America first

No smoking in Colorado

The smoking Nazi’s continue their march across America.

A Colorado judge has banned Colleen and Rodger Sauve from smoking in their own condo because it bothers the neighbors. They have been ordered outside to smoke, an option that is not always comfortable with the severity of Colorado winters.

Apparently when liberals say that what they do in their privacy of their bedrooms is no ones business, they don’t include smoking on that list.

Maybe the Sauve’s should consider moving to Calabasas, California where the smoking Nazi’s have outlawed smoking outside, in public places, in an effort to force smoking inside.

Again, I do not smoke cigarettes, but I think this is getting a bit out of hand.

Posted by sharris at 12:02 AM

November 29, 2006

Hastings

Nancy Pelosi announced that she would not attempt to have Florida Representative Alcee Hastings become the next chairman of the House Intelligence Committee. Though Hastings was her preferred choice, his 1989 impeachment (while a judge) for accepting a bribe did not sit well with those who reminded Pelosi that she promised the cleanest Congress America has ever seen.

Hastings showed his true colors when in a statement reacting to the decision when he said….

“Sorry haters, God is not finished with me yet”.

Maybe not, but Pelosi is☺

Posted by sharris at 12:08 AM

Steinbeck

Since I ran a note a few days about excerpt from Steinbeck’s “Winter of our Discontent”, I have received quite a few Steinbeck related emails.

In answer to all of them – Steinbeck is my all time favorite (with Mark Twain a close second) author and his book, “Travels With Charley”, is my all time favorite book.

Those who enjoy reading usually have a backlog of books they want to get to – the night stand stack☺ However, if you have the time and haven’t read them, pick up any Steinbeck novel, a glass of your favorite and a fire and you have a terrific way to spend a few hours!

Posted by sharris at 12:01 AM

November 28, 2006

Pelosi can criticize, but can she govern?

Nancy Pelosi is discovering that it’s much easier in the booth than on the sideline. This is not a surprise to anyone, but is no less entertaining because of its predictability.

Her loudest campaign claim (other than get out of Iraq) was to end corruption in D.C. and give America the cleanest Congress in history. How’s she doing so far?

He decision to support Rep John Murtha as majority leader, an effort doomed to failure highlights the challenges she’s facing. Murtha, well known now as an anti-war leader, has previously starred in FBI surveillance tapes. In his film career, his best-known line was in turning down a bribe with the infamous – “I’m not interested – at this point”. Murtha is the king or pork barrels and while not yet convicted, is generally understood to play fast and loose with ethics.

Pelosi is also pushing hard for Rep. Alcee Hastings to chair the House Intelligence Committee. Hastings is not quite as adept as Murtha at avoiding prosecution and was as a judge, was impeached for accepting a $150,000 bribe.

Now, Republicans have not been too smart the past few years and were caught with their hands in the cookie jar a few times. However, to their credit, they dumped the offenders when caught. So far, Honest Nancy seems to embrace the disgraced.

Maybe she’ll do better with Iraq☺

Posted by sharris at 10:21 AM

November 26, 2006

Steinbeck

I’m in the middle of reading John Steinbeck’s “The Winter of Our Discontent”. There is a throw away paragraph where the protagonist asks a local cop if anything has happened the previous evening.

“It’s pretty quiet.“ he said. “Some kids wrecked a car at the bridge. But, hell, it was their own car. Judge’ll make ‘em pay for repairing the bridge.”

It struck me as I read it, that if it happened today, it would read more like this…

“It’s pretty quiet.“ he said. “Some kids wrecked a car at the bridge. But, hell, it was their own car. Their parents are pretty pissed about the location of the bridge and will be suing the city for damages.”

Sad.

Posted by sharris at 12:01 AM

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November 25, 2006

2 presidents?

Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador who was defeated in the Mexico’s recent presidential election and again in a recount has not given up. Earlier this week, he held a ceremony and declared himself the real leader of Mexico. Mexico has a history of this, with Lopez Obrador being the fourth in the last 100 years to try and set up a parallel or competing presidency.

The dangers and divisiveness as a result of this amazingly selfish act are obvious and we can only hope that some countries sympathetic (Cuba, Nicaragua, etc.) with Lopez Obrador’s politics don’t recognize him as the true president.

On a separate note, rumors that Senator John Kerry attended the ceremony and was seen taking notes are unfounded☺

Posted by sharris at 07:12 AM

Crystal meth

As crystal meth makes it way from the U.S. to Europe, an interesting twist has developed, making the illegal drug far more expensive for Europeans than Americans.

The Euro (European equivalent of our dollar) is used to snort the drug. But, it turns out that when the residue left on the bill comes in contact with human sweat, an acid develops causing the bill to disintegrate. If the bill is in a wallet or purse, it will wind up destroying all other bills it comes in contact with.

I would like to think this was a planned effort, but I’m guessing it was simply a lucky break. Maybe the U.S. can look into using the same paper as the Euro!

Posted by sharris at 12:03 AM

November 24, 2006

Richman on radio

It was my pleasure to have Assemblyman Keith Richman return to my radio show – California: The Alpha State.

Keith is my first return guest and we focused the entire show on election reform. We had hoped to discuss campaign reform as well, but that will have to wait for another show. If you want to better understand the challenges our legislators face with regards to special interests and money, please listen to what Keith has to say.

The show airs this Saturday at 3:00 on NewsTalk 1520 KVTA. You can also hear it anytime (as well as all the old shows) on my website at AlphaState.org.

Posted by sharris at 12:09 AM

This Week In Policy & Politics

I write short weekly column summarizing what’s happened in the proceeding seven days on the political and policy front. If you are not in a turkey induced haze, click below and enjoy☺

This Week in Politics and Policy. November 24, 2006

Thanksgiving.

