The Washington Examiner
October 5, 2010
California green dreaming
Re: "Big Green Special Reports," Oct. 1
The Examiner should be commended for its series of special reports and extended efforts to expose the Big Green movement that is bent on strangling our economy with extreme propaganda, environmental laws, fees and regulations.
Taken together, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's green dream for California -- which is still the same old radical California agenda -- is the same old toxic formula for economic suicide, slowly being carried out by the blind ambition of extreme environmentalists and over-reaching government.
Indeed, as if it wasn't bad enough that former Gov. Gray Davis threw Californians under the bus with the 2000 energy crisis and tax increases, Gov. Schwarzenegger has added insult to injury with AB32 global warming legislation and more tax increases that will throw us over the economic cliff from which we have been teetering since the economy crashed. Even if Proposition 23 passes, effectively repealing AB32, SB722 is poised to bring it back in another form.
Surely, Arnold betrayed those who elected and re-elected him, yet he still lives in celebrity and political fantasy-land, without financial worry, dreaming about his next job as green energy czar for the Obama administration. Alas, nothing will change in California or the nation until indoctrinated and deceived liberal voters feel enough economic pain to discover where it really came from.
Certainly, there is little or no relief to hope for if either Meg Whitman or Jerry Brown is elected governor, and the liberal status quo remains in the Sacramento legislature.
Daniel B. Jeffs
Apple Valley, Calif.
Note: Everyone should read the series of Washington Examiner Special Reports on 'Big Green' -- Environmentalists aren't really about clean air and water.
Cal Watchdog
Steven Greenhut, editor-in-chief
Your eyes on California Government http://www.calwatchdog.com
San Francisco Chronicle
August 16, 2010
Proposition 23 should repeal AB 32, not simply delay it
Environmentalists against Prop. 23 supporters wreaks with obstreperous intimidation, which is contrary to the law of the California Constitution, Article II, Section 1. "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."
Proposition 23 is an exercise of that right against the implementation of AB 32, which would raise the cost of living and be the final push of Californians over the economic cliff. Indeed, as if the costy infection of environmental zealotry was not entrenched deep enough in the state -- coupled with federal environmental aggression -- Proposition 23 should have been written to repeal AB 32 rather than to delay it.
California's government has abdicated its responsibilty to protect, secure and benefit the people -- as evidenced by the overwhelming growth of government debt, taxation, rules and regulations. The Democrat-controlled Legislature is responsible for our state's economy, education and unemployment ranking among the worst in the country. It's simply insane to make it even worse by escalating the cost of gas and energy.
A constitutional convention to alter and reform California government by raking it over the coals should be the first priority. Our survival may very well depend on it.
San Francisco Chronicle
August 13, 2010
Same-sex marriage is not an option
Federal Judge Vaughn Walker's judicial arrogance in overturning California's Proposition 8, then allowing same-sex marriages to commence on August 18th is indefensible and impeachable bad behavior. Marriage is defined as the legal union of a man and a woman as husband and wife. Indeed, that definition is steeped in law and tradition. It does not include same-sex unions of any description, nor should it -- ever!
Judicial legislation of that right under the guise of equal rights and discrimination is simply unconstitutional. Proposition 8 is a constitutional re-affirmation of traditional marriage defined by a majority vote of the people. Governor Schwarzenegger and Attorney General Brown asking the court to allow same-sex marriage is blatant malfeasance, and their failure to defend Proposition 8 is nonfeasance and a betrayal of democracy.
Contrary to over-reaching government and the ruling elite's belief, the 14th amendment's equal protection clause, and the First Amendment right of free speech, the right of the people to peaceably assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances is not exclusive to entitlement activists, PC enforcers, and the political left.
Regardless, same-sex marriage is certainly not a right. It's an obstreperous wrong that only serves to demean and diminish the institution of marriage.
New York Times
Re: For politicians, a marriage of convenience
By Lou Cannon
August 7, 2010
California crashing
Contrary to Lou Cannon's assessment, California candidate for governor, Meg Whitman will have an edge issue with her support of marriage between a man and a woman. The ultimate question on same-sex marriage, of course, will be decided by the Supreme Court, which should overturn any lower court decisions 5-4. That is, if the Court is not affected by newly-sworn-in associate justice Elena Kagan, and associate justice Anthony Kennedy remembers Reagan and doesn't have a lapse in judgment and common sense, severely diminishing traditional marriage.
