Vote Nov. 2

My son and daughter out pounding the pavement, knocking on doors.  I am transporting groups from neighborhood to neighborhood...

Don't forget to vote...

Fox News gets a 'warm' reception at the Milwaukee Dems' monthly meeting

Straight out of the GOP plan to reduce spending

Thursday's PPP results

he poll carries a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. Here are some of its other findings:
• Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer posted a five-point edge in the U.S. Senate race, leading Republican Carly Fiorina 43 percent to 38 percent, with 13 percent undecided. Boxer led by seven points in September.
• Opposition to Proposition 23, the initiative to suspend the state's greenhouse gas emission reduction law, has grown. The measure was opposed by 48 percent of respondents and supported by 37 percent, with 15 percent undecided.
• Likely voters favor Proposition 25, the majority-vote budget initiative, 49 percent to 34 percent, with 17 percent undecided.
• Proposition 24, the measure to repeal corporate tax benefits approved by the Legislature, has neither majority support nor majority opposition, with 31 percent saying they would vote yes and 38 percent saying they would vote no. Another 31 percent are still undecided.


Read more: http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalertlatest/2010/10/ppic-poll-brown-leads-whitman.html#ixzz1310Gne8y

Wed's polls

CA-SEN: Boxer D 46.0% Fiorina R 44.0% / SurveyUSA

CA 11th district candidate (and Friend of McClintock) wants to abolish Public Schools

Posted on Gene's Democrat-Chronicles

Teabaggin' David Harmer (CA-11) Wants To Abolish Public Schools

Posted: 17 Oct 2010 07:00 AM PDT

This is the problem with the media lending so much credibility to the tea party and airing ad nauseam all the nutty things they say. It DEMANDS that any teabagger worth their bag has to ratchet up the craziness to get noticed. And David Harmer wants to be noticed. It wasn't enough to come out against bailouts (even when he's personally benefited from them), that's small potatoes. That's why David Harmer has done the Randians one better and advocated for the abolishment of public schools:


David Harmer, a tea party favorite who is running as a Republican for the U.S. House of Representatives in California's 11th district, is not just in favor of getting rid of the Department of Education. (Something the Maine GOP incorporated into their platform this year.)

No, Harmer wants to eliminate public schools entirely, and turn the clock back two hundred years, to a time when educational opportunities for the poor, African-Americans, women, the disabled, and other groups, were either limited or non-existent.

Lord save us all. I knew that the Republicans preferred a dumbed-down electorate, the better to voter against their interests, but this is ridiculous. In his 2000 San Francisco Chronicle op-ed, Harmer said this:


Six years ago, I wrote "School Choice," a book making the case for a voucher system. Vouchers give parents consumer power, the financial ability to choose from among competing providers of schooling. Back then, the only voucher system in operation was in Milwaukee, Wis., and the teachers' unions were trying to strangle it.

Since then, the Milwaukee program has been greatly expanded, and numerous voucher programs elsewhere -- both publicly and privately funded -- have proven wildly popular, with demand far exceeding supply. These programs are restricted to the lowest-income students or those trapped in the worst schools. Given the opportunity to put their children into better schools, even disadvantaged parents jump at the chance.

So long as the state Constitution mandates free public schools, a voucher system (or refundable tuition tax credit) is the best we can do. To attain quantum leaps in educational quality and opportunity, however, we need to separate school and state entirely. Government should exit the business of running and funding schools.

This is no utopian ideal; it's the way things worked through the first century of American nationhood, when literacy levels among all classes, at least outside the South, matched or exceeded those prevailing now, and when public discourse and even tabloid content was pitched at what today would be considered a college-level audience.

Of course, with his six-figure severance package, the notion of privatizing schools is but a piddly amount. For those Americans whose household income falls on the poor side of the bell curve? Well, suckers, you just didn't work hard enough and your kids aren't deserving of a decent education. Henry Rollins in Vanity Fair:


With the elimination of public schools, change would come rapidly to America. It would push the country further and faster down a path we’ve been drifting along for at least a few decades. The destination: a two-tiered system of those who are mobile and free and those who are scrambling or otherwise enslaved. Anything else would be wretched socialism, dripping with Darwinian and Jeffersonian sentiments, I guess.

That being the case, you might want to take a real hard look on which side of that line in the sand you find yourself standing. When your country has the greatest annual military budget, the largest prison population, and the most costly and inefficient healthcare delivery system in the world, it’s obvious what its priorities are. Some people fear that there will be less conflict, a decrease of incarcerated citizens, and an increase of healthy ones. And if there’s one thing that’s been proven to counteract conflict, criminal behavior, and poor health, it’s education. If you butter your bread with bullets, convict maintenance, and meds, I can understand your objection to a society full of of healthy, law-abiding, inquiring minds with the power to clog up your blood-splattered revenue streams.

Education is an ultimate equalizer and, for some, should not be spread too liberally, lest too many citizens start demanding more of their government and media. By that I mean annoyances like transparency and accountability. You know, those First Amendment grumblings, the onerous grind of democracy. Ugh.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the Republican platform writ large.

---

 Straight Talk Espresso <http://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/straight-talk-espresso/>

Privatize This! <http://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2010/10/privatize-this.html>

  by Henry Rollins <http://www.vanityfair.com/contributors/henry-rollins>  

 October 15, 2010, 10:30 AM

 <http://www.vanityfair.com/magazine/bios/henry_rollins/search?contributorName=Henry%20Rollins> Yesterday, I came across a Mother Jones article by Nick Baumann <http://motherjones.com/politics/2010/10/david-harmer-abolish-public-schools>  about a congressional candidate named David Harmer, who is challenging Jerry McNerney for the seat in California’s 11th district.

