not, we must prevail.

Founder's letter published in USA TODAY
Abolish the two-party system in favor of more democracy

UNDERMINING AMERICA

DEMORALIZING AND UNDERMINING OUR NATION FOR POLITICAL PROFIT

AMERICA'S DEEPENING TROUBLES

SEASON'S GREETINGS NOT SO MERRY

2004 ELECTIONS STIRRING THE TRENCHES OF DEMOCRACY

THE 2004 ELECTIONS CIVIL WAR WILL HELP You DECIDE

REGARDING RICHARD CLARKE

RONALD REAGAN: An American Original

CAN AMERICA SURVIVE THE BOOMER GENERATION?

LIFE, LIBERTY AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS

FOUNDER'S E-MAILS PUBLISHED ON FOX NEWS

Founder's letter published in USA TODAY
September 13, 2004

Abolish the two-party system in favor of more democracy

USA TODAY'S editorial, "Limits on Nader hurt voters," rightly recognizes the negative effect ballot restrictions have in disenfranchising voters who think the "real" choice between George W. Bush and John Kerry isn't much of a choice at all. (Our view, Election choices debate, Tuesday). This outcome undermines confidence in the political system

Indeed, Democrats are making it extremely difficult for Ralph Nader to get on state ballots for president because they brand him as the a "spoiler" of the 2000 election, and they want to prevent him from being one again. On the other hand, it is nor fair for Republicans to help Nader get on state ballots because they think his presence will favor their candidate.

But the debate should go much deeper into the real problem: The two-party system simply isn't fair, particularly to voters who've been disenfranchised because of the lock the two parties have on elections and government. It is unacceptable and should be unconstitutional when the political right and left are inextricably confined to a two-party system that hurts the great majority of Americans.

The solution is obvious. The existence of political parties notwithstanding, we should have non-partisan elections, non-partisan government and more democracy. Judging from the increasingly anti-democratic and dismal record of the two-party system, this change is long overdue. Our society has been assaulted by selfish interests and battered by the failures of good intentions long enough.

As a moderate and independent voter, I trust the collective judgment of my fellow citizens. I believe we should elect professional government managers to represent us, instead of professional politicians. I also believe the voters should decide matters of taxation and public policy.

Our national security, our domestic security and our future may very well depend on it.

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SEASON'S GREETINGS NOT SO MERRY

As the season unfolds from thanksgiving to gift-giving -- ending 2003 -- and bringing in a new year, the holidays seem not-so-merry. Indeed, the 2004 presidential election is underway and it promises to be little more than a bitter battle of intense partisan fingerpointing and reprehensible campaigns laced with political platitudes and media-driven chaos.

Sadly, over the past few decades, America has been assaulted by selfish interests and battered by the failures of good intentions. Our country is being reduced to a superficial society of extremes, steeped in uncertainty, social aggression, deepening divisions, legal machinations, dishonest education, commercial excess and political terrorism.

And it is turning uglier than ever. That is, if you watch television and read the newspapers. Alas, it's not because voters aren't paying attention. They are. But most are turned off and very disappointed, which leads to the inescapable conclusion that it's time to reform government and make elected representatives make the right decisions -- or voters will do it for them.
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2004 ELECTIONS STIRRING THE TRENCHES OF DEMOCRACY

The 2004 presidential elections promise to drive the level of partisan poison and vitriolic politics to historic highs, replete with shameless rhetoric, fear-mongering and media bias. Even though America is steeped in social, economic and political aggression and uncertainty, and we face a protracted war with terrorism, the battle of selfish interests over the control of government goes on unabated. And the bestseller lists are topped with books filled with superficial rhetoric, political distortions and condescending drivel.

However, all the news isn't bad. Traditional partisan politics and news media are losing their grip and the new media of direct democracy over the Internet is gaining strength over the struggle for the hearts and minds of voters. Before Senator John Kerry sewed-up the primary elections, former Vermont governor Howard Dean vaulted into the lead for the Democratic nomination with volunteers and a ton of money gleaned from his Website. MoveOn.com leaped from working against former president Clinton's impeachment and removal from office, to preventing President Bush's re-election. Conservative Internet sites are gaining interest for the other side.

