Fox and Hounds Daily Says Goodbye
With this article, we end publication of Fox and Hounds Daily. It has been a satisfying 12½ year run. When we opened in May 2008, our site was designed to offer an opportunity to those who wished to engage in public debate on many issues, especially in politics and business, but found it difficult to get placed in newspaper op-ed pages.
Co-publishers Tom Ross, Bryan Merica and I have kept F&H going over this time investing our own time, funding, and staff help. Last year at this time we considered closing the site, however with an election on the horizon we decided to keep F&H going through the election year. With the election come and gone, and with no sense of additional resources, we have decided to close the site down.
Fox and Hounds will live on, at least, with my articles collected in the California State Library.
On a personal note, I have spent over 40 years in California policy and politics. There have been some incredible high moments and some difficult low points. It pains me that politics too often is a blood sport, frequently demonizing the motives of opponents and using the legal system as a weapon in public discourse. At Fox & Hounds, we tried to adhere to the practice of giving all a voice in the debate, yet keep the commentaries civil and avoided personal attacks.
F&H offered the opportunity to publish different perspectives (even ones that criticized my writings!). We had success as indicated by the Washington Post twice citing Fox and Hounds Daily one of the best California political websites and many other positive affirmations and comments received over the years.
Tom, Bryan and I want to thank our many readers and writers for being part of our journey. The publishers of Fox and Hounds Daily believe that we added value to California and its people. We hope you agree.
Commemorating Martin Luther King Jr.
This space has annually honored the memory of Martin Luther King Jr. on his designated holiday and we do so again.
Originally published at Zocalo Public Square are examples of Los Angeles street art honoring Dr. King. The photographer is Camilo José Vergara, a New York-based sociologist and photographer who photographs the same urban locations over time to document changing communities. His web site is Camilojosevergara.com.
Below are two examples of the Dr. King LA street art. For more go to Zocalo Public Square.
The Fear Factor Dominates Campaign Rhetoric
President Franklin Roosevelt famously said “We have nothing to fear, but fear itself”. Unfortunately, fear has emerged as the predominant motivating factor in this cycle’s presidential campaign. Whether the issue is terrorism, illegal immigration, foreign competition, gun violence, climate change or the economy, all of the candidates–for both parties’ Presidential nominations–are touting themselves as the only option for heading off national disaster.
Donald Trump is riding on fear of Muslims, Mexicans and China. Ted Cruz is stoking fear of Washington. Bernie Sanders is campaigning on fear of Wall Street and billionaires. Hilary Clinton is pushing fear of the Republican candidates—and of guns. Substantive proposals are being submerged in a sea of venom and dread. As South Carolina’s Republican Gov. Nikki Haley put it in her response to President Obama’s State of the Union address, “During anxious times, it can be tempting to follow the siren call of the angriest voices.” (more…)
The More Advisory Measures, the Merrier
Before last week’s California Supreme Court decision permitting an advisory measure on campaign finance to be put on the ballot, this state had a serious problem with voter turnout. Serious people said they were desperate to do what was necessary to inspire voters to participate and get to the polls.
After that California Supreme Court decision, the turnout problem was no longer that serious.
Serious people lamented that the court was permitting the legislature to put measures on the ballot to – gasp – boost turnout. To get more people to the polls. Outrage!
Writing on this wonderful site, Joel Fox even identified a new and terrible problem – ballot manipulation! (more…)
Why Investment Realities Will Compel Pension Reform
“For the first time in the pension fund’s history, we paid out more in retirement benefits than we took in contributions.” – Anne Stausboll, Chief Executive Officer, CalPERS, 2014-2015 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report
There are few examples of a seemingly innocuous statement with more significance than Stausboll’s admission, buried within her “CEO’s Letter of Transmittal,” summarizing the performance of CalPERS, the largest public employee retirement system in the United States. Because what’s happening at CalPERS – they now pay more in benefits than they collect in contributions – is happening everywhere.
For the first time in history, America’s public employee pension funds, managing well over $4.0 trillion in assets, are becoming net sellers, not buyers. And as any attentive student of economics will tell you, when there are more sellers than buyers, prices drop. Behind this mega economic trend is a mega demographic trend – across the developed world, certainly including the United States, a relentlessly increasing percentage of the population is retired. The result? An increasing proportion of people who are retired and slowly liquidating their lifetime savings – also driving down asset values and investment returns. (more…)
California Economic Summit launches One Million Challenges in 2016 Roadmap to Shared Prosperity
The California Economic Summit released its 2016 Roadmap to Shared Prosperity today, highlighting a set of ambitious goals—the One Million Challenges—that will be vital to expanding sustainable economic growth in every part of California. The Summit also welcomed U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein as honorary chair of this multi-year effort to advance the priorities of the state’s regional economies.
After sharpening this strategy at the 2015 Summit in Ontario, the Summit’s expanding network of business, equity, environmental, and civic organizations have pledged to work together—and hold themselves accountable—to producing, over the next decade: (more…)
GO-Biz to Host Small Business Summit in San Francisco January 19th, 2016
The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) announced that it is hosting a Small Business Summit in San Francisco as part of an ongoing series of events throughout the state to help small business owners and entrepreneurs access resources.
The summit features high level representatives from state government including GO-Biz Director Panorea Avdis and Board of Equalization Member Fiona Ma. There will be presentations on the new California Business Portal, small business financing, trade and export resources, state tax credits and incentives, and much more. An expo featuring local resource partners and other state agencies accompanies the free event which is open to the public.
(more…)