In 2000, Harmer wrote an op-ed titled “Abolish the Public Schools.” He isn’t opposed to education itself, just education administered by the government. He sees public schools as a counterproductive anachronism and favors for private schools and vouchers. There’s nothing new or unique about Harmer’s opinion, which is no doubt shared by a sizable fraction of Americans. So sizable, in fact, that the issue of public versus private education has become one of the banes of my existence.

With the elimination of public schools, change would come rapidly to America. It would push the country further and faster down a path we’ve been drifting along for at least a few decades. The destination: a two-tiered system of those who are mobile and free and those who are scrambling or otherwise enslaved. Anything else would be wretched socialism, dripping with Darwinian and Jeffersonian sentiments, I guess.
  
That being the case, you might want to take a real hard look on which side of that line in the sand you find yourself standing. When your country has the greatest annual military budget, the largest prison population, and the most costly and inefficient healthcare delivery system in the world, it’s obvious what its priorities are. Some people fear that there will be less conflict, a decrease of incarcerated citizens, and an increase of healthy ones. And if there’s one thing that’s been proven to counteract conflict, criminal behavior, and poor health, it’s education. If you butter your bread with bullets, convict maintenance, and meds, I can understand your objection to a society full of of healthy, law-abiding, inquiring minds with the power to clog up your blood-splattered revenue streams.

Education is an ultimate equalizer and, for some, should not be spread too liberally, lest too many citizens start demanding more of their government and media. By that I mean annoyances like transparency and accountability. You know, those First Amendment grumblings, the onerous grind of democracy. Ugh.

Candidates are entitled to run on whatever platforms they choose, but Baumann points out that Dave Harman has so far kept very quiet about his desire to completely privatize America’s schools. Maybe that’s because he knows that, for families on the scrambling side of the line, abolishing public education isn’t merely a non-starter. It’s a game-ender.

California's Stimulus

Clinton and Brown Rally in San Jose!

Oct 18 polls

PollTracker Update

Here are today's top polls:

CA-SEN: Boxer D 46.0% Fiorina R 45.0% / Reuters/Ipsos

CA-GOV: Brown D 48.0% Whitman R 44.0% / Reuters/Ipsos

GOP Rep. McClintock: Republicans 'Don't Deserve' A 'Second Chance,' Whit...

McClintock cut-and-paste Endorsment list from 2008

On his campaign website, he has a list of McClintock endorsements. However, it should be pointed out that this list is from October 31, 2008.
This would apply for the previous election, not necessarily this one. The list included people such as Gov. Mitt Romney, Sen. Fred Thompson, Rep. Tom Tancredo, Minuteman Project founder Jim Gilchrist, Club for Growth, National Rifle Association, Gun Owners of America, and Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. The list also notably included Rep. Ron Paul.

"McClintock was the only Republican who refused to bow to pressure and drop out of the governor's recall race in 2003.
But in 2006, after Schwarzenegger had signed all sorts of abysmal legislation into law, including gun bans, and called for a 'free flow of people' across our nations borders, McClintock did a 180 from his previous stance and not only endorsed Arnold, but insisted that all Republicans should do the same. This was a deal-breaker for anyone with common sense, and should make discerning voters question McClintock's sincerity and trustworthiness."

"Congressman McClintock voted to renew the Patriot Act, voted for government authority to collect DNA from suspects and stored in a database before they are even convicted of any crime, voted to sanction Iran and fervently support Israel."

" In the run-up to the 2008 presidential election, McClintock refused to endorse Ron Paul, even after his favorite Fred Thompson dropped out of the race."

http://www.examiner.com/la-county-libertarian-in-los-angeles/two-years-later-rep-tom-mcclintock-does-not-deserve-the-endorsement-of-ron-paul

"Stealing Democracy"

Former welfare mom eyes Senate seat

Barbara Alby is seeking the Republican nomination for Dave Cox's State Senate seat, District 1.  She will be running against Ted Gaines and Roger Neillo.

The link to the Elk Grove story:

Elk Grove Citizen : Archives News Former welfare mom eyes Senate seat

Voter Registration

Looks like more Democrats are registering to vote in California.(Blue -- Democrats, Red -- Republicans)

U.S. Chamber of Commerce's money

The Chamber reported yesterday that they took money from 115 foreign governments.  Bahrain just signed up yesterday.  Do we really want Saudi Arabia and Dubai financing our politicians?

Rare four-candidate special Senate election complicates voting Nov. 2 - Auburn Journal

This Auburn Journal article has an excellent explanation about the Ted Gaines issue.

Rare four-candidate special Senate election complicates voting Nov. 2 - Auburn Journal

Gaines is running for a last term in the Assembly while running for State Senator Cox's seat at the same time. That's a 4-way race and might have a run-off election.

McClintock votes 'Yes'

NASA Authorization Act of 2010 - Vote Passed (304-118, 10 Not Voting)

The House gave final approval to this bill authorizing $58.4 billion in NASA spending over the next three fiscal years. The president is expected to sign the bill which largely follows the administration’s plan for NASA.

Only Seven California Congressional members out of 53 voted against this bill.

McClintock did receive in campaign contributions so far this election season:

Security National Servicing                      $23,000
Technical Maintenance Support Inc         $18,400

Techincal Maintenance Support	$9,200
UnzOrg	$9,200

Valero Energy	$10,000
Gun Owners of America	$9,804

Other legal things you might be interested in...

