...Without Much Enthusiasm

We've had some pretty dismal election seasons in California over the past decade, but I'm not sure we've ever had one quite as disillusioning as the one that is wrapping up today.

Let's take a quick look: we had no Democratic Primary for Governor, because no one saw fit to challenge the man who was Governor more than 30 years ago. On the Republican side, we had one candidate who has voted in less than half of the elections during her lifetime, facing off against a candidate who strongly disavows nearly every position which first got him elected to public office. And we're not talking about a lifelong transformation here, a la Ronald Reagan - we're talking about a complete political transformation in the span of a mere six years. Well, excuse me if I don't believe a minute of it.

Oh yeah - did I mention that the two of them together have spent more than $100 million on the race? And that we've been treated to a series of escalating advertisements where each claims the other is a "liberal?" Fortunately, every Republican voter I know is more intelligent than their candidates are giving them credit for. And the word that should be associated with Meg Whitman and Steve Poizner is not "liberal." In fact, several words come to mind: "fraud," shameful," "disingenuous," "dishonest." I could probably think of a few more.

We've got an initiative on the ballot sponsored by a major utility that is nothing more than an attempt to keep communities from making rational choices, and is spending millions to call it "the Voters Right to Choose Initiative."

At the local level, we've got three candidates for Sheriff who are so dismal that the local newspaper endorsed one under the headline "Best of a Bad Bunch." One of them happens to be a City Council member in the small city where I live, and my choice amounted to "do I vote for someone who is not qualified for the job, or would I rather get rid of someone who is doing damage to my city?" Wonderful choice to have.

One could go on and on, but why bother. At this point, I'd just like a couple of months free of television ads before we get to the next round - which I'm sure will replace the season just completed as the most dismal election season in California history.

Why People Miss John Burton

From today's edition of "Calbuzz":

From The Department of Corrections

In our Saturday post about the California Democratic Party’s ad attacking Meg Whitman but masquerading as an “issues ad,” we described the abrupt ending to our conversation with California Democratic Party Chairman John Burton. Through his spokesman, Burton on Monday complained that he had been misquoted. Burton says he didn’t say “F*ck you.” His actual words were, “Go f*ck yourself.” Calbuzz regrets the error.

Good Grief

You can always count on the California State Assembly to distinguish itself in unusual ways, but this one is worthy of note (from Greg Lucas):

Also approved was Assembly Concurrent Resolution 46, a resolution by Assemblywoman Lori Saldana, a San Diego Democrat, commending the Girl Scouts on their 98th anniversary, which occurred more than one month ago on March 12.

Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, a Pasadena Democrat, allowed as to how his district had the highest percentage of girls who start as Daisy Scouts – the rung below Brownies – and commended Saldana for recognizing the Girl Scouts’ “98 years of great service to our country.”

Assemblyman Joel Anderson, a La Mesa Republican, regretfully voiced his opposition:

“Many of us would like to support the Girl Scouts and think that it’s a great organization but many of us would like have (the resolution) amended to strike all the sexual orientation language.”

All the sexual orientation language in Saldana’s 15-paragraph, non-binding resolution can be found in the seventh paragraph:

“The Girl Scouts is an organization with a proud history of inclusion and acceptance, and has historically promoted diversity in its membership by accepting all girls and women, regardless of their race, religion, sexual orientation, economic background, national origin, disability, or medical condition.”

Republicans sought a roll call vote. The resolution was approved by the 80-member body on a vote of 42 to 4.

Jeez.

A Stain on the Profile in Courage Award

I've been doing a slow burn ever since I read that the 2010 John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award is being awarded to the members of the 2009 California legislative leadership - Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, Senate Republican Leader Dave Cogdill, Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, and Assembly Minority Leader Mike Villines. To quote the official announcement:

“Faced with the most difficult choices and a budget crisis of unprecedented magnitude, these legislative leaders had the courage to negotiate a compromise that they felt was in the public’s best interest,” said Caroline Kennedy, President of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation. “They did so knowing they would suffer the wrath of their constituents, powerful interest groups, and their own party members. The members of the Profile in Courage Award Committee chose to herald this story of political courage and bi-partisan compromise with the hope that it will inspire other elected officials facing similar challenges to stand up with courage, to cross party lines, and to do whatever is necessary to better serve the public interest.”

