Category: California

Big Blue – It’s California

California really is an independent state.  The official flag name is “The Bear Flag” but the text on the flag tells the real story, CALIFORNIA REPUBLIC.  For 26 days during the Mexican American War there was a group that claimed independence for California.  Californians, like Texans, have always considered their state something different.  Perhaps it was the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Mojave Desert that separates us from the rest of the nation that has always given us a different perspective.

So while the most other states voted Republicans into office, Californians continued to support most of the Democrats and liberal/progressive initiatives.  As it stands now every state wide candidate appears to have won their election.  The State Attorney General position appears to be a cliff hanger.  All the others have been conclusively decided.

I have mixed emotions about this situation.  On the one hand I like the idea that we have an extraordinarily progressive (yes, liberal) point of view because we want to be an inclusive society looking to improve everyone’s life.  On the other hand our laws and regulations have driven many businesses out of the state and that has resulted in too many homeless and unemployed people.  If we were an independent country, we would be the Greece of America.  Our next governor, Jerry Brown, will have to make some very difficult decisions.

California’s Drought

The Los Angeles Times reports that the California drought may be over.  No one knows if it is really over or is the filling of our reservoirs a temporary situation.  Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger isn’t lifting his drought declaration. Los Angeles isn’t ending its watering restrictions and Southern California’s major water wholesaler isn’t reversing delivery cuts.

There is more than one reason.  The first is that that this rainy season was caused by an El Nino effect.  That is a warming of Pacific Ocean waters which results in more rain on the California coast.  This occurrence has been proven from prior El Nino years.

The second is the continuing construction industry search for new business.  The state will include a proposal on November’s ballot for $11 Billion in water conservation bonds.  As I pointed out this past November 5, 2009, building more reservoirs and channels will not increase the water supply.  It will, however, put money in the pockets of contractors.  As I pointed out then, we have already spent over $13 Billion on water projects since the year 2000.  The great water projects were built at an earlier date and continue to provide adequate distribution of water throughout the state.

Evasion is No Solution to California’s Budget Challenge

Bob Blumenfield is the Assemblyman representing my California district in Sacramento.  Mr. Blumenfield represents a large portion of the west and north communities of the San Fernando Valley.  As chair of the Assembly Budget Committee he has taken his “California Budget: Be part of the Solution” program on the road.  He held a “Community Forum on State Budget Priorities” at a major senior center in the center of the Valley.

To my surprise the auditorium was filled with members of the SEIU.  Most were wearing T shirts to advertise that fact.  What had I walked into?  The lady sitting next to me works downtown for the DMV.  Although the senior center had publicized this event, there were no more than 10% seniors (based upon appearance).  600 people were expected to attend.  There were at least 400 there.

In addition to Mr. Blumenfield the other assembly members included in the panel were Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco), Julia Brownley, 41st Assembly (D-Portions of the San Fernando Valley and adjoining areas), and Felipe Fuentes – Chairman of the Appropriations Committee (D-North East San Fernando Valley).  Ms. Ma’s photo is from her web site.  The other three photo were taken by me.

 

Questions were asked and audience participation provided answers using wireless communicators regarding services to be provided and ways to raise money to pay for those desired services.  There was never any discussion about the fact that the budget is already projected to have a short fall of $24.3 Billion.  There was never any discussion of the high cost of pensions or services provided to illegal aliens.

Mr. Blumenfield is a hard worker at spreading his face and name as demonstrated by the photo album on his assembly web site.  Based on my attempt to ask questions after the meeting, he is not willing to discuss the real budget issues.  He answered my questions with evasion.

How to Defeat Democracy

2/3 Requirement Makes a Mockery of Majority Rules

The words of Thomas Jefferson: “The only way a republican government can function, and the only way a people’s voice can be expressed to affect a practicable control of government, is through a process in which decisions are made by the majority. This is not a perfect way of controlling government, but the alternatives–decisions made by a minority, or by one person–are even worse and are the source of great evil. To be just, majority decisions must be in the best interest of all the people, not just one faction.”

Despite repeated similar statements by Jefferson and other great American leaders we have continuing efforts to abridge the process by asking voters and assemblies to approve laws that require 67% or two thirds (2/3) vote to pass laws.  Proposition 16 on the June 2010 California ballot is another example of that kind of law.  Californians has voted that restriction into law repeatedly. The result is that one third of the population (or assembly) determines if the state will pass a budget or if a school district can sell bonds.  Or in other words the 2/3 vote Pacific Gas and Electric is proposing means that if  the Proposition is passed that it will then take a 2/3 majority to enable any municipality to create a publicly owned utility.

The U.S. Senate requirement of 60% to pass laws is equally abhorrent.

If There is No Will There is No Way

I was an avid supporter of a California constitutional convention to bring sanity to this state. Such an effort requires significant financial backing. Unfortunately not enough people were willing to come to the aid of this endeavor. The Los Angeles Times editorial for this day says what I have been telling everyone. No one running for governor can change our dysfunctional government. Can California Forward accomplish the necessary changes we need?  I am dubious.  Below is the first paragraph from the Times editorial. It summarizes the situation.

