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Environmentalists: Funding their Political Agenda

Very few people actually consider how the environmentalists work the system to fund their multi-million dollar political agendas …

A teachable moment is now presented by the Los Angeles Times …

“Tests warned of cement problems before well's blowout” 

“Weeks before the Deepwater Horizon explosion, oil company BP and subcontractor Halliburton were aware of test results showing that the cement mixture designed to seal the well was unstable — but they used it anyway, President Obama's special commission investigating the environmental disaster reported Thursday.”

“The findings shed new light on troubles with the cement job on BP's Macondo well in the Gulf of Mexico, which exploded April 20, killing 11 workers and causing the largest offshore oil spill in U.S. history. The cement is supposed to secure the well pipes and keeps oil and gas from flowing up the well.”

So now we have a genuine disaster with media-worthy headlines, loss of life and provable damages. And we also have a governmental panel who has preliminarily explained what happened and pointed to who might be responsible. Which is great for those who were actually damaged by this disaster of unprecedented proportions. And for those seeking to prevent a reoccurrence of the tragedy.

Legal experts said the information could bolster plaintiffs' cases in the multitude of spill-related lawsuits by helping to show that BP acted with gross negligence leading up to the spill. This could, among other issues, greatly increase the multibillion-dollar penalties BP might have to pay for violation of the Clean Water Act.”

Enter the environmentalists …

So now the environmentalist swoop in and sue on behalf of the United States or some designated plaintiffs and possibly seek certification as a class action. The rewards and the fees will be tremendous given the billions of dollars in play.

"There's no question that it's important evidence," said Charlie Tebbutt, an attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity, which has filed a lawsuit seeking $19 billion under the Clean Water Act. "It serves to confirm the previous reports of significant problems with the exploration and production of the well."
The information was included in a letter to Obama's commission by Fred. H. Bartlit Jr., its chief counsel.”

The lawsuit … 

“Lawsuit Seeks $19 billion in Clean Water Act Penalties from BP”

“In the largest citizen enforcement action ever taken under the Clean Water Act, the Center for Biological Diversity today sued BP and Transocean Ltd., for illegally spewing more than 100 million gallons of oil and other toxic pollutants into the Gulf of Mexico. The suit was filed in federal court in New Orleans.”

“The Center is seeking the maximum possibly penalty against BP. If BP's violations are found to have been the result of gross negligence or willful misconduct, the maximum fine is $4,300 per barrel spilled. At this rate, the company is already liable for approximately $11 billion in Clean Water Act penalties. If the spill continues through August 1, 2010, BP's liability will be approximately $19 billion.”

“The penalties will be paid to the U.S. treasury and will be available for Gulf Coast restoration efforts.” <Source>

And millions of dollars in fees and expenses will flow directly to the lawyers and organization who brought the suit.

What is the Center for Biological Diversity?

From the CBD’s web site

“At the Center for Biological Diversity, we believe that the welfare of human beings is deeply linked to nature — to the existence in our world of a vast diversity of wild animals and plants. Because diversity has intrinsic value, and because its loss impoverishes society, we work to secure a future for all species, great and small, hovering on the brink of extinction. We do so through science, law, and creative media, with a focus on protecting the lands, waters, and climate that species need to survive.”

Which often totally ignores the subject of man’s natural and God-given supremacy over his environment.

Is there a political agenda?

We will let you decide …

“The recent gathering at the Lincoln Memorial was nothing less than an enormous, nationally televised coming-out party for closet Marxists.  Washington watchers have long known about the love affair between the Marxists in America and other major political forces.”

“Here are a few of the organizations that are marching, lock-step, in support of the Democratic majority that is advancing a Marxist agenda:

Communist Party USA (CPUSA)
Democratic Socialists of America
Committee of Correspondence for Democracy and Socialism
Sierra Club
National Wildlife Federation
Friends of the Earth
Center for Biological Diversity
NAACP
Rainbow PUSH Coalition
AFL-CIO
UAW, International Union
SEIU: Service Employees International Union
American Federation of Teachers
American Association of University Professors
AFGE: American Federation of Government Employees” <Source>

It appears that a number of environmental organizations  have moved from the promotion of conservation to more radical political action -- many having associations with a coalition of democrats, Marxists and Communists. All fellow travelers using our own environmental laws against us and earning significant amounts of money in the process. Engaging in lawsuits whose ultimate costs are borne by “We the People.”

Add the weight of the Obama Administration and winning the lawsuit might be like shooting fish in a barrel …

“David Uhlmann, a law professor at the University of Michigan who formerly headed the Justice Department's Environmental Crimes Section, said the findings make it appear more likely that Justice officials will file criminal charges not only against BP and Transocean Ltd., the rig's owner, but also against Halliburton, the Texas oilfield services giant once headed by former Vice President Dick Cheney.”

I can’t help by notice that gratuitous swipe at the former Vice President of the United States, Dick Cheney who served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Halliburton from 1995 until 2000 and had absolutely nothing to do with the disaster. Another example of the far-left attempting to smear an honorable and patriotic man who served his country to the best of his ability.

Bottom line …

It should be enough for the United States Department of Justice charge BP and others with both civil and criminal actions. There is little or need for any citizens group to muddy the waters, so to speak, by filing additional lawsuits and carving out large fees.

In most cases, the errant corporation’s executives face little or no real jeopardy as the corporation often accepts a settlement with a “record fine” without “admitting or denying the allegations” in the complaint.

However, truth-be-told, corporations cannot be fined and more than they can be taxed.  They are artificial constructs of law and cannot be sanctioned with anything other than monetary damages and possible dissolution.

Whatever fines, penalties and legal expenses that accrue, the cost is simply added to the product line and ultimately paid by taxpayers and users who are charged higher rates. Including the cost of funding environmental organizations which do not wish the United States well and who want to curtail population growth, further industrialization and engage in wealth re-distribution after feathering their own nests.

Remember this when donating to a so-called environmental organization.

-- steve

Reference Links …

Gulf oil spill: Tests warned of cement problems at BP well - latimes.com


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


Election 2010: What does the Los Angeles Times think?