A federal appeals court rules that two OREGON laws barring the distribution of sexually explicit material to minors are unconstitutional. A three-judge panel of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals said the laws, while laudable in intent, are too broad and potentially criminalize material “no more tawdry than a romance novel.” State officials are considering an appeal (LOS ANGELES TIMES). 

The NEVADA attorney general’s office agrees to allow anyone who can legally possess a firearm to bring a loaded gun into state parks. The agreement settles a lawsuit over a Silver State law barring most state park visitors from carrying loaded weapons (NEVADA APPEAL [CARSON CITY]). 

CALIFORNIA Air Resources Board adopts regulations to require Golden State utilities to get 33 percent of their energy from renewable sources by 2020. CARB officials say the new standard will remove almost 13 million metric tons of carbon from the air per year (SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE). 

Ten states sign a legal brief saying a federal court in CALIFORNIA “exceeded its judicial authority” when it ruled that the U.S. Constitution requires legal marriage to include same-sex couples. The states — WYOMING, ALABAMA, FLORIDA, IDAHO, INDIANA, LOUISIANA, MICHIGAN, SOUTH CAROLINA, UTAH and VIRGINIA -– weighed in on the case of Perry vs. Schwarzenegger. A federal judge made the ruling in August regarding a challenge to Proposition 8, a voter-approved constitutional amendment limiting marriage to one man and one woman (CASPER TRIBUNE). 

Bills Gov. Schwarzenegger vetoed this month and how Gaines voted

Bills Vetoed: 

SB 885, which would have barred the sale of gift cards that contain a “dormancy fee.” The governor said the measure would place an unnecessary burden on small businesses (LOS ANGELES TIMES) Gaines voted NO

AB 2411, which would have brought pet health insurance under the regulation of the state Dept. of Insurance. The governor said the agency already has the authority to oversee the industry (STATE NET) Gaines voted NO

SB 427, a bill that would have imposed a $5,000 fine on auto repair shops that do not properly restore an airbag that has been deployed in a crash (COLLISIONWEEK.COM). Gaines voted NO

AB 482, which would have barred Golden State employers from using the results of a credit report to hire, fire or promote workers (STATE NET).  Gaines voted NO

AB 2187, which would have created a new misdemeanor crime for employers who fail to pay a worker who quits or is terminated their full due wages within 90 days. The governor also vetoed a companion measure, AB 1881, which would have made such workers eligible to receive up to twice the amount they are owed in damages (LOS ANGELES TIMES). Gaines voted NO

 AB 1656, which would have required fur clothing manufacturers to attach conspicuous labels naming the kind of animal used for each garment (SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE). Gaines voted NO

 

SB 933, which would have barred CALIFORNIA retailers from charging consumers a fee for using a debit card (SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE).  Gaines  Did not vote

SB 515, which would have required Golden State schools, regional occupational programs and community colleges to show that at least half of their course offerings are linked to high-demand workforce needs (STATE NET). Gaines voted NO

AB 572, which would have required public charter schools to disclose financial conflicts of interest in awarding vendor contracts and to make board meetings open to the public (CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR’S OFFICE).  Gaines voted NO

SB 1451, which would have required Golden State schools to screen the content of new textbooks to ensure they do not contain changes made in the TEXAS education curriculum and to report findings to the Legislature and state education officials (HOSUTON CHRONICLE). Gaines voted NO

AB 2540, which would have barred health insurers from rescinding individual health policies when the holder becomes ill. The governor said the matter is already addressed by the federal health care reform law (LOS ANGELES TIMES). Gaines voted NO

SB 1231, which would have required most government vendors to certify that none of their products are produced by forced labor or in sweatshops (STATE NET). Gaines voted NO

 

SB 1207, legislation that would have required local governments to address fire prevention and protection as part of their land-use decisions. Gaines voted NO

More bills Gov. Schwarzenegger signed into law this month and how Gaines voted

• SB 1237, which requires hospitals to disclose radiation overdoses during CT scans and to record the doses from all scans on the patient’s medical records (LOS ANGELES TIMES). Gaines voted NO
•  SB 5, which allows autopsy reports of homicide victims to be sealed at the request of the victim’s parents (LOS ANGELES TIMES). Gaines voted YES
•  AB 2199, which overturns a Golden State law requiring the state to seek a cure for homosexuality (STATE NET). Gaines voted YES

The bills Gov. Schwarzenegger signed into law this month and Gaines vote

• SB 1072, which will allow Golden State gamblers the opportunity to bet on horses to lose. The measure goes into effect in 2012 (LOS ANGELES TIMES). Assemblyman Ted Gaines voted NO
•  SB 1345, which extends to 2016 an exemption that allows the importation of kangaroo body parts, which are used to make soccer shoes and other apparel (LOS ANGELES TIMES). Gaines voted NO
• AB 1999, which gives immunity from prosecution to people younger than 21 for drinking alcohol in cases in which they call 911 to report an alcohol-related medical emergency (LOS ANGELES TIMES).  Gaines voted YES
•  AB 1601, which authorizes judges to revoke for up to 10 years the driver’s license of anyone convicted of drunk driving three or more times within a 10-year period. Current law allows judges to take a three-time offender’s license for no more than three years. The law goes into effect in 2012 (CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR’S OFFICE). Gaines voted YES
•  SB 1399, which allows state prison officials to release comatose and physically incapacitated inmates on medical parole. All releases must be approved by the state parole board and prisoners serving life terms or on death row will not be eligible (LOS ANGELES TIMES). Gaines voted NO
• SB 1411, which makes it a misdemeanor to impersonate someone online if it is “for the purposes of harming, intimidating, threatening, or defrauding another person.” Violators face up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine (PC WORLD). Gaines voted YES
• SB 435, which allows police to cite motorcycle owners if they remove federally required emissions-control equipment such as the catalytic converter. Violators face fines up to $250 (SACRAMENTO BEE). Gaines voted NO
•  SB 1440, which requires the CALIFORNIA State University system to guarantee admission with junior status to community college students who obtain associate’s degrees tailored to specific majors and who meet all requirements for transfer (LOS ANGELES TIMES) Gaines voted NO
• SB 882, making it an infraction to sell or furnish electronic cigarettes to those under 18. Violators face fines up to $1,000 (STATE NET). Gaines voted NO

