UPDATE: Thanks to FR Friends Michelle Malkin and Doug Bandow for linking to this post.

Once we get past California’s Presidential Primary, we’ll be able to devote a lot more attention to the goings on in Washington, D.C.

That said, we did want to take a moment to pass along a hearty THANK YOU to four California Republicans and one California Democrat for voting against the so called Bush-Pelosi "Stimulus" Package in Congress.

For FR readers, you need not look past the main element of this package to scratch your head and wonder how so many Republicans could vote for it.

The center piece of this package is a huge "tax rebate" to Americans — it’s like $600 for a single individual, $1200 for a couple, and an additonal $300 per child. Without getting into the question of how a bit "bonus check" for Americans is going to substantively "stimulate" the economy, you… Read More

Today’s Los Angeles Times editorial opposing completion of the 241 tollroad led me to wonder if a) they let California Coastal Commission staffer Mark Delaplaine ghosted the editorial for them or b) they have ever actually been to the San Onofre State Beach.

For example, the editorial states:

As planned, the toll road would cut through a wilderness preserve in eastern Orange County and then traverse the length of a narrow, pristine canyon that makes up most of San Onofre State Beach, one of the most popular California state parks.

Most Southern Californians have never been to San Onofre State Beach, so if they were to rely on hysterical editorials they can be forgiven for thinking completing the 241 entails paving over paradise.

For those who haven’t seen the "pristine" ""wilderness preserve" park the LA Times rhapsodizes about, I’ll post some pictures.

Here’s a pristine stand of old growth power lines along the proposed route of… Read More

In old western days when settlers found themselves surrounded by hostile forces (I’m so P.C) they would circle the wagons.

Now in Los Angeles after years of losing battle after battle with the labor bosses, LA’s businesses are circling the wagons.

The local business federation is trying to organize and be as political active as the unions that control the city of L.A.

A good way to start would for businesses to stop giving ammo to the Democratic politicians that kowtow to the unions. Try that too. Partner.… Read More

SacBee Reporter Shane Goldmacher asks, "Does a newspaper endorsement matter?"

He has a blog post up, and also lists newspaper endorsements for and against the current statewide ballot measures.

The short answer is yes, but less than it has in the past, and more than it should. I think their primary utility these days is that they are used in this voter contact programs of the various ballot measure and candidate campaigns, to advocate for their position.

That said, I will make the case for why they shouldn’t matter…

One thing that I have learned over time is that behind "newspaper endorsements" are a group of very real human beings that make up that paper’s endorial board, and these folks typically decide on the paper’s endorsements.

Well, for some people, I suppose it is possible that their political party, or ideological persuasion, or philosophy on life, politics and public policy happen to mirror those of their local paper’s editorial board. I suspect, though, that this is rare.

Although it is… Read More

They’ve called Florida for John McCain. He’s ahead of Romney by about four percentage points. Giuliani is way behind. Drudge is even reporting that Rudy may drop out as soon as tomorrow, likely endorsing McCain.

Congratulations to the Arizona Senator and his supporters. Now on to Super Tuesday…… Read More

Nothing. Nil.… Read More

[Publisher’s Note: FR readers, please do NOT react to this post by sending us your event flyers or requests to publicize your events. Jim’s wife is appearing at the conference below, so we’ll let him off the hook. But we do not, as a rule, advertise events on the blog. That said, this looks like a good one. Thanks. – Flash]

A high-octane Election law seminar produced by Lorman Education Services is scheduled for April 16, 2008 in Santa Monica at the DoubleTree at 1707 4th St. in Santa Monica.

The day-long event will feature presentations by experienced professionals on California and Federal election law, political and advocacy activities of tax-exempt organizations, candidate activities of so-called "527" groups after the recent Wisconsin Right to Life decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, issue advocacy, independent expenditures, voting systems and voting procedures, initiatives and referenda, and a practicum on regulation of political advertising and voter persuasion.

Confirmed speakers at the seminar include Chuck Bell, senior partner of Bell,… Read More

KMJ is reporting this morning that Governor’s Health Care plan has been killed in the State Senate.

Good. It was perhaps the worst public policy idea ever proposed in California history.

To Arnold’s senior staff, who are reading this: try capitalism. It works every time.

Also, you don’t raise taxes $14 billion when the housing market is tanking, in the middle of a credit crisis, and while businesses and consumers are spendingless than last year already.

So why don’t you fix the State budget mess you created first, without raising taxes and fees. And if you have any time left over, maybe you could pay the State Republican Party back the money you drained in 2006 while running up your landslide while ignoring Bruce McPherson and Tom McClintock.

You know, if Prop 93 passes with the Governor’s help, members of the legislature will have more time to……. learn math! Then, the Governor can go back, study Milton Friedman and maybe become a capitalist again.… Read More