What does the left-leaning Los Angeles Times think about the 2010 election and where do they go wrong …

Times endorsements

The editorial board's recommendations for the November election.

Governor: Jerry Brown

To a state desperate for leadership, he brings the seen-it-all-before wisdom of a political veteran.

I agree! Jerry Brown has seen it all because he created it. He is the one who brought the public employee unions to power and whose actions are threatening to bankrupt California as well as its individual counties and municipalities. He is the one who diverted funds from repairing and replacing our infrastructure in favor of social programs – and now pandering to illegal aliens. He is the one who decimated our freeway system to force us out of cars into Soviet-style high-rise apartments.

Therefore, I strongly urge you to vote for Meg Whitman.

Lieutenant governor: Gavin Newsom

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom gets the nod because he is most prepared to be governor if the need arises.

Here is a man who kept San Francisco as a sanctuary city and a haven for illegal aliens.

Here is a man who shipped illegal alien gang members to Southern California to avoid deportation without telling the authorities.

Here is a man who was responsible for the deaths of a father and two sons at the hands of an illegal alien who should have been in jail or deported.

And here is a man who does not honor the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman.

I urge you to vote for another candidate.

Secretary of state: Debra Bowen

Given four more years on the job, the incumbent Bowen could bring several important modernization efforts to fruition.

Debra Bowen has just been caught in a "dirty trick" to aid the democrats. She does not deserve to be re-elected. http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalertlatest/2010/11/crp-files-complaint-against-ma.html

Controller: John Chiang

The incumbent's generally good performance during the last four budget meltdowns makes him the best choice again.

This is the drama queen bozo who is always shouting about keeping more tax money and paying vendors and taxpayers with IOU’s. I urge you to vote for the Republican candidate, Tony Strickland.

Treasurer: Bill Lockyer

California has been well served with Lockyer as state treasurer and would be well served by keeping him in the post for another four years.

Considering all of the financial shenanigans in papering over an ever-changing budget, there is no way I would return Bill Lockyer to office. I urge you to vote for Mimi Walters.

Attorney general: Steve Cooley

L.A.'s district attorney is a true centrist with proven managerial skills. The Republican is the pick over a strong Democratic rival, Kamala Harris.

I totally agree. Kamala Harris is against the death penalty and the punishment of hard-core criminals, believing it is better to rehabilitate and release rather than deter further crime from career criminals. Vote for Steve Cooley.

Insurance commissioner: Dave Jones

His expertise is needed for the successful implementation of healthcare reform in the state.

This is an extremely important position should we implement Obamacare and insurance reform. The position is too important to leave this position into a partisan radical activist. I strongly urge you to vote for Mike Villines.

U.S. Senate: Barbara Boxer

The contrast between the Democratic U.S. senator and her Republican challenger, Carly Fiorina, couldn't be starker.

This is a no-brainer. Who in their right mind would return a vain, stupid and do-nothing Pelosi-style hyper-partisan to the Senate. There is no doubt in my mind that we need change in the Senate and that change begins with Carly Fiorina.

Proposition 19: No

The marijuana legalization measure is poorly thought out, badly crafted and replete with loopholes and contradictions.

I agree and for this reason I urge a NO vote.

Proposition 20: Yes

Democrats prosper by drawing themselves solidly Democratic seats, and Republicans benefit equally by lines drawn to protect their elected officials. It's time to undo this system, so yes on Prop. 20.

I agree and for this reason I urge a YES vote.

Proposition 21: No

Yes, California's parks need the money. But so do many programs. Proposition 21's special tax to help the parks would just further tie the Legislature's hands on budget matters.

This is the beginning of a car tax to support social programs that favor the unions –- and the money does not go to improve transportation within the state of California. If passed, this will be the first of many such taxes. I strongly urge a NO vote on this issue.

Proposition 22: No

The ballot measure would bar the state from diverting certain types of local revenue. It's not the right solution.

I disagree and for this reason I urge a YES vote. This would allow the State to raid local funds to paper-over the budget deficit and would require an increase in local taxes to make up the difference. This is nothing more than a grab on local property and fuel taxes. Vote: YES

Proposition 23: No

Suspending California's global warming law would take the state, and the country, in the wrong direction.

Are they kidding. This single measure would bankrupt the State of California and drive individuals and business from our State. It is crazy to believe that California alone can affect the global mean temperature of the Earth. I strongly urge a YES vote.

Proposition 24: No

Proponents argue that the tax breaks it seeks to repeal will do little to create jobs and that they were sneaked into the budget to avoid public scrutiny. But the initiative process is the wrong way to address those complaints.

I agree and for this reason I urge a NO vote.

Proposition 25: Yes

Proposition 25 would help ease the budget gridlock and deserves passage.

This is a naked power grab by the democrats to reduce the requirements to pass taxes from its current 2/3rds majority to a simple majority. The legislature could act unilaterally and do anything they want under this proposal. I strongly urge a NO vote.

Proposition 26: No

Proposition 26's attack on business fees is wrong; it should be defeated.

The legislators avoid accountability when labeling a tax as a fee, This proposition would require the same 2/3rds majority vote on certain fees as well as taxes. I strongly urge a YES vote.

Proposition 27: No

Democrats prosper by drawing themselves solidly Democratic seats, and Republicans benefit equally by lines drawn to protect their elected officials. It's time to undo this system, so vote no on Prop. 27.

I agree and for this reason I urge a NO vote.

Bottom line …

Notice how the Los Angeles Times characterizes the issues unlike my voter guide (links below) which explain the proposition and what a YES and NO vote actually means.

We need to stop the democrat’s one-party rule which has nearly bankrupted California. We need to return transparency and accountability back into the government.

It is our state and it is time we took it back from the democrats and their fellow travelers who have brought us to the brink of economic and social disaster.

-- steve

Here is my voting guide to my positions and which contains both sides of the issue.

Elected Officials …

CALIFORNIA ELECTION NOVEMBER, 2010 -- THE WAY TO FISCAL AND SOCIAL ...

Proposition Recap …

CALIFORNIA ELECTION NOVEMBER, 2010 -- ALL PROPOSITIONS RECAP ... 