Alas, this unseemly debate would not be an issue in California if it were not for the state's incredible history of open-season liberal activism and intimidation, environmental extremes, tyrannical regulations and punishing taxation. Indeed, when hapless outgoing governor Schwarzenegger and candidate for governor, attorney general Jerry Brown both request judge Walker to allow same-sex marriages to go forward until the case is settled is yet another slap in the faces of 52 percent of California voters who approved Proposition 8. Surely, justice in irony would be administered if 52 percent of California voters reject Jerry Brown for governor in November.
Hopefully, the saying, "As California goes, so goes the nation" will not apply in these dire social, political and economic times. California is bankrupt in nearly every respect and it's crashing. The state's good looks and good weather won't save it this time, unless voters wake up from California dreaming, realize it's a nightmare, and elect a legislature, governor and federal representatives who will cut over-reaching government down to size and remove the heavy chains of regulations and taxation. Only then can we hopefully say, "…. so goes the nation."
Daily Press
June 11, 2010
The best democracy money can buy
Who on earth -- being of sound mind -- would want to be governor of the collapsing state of California? Meg Whitman and Steve Poizner spent tens of millions to win the Republican Party nomination. The Democratic Party will spend millions more to seat their candidate, Jerry Brown -- even though he failed as attorney general and governor in a former political life. It can't be for the fame and glory. Gray Davis went down in the flames of an energy crisis, and his recall successor, Arnold Schwarzenegger failed with all his good intentions and the unintended consequences of his glaring mistakes.
Yet Whitman and Brown will spend millions more in the battle for November, as will the many candidates for the state assembly and senate. Why do they do it? Certainly not for the people they pretend to represent. They do it for the personal power and influence, as most elected officials do at every level of government -- local, state and federal. Indeed, the higher the office, the more personal power comes with it. The failure of good intentions is simply not good enough for the people -- and the arrogance of deciding what is best for us regardless of the consequences is worse.
The collapsing economy and grossly inept government is bringing the people to a rude awakening. The Constitution is the supreme law of the land and is not subject to straying from its original intent. Government crossed the line for many years, which brings us to a reckoning and notice to all those who are supposed to represent us. Shape up, or ship out!
Daniel B. Jeffs
Apple Valley
Re: Entitlements are forever - editorial
Wall Street Journal - May 29, 2010
The California Legislature and Governor have no one to blame but themselves and the like-minded Congress and President for the over-reaching budget gripping the state because of binding state and federal entitlements, particularly Medicaid/Medical -- welfare and education notwithstanding.
California government and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals are certainly the wellspring of General Welfare entitlement bondage littering the history of the embattled state struggling to survive its self-induced decline. It has often been said that as California goes, so goes the nation. Indeed, our state seems destined to be known as California crashing, foretelling what is clearly ahead for the nation driven by the reckless legislation, spending and massive debt incurred by the Obama administration and Democrat-controlled Congress.
As George Washington said in his farewell address, "Let there be no change [in the Constitution] by usurpation. For though this, in one instance may be the instrument of good, it is the necessary weapon by which free governments are destroyed." The Constitution's Welfare Clause change by usurpation happened in 1937, perpetrated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt with a compliant Congress and Supreme Court in carrying out the New Deal. It was finalized in 1965 by Lyndon B. Johnson's Great Society war on poverty with welfare, Medicare and Medicaid. And it is now the instrument of overwhelming the country and economy with the collapse of government sponsored affordable housing, and President Obama's health care program passed by a compliant Congress.
Our only hope is to either vote change of control in the Congress and the White House, and/or be saved by a courageous Supreme Court willing to overturn a judicial history of abusing and upholding the unconstitutional usurpation and expansion of the General Welfare and Commerce clauses subverting the express limitations placed on Congress by the Constitution. Alas, it's already gone too far. If we don't vote for survival, it's our fault, and there won't be any hope. We must believe in ourselves and the collective wisdom of our fellow citizens.
