California Warmin’
California has long been known as a pioneer state willing to forge ahead in new ventures, technology, ideas and entertainment.
But if the Legislature thinks that one state acting alone can singlehandedly solve global warming, they are California Dreamin’.
A new report from the non-partisan Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) happens to agree with our tune.
Party of “No” Better than Yes at Any Cost
I noticed during the recent healthcare debate, as with many political
debates, when Democrats run out of things to argue about they often
issue their ultimate insult: "Republicans are the party of ‘No.’"
They say that like it’s a bad thing.
What they fail to understand is that in politics – as in life – there is value in saying, "No."
Reading the ‘Tea’ Leaves
Yesterday marked the 1-year Anniversary of the Tea Parties heard ‘round the world.
As the Event Director at two of the largest Tea Parties in the United States televised on FOX News, I am often asked, “What is the future of the Tea Party movement?”
My fellow Californians, I can tell you this: The state of the Tea Party is strong, and it is here to stay.
During “Tax Day” yesterday, one only needed to walk over to the steps of the Capitol to witness thousands of people fed up with their government. In California, of all places – the most Liberal state in the union. Thousands strong, this crowd didn’t exist two years ago. They certainly didn’t exist in 2005 when Governor Schwarzenegger was trying to change the system. Just imagine if they had.
In fact, if you’ve never actually attended a Tea Party in person and have only seen them on MSNBC, you might be of the opinion that they’re all a hostile, angry bunch. Think again.
CalChamber Gets It Wrong – Again
It was shocking enough late last week to hear that the California Chamber of Commerce pulled their TV ad off the air after a complaint from Jerry Brown.
More shocking still in the new Ad they’ve put up in its place.
The new Ad, which began running over the weekend, is a completely neutered ad which tells you to “Get the facts and decide for yourself” in the California gubernatorial race.
CalChamber still doesn’t get it. Voters want to know that business leaders in Sacramento are in tune with what’s happening on the ground, and they are thirsting more than ever for trustworthy leaders who can provide straight talk and trusted recommendations on who should lead the future of our state.
CalChamber Can’t Take the Heat
Yesterday, Capitol Weekly broke the news that the California Chamber of Commerce pulled its critical TV ad of Jerry Brown after receiving complaints from Brown, his wife, and their friends.
Last time I checked, we were in the midst of an Election Season. And the last time I checked, Elections were occasions when people actually took sides based upon their convictions.
The truth is, that ad was the most refreshing thing to come out of the Chamber in years. It was a tough yet entirely fair analysis of Brown. Widely known as the Godfather of the public employee pension crisis that is now destroying the state of California and the instigator of the global warming silliness that will literally kill our economy, there has never been a Governor more out-of-touch with businesses and taxpayers than Jerry Brown. By pulling the ad, Cal Chamber threw a damp cloth on what could have been the most virile effort to take down the one threat that stands in the way of a new generation in California.
Don’t Call It a Comeback
In the words of L.L. Cool J.: Don’t call it a comeback.
Not yet, anyway.
A front-page article in Sunday’s Sacramento Bee suggests that even among signs that the national economy is improving slightly, California faces an uphill climb.
The article, titled “California Comeback Faces Global Competition,” details the many challenges facing California businesses, both small and large.
For starters, the state continues to lag behind in critical areas:
– Business owners still face the harshest regulations among any of the 50 states. They face absolutely zero incentive to grow their businesses – or worse, to simply keep their businesses in California. The article points out whether it’s a small startup business in Davis, California or a large employer like Intel, companies are practically begging for the slightest shred of evidence as to why they should remain in California.
– Workers comp insurance rates are still 20% higher than most states in the nation;
The Color Purple
One of my favorite books on politics that I’m currently re-reading is Star Parker’s “Uncle Sam’s Plantation: How Big Government Enslaves America’s Poor and What We Can Do About It.”
Written several years ago by Parker, an African-American and proud Californian, the book is more relevant today than ever before. In it, she shares her story of struggle and suggests that even when it appears that government intends to help the people, it is in fact big government that keeps the poor enslaved and bankrupts America in the process.
If Star Parker’s “Plantation” describes the U.S. Welfare system, then it only seems fitting that “The Color Purple” aptly describes the tens of thousands of state workers enslaved by the dysfunctional family that is the SEIU in California.
With its vast land, rolling hills, and fertile crops, California plays the setting of the vast plantation.
Has “The American Dream” become a Nightmare?
A new survey published today by Xavier University reveals that Americans believe “The American Dream” is now harder to attain than ever before.
60% of respondents say that The American Dream is harder to reach today than it was for their parents – the Greatest Generation – even though their parents’ generation was ravaged by World War II.
A whopping 68% of respondents also think that, compared to the current generation, it will be even more difficult for their children to achieve The American Dream in the future.
The survey illustrates that Americans are rapidly losing confidence in America’s future, and it telegraphs every parent’s worst nightmare – that their children are the first generation in history not expected to do better than their parents.
Jerry in Wonderland
The year was 1975. Jerry Brown was Governor. And the movie “Alice in Wonderland” was all the rage.
Fast forward 35 years later. Jerry Brown wants to be Governor. And the movie “Alice in Wonderland” is all the rage.
Coincidence? I think not.
To peer into a third potential Jerry Brown reign, one only needs to take a trip down the rabbit hole into the fantasy world of Jerry’s Wonderland – where you’ll soon find that what’s up is down, and what’s down is up. It is here that a few comparisons can be drawn between the original tale vs. the tale that is playing out in California today.
The Setting: “The Garden” – which is the central location in the fictional tale – is a place that could easily pass for the State Capitol today. It is where all of the action takes place. It is where kings and queens hold court. It is where Tea Parties are held. And it is a place where all of the characters compete (and I’m quoting directly here) “in a Caucus race which consists of everyone running in a circle with no clear winner.” Ah, yes, this is all starting to sound familiar…
Is a “Green Job” really a Job?
As the English language goes, if you have to qualify a noun by preceding it with an adjective, then the subject is generally considered diluted.
For instance, if you feel the need to say you’re a “Registered Republican,” then you’re probably not wholeheartedly Republican. If you find yourself saying you’re a “Progressive Democrat,” there’s a strong likelihood you’re more “Progressive” than “Democrat.” And if you know deep down you’re a “bleach blonde” then trust me, you’re not really a blonde.
Such is the case with the nomenclature we’ve assigned to this phrase “Green Jobs.”
It begs the question: Is a “Green Job” really a Job?
Job numbers are hard and fast. Numbers in, numbers out. Each month, we receive a Jobs report showing the Net Loss/Gain of Jobs in this nation.