Every week we take a quick tour around the great State of California, highlighting what’s new in Sacramento and what’s happening around the state that affects you, your family and your business.

I usually look for the quirky and the entertaining, a mistake that needs to be highlighted in hopes of correcting it, or an issue that is “on the table” and needs the attention of the citizens of California.
By virtue of being an activist, I am always looking for things we can differently or better and searching for actions that will make California a better place to live, work and raise a family. Not surprisingly, Thanksgiving week has been a bit slow. This is good, because it affords me an opportunity to discuss something that is often overlooked, certainly by me.

There is no better place to live in the entire world than the United States of America and within this country, the State of California.

While we definitely have our problems, we also have almost unlimited potential to improve and grow. We are an amazing state and an amazing people – just the way we are. 25 years ago, before starting a business and a family, my wife and I spent two years visiting all 48 of the continental United States. The goal was to find the best place possible to settle down and make our mark. When the trip was done, we had reached two conclusions. America is a remarkable country populated by remarkable people and that within this country, California stands head and shoulders above the rest.

Our natural resources, our beauty, our God-given advantages, but mostly our people make this a most amazing place to live. No other state offers the wealth of possibilities available to us all. There are things we can be doing better – and we will – and we certainly can’t assume that our children will have the same opportunities we’ve had without proper stewardship today. However, at this time of year, it is very appropriate to give thanks and to remind ourselves, our families and our coworkers of the beauty, the majesty and the bounty that are unique to California and Californians.

To all of those who make this a better place, to all those who generously support my work, and to all those who push me to be better by challenging what I do – thank you. I wish each of you a terrific Thanksgiving weekend and hope that you take advantage of what this state has to offer to make your life – and the lives of those around you – the best it can be.

That’s it for this week and remember, California is the Alpha State: the greatest state in the world’s greatest country.

Posted by sharris at 12:03 AM

November 23, 2006

Happy Thanksgiving

This is my favorite holiday of the year and I simply want to say thank you and Happy Thanksgiving. The list of things I am thankful for is long (I am very lucky) and on that lost is those who are kind enough to read this blog. I appreciate your feedback, positive and critical – as I learn from both. Have a terrific day!

Posted by sharris at 12:29 AM

Young voters

In 2002 8 million Americans under the age 30 voted. In 2006 (the next non-presidential election year), that number jumped to 10 million – a 25% increase.

That is an encouraging trend and hopefully, one that will continue. It is not surprising that 60% of the 10 million voted for Democrats. Democrats have always done well among the young. Republicans tend to pick up voters as they get older. Democrats will tell you that change comes with cynicism and a loss of ideology. Republicans will tell you the change comes with increased responsibility and maturity.

Either way, the more young Americans we can get involved in the process – and voting is certainly a step and an indicator – the stronger our country will be.

Posted by sharris at 12:06 AM

November 22, 2006

Racism?

Today’s front page of the Daily News has an article where some black leaders have spotted a bandwagon and jumped on, decrying racism in our city.

Because racism has become such a growth industry, this is not surprising, but still disappointing. There are two reasons why these articles – and the people behind them – will never go away. First, because in a nation of 300 million people, there will always be ignorant racists. However, it’s a big jump from one racist or one racist act to declaring that racism is still systemic and nationwide and that we are still a racist country – which is simply not true.

Second, because if you look long enough and hard enough, you can make almost anything seem like an act of racism.

All three examples used in the article have an irony that is hard to overlook and if not so sad, it would be funny.

The first example used is black firefighter Tennie Pierce having his $2.7 million judgment stopped by LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. The fact that he participated in similar college level pranks, the fact that $2.7 million dollars for unknowingly taking a bite of dog food is a ridiculous settlement and the fact that the mayor is also a minority seems lost on those screaming racism.

Comedian Michael Richards racist rant this week is also used as an example. No doubt the incident was out of line and he has been vilified in the press and banned from the comedy club. The irony is that not a day goes by that you can’t see black comedians saying the same thing about blacks and even worse about whites without there once being a backlash. Is there possibly a double standard?

My favorite is Eddie Jones, president of the Los Angeles Civil Rights Association, calling Fox News’ decision to not publish the OJ book or air the interview racist. He points out that Jeffrey Dahmer, the Menendez brothers and Timothy McVeigh all wrote books and had interviews. What he fails to point out is that they are all white and were all convicted. OJ? Black and innocent.

Mr. Jones, I’ll make you a deal. Put OJ behind bars for having murdered two people and he can write all the books he wants. Keep him on the streets, laughing all the way to the bank and yes, you can still expect a little outrage. It’s not about color, it’s about justice.

Posted by sharris at 08:10 AM

McClintock

A few readers have taken issue with my Sunday column, or parts of it at least, specifically regarding Tom McClintock. The excerpt fairly sums up the responses….

Although it is not that big in the scheme of things, I do take issue with your criticism of Tom McClintock. While he may not have the charisma of someone who is more elect-able, Tom is one of the most intelligent, honest, and diplomatic politicians this state has seen in a long time. When it comes to addressing the state’s structural problems, I believe he is far more qualified than any other state-level candidate at this time.

So that I am 100% clear, I agree completely with this reader’s assessment of Tom. I too wish Tom had won. I endorsed him and respect him. However, my column was not about his ability to serve, but his viability as a statewide candidate. Two separate issues.

Posted by sharris at 12:05 AM

November 21, 2006

Better late….