If I hadn't read those words - if I hadn't actually seen the press release on the Web site of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, I would have thought the above words were a bad joke, an Onion parody gone wrong. Let's not mince words here - to call the California legislative leadership "courageous" for what they accomplished during the budget negotiations in 2009 is akin to calling Captain Edward Smith of the Titanic courageous for the decision to run all speed ahead through the iceberg field.

Simply put, there is nothing at all courageous about what those "leaders" "accomplished" in cobbling together an unrealistic and dishonest "compromise" budget in 2009. I'd quote further from the press release, but I can't bring myself to copy the words. Suffice to say that whoever made this decision knows little to nothing about what is really happening in California right now.

It's a shameful stain on the award, and if any of the recipients have an ounce of integrity, they'll politely decline the award.

Don't hold your breath.

There's a new political party in California...

Greg Lucas has the scoop.

Well, That Didn't Take Long

Back in the 1980s, I was a regular reader of "Washingtoon," a comic strip drawn by Mark Alan Stamaty. The strip told the story of Bob Forehead, the leader of the "JFK look-alike Conservative Caucus," who brought his good looks (but not much else) to Washington, and with the help of "charismaticians and perceptual engineers," undertook a series of "gallant efforts to defend the tycoon sector from oppression by the underprivileged."

At one point in the strip, Bob loses track of what is going on in his district, where a regular Joe by the name of Allen Soup is slowly building a base. The next thing you know, Bob is actually trailing in the polls, leading to something he has avoided for a very long time: a public debate.

When the debate happens, it goes a little something like this:

"I would just like to say that if I am elected, I would NEVER vote to cut social security."

"Well, let me make it clear that I would NEVER NEVER vote to cut social security."

"By contrast, I would NEVER NEVER NEVER vote to cut social security."

And so on.

I bring that old strip up now, because this is what I imagine, if it were ever to take place, that a debate between Meg Whitman and Steve Poizner would sound like. Just substitute "raise taxes" for "cut social security," and you've got your script down pat.

I say this because of an article that appears in today's Sacramento Bee, wherein Mr. Poizner responds to Meg Whitman's charge that he donated $200,000 to an initiative which made it easier to raises taxes. In this earlier post, I pointed to a Greg Lucas column which revealed that the initiative in question was Proposition 39, the primary provision of which was to allow local parcel tax elections for schools to be decided by a 55%, rather than 2/3, vote.

Displaying a profile in courage the likes of which hasn't been seen since Bruce Ismay, Poizner told the Bee's editorial board that he has changed his mind about Proposition 39, and regrets the error of supporting it at the time.

So those are your choices for Governor on the Republican side of the ledger, folks. A woman who didn't begin voting in California until 2002, and a man lacking the courage of whatever convictions he's hiding under that sport coat.

You Don't Mess With Lucas

I think I recently made reference to the fact that I don't write many posts about politics any more, because the whole political landscape is so damn depressing.

This year's gubernatorial election in California is shaping up to be a contest between Jerry Brown vs. Meg Whitman. Just think about that for a minute - a state the size and diversity of California, and the best we can come up with is Jerry Brown and Meg Whitman? I'll be voting for Brown for Governor for the second time in my life (the first being 1978, the year I turned 18), but not with a lot of enthusiasm.

But Meg Whitman is a piece of work. Giving her all due credit for what she did with E-Bay, I've yet to see one single piece of evidence that she is remotely qualified to govern this state. Basically, her campaign thus far has amounted to a series of meaningless platitudes, fortified by outrageous pandering to the far right. And oh, yeah - she's going to "fix education."

