To liberal Democrats, increasing the size of state government — taking more and more money out of the private sector and putting it into the public domain, with politicians then making decisions about where that ever-increasing pot of money is spent — is like a religion. So much so that when they hear criticisms that government doesn’t tax people enough, or that too much money is being spent by government, their reaction is similar to what you would expect if you overtly questioned the very existence of God when talking to a priest, a minister or a rabbi.

It is that kind of idoletry of a vast role for government in society that leaves the liberal ideologues that control the state legislature completely unable to even understand or comprehend the mindset of those who believe that this country, America, is founded on the principle of limited government. The principles being espoused by conservatives in the legislature in putting the brakes on massive spending increases for California, and in fact calling for government in California to shrink back to a level that can be supported by the current amount of taxes, is foreign to them — and is… Read More

I want to take a moment to touch on a few of the contested Legislative races from Riverside County last Tuesday. The three seats are considered safe Republican so the Republican victors are highly certain to be elected in November’s general election.

First, growing up in a political family with a father who served in the State Assembly many years ago (sorry for the age thing, dad!), I am very proud of my brother Brian, who will replace John Benoit in the State Assembly’s 64th District. Brian has a deep understanding of politics with a good mix of business acumen. He is a good man that will serve his district and the legislature well.

Second, congratulations to John Benoit who will replace Jim Battin in the 37th Senate District. It was a hard fought primary battle, and it was great to have Assemblyman Benoit emerge victorious. We ran a very disciplined, organized campaign and executed our game plan. John is a model of the citizen legislator, having served a 31 year former career in law enforcement, and now, will continue to bring that experience to the legislature.

Third, congratulations to Jeff Miller who prevailed in the 71st… Read More

This is a must watch video… … Read More

I bank at Wamu. They bought my bank that had bought my original bank. When I needed to open a campaign account for school board, they told me I couldn’t three different times. Bank of the West finally opened one for me.

If only I had a mortgage with them and was a Congressman. Then I would get the service I deserve. Congresswoman Laura Richardson is horrible credit risk. She lost two homes, had car trouble etc…

But Wamu is trying to rescind the foreclosure of her house AFTER it was sold.… Read More

The biggest job killer law in the world was the center of this week’s Senate Rules Committee confirmation hearing of Mary Nichols, who has been named by Governor Schwarzenegger to the important position of Chairman of the Air Resources Board.

FR readers may not be aware that Nichols held this position once before — for Jerry Brown when he was Governor! After being a part of the left-wing administration of Governor "Moonbeam" she served as campaign manager for Los Angeles Mayor turned candidate for Governor, Tom Bradley. She worked for groups on the deep end of the environmental wackos list – Natural Resource Defense Council and Environment Now Foundation. But it’s even worse — she was a senior level appointee of former President Clinton in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and was Resources Agency Secretary under the now-disgraced and recalled Governor Gray Davis.

I know – you’re thinking the same thing that I am — that Republicans won the Governor’s seat in California. That’s another… Read More

The biggest job killer law in the world was the center of this week’s Senate Rules Committee confirmation hearing of Mary Nichols, who has been named by Governor Schwarzenegger to the important position of Chairman of the Air Resources Board.

FR readers may not be aware that Nichols held this position once before — for Jerry Brown when he was Governor! After being a part of the left-wing administration of Governor "Moonbeam" she served as campaign manager for Los Angeles Mayor turned candidate for Governor, Tom Bradley. She worked for groups on the deep end of the environmental wackos list – Natural Resource Defense Council and Environment Now Foundation. But it’s even worse — she was a senior level appointee of former President Clinton in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and was Resources Agency Secretary under the now-disgraced and recalled Governor Gray Davis.

I know – you’re thinking the same thing that I am — that Republicans won the Governor’s seat in California. That’s another story — suffice… Read More

Fresno Mayor Alan Autry, in reacting to federal judge Oliver Wanger’s settlement ruling against the city and its treatment of the homeless, has been summoned to federal court Tuesday by the judge, who will call upon Autry to justify his comments in law.

The judge has threatened to void the settlement based on Autry’s comments.

Autry, who is often governed by his heart rather than his judgement in such matters, will likely bring the city attorney along with him for the hearing. Ruh Roh!… Read More

I don’t make it up to San Francisco as often as I would like, as I am reminded by how much I enjoy myself on each visit, even a quick overnite stay like last night.

I came up at the invitation of Dr. Sally Pipes (one of the country’s top experts on health care policy) to speak over dinner to the Board of Directors of the Pacific Research Institute, an outstanding think tank that produces tremendous amounts of useful research on a myriad of policy issue.

I thought I would make a "Top Ten" list of silly or astounding observations made – in no particular order:

— Oakland PD motor officers are now tooling around in Harley Davidsons, stopping crime and making a LOT of noise.

— According to my cabbie, more people are using cabs during this period of high gas prices. But cabbies are still losing money because the City of SF won’t let them raise rates to accomodate for a 100 percent rise in gas prices in one year.

— The "stress releiving" lotion provided in my hotel room did little to relieve my stiff neck from watching the Lakers lose their second straight game to the Celtics.… Read More