April 2010

California under siege - Which is More Threatening: The Triple Threat or Lawmakers?

Posted By CotoBlogzz 03-28-2010 06:00 PM

We have tried to reach California lawmakers to get their views on California's Triple-Threat: 1) Public sector organized labor, 2) un-elected, un-checked parasitic bureaucracies and 3) lobbyists. Mum is the word.

Consider that lobbyists outnumber lawmakers in Sacramento 8-1. Add to that the un-elected, unchecked bureaucracies, such as the CLRC, LAFCO and AQB, which are in essence tax-payer funded un-registered lobbyist, and one can see in part, why California is bankrupt:

In the report Big Money Talks published by the Political Practices Commission (FPPC), FPPC details how special interest groups spend funds on candidates, ballot measures and lobbying efforts. Included in this list are six corporations, three Indian tribes, two labor unions and four business associations. According to FPPC Chairman Ross Johnson. “This tsunami of special interest spending drowns out the voices of average voters, and intimidates political opponents and elected officials alike"

The top five interests groups are responsible for over half of the $1 billion spent by the top 15 as follows:

· California Teachers Association—$211,849,298
· California State Council of Service Employees—$107,467,272
· Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America—$104,912,997
· Morongo Band of Mission Indians—$83,600,438
· Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians—$69,298,909

Now check the recent Air Resources Board assessment of AB 32: "...the analysis shows that the overall rate of California’s economic growth will be virtually unchanged through 2020, though shifts within the economy will mean a cleaner and more efficient future for the state." Apparently, the message is, that since California is a desert, after all the businesses leave the state, it will enjoy a cleaner and more efficient future for the state. Really?

As if that were not enough, now comes Initiative No. 10-0007: This initiative transfers authority for drawing congressional districts from elected representatives and gives to state commission on redistricting . In other words, instead of getting rid of un-elected, un-checked parasitic bureaucracies, let's create more of the same! "How dangerous is THIS? Just look at the power the California Law Revision Commission has...it started out the SAME way. Pretty soon, we'll have NO freedoms at all. We won't be able to fight ANY of these laws, or the foul rules these so called commissions makes" opines a reader.

Should we read too much into the fact that most lawmakers refuse to take a stand on California’s Triple Threat? After all there is not stump speech a candidate does not use the words transparency and accountability. Or is it that when these politicians use the terms transparency and accountability, like Humpty Dumpty "the words mean just what I choose it to mean – neither more nor less....The question is, which is to be master – that's all."

Turns out that at a time when most businesses have downsized and most lucky enough to be employed have to wear multiple hats, lawmakers are allowed to collect per diem pay over weekends. In fact, they do not even have to work, work to collect – all they need to do is stop by the office, and if enough of them show up on Friday to create a quorum, they all get paid! - Then there are the allowed tax deductions for legislators who get paid for being away from home with their families.

So the question is, which is more of a threat to California’s survival? The Triple Threat, or California’s Legislation?