Usually we stick to our California knitting but I penned the following after learning to my repugnance about some well-to-do Americans making plans to flee the country out of displeasure with our political situation. They should listen to John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address — especially the parts about paying any price, bearing any burden, and … Continue reading Ask Not What Your Country Can Do For You . . .
Category: Calls to Action – Citizens
How To Liberate Congress
These are the largest donors to US Representative Anna Eshoo, a Democrat from Silicon Valley who chairs the House Health Subcommittee*: These are the largest donors to Michael Burgess, a Republican from North Texas who is the Ranking Member of the same committee: Notice anything? They get their money from the same special interests and it’s not that much money. Just 12,000 supporters … Continue reading How To Liberate Congress
Silos R Us
According to a new documentary (The Social Dilemma), social media is destroying the country. I don’t know about that but I do know social media has consequences for our mission. On the one hand, the internet has made it easier than ever to access primary sources of information. Eg, if you want to know how much California … Continue reading Silos R Us
The Wizards of Sacramento
No organizations ignite more fear in the hearts of California lawmakers than California Correctional Peace Officers Association, California Teachers Association, California Medical Association and Service Employees International Union. But like the Wizard of Oz, there’s not as much behind the curtain as most people think: Contributions at the legal maximum from just three GFC Courage Committee chapters … Continue reading The Wizards of Sacramento
Public v. Private Enterprise
Next Monday Bernie Sanders will address the Democratic National Convention where no doubt he will slam private enterprise and urge more public enterprise. Yet if he compared the performance of private enterprises supplying services to his listeners with the performance of public enterprises in (say) California, he would be embarrassed to make his case. Look … Continue reading Public v. Private Enterprise
On Persistence
Occasionally some GFCers ask whether the dominance of public employee unions over California politics and policy can ever end. The answer is “yes.” Below is an example of a once-dominant power being dethroned. During the Jim Crow era, the US Senate was dominated by segregationist Democrats opposed to civil rights legislation. But over time and … Continue reading On Persistence
How Political Hypocrisy Is Financed In California
Let’s say you run a business that collects $6 billion in annual revenue from a single customer. Would you spend $2 million to keep that customer? Of course you would. That’s how CCPOA, the California Correctional Peace Officers Association that represents state prison guards, operates. Earlier this week we wrote about a state legislator who says one … Continue reading How Political Hypocrisy Is Financed In California
A Profile In Hypocrisy
Several members of the GFC Network have asked, “how can a state legislator get away with saying one thing but doing another?” Here’s how: The biggest bank balance in the State Assembly has been accumulated by a progressive-talking legislator from a progressive district who collects most of his money from special interests. None of his top … Continue reading A Profile In Hypocrisy
Food For Thought
If like me you’ve marveled at the largely uninterrupted supply of food in the US during the pandemic, you might appreciate what The Economist had to say about that subject in The global food supply chain is passing a severe test. It’s not just food. Never did I expect to be complimenting my wireless services, but … Continue reading Food For Thought
LBJ vs. Bernie Sanders
Long time GFC’ers know of our disdain for whiners who complain about political problems but do nothing to help legislators address those problems. In the same category also fall those who complain that “the system is broken” or “the system is rigged.” Neither statement is true and both express more about the statement-maker than the system. No … Continue reading LBJ vs. Bernie Sanders