Daniel B. Jeffs
Founder, DDC
Letter to the editor
From: Daniel B. Jeffs, founder
The Direct Democracy Center
Re: Entitlements are forever - editorial
The legal fight over California's attempt to balance its budget
Wall Street Journal - May 29, 2010
Restore the Constitution
The California Legislature and Governor have no one to blame but themselves and the like-minded Congress and President for the over-reaching budget crisis gripping the state because of binding state and federal entitlements, particularly Medicaid/MediCal -- welfare and education notwithstanding -- plus $10 billion per year to support illegal immigrants.
California government and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals are certainly the wellspring of General Welfare clause entitlement bondage littering the history of the embattled state struggling to survive its self-induced decline. It has often been said that as California goes, so goes the nation. Indeed, our state seems destined to be known as California crashing, foretelling what is clearly ahead for the nation driven by the reckless legislation, spending and massive debt incurred by the Obama administration and Democrat-controlled Congress.
As George Washington said in his farewell address, "Let there be no change [in the Constitution] by usurpation. For though this, in one instance may be the instrument of good, it is the necessary weapon by which free governments are destroyed." The Constitution's Welfare Clause change by usurpation happened in 1937, perpetrated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt with a compliant Congress and Supreme Court in carrying out the New Deal, which was finalized in 1965 by Lyndon B. Johnson's Great Society war on poverty with welfare, Medicare and Medicaid. And it is now the instrument of overwhelming the country and economy with the collapse of government sponsored affordable housing, and President Obama's health care programs passed by a compliant Congress, with finance reform, energy reform, and immigration reform (amnesty) to follow.
Our only hope is to either vote change of control in California, the Congress and the White House, and/or be saved by a courageous Supreme Court willing to overturn a judicial history of abusing and upholding the unconstitutional usurpation and expansion of the General Welfare and Commerce clauses subverting the express limitations placed on Congress by the Constitution.
Alas, it's already gone too far. If we don't vote for survival, it's our fault, and there won't be any hope. We must believe in ourselves and the collective wisdom of our fellow citizens. After all, we put the Proposition tax 13 revolt on the ballot in California and passed it, didn't we? Now it's time for the people of the states to amend and restore the Constitution.
Riverside Press Enterprise
May 20, 2010
Reject poor budget plan
Governor Schwarzenegger and the Democrat-controlled legislature are simply unable to deal with California's budget problems, simply because it's not in their agenda-driven political DNA to do so ("Welfare to work cut in new state budget plan," May 15).
But, what else is new? That's been California's irresponsible political problem for decades.
As long as the state is held hostage by extreme environmental regulations, implementing the economy-busting AB-32 emission control law, and increasing taxes on oil companies instead of gaining revenue from increased on and off-shore drilling, the people of California will lose.
Tap-dancing around the inevitable by failing to make cuts, while yielding to the education establishment and dumping costs on counties and cities, will certainly accelerate California crashing.
Los Angeles Times
May 18, 2010
California's cash crunch
Schwarzenegger and the Democrat-controlled Legislature are unable to deal with California's budget problems simply because it's not in their agenda-driven political DNA to do so. But what else is new? As long as the state is held hostage by extreme environmental regulations, implementing the economy-busting AB 32 emission control law and increasing taxes on oil companies instead of gaining revenue from increased on and offshore drilling, the people of California will lose. Tap-dancing around the inevitable by failing to make necessary cuts, stop spending and lowering taxes - while yielding to the education establishment, dumping costs on counties and cities and continuing to pay for illegal immigration - will certainly accelerate California's decline.
