CALIFORNIA
SEE CALIFORNIA #2

It's time for a constitutional change in California
By Daniel B. Jeffs, founder DDC
August 23, 2009

Over the past decade, the California energy crisis, the attack of September 11, 2001, and the ongoing economic crisis have impacted California more than enough for us to re-evaluate our state government and our constitution, both of which are in dire need of reform and repair.

We the people of California are receiving a painful education in pitfalls of democracy and inept government that are leading us on a road to self-destruction. Indeed, it's time for a change.

Following is a proposed California ballot initiative for direct democracy: (Note the existing (ignored) provisions in the California Constitution focused upon direct democracy.)

The cost of gas, energy and living
By Daniel B. Jeffs, founder DDC
July 28, 2009

Passing a so-called budget may relieve legislators for the moment, but it certainly does not relieve beleaguered taxpayers from $12 billion in new taxes already imposed, and California's legislative and bureaucratic plague, exacerbated by selfish interests.

Stealing $1 billion from local government property taxes is no deal. Worse, refusing to approve the first off-shore drilling in 40 years with $100 million per year in oil revenue is combined evidence of California's inept government's history of reckless overspending and yielding to unreasonable environmental interests at the expense of the people's best interests.

By turning down $100 million per year in oil revenues from one off-shore drilling source, California leads the country in acting stupidly in the face of bankruptcy. We need to wise up, and get on the side of oil companies' development of domestic oil and natural gas, refineries, clean coal and nuclear power. It's the only way to control and reduce the cost of gas, electric power and the cost of living. Nationalized green energy and carbon taxes will finish off the economy. That's what we need to fight against.

Daniel B. Jeffs
Founder DDC

California budget deal, no deal
By Daniel B. Jeffs, founder DDC
July 21, 2009

Our elected incompetents in Sacramento say they have now reached a $26 billion deficit budget deal that is no deal when it involves stealing local government funding including gas and property taxes.

Taxpayers are hurting enough with the national recession compounded by California's $12.9 billion political malpractice leaving us with paying more income tax, more sales tax and -- according to the vehicle registration renewal notice I just received -- license fees that have nearly doubled.

The voters' message to paying $16 billion more in the May Propositions was "NO!" The message should now be, "Stop the bleeding or get out -- or be recalled."

California reckoning
By Daniel B. Jeffs, founder DDC
June 8, 2009

The days of reckoning for California are certainly upon us. However, Governor Schwarzenegger's desperate posturing to make government more efficient won't go nearly far enough to correct what is so deeply wrong with our state, burdened by too much government, high taxes, self-destructive regulations, partisan power and special interest influence. Gestures to reduce state boards and commissions are superficial at best.

Instead, the reckoning for reckless government should start with the passage of voter initiatives to repeal Proposition 98 and the 40 percent miseducation drain on the budget, break the public education monopoly and union control, and establish quality privatized education. Re-establish a Proposition 187-style voter initiative to cut off all state welfare, healthcare and education to illegal immigrants and their children. And pass voter initiatives to remove the economic stranglehold of unreasonable personal and commercial taxation. Repeal all unreasonable environmental fees, rules and regulations restricting economic growth, offshore drilling, lower cost energy and water resources.

The alternatives are inevitable and inescapable. Bankruptcy, or worse, being bailed out with federally-back loans, which surrenders what is left of our state sovereignty. Barney Frank is already working on that.

Re: A state trapped by fiscal inertia
How would you close the gap?
Los Angeles Times - May 24, 2009

California's dilemma
By Daniel B. Jeffs, founder DDC

The problems we face, most of which have been self-induced by government, taxes and the courts over the last half-century, are seemingly insurmountable, yet we let it happen time and time again. Extreme environmental laws strangle businesses and raise the cost of living. We have an ongoing energy crisis for the same reasons.

We have one of the worst, most costly public education systems that goes on sucking the budget dry. And we continue to pay increased $billions to support the flow of illegal immigrants into the state like an invasion of economic termites.

