Campaign Finance Deform

I wish everyone realized how badly we're being screwed by our
politico-economic system of government. The government/corporate alliance has
pulled the "divide and conquer" trick on us.  While the people fight over the
virtues of Red and Blue States, "They" are more concerned with their
own financial status.

In public, Democrat and Republican politicians bicker like
rabid cats and dogs. But if you could see them in their real element, in the
private clubs and lounges where lobbyists buy them the finest meals and
$50-a-glass scotch, you would witness the collective camaraderie that
develops from the pursuit of mutual interests.  On the fairways of
exclusive golf resorts, and in the leather seats of private jets, they
are kin.

It works like this: When politicians are selling themselves to voters
and campaign contributors, they wear the masks of the left or the
right, red or blue, conservative or liberal.  When they are spending,
it is all about the green.  They are less worried about fixing the
economy than they are about meeting 3rd-quarter fundraising goals.  And
the input of their constituents always takes a back seat to the
suggestions of lobbyists.  Make no mistake about it, politicians are for
sale.  When you see a politician speak passionately about one issue or
another, you can bet that his hat will be held out soon after.

The sad fact is, when it comes to fundraising, partisanship
pays way better than cooperation.  The more you hate the other side, the
deeper you will dig into your pocket.  When a politician is selling his
influence, he can put a higher price tag on competitive partisanship
than he can on cooperative compromise.  Fear is used to fertilize their
fundraising crops.  Here is a common tactical refrain:  "We need you to
stand tall with us as we fight tirelessly for the well-being of the
fine, hard-working citizens of this Country.  Never have the stakes been
higher.  Without your urgently needed financial support, *This* will
happen, ___________."  (Fill in the blank, but it is something evil and
ruinous that the "other side" is trying to do that will detrimentally
effect you, your family, your health, your safety, your future, your
taxes, your bank account, the economy, and yes, even the weather.)
"Please send what you can today."

It is obvious that money buys political access. And buying that access is big business.
Nearly 5,400 congressional staffers have left the Hill for lobbyist firms
over the past decade, according to a new study by LegiStorm, a non-partisan organization
that tracks Congress. The organization also found that of about 14,000 current congressional
staffers, 605 have lobbied in the past decade. The study analyzed the records of
130,000 people who have worked for lobbyist firms or on the Hill. Here are some
other highlights from the LegiStorm study:

--So far this year, 155 lobbyists have been hired as staffers. Not surprisingly,
having taken back he House last year, Republican lobbyists-turned-staffers outnumbered
their Democratic brethren 8 to 1. But in 2007, when Democrats won the House and Senate,
206 lobbyists switched from serving clients to aiding lawmakers.

--393 current and former members of Congress have been paid lobbyists
or foreign agents in the past 10 years.

--383 congressional aides have taken their first spin through the revolving
door from the Hill to K Street lobbyist firms this year.

The thing I find most annoying and troubling about the marriage of politics and money in all facets of representative government in the United States today is the fact that so many citizens buy into (literally) the current government system of paying for political access.  People give money abundantly to their “Team” and their team’s “Players”, and that insures a continuation of the influence of money on policy.  During the 2008 presidential campaign, President Obama and Senator McCain, between just the two of them, raised and spent $1 Billion in campaign contributions.  I believe that if you offer money to any Republican or Democratic party political candidate or political action committee, you sacrifice any moral right to complain about the dysfunction of politics in America.  Because the individuals, corporations, unions, special interest groups, lobbyists, and everyone else with an open checkbook are the enablers of the bitterly partisan, diseased body of politics we are suffering with today.

Double Dipping in Sacramento

"Numerous Brown appointees double-dipping with salary, public pension"

 http://www.mercurynews.com/politics-government/ci_19013199?nclick_check=1


I read the above article in the San Jose Mercury News, and I must tell you, I get so upset when ordinary citizens complain about the lavish salaries, pensions, and benefits political appointees receive. We must remember that these Board members make up the brain trust that helps our state government run so very efficiently. And commoners are going to begrudge them their pitiful six-figure pittance? 