But the fact is, most voters' politics are moderately centered and they are fed up with both sides. Many are becoming more active in seeking information, finding the truth, and making their own decisions by searching the Internet, communicating with each other in forums and chat rooms, watching C-Span and participating in call-in programs. Arizona's experiment with Internet voting in 2000 was successful with increased participation, Michigan did the same in the 2004 primary election and the Pentagon toyed with the idea for out-of-country military and civilian voters. It won't be long before the people come out from the trenches of democracy and demand secure voting networks and nonpartisan elections so they can assume the front row seats in deciding their future and how much or little government they want.

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REGARDING RICHARD CLARKE
Former counter-terrorism chief courts biased media and politics with book:
Against All Enemies: Inside America's War on Terror
March 2004

CLARKE SHOULD LOOK IN THE MIRROR FOR BLAME

It is glaringly apparent that former counterterrorism official Richard Clarke laying blame on the Bush administration for being weak against Al Qaeda and failing to prevent the September 11th attack on America -- because of an obsession with Iraq -- is little more than the desperate act of an incompetent, disgruntled employee -- with an inflated view of himself, an axe to grind and a book to sell -- who didn't get the job he wanted as the deputy director of the newly formed Department of Homeland Security.

When laying blame on those most responsible for being soft on terrorism and failing to prevent the 9/11 attacks, Clarke should look in the mirror along with the Clinton administration. Indeed, Clarke accomplished little more than to egregiously ignore terrorism, author and shamelessly promote a vindictive book of lies and deceptions, and to display dishonest emotions when he testified at the 9/11 hearings. Clarke's only statement that could be interpreted as true was that he failed 9/11 victims and their families.

Indeed, it is highly disturbing to see the politically-biased news media use Clarke as a campaign hatchet man and even worse to see the media exploiting 9/11 victims' families, some of whom have sadly assumed a political agenda of their own. And it's simply scary to know that extreme selfish interests and unconscionable machinations come so easy to the careless in these troubled, dangerous times. Lest we forget, shallow fame seekers, irresponsibility, gross negligence and savage terrorists amounts to the high probability of pain, suffering and death to many of the rest of us.

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AMERICA'S DEEPENING TROUBLES
April 11, 2004

Terrorist attacks, the war against terrorism, the war in Iraq and a wavering economy have America steeped in uncertainty. Adding the polarizing politics and the uncivilized war of the 2004 presidential election to the troubling mix is doing little more than stoking the fires of fear with the sticks and stones of confusion. In other words, the shallow and selfish interests of the few are simply making it difficult and dangerous for the rest of us.

Politics as usual is one thing, but when the left-wing of the Democratic Party cranks-up its propaganda machine, and the education establishment fills students' heads with socialist activism and the revision of our history (supported by the amoral entertainment industry), and biased journalism pumps out daily doses of bad news and media-driven chaos, for the sole purpose of political party regime change... America is in deep, unimaginable trouble.

The "tyranny of the majority" is a phrase often used by those who jerk around the majority and democracy to get what they want. Surely, the tyranny of the majority is nonsense. However, the tyranny of the minority is very real as evidenced by the lethal left of politics, education, entertainment and media. Wrongly demoralizing our military, their families and our nation over the politics of 9/11 heardings, the war against terror and the liberation of Iraq is tantamount to aiding and abetting to our enemies. They watch all this stuff and react to it, encouraged by unconcionable parallels with the Vietnam War.

America is better than this... We need nonpartisan government and elections. We need corruption-free capitalism. We need to break the education monopoly. And we need fair and objective news media.

Daniel B. Jeffs, founder
DDC

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FOUNDER'S E-MAILS PUBLISHED ON FOX NEWS

(The O'Reilly Factor and Brian Wilson's Weekend Live)
Re: Former counter-terrorism coordinator Richard Clarke,
his book, his motives and his 9/11 hearings testimony

My e-mail to the Fox News O'Reilly Factor March 26, 2004

Bill,
It is glaringly apparent that former counter-terrorism czar Richard Clarke's soft-on-terrorists blame game is little more than the desperate political act of a disgruntled employee with an inflated view of himself, an axe to grind and a vindictive book to sell. If he had the integrity to come on the Factor, he'd have to look in the mirror and point the finger.

Published on the O'Reilly Factor March 26, 2004:

Bill,
I believe Clarke has and axe to grind and thinks Bush-bashing will sell his book.

