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

The Jewish calendar, being based on a lunar cycle, and having only 10 months, tends to jump around a bit relative to the traditional Christian calendar upon which the world relies for figuring out the day and year. Because of this, sometimes the eight days of Hanukkah overlap the Christmas holiday, and sometimes they do not. This year they do — today is Christmas, and it is also the 4th day of Hannukah.

On behalf of the FlashReport, we would like to wish our readers a Happy Hanukkah and a Merry Christmas today, and blessings on you and your family!

Thank you for being a part of the FR’s "extended family" and we look forward to great things ahead!… Read More

All of society depends on citizens accepting our mutual responsibility to each other to follow the law, or accept the consequences for failing to do so. We live in a democratic republic. We elect leaders to govern within a constitutional framework. We have three branches of government, each serving as a check and balance on the power of the other. Ultimately, though, all power is vested in the People – the collective sovereign “we” – that our leaders are sworn to serve.

As citizens, we don’t get to pick and choose which laws to follow, and which ones we can just ignore. There are a lot of laws on the books that I disagree with. Some are simply annoying – like having to wear an earpiece to use my cell phone in the car. Others are quite offensive – like having to pay an ever escalating tax bill to support a state government whose growth has vastly outpaced population increases. But whether I like it or not, I must follow the law if I wish to remain a part of California society.

The rule of law is taking some major hits, and the perpetrators are the very people who take a solemn oath to uphold the constitution. It is disturbing that so few media voices… Read More

All of society depends on citizens accepting our mutual responsibility to each other to follow the law, or accept the consequences for failing to do so. We live in a democratic republic. We elect leaders to govern within a constitutional framework. We have three branches of government, each serving as a check and balance on the power of the other. Ultimately, though, all power is vested in the People – the collective sovereign “we” – that our leaders are sworn to serve.

As citizens, we don’t get to pick and choose which laws to follow, and which ones we can just ignore. There are a lot of laws on the books that I disagree with. Some are simply annoying – like having to wear an earpiece to use my cell phone in the car. Others are quite offensive – like having to pay an ever escalating tax bill to support a state government whose growth has vastly outpaced population increases. But whether I like it or not, I must follow the law if I wish to remain a part of California society.

The rule of law is taking some major hits, and the perpetrators are the very people who take a solemn oath to uphold the constitution. It is disturbing that so few media voices… 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

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

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