San Bernardino Sun December 7, 2009 Give people the power Re: "Money big factor for ballot initiative process," by James Rufus Koren, Nov. 24. California Constitution, Article II (Voting, Initiative and Referendum, and Recall), Section 1 (Purpose of Government) states that, "All political power is inherent in the people. "Government is instituted for their protection, security, and benefit, and they have a right to alter or reform it when the public good may require." The intent of Article II was to empower voters to alter or reform government when the public good requires it, including the recall of elected officials who are failing in their responsibility to the people. However, the people have been marginalized or excluded from the process because they are unable to qualify measures for the ballot because it costs at least $1 million to gather enough voter signatures, leaving the process dominated by moneyed/special interests - and the governor and Legislature, who can get any measure requiring bond or tax approval of voters on the ballot. What we need is one simple ballot initiative to actually give the people all the political power. We need to qualify a voter initiative that enables voters to get initiatives, referendums and recalls on the ballot by means of a secure California signature gathering and voting network on an intranet connected to voters' homes. Such a voting network could enable voters to communicate with each other, and our elected representatives, and all elections could be held over the voting network. That would take most, if not all, of the corrupt campaign financing out of government. And most importantly, it would enable us to clean house, reduce government and taxes, recover from economic chaos, and put us back in charge the way it was intended. The convenience of voting networks and an instant source of information and communications would provide the incentive of voter empowerment, and would surely increase voter participation in deciding the most important issues of our lives, our liberty and our pursuit of happiness. That's democracy, pure and simple.
(ORIGINAL LETTER sent to the SB Sun)
Re: Money big factor for ballot initiative process
By James Rufus Koren
November 24, 2009
"All political power is inherent in the people"
(California Constitution Article II, Section 1)
James Koren correctly observed that it takes a lot of money to qualify a ballot initiative for the ballot, which rules out most, if not all, grassroots voter efforts. Indeed, it takes too much money and campaign funding to do anything in politics or government, particularly candidates getting elected and re-elected to public office, which sustains the self-corrupting political process and partisan politics. That ugly truth aside, back to ballot initiatives.
California Constitution, Article II (Voting, Initiative and Referendum, and Recall), Section 1 (Purpose of Government) states that, "All political power is inherent in the people. Government is instituted for their protection, security, and benefit, and they have a right to alter or reform it when the public good may require." The Article outlines the procedures for recall, ballot initiatives and referendums.
The intent of Article II was to empower voters to alter or reform government when the public good requires it, including the recall of elected officials who are failing in their responsibility to the people. However, the people have been marginalized or excluded from the process because they are unable to qualify measures for the ballot because it costs at least $1 million to gather enough voter signatures, leaving the process dominated by moneyed/special interests -- and the governor and legislature, who can get any measure requiring bond or tax approval of voters on the ballot.
Considering California's long, glaring history of inept government and irresponsible elected officials, especially in these dire economic times, it is not enough to vote down government's tax measures as we recently did. Government just finds a way to increase our taxes in other devious ways. What we need is one simple ballot initiative to actually give us all the political power inherent in the people as stated in Article II, Section 1.
We need to qualify a voter initiative that enables voters to get initiatives, referendums and recalls on the ballot by means of a secure California signature gathering and voting network on an Intranet connected to voter's homes. Such a voting network could enable voters to communicate with other, and our elected representatives, and all elections could be held over the voting network. That would take most, if not all, of the corrupt campaign financing out of government. And most importantly, it would enable us to clean house, reduce government and taxes, recover from economic chaos, and put us back in charge the way it was intended.
Historically, voter apathy and a sense of hopelessness have caused an average of only about half of eligible voters to vote, which means that slightly over 25 percent of voters decide the outcome of elections. The convenience of voting networks and an instant source of information and communications would provide the incentive of voter empowerment, and would surely increase voter participation in deciding the most important issues of our lives, our liberty and our pursuit of happiness. That's democracy pure and simple….
California tax plan worse than the disease By Daniel B. Jeffs, founder DDC October 1, 2009 As if California hadn't crashed enough, the new proposal to change the tax system would continue the state's wrecking crew until California turns into the land of the poor and dispossessed. Indeed, it is clear that Governor Switchenegger has gone completely over to the dark side with his wife and the idiot left-wing Democrats running roughshod over the Legislature, businesses and the defenseless population. Simply put, if anything close to what is being proposed by the so-called Commission on 21st Century Economy is passed into law, it would finish off the economy by increasing taxes on the working poor, doubling the income taxes on the middle class, and doubling or tripling the taxes on small businesses and large corporations. Taxing net receipts without the deduction of labor costs, which are the highest costs, and taxing services not currently taxed will surely go far in running even more business and jobs out of California. On the other hand, that's exactly what the liberal wing-nuts and environmental zealots want. A pristine, utopian California with no people but themselves dancing around in Greek robes, drinking wine and eating fruit. Instead, the first stage cure for the disease is voter initiatives cutting government, regulations and taxes in half, and putting all of our natural resources to work for us.