If it were not for the climate, landscape and long coastline, California would be a wasteland. Needless to say, we won't survive much longer if we don't drain the liberal swamp in Sacramento and Washington, and drive out the big government alligators. Only then can we restore our Constitution and our liberty, and reduce government to necessary services on much lower taxes and a balanced budget.

Riverside Press Enterprise
Published May 25, 2009
Re: California state government

Shake up government

We should fix state government, beginning with a voter initiative to create secure voting networks that would also allow the collection of voter signatures via the Internet. The power of voter initiative and referendum was meant for the people, not for special, selfish or moneyed interests.

Because our government has failed to comply with its constitutional responsibilities, for the public good, we should reform it with voter initiatives to reduce it to core provisions.

Public education under a government/union monopoly has failed. Therefore, we should repeal Prop. 98's grip on the budget. We should privatize and subsidize education as needed.

We need well-compensated, nonpartisan professional government managers, not professional partisan politicians, as our elected officials. Also, official decision-making on all matters of taxation, spending and public policy should devolve back to counties and cities, under approval of voters.

Daniel B. Jeffs
Apple Valley

(Original letter sent May 21, 2009)

We need to balance state government, which should begin with a voter initiative to create secure voting networks that would also allow the collection of voter signatures via the Internet. The power of voter initiative and referendum was meant for the people, not special, selfish or moneyed interests.

Lest we forget, our California Constitution, Article II, Section 1. (Purpose of Government) states: "All political power is inherent in the people. Government is instituted for their protection, security, and benefit, and they have the right to alter or reform it when the public good may require."

Since our government has failed to comply with its constitutional responsibilities, the public good requires us to alter and reform it with voter initiatives to reduce it to core provisions. Public education under a government/union monopoly has failed. Therefore, Proposition 98's grip on 40 percent of the budget should be repealed. Education should be privatized and subsidized as needed.
Elected representatives should be well-compensated nonpartisan professional government managers, not professional partisan politicians. Decision making on all matters of taxation, spending and public policy should devolve back to counties and cities, and subject to the approval of voters.

Re: 'The big fix' editorial
Los Angeles Times
May 21, 2009
By Daniel B. Jeffs, founder DDC

I agree with the Times' suggestion to 'reboot' state government, 'starting with a constitutional convention,' which should begin with a voter initiative to create secure voting networks that would also allow the collection of voter signatures via the Internet. The power of voter initiative and referendum was meant for the people, not special, selfish or moneyed interests.

Elected representatives should be well-compensated nonpartisan professional government managers, not professional partisan politicians. Decision making on all matters of taxation, spending and public policy should devolve back to counties and cities, and subject to the approval of voters.

California state bullies - stealing local governments' lunch money
Time to alter California government
By Daniel B. Jeffs, founder DDC
May 20, 2009

California state government misappropriated all the increased tax revenues from the economic business and housing boom, and left us with a $42 billion budget deficit. $14 billion in tax increases and borrowing wasn't enough to resolve the problem. Facing a $23 billion deficit by July, our inept partisan government called a special election to extend tax increases for another $16 billion, $9 billion for education, and to borrow and rob $billions more. And they did so under threats to release prisoners, cut education, fire and police protection, and to take $billions from local governments.

Still, the voters defeated the propositions, sending a message to state government to tighten its belt, not the tax noose around the peoples neck. Government fear tactics and teacher union intimidation have been going on since the voter tax revolt passed Proposition 13 in 1978. Now is the time to revolt again for our own survival, beginning with a voter initiative to allow the collection of voter signatures via the Internet. The power of voter initiative and referendum was meant for us, not special, selfish or moneyed interests.

Since our government has failed to comply with its constitutional responsibility for our protection, security and benefit, the public good requires us to alter and reform it with voter initiatives to reduce it to core provisions: A criminal and civil justice system, fire protection and disaster services, highway and water infrastructure, and basic human services. Public education under a government monopoly has failed. Therefore, Proposition 98's grip on 40 percent of the budget should be repealed. Education should be privatized and subsidized as needed. And all matters of taxation and public policy should be approved by the voters.

