Inherit the Wind
“He who troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.” –Proverbs 11:29
“A House divided against itself cannot stand.” –Abraham Lincoln
In recent days, some members of the Assembly Republican caucus have faced withering criticism because they said they would consider tax increases if coupled with a hard spending cap and permanent spending cuts, along with concessions relaxing some labor and environmental laws to act as a stimulus for the beleaguered economy. Mind you, they said they would consider increases and have not actually voted on any.
Radio talk show hosts are calling for the Republicans’ heads on spikes and feeding their listeners red meat flavored with the names of these members. They are threatened with bullying tactics and cries of ending their careers.
Others have proposed resolutions to change the party’s by-laws to censure and even campaign against Republicans who vote for any tax increase. These resolutions would be brought before the delegates to the California Republican Party at the convention at the end of the month in Sacramento.
An Obvious Solution to California’s Economic Problem Grows Out of the Ground
[READER CAUTION: CONTROVERSIAL SUBJECT ALERT]
If we can’t learn to think outside the box, then we will not solve California’s massive financial problems which right now are the worst present we can leave for our children, grandchildren and their children and grandchildren. What if I told you that there was a $13.8 Billion annual crop growing right here in California, year after year, nearly double the value of California’s vegetable and grape crops combined, which is not hard to grow and thrives in California’s many climates and terrains, but which, amazingly, is not taxed at all?
What if I told you that California is the top producer of this valuable crop of all the 50 states. What if I told you that, using conservative numbers derived from analyses done by our Federal Government, the entire domestic production of this crop in the whole U.S. has an annual value of $35.8 Billion, making it the #1 largest and most lucrative cash crop grown in all of America!
Shared Sacrifice in the Golden State
A couple of weeks ago, the governor and legislative leaders took
time out from the self-proclaimed budget crisis — the governor has
called it “financial Armageddon” — to journey across the continent
to participate in the inaugural festivities. Although we have our
doubts about President Obama — starting with the pork laden
stimulus package — there were a couple of nuggets of wisdom in his
inaugural address.
To begin with, Obama praised the selflessness of workers who, to
help us get through dark times, “would rather cut their hours than
see a friend lose their job.” This, of course, is anathema to
Assembly Speaker Karen Bass and Senate Pro Tem Daryl Steinberg.
While supporting higher taxes for all, they have been staunchly
resisting the governor’s proposal that state workers take an unpaid
two-day furlough each month to help us through our cash flow
problem. This, in spite of the fact that the Census Bureau lists
California public employees as the highest paid in the nation.