Fox News Corp (with apologies) has cancelled the OJ book and television interview and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa vetoed the city councils effort to pay a firefighter $2.7 million dollars because he was offended by a prank.

Photos prove firefighter Tennie Pierce has been on both sides of the prank aisle and anyone who has spent time in a fire station knows this is part of the lifestyle.

Every time I write that the Mayor has done the right thing, I receive a number of emails that he is simply a socialist in moderates clothing, but at some point, readers are going to have to acknowledge that this guy does not always take the easy path. Standing up to a minority in LA is never easy, but the Mayor has done it.

Standing up to OJ, who most assume is a murderer, is a bit easier and even though it took Fox and Rupert Murdoch a bit of time – they did it.

Nice to see the right thing being done and leaders in the public and private sectors listening to what Americans want. Seems like this is the way it should work and I hope it happens more often.

Posted by sharris at 07:04 AM

Classified information

Fortune magazine reports that classified advertising revenue in newspapers has dropped $2 billion dollars (to $17.3 billion dollars) since 2001. At the same time, advertising on the classified website Craigslist (a pretty good indicator of web activity) has increased to $50 million dollars (from $10 million dollars) since 2003.

While disparity between the two is still huge, the trend is worth noting. The implications (print vs. electronic) extend far beyond classified adverting.

I watched a football game recently with my son and some of his early-20 friends. They watched with their laptops next to them and as questions came up about the game – which they were watching in real time – they simply turned to their laptops to get the answers.

I also hear the term “I saw an article”, rather than “I read an article” more and more.

This trend is not necessarily bad, but it is worth noting and reacting to.

Posted by sharris at 12:22 AM

U got 2b kidn

New Zealand has taken the lead in the worldwide effort to make our children as dumb as possible. Education officials now make it mandatory for teachers in New Zeeland to accept “text speak” – “cu” see you, “lol” for laugh out loud, “ur” for your, etc., as standard English.

This is reminiscent of a few years ago when Oakland wanted to allow Ebonics (black street slang) in place of English.

Apparently, the theory is that if you continue to lower the bar by reducing standards, eventually everyone will pass, proving that the education system works. Gotta luv it!

Posted by sharris at 12:04 AM

November 20, 2006

Quiet candidate

North Carolina has given us another example of why I believe our goal should be more informed voters, not simply more voters. Quality over quantity.

Sam Duncan was elected to the county board this month. It is anticipated that he will be a quiet member of the board – since he died a month before the election. Since North Carolina voters do not care enough to elect a live county board member, one has to wonder how long before they would have noticed he hadn’t attended any meetings?

Posted by sharris at 07:44 AM

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Sunday column

Yesterday’s column focused on the problems within the parties rather than the problems between the parties and asked the question – Has America grown too large to be contained by two parties?

As always, I would love your feedback and thoughts.

November 7th proved that America has grown too large and too politically diverse to be contained by two parties.

Battles within the parties are at least as vicious and ideologically rigid as those between the parties. The problem is that moderate Republicans have more in common with conservative Democrats than they do with conservative Republicans and conservative Democrats have little in common with liberal Democrats.

The Terri Schiavo/anti-stem cell research/pro-life wing of the Republican Party has very little in common with the anti-Iraq war/pro-civil union/pro-choice wing of the Republican Party. They might have come together on fiscal conservatism, but I think we can all agree the Bush administration has been anything but fiscally conservative. President Bush was first elected as a compassionate conservative, but by 2006, many believe he is neither. He has controlled the Executive and Legislative branch for six years and accomplished very little—not because of Democrats, but because he couldn’t bring his own party in line with his policies. As a result, we have been in neutral since the start of the Iraq war.

While the Democrats bask in a brief honeymoon, the American people are impatient and will have them on a short leash. The Dems have to do something besides attack every decision made by the president and investigate any Republican that moves. It’s a big jump from the sidelines to the coach’s box and it’s been a while for Democrats. Talking about improved education and healthcare, “fair” taxes and a “fair” immigration policy as well as having a quick answer to Iraq is all much easier than actually implementing a program.

Democrats need to understand that they are currently the “rebound party” and are in power by virtue of an amazing series of mistakes by the Bush administration, far more than through their own doing. 2008 is fast approaching and how long does anyone believe the Pelosi / Reid / Dean liberal faction of the Democratic Party will continue to sing from the same hymnal as the Hillary “I need to be a moderate to win” wing?

It’s possible that on a national level, Republicans are starting to figure things out. The firing of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, followed by the appointment of Florida Senator Mel Martinez as general chairman of the Republican National Committee are indicators that Bush may not have been tone deaf to the GOP majority’s November 7th swansong.

Nationally, we’ll have to see how far Pelosi pushes her attacks on Bush, how Democrats treat shunned but victorious Senator Joe Lieberman, and how many skeletons they search for in Republican closets to determine their real desire to build needed intra- and extra-party coalitions.

Here in California, neither party sees the light. A moderate Republican wins the governorship for the second time, but with the exception of virtual unknown Steve Poizner, Republicans keep trotting out tired old right-wingers like Dick Mountjoy and Tom McClintock and young red-meat types like Tony “The Tiger” Strickland. A “surprised” GOP still complains when they don’t win (once again, it’s time to cite Claude Rains’ “shocked, shocked” line in “Casablanca”). Yet, Republicans immediately selected conservative Assemblyman Mike Villines as their new state assembly leader – signaling that compromise and moderation are not in their immediate plans.

California Democrats are no better, though they did win a few down-ticket offices. They pushed tax-and-spend liberal Phil Angelides through the primary, throwing away moderate Steve Westly who had a chance to beat the governor. They ran Cruz Bustamante who turned his back on the Democratic Party in 2003 and who’s never seen a dollar he wouldn’t accept, and watched him lose to a man who has never held elected office.