Reference Links:

Times endorsements - latimes.com


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


ELECTION 2010: WANT TO KNOW WHO IS REALLY AT FAULT FOR OUR ECONOMY, LOSS OF JOBS, LACK OF WORLD RESPECT (Hint: It’s Not Barack Obama)

My best friend  Al just sent me an e-mail worth considering before you vote …

Politicians, as I have often said, are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them.

Everything on the Republican contract is a problem created by Congress. Too much bureaucracy? Blame Congress. Too many rules?

Blame Congress. Unjust tax laws? Congress wrote them.

Out-of-control bureaucracy? Congress authorizes everything bureaucracies do. Americans dying in Third World rat holes on stupid U.N. missions? Congress allows it. The annual deficits?

Congress votes for them. The $4 trillion plus debt? Congress created it.

To put it into perspective just remember that 100 percent of the power of the federal government comes from the U.S. Constitution. If it's not in the Constitution, it's not authorized.

Then read your Constitution. All 100 percent of the power of the federal government is invested solely in 545 individual human beings. That's all. Of 260 million Americans, only 545 of them wield 100 percent of the power of the federal government.

That's 435 members of the U.S. House, 100 senators, one president and nine Supreme Court justices. Anything involving government that is wrong is 100 percent their fault.

I exclude the vice president because constitutionally he has no power except to preside over the Senate and to vote only in the case of a tie. I exclude the Federal Reserve because Congress created it and all its power is power Congress delegated to it and could withdraw anytime it chooses to do so. In fact, all the power exercised by the 3 million or so other federal employees is power delegated from the 545.

All bureaucracies are created by Congress or by executive order of the president. All are financed and staffed by Congress. All enforce laws passed by Congress.

All operate under procedures authorized by Congress. That's why all complaints and protests should be properly directed at Congress, not at the individual agencies.

You don't like the IRS? Go see Congress. You think the Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms agency is running amok? Go see Congress.

Congress is the originator of all government problems and is also the only remedy available. That's why, of course, politicians go to such extraordinary lengths and employ world-class sophistry to make you think they are not responsible. Anytime a congressman pretends to be outraged by something a federal bureaucrat does, he is in fact engaging in one big massive con job. No federal employee can act at all except to enforce laws passed by Congress and to employ procedures authorized by Congress either explicitly or implicitly.

Partisans on both sides like to blame presidents for deficits, but all deficits are congressional deficits. The president may, by custom, recommend a budget, but it carries no legal weight. Only Congress is authorized by the Constitution to authorize and appropriate and to levy taxes. That's what the federal budget consists of: expenditures authorized, funds appropriated and taxes levied.

Both Democrats and Republicans mislead the public. For 40 years Democrats had majorities and could have at any time balanced the budget if they had chosen to do so. Republicans now have majorities and could, if they choose, pass a balanced budget this year. Every president, Democrat or Republican, could have vetoed appropriations bills that did not make up a balanced budget. Every president could have recommended a balanced budget. None has done either.

We have annual deficits and a huge federal debt because that's what majorities in Congress and presidents in the White House wanted. We have troops in various Third World rat holes because Congress and the president want them there.

Don't be conned. Don't let them escape responsibility. We simply have to sort through 260 million people until we find 545 who will act responsibly.

-- Charlie Reese: "Looking for Someone to Blame?  Congress Is a Good Place to Start" (Orlando Sentinel; March 7, 1995; page A8)

Bottom line …

Much has changed since Charlie Reese penned this article in 1995 … it’s gotten infinitely worse. We have never seen this historic level of self-serving corruption in Congress, not to mention the promotion of a foreign ideology akin to Marxism.

We must restore Constitutional checks and balances to government in order to check the democrats one-party power grab. 

We must restore Constitutionally sound legislation and take back our nation from the democrats who have decided they would rather live in France with the politics of Mexico.

DO THE RIGHT THING: VOTE!

-- steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


Jon Stewart -- Stephen Colbert Rally: The Joke's On YOU!

Let’s face it: our country is in trouble. Our economy is damaged. Unemployment is skyrocketing. Corrupt politicians are pandering to illegal aliens and promoting Marxist policies.

Among the tumult is a pair of leftist clowns who decide to hold a rally in the shadow of the Capitol within days from an historic election that will decide whether or not the government has the right to run your life or even if you have a right to preserve your own life in a cost-contained government-run healthcare system.

Truth-be-told, the sole purpose of these two clowns is to distract the voting public from the corruption, incompetence and malfeasance of the democrats. To play upon America’s preoccupation with celebrity in order to avoid discussing serious and life-threatening issues.

Folks, politics is not funny and neither are the tactics of Colbert and Stewart as they distract you from learning the truth about democrats. Every second the media gives to these clowns is a second where the truth is being shunted aside.

In this election, you are voting on serious issues which cannot be swept under the rug by two hyper-partisan clowns who only feign fairness, balance and spoof the news. They are not the journalists the play on-air, they are paid performers whose audience wants to be entertained. Most of the information contained within their program is shaped for getting laughs and often does not represent reality.

You think the rally is funny, consider these items.

Never in the history of America have we had such a corrupt and malevolent government that panders to the special interests rather than do the bidding of “We the People.”

The government has spent billions of dollars in stimulus payments with little or no economic results. Most of the jobs that were created were government jobs of an expanding and increasingly expensive bureaucracy. They even invented a new category of “jobs saved” to hide the fact that they were using money from the private sector to continue paying the public sector during tough economic times. Much of this money went to left-wing organizations and union-associated organizations as payback for political support.

We have a healthcare system which added complexity, bureaucracy  and 20+ million people to the system without increasing the number of physicians, facilities, diagnostic equipment and medical devices. Which demands that your treatment be denied, delayed or conditioned on a formula to determine whether you should live or die. A health system created in the back room; written by Marxist foundations and modified to suit the needs of the special interests. Bottom line: your taxes are going up, your healthcare premiums are going up; your healthcare options are severely reduced and your future is wildly uncertain. The cut $500 billion out of Medicare to fund this monstrosity (One-half TRILLION dollars) and screwed senior citizens everywhere. With no real efforts to control waste, fraud, corruption and inefficiencies.

