Author: Jennifer Kerns

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.

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.

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…

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.

I’ve heard of no texting while driving, but no texting while Legislating?

Proving once again that Democrats are missing the point by a country mile, incoming Assembly Speaker John Perez announced this week it would now be against the rules to text while on the Assembly floor.

The move is intended to prevent lobbyists from communicating with Legislators during Assembly session and to, somehow, magically lessen the grip that special interests have on the Capitol.

But, banning text messages to Legislators in order to prevent influence is like putting a Chiclet in the Hoover Dam to stop a leak.

I’ll tell you what, Mister Speaker. We’ll give up Text messaging if your side agrees to stop being held hostage by the labor unions, stops forcing hard-working teachers into the teachers’ union, and …well,… I could send you an entire list of special interest offenses. If only you’d accept my texts.

For anyone watching Tuesday night’s
Special Election in Massachusetts and still wondering what all the fuss is
about, let me break it down for you.

Americans are mad as hell and they’re not
going to take it anymore.

What’s with all the anger? A recent viral
e-mail I received illustrates that people have finally begun to see firsthand
that "big government" – and the big spending that comes with it – is not only
wasteful, but it simply doesn’t work.