John Seiler, Author at CalWatchdog.com

Posts From John Seiler

John Seiler

John Seiler has been writing about California for 25 years. That includes 22 years as an editorial writer for the Orange County Register and two years for CalWatchDog.com, where he is managing editor. He attended the University of Michigan and graduated from Hillsdale College. He was a Russian linguist in U.S. Army military intelligence from 1978 to 1982. He was an editor and writer for Phillips Publishing Company from 1983 to 1986. He has written for Policy Review, Chronicles, LewRockwell.com, Flash Report and numerous other publications. His email: [email protected]

CalSTRS shows how to cut debt

It turns out public pension debt can be reduced. And the California State Teachers’ Retirement System is showing how. CalPensions reports: CalSTRS was bracing to report the nation’s biggest pension debt under new government accounting rules that take effect this

How are Japan’s tax increases working?

John Seiler September 8, 2014

Given the desire for even more tax increases for American and California, how are the recent tax increases working in Japan? TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s economy shrank more sharply in the second quarter than first estimated and the latest indicators suggest

“Nothing is certain in this world except death and taxes” is an old saying. California also has seizures after death. Now, the California Legislature just passed a bill to limit the seizure of the estates of Medi-Cal recipients. The Mercury-News reported:

Gut and amend time

John Seiler August 28, 2014

“Laws are like sausages. You should never see them made,” is a variant on a saying by Otto von Bismarck. The old Prussian has been dead 116 years, but if he came back he certainly would recognize the California Legislature’s

Mexico moves toward free-market oil

John Seiler August 27, 2014

After its 1994 peso crisis, Mexico could have chosen more socialism — or move toward capitalism. It chose the latter and has been one of the world’s growth success stories ever since. Tax rates actually are lower than in El Norte (although

Farm workers protest CA labor bureaucrats

John Seiler August 26, 2014

Gerawan’s oppressed workers are protesting today. For a year we have reported on the farm workers for Gerawan putting up with high-handedness, bureaucratic delay and abuse by state labor officials. The workers entered into a contract with the United Farm Workers 20 years

Take your pooch out to eat

John Seiler August 25, 2014

Gov. Jerry Brown just signed a bill legalizing restaurants and bars allowing pets on patios, starting Jan. 1. Given all the animal-rights activists and dog-lovers in this state, it’s surprising this took so long. Although in my experience here, this long