Would you patronize a business whose advertising has been repeatedly revealed by the press as misleading? That is how numerous news outlets have …
California Commentary
Heads Up, Taxpayers — Incoming!
While voters’ attention is being diverted to the three major statewide tax increase measures on the November ballot, Propositions 30, 38 and 39, many …
Getting Burned by Dancing with the Devil
In a state Capitol hearing room, the taxpayer advocate waited patiently for the 37 special interest pleaders to finish speaking in favor of yet …
Spending Taxpayer Dollars to Push Prop 30 Is Illegal (Oh, and Politically Stupid, Too)
Does Governor Brown secretly harbor a death wish for Proposition 30? He claims this massive $50 billion tax hike is his highest priority as he …
Translating the Language of Politicians
Those in some professions intentionally adopt language that is obscure and impenetrable to the uninitiated, wrote the late S.I. Hayakawa, a …
Jerry Brown, the Old Plymouth, and Pension Reform
For many years, Jerry Brown has been considered the master of political symbolism. Middle-aged and older voters will remember the “boy” governor of …
Guess Who Wants to Raise Your Taxes
Back in the days before he joined the dark side of “The Force,” Arnold Schwarzenegger was a compelling advocate for taxpayers. He noted that "from the …
What Do Prop. 30 and the New Fire Tax Have in Common?
Politicians are big fans of schools and public safety but not for the same reasons that most Californians support these important services. …
Censorship: Another Step on the Road to Despotism?
In June this column noted the dangerous consequences of one party rule in California. In addition to the fact that all major decisions affecting the …
Checking the Books
To outsiders California appears to be a decidedly liberal state. After all Mitt Romney is unlikely to even contest California and our super high taxes …