Sorry I have been away

Sorry about not posting anything in the past couple of days.  Have been away.
Pat

California's GOP wants tax breaks for cable TV and Oil

No budget...and Republicans are holding the budget hostage for tax breaks for their friends..
Sacramento Bee 9/30/2010
By Kevin Yamamura

   Republicans negotiating the state budget are demanding tax breaks for companies such as cable television providers and oil producers, sources said Tuesday.
   Democrats so far have not agreed to the changes, which they estimate could cost the state as much as $500 million annually in future years. The tax dispute is one of several unresolved issues that legislative leaders and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger must negotiate before ending the state's record-long budget impasse.
   Today marks the 91st day of the fiscal year without a budget. Legislative leaders and Schwarzenegger did not meet Tuesday because budget aides were still sorting out numbers, their offices said. Key sticking points include the tax issue, pension cuts and school funding.
    Republicans want the new tax rules in exchange for suspending a business deduction known as "net operating loss." (NOL) Senate Republican leader Dennis Hollingsworth, R-Murrieta, acknowledged Monday that Republicans have agreed to delay that deduction until 2012. The NOL benefit, which was supposed to begin this year, would give companies greater leeway to apply operating losses against past and future earnings.
   Delaying the NOL would raise about $1.4 billion toward the state's projected $19 billion deficit and avoid deeper cuts in state spending.
   But Republicans want to modify a 2009 law governing how companies calculate their tax burdens in California, said sources who would not speak on the record because of the sensitive nature of talks. The 2009 law, part of last February's budget agreement, enables companies to choose the more beneficial of two tax formulas.
   Republicans promoted the 2009 "single sales factor" change as necessary to encourage businesses to create or expand jobs in California because other states have approved similar tax benefits.
   But the 2009 change affected industries differently. One provision in last year's law could raise taxes for cable and software companies. Lobbyists for those firms have sought a change since last year that would reduce their tax costs, and Republicans are now asking to tweak the law as part of a budget deal.
   The 2009 law excluded businesses in the fields of agriculture, mineral extraction and banking. Republicans believe the law had the unintended consequence of raising taxes on some of those firms. But sources said one change would allow oil companies to include financial activities such as oil hedging in their tax calculations to help them reduce their tax burdens. A source specifically cited San Ramon-based Chevron Corp. as a beneficiary.
   Hollingsworth acknowledged after Monday's budget meeting that he was seeking tax changes in exchange for the NOL delay, though he did not provide details. "We're working on language that would clarify some of the things that were unintentionally changed by the tax provisions that were provided in the February deal," he said.
   The tax changes sought by Republicans would be permanent, while tax revenue from delaying the NOL would end after two years. Democrats and Republicans have considerably different estimates on how much the changes would cost, which is one disagreement leaders are trying to sort out.
   Democrats say the tax changes would cost the state as much as $500 million annually in future years, and roughly $100 million in the current year. But Republicans contend that the changes would cost $140 million in future years, and significantly less than $100 million in the current year.
   In their initial proposal, Democrats wanted to delay the 2009 two-formula system, dubbed "single sales factor," as part of this year's budget agreement. They also sought to delay a tax benefit allowing companies to apply tax credits across subsidiary lines. But Republicans agreed to delay only the NOL.
   The California Teachers Association is seeking to repeal all three of the tax benefits as part of Proposition 24 on the November ballot.


Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2010/09/29/3064059/gop-seeks-tax-breaks-in-california.html#ixzz112cVEymU

Capitol Alert: Rex Babin: Budget 'framework'

Our legislators have nothing to loose if the state's budget is late or useless.

State employees lose pay. We loose access to state-government offices such as the DMV or the state tax franchise office.Thought Rex's art says it best.

Capitol Alert: Rex Babin: Budget 'framework'

McClintock takes care of the Republican Party

California's Congressional 4^th District Rep. Tom McClintock is an excellent representative for the Republican party and all their Political Action Committees, far better than he is for those of us who live in the District.

    So far in this campaign he has raised over $1 million, thanks to his Republican fellow candidates and the 4^th Congressional District has seen little of it.

    Where did McClintock get his money? Most of it from Lobbyist, Financial advisers and big energy. Only $20,550 (1.9 percent) came from businesses and individuals who live and work in the 4^th district. He did get $76,700 (7 percent) from businesses and individuals who live in Southern California, where he legislated as a State Senator.

    McClintock used that money for more important things than to come around to the rural areas in his district.   

    He paid Rico Oller $9000 to do research for his campaign, which I find strange because Oller couldn't get past the primary when he ran for Congress.  

    McClintock has also paid Devin Nunes $2000.  That's not surprising because McClintock join Nunes on January 25, in Bakersfield for a "Special Town Hall Meeting" about how Kern County could get access to California's delta water—some of District 4's water.  McClintock also paid his fellow Congressman Kevin McCarthy from Bakersfield over $800 to charter a plane. I guess the $12,000 air fare wasn't enough.