Forest Service mismanagement of Station Fire
By Daniel B. Jeffs, founder DDC
October 2, 2009
The Los Angeles Times' investigation revealing an internal U.S. Forest
Service memo that may have allowed the Station Fire to rage out of control
because of a lack of response and reduced use of Los Angeles County Fire
fighting forcesraises more than questions of federal mismanagement.
As a former fire dispatcher watching the fire on television, I remember
wondering why the fire fighting response was so minimal when the fire could
have been held at 15 or 20 acres, and put out shortly thereafter,
particularly when the fire started near a Forest Service station. The answer
is obvious. Forest Service malfeasance caused the loss of 2 firefighters'
lives, 90 homes and other structures, and blackened 160,500 acres of land at
a cost of $100 million.
Worse, I've seen similar disasters happen time and time again with fires
allowed to get out of control in California and throughout the country,
included so-called controlled burns, which have been re-named "Prescribed
Burns" because so many go out of control. Exacerbating the problem on Forest
Service lands, are the insane environmentalist and conservationist-driven
policies against forest thinning, using insect controls, which kill trees
adding fire spreading danger, and clearing undergrowth and dead vegetation
out of forests.
Federal land mismanagement is typical of the mismanagement of most
government programs, which has been unconscionably costly in tax dollars,
loss of lives and property, and private property depreciation. The glaring
question is why, and when does it end?
California solutions - Education and oil By Daniel B. Jeffs, founder DDC September 12, 2009 When it comes to governing California, Forest Gump's "Stupid is as stupid does," certainly applies. As our state often leads the nation in positive things, it clearly leads the nation with inept government, bending and giving in to selfish interests that have decimated what should have been solid social, political and economic foundations. Chief among the stupid things to California's discredit are the miserable failings of our public education system in the unyielding grip of costly socialist indoctrination, years of nanny re-education, the exclusion of parents at the expense of core academics, and selfish, militant teacher unions. Yet, the public stupidly does nothing to correct what amounts to the educational crime of the past and current century. The solution would be to privatize education and increase core academic standards at half the cost. Second among the stupid things has been to allow environmental zealots ruin our economy while stupidly doing nothing to overcome the stranglehold of stupid environmental regulations that have driven up the cost of living beyond reason, and refusing to use and derive more revenue from our natural resources of oil and natural gas to lower the cost of energy. As we have done in the past, it's simply up to we the people to throw off environmental tyranny, and throw out big government tyrants and the culture of corruption in Sacramento. It's simply too late to stand idly by and do nothing because the result will clearly be social, political, economic and sovereign suicide.
San Diego Union-Tribune
September 4, 2009
Inadequate fire funding makes outbreaks worse
It's bad enough that the California tax masters are after us again with
added gasoline and diesel fuel taxes, even though it won't keep state
government from crashing, but with California burning - again - we should be
questioning the limits on firefighting personnel and firefighting equipment.
Indeed, it wasn't that long ago when the state cut CalFire funding for new
engines and firefighting aircraft to the tune of $27 million, including the
final year of the DC-10 tanker aircraft stationed in Victorville.
Considering the rapid devastation caused by wildfires, and the added
availability of the Boeing 747 water-dropping aircraft and a second DC-10
tanker, the state ought to create a massive firefighting air force to
respond to these fires, which would certainly reduce the cost and losses.
Indeed, reducing the big aircraft to an as-needed basis is more costly and
time delaying. Aircraft should be among the first-in to knock out brush and
forest fires before they get out of control, which happens more often than
not. Instead of being arrogant and stupid by thumbing its nose at revenue
from off-shore drilling for oil and natural gas, the state would be wise to
welcome the millions and billions of dollars to fund firefighting, police
and other emergency services.
DANIEL B. JEFFS
Apple Valley