Retired Mayor of San Francisco, Willie Brown, has a weekly column in the San Francisco Chronicle Newspaper. On January 3rd he wrote an article responding to 3 things: Napolitano's mishandling of the terrorist that almost blew up a plane, Obama's first year in office, and a Californian New Year's Resolution. This third item is what I am going to focused on. I find it profound that a very leftist democrat, a former mayor of San Francisco has penned these words to his readers:
"If we as a state want to make a New Year's resolution, I suggest taking a good look at the California we have created. From our out-of-sync tax system to our out-of-control civil service, it's time for politicians to begin an honest dialogue about what we've become.
Take the civil service.
The system was set up so politicians like me couldn't come in and fire the people (relatives) hired by the guy they beat and replace them with their own friends and relatives.
Over the years, however, the civil service system has changed from one that protects jobs to one that runs the show.
The deal used to be that civil servants were paid less than private sector workers in exchange for an understanding that they had job security for life.
But we politicians, pushed by our friends in labor, gradually expanded pay and benefits to private-sector levels while keeping the job protections and layering on incredibly generous retirement packages that pay ex-workers almost as much as current workers.
Talking about this is politically unpopular and potentially even career suicide for most officeholders. But at some point, someone is going to have to get honest about the fact that 80 percent of the state, county and city budget deficits are due to employee costs.
Either we do something about it at the ballot box, or a judge will do something about in Bankruptcy Court. And if you think I'm kidding, just look at Vallejo."
Well, Mr. Brown, all I can add to your words are: Why must we have to wait until California is on the brink of bankruptcy before we address the problems in our legislature? Is it not better to forecast the trend and take the steps to avoid the pitfall.
PRU'DENCE, n. [L. prudentia.] Wisdom applied to practice.
Prudence implies caution in deliberating and consulting on the most suitable means to accomplish valuable purposes, and the exercise of sagacity in discerning and selecting them. Prudence differs from wisdom in this, that prudence implies more caution and reserve than wisdom, or is exercised more in foreseeing and avoiding evil, than in devising and executing that which is good. It is sometimes mere caution or circumspection.
Prudence is principally in reference to actions to be done, and due means, order, season and method of doing or not doing.
It's been a busy week so I haven't been able to blog much or put together a vidcast. I've started school and worship practice for the church is on Thursdays now. It seems that I have a lot more to learn about time management. But there is no rest for those interested in politics, economics and religion. It seems the world goes on it's way with or without you. This past week is no different.
Please allow me to summarize the week for you in case you have lived in a card board box in someone's closet without any natural light or outside communication.
Ed McMahon died. So did Farrah Fawcett. So did Michael Jackson. So did Billy Mays. It makes me wonder who is next, but the factors that determine which celebrity you cried over depended on age, sex, race, or insomnia. I personally wept for Bubbles, the Chimp.
On the Federal level, we were told another crisis could ONLY be averted if we pass a bill in Congress that no one read, even though it would fundamentally impact us for generations. You may have heard of it, it was called the Stimulus Bill...ooops, I mean, Cap and Trade. Basically, the bill means that energy businesses will be capped the amount of CO2 gas they can produce in a fiscal year, and only exceed those rates if they buy carbon credits traded on the stock market. It's like saying to a vegetarian, you may only have raunchy veggie farts once a day, and if you ever want to release more methane, you will have to pay for those methane credits. Oh, BTW, sharding still qualifies as releasing methane gas, and you'll actually have to pay double the credit rate because you are wasting perfectly good underwear made in sweat shops, and those sweatshops aren't producing all that carbon just so you can make skid marks.
That's right, I just made a joke about sweat shop skid marks.
In other news, if local politics is your style, I have some special quotes for you that will absolutely make you think politicians in Sacramento live in crazy land. California Democrats are trying to pass more taxes for an already overtaxed state because they can't bear the thought of cutting more entitlement programs. Apparently, they did not get the hint since we unanimously turned down ALL tax increases in the last election. But here is Norren Evans (D), representing the good old town of Santa Rosa.