    McClintock also gave $2000 to a fellow resident of Elk Grove, David Harmer who is running for a Congressional seat "outside" of the district he lives in.  (Sound familiar?  It has worked for McClintock so far. He still hasn't moved in the 4^th district, and doesn't look like he intends to.)

    McClintock also paid the House Conservative Fund in Florida $2500, Tedisco, who is running for Congress in NY, $2000, and Antonio Amador in Rancho Santa Marga $2000 to name a few of his Republican friends he's helped.  That will come in handy when he's asking for votes to get on chairmanships.

    Political Dynamics in Sacramento received over $94,000 for campaign advice.  I guess Oller wasn't able to help McClintock enough.   

    The interesting part is that when McClintock filled out his "Statement of Candidacy" on March 2008 he used the same address, even the same office as the consulting business, Political Dynamics. 

    McClintock did give a $1000 each to some of the district's Republican Central Committees in the district he represents, but the biggest chunk of his contributions $177,000 went to the National Republican Congressional Committee in Washington D.C. listed as "Unneeded funds."

    I asked the McClintock people when he is going to come to our area.  I was told he was too busy working in Washington to schedule anything at this time.  Yet he can find to campaign for Harmer, Lungren and Nunes, but he doesn't have time to come an see the voters, hear their issues?   

    Like I said, McClintock is a great representative "for" the Republicans.  He doesn't really need us.

Republicans Block Oil Spill Commission From Having Subpeona Powers | Video Cafe

Senator Jim DeMint (R) stopped the commission investigating the Gulf Oil Spill. They do not what an investigation.

If Republicans win back the majority in the Senate, they will think the American people want them to continue to fight for the Oil Companies. Remember they had no shame when they said they were "Sorry" when BP had to put money aside for the damage their spill caused.

Now they are blocking anyone investigating what happened.

Republicans Block Oil Spill Commission From Having Subpeona Powers | Video Cafe

Poll-Tracker (TPM)

Los Angeles Times CA Governor (9/27)

• Brown (D) 49.0%        Whitman (R) 44.0%

PPP CA Governor (9/22)

• Brown (D) 47.0%        Whitman (R) 42.0%

Field Poll CA Senate (9/24)

• Boxer (D) 47.0%        Fiorina (R) 41.0%

PPP CA Senate (9/22)

• Boxer (D) 50.0%        Fiorina (R) 42.0%

Looking at the REAL image we get from Republicans

I don't always agree with Florida Congressman Alan Grayson's
political jabs.... but this is probably the best Democrat ad on the
internet today.

Elk Grove Citizen : Archives News On the road, following Cox’s footprints

This is an interesting article on Roger Nellio who is running for State Senator Dave Cox's seat.

He is running against our current Assemblyman Ted Gaines.
You will find the article on this link:
Elk Grove Citizen : Archives News On the road, following Cox’s footprints

Incomes drop because more people are unemployed

The average income for Americans dropped (about $3000 / yr).... Republicans voted AGAINST closing the loop-hole encouraging corporations overseas.... How can the middle class come back if our jobs are going overseas???

A Newsweek article how corporations are low-balling worker's pay because so many people are out of work.  Remember the "Grapes of Wrath" story? 

Newsweek article 

Stimulus jobs end, Dems bank on extension | TheUnion.com

Nevada City and Grass Valley article about the stimulus impact on District 4 (Rep. Tom McClintock's district)

He voted against a bill that would close the tax loop-holes that encourage Corporations moving jobs overseas.
When someone asks McClintock he sidesteps the answer.

This is any interesting article on our district that got stimulus funds:
Stimulus jobs end, Dems bank on extension | TheUnion.com

Dink Lane wrote a letter to the Mt. Democrat about who got stimulus funds:

El Dorado County received 6 percent of California's stimulus funds ($19.5 Million) The largest portion of the money, over $12.4 million, went to small business loans. Ok, small business loans are good. They keep business open and people working.
Another $475,000 went to Lake Tahoe Community College foundation for financial aid. More people have stopped looking for work and gone back to school, new skills are good.
Three El Dorado County business received $789,000 in government contracts. One company was awarded a contract for "water quality improvements," another got contract for a repair job for the Forest Service, and a third has a vendor contract with the Bureau of Land Management. Ok, private business jobs saved.
A total of $632,000 in financial assistance was awarded to the various law enforcement agencies in the county, El Dorado Sheriff's Office, Lake Tahoe Police and Placerville Police. Looks like it saved several jobs.
The only thing left is the $3 million was set aside for the Forest Service for "Hazardous Fuels Reduction on non-federal property,"

Georgetown's water district

Divide Citizen for Water's report:

On Wednesday evening, August 25, 2010 El Dorado Water and Power Authority held a meeting at the El Dorado County Board of Supervisor Chambers.  Bonnie McLane, Candidate for GDPUD Water Board attended this Hearing.  The following is a report turned in to DCFW by Mrs. McLane

There was a draft proposal for an Environmental Impact Statement with regards to El Dorado County gaining 40,000 ac ft per year for future use of the county.  As the county of origin and having held water rights prior to 1927, El Dorado County has a chance of obtaining more water from the South Fork of the American River. 

The EIR addressed issues primarily including Water Supply, Fisheries, and Water Quality.  An 82-year study of sequential water years, using 3-year span of drought, data was compiled to be included in this EIR. 