The bottom line is improved communication, access to the Internet, and a true disgust with the status quo are leading Americans away from traditional parties and certainly away from straight “party votes.” Republican Schwarzenegger won in blue California. Democrat Joe Lieberman beat the Democrats in Connecticut. Conservative Democrats won nationwide. Conservative Republicans were thrown out on their ears and decline-to-state is the fastest growing party in California.

Gerrymandering will come to an end, closed primaries will be circumvented by nonpartisan statewide races and soon—sooner than either party is ready for—candidates will have to run on ideas and results, not backroom deals, safe seats and negative advertising.

While I don’t believe either the Democratic or Republican Parties are ready for this revolutionary change, the people are and it’s going to happen, starting here as it always does in California.

Posted by sharris at 07:35 AM

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November 19, 2006

Wal-Mart finds Christmas spirit

Wal-Mart has decided that Christmas is not so bad after all. After taking quite a bit of heat (re: reduced sales) last year as they celebrated Happy Holidays, they have seen the light and they are green and red.

Christmas carols will be heard throughout Wal-Marts around the country this holiday
season and merchandise will be marked Christmas. Customers will be happier, sales will go up and once again the people have spoken with the one-tool retailers and politicians recognize – their wallets.

Merry Christmas!

Posted by sharris at 12:06 AM

November 18, 2006

Republican brilliance

California Republicans watched the results of the recent election and learned absolutely nothing.

Governor Schwarzenegger, a moderate Republican, was reelected in a landside. Conservative retreads like Tom McClintock and Dick Mountjoy were beaten soundly (McClintock for the fourth time at a statewide level) and newcomers like conservative Tony Strickland were also trounced.

Even President Bush has seen the light, bringing in a moderate to run the RNC and dumping Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.

However, California Republicans immediately placed conservative Mike Villines (Clovis) in charge of the assembly. All indicators are this will set up some good partisan battles – which Republicans are destined to lose - set the Republicans up for a series of statewide losses in 2008 and once again, have them scratching their heads at how they can keep losing.

The middle boys, take a look at the middle!

Posted by sharris at 12:10 AM

Political junkie outlet

Four Claremont McKenna students, political junkies all, have created a new online game – FantasyCongress.com.

Modeled after computer based fantasy sports games, this one is for political wonks from both sides of the aisle. You draft elected officials; rack up points (or not) and in a perfect world, generate interest and awareness in the political process in those who mighty not otherwise care.

I have not played the game and can’t speak to the quality of the software, but I love the quality of the idea!

Posted by sharris at 12:01 AM

November 17, 2006

Bush lied

One week before the election, President Bush in statement that reminds one of a podium thumping “ I did not have sex with that woman” kind of moment, praised Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and emphatically stated he would be on board until 2008.

Immediately following the November 7th trouncing, Rumsfeld was fired and Bush acknowledged that the statement was a lie and he knew at the time he made it that Rumsfeld was gone.

Bush said he “misled” reporters (and the American people!) because he did want to “inject a major decision about this war in the final days of the campaign”. Since the war is still ongoing, he must have meant the political campaign, which means he deliberately lied to the American people about an issue considered huge by many because of the impact it would have on the election.

In retrospect, it is hard to see how it could have gone any worse for Republicans or how the president could have made a worse decision. Many of us voted based on the Iraq war, why it was started and how it has been run since – primarily by Don Rumsfeld.

Posted by sharris at 12:07 AM

November 16, 2006

$2 billion poorly spent

For those who can’t get enough of negative political advertising, or syrupy ads talking about family values, take heart! This year’s political advertising – in a non-presidential year – topped $2 billion dollars, $400 million more than was spent in the previous record year of 2004.

While at times it seemed that all $2 billion was directed to my home, I’m not sure that I received, heard or saw anything of real value. Certainly, nothing came through that was motivating or enlightening. I did however learn that every candidate (regardless of party) was opposed by a soulless sleaze bag and that every candidate had cute kids or at minimum, a cute dog and loved America and family.

For $2 billion dollars, maybe a little substance is not too much to expect?

Posted by sharris at 12:13 AM

And so it begins

President George Bush has picked Senator Mel Martinez as the new general chairman of the Republican National Committee.

Martinez is in an impossible situation, one that highlights the problems facing the Republican Party. The conservative base isn’t pleased about the choice because Martinez supports guest worker programs and a path to citizenship for many illegal immigrants and the most conservative of Republicans apparently want to bus 12 million people over the southern border.

Martinez’s approach might also attract some Hispanic voters who turned against the Republicans in this election, those voting for Republicans dropping from 40% in 204 to less than 30% this year.

The future of the Republican Party – and parties in general – will hinge on decisions like this and I’m not convinced that either party has the leader who can see them through a quandary like this.

3rd party anyone?

Posted by sharris at 12:08 AM

November 15, 2006

Evil empire

While many continue to question America’s motives and actions around the world, it is interesting to note that of the $30 billion dollars in arms sold to developing nations last year, the United States ($6.2 billion dollars) slipped to third place in sales. We fell behind two darlings of the left, Russia with $7 billion in sales and France with $6.3 billion in arms sales.

It is possible to think that those sales might influence French and Russian foreign policy on which countries and policies to support - or it it only America with its blind greed that will do anything for a buck?

Posted by sharris at 12:04 AM

Americans or Tulalip?

The Tulalip Tribe in Washington wants all of the protections and benefits of being American citizens and all possible benefits that eminent from being a “sovereign nation” with treaty rights dating back to the mid-1850’s.

