California--Leading Indicator Paul Losch's Community Blog, posted by Paul Losch, a resident of Palo Alto, on Feb 16, 2010 at 4:13 pm Paul Losch is a member (registered user) of Palo Alto Online
In the past, this was a source of pride, now it is a shameful thing.
Although I am registered as a Democrat, I really miss Ronald Reagan and his motto "Thou shall not talk ill of a fellow Republican."
Here in this State, we have Steve Poizner and Meg Whitman vying for the GOP governator slot, and they are at each other's throats, most of which is not in the public domain.
And there is that extremely bizarre Carly Fiorina ad attacking one of the finest public servants we have had in recent years, Tom Campbell.
It is all well and good for there to be "healthy" competition for a nomination for a statewide seat, but these folks are displaying a pattern of unhealthy behavior that is now part of the national scene as well.
Then there continue the intractable budget problems this State faces. The legislative branch does not appear capable of working with the Governator, let alone with each other
Indiana US Senator Even Bayh, a moderate guy from a conservative state (and I once lived there) is so fed up with DC that even though he was a shoe-in for re-election, he has decided life is too short. I can't blame him.
California is dysfunctional. I honestly do not understand what our leadership in Sacramento is all about. It may not be their fault, but rather some of the crazy things around propositions that are presenting the cumulative consequences. IMHO it is both.
And the country is on the same trajectory. Bill Clinton left office with a budget surplus, and W left office with the treasure completely depleted. Record deficits under his watch, a great deal of it relating to the war efforts swept under the rug and not even reflected in the deficits. I read today that Senator Bayh co-sponsored a few weeks ago a federal deficit budget reduction bill with some Republican Senators. When the bill came up for a vote, the GOP Senators voted against the very bill they had co-sponsored.
Go figure.
So much posturing at our State and National capitals, with so little to show for it, despite some important issues that need to be taken seriously.
Posted by Paul, a resident of the Downtown North neighborhood, on Feb 16, 2010 at 5:18 pm
"I really miss Ronald Reagan and his motto "Thou shall not talk ill of a fellow Republican.""
You've heard the term "vipers' nest"? California Republican politics has traditionally been a full-contact sport, minus the sportsmanship. Reagan was reacting to a similar situation. David Halberstam's excellent "The Best and the Brightest" gives a vignette of the era.
Posted by stephen levy, a resident of the University South neighborhood, on Feb 16, 2010 at 5:47 pm stephen levy is a member (registered user) of Palo Alto Online
Paul,
I appreciate your effort to foster civil political discussion. I am pretty discouraged like Evan Bayh and I heard David Gergen express the same feelings yesterday.
But I would love to see Republicans speak ill of the hypocrites who voted against a bill they sponsored and see Democrats speak ill of fellow Democrats who voted against Maldanado for political advantage.
I actually wish they would both stop talking trash about the OTHER party. I understand what you are saying about the primary campaigns but I think the deeper problem is not being able to side once in a while with the other party when your team is acting stupidly.
Posted by Greg, a resident of the Southgate neighborhood, on Feb 16, 2010 at 6:22 pm
May I suggest that all sides come together and support nuclear energy? Barack Obama seems to have had an epiphany, and is now supportive of building two new plants. I don't really care if that rebirth is just about the Massachusetts election, or not.
I suggest that we put nuclear energy up to a vote, with no strings attached. Yea or nay?
Posted by Walter_E_Wallis, a resident of the Midtown neighborhood, on Feb 17, 2010 at 1:43 am Walter_E_Wallis is a member (registered user) of Palo Alto Online
Campbell is a wuss, Steve is a pecksniff, and republican leadership is an oxymoron.
Posted by No, a resident of the Leland Manor/Garland Drive neighborhood, on Feb 17, 2010 at 5:22 am
I am not willing to have my soul bought because a liar who has reversed every single thing he "promised" has now "promised" nuclear energy...all to try to force a "compromise" by us to give in to new EPA regulations based on an environmental hoax which as collapsed.
Yes, nuclear energy.
Yes, drill baby drill.
Yes private investors on alternative energy.
No to more govt, more business killing regulations that serve no purpose other than to increase the number of tax-paid "jobs" where the sole purpose is to hassle the very citizens who produce the taxes to pay for those jobs. The only purpose of the EPA at this point it seems to me is to hassle private citizens...for such evils as, for example, CO2 "production"( which we produce every time we exhale).
No, I will not compromise. Do what is right for the country, Dems. Fool me once, shame on you..fool me twice,shame on me.
Never forget the immediate reversal, as soon as elected, on drilling for oil and on nuclear energy which had just been voted in by the people's Congress a mere 6 months earlier. It was all a sham to get the last piece of power in place in the White House.
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In the past, this was a source of pride, now it is a shameful thing.