But don't take my word for it. Read Greg Lucas' column today, where he skewers Whitman like a fine chef would filet a freshly-caught salmon. It's a great read.

California's Long, Painful Slide Into The Ocean

And if California slides into the ocean
Like the mystics and statistics say it will
I predict this motel will be standing
Until I pay my bill

- Warren Zevon

I haven't commented much on politics lately, because the whole thing is so damn depressing, but there are a couple of things going on in California right now that demand a bit of commentary.

The first is the ridiculous battle going on the Legislature (primarily, the State Assembly) over the nomination of Abel Maldonado as Lt. Governor. Frankly, if it wasn't happening before our very eyes, I wouldn't have believed it could happen. This is a job that has no value, no meaning whatsoever - with the possible exception of being one vote on the UC Board of Regents and the CSU Board of Trustees. There would less than a year left in the man's term in this generally useless position. So what exactly is the f*cking problem here? Please.

The second is the news this week that the drive to put a California Constitution initiative on the November ballot is likely doomed to fail, because the effort is being shunned by the signature gathering firms that view it as a threat to their livelihood. After all, if we actually reform California government, there may be less need for initiatives, and in turn less need for signature gathering.

Just think about that for a moment, let it stew, and then go swear at the mirror. I've sworn that I would never live anywhere but California, but this is the kind of thing that might actually make me reconsider that vow.

This Pretty Much Says It All...

...about the California budget crisis. From this morning's Matier and Ross column in the San Francisco Chronicle:

The office: State Sen. Abel Maldonado got a lot of ink by slamming Controller John Chiang for spending nearly $1 million on new office furniture while the state was going over the financial cliff.

Well, Maldonado got his wish - which was for the money to go bye-bye.

It turns out, however, that the new furniture was to go into new, cheaper offices the controller had leased.

So now, there's a problem. Chiang can't cancel the lease and can't move in without furniture, so his staffers are stuck in their current, high-rent office.

Upshot: Maldonado got his $1 million in savings, but the state may be on the hook for $4.8 million in higher rent and other expenses over the next six years.

Oh, and the 20-year-old furniture in the controller's office doesn't meet requirements under the federal Americans With Disabilities Act. So something is going to have to be done about that.

Any ideas, Sen. Maldonado?

The Real "Leaders" of California?

3 Valley Republicans already feel pain of tax increases

So there you have it, folks. Reaction to the state budget, for many, being driven by a couple of moronic radio talk show hosts.

There's something in this budget for everyone to hate. The real lesson to take from all this is that the legislative system, inefficient and unrepresentative for so long now, is beyond broken.

It really is time to blow things up. Stay tuned in the days to come for some thoughts on where to go from here.

Playlist for the California Budget Crisis

With thanks to my co-workers for their contributions: Katie, Dan, Rick, Brian, Dollye, Judy, and Debra:

"Hotel California," The Eagles

"Money, Money, Money," ABBA

"Material Girl," Madonna

"Mo' Money Mo' Problems," Notorious B.I.G.

"Taxman," The Beatles

"The Downward Spiral," Nine Inch Nails

"Pay Me My Money Down," Bruce Springsteen

"Desperadoes Under the Eaves," Warren Zevon

And if California slides into the ocean
Like the mystics and statistics say it will
I predict this motel will be standing
Until I pay my bill

"Bad Moon Rising," Creedence Clearwater Revival

"God Bless the Child That's Got His Own," Billie Holliday

Money, you've got lots of friends
Crowding round the door
When you're gone, spending ends
They don't come no more
Rich relations give
Crust of bread and such
You can help yourself
But don't take too much
Mama may have, papa may have
But God bless the child thats got his own
That's got his own

"Still Crazy After All These Years," Paul Simon

"Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?," E.Y. Harburg and Jan Gorney

"Money," Pink Floyd

"How Can A Poor Man Stand Such Times And Live?," The Del-Lords

"Viva La Vida," Coldplay (dedicated to State Senator Dave Cox)

One minute I held the key
next the walls were closed on me
and I discovered that my castles stand
on pillars of salt and pillars of sand

"Cities in Dust," Siouxsie and the Banshees

Water was running; children were running
You were running out of time
Under the mountain, a golden fountain
Were you praying at the lares shrine?
But oh your city lies in dust, my friend

We found you hiding we found you lying
Choking on the dirt and sand
Your former glories and all the stories
Dragged and washed with eager hands

"Misery," Good Charlotte

"Run to the Hills," Iron Maiden

Any more? Feel free to offer your suggestions.

