Empowering independent-minded voters with information on key local, state & national issues

I’m a history nerd, finance geek, policy wonk, former Mayor and recent Congressional candidate who can tell you how we got here, and where’s the common ground to move forward.

Peter Ohtaki Peter Ohtaki

Don’t Fear the Reaper: How to Save Social Security

“The Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund will be able to pay 100 percent of total scheduled benefits until 2033.. At that time, the fund’s reserves will become depleted and continuing program income [payroll tax] will be sufficient to pay 77 percent of total scheduled benefits,” according to the 2025 Social Security Trust Report.

Instead of investing in 2.5% yield T-bills, if the Trust Fund invested in the S&P500 index (annual return of 10.6% since 2005) would delay Trust Fund depletion until 2040, giving time for policy makers to reform Social Security to ensure sustainability for future generations.

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Peter Ohtaki Peter Ohtaki

ATC+AI ASAP

Air Traffic Controllers need help. Early 2025 a Blackhawk helicopter collided with an American Airlines plane on final approach to Reagan National (DCA), killing 67; air traffic control staffing shortages slowed Newark Liberty airport in the summer, and the recent government shutdown caused controllers to take second jobs driving DoorDash

  • AI-enhanced Air Traffic Collision Warning system

  • AI re-routing air corridors for more separation

  • AI to assess mechanical failures in flight

  • TSA ticket fee funds FAA like USPS to ensure air traffic controllers get paid during future shutdowns

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Peter Ohtaki Peter Ohtaki

Don’t reward failed policies with a monopoly

As you consider Proposition 50, ask yourself, is California better off today then it was over a decade ago? Since 2014 the Democratic party has held both the Governor's office and a super-majority in our state legislature - i.e. a one-party state.

Don’t reward entrenched Sacramento politicians with a redistricting monopoly under Prop 50, when their failed policies resulted in doom loop of crime, drug abuse and homelessness, highest gas prices, highest taxes, 37th in K-12 education, and exodus of major employers. People are leaving California!

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Peter Ohtaki Peter Ohtaki

Final day to sign Save Downtown Menlo petition!

Menlo Park’s City Council is pushing affordable housing developers to build 6+ story high-density apartments on three heavily-used, downtown parking lots despite widespread opposition from residents and businesses.

Save Downtown Menlo, a grassroots coalition of residents and business owners, is fighting back with a ballot measure that would require voter approval before any downtown parking lots can be repurposed.

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Peter Ohtaki Peter Ohtaki

Dear Vladimir,

Here’s the ceasefire deal, Vladimir. It’s the best deal you’re going to get:

  • We give Kyiv the Iron Dome and NATO will enforce a no-fly zone to prevent your glide bombs, drones, and hypersonic missiles from killing Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure.

  • UK, France, and Germany will provide peacekeeping troops to guard a Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) along the current battle line to ensure security for Ukraine.

  • Europe will spend 5% of GDP on defense, outspending Russia in a war of attrition.

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Peter Ohtaki Peter Ohtaki

What’s the big deal about Ethnic Studies? Oppressed versus Oppressor

It was alarming that only one worksheet references the contributions and accomplishments of ethnic groups — the key stated intent of ethnic studies. However, in stark contrast, the overwhelming majority of the content focuses on oppression, colonization, resistance and hegemony. This reinforces the concerns of parents that there is a significant void between the stated intent (the what) of the curriculum and how it’s being implemented.

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Peter Ohtaki Peter Ohtaki

The Case for Tariffs: Main Street vs Wall Street

Middle America has lost manufacturing jobs for over 25 years as both parties advocated free global trade. Real income and property values haven’t changed much as a consequence, while Silicon Valley, Wall Street and Hollywood prospered. Tariffs will bring back manufacturing jobs domestically, counter China’s undervaluation of its currency, and pay for extension of tax cuts past 2026.

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Peter Ohtaki Peter Ohtaki

Housing, Builders’ Remedy and Local Control

Over the last decade, the State of California government has taken away local control over zoning to encourage high density housing everywhere. We must protect our family-friendly neighborhoods. California enacted SB9/10 ending single-family zoning and overriding local control with a one-size-fits-all unfunded state mandate.

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Peter Ohtaki Peter Ohtaki

Revenge of the “fly-over” states

Revenge of the Fly-over States: voters in the middle of America rejected the political agenda of the Coastal elite and instead voted their pocket books.

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Peter Ohtaki Peter Ohtaki

Cold War 2.0

We’re in Cold War 2.0 - Our adversaries today are the same countries we faced 50 years ago: Russia (Soviet Union), China, Iran, and North Korea. What’s different is that China is now our largest economic competitor, compared to what it was in the 70s.

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Peter Ohtaki Peter Ohtaki

Are you Oppressed or an Oppressor?

My wife and I were appalled after downloading a one-sided lesson on the Israel-Gaza war from our son’s Freshman Ethnic Studies class last November: Basically, generations of kids are raised with a world view of Oppressed versus Oppressor by teaching a counter narrative that casts Israel (and America) as Oppressors.

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Peter Ohtaki Peter Ohtaki

It’s inflation, stupid

Groceries, utilities, gas, housing, medical, tuition – all soared over the last 3 years. We’re now living paycheck to paycheck and forced to choose between taking the family to restaurants or vacation. What can we do about it?

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Peter Ohtaki Peter Ohtaki

What does immigration reform look like?

Americans are compassionate and want to allow those looking for a better life, like my grandparents. Yet the sheer volume of migrants crossing the border has overwhelmed border patrol. It's reasonable a temporary closure of the border to allow DHS and Congress time to get our sh** together.

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