This entry is not to debate whether or not as Americans we should still be racked with guilt and responsibilities for treaties made and broken 150 years ago. Most of us have made our decision on that issue and are not likely to change our mind or positions.

However, when a tribe, like the Tulalip Tribe, wants to take their treaty to ridiculous levels – now claiming that the treaty guarantees them full patent rights and trademark control (i.e. dollars) on all native trees, shrubs, flowers and yes, weeds, it’s time to take another look. This transparent effort to blackmail pharmaceutical companies is wrong.

I am not a supporter of creating “sovereign nations” within the United States, whether they are guilt based (Indian) or politically based (United Nations). That being said, we have them, so be it. However, they should not be able to cherry pick benefits and responsibilities from this self imposed dual life. If you want all the benefits of historical treaties, fair enough. But then stand on your own two feet. Take responsibility for your own infrastructure, healthcare, police and fire. You’ll pay no taxes, but receive no protections or benefits. If you want to be an American citizen – and all that infers – then let go of the past (at least legally), embrace your citizenship – it’s benefits and responsibilities – and look forward, not backward.

Posted by sharris at 12:01 AM

November 14, 2006

Junk mail

In 2005 we received 115-billion pieces of junk mail, a number that for the first time ever, exceeded first class mail. Not a political or policy issue, just thought it was interesting☺

Posted by sharris at 08:00 AM

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Can we live with the Living Wage?

For those who believe in the “slippery slope” theory, capitalism, free markets and the dangers of increasing intrusions by government – this has been a rough week.

Living Wages were originally designed to circumvent minimum wage and creatively force companies to pay higher wages. The argument “for” was that it was only for companies that chose to work with government entities, usually cities and sometimes counties. The argument is, if you want to work with us, you have to pay your employees a minimum wage (much higher than state or federal standards), one rate if you offer medical benefits and an even higher rate if you don’t.

Since bidding on government contracts is optional, you could choose to participate or not. It is a forced tax on the government entity as we can all rest assured the businesses themselves were not losing profits and were simply passing the costs along to the taxpayers. Since every bidding company had to pay the same rate, it is simply a way to tax constituents and raise the minimum wage.

However, as expected by anyone who has ever heard a politician make a promise, this one has been broken. The City of Los Angeles is now expanding Living Wage to LAX-area hotels. To the best of my knowledge, this will be the first time firms that have no business with the city are being forced to pay the Living Wage. The excuse is that they are close to the airport, benefit from the airport and so should pay the same rates as other companies who have direct airport contracts.

The flaws in this logic are many, not the least of which is that the hotels do not have the option of moving or choosing to not do work with the airport. They are simply being burdened by the “we think you should pay your people more” crowd. Those who believe economic policies do not impact economics don’t understand why this isn’t embraced by the business community. Perhaps it’s because people who have taken Econ 101 understand that employees will now lose jobs, those who remain will be asked to do more work, room rates will rise and guests will migrate to neighboring hotels that are not burdened with the excesses of socialism.

Los Angeles taxpayers should look forward 4-5 years down the road to funding the “Where did the LAX hotels go” commission.

Posted by sharris at 12:01 AM

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November 13, 2006

Special Investigator

Democrats have announced that as early as today, they will push legislation reversing a Republican effort to shut down the Office of the Special Investigator for Iraq Reconstruction.

Democrats are convinced that there have been some sweetheart deals taking place while the curtain has been drawn. Republicans fueled this belief by insisting that the curtain remain.

Americans are dissatisfied with politicians and politics in general and Republicans specifically. The most popular Republican of the last half-century, Ronald Regan, said trust, but verify. The Bush admirations approach was trust us, verification not required. The American people believe it’s required.

If investigations prove that the Republicans are as clean as they say they are with regards to Iraq and contracts, etc – terrific. It’s worth a few bucks and few hours to verify that and take a step forward in rebuilding trust between Americans and those they elect. If it turns out that Republicans treated the federal budgets their own private piggy bank, they should pay the price - politically and legally.

While Democrats have some pent up anger over endless investigations of President Clinton and the way they have been shut out for the past 6 years, they have a responsibility to look for big issues, not every undocumented lunch expense or minor infraction. They have a chance to take the high road and based on the past few years – with both parties – they shouldn’t find it too crowded.

Posted by sharris at 12:01 AM

November 11, 2006

This Week in Politics and Policy

Every week we take a quick tour around the great State of California, highlighting what’s new in Sacramento and what’s happening around the state that affects you, your family and your business.

It took the Democrats three tries, but they finally beat George Bush. Ironically for Democrats (many of whom still believe they won the first and the second time too), he gets to keep his office. Ironically for Bush, he keeps very little else. He lost the House, the Senate, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, and any lingering claim to political capital. He has definitely put the “lame” in lame duck.

Here in the great state of California, we once again showed our independence. We reelected a Republican Governor by a huge margin and then Democrats (with the exception of the purged Cruz Bustamante) pretty much ran the table. Tom McClintock, the last true conservative voice in the state lost a statewide election for the fourth – and possibly last – time. Jerry Brown left the confines of Oakland and is back on the statewide stage as our new Attorney General. Early prediction? Brown for U.S. Senator (his second try) or President (his fourth).

We showed a willingness to burden our children and grandchildren with $80 billion dollars in obligations ($40 billion in actual dollars and $40 billion in debt service) to pay for some of the infrastructure we desperately need. Governor Schwarzenegger tells us that the $40 billion dollars is a down payment on the $222 billion dollars he estimates we need for all necessary repairs and new projects. Maybe we’ll wait and see what happens with the first $40 billion before we commit to any more, but don’t surprised to see new bonds show up on the 2008 ballot.