Heard on the Senate Floor

"We have a budget. What we need is a cash flow patch."

- Senator Dave Cox (R-Sacramento)

Don't ask me what it means, folks. I just report what I hear.

Exclusive Footage of the California Budget Negotiations!

Let's Make A Deal...Or Not...Or Just Keep Talking

When is a budget deal not a budget deal?

On the other side of the aisle, Senate Minority Leader Dave Cogdill (R-Modesto) is indicating that a deal has been struck but that Republican votes are not guaranteed.

"My deal, one more time, has always been that I would try my best to get it to a position where I felt it was as good as I could get and I was willing to release my members," Cogdill said in a brief Sacramento Bee interview in the hallway outside his office. "That's where I am. So I'm not guaranteeing any votes; it's up to them [his members] to make that decision."

"But I've negotiated it to the point where I think it doesn't get any better," Cogdill said.

Well, that's helpful. A "deal" with no guarantee of votes. Sounds to me like Cogdill has yet to release his own member.

It's Furlough Friday!

Today marks the first day of furloughs for state employees in California.

Meanwhile, the legislative leadership is cloistered in secrecy with the governor, apparently close to a budget deal that, if rumors coming out of the Capitol are to be believed, just delay the difficult decisions further into the future. (Memo to Darrell Steinberg - this secrecy thing? A betrayal of everything you've stood for your entire career in public service).

The writing is on the wall, everywhere you look - California is broken. The fiscal system is broken. The Legislature is broken. The tax structure is broken. People are now beginning to feel the pain, but it's time for everyone to wake up, smell the coffee, and put their self-interest aside to reinvent the Golden State.

Meanwhile, Mona has a plan. You may not like it, but at least it's out there, for all to see. Unlike whatever roadmap our exalted leaders are coming up with, behind closed doors. In all likelihood, there will be no hearings on their plan, and the 116 other legislators will not understand it, or be able to explain or justify it to their constituents. Go ahead, give them a call - ask them to tell you what is going on in the negotiations, and see what they say. Be sure to put your hand over the receiver to muffle your laughter when you hear the answer.

As a wise sage once said, it's enough to piss off the good humor man.

The Night Before Christmas in the California Assembly

'TWAS the night before Christmas
when all through the chamber
The leaders were grim, they couldn't be lamer;
The Dems wanted revenue, to buck up the state,
The Reeps wanted tax cuts; "they will stimulate!"
The members were wishing they could be in their beds,
It was clear - no solutions were there in their heads;
Karen Bass with her taxes, Villines' spending cap;
Were wondering how it had all turned to crap.

When out in the hall there arose such a clatter,
The two sprang from the floor to see what was the matter.
Away from the chamber they flew like a flash,
In the hopes they would find a great bag of cash.
When what to their wandering minds would appear,
But eight former Speakers, fully tanked up on beer.
Willie Brown at the head, Jess Unruh at rear,
And Bass and Villines were filled with such fear.

Willie whistled, and shouted, and called some by name -
"Now, McCarthy! now, Ralph Brown! now, Moretti, now Peek!
On! Monagan, on! Unruh, on! Collins, don't be weak!
We must tell these amateurs what we truly feel,
They must get their heads out to work on a deal!

Brown was dressed in Boroni
From his head to his foot,
And his pockets were lined
With favors and loot;
A bundle of budgets
He had flung on his back,
He looked like a Speaker
One who, yes - had the knack!

He spoke not a word
But went straight to his work,
Sharing the budgets
That said "get to work, jerk!"