We find that the democrats are pushing cap-and-trade which will control energy production and consumption. Again, you are being forced to conserve with constantly higher prices.

They gave a large portion of the automobile industry to the unions – ignoring the rule of law which places secured creditors before payments to unsecured creditors such as the unions. They nationalized part of the banking industry, taking total control over student loans.

And now they are implementing financial regulations which do not fullfill their intended purpose. They told us they would control the organizations that were too big to fail – while they pumped billions of dollars into making these organizations ever bigger and more important to our economy. They are continuing to hide the truth about our banks: many of which are technically insolvent and being propped up with federal loans and the manipulation of their balance sheets.

We are being screwed over by the democrats in our government and the media is covering two clowns designed to distract you from the real horror that is our one-party-rule government.

Bottom line …

Forget the media and forget the clowns, vote to restore constitutional checks and balances to our government. Vote the democrats out of office and start on the road to reclaiming our government from our dishonest government and the special interests, both foreign and domestic, they pander to.

It has never been more important. Your life, the lives of your children, your neighbors and your country is on the line. You know the difference between good and evil, right and wrong, honest and dishonest – so do the right thing.

-- steve

Capture10-30-2010-2.45.23 PM

 Reference Links:

In election's shadow, rally draws laughs, activism - Yahoo! News


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


2010 ELECTION: LOBBYING -- THE HIDDEN TAX ON US ALL ...

For those who believe that lobbying is a cost borne by individuals, institutions and corporations seeking to persuade their political representatives to confer some particular advantage on themselves or their industry or, alternatively, to deny some particular advantage to their competitors, is to be naive.

Keep in mind that competition is not about fairness or a level playing field, it is about securing a competitive advantage by any legal means – hopefully resulting in benefits to the consumer. This is the engine that drives innovation and the capitalist system.

Also keep in mind that legislators turn to lobbyists for substantial amounts of campaign funding and efforts to help turn out voter support. Therefore, the often disregard the interests of the consumer and promote the cause of the special interests.

And that’s why I am asking you to vote the democrats – beholden to the unions – out of office. The reason for my request will become crystal clear as you read this blog entry.

An illustrative example …

We find that shipping giants, United Parcel Service (UPS) and Federal Express (FedEx) are locked in a battle for both consumer and commercial shipping business.

Both have truck and airplane fleets and offer the exact same service: moving a package from here to there with a degree of speed and certainty that is not often found in the United States Post Office. However, the prime difference is the degree of unionization found in each organization.

For those who are unfamiliar with unions, they can be characterized by increasing salary, benefit and retirement plans; increasing complex contracts, onerous work rules and procedures; and they tend to reward seniority over productivity, merit and achievement.

FedEx is not subject to the same work rules as UPS and therefore has a lower cost advantage for moving packages which is conveyed to the consumer in the form of lowers delivery prices. Additionally, FedEx is not subject to a union contract which hampers their ability to compete in the market when economic conditions are poor.

UPS is upset at this situation and at the fact that FedEx workers want to remain union free. Not to mention the union which sees a large potential in union dues and the ability to gain control over multi-millions in pension fund investments.

Using government as a competitive weapon …

UPS has used its and the unions lobbyists to convince a legislator to slip 230 words into an unrelated spending bill to make it easier for the Teamsters’ union to unionize Federal Express and thus even the costs of labor needed to carry packages.

The loser is YOU, the consumer, who ultimately pays for all of the goods and services shipped by the carriers. No real competition. No real price advantages. No commercial advantage to those who innovate and provide superior services to the shipping marketplace. Plus a surcharge for the union and its lobbyists.

How it was handled in the media …

Let’s see how Timothy P. Carney, the Washington Examiner's Lobbying Editor describes the fight in his “K Street” column … 

“FedEx, because it was created as an air carrier (UPS carries most of its cargo by truck) is regulated under the Railway Labor Act (RLA). Congress, back in the 1920s, worked hand-in-hand with the rail companies to ensure profit in a risky enterprise, and so it is harder to unionize under the RLA than under the NLRA. Specifically, it takes a nationwide vote of a company's employees in order to unionize. Air cargo shippers, such as FedEx, have the same protection.”

“In mid-2007, UPS hired the lobbying firm Holland & Knight, urging Congress to ‘change the Railway Labor Act definitions using general legislation and appropriations legislation,’ according to federal lobbying filings. Last month, UPS's lobbyists appear to have succeeded: The bill reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration included redefinitions that would place FedEx under the NLRA. FedEx, together with a Washington Times editorial earlier this week reporting on this scuffle, blames House Transportation Committee Chairman James Oberstar, D-Minn.”

Game on …

“The Holland & Knight Committee for Effective Government, the lobbying firm's political action committee, had already given Oberstar $3,000 by the time UPS hired them. Subsequently, the firm's PAC--or, excuse me, its Committee for Effective Government--gave Oberstar $5,000 more in contributions, making Oberstar the No. 3 House recipient of Effective Government cash in the 2008 election. Including contributions from Holland & Knight attorneys, the firm was Oberstar's No. 5 donor last election.”

“FedEx, however, has a much bigger lobby than UPS. While UPS spent around $5 million on lobbying in the past year, FedEx spent nearly twice that much.”

“Both sides, of course, are engaging in Beltway knife-fighting, which requires campaign cash. On top of their five-figures-per-day lobbying budgets are the companies' PACs. FedEx PAC spent $3.4 million last cycle, and $231,000 so far this cycle. UPS's PAC shelled out $4.7 million last election, and an impressive $522,000 so far this time around.”

“UPS has a key ally: the Teamsters Union, which gave $2.4 million to Democrats in the last cycle. Teamsters want to unionize FedEx, and Oberstar's provision will make that much easier if it becomes law.”

Truth-be-told, the legislators are the recipients of this campaign cash are happy as pigs feeding in an endless trough. Especially when they know that they can gin-up additional controversy and campaign cash simply by proposing draconian restrictions on industry. Like night following the day, the lobbyists will respond with their brown envelopes bearing campaign cash. All legal. All proper. And most of it documented in plain site for everyone to see. The question is: how does this benefit the consumer?????

View the video that explains it all ….