A Prince for Governor of California

At the very least this situation has some entertainment value.  The Husband of Zsa Zsa Gabor, Prince Frederic von Anhalt,  Officially announces he’s in the race for governor of California.  Of course it’s all a joke but this is part of the fun of living in Los Angeles (Beverly Hills is a separately incorporated city in the middle of L.A.).  The character is at least entertaining.  Since California is ungovernable why not have some fun. 

The prince has a web site with some very nice pictures of Zsa Zsa and him in some very nice poses.  What more could Californians want?

Repair California Now

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is living in his own world. Perhaps he thought being governor was an acting roll. After all wasn’t Ronald Reagan governor of this state? Or, maybe he thinks he can write the scripts for everyone like they do in the movies. The problem is he is not a writer. The part he has now requires more than just acting. He really is the governor of California.

His script, he wrote it, was to support President Obama on the issue of health care. Then he changed the lines to denounce the health care bill. Now he is looking to Washington for $6.9 Billion to balance the state budget. Apparently no one told him the political process. “You support me on something I want and I will support you on something you want.”

Perhaps California will get the money it needs but it going to be our congressman and senators who will get the job done. As Sherry Bebitch Jeffe has written, “Biting the Feds Hand Won’t Bring Money to California.”

What California needs is a revised constitution that will provide the means to manage our state. That is the effort being made by Repair California. It’s a grass routes group that is now ciruclating petitions for just hat purpose. Click on the link and learn how you can help.

Take California Away From the Politicians

The “Golden State” had a golden age in the late 50s and throughout the 60s.  It was made the official State Nickname in 1968.  Freeways were under construction everywhere.  The educational system was flourishing from kindergarten through university.  Industries were booming all over the state.  Los Angeles was closing in on Chicago as the largest manufacturing area in the country. The state’s population was burgeoning.

Then politics, corruption, special interests, and incompetence took control.  Added to that was Gerrymandered representation that resulted in the grid lock that has held the state in its grip ever since.  Is it no wonder that Gary Davis, past governor, was recalled.

Since Arnold Schwarzenegger became governor everything has become worse.  Even beyond the $20 billion deficit there are issues related to everything from education to water.

As things stand now the next governor will not be able to improve the way this state functions given the outmoded state constitution. The state constitution has 522 amendments and is 110 pages long.  It was adopted in 1849.  Initiatives approved by voters have tied the hands of the legislators.  As an example there is an article titled PUBLIC HOUSING PROJECT LAW, and another titled MOTOR VEHICLE FUEL SALES TAX REVENUES AND TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT FUNDING.

Repair California, Sponsored by the Bay Area Council, a San Francisco area business group, is proposing two initiatives that will (1) “Allows voters to place question of calling a constitutional convention on the ballot.”  and (2) “Calls a limited convention to propose changes to state constitution.“

Many newspapers throughout California have given editorial support to this effort.  The Los Angeles Times has given wholehearted support to this idea.  The idea of a constitutional convention has been covered extensively in the media since the publication of Jim Wunderman’s Opinion Editorial in the San Francisco Chronicle.

Californians have the opportunity to fix state
San Francisco Chronicle, January 3, 2010

A smart convention plan
Los Angeles Times, January 3, 2010

Anything but the best is unacceptable
Lompoc Record, December 13, 2009

Our View: Clean up mess in governance
Pasadena Star-News, December 12, 2009

This is our home.  We need to take it back from the politicians.

Repairing California: Some More

I was contacted by Repair California with a request to use my name and provide a 50 word statement.  Of course I complied.  It was difficult to shrink my opinion to 50 words.

My slightly longer statement goes like this:

California, the Golden State, is literally falling apart.  The streets, freeways, levees, and even the water distribution system are all breaking apart.  Add to that the deteriorating educational system, the high taxes, the over budget government systems, and the legislative deadlocks and you begin to understand the depth of our turmoil.

The state districting has been so gerrymandered that there is little opportunity to unseat incumbent legislators without an extraordinary uprising of the electorate.

District boundaries are merely a symptom of the overall management of California.  Republicans and Democrats have carved up the state in a manner that ensures that when an incumbent retires his successor will be in the same party.

Everyone in this state needs to become involved!

Crazy Seniors at a Town Hall Meeting

I went to a town hall meeting conducted by the primary congressman in the San Fernando Valley (Los Angles, CA).  Brad Sherman of the 27th district is a good communicator who maintained a calm demeanor. He is not my congressman thanks to Gerrymandering.  The Local paper reported on the event and says there was 1,200 people in attendance.  I was one of the 400 who had no place to sit.  It was mostly a respectful crowd that booed and cheered as Mr. Sherman spoke.

Congressmann Brad Sherman

The group was primarily made up of older people.  My guess is many of them are retired or are approaching retirement very soon.  I spoke to Virginia Brodek who lost her job in a public school and has taken another “temporary” job at $16,000 per year.  Her health insurance costs $7,500 and she now lives with her mother. 

Town Hall - Virginia Brodek

The Daily News reported that Beverly Pegram, 65, was stunned by the outspoken audience. The North Hollywood woman had come to the afternoon meeting to catch a glimpse of Sherman, who she admires. She left shaking her head.  “I know everybody is entitled to their opinion, but these people are crazy,” she said.  I left early too.