I hope it is a Merry Christmas Dayfor FlashReport readers! Unfortunately, it will not be a totally Merry Christmas for at least one Republican Member of Congress from California wishing for long-term incumbancy.

That is because a couple days ago the Census Bureau issued a new population update that demonstrates by the "long term" and "short term" models, that California will actually lose one of its 53 Congressional seats as a result of the upcoming 2010 Census, to be administered by the Obama Administration Commerce Department under Secretary Bill Richardson. This will be the first time inmodern history that California will actually lose a Congressional seat. Additional states likely to lose one seat include Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, and New York. Ohio may lose two seats. Picking up seats will likely be Texas (4 new seats!), Arizona and Florida(2 each) and one each inOregon and South Carolina, withNorth Carolina perhaps picking up a seat. For more details, see the Election Data Services website at www.edssurvey.com.

Under Proposition 11, the California State Assembly will be… Read More

To All My Democrat Friends:

Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all.

I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2009, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great. Not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country nor the only America in the Western Hemisphere.

Also, this wish is made without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the anyone involved in the wish.

To My Republican Friends:

Merry Christmas and a Happy New… Read More

Scarcely a week goes by when Conservatives don’t enjoy a Schdenfreude experience. It seems more common than not that some Dems are fleecing their fellows. You might call it Affinity Fraud.

Dirty Dem Money number one has to be Wall Street financier, Bernard Madoff. Arrested last week for the world’s biggest Ponzi scheme, he defrauded charities, institutions and even Steven Spielberg for over $50,000,000,000 billion dollars. But another victim is the democrat party. Over… Read More

As has been my custom the last few years on this night….

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for,… Read More

Former US Rep. Tom Campbell got himself on TV this week.

On the Bay Area ABC affiliate Campbell proposed an $ .18 per gallon gas tax increase to fund the state’s budget shortfall. Campbell of course suggests that the tax increase be ‘temporary’.

I commend the former state budget director for his candor but wonder if he understands that he will have to face the voters if he hopes to become CA Governor. Being the first one out of the gate to propose a tax increase sure is bold.

Campbell also this week sent an email from his exploratory committee for Governor to former supporters. The email reads: Today, I look to you for advice about whether I should re-enter public service.

I find it interesting that his email fails to mention his grand scheme to raise taxes.… Read More

State GOP Chairman Ron Nehring had the following op ed run in the Washington Times today…

The Road Back For The GOP Ron Nehring, Chairman, California Republican Party The Washington Times. With Washington in near-total Democrat hands for the next two years, our party’s best opportunity for advancement lies in the states. Historically, the first mid-term election of a new president doesn’t go all that well for his party as voters seek to restore balance against the administration. Our party must be ready for that… Read More

… Read More

One of the reasons that our main page is shut down this time of year, is that the drop-off of interesting political news is substantial these last couple of weeks of the year. Especially on an election year, the political reporters who pushed themselves to the limits covering all of the elections have typically already made their "quotas" for the year and are enjoying a break.

Today, there were a few links worth highlighting on a very disturbing topic. As you know, last week Governor Schwarzenegger announced that he would veto massive taxes that were passed by the Democrats in the legislature by a majority vote. We here at the FlashReport feel strongly that these tax increases are illegal, as do taxpayer advocates such as Jon Coupal, President of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.

When the Governor held his press conference to announce his opposition to the package, though, he avoided opining on the issue of the absence of a 2/3 vote on the "revenue increases" and now is apparently negotiating directly with Democrat leaders, and there is no mention of… Read More