Bottom line …

Never before have we faced such a corrupt one-party-rule Congress – with each member proposing legislation in order to further shake down the corporate and institutional lobbyists for large sums of money. Not that this practice is not found on both sides of the aisle, it is.

But it should be noted that it is the unions’ special influence over democrats that is the issue. In many cases extending far beyond the commercial realm into the public sector where union activities over the past few decades have created an untenable situation that threatens to bankrupt most of our municipalities, counties and states.

Please join with me and restore constitutional checks and balances in Congress. Help dilute the influence of the toxic labor unions and get this economy back on track.

It is time you stand up for what is good and right about American and help start the process of eliminating corruption, incompetence and malfeasance from the current one-party rule system.

Thank you,

steve

Reference Links …

UPS vs FedEx: Labor law as a corporate weapon


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


ELECTION 2010: DEMOCRATS AND THE LIES THEY TELL

Once again, another chance to talk back to the democrats who are destroying American and punishing American citizens ….

Organizing for America

Friend --

Our opponents think they have this election in the bank.

While you all are reaching out and talking to 7 million voters one on one, they're getting $7 million checks from billionaires and special interests to fund attack ads.

Like George Soros, David Geffen and other democrat-supporting billionaires do not contribute to the democrat party.

OpenSecrets.org shows that the democrats have raised $782,214,018 whereas the republicans have raised $514,624,579.

And let’s not forget the hundreds of millions coming from hard-working union members who have little or no say in how their leadership spends their money.

That is all you need to know about the choice in this election. 

We're in a battle for the future of this county -- a battle between corporate special interests and hard-working Americans.

Yes, there is a battle for the future of this nation. Do you want a totalitarian Marxist regime which believes in a ruling elite and unexceptional population units (people) to be managed for the good of the planet – or do you want the exceptional America we know and love; where individuals are free to achieve almost anything and to be the best person they can be?

The democrats choose Marxism and are wildly spending our nation into bankruptcy and promoting a collapse of our capitalist system so they can impose their values on America.

This is a battle – funded by the unions and democrat special interests, such as Wall Street, who have looted our nation’s treasury and now want more.

This is a battle to preserve your life because under Obamacare there will be nothing but denials, delay and death.

And if we want that future to be written by us -- not by a handful of anonymous billionaires -- I need you to do all you can over the next five days. 

I'm asking you to make a donation today because our organizers need critical support right now. And, today, what you give will go twice as far because Organizing for America is matching every grassroots donation with that of another supporter.

<link with personal identification removed>

Please donate $3 or more today to help win this fight.

We always knew this was going to be tough. People are still hurting, still frustrated.

And it's no wonder: For a decade, Republican policies decimated the middle class in favor of the wealthy.

The democrats have done more damage and spent more money in the last two years than was spent by the republicans in the last two decades. Between democrats in Congress and the Presidency, the czars and special interests have created a shadow government which circumvents public scrutiny and is wildly out-of-control.

Yes, the republicans did spend money foolishly – but they did not add TRILLIONS of dollars to the debt.   

They broke the bargain -- the bargain that says government should help people do what they can't do for themselves, the bargain that says in America, we all deserve a fair shot.

Yes, we all deserve a fair shot – the opportunity to thrive – which is not the way the democrats see it. The don’t want the American way featuring equality of opportunity, they want the democrat/Marxist way featuring equality of outcome where the state tells you where to live, where to work, how much you can make and who to vote for.

The bargain was for a safety-net to help people get back on their feet. Not an entitlement program which gives them almost two years to find a job and which is being abused by those who see the government payments as “vacation pay” -- and that they will start looking for employment when the money runs out.

America has been a land of individualism and growth, not a nanny state with entitlement programs and decay. 

They let our infrastructure crumble while Wall Street ran wild. They gave billions of dollars in tax cuts to millionaires and billionaires without paying for them

Speaking of infrastructure, why do the democrats insist on union labor which makes the repair or replacement of our critical infrastructure billions of dollars more expensive and delays the process by years? Why do we need to unionize government workers when they clearly work for us, “we the people,” and seem to be clearly connected with waste, fraud and corruption?

What a bold-faced lie: “billions of dollars in tax cuts to millionaires and billionaires without paying for them?” The truth is: it’s our money. They collected less of our money to be spent on their self-serving projects. Pay for tax cuts – how do you pay for tax cuts when it is not your money – this is sheer nonsense whipped up by dishonest, corrupt, unethical and self-serving democrats. You can’t pay for tax cuts any more than you can pay yourself for not spending your own money in the grocery store. 

And now they want to drag us back to that exact same agenda.

First, it is impossible to go back to that exact same agenda because times have changed radically. The reality then is not the reality now.

And second, returning to a time when Marxism was not being openly promoted by the President, his czars, his fellow travelers and the Congress sound good to me. A time when the government did not own or control the major institutions of America. A time when we could buy the light-bulb or toilet of our choice. A time of American achievement and world respect.

Their special-interest friends who would benefit from these policies are backing them up and funneling tens of millions of dollars into outside groups running partisan attack ads.

How can the democrats even say this with a straight face when the situation so clearly refers to the unions and people like George Soros?

There have always been special interests on both sides of the aisle. To pretend differently is both dishonest and apparently democrat.

We don't know what kind of impact these groups may have.

Yes we do – they are disruptive, misleading or outright dishonest.

But I know we can't quit.  

Damn straight Skippy – we can’t quit and surrender to the democrats who want to destroy our country, the America we love.

We can't quit because we're winning important battles to protect middle-class families.

We can't quit because we passed historic changes to Wall Street oversight, health care, and student loans.  

You need to quit – because your policies have damaged America, almost irreparably and brought us to the brink of bankruptcy. 

I know we can do this -- you crashed through our goal of 3 million grassroots donations, and you're on pace to reach out to 30 million voters across the country this fall.

That's incredible.

But we're not there yet, and we're going to have to fight right up to the last minute -- the way we always do -- with grassroots supporters giving what they can to get our message out.

Our organizers need resources to get voters to the polls, support our volunteers, and talk to more voters on the phones.

Please donate $3 or more today:

<link removed in disgust>  

With five days to go, the outcome is in our hands -- and right now I'm counting on you to fight for it. 