Time to alter California government
By Daniel B. Jeffs, founder DDC
May 11, 2009

$14 billion in tax increases and borrowing wasn't enough to resolve California's budget $42 billion budget deficit. Facing a $23 billion deficit by July, California's inept partisan government called a special election for the Proposition 1A and 1B extortion package to extend tax increases for another $16 billion, and $9 billion for education. And they are doing so under threats to release prisoners, cut fire and police protection, and education, which is unconscionable and unconstitutional.

Government fear tactics and teacher union intimidation have been going on since the voter tax revolt passed Proposition 13 in 1978. Even though the drastic losses in government services did not materialize, the lies and deceit continued, wearing voters down with endless bond and tax measures for education, clean air, clean water, children services and public safety. Not to mention constant pressure to reduce the two-thirds majority vote required to raise taxes.

Drain California's toxic liberal swamp, and Washington's too
By Daniel B. Jeffs, founder DDC
April 26, 2009

Letter to Daily Press editorial page editor, Steve Williams.

I appreciate Steve Williams' latest touch of watchdog editorial wisdom regarding the "Arrogant and out of touch" California Legislature and Democratic Assembly Speaker's attempt to raise their staffers' pay in these dire economic times, while trying to add $16 billion to the $12.9 billion in taxes already levied against beleaguered taxpayers, by means of forthcoming ballot measures on May 19, 2009. Indeed, it will be a sad day if and when we lose the support of newspaper editorial pages. All the more reason to support print media looking out for our interests.

Rep. Tom McClintock, CA 4th District
http://blog.tommcclintock.com/

Recently elected to Congress, Rep. McClintock is the former California state senator who should have been elected the Republican Governor of California instead of Arnold Schwarzenegger. If he had been elected, it is more than likely that California would be in much better shape than it is now, and more likely that the Democrat stranglehold on the California Legislature would have been reduced. Hopefully someday we can get him back as governor. Meanwhile, he will surely be a force to be reckoned with in the House of Representatives in Washington. Exactly the kind of elected representative America needs now more than ever. Visit his blog for a taste of McClintock.

Environmental terrorism
By Daniel B. Jeffs, founder DDC
March 7, 2009

Today, I learned that veracious water consuming, non-indigenous Tamarisk trees are threatening billions of gallons of Colorado River water supplies, equivalent to the annual water usage of the populations of Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Diego combined. Officials want to destroy the trees, which they should certainly do, however replacement trees would be very expensive.

Daily Press
Re: Is it too hard to raise taxes? - Editorial
February 17, 2009

Reform California schools

Taken together, Steve Williams' editorial on baseless efforts to lower the voting threshold to raise property taxes for education, and Thomas Sowell's commentary on "One-sided education," highlight the seriousness of costly miseducation in California's inept public school system.

It's bad enough that California schools rank 47th in the nation, and that most students graduated from high school are functionally illiterate. But when the overreaching curriculum focuses on promoting liberal and socialist causes rather than core academics -- and our children are being overwhelmed by political correctness and one-sided ideologues, regardless of parental objections -- that simply amounts to unconscionable indoctrination.

Worse, when an arrogant education establishment and selfish teacher unions intimidate elected representatives and a concerned public into throwing more and more taxes into their money pit -- while stealing students' education, limiting their employment and ability to compete -- it is tantamount to criminal acts of mass fraud. Particularly, when they defeat any and all attempts to establish education vouchers and choice.

California schools are in dire need of drastic reform. It's time to privatize education, utilize the advances in communication technology and establish statewide direct education computer networks, wherein students can complete their education from the privacy and convenience of their homes. Aside from vocational training, costly physical institutions would not be necessary. Such networks would provide the very best in education at far less than half the cost. Indeed, they are already in limited use in areas throughout the country, including a charter high school in Lancaster, CA.

