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]

Southern Cal Housing bubble?

Now Bill Lockyer thinks tax cuts create jobs

John Seiler December 22, 2013

When opponents of Proposition 30 said it would kill jobs, Treasurer Bill Lockyer backed it anyway: “I worry a little bit about fairness, although when you look at the income distributions in the last 20 years and see that essentially

Six Californias?

John Seiler December 21, 2013

Dissatisfaction with the current state of California continues to spread. The latest idea: Split the mega-state into six smaller states. It comes from tech investor Tim Draper: “TechCrunch has learned about noted technology investor Tim Draper’s plan to split California into six

GOP launching anti-Obamacare ads at Dems

John Seiler December 20, 2013

I predicted more than a month ago Republicans’ top three strategies for 2014: “1. Attack Obamacare. “2. Attack Obamacare. “3. Attack Obamacare.” Of course, that didn’t exactly take the talents of Nostradamus. But now my prediction is coming true. It’s

Is 2014 the best year for pension reform?

John Seiler December 19, 2013

I politics, timing is everything. In 1973, Gov. Ronald Reagan pushed Proposition 1 to cut state income taxes 7.5 percent. It lost, 54 percent to 46 percent. Even the Great Communicator couldn’t push it over the top. November that year

Actually, Jim Jones cult was Bay Area Democrats

John Seiler December 18, 2013

John Podesta, President Obama’s new guru, just apologized for saying of Republicans, “They need to focus on executive action given that they are facing a second term against a cult worthy of Jonestown in charge of one of the houses

Nothing can change the shape of President Jerry Brown

John Seiler December 17, 2013

Gov. Jerry Brown isn’t ruling out a 2016 presidential run. I well remember his first presidential bid, way back in 1976 when he was a young governor of 38 and I was a younger political writer of 21 on my

Video: Mike Rowe on the hidden cost of compliance

John Seiler December 16, 2013

There are a lot of dirty jobs few people want to do, but which are essential to keep society going. Mike Rowe features them in his Discovery Channel show, “Dirty Jobs.” Another aspect of dirty jobs is that those who

Study: Caesar and Robin Hood enjoyed warmer climate

John Seiler December 15, 2013

Toga! Toga! Toga! Ever wonder why the ancient Romans built an “empire without end,” to quote Virgil, while walking around in togas? Because it was a lot warmer then than now. And why Robin Hood ran around Sherwood Forest in

Common Core question soon facing your CA kids

John Seiler December 14, 2013

California enthusiastically is embracing the new national Common Core standards for students. Here’s an actual question of the sort that’s going to be facing the students, as posted on a quiz page on the site for the Genesco Commnuity Unit School District