High Speed Rail Progress is Misreported
I have to agree with part of Joel Fox’s commentary on the High-Speed Rail Program, in the wake of yet another over-the-top, totally inaccurate report from the LA Times. The title of his piece was “Enough Already!” That’s just how I feel. Enough already of the bogus reporting, false issues, apples-to-oranges comparisons and abject failure […]
Remember that California is a Democracy, and the U.S. Is Not
Californians shouldn’t apologize for challenging the new administration or its democratic legitimacy. Because California is a democracy – albeit a very flawed one – and the United States is not. California elects the people who win the most votes (albeit in a problematic top two system). The United States, as we’re learning again, doesn’t elect […]
What I Saw at the Inauguration
The Trump era has begun! That’s what the news media are telling us. The Trump era actually began over a year and a half ago when Donald J. Trump, a not so ordinary American citizen, rode down an escalator and announced his candidacy for President of the United States of America from his Trump Tower. […]
Six Things About Donald Trump’s Inauguration
I awoke Friday with butterflies. As a scion of DC politics and a long-time practitioner of it, Inauguration Day, regardless of president or party, always leaves me excited and appreciative of the country in which I live. As the live feeds scrolled from Blair House, where I spent endless days in 2001 eating finger sandwiches, […]
Brown Should Follow Cuomo’s Lead on State of the State Speech
Finally, a big-state governor has figured out how to do a state of the state presentation properly. Unfortunately, that governor is not California’s governor. A few years ago, I advised Gov. Brown to ditch the traditional State of the State speech, since it has lost all punch, and instead go around the state, listening to […]
Concerns Over Trump and the Chance to Prove his Detractors Wrong
Presidential Inaugurals are supposed to be celebrations of a new start, fresh beginnings—-sometimes even historic moments. That was the case in 2008 when the nation chose its first black President. Another historic moment is upon us when the 45th president, Donald T. Trump, will be sworn in amidst controversy over his election that outweighs the event […]
A View from the Inauguration: Kellyanne Conway Speaks to Women Leaders
“Dreams come true! Women can do anything!” That was Kellyanne Conway’s message yesterday morning in front of a group of 250 women leaders, the day before her 50th birthday … and the much discussed inauguration of Donald J. Trump. Kellyanne said she is having a huge birthday party and there is a small swearing in […]
Presidential Inaugurations Are More Than a Hail to the (New) Chief
On Jan. 20, tens of millions of people will watch the pomp and spectacle of a uniquely American tradition. The hushed politicos in the pews of prayer service, the gleaming marching band brass on parade, the holy men and women delivering solemn invocations, the tuxes and gowns dancing their way through evening balls. And, of […]
Environmentalism Provides Moral Cover for New Taxes to Fund Pensions
There are two intertwined themes that define unionized government in California. First, funding government retiree pensions will soak up every new source of tax revenue they will ever collect. Second, cloaking new taxes and fees – and new agencies – in the virtuous raiment of environmentalism will deflect criticism and demonize critics. Here’s why: Now […]