Holdout, Soldout
Published letter in the
San Bernardino Sun
March 5, 2009, By Daniel B. Jeffs,
Founder DDC

Republican Senator Maldonado from Santa Maria sold out to Democrat tax hikers to break the budget deadlock. Though there was one concession to eliminate the 12 cent per gallon gas tax increase, that still leaves us with the increases in vehicle registration tax, income tax and sales tax.

Of course, hardest hit by the tax increases will be small businesses, middle income taxpayers and retired people on fixed incomes.

But that doesn't seem to matter to the big spenders in Sacramento who are bound and determined to sink California under the weight of miseducation, socialism, environmentalism and insurmountable debt - much like what is going on in Washington. We simply can't take it from both ends.

Other than eliminating the gas tax increase, the only bright spot in the budget deal was Maldonado's insistence on voters getting the chance to approve open primary elections, which would give us the chance to clean house in Sacramento.

Stimulate economy with moratorium on immigration
By Daniel B. Jeffs, founder DDC
February 16, 2009

Under the dire circumstances of a bad economy, a moratorium ought to be placed on immigration until the crisis passes and the economy is healthy again. Indeed, Income-strapped citizens should not be required to support legal or illegal immigrants with welfare, healthcare or education.

Considering the tens of $billions earmarked for welfare, healthcare and education in the $787 billion stimulus bill, much of it would not be needed for immigrants. In fact, much more could be saved if the handouts to immigrants were eliminated, or at least suspended to help state budget shortfalls.

California, for example, spends upwards of $10.5 billion per year on illegal immigrants alone, according to a 2004 study by the Federation for American Immigration Reform, which at today's costs would offset the proposed $14 billion in tax increases. Nationwide, the $billions spent on immigrants is simply absurd under these or any circumstances.

Daily Press
February 20, 2009

Offshore drilling budget solution - avoid tax increases

On January 29, 2009, a state panel rejected a proposal that could have led to the first new oil drilling project off the California coast in 40 years. The State Lands Commission voted against a request by the Plains Exploration & Production Co.'s request to expand drilling off Platform Irene in the Santa Barbara Channel which, alone, would have meant $billions in revenue for California.

There are large oil and natural gas resources off the California coastline in state waters that could have been developed, which would have avoided the former governor Gray Davis budget and energy crisis that led to his recall. And would have avoided the current budget crisis.

Nevertheless, Californians' economic well being continues to be held hostage by environmental zealots, including cowardly politicians, such as the Democrat majority in the legislature, the current governor, and both U.S. Senators. In addition, California Democrat Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi and the Democrat Congressional delegation were against the Santa Barbara proposal because it would have undercut their efforts to reintroduce a federal drilling moratorium that was lifted by the Bush administration.

Regardless, there are enough offshore oil and natural gas resources under state waters to provide the billions of dollars needed for budget shortfalls, and the future assets that could be borrowed against to resolve this $42 billion problem and avoid tax increases. All the state needs to do is make the deals. More importantly, California would have the constant oil and natural gas resources to lower and stabilize gasoline prices, and natural gas prices for electric power plants, upon which the state relies heavily.

Not to do it is simply stupid and unconscionable. But that's what most environmentalists, (public officials and private radicals) are. Most California voters now favor offshore drilling, so we ought to get busy with a voter initiative to make it happen, and vote the obstructionists out while we're at it.

CALIFORNIA CRASHING
By Daniel B. Jeffs, founder DDC
February 13, 2009

In view of California's economic collapse, increasing state income, sales, gasoline and vehicle taxes comes at the worst possible time, but as no surprise. If the Legislature and Governor had banked the increase in taxes and other revenues received during the housing and economic boom, while at the same time scrutinizing and making reductions in wasteful spending programs, we would not be this inept government-driven mess.

