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