Transcript:
Well, there is this mantra out there ‘live within our means’, and while that sounds really nice, it sounds really simple, and it sounds really responsible, its meaningless. Our means are completely within our control. And, as has been pointed out by numerous people, we have just recently given away huge corporate subsidies in February, we have given away other tax reductions over many many years we’ve created new tax loopholes, in good times we routinely give away taxes, and then in lean times we never replace those tax deductions or close those loopholes. We continuously borrow, which is an enormous cost that we shift on into future years, and we find ourselves now with a deficit that — an ongoing structural deficit that we simply can’t close. So, ‘live within our means’ doesn’t mean anything. The fact is, we have a state that has a population that have needs, that we have a moral obligation to provide.
Video:
So ladies and gentlemen, today I am announcing my candidacy for Supreme Ruler of California. Apparently, the only faculty you need to possess when running for political office in California is intellectual dishonesty, aka Big Bold and Bad LIES and his cousin INCOMPETENCE. Therefore, with this new found knowledge, I will pwn all those who oppose me with deep truths like 1+1=2 and usher in the new era of surplus with "spending less than you make." In fact, since my wife and I do a balanced budget every month on paper, she is also qualified to come with me to the Capitol as Supreme Ruler #2, should I die of the spreading of Awesome Asian mathematics.
Does Ms. Evans even understand the implications of her statements, or is she living in governmental lala land where statesmen have no spending limits and no consequences? How can anyone state that living within your means, means nothing? Is it any wonder why our budget is so screwed up when people like this are in control? Keep in mind, if a Republican said this, they would be crucified. Perhaps, they should be crucified with the 8 Republicans who voted for Cap & Trade. I don't know about you, but if a Republican votes for Cap & Trade, they are no more republican than a dung beetle is clean. It's like saying, "I'm a Christian who does not believe in Jesus Christ." What?!
Anyway, it has been a busy week and I don't have enough time to comment on it all. Also, I am still trying to figure out Yellow University and what instructional information and vidcasts I am going to do. I believe the first series will be answering the question, "What is a Classical Liberal? Is that even possible?" I look forward to that and the all yellow glory it will be.
On a side note, for those of you who follow celebrity gossip and are familiar with Perez Hilton, he was punched in the face last week and flipped out. His solution, put it on twitter and youtube. The result wasn't exactly what he was expecting as many people began to spoof his ridiculous ranting. I was particularly fond of the, "God is watching" and "F**K YOU!" in the same paragraph. I might of been offended if I wasn't laughing at him so much. Anyway, a photo surfaced from someone who actually had a still shot of Perez getting punched. I included it below for your personal enjoyment. I'll end with this:
If you make a living being being an A**hole, don't be surprised that people will mistake your face for one and attack it accordingly.
Yesterday, I found a new app called Visible Vote. It's a handy new app created so that you can:
1. Send a letter to you legislators through your iPhone. 2. Track how your legislators are voting on bills you care about. 3. Vote on the same bills as your legislators and update your legislators on your vote.
Also, the app provides feedback on how your votes compare to theirs and will send you an overview of the next election so you know who to vote for or against (This last one I have not seen myself yet). Someone start an election! STAT!!!
There is apparently a facebook and blackberry version and all are free. My favorite word, FREEEEEEEEE!
I digress, I played with this app for a little bit and I think I may love the "Write Legislator" option. Boxer, Feinstein and Miller will know true Pang. BTW, check out how my votes stack up to theirs.
<---Mwuahahahhahahhaha
<-------Are you surprised?
<-------Eat that Miller!
Anyway, I hope this app serves you well. I can already see it does for me. **Evil cackle ensues**
I am a little man with a big dream. A world of yellow thinkers. All would know kung fu like Bruce Lee; the world math averages would skyrocket; commuter traffic would feel like an illegal drift race. Rice would no longer be eaten with butter, sugar or salt. It will be glorious and I would finally have my own samurai sword. This is my dream.
Retired Mayor of San Francisco, Willie Brown, has a weekly column in the San Francisco Chronicle Newspaper. On January 3rd he wrote an article responding to 3 things: Napolitano's mishandling of the terrorist that almost blew up a plane, Obama's first year in office, and a Californian New Year's Resolution. This third item is what I am going to focused on. I find it profound that a very leftist democrat, a former mayor of San Francisco has penned these words to his readers:
Posts