Instead Sacramento spent the money faster than it came in and went from a $14 billion deficit to a $42 billion deficit in less than two years. It doesn't seem to matter that California is already one of highest taxed and most regulated and business unfriendly state in the country, or that our public education system continues to rank 47th in the nation -- yet is still guaranteed 40 percent of the state budget -- or that our welfare system pays the highest, or that we are on the hook to pay $millions for supporting the insanity of a fatherless mother of 14 children, and that taxpayers have to pay at least $9 billion per year (as of 2004) to support illegal immigrants. If the courts had not overturned Proposition 187, except for incarceration, we would not have to pay the cost of illegal immigrants.

Considering the fact that shameless tax-mongers have a fraudulent spending limit ballot measure in the works to extend the tax increases from two to five years -- and the fact that state environmentalists have ruined Central Valley farming by cutting off State Water Project water supplies, drastically reduced Southern California water supplies for the sake of small fish over human life, and won't allow off-shore drilling to increase state revenues -- it's time for voters to save ourselves.

Indeed, it's time for Proposition-13-style ballot initiatives to reform state government, welfare and education, to break the stranglehold of environmentalists and regulations, to require two-thirds majority voter approval of any and all taxes and/or fees, and a majority approval of proactive economic measures of any kind. Lest we forget, California belongs to us, not socialist-driven government. Common sense tells us to either take it back and survive, let it go and suffer more, or leave like so many other people and businesses.

Press-Enterprise
January 10, 2009

As a former member of the Sheriff's Department, I wish Sheriff Gary Penrod the very best in his retirement ("S.B. County sheriff to retire this month," Jan. 8).

He has done a progressively outstanding job throughout his career, for which the people of San Bernardino County should be grateful and proud. Whoever succeeds Penrod would do well to follow his example.

On the other hand, San Bernardino County assessor Bill Postmus should step down from his position immediately ("Embattled assessor 'humbly' apologizes," Jan. 7).

His costly drug addiction problem has obviously clouded his judgment and common sense, and he could present a severe liability to San Bernardino County taxpayers by driving a county vehicle.

DAN JEFFS
Apple Valley

Letter to the Los Angeles Times
By Daniel B. Jeffs, founder DDC

Re: The Times' 2009 wish list
January 1, 2009

Aside from the superficial, and wishes most people would agree with, the Los Angeles Times editorial board's 2009 wish list contains several troubling issues and shameful ideological thoughts.

Daily Press
January 8, 2009

Bad fuel tax timing

Re: Panel wants to hike fuel taxes to fund highways

Government by crisis

$14 billion in proposed state taxes on income, sales, gasoline, vehicle registration, other taxes and tax refund IOU's come at the worst possible time. Particularly when the federal government is proposing large increases in federal gasoline and diesel taxes, while the economy continues to decline and the cost of living increases.

If the state had saved and not spent the increased revenue taken in during the housing and economy bubble, there would be no budget crisis. It has happened before, and it will happen again. The question is, how long will California voters continue to accept irresponsible elected officials and representatives who govern by crisis?

Dan Jeffs
Apple Valley, CA

California's economic suicide
By Daniel B. Jeffs, founder DDC
December 15, 2008

California's economic suicide

Facing a forecasted $41.8 billion budget deficit, California's brilliant Air Resources Board environmental agency continues to impose ridiculous global warming emission reductions on vehicles, refineries, industry, business, use of electricity, and electric energy producers that will cost consumers dearly. Cap and trade carbon auctions won't do anything for us. And, it will only feed the belly of the government beast, a snack.

Daily Press
November 30, 2008

Fool's gold

As if California's economic train wreck isn't bad enough, the governor and the legislature are poised to increase the sales tax, triple vehicle taxes, and break consumers' backs with unreasonable energy costs.

What should be called "Taxifornia's" government, simply doesn't get it. The People of California do, and we're getting it where it hurts the most. The cost of living and jobs.

Thanks to decades of incessant raids and claim jumping by tax and spending Democrats, California's gold has been reduced to little more than fool's gold.

Dan Jeffs
Apple Valley, CA