They heard him exclaim
As he drove out of sight,
"MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL
AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!"

Governor Unveils His Budget Negotiation Strategy

Stern looks and sandwich boards, from the looks of it.

One of the complicating factors in the inability of the Legislature to discuss, much less address, California's fiscal crisis has been that the governor has absolutely no influence with the members of his own party.

The latest proposal to come down the pike is to lock the members into a session during Christmas week, and let them out only when they have reached a solution. I'm not holding my breath for that to happen.

Villines Goes All In

Well, after bashing him a few hours ago, I have to hand it to Mike Villines, if nothing else for having the stones to pull off such an incredible ploy.

Basically, it all adds up to "You will give me everything I want, and even then I may give you nothing." Michael Corleone himself could not have done better.

If the response of Darrell Steinberg and Karen Bass is anything but "take a hike," then they deserve the scorn that I will heap upon them. I mean, come on - you've got near super-majorities in both houses, in the bluest of blue states, and you would let the Republican leader push you around as if he were the reincarnation of Everett Dirksen?

It's enough to piss off the good humor man.

Fiddling While Rome Burns

Despite a rare joint session of the California Legislature yesterday, where members heard how bad things are in California from State Treasurer Bill Lockyer, State Controller John Chiang, State Legislative Analyst Mac Taylor, and State Finance Director Mike Genest, the California Legislature seems bound and determined to run the state into the ground, and count on something like divine intervention to turn things around.

It's hard to know at this point which party is most to blame, and which party is most ill-equipped to develop solutions to the myriad problems facing California. But since I shot some barbs Darrell Steinberg's way last week, today I'm going to send some the way of Assembly Republican leaders Dave Cogdill and Mike Villines. With no due respect, at this juncture they both have their heads so far up their arses that it's hard to fathom how they will ever again see the light of day.

Of course, they will tell you that their intransigience is all in "defense of the taxpayer." Well, gentlemen - that's all well and good, and probably very appealing to the dwindling base that still supports the Republican party in this state. But, last time I checked, people of all political backgrounds, colors and creeds were looking for solutions - for leaders who know the art of compromise, who know how to fashion a plan that can appeal to the broadest coalition possible while still turning the state in the right direction.

Villines in particular has been a profound disappointment. In the early 1990s, when he was a resident of Elk Grove, I served with Mike on the Franklin-Laguna Area Planning Advisory Council. At the time, he was a dedicated, open-minded public servant, one who strove to hear all points of view before reaching a decision. I'm not sure what happened between now and then, but his view has become so narrow that there is barely room in it for one point of view, much less any others.

All in all, the whole thing is a sad and degrading spectacle, and all 120 of them will deserve a lump of coal in their stockings if they can't get moving on something soon.

"It's Like They're Children At Play"

The less said about the California budget mess, the better. I suppose one could call the California Legislature the Lehman Brothers of Legislatures. And the governor isn't any better, demonstrating a shocking lack of vision coupled with ineptitude on an epic scale. Put it all together in a bag and shake it up, and what you're left with is something that falls somewhere on the disaster scale between the Titanic and the Hindenburg.

For a life-long Democrat such as myself, the most disappointing aspect about the entire debacle has been the utter lack of ability by the majority party to use that majority to leverage anything that they want in the budget debate. Senate President pro Tem Don Perata basically threw in the towel, and Assembly Speaker Karen Bass has barely registered on the radar. I'm willing to concede that they are well-meaning individuals whose service is based on a dedication to their constituency - not just in their districts, but across the state. But even with that concession, the bottom line is that they failed their constituency in 2008. And if they have a vision for how to pull California out of this downward spiral, it was not readily evident during this year's debate.

It's hard to have hope, and if the trend continues, the results are truly frightening to contemplate. There is some hope in the form of incoming Senate Leader Darrell Steinberg, but to date I've yet to hear him talk about how he and his colleagues are going to pull themselves out of this hole. He needs to get it out there, and soon.