It’s the hot topic on political talk shows and it’s discussed ad nauseum in Republican circles: where is the GOP headed? Recent public setbacks, including the loss of Congressional majority, have many Republicans questioning the direction the party should take in order to rebuild.

Monday evening I had the pleasure of participating in a panel discussion at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco. The topic of the evening was—you guessed it—“The Future of the Republican Party.” Fellow panelists Congressman Devin Nunes (R-21) and Nicholas Romero, California Young Americans for Freedom communications director, and I discussed our opinions on the subject. Many insights were shared, mostly regarding Republicans’ need to articulate conservative principles and then execute once in power. This is the crux of the problem for current Republicans, but when it comes to the party’s future, the focus should be recruiting young people—future voters.

Fox News Channel recently aired a special called “The Y Factor” that reported on the potential impact the Millennial generation could have on the November election. Millennials, age 14-28, are approximately 80… Read More

I really like the State of Nebraska. Great people. Great sense of community.

Every time I watch US Senator Chuck Hagel on one of the national news shows I am thankful he does not represent me. I just watched Face the Nation from this past Sunday. This guy is the Paul Horcher of the US Senate.

This two term United States Senator would not even answer the question of the candidate he would vote for for President of the United States. He has served with Senator McCain and Senator Obama for years. He has dealt with national policy for decades and he can’t decide or doesn’t have the guts to say who he is going to support for President?

This may be the first time I appreciate Senators Boxer and Feinstein. At least they are willing to tell people the candidate they support for President — even if it the wrong candidate they will at least answer the question.

This guy was actually thinking about running for President of the United States of American. What a joke.… Read More

It is my observation that most of the time we bloggers are negative posters, pointing out the perceived illsin our state and national political scene. Typically, weRepublicans demand a "throw the book at them" approach to public safety policy. Today, I am hypocritically providing information on avoiding justice, andreprinting a "consumer friendly" article on how to quibble your way out of a traffic ticket.Odds are you will not be successful, but long odds don’tdeter people from buying lottery tickets or heading out to casinos; so – good luck!

Fighting speeding ticket in court can be a gambleby Duane Guang, Riverside Press Enterprise

These days, Ruben Cardenas walks to work or bums rides from family and friends. He didn’t get into a wreck, but he did get dinged. The 18-year-old Rancho Cucamonga man fought a speeding ticket in court, and lost.

Not even the testimony of his mother and 10-year-old sister, who insisted Cardenas’ Civic grumbled if it exceeded 40 mph let alone the 102 mph he was accused of going, could sway the court… Read More

They say that only in the face of adversity can you take full measure of someone’s performance. Well, the multi-year overspending crisis that has created such a chasm between state spending and available tax revenues has really given State Senate Republican Leader Dave Cogdill and Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines an opportunity to demonstrate that they are great leaders.

Republican and anti-tax leaders and activists up and down the Golden State have taken note of this “GOP Dynamic Duo” – their leadership has the two Republican Caucuses working in tandem in a way that hasn’t been seen in many years.

Let’s remember that Cogdill and Villines are politicians in a Capitol that is overflowing with special interests and consumers of government — yet they are able to keep their grounding, and understand that their job is to represent all Californians. They have both demonstrated an understanding that growth in state government flies in the face of an American tradition of a truly limited role for the central state. They have also repeatedly made it clear that from a pragmatic point of view that increasing the… Read More

The Los Angeles City Council has decided to ban new fast food Restaurants in South Los Angeles.

Recently, I challenged the Governor to ban fast food restaurants as a way to eliminate distractions for drivers.

Little did I know that Councilwoman Jan Perrywould take the ball and ban new fast food restaurants.

See the people of South Los Angeles when left to their own devices like fast food. Jan Perry knows that if they ban new ones, then suddenly the residents of South Los Angeles will sit down and take the time to eat Alfalfa sprouts with alight vinaigrette.

Jan, it may not be targeting fat people instead of cell phones, butyou got more guts than the Governor.… Read More

They kind of go together like babies and puppies.

And yet there is an increasing volume from opponents of the system we have here in California that allows the voters to affirm, elect and re-elect judges. Or to turn them out in favor of another candidate. Opponents of this system suggest that judges should be beyond the political gamesmanship and not have to face the voters.

I think this is a great idea if the alternative was the system in place in El Salvador where attorneys nominate judges.

**There is more – click the link**

View Full Commentary… Read More

They kind of go together like babies and puppies.

And yet there is an increasing volume from opponents of the system we have here in California that allows the voters to affirm, elect and re-elect judges. Or to turn them out in favor of another candidate. Opponents of this system suggest that judges should be beyond the political gamesmanship and not have to face the voters.

I think this is a great idea if the alternative was the system in place in El Salvador where attorneys nominate judges.

But back here in California a better idea is to encourage greater voter participation.

Orange County provides several great examples of how voters were informed and did the right thing. Back in 2002 Judge Ronald Kline had been charged with possessing a personal stockpile or child pornography AFTER filing had closed. Judge Kline had drew no opponent as is the case in most judicial races and so he was to be unopposed. But numerous media and party officials and write-in candidates waged a battle and John Adams a local business attorney was elected by write-in vote. I along with others advised Adams on his campaign. The voters got it.

Likewise… Read More

It is happening in Yolo County, Los Angeles County, and everywhere in between. Individual responsibility and freedom are being thrown out the window. The people that are expanding nanny government come from both parties.

In Los Angeles they are now going to ban new fast food outlets.

So now we tell people about nutrition in pubic schools, we don’t allow fast food in certain neighborhoods, and we are expected to care for them when they drive outside of their neighborhood to get their Big Mac.

Look. Have it one way or the other. We are paying tax dollars to teach people nutrition. If they graduated from high school in California they are required to know about calories and what they do for and to the body.

If they don’t accept what they are told it is their fault. It is not my fault. It is not the owner of a parcel of land in parts of Los Angeles that want to engage in selling a legal product. If they are going to ban fast food outlets then keep going.

Don’t allow supermarkets to sell bacon. Make people wear helmets when they… Read More