Everyone, well most people, work hard for their money. They trust the state to collect and spend taxes appropriately. What "appropriately" is can vary from person to person, but there is a certain amount of trust by the people in the government. People also trust the government to give their money back when they file tax returns and are supposed to get money back - just like the government expects you to pay money if you owe it.So there is a fiduciary responsibility that the governm... Read Full Story

With her abrupt exit this week from consideration for the Senate, Caroline Kennedy added her name to a growing list: women who have sought the nation's highest offices only to face insurmountable hurdles.Like Hillary Rodham Clinton and Sarah Palin before her, Kennedy illustrated what some say is an enduring double standard in the handling of ambitious female office-seekers. Even as more women step forward as contenders for premier political jobs, observers say, few seem able to get there.... Read Full Story

I don't understand. There is an 8.5% unemployment in the Sacramento area - and about that statewide in California.Yet everywhere I go I see signs that are asking for people to work. Not in law firms, highend jobs and the like. But there are jobs out there - lots of them. Temp agencies still have lots of work. So why are people still unemployed?Searching for a job is time consuming. It costs money (suits, travel, resumes etc.) And it can be hard. It can be frustrating. No one like to hear ... Read Full Story

I watched the inauguration of a new President yesterday - just like millions of other people. In fact, I watched it because I watch it every year. It is a historic event - regardless of who is being sworn in. The nation, and history, remember all 44 Presidents - some are more known or loved than others, but they are all remembered.I was on the light rail (public transit) home yesterday and everyone was asking each other (and me) if I thought today was extremely historic. First of all, nothing... Read Full Story

I watched the Inauguration of this nations 44th President.I was surprisingly pleased. I didn't vote for him - but he is now my President, and so I support him and my thoughts and prayers are with him as he struggles with the weight that is around his shoulders.It isn't a small weight. He is dealing with a struggling economy, a divided nation, a view that America is "bad" and "too aggressive." These are not small issues, and they are not things that can be fixed wit... Read Full Story

The California Teacher's Association (CTA) is possibly the most powerful union in the state. It lobbies hard and spends a lot of money in political battles.But who are they watching out for?The CTA says they are watching out for teachers, schools and students. With education spending being almost 50% of the state budget, the CTA carries a lot of clout when it speaks about education spending. The CTA is also going to have a lot to say about the current deficit situation and how much of a c... Read Full Story

Spending to end a recession?It sounds like a promise for disaster. Let the state, which has already proven it cannot manage its resources, spend more money. Let's get into more debt.But part of the problem with the current recession is that it doesn't have a bottom. At what level do people start spending again? If everyone is in the mind-set that they won't spend today because things will be cheaper tomorrow, or better tomorrow, then no one is going to spend money and we are going... Read Full Story

California education spending is a mess. I will agree with that. There is too much money spent for too little gains.The CTA is arguing that the public system for funding public education (and they mean only K-12) is broken. There is a certain irony in this statement. The CTA are the ones who are responsible for the current K-12 public funding system. The CTA lobbied for Prop. 98 - which puts in place a minimum guarantee to public schools and allows the state to limit funding to public schools... Read Full Story

Tom McClintock arrived in Washington last week, ready to say no. Among the things that he'll say no to are: President-elect Barack Obama's plan to spend roughly $800 billion to rev up the economy; spending billions to bail out the auto industry; and to California and other states looking to Congress to get out of their budget messes. McClintock's stand is that the federal government doesn't have the money to spend to do these things. He contends that the federal government, i... Read Full Story

California still has a budget problem.Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Democratic leadership negotiated during the holiday weeks over whether Schwarzenegger would sign their majority-vote package of $18 billion in cuts and taxes.First they were very close...in the words of Senate leader Darrell Steinberg. Then they were far away...in the words of Schwarzenegger spokesman Aaron McLear.Then, on New Year's Eve, Schwarzenegger administration officials unveiled the 2009-10 budget proposal to... Read Full Story