It’s in your hands: you can vote for the corrupt democrats like Obama, Pelosi and Reid or vote to restore our America to the America we know and love. 

Thanks for all you do, 

Joe Biden

Bottom line …

This money will never be spent on this election, it is money being collected for the 2012 election bid of Barack Obama and the democrats.

And it is now all up to you, my fellow citizens. Do you want a Marxist nanny state which uses pseudo- science to tell you which toilet or light bulb to buy – which takes your hard-earned money and “re-distributes” it to a socialist government across the world?

Do you want to save America? If so, vote these Marxists out of office.

-- steve

Capture8-11-2009-9.34.02 PM


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


ARE YOU A UNION-SUPPORTING MARXIST? HOW YOU VOTE ON CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 24 WILL TELL IT ALL! (November, 2010)

The radical far-left and unions are running political ads claiming that you need to vote “yes” on 24 to fund those needy schools and to eliminate tax breaks for wealthy corporations.

Fact: Taxpayers have been pouring money into our failing union-controlled schools and there has been no improvement. Student scores are trending down – even when the continue to “dumb down” the tests. And almost 50% of students are dropping out of California schools.

Fact: Without those evil corporations, the tax base will continue to erode as wealthy individuals, corporations and out-of-work laborers leave the state for a more favorable tax and business climate.

Fact: There is little or no value to a teachers’ union which continues to press for more teacher pay and benefits without a corresponding way to measure teacher performance or increase student education benefits.

The answer is clear …

VOTE “NO” ON CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 24

For reference: the official position …

Proposition 24 – Put on Ballot by Petition Signatures
REPEALS RECENT LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ALLOW BUSINESSES TO LOWER THEIR TAX LIABILITY. INITIATIVE STATUTE.

Fiscal Impact: Increased state revenues of about $1.3 billion each year by 2012–13 from higher taxes paid by some businesses. Smaller increases in 2010–11 and 2011–12.

NO -- A NO vote on this measure means: Three business tax provisions that were recently changed will not be affected. As a result of maintaining current law: (1) a business will be able to deduct losses in one year against income in more situations, (2) most multistate businesses could choose to have their California income determined based only on a single sales factor, and (3) a business will be able to share its tax credits with related businesses.
A YES vote on this measure means: Three business tax provisions will return to what they were before 2008 and 2009 law changes. As a result: (1) a business will be less able to deduct losses in one year against income in other years, (2) a multistate business will have its California income determined by a calculation using three factors, and (3) a business will not be able to share tax credits with related businesses.

“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


HOW WOULD JUSTIN BIEBER VOTE IN THE NOVEMBER 2010 ELECTION?

How much time and effort is being made to use celebrities, especially those who attract a younger audience to assist in getting out the vote? Primarily by making public service announcements and entertaining at political events. And how many of these so-called younger entertainers actually know anything about the party, politician or cause that they support?

Truth-be-told, it is often the adult handlers who use these younger celebrities to attack media attention which can then be used to attract a larger paying audience for the entertainer’s audience.

And as for the question about Justin Bieber. One, he is underage. And two, he is Canadian. Thus he is ineligible to vote on all counts. 

For those who do not know who Justin Bieber is …

Capture10-28-2010-5.52.16 PM

Justin Bieber is a Canadian Pop Star and Tweenager Heart Throb

Bottom line …

Many of those who support politicians and political parties do so for selfish reasons that have absolutely nothing to do with politics; and in some cases, the supporter cannot articulate either the positions or the reasons for the support.

-- steve

Here is my conservative voting guide …

Elected Officials …

CALIFORNIA ELECTION NOVEMBER, 2010 -- THE WAY TO FISCAL AND SOCIAL ...

Proposition Recap …

CALIFORNIA ELECTION NOVEMBER, 2010 -- ALL PROPOSITIONS RECAP ...

Individual Propositions …

[NO] CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 19 (NOV. 2010) – MARIJUANA

[YES] CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 20 (NOV, 2010) -- REDISTRICTING

[NO] CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 21 (NOV, 2010) -- VEHICLE LICENSE ...

[YES] CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 22 (NOV, 2010) -- DIVERSION OF FUNDS

[YES] CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 23 (NOV, 2010) -- GLOBAL WARMING

[NO] CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 24 (NOV, 2010) -- TAX LIABILITIES

[NO] CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 25 (NOV, 2010) -- GOVERNMENT POWER GRAB

[YES] CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 26 (NOV, 2010) --ADDS "FEES" TO "TAXES" REQUIRING A TWO-THIRDS VOTE

[NO] CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 27 (NOV, 2010) -- REDISTRICTING

[X] California 2010 Propositions -- Voting on "their" agenda ...

Reference Links …

Justin Bieber Branded By Progressives- the unauthorized face of the left?

“In a move that is outraging parents of children who like Justin Bieber, the Democrats are using his name and fan base to urge 12 year old kids to hassle the parents and tell them to vote for Democrats.” <Source>


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


ENVIRONMENTALISM: FUNDING THE MARXIST AGENDA ...

To understand how the environmentalists have turned conservation into political activism requires a fundamental insight into Marxism …

A Marxists primer  …

Above all, they believe that man is rather unexceptional and simply part of the natural ecosystem.

That there are some who have a level of native intelligence or acquired learning which sets them apart from the ordinary individual and that these individuals should constitute a ruling elite acting on behalf of the “collective” population.

That our eco-system is finite and that  we need to protect the planet at any cost. Leading to theories regarding the necessity to curtail population growth and industrialization at any means. Which gives rise to support for contraception, sterilization, abortion and the rise of non-procreative homosexuality. And wealth re-distribution which saps funds from developed nations into a sinkhole of undeveloped nations.

That any worship of a system that gives rise to moral absolutes: good vs. evil, is bad for those seeking control – thus atheism is a fundamental tenet of the Marxist doctrine.

And worst of all, they believe that the end justifies the means. That is, the end having been defined, they are willing to use any means at their disposal, fair or foul, to achieve their end.

