Year: 2016

Political Paradox? Prop. 59 asks Californians to condemn a big-money system long used here

Six years after Citizens United—the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision that says corporations and unions have a 1st Amendment right to unlimited campaign spending—presidential candidates across the spectrum have condemned the campaign finance system it shaped. “Corrupt,” says Bernie Sanders. “Pernicious,” says Hillary Clinton. “A broken system,” says Donald Trump. The issue is getting extra attention […]

Promises, Promises

Voters, beware the promises you will hear attached to the coming state ballot measures. Given the track record of some recently passed ballot measures, voters should turn a skeptical eye on many of the assurances assigned by initiative promoters. There were some big whoppers of course, none more so than the high-speed rail that is […]

Sherman the Californian

This month, as California celebrates Admission Day—a legal holiday in honor of our officially joining the United States on September 9, 1850—we should give ourselves an overdue present: A founding story of our statehood starring someone we can be proud of, both as Californians and Americans. Even after 166 uneasy years in the American empire, […]

California Needs to Consider the Energy Implications of SB 32 

For California still dependent on fossil fuels, and with renewables still years, if not decades away, our elected officials need to begin asking tough questions. The environmental movement admirably wants clean air, water, more open space and a host of other environmental measures that restrict fossil fuel exploration under the guise of protecting the environment. […]

What Do American Workers Have To Lose By Trying Donald Trump?

In his September 1 column, Joel Kotkin again makes a great case why American workers should vote against the Ruling Class and their poster child candidate, Hillary Clinton including: “Middle-class revulsion with the political mainstream has been driven by slow economic growth, stagnant wages, a dysfunctional education system, and, for smaller businesses, a tightening regulatory regime. Homeownership is now at a nearly half-century low. New business start ups, for the first time in three decades, are not keeping up with the number of deaths. Both stats reveal a real decline in aspiration. Most Americans, in a stunning reversal of past trends, see a worse future for their offspring than themselves. Who can blame them? Middle-class breadwinners and working-class wage-earners now suffer from deteriorating health and shorter lifespans.” However, Kotkin makes a remarkably week case why American workers should support Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump and continue America on the same track, albeit much more crooked.

Colin Kaepernick and Donald Trump

When embattled 49er quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, decided to sit for the singing of the national anthem, he was assured of headlines, but for the wrong reasons. Kaepernick is a big personality on a big stage who despite considerable talent has been a disappointment to fans that hoped for better on the playing field. He still […]

Why CTA Needs to Pull its Anti-Charter Ads Now

Charter schools have their problems—some are high-performing. Some aren’t. Some are models that other schools should be mulating.. Some would be better off shut down. But the idea that charters, which serve a fraction of students, represent a top priority in California is nuts. So it’s maddening to see the California Teachers Association, in an […]

Brown Should Approve Oversight Bill on High-Speed Rail Project

Democrats in Sacramento have developed a case of buyer’s remorse so strong that they joined Republicans to pass a groundbreaking high-speed rail accountability measure. Finally the Legislature is standing up for taxpayers and Governor Brown should take note. I introduced AB 2847 to strengthen the public and Legislature’s oversight of the High-Speed Rail Authority. This […]