Politics and Elections
Back to homepageObscure state agency continues assault on direct democracy
Feb. 13, 2013 By Chris Reed Jerry Brown’s nonstop self-accolades for his alleged genius in bringing California back to solid ground are rather dubious. But it is with pensions that Brown’s self-congratulation is most incoherent. While he congratulates himself for
Read More3 years late, L.A. Times finally notes huge flaw in Obamacare
Feb. 11, 2013 By Chris Reed In April 2010, three weeks after Obamacare was signed into law, The New York Times got around to writing an analysis of the measure that looked at how a key provision had worked at
Read MoreYet another computer fiasco in home of Silicon Valley
Feb. 9, 2013 By Chris Reed Friday’s news that state Controller John Chiang had fired the second contractor hired to upgrade the state government’s computer payroll system for incompetence and poor work — a few years after the first contractor
Read MoreIs CA really barreling down recovery road?
Feb. 9, 2013 By Wayne Lusvardi Former New York Times journalist Froma Harrop wrote on Real Clear Politics that it’s “tough times for California bashers” because of the recent turnaround of the state. Harrop argued that those who have bashed California
Read MorePicking mayors: When will L.A. voters be as smart as N.Y. voters?
Feb. 8, 2013 By Chris Reed Despite some pension reforms and program cuts, the city of Los Angeles remains in difficult financial shape. A Jan. 24 Fitch credit-rating service analysis says the L.A. economy is rebounding, but that city leaders
Read MorePresidents abusing power: L.A. Times’ hypocrisy is immense
Feb. 6, 2013 By Chris Reed When the Bush administration responded to 9-11 by using “advanced interrogation techniques” and detaining hundreds of terror suspects indefinitely, all without offering clarity about exactly what it was doing and the legal rationales it
Read MoreScandal ‘boring’? Arrogant Jerry Brown drinks his own Kool-Aid
Feb. 6, 2013 By Chris Reed Sacramento is still buzzing over a bizarre and obnoxious scandal in which state parks officials hid $54 million while pressing to close 70 parks, and along comes another scandal in which Cal Fire hides
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Chameleon Arnold now says ‘simple ways’ of Austria made him a green fanatic
Feb. 2, 2013 By John Seiler Ex-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger used to give an inspiring stock speech about how he grew up loving America’s freedom, and longed to live here. He contrasted that with the stultifying ways of Austria, where he
Read MorePhil Mickelson’s net state income tax increase: 83.6%!!!!!
Jan. 30, 2013 By Chris Reed Richard Rider, the dean of the small-government/low-tax movement in San Diego County, has come up with some stunning number-crunching on his blog: “Here’s the fact that EVERYONE (including me) initially undervalued concerning [Rancho Santa
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