According to the CA Department of Corrections website, "The Commissioners (12 Parole Board members) convene once a month to conduct a public business meeting." Yes, they have to meet every single month! And what are they paid for that? Barely more than the salary an Army General with only 30-40 years of duty under his belt.

Yes, I do realize that the Board member salary is in addition to the $100,000 to $200,000 state pensions most of these "semi-retired" intellectually gifted leaders already receive.  But they deserve that, too!  Hello!  Have you peasants noticed how beautifully and efficiently our California State Government is run?  That ain't no accident. 

No, I'm not going to  pretend to understand state budget deficits, deteriorating infrastructure, tuition hikes, declining school test scores, and all that other government minutia.  Most of us don't need to understand that stuff.  That's the smart peoples' job up there in Sacramento.  Normal folks ought to just pay their damn taxes and shut up, that's what I think!  What do you think would happen if these special Board appointees on all these special Boards suddenly stop showing up to their monthly meetings? I don't know, but the very thought of it keeps me awake at night.  Maybe we all just better think about that before we complain about our ever increasing taxes.

Judge Jeff Almquist

Santa Cruz County Judge Jeff Almquist frequently demonstrates the judicial fortitude one can expect from liberal judges elected or appointed to the bench.   

Steven Jay Sande, 61, of Santa Cruz, pleaded guilty April 14th to 12 felony sex abuse charges involving one of his former students at Aptos Junior High, the District Attorney's Office announced today.  Steven Sande pleaded guilty to repeatedly having sex with a 13 year old student and taking pictures of the naked girl.  However, Judge Almquist decided that Steven Sande, the statutory rapist, should remain free until his sentencing hearing on July 22!  Almquist denied the prosecutors request to have Sande jailed immediately. Why? Judge Almquist said Sande could remain free because he, "Has strong ties to the community and has not violated the law since that arrest."

Thank you, Judge Almquist, for letting us know what a pillar of society Steven Sande is.  I guess such wisdom is why you wear the robe and get paid the big bucks.  I've always had a different opinion of child molesters, child pornographers, and rapists.

To read Sentinel article, use link:  http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/ci_17857385?IADID

Red Versus Blue Equals Green

I never really liked Obama, but I was pretty sure GW Bush didn't set the presidential bar too high for him.  I mean, those aren't very big shoes (or boots) to fill.  But Obama's administration hasn't delivered on anything.  At least not anything good.  From a political leadership perspective, the U.S. is 0-for-the-2000's.

The "success" of politicians is now measured by how much they can make you hate their political opponents.  There is a ton of money in that! 
I am registered as an independent voter, so I get requests for contributions from both Republicans and Democrats.  They generally read:

 "I need your help!  I need your financial support!  If the other side wins, your quality of life will be reduced immeasurably.  Without your generous support, you and your family will suffer horribly.  But fortunately for you, dear donor, I can save you all.  But not without your help.  Help me reach my 1st (2nd, 3rd) quarter grassroots donation goal.  Send a message loud and clear to those who would ruin our country that you will fight with me!!!  Please click on the link below to conveniently and safely make your commitment online now."

What a bunch of bullshit!  I have much more respect for transients sitting on a median strip with a tattered cardboard sign than I have for political money-grubbers.  At least the transients don't pretend that by giving them money I am saving myself. 

Sadly, people send self-serving politicians millions and millions of dollars!  They've divided the United States into Reds States and Blue States.  Red vs. Blue.  Just like Norteno and Sureno gangs, and Blood and Crip gangs.  Dishonest, unproductive, self-serving individuals joining forces to compete for available resources.

The people who write checks to politicians are the real problem.  A lot of enablers are drinking the Kool-Aid and writing checks.  I guess that means the current system of governing is working for the politicians, if no one else. 

Did you know that if you close your eyes and hold you nose, cherry Kool-aid and grape Kool-aid taste pretty much the same?  They only make them different colors so you'll think they are different.  In reality, they are virtually the same thing, and neither one is good for you.