Tea Parties, Television and the Two-thirds Vote
The Tea Parties went off around California and the nation Wednesday, gaining attention for those concerned about tax increases and federal bailouts. They were certainly a success by the measure that they displayed an anger simmering amongst many voters throughout the country. But, controversy was stoked by the way some media outlets portrayed the events as a front for Republican activism.
A CNN reporter claimed the event was “anti-government” and “anti-CNN” because the tea parties were so heavily promoted by Fox News. The Los Angeles Times coverage of the TEA Parties focused on the charge that it was a Republican inspired event. Meanwhile, Fox News broadcaster Neil Cavuto, covering the Sacramento event, stated over and over that there was no political party agenda to the rallies and that Republican as well as Democratic officials were criticized for supporting big spending and higher taxes.
Judging by some polling I’ve seen, Democrats are also concerned about tax increases and the consequences of the federal bailout. However, I expect the debate over the media coverage may overshadow the rallies in some quarters.
Sweet Emotion – Tax Day in the Protest Capital
There’s nothing in the Bay Area like a good protest! A Berkeley alum once told me that they used to just post a sign that said “Protest!” and people showed up – whether they were protesting something or nothing at all. People like a good party.
The peaceful protest at the Tax Tea Party in Pleasanton was one of several in the Bay Area. Even after 6 hours, there were still 600 angry taxpayers when I closed the program with KSFO radio personality Barbara Simpson. I learned later from other reports that there were actually 2,000 during the day in that location, 500 in Walnut Creek, and nearly 1,000 in San Francisco.
What I liked best about the Tax Tea Party was that these were real Californians – people who showed up because they were sick of paying for things they don’t benefit from – like corporate bailouts and bloated government. These people scratch their heads every day wondering what that extra tax dollar is paying for. It is not putting food on their table or clothing on their kids. These were not Republicans or Democrats – they were Americans. People Taxed Enough Already.
San Diego City Council Facing Reality
In a surprising move, the San Diego City Council unanimously voted to support Mayor Sanders’ call for imposing 6% salary cutbacks on city workers. Finally, some common sense at city hall!
Necessity is the mother of invention – and reform. In essence, in this economy, the city was rapidly running out of budget options – and the city council recognized this fact of life.
Yet, as good as the news is, it’s only a first step towards fiscal sanity. A good first step, but still only a first step.
The city’s retirement health care costs and funding deficit are continuing to grow. The city’s pension annual payment will rise dramatically in the next two years, barring an economic miracle. Indeed, San Diego is the only city with two fully funded pension plans – allowing 30-year city workers to retire with 140% pensions. Finally, most city employee salaries are still above comparable private sector wages – for no good reason.
Spector Trial Could Launch Political Career
I cannot remember the last time the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office scored a murder conviction of a celebrity. And neither can longtime D.A. spokesperson Sandi Gibbons. “I know there has not been one in the last 40 years,” she commented after the verdicts in the Phil Spector trial were read.
This is a huge win for D.A. Steve Cooley, a Republican who is serving a third term. Incumbent D.A.s are often defeated by challengers in their own offices in the midst of courtroom losses. The circuses surrounding the trials of OJ Simpson and Rampart officers hurt Gil Garcetti’s chances for a third term after he had coasted to an easy victory over incumbent Ira Reiner. Mr. Reiner had been hurt by the outcomes in the McMartin pre-school trials.
Cooley’s office has also had some losses, such as the acquittal of Robert Blake, but his public integrity unit has earned him widespread praise for weeding out corruption in some of the county’s smaller cities. In fact, Cooley is the first L.A. County D.A. to be elected to a third term since Buron Fitts in 1936.