Dan Jeffs
Apple Valley, CA

My e-mail to Fox News Weekend Live March 28, 2004:

It is glaringly apparent that former NSC counterterrorism coordinator Richard Clarke's fingerpointing blame game is little more than the desperate acts of a disgruntled employee with an inflated view of himself, an axe to grind and a well-timed vindictive book to sell. If he had shred of integrity he would look in the mirror and hang his head in shame instead of promoting his deceit in the eager media and making false accusations and dishonest apologies at the 9/11 hearings.

Published on Fox News Weekend Live with Brian Wilson March 28, 2004:

It is glaringly apparent that Richard Clarke's blame game is little more than the desperate act of a disgruntled employee with an inflated view of himself, an axe to grind and a well-timed vindictive book to sell.

-Dan
Apple Valley, CA

(Brian Wilson mentioned there were a lot of comments like mine in their e-mail)

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DEMORALIZING AND UNDERMINING OUR NATION FOR POLITICAL PROFIT
By Daniel B. Jeffs, founder
April 26, 2004

Since the horrific events of the September 11, 2001 attack on America and the resulting war against terrorism, many have come to the inescapable, highly disturbing conclusion. The Democratic Party, supported by the elite news media, have charted a dangerous course during the 2004 presidential election season to demoralize our military and our citizens over the war and occupation of Iraq. Right or wrong, it has become glaring clear that the out-of-power, nit-picking politics of the left will do anything to rest control of the White House and the Congress from President Bush and the Republican Party, regardless of the consequences, even at the expense of undermining our national security.

Terrorist attacks, the war against terrorism, the war in Iraq and a wavering economy have America steeped in uncertainty. Adding the polarizing politics and the uncivilized war of the 2004 presidential election to the murky mix is doing little more than stoking the fires of fear with the sticks and stones of confusion. In other words, the shallow and selfish interests of the few are simply making it difficult and dangerous for the rest of us.

Politics as usual is one thing, but when the Democratic Party cranks-up its propaganda machine, and biased journalism pumps out daily doses of bad news for the sole purpose of political party regime change... America is in deep, unimaginable trouble. Wrongly demoralizing our military, their families and our nation over the politics of 9/11 headings, the war against terror and the liberation of Iraq is tantamount to aiding and abetting our enemies. Terrorists inside and outside of Iraq watch all this stuff and react to it, encouraged by political in-fighting and media-driven chaos. Sadly, some could even conclude that shallow, self-serving politics have markedly increased the loss of American, coalition and Iraqi lives

The daily difficulties in Iraq, former counter-terrorism advisor Richard Clarke's questionable motives, the 9/11 hearings and the media's obsession with Bob Woodward's loosely veiled anti-Bush book highlight just how vulnerable America is during presidential election time. It is simply frightening to witness the adverse effects of vitriolic politics, particularly when it puts us at increased risk in this perilous era of terrorism. Clearly, terrorists took advantage of us shortly after the 1992 presidential elections with the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, and they did it again soon after the 2000 presidential election by destroying the World Trade Center, damaging the Pentagon, crashing another plane in Pennsylvania and taking thousands of lives in 2001. Surely it's time to set selfish interests and partisan politics aside, and to work together with common sense to find solutions for our survival. Our future depends on it.

America is better than this. The two-party system has proven to be a serious social, political and economic liability, costing us too much and holding us hostage for too long. It's time for common sense in government instead of senseless partisan power struggles at our expense. What is even more troubling is the fact that there seems to be no middle ground in the battle between the political left and the political right. That middle ground is where most of us reside and we are missing-in-action. Considering what's been going on in Washington, maybe it's time to amend the Constitution and break the two-party grip on our federal government. Indeed, it is clearly past time for voters to assume the front row seat in making public policy.

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UNDERMINING AMERICA
Published in the San Diego Union-Tribune
May 6, 2004

Exploiting our war dead and negatively-charged saturation coverage of Iraq by the left-leaning news media establishment makes it painfully clear that the intention is to undermine the moral of the military, their families and the American people for the sole purpose of ousting President Bush in November.

But at what price? Terrorists see this and they react to it. Indeed, this kind of political treachery is tantamount to aiding and abetting the enemy, costing more lives, and leaving the Fourth Estate with a treasonous image.

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