While we jumped on the bond bandwagon, we turned down all propositions that were tied to “niche” taxes on tempting targets: big oil, big tobacco, big business, and property owners of all sizes. Maybe taxes seem more real than bonds, maybe we like propositions that have bipartisan support, or maybe we just were worn out by the time we got to the bottom of a long proposition list.

We voted essentially to ban child molesters from our cities, a proposition that is already being fought in court and almost certain to be overturned. In another conflict to preserve the wellbeing of California children, a 16-year-old girl cannot go to a tanning saloon, watch an R-rated movie or get a body piercing without her parents’ permission, but she can get an abortion on her own, thanks to the defeat of Prop 85.

2007 will be a bit of an oddity in California. It will be the first time since 2001 that we have not had a statewide election. This should give us plenty of time to start thinking about the 2008 presidential election.

That’s it for this week and remember, California is the Alpha State: the greatest state in the world’s greatest country.

Posted by sharris at 09:02 AM

November 10, 2006

Out like a lamb

A year ago, our media was obsessed with the upcoming hurricane season – at the time predicted to be the worst ever. We were going to be hit with hurricane after hurricane, validating the cries of global warming, climate change and proof that Bush lied.

Hurricane season officially ended last week and guess what – not one, not a single hurricane, hit the United States. This has not exactly been trumpeted in the national media, but since it is inconsistent with Al Gore’s global warming obsession, I can understand why.

Despite our best efforts to manage, control, or even predict the weather - we can’t. In the 1970’s the national media had everyone riled up abut “global cooling”, the irreversible and unbelievable devastating result of our lack of good stewardship and a just punishment for our greed. I live in Southern California and still have the parka to prove we are all susceptible to “group think”.

This time, I think I’ll take a little larger prospective and a longer view and listen to those who say that over the centuries, things heat up and cool down a little and that it’s possible that my SUV is not causing the polar ice caps to melt.

In the meantime, I’ll wait for the New York Times to cover this on the front page, which should happen about the same time I get some use out of that old parka!

Posted by sharris at 12:02 AM

November 09, 2006

Professors Gooch & Shires

This Saturday’s radio show is an in-depth analysis of the election and its impact on California and Californians. I was fortunate enough to have two professors of and experts in public policy as my guests. Dr. Mike Shires from Pepperdine University and Dr. Herb Gooch from California Lutheran University discuss our newly elected officials, the propositions and the impact the national results will likely have on our state.

California: The Alpha State is normally a 30-minute show, but this was moving so quickly and there as so much to discuss, we bumped it up to an hour.

Enjoy!

Posted by sharris at 05:44 AM

Fat cars

Recent reports show that Americans being overweight is burning an extra 1 billion gallons of gas in our automobiles and 350 million gallons of commercial airline fuel.

The report simply showed scientific facts – a secular explanation for part of the reason we burn too much fuel at a time when we are particularly concerned as a nation about our “addiction” to oil.

Gina Kolata of the New York Times, rather than celebrate that there is a no cost way for Americans to become healthier (assuming that dropping some extra pounds is a good idea), save money and become less oil dependent, instead bemoans that this is another attack on the obese. Says Kolata; “It’s as if scientists were searching for new reasons to hate the obese.”

It would seem to this writer (and carrier of a few extra pounds) that scientists were looking for ways to reduce fuel consumption and this is one of them. Kolata suffers from a classic case of “kill the messenger”.

I’m not sure from Kolata’s column if she is offended that the research was done, the results were published or that it doesn’t fit into her view of things.

Imagine for a moment if scientists had done a similar study and found that smoking increased fuel consumption. Would she be protecting the sensitive feelings of smokers who have also been subjected to “a nonstop diet of criticism”, or would she be recommending a new tax or surcharge.

It’s not, as Kolata says, “that fat people can’t catch a break”, it’s that being overweight burns more fuel. What they (OK, we) do with that information is up to us, but it is certainly out of line to blame the researchers. However, it does seem very consistent with New York Times editorial positions.

Posted by sharris at 12:09 AM

November 08, 2006

Incompetence

A recent survey by Sirota Survey Intelligence shows that almost half of workers polled say their company keeps incompetent workers on the payroll. Disappointing, but not surprising.

Now, what would have been of interest would be to see if any of those polled identified themselves as the incompetent worker.

Posted by sharris at 12:02 AM

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November 07, 2006

Focus on Iraq

For weeks, Democrat strategists have been claiming that Republicans are focused on using Iraq and terrorists as a scare tactic, to frighten voters into supporting President Bush and the Republicans.

The New York Times reported that during this election cycle, Democrats have run 46,000 ads about Iraq and the Republicans have run 11,600.

Hint to Democrats. If you don’t want the nation to focus on Iraq and security, maybe mentioning it 46,000 times in ads is not the best way to go about it.

Posted by sharris at 08:06 AM

Vote Today!

Don’t confuse the fact that voting is not mandatory with it being optional. Make your views known and make them count – vote today!

Posted by sharris at 12:01 AM

November 06, 2006

Amtrak gets run over

4 years ago, two 17-year old boys illegally climbed on top off an Amtrak train. While performing their illegal stunt, they were burned by a 12,500-volt power cable, which was located on top of the train, out of reach of everyone who was on the train with a ticket and had a brain.

They sued and won $24 million dollars because the power cable, located on top of the train where the boys climbed illegally – was unannounced, unwrapped and unmonitored.

For those who believe this was a fair and just decision, it’s really too late and I’ll just assume that shame and personal responsibility aren’t part of your vocabulary.

What I would love to see is the thousands of people who were inconvenienced for thousands of hours because of this stupidity – the missed business meetings, doctor’s appointments, plane connections and soccer matches - file a class action suit against the two families. Let’s place a dollar value on everyone who was impacted and hope that they can find 12 jurors who are as angry at this award as I am. If so, let’s hope the amount is enough to win back the $24 million dollars and drive both families into bankruptcy.

That would be a step toward stopping the insanity and if it gets moving forward, I’ll be happy to write the first check to get the suit started!

Posted by sharris at 12:05 AM

364 Days

364 days a year, we can complain, debate, yell, argue, persuade and discuss politicians and policies. Tomorrow is the only day of the year we are guaranteed to be heard. Vote.

Posted by sharris at 12:01 AM

November 05, 2006

My endorsements

Thousands upon thousands of requests (OK, maybe a small handful) have come in, asking me to summarize where I stand on the statewide offices and statewide ballot propositions. A couple of the recommendations are as much against the other major party candidate as they are “for” the candidate I voted for, but it is still the way I voted. It should be noted that while I voted for Chuck Poochigian for Attorney General, I expect Jerry Brown to win and for a columnist and radio talk show host, Brown will be much more entertaining!

While it concerns me that some of those requests may be motivated by those who will vote the opposite of my recommendations, nonetheless, here goes…

Governor – Schwarzenegger

Lt. Governor – McClintock

Secretary of State – McPherson

Controller – Chiang

Treasurer – Parrish

Attorney General – Poochigian

Insurance Commissioner – Poizner

Senator – Feinstein

Prop 1A – 1E – Yes

Prop 83 – Yes

Prop 84 – No

Prop 85 – Yes

Prop 86 – No

Prop 87 – No

Prop 88 – No

Prop 89 – No

Prop 90 - No

Posted by sharris at 10:04 AM

Sunday paper

If you haven’t already determined how you’ll be voting for propositions and elected officials, this is the perfect day to do it. The Sunday papers will be filled with summaries, endorsements, op-eds and recommendations. Take some time, review the issues and candidates and make your vote count.

Thank you.

Posted by sharris at 12:01 AM

November 03, 2006

It's our responsibility

The election is upon us and as cliché as it sounds, we all have a responsibility to vote. Unfortunately, we’ll be lucky if 50% of the registered voters decide to vote and since not everyone who’s eligible to register does, this means that a minority of eligible Californians will decide the fate of 7 statewide offices – Governor, Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Controller, Insurance Commissioner and Attorney General, as well as one of two California Senators, 13 statewide ballot propositions, 20 state senators (out of 40 total), all 53 congressman and all 80 state assembly people.

In addition, you are being asked to vote on city council, county supervisors, boards of education, sanitation districts, water districts and a myriad of local initiatives and propositions.

I have heard people complain that it is too much work to review the ballot, their vote doesn’t count or there are no worthy candidates. These are excuses from people to lazy to participate or too apathetic to get involved, nothing more.

For the first time in our state’s history, it is projected that over 50% of those who vote will do so by absentee ballot. The downside to absentee voting is that sometimes things happen after you have already voted that might have influenced or even changed your vote – but it’s too late. You also miss out on a chance to visit your local polling place, see your neighbors and watch the most public display of our country’s greatness. However, it’s a heck of a lot better than not voting at all!

It always amazes me that despite all the rhetoric and divisiveness, battles between liberals and conservatives, and arguments between secular and religious, we cast our votes on election day and every single time for over 200 years, we accept the outcome, enact the people’s decisions in elected officials and laws,and start looking ahead to the next election cycle.

There is no doubt that we have serious issues in this country and as a result, battles will be fought. Thank God they are fought in the editorial pages, on radio and TV talk shows and ultimately in the voting booths—not in the streets. It’s another reminder of how incredible this country is and how lucky we are to be living in it.

Posted by sharris at 11:25 AM

Bond money

We are being asked Tuesday to support over $40 billion dollars in new bond money. It is easy to lose sight of just how much money $40 billion dollars is and even easier to lose track of where that money goes. Below is a lawsuit filed last week, claiming the Santa Monica Conservancy has illegally spent bond funds. We need to remember that our job does not end when we vote yes on a bond measure.

California Taxpayers, Taxpayer& Non-Profit Groups Sue
Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy to Recover State Bond Funds
Lawsuit Claims SMMC Spent Bond Funds Illegally

VENTURA – Several California taxpayers, the Santa Barbara County Taxpayers’ Association, and a non-profit preservation group filed suit yesterday in Ventura County Superior Court accusing the Santa Monica Mountain Conservancy (SMMC) of illegally using Proposition 50 Clean Water bond funds and asking the court to recover the misused funds.

“We must hold state agencies like the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy accountable for millions of taxpayers’ dollars they receive through state bond funds,” said Jere Robings, the lead plaintiff and a Ventura County resident. “We cannot let the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, or any other agency, violate the law and this lawsuit demonstrates that we will go to court to get the taxpayers’ money back.”
The SMMC is a powerful state agency that owns and controls thousands of acres of land in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. Much of that land is under the control of nine joint powers authorities (JPA’s) the SMMC has created to expand its reach. Critics claim these interlocked JPA’s are nothing more than shills for the SMMC.

The plaintiffs specifically cite SMMC’s transfer of hundreds of thousands of dollars of Prop 50 funds to its sister agency, the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA). The complaint states that the SMMC spent Prop 50 grant money to develop the Malibu Public Works Plan (PWP) and that SMMC spent bond funds to pay its lawyers to defend a lawsuit filed by local residents in 2000 to stop SMMC’s illegal use of its property.

“The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy is the poster child for why taxpayers must be vigilant and put a stop to the illegal use of millions of dollars of voter approved bond funds,” said Joe Armendariz, Executive Director of the Santa Barbara Taxpayers’ Association, whose organization is one of the co-plaintiffs. “The Conservancy has been audited by the State Office of Finance for the last three straight years, and yet they keep playing loose and fast with millions of taxpayer dollars.”

On October 4, a group of unnamed taxpayers sent a demand letter to California State Attorney General Bill Lockyer and the California Department of Finance regarding SMMC and MRCA, requesting that those two state offices take action to recover the funds that SMMC improperly used from Proposition 50, the Water Security, Clean Drinking Water, Coastal and Beach Protection Act of 2002.

The Office of Finance agreed that the use of these bond funds “is not a fiscally prudent use of General Obligation bond proceeds” and referred the request to recover taxpayers’ funds to the State Attorney General’s office. The Attorney General’s office, which represents SMMC, declined to act on the demand, stating in its response letter that SMMC had not done anything improper with the bond funds. Under California law, when the Attorney General or the State Department of Finance fails to act on a demand, state taxpayers are allowed to initiate legal action and sue to recover the funds in question.

“SMMC’s use of Prop 50 Clean Water funds to pay for legal fees to create a Public Works Plan that takes away local planning controls has nothing to do with clean water and violates the spirit and the letter of the law,” said Allison Burns, a partner with the law firm Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth in Newport Beach, who represents the plaintiffs. “We are also asking the court to prevent the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy from spending further Prop 50 funds in violation of California law.”
SMMC’s Public Works Plan is opposed by many local governments. Recently, the California Contract Cities Association, which represents 75 cities throughout the state, voted unanimously to oppose it. Critics are concerned that if the California Coastal Commission approves the Public Works Plan, it would allow SMMC to ignore a city’s or county’s local planning ordinances on land owned or controlled by SMMC.

The plaintiffs want MRCA to return part of the $20 million of funds that SMMC awarded to MRCA under Prop. 50. The money was supposed to be used only for “the protection of the Santa Monica Bay and Ventura County coastal watersheds.”
“The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy thinks it is no longer accountable to any government oversight agency. But as a California taxpayer, I cannot sit and watch a state agency act like it is above the law with our money,” said Robings.
The suit also asks the court for a Preliminary Injunction and a Permanent Injunction to prevent SMMC from illegally spending voter approved bond funds in the future.

Allison Burns, plaintiffs’ attorney can be reached at: 949-725-4000.
The legal document filed with the Ventura County Superior Court can be viewed at:
www.fileshed.com
Username: taxpayerlawsuit
Password: 123taxpayerlawsuit

Posted by sharris at 12:02 AM

November 02, 2006

ACLU interview

I had the good fortune yesterday to interview Ramona Ripston , President of the Southern California ACLU.

An interview with the fascinating Ms. Ripston tests the limits of a 30-minute show and I look forward to having her on again – as soon as possible.

In this show, we covered the history of the ACLU, why she believes it should not be categorized as a leftist / liberal organization, debated a bit on the difference between establishment and separation, as well as a variety of other issues.

It is clear that she has lived and breathed these issues for a long time and her commitment and passion are to be applauded. After you’ve had a chance to listen , please let me know what you think.

Posted by sharris at 12:06 AM

Easy Voter Guide

I have had more than a couple of people tell me that the ballot is intimidating. Some feel that way to the point where it is impacting their decision on whether or not to vote.

I have enclosed a press release on the Easy Voter Guide, a program designed to walk voters through the various offices and propositions and make the process a bit easier. It is provided by the good people at Common Knowledge. Please read on and see if this doesn’t simplify the process and motivate you to participate.

Easy Voter Guide makes ballot less scary for California voters

San Francisco – In this Halloween season, one of the scariest things for voters is the long complex ballot they face in California’s November 7, 2006 election. Depending on where they live, voters will be asked to make between 30 and 40 decisions about elected offices and ballot measures, many of a highly technical nature. In a recent survey by the Public Policy Institute of California, 77% said that the language of the propositions was too complicated and confusing.

The nonpartisan Easy Voter Guide Project, www.easyvoter.org, comes to the rescue with clear descriptions of each state proposition in plain language, short statements from the candidates and helpful background information for new and busy voters. “Many Californians are turned off by the long ballots and incessant partisan advertising. Our goal is to help people cut through the clutter to find and understand the issues they care about in this election,” explains State Librarian Susan Hildreth, a lead sponsor of the project.

A collaboration of the California State Library, the California Secretary of State’s Office, and the League of Women Voters Education Fund, the project offers:

• The popular 16-page Easy Voter Guide to the statewide candidates and propositions – available at www.easyvoter.org in html, as a printable PDF in seven languages, and a large print edition;

• A Learn About the Issues section that lets voters start with their issues to see how they will be affected by the election, with overviews on Education, Health, the Environment, Transportation and Housing;

• A ballot and polling place look-up feature plus step-by-step photos for new voters and materials to download in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean.

The Easy Voter Guide Project is partnering with over 2,000 organizations across the state to distribute over 3 million copies of the Easy Voter Guide in five languages. These organizations include libraries, newspapers, county elections offices, schools, community colleges, churches and a wide range of community groups. Free copies can still be ordered at www.easyvoter.org and the site’s search function shows where they are being distributed. The nonpartisan Easy Voter Guide has been published for each statewide election since 1994. Launched in 2000, the www.easyvoter.org web site has been redesigned and expanded for the November 7, 2006 election.

Posted by sharris at 12:03 AM