Whine, Whine, Whine

There’s a reason we fiscal conservative types don’t believe the whining about not enough money in the State’s piggy. See Dan Walters’ column about the pork the legislature is throwing at a defunct private university medical residency scheme in order to keep one of their own in a cushy job.

This begs the larger question, are we really starving government? (p.s. the answer is no) Have you noticed that agencies and departments never offer up actual savings until there is no other choice? A couple of examples, one statewide, one local:

1.  The California University system is crying great crocodile tears, and raising tuition at every opportunity to motivate voters to raise taxes. Pure hooey! Don’t believe a word of it until the UC/CSU system radically restructures for efficiency, including

• Change tenure. Provide tenure track for “teaching” professors and “research” professors. Massive savings in faculty salaries, plus improved instruction- especially for undergraduates,
• Offer specialized degree programs only at select campuses. Savings in support costs, plus improved instruction- the best professors join the best students at the most appropriate facilities,
• Reduce the number of extraneous departments and study programs to lower support and faculty costs. Ethnic and gender specific studies programs should be sent back to actual academic department.

Why aren’t these or like efficiencies offer up first, before tuition hikes and more taxes?

2.  The El Dorado (County) Irrigation District found itself in a real pickle by the middle of last year: revenues way less than anticipated, costs exploding, bond payments approaching- the Board of Directors had to act.

In November they did what is all too common in government at all levels. They made some pro-forma spending cuts (a nice, round $1 million) and decided to raise rates by about 80% (35% raise in 2010, 15% raise in 2011, 5% raise in 2012 and 2013).

They notified ratepayers just before Christmas. Much to the Board’s chagrin, ratepayers noticed. After the scope of ratepayer anger was known, the rate hike was scaled back to 18% through operational cuts, labor and retirement cost reductions, and debt restructuring.

Why were the available efficiencies available taken before the 80% rate hike?

State and local entities haven’t begun to actually cut spending through reason. So far, it’s always threatened draconian cuts to things most voters like, while protected programs and good-old-boy spending are protected. When the scope of the State budget shortfall was first announced, remember the first thing that had to go was the California Parks System! The Governor and Legislature knew the $140,000m was only budget dust, but they had to motivate voters to raise taxes on someone else. Recent polls say 60% of Californians think we should raise taxes on the “rich” (i.e., people with jobs).

We must demand real reform in public governance.

The Culture War in CD 11

Picking up where Mr. Gingrich left us yesterday, there is a culture war going on in America, and the bad guys are winning here in California. We’re seeing the terrible results of progressive unionism and environmental extremism here in California, a path we seem hell-bent on following regardless how much it impoverishes working Californians.

We’re are also having a Culture War within the Republican Party. A quick glance at the successes of the anti-establishment insurgency tells the story. Main street Republicans are finally questioning middle class government entitlements, big government regulation for big business profits, and environmentalism for lawyer income. This is the face of establishment Republicanism.

The voters in CD 11 are facing a tough choice. All the candidates say they’re conservative, say they’re for less government, say they’re for the average taxpayer. It’s hard to winnow the grain from the chaff. There are clues in the candidates bios and speeches, we don’t quite need tea leaves.

Elizabeth Emken and Brad Goehring have both disqualified themselves from the competition. The Democrats would take them to the woodshed; the primary campaign has fulfilled its purpose and identified those not ready for prime time.

That leaves Tony Amador and Brad Goehring. Who’s the establishment candidate and who’s the insurgent? Though both have taken similar positions on the issues, it’s not too hard to figure it out-

ENDORSEMENTS 

Harmer’s endorsements by a wide swath of establishment Republicans says it all. He’s a darling of the Washington crowd, and we can be pretty sure he’ll play that role if ever he finds a seat he can win. He’s just the kind of candidate the NRCC loves: vanilla Republican who can raise money.

Amador is clearly the insurgent. His only endorsement of note is “rock star” Republican Tom McClintock. McClintock, a sitting Congressman, is still seen as the quintessential outsider.

WORK HISTORY 

Harmer’s long tenure as a lawyer serving big business banks and collection agencies, not to mention his desire to serve on the House Financial Services Committee, make him a member of the establishment. Any voter has to wonder for whom David would be working if his dream assignment in the House were to come true- taxpayers or bankers.

Amador’s long history of service in law enforcement skirts establishment status, but avoids it. Amador has not been a shill for big time establishment interests. Nothing in his work history smacks of typical Washington politics.

REPUBLICAN ESTABLISHMENT 

Harmer has had the unwavering loyalty of local Republican politicos. Why? It all comes down to money. The Harmer campaign has spent significant coinage buying friends and influencing people. One can only imagine the wink-wink nod-nod deals ready to go if Harmer were to become the Representative. This is the essence of old-boy, old-timey, establishment politics a la Richard Pombo. Local leaders want a return to the good old days.

Tony Amador has promised to put our local porkers on a diet. There is nothing in his history or background that brings this into question.

CONCLUSION

The primary in CD 11 has national consequences, and will be a dye marker in the Culture War for the heart and soul of the Republican Party. We’ve seen what establishment politics have done for Republicans in California- we’re now down to about 30% registration, an all time low.

We have to ask ourselves, which candidate is most likely to get Potomac Fever once elected?

Ed Meese! You’re Kidding, Yes?

Carpet bagger David Harmer’s increasingly lackluster campaign continues to paint him into the corner of stale Republicanism.

Harmer’s website proudly announces a fundraiser featuring Ed Meese, lawyer and past Attorney General. Ed Meese is symptomatic of Harmer’s endorsement problem: too old, too establishment, too much the insider.

Harmer has gathered unto himself a flock of seagulls establishment Republicans, the ones who did such a great job bringing Obama and Pelosi to power.

Harmer plays the game as an insider, and we can expect him to be a loyal toady for D. C. Party leadership if he were to magically become Congressman from the 11th.

There would at least be one positive thing if Harmer were elected, no need for bets on when he succumbs to Potomac fever. He’s already got it.