But in the final analysis, as it has been since man organized into clans and tribes, it is about one political group of people controlling the Earth’s natural assets and other people for their own benefit. Which often requires a totalitarian regime in which the leaders and their supporters divide up the spoils, leaving the rest as subsistence sustenance  for the remainder. Make no mistake about it: Marxism and its supporting environmentalism is about CONTROL over nations, economies, populations and most importantly, individuals.

There is no doubt in my mind that the United States is the greatest stumbling block to totalitarian regimes ever encountered in history. And as much as I hate saying it, so-called benevolent institutions which purportedly support the primacy of man and a moral belief system, such as the Catholic Church, support Marxist causes as long as their fiefdom and power remains relatively unchallenged.

The key to gaining and maintaining power: funding …

Since the collapse of the old Soviet Union, with its dysfunctional central planning and crony-corruption, the very same lovers of totalitarian regimes have found a new home and a new voice in environmentalism. Where they can use our own liberal laws and ethics against us … not to mention subverting our national institutions using pseudo-science and a faux concern for education. Education which gets worse and worse as time progresses.

Create a crisis, hijack funding and exert control  …

With due respect to Obama’s former Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel, these peoples are the masters of using real or artificial crises to generate funding and to exert control over sectors of the population.

A present-day example …

By way of background, nature appears to be infinitely diverse and equipped with self-defense and self-regulating feedback properties. The natural evolution of planetary plant and animal life seems to be cyclical and not well-understood by man. While it is true that man’s interference with the habitat can cause harm to certain species, there is nothing in nature which suggests that these species cannot adapt by moving or undergoing other changes. The theory that man needs to preserve certain species to assist nature or for the historical record should not give rise to any movement which seeks to impose their totalitarian control on the freedoms of man. Which begs the question of the supremacy of man over his environment.

As reported by Juliet Eilperin of the Washington Post …

“Global extinction crisis looms, new study says”

“A growing number of creatures could disappear from the earth, with one-fifth of all vertebrates and as many as a third of all sharks and rays now facing the threat of extinction, according to a new survey assessing nearly 26,000 species across the globe.”

“In addition, forces such as habitat destruction, over-exploitation and invasive competitors move 52 species a category closer to extinction each year, according to the research, published online Tuesday by the journal Science. At the same time, the findings demonstrate that these losses would be at least 20 percent higher without conservation efforts now underway.”

"’We know what we need to do,’ said Andrew Rosenberg, senior vice president for science and knowledge at the advocacy group Conservation International and one of the paper's co-authors. ‘We need to focus on protected areas, both terrestrial and marine.’"

Somehow “knowing what needs to be done” is less about science and more about securing funding and control over the political agenda. Remember: most advocacy groups were started to personally benefit their founders and the organization’s leadership in personal, professional and profit terms. Prestige, power, profits – and the promotion of a political agenda which supports the supremacy of the group.

“The survey, conducted by 174 researchers from 38 countries, came as delegates from around the world are meeting in Nagoya, Japan, to debate conservation goals for the coming decade. “

Do you see the creeping Marxism?

“While many industrialized countries have undertaken conservation efforts at home and helped fund this work overseas, ‘the reality is we're still exporting degradation across the world" by taking food and other resources from the developing world, according to co-author Nicholas K. Dulvy.”

"’We've transformed a third of the habitable land on earth for food production,’ said Dulvy, who co-chairs the IUCN's shark specialist group. ‘You can't just remove that habitat without consequences for biodiversity."’

You can't just remove that habitat without consequences for biodiversity” raises an interesting question which is almost never asked by those who promote environmental activism. To what extent should we subjugate man’s needs for water, food, shelter and employment to a lesser-developed life form or plant life? To some, the question can be answered with the practicality that man needs to survive at all costs. Answered by religious teachings that reinforce that man has the moral right to take what he needs from the planet to not only survive, but to thrive. Answered by the environmentalists by demanding population control to reduce man’s so-called “footprint” on Planet Earth.

Can’t have an environmental discussion without considering that other crisis funding mechanism: Global Warming …

'”Norway's environmental minister, Erik Solheim, who is attending the talks in Nagoya, said in an interview that this sort of accelerating biodiversity loss, coupled with climate change, should compel nations to act boldly: ‘Very clearly, there's an increasing sense of urgency here,’ he said.”

There is always a  call to bold, urgent action lest we suffer the consequences of our wayward actions. Bold, urgent action always translating into funding and political control. Never to mention that the call is only backed with a hypothesis put forth in a study of an ill-understood subject.

We want to control your land, your economies and your people …

Environmental groups are pushing for a goal of protecting 25 percent of all land on earth and 15 percent of the sea by 2020. At the moment, roughly 14 percent of terrestrial areas and less than 1 percent of the ocean enjoy some degree of environmental safeguards.”

Something which supports creeping “internationalism” and the destruction of national sovereignty in favor of an international form of governance. (Like the corrupt Marxist United Nations)

“The new study documents the impact of such policies - 64 vulnerable species have begun recovering due to concerted conservation efforts, the article says. It provides a snapshot of how the world's birds, mammals and amphibians has evolved over three decades.”

“Two American species that had become extinct in the wild, the California condor and the black-footed ferret, have both made gains after being reintroduced, while several island species have boosted their numbers after humans took steps to shrink populations of invasive predators that were targeting them.”

Bad choice of example …

I have widely studied the California Condor situation because it is being used to push for gun control in California using “lead shot” as a reason to ban guns and ammunition from wide swaths of California lands. What they do not say is:

California Condors serve absolutely no known function in California’s ecosystem and yet are being artificially maintained as exotic outdoor pets that need to be fed and maintained with medical assistance by caregivers. Something which provides multi-million dollar funding to institutions and their employees.

That there is a history of malfeasance and outright chicanery in reports which purport to show “lead ingestion damage” to these birds. The death of one or two birds with a “reported” high level of lead in their blood ignores the fact that the birds eat garbage with jagged edges (perforated organs) and are wont to drink antifreeze and other contaminated liquids.

And the scientists fail to tell the public that they are inducing further genetic damage into the Condor population by inbreeding from only a few matriarchal blood lines.

Bottom line …

We find a great deal of dishonest or suspect scientific reporting which suggests that the goal of such reports is more about funding and a political agenda than it is about the science.

