Finally, A Scandal Worthy of This Great State
To be truly great and ambitious, a state must have great and ambitious scandals. But California hasn’t had any recent scandals truly worthy of our
Joe Mathews
March 27, 2014
Author: Joe Mathews
Connecting California Columnist and Editor, Zócalo Public Square, Fellow at the Center for Social Cohesion at Arizona State University and co-author of California Crackup: How Reform Broke the Golden State and How We Can Fix It (UC Press, 2010)
How to Steal Spring Training
As Major League Baseball teams practice for the opening of a new season, some fans dream of home runs from an up-and-coming star. Others pine
Joe Mathews
March 20, 2014
Steal Tim Draper’s Initiative
In recent years, I’ve advised Californians not to vote in state elections – democratic farces in which we elect politicians who have little power and
Joe Mathews
March 19, 2014
Attention: Media. Here’s One Way to Do Dan Schnur A Solid
Media favorite Dan Schnur, candidate for California Secretary of State, has a political problem. He’s not a registered member of any political party. And such
Joe Mathews
March 18, 2014
Why GOP Should Endorse Jerry
Dear California Republicans, As you hold your convention this weekend, your face many difficult questions about the future of your party. Fortunately, your choice for
Joe Mathews
March 14, 2014
Our United State of Water
Yes, we’re in a drought, but there’s still good reason to break out the sand bags: to protect ourselves against a flood of conventional media
Joe Mathews
March 13, 2014
Make Me Join a Party
Independent-minded political reform in California is exactly backwards. Reformers rail against the evils of partisanship. But then they pursue reforms like redistricting reform and the
Joe Mathews
March 12, 2014
Stand Down, Ron Nehring
Ron Nehring is taking one for the team, the Republican team, by stepping into the lieutenant governor’s race. That’s an honorable choice. But I wonder
Joe Mathews
March 11, 2014
Dear Alec Baldwin, L.A. Ain’t For You
Dear Alec Baldwin, Let me be the first to welcome you to the great state of California. I know you haven’t arrived yet. But, in
Joe Mathews
March 6, 2014