In order to maintain our rural life style we should work towards these water rights.  Those with ranches or farms have suffered in the drought years.  Additional water, ample storage, and conservation will help to support our rural life style. 

In the past we have the American River as a natural resource, as good neighbors we were open to sharing this resource.  At the time we probably thought our largest asset were the little Gold Nuggets found in all the rushing water, now we realize the real asset is the rushing water itself.

Sheriff Candidate's Statements Under Microscope - cbs13.com

The Sheriff's race turns out to be a political mud fight.
D'Agostini trails in contribution -- Only $64,436 (Which is pretty good for a local race.)

Therkildson brought almost double that -- $112,705 (He has paid more than $2500 in consultants)

Just last week the Sheriff's Department released and "Undercover tape" of D'Agostini. It sounded like bar-room talk. But what I find very interesting is that they released this "undercover" tape, when in fact to get any evidence out of the sheriff's department--even after the case is closed is extremely rare.

Is this a case of dirty politics or was there a serious reason to expose this tape?

A link to a Channel 13 report:
Sheriff Candidate's Statements Under Microscope - cbs13.com

Report shows jobs are NOT leaving California

Sacramento Bee, September 22, 2010

Gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman and other Republicans contend that California's poor business climate is driving employers and their jobs out of the state, but an updated study by the Public Policy Institute of California found otherwise.

Relocations account for a tiny percentage of the state's job losses the PPIC study found - just 1.7 percent from 1992 to 2006 and never more than 2.3 percent in any one year.

"Few businesses move into or out of California," says the report, written by PPIC's Jed Kolko. "From 1992 through 2006, about 16,000 jobs annually moved into California and about 25,000 jobs annually moved out of California.  The annual net employment change in California due to relocation - a loss of about 9,000 jobs - represents only .05 percent of California's18 million jobs."

Furthermore, Kolko's research found, California's losses from employer movement are well below the national average of the states. Washington D.C., suffers the biggest such loss, 6.9 percent of its total employment decrease.

"In California" Kolko continues, "74 percent of job gains and 68 percent of job losses are homegrown. Most job gains are due to the births and expansions of locally owned businesses; most job losses are due to the contractions and deaths of locally owned businesses.

"Businesses headquartered outside a county contribute much less to local employment fluctuations. The homegrown shares of job gains and losses are even higher in smaller cities and towns and in rural areas. Among the non-metropolitan counties in Calfornia 79 percent of job gains and 74 percent of job losses are homegrown. Thus, although luring businesses from elsewhere or convincing them to open or expand locally is a common economic development strategy, and preventing businesses from leaving the state is a political refrain, 4 most job gains and losses are homegrown."

What Kolko's research does not - and cannot - show, however, is whether the state's business climate is a significant deterrent to new job-creating investment. There's no objective way to determine why investments are made inside or outside the state, since investors don't reveal their reasons for such decisions.

The full PPIC study can be found

 here.

Read more: http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalertlatest/2010/09/ppic-report-refutes-claims-of.html#ixzz10Md4JsJL

Gene Altshuler posted a very interesting piece

California Democratic Party

Friday, September 17, 2010

Contact: Tenoch Flores (916) 503-8480

New California Voter Registration Numbers Show CA GOP Stuck in Second Place, Despite Millions in Spending and Talk of Surge

Sacramento – The California Secretary of State today released new voter registration numbers showing Democrats maintaining their 2.3 million voter advantage in California.

There are currently 7,531,986 registered Democrats in the state of California compared to 5,257,669 registered Republicans. Independents or Decline to State (DTS) voters number 3,427,395

“So much for the Republican surge in California,” said John Burton, Chairman of the California Democratic Party. “These numbers make clear that California voters aren’t swayed by the unending Republican attacks against Jerry Brown and Barbara Boxer. Democrats have a 2.3 million voter advantage and we will work day and night to turn those voters out.”

“Their ex-CEO candidates Meg Whitman and Carly Fiorina are proving to be much more a liability than an asset despite their millions,” he said.

Now we have to make sure they vote.  If 2.3 million voters sit home, that advantage won't mean anything.

McClintock can't vote for himself again.

When Tom McClintock ran for the congressional seat he said he would move into the district.  He is now running for re-election and he has not moved into the district. His spokesperson said it had to do with not being able to sell his house.

McClintock has a long history of NOT living in the district he represents.
       For two terms as State Senator for District 19, Thousand Oaks.
               He said he was living at his mother's house -- but claimed 
               residency at his Elk Grove home.

      For the last two (2) years as U.S. Congressman for District 4, Grante Bay.
              His spokesperson says that "He still lives in Elk Grove."
 
In California, a United States Congressman only has to live in California -- Not the district he represents.

For the Second time McClintock can NOT vote for himself.
He can NOT vote on the issues that are specific to District 4.

This is not representation; this is government representation by PROXY.

Dan Lungren's re-election is not so certain

September 21, 2010, Sacramento Bee

CQ Politics moves Lungren seat from leans GOP to 'tossup'

CQ Politics changed its rating of the 3rd Congressional District contest from "leans Republican" to a "tossup" last night, saying "there appears to be little doubt that (incumbent Rep. Dan) Lungren will have to fight to hold his seat."
   The Gold River Republican is facing a challenge from Democrat Ami Bera, a doctor from Elk Grove who has strong backing from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
   Lungren, whose seat is a major target for Democrats, is the only Republican incumbent the publication is moving to the toss-up category in the latest House race rating by the CQ-Roll Call Group publication.
   The publication's ratings, which you can read here, calls Lungren the "easiest target for Democrats to paint as a politician who has been in office too long, a message that is certainly resonating with voters this cycle."
   Voter registration is split in the district, though Republicans gained a slight edge over the June registration figures in the voter registration report released last week by Secretary of State Debra Bowen. The current voter registration breakdown is 40.31 percent Republican, 37.55 percent Democratic.
PHOTO CREDIT: GOP Rep. Dan Lungren at a candidate forum in 2008. Brian Baer, Sacramento Bee.

Read more: http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalertlatest/2010/09/cq-rollcall-shifts-cd3-race-to.html#ixzz10CmV8HP2

El Dorado Board of Supervisors tried to change policy of public notice

By Raheem Hosseini Telegraph Correspondent

Looking to tidy up a policy manual that had become the size of a James Patterson thriller, El Dorado County officials ran afoul of local watchdogs when they recommended one particular policy deletion last week.
   Before the Sept. 14 Board of Supervisors meeting, there were 87 policies taking up 419 pages of the board’s policy manual, many of them obsolete due to the passage of time and changing circumstances, according to the Chief Administrative Office.
   The office recommended culling 28 policies, nearly a third of the manual, and planned on revising or consolidating the rest.
   Supervisors ended up eliminating 17. One of the policies they spared — B-10 — was championed by representatives of the El Dorado County Grand Jury.
   Enacted in 1999, B-10 directs the county to distribute annual grand jury reports and board responses through a specially published tabloid in large area newspapers.
   In its summary of proposed deletions, the CAO cited the tabloid as impractical and not cost-effective, “especially now that reports are accessible via the internet.”
   But in an Aug. 7 letter opposing the policy deletion, grand jury foreman Steve Baker said the recommended action “strikes at the heart of citizen participation in effective oversight of county government.”
   Many county residents lack effective access to the internet, he added, citing the 2009-10 grand jury section on “Special District Websites,” which found a requirement for all special districts to establish and maintain websites impractical because only half of county households have good to excellent internet access.
   Earlier this month, the president of the El Dorado County Grand Jurors Association said talks of a replacement policy had already begun between his organization and the CAO.
   “We are confident that any potential policy adjustments can be accomplished by the end of this month,” said Chuck MacLean, the association’s president.
   Supervisors agreed to leave the policy alone until such a solution could be reached, said senior policy analyst Mike Applegarth.
   “There seems to be agreement that the tabloid may not be the most efficient communication tool,” he added.
   The policies that weren’t so lucky, in many cases, either no longer applied or were in conflict with more recent policies. For instance, supervisors voted to jettison a policy governing evening board meetings because there’s already a process altering the board’s meeting schedule.
   Supervisors spared a number of policies that were targeted due to funding issues, including a county legislative policy, employee suggestions award program, and a policy calling for the update of the Personnel Management Book. The board also opted not to delete an energy conservation policy the grand jury ruled the county was not following, as well as a policy that allows non-county agencies and individuals to request board agenda items.
   The CAO called the latter policy “potentially problematic.”

Tom McClintock's House floor speech

Congressman Tom McClintock went on the House floor and said that the present administration is on "the Road to Ruin."

To read the text of his statement click on the link below. As you read it look for ONE single suggestion. He is just standing on the sidelines saying "You can't do it and we aren't going to help you."


Congressional Record - 111th Congress (2009-2010) - THOMAS (Library of Congress)

CBS News / NYT Poll shows the public has little faith in the Republicans

Americans Believe Democrats, Not Republicans, Are "More Likely To Create New Jobs"

Despite Republican's constant "where are the jobs?" refrain; Americans do not believe these Republicans are likely to create new jobs.

Republicans vs. Tea Party

A New York Times article looked at the Republican and Tea Party relationship. It is a very interesting article.  But the most interesting thing in article was:

  Senator John Cornyn of Texas, who has been on the receiving end of anti-establishment anger, argued that the Tea Party had helped Republicans in one important respect, by moving the debate away from social issues. While Tea Party supporters tend to be socially conservative on issues like same-sex marriage and abortion, most say they don’t want to talk about them; they believe that by spending so much time on those issues, the Republican Party failed to focus on fiscal conservatism.

While social issues tend to be polarizing, Republicans can win on economic issues, Mr. Cornyn said, because the Democrats have been in charge as the economy has gone south.

That's why the Democrats have got to get off the couch and pick up our signs and say NO.  We didn't cause this Economic Crisis. (Notice the Tea Party signs say Obama bailed out AIG)

If these people can't even remember what happened 18 months ago, how are they going to run a government?  The Republicans can NOT have the keys back!
 
Link to NYT article: Republicans get a partner

Are there Deomcrats in Gold Country?

I have heard people say "I didn't know there were any Democrats in El Dorado or Amador County."

Yes there are:

• El Dorado County -- 93,890 voters --> 40,529 voted for Democrats
• Amador County -- 18,374 voters --> 7,813 voted for Democrats
• Placer County -- 59,779 voters --> 20,719 voted for Democrats.

Democrats make up about 45 percent of the voters in Gold County.  We can make a difference, but we have to vote!

McClintock's voting record

Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act – vote Passed (247-161, 25 not voting)

In Aug., the House passed this bill to provide $16.1 billion t extend increased Medicaid assistance to states and $10 billion in funding for states to create or retain teacher's jobs. 

Rep. Tom McClintock voted NO

The Senate added an amendment to the H.R. 1586 a bill to modernize the air traffic control and safety system and the House had to agree to the changed bill – Vote Passed (229-173, 30 not voting)

Rep. Tom McClintock voted NO

The Offshore Oil and Gas Worker Whistleblower Protection Act of 2010 – Vote Passed (315-93, 25 not voting)

Rep. Tom McClintock voted NO

Economy is REALLY headed in the right direction

In spite of the stimulus bill, in spite of TARP, in spite of the GM/AIG/Wall Street bailouts, the first Obama budget (2010) has closed the deficit by 13%, according to Bloomberg.

The excess of spending over revenue totaled $90.5 billion last month, smaller than the median forecast of economists surveyed by Bloomberg News and down 13 percent from $103.6 billion in August 2009, according to a Treasury Department report issued today in Washington. The gap for the fiscal year that started in October was $1.26 trillion compared with $1.37 trillion last year at the same time.

The Bloomberg article

A graph showing how Obama's nominations are going...

The Senate Republicans threatens a filibuster.  When they are called on it, then the Senate Republican Leaders demand a complete 30-hour debate on each and every one of these appointees.

Finally some of Obama's nominations are getting through

The Senate has allowed some of his nominations to come up for a vote: (About time)

Judge Barbara Milano Keenan's nomination for the Fourth Circuit was filibustered for months was confirmed by a 99-0 vote.  Even the clown that filibustered didn't vote against her.

Judge Denny Chin was filibustered for months and he was confirmed by a 98-0 vote.  Again the clown that filibustered didn't vote against him.

Today Attorney Jane Stranch who was nominated for the United States Court of Appeals more than 400 days ago was confirmed by 71-19.

 

El Dorado County Sheriff contest

The run off election for county sheriff includes:
John D'Agostini....... He has received $43,536 in contributions in his campaign.
Craig Therkildsen..... He has received $112,705 in contributions to his campaign.
Larry Hennick....... (I appoligize.  I didn't collect the information for him.  Will get back soon)

I would welcome any information someone might have about these candidates.  The election is in 7 weeks, and our sheriff is important to our county.

Ballot Watch: Ban on state using local government funds

Story in the Sacramento Bee
Written by Dan Smith

Last Modified: Saturday, Sep. 11, 2010 - 12:37 am

Proposition 22: Should the state be banned from taking or borrowing funds from local government and redevelopment agencies?
For nearly two decades, the state at various times has turned to cities, counties, special districts and redevelopment agencies for money to help bridge state budget gaps. Largely, the effort has involved "shifting" property tax funds from local governments to school districts, thereby reducing the state's obligation to use state funds to meet the minimum school funding level under Proposition 98. State officials also have taken aim at transportation funds, using gasoline tax money to pay for state transportation bonds, for instance, instead of sending the money to local agencies.
These practices have been the subject of lawsuits, and the state's approach has been altered at various times by ballot measures pushed by local government interests.
In 2004, voters required the Legislature to repay property tax money taken from local government, within three years. In 2006, gasoline taxes were restricted.
The debate comes down to public money and who should spend it � local governments or state government?
WHAT IT DOES
• Eliminates the state's ability to use gasoline tax revenue to repay transportation bonds that have been sold and restricts its ability to use the money for future bonds.
• Bans the state from using gasoline tax revenue to help balance the state budget or bridge a cash-flow crisis, and makes it more difficult for the Legislature to change the distribution of funds for state and local transportation needs.
• Bans the state from shifting property tax funds from local redevelopment agencies to schools.
• Bans state from shifting property taxes from local governments to schools to temporarily solve a state fiscal crisis.
• Forbids the Legislature to take any action that conflicts with the measure until Election Day.
WHAT IT COSTS
• According to the Legislative Analyst's Office, the state would have about $1 billion less in the current fiscal year to help close the budget deficit.
• Because the gasoline tax money could not be used to repay transportation bonds, over the next 20 years the state would have about $1 billion less each year to make those payments.
• The inability to take or borrow redevelopment funds means that the state would have up to several billion less each year to help balance the budget.
• With the state restricted from borrowing or taking their money, local governments would have more money to spend on services.
MONEY WATCH
• Supporters have raised about $3.2 million, most of it from the League of California Cities. The league collects public funds from cities for its lobbying activities, but the campaign cash, under law, comes from the association's private enterprises, such as magazine advertising sales.
• Other large contributors include the California Transit Association and the California Alliance for Jobs.
• Opponents, led by public employee unions that stand to lose if more state budget cuts result from Proposition 22's passage, have created a campaign committee but have yet to file a report.
SUPPORTERS
• League of California Cities
• California Transit Association
• California Alliance for Jobs, a coalition of infrastructure construction companies and related labor unions
WHAT THEY SAY
• State officials' frequent raids on local government coffers to balance the state budget are hurting local services such as police and fire protection and road repairs.
• Gasoline taxes should be used for transportation purposes, not to help balance the state budget.
• Lawmakers exploit loopholes in current law to take local funds to spend as they please.
OPPONENTS
• California Teachers Association
• California Nurses Association
• California Professional Firefighters
WHAT THEY SAY
• The measure would remove money from the state budget, forcing cuts in schools and statewide emergency services and health care.
• The measure locks in funding for redevelopment agencies, which use property tax funds to make deals with developers and take property through eminent domain.
• The measure represents more "ballot-box budgeting," further restricting the choices officials have to balance the state's books.
ON THE WEB
http://www.savelocalservices.com
http://votenoprop22.com
Sources: Secretary of state, Legislative Analyst's Office, attorney general's office

© Copyright The Sacramento Bee. All rights reserved.

Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2010/09/11/3021098/ballot-watch-ban-on-state-using.html#ixzz0zMejYWXW