Almost all of the current environmental laws, rules and regulations cannot pass Constitutional muster and are an illegal and unwarranted infringement upon our rights as citizens. There is no mandate in the United States Constitution which empowers the federal government to take control over our land, air and waterways for the purposes of conservation or any other purposes related to global climate control. And those Justices in the Supreme Court who attempt to create rights and permissions for federal actions where none really exist are, in fact, shirking their sworn responsibility. 

We also find that politicians and others are afraid to upset other liberals, the so-called Bambi generation” which regards wildlife as pets rather than as a source of sustenance. Children often think that meat comes from supermarkets on Styrofoam plates and have little or no real knowledge of food production lest it upset their little psyche and fail to produce liberals -- “perfect people for a perfect planet.”

Our freedoms are slipping away to those who are using our laws and our science against us. It is time to elect honest brokers to serve we the people. Candidates who will support the primacy of man and reject totalitarian philosophies. Who will curtail funding to those who do not wish America well.

Vote on November 2, 2010 for someone who believes America is great, people need to be free and that someone should hold the Marxists and other liberals to account for their egregious actions.

-- steve

P.S. I am all in favor of man’s stewardship of the planet and control over air, water and land pollution – but not Marxism.

Reference Links …

Global extinction crisis looms, new study says|Washington Post 

Is Green Socialism EPA's Real Goal?

Condor Project: Backdoor gun control and/or an attempt to secure additional funding for a failing program? (Updated)|OneCitizenSpeaking

“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


[NO] CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 27 -- REDISTRICTING: COMMENT

Here is a comment that I received from one of my readers, John Peterson, which I believes deserves much wider distribution than is afforded by the comments section of my blog  …

The language of the argument in favor of Proposition 27 contained in California's "Official Voter Information Guide" was written by Daniel H. Lowenstein, acting in behalf of the California Congressional delegation.  It contains a number of distortions and outright falsehoods that need to be addressed.

Lowenstein claims that the Citizens Redistricting Commission will be free to draw electoral district boundaries that can create a district that "could have almost a million more people than another."

FACT: The Commission is directed to adhere to the federal voting rights act, which requires all districts to be essentially equal in population. This is the #1 criterion they are required to follow!

He describes the Commission as "a faceless group of amateurs."

FACT: The Commission members will probably all be better qualified than most of the incumbent politicians whose cozy careers are in danger! Anyone interested in seeing the qualifications of these people can go to www.wedrawthelines.ca.gov and see for themselves. The 60 finalists for the 14-person Commission are listed, and their qualifications can be reviewed by clicking on “Applicant Pool.”  (Over 4,000 people applied to be Commissioners.)

Lowenstein describes the Commission as “a bureaucracy with the power to decide who is to represent us.”  FACT: The non-partisan Commission will only draw the boundaries of the electoral districts in which candidates for state office will run.  The voters in those districts will decide who is to represent us!

He claims the Commission "can make up to $1 million dollars from California taxpayers in cumulative salary."

FACT: They would all have to work full time for a year to do this, whereas they will start their work in January 2011 and are required to complete it no later than September 15, 2011 – less than nine months.   And this is by no means a full-time job!  The actual salary costs of the Commission are likely to be more in the range of $250,000 -- lunch money for California politicians!

He says that under the existing law, passed by the voters in 2008, "voters can be denied the right to pass a referendum" against the electoral district maps developed by the Commission. 

FACT: The existing law, passed by the voters as Proposition 11 in 2008, specifically states that the Commission's maps "shall be subject to referendum," and that "if voters disapprove a certified map in referendum" then the State Supreme Court shall appoint special masters to resolve the situation. 

In short, Lowenstein's "Argument in Favor of Proposition 27" is a pack of deliberate lies!  WHO is supporting Lowenstein and his Proposition 27? THE INCUMBENT POLITICIANS OF COURSE!

Any other questions??? VOTE NO ON 27!!!

My original blog entry …

[NO] CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 27 (NOV, 2010) -- REDISTRICTING

I urge a NO vote on Proposition 27  because “we the people” are tired of being subject to the “special deals” made by state legislators to keep certain “pre-arranged” districts firmly within the party’s control. Thus our so-called legislators have been able to manipulate elections for years to insure long-term incumbencies which works against “we the people” and promotes a sense of entitlement – often combined with some degree of corruption.

We need to put the redistricting process back into the hands of the citizens of California.

I also urge a YES vote on Proposition 20 to stop corrupt and self-serving legislators from continuing their special deals and using redistricting for their own purposes.

-- steve

The official position …

Proposition 27 – Put on Ballot by Petition Signatures

ELIMINATES STATE COMMISSION ON  REDISTRICTING. CONSOLIDATES AUTHORITY FOR REDISTRICTING WITH ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AND STATUTE.

Eliminates 14-member redistricting commission. Consolidates authority for establishing state Assembly, Senate, and Board of Equalization districts with elected representatives who draw congressional districts. Fiscal Impact: Possible reduction of state redistricting costs of around $1 million over the next year. Likely reduction of these costs of a few million dollars once every ten years beginning in 2020.

NO -- A NO vote on this measure means: The responsibility to determine the boundaries of Legislature and Board of Equalization districts would remain with the Citizens Redistricting Commission

YES --  A YES vote on this measure means: The responsibility to determine the boundaries of State Legislature and Board of Equalization districts would be returned to the Legislature. The Citizens Redistricting Commission, established by Proposition 11 in 2008 to perform this function, would be eliminated. (Proposition 20 on this ballot also concerns redistricting issues. If both Proposition 27 and Proposition 20 are approved by voters, the proposition receiving the greater number of "yes" votes would be the only one to go into effect.)

Reference Links ...

For the Proposition winners and losers:

2010 CALIFORNIA PROPOSITIONS–– FINAL RESULTS (100% –- 24,845 PRECINCTS REPORTING) 

For the Candidates -- winners and losers:

 CALIFORNIA ELECTION 2010 -- A RETURN TO ONE-PARTY RULE: CORRUPTION AND POLITICAL CORRECTNESS AUTHORIZED BY "WE THE PEOPLE IN CALIFORNIA"


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS