John Doolittle's Voters Reject Him

There is nothing to be happy about today. We lost.

But kind of funny that with his own constituents, John Doolittle's arguments failed. Only 5 counties approved Prop 77, three of whom have been repped by Doolittle for 25 years. In Placer, El Dorado and Nevada Counties, voters approved Prop 77, despite having their own guy tell them that it would hurt him.

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Says Yes on 75

Or at least this one member does!

You may not know it, but I'm a member of the IBEW. I've served as a steward and attend all the union meetings. And my Chief Steward appreciates my assistance. I support the union's efforts to create good working conditions and salary for it's members.

But I'm voting Yes on 75.

Many of my co-workers take The Irish Lass voting guide with them to the polls, but a few have asked my why, as a union member, I'm supporting 75.

In private sector labor negotiations, there are both active and silent participants at the table. Management and labor are active negotiators, but shareholders and customers have a stake and no one can afford to ignore them. Senior management will quickly lose their jobs if the shareholders are dissatisfied with results. Labor cannot overreach because the customers will abandon them. Both sides know that there is a limit to how much they gain.

In public sector negotiations, labor tries to hold both active seats at the table. By using their coerced dues money to contribute to political candidates, they can assure that their opposites in the negotiation are really their allies. Few legislators, councilpersons, or school board members can be elected in California's cities unless they are pro-labor. With the active negotiators united, the silent participants (taxpayers, parents, citizens) can easily be ignored.

If my company management gave me a contract that allowed me to retire early with full pay and benefits, they would be fired. The company couldn't afford it, even though it would be personally fabulous for me. But when Gray Davis and his legislature reclassified hundreds of employees as public safety workers, granting them the most generous retirement in the country, Union leaders contributed millions of dollars to his campaign coffers to make sure his management remained in power. Labor was essentially negotiating with itself.

The most recent Wisconsin survey the Comparative Study of Major Public Employee Retirement Systems was published in December 2003, with data through 2002. It looked at everything from the basic benefits themselves to employee and employer contributions, retirement age, how an employee's final salary is computed and cost-of-living adjustments.

The report doesn't examine special benefits for public safety employees, where California policy is indisputably at the extreme end of generosity, granting pensions that give Highway Patrol officers and most local police and firefighters 90 percent or more of their final salary for life and allow them to retire with full benefits as early as age 50.

But even the state's less generous benefits for the general work force are at the high end of the national spectrum. California's standard retirement formula is known as "2 percent at 55," which means that a retiree gets a pension equal to 2 percent for each year worked and can retire with that benefit as young as age 55. Employees who work 30 years for the state and quit at 55, then, get pensions of 60 percent of their final salary.

Workers who stay longer see their final pay multiplied by a progressively larger factor, up to 2.5 percent per year worked at age 63. So an employee who retires with 30 years service at age 63 would get a pension equal to 75 percent of his or her final salary.

-Daniel Weintraub, San Diego Union Tribune, October 26, 2005

I understand why the union members want better and better salaries and retirement. Don't we all?

But as shareholders in the state of California, we have to reclaim our right to set the priorities for our government spending. As long as the union dominates, our priorities cannot be given fair hearing.

Proposition 75 does not prohibit union members from representing their members politically, but it creates a hurdle that will require them to focus on the issues that are most important to their members and diminish their dominance a little.

The Supremes

Tomorrow I'm going in for a dental procedure and they're going to use Sedation Dentistry. My dentist, Hector Fernandez, tells me that I'll have amnesia when it's done. If I'm going to lose my memory, it seems like I should be doing something risque that I'd be embarrassed about if I remembered. Who knows, maybe I will.

But really I want to tell you about the small world we live in. Carolyn, my office mate,(we sit across from each other in our cubies) is a native New Yorker. She's just a little interested in politics, but her Grandpa was a Republican politico and served as Boxing Commissioner for New York state. And an Italian. Last Monday my pal's Mom called all excited about the nomination of Sam Alito for the Supreme Court. It seems that they were family friends, and her Grandpa had encoured Sam to apply to Princeton, At the time Princeton was a W.A.S.P. school, but her Grandpa told Sam the teenager, "You're very smart -- they'll have to accept you." Carolyn's mom was excited and talked about Sam's 91 year old mother and how she'd love to see her again.

I'm sure she'd be very upset to read this report from Matt Drudge

JUDGE ALITO'S MOTHER HARASSED BY PRESS
Thu Nov 03 2005 16:33:47 ET

The DRUDGE REPORT has learned from exclusive sources that Supreme Court nominee Samuel A. Alito Jr.’s 90 year-old mother Rose has become a prisoner in her own Hamilton, NJ home because of a barrage of media requests.

The quiet neighborhood Mrs. Alito has lived in for over 50 years has been turned upside down all week by a swarm of national reporters who have phoned and shown up at the doorstep of not only her but many of her neighbors.

In the last 24 hours alone, she and her neighbors have been contacted by national reporters from NEWSWEEK, CBS’ “EARLY SHOW,” THE BOSTON GLOBE and THE ASSOCIATED PRESS.

Outside of a trip to a local pizzeria and quick junket to her son’s home an hour and a half away, Rose Alito has been stuck inside all week.

One neighbor, who asked the DRUDGE REPORT to withhold their name so the press wouldn’t call them at home, was stunned at the treatment the 90 year-old grandmother had received. “Mama Alito is just a sweet lady and we don’t understand why she is being hounded by these reporters. She can’t even go outside and tend to her fall flowers. She’s just a proud mother, what do they want?”

When told of the latest Alito episode one Washington insider said, “Why are they harassing Judge Alito’s 90 year-old mother when he has written over 350 legal opinions? The media should leave Judge Alito’s mother alone. ”

Developing...

Blog Contest

You may know that I've started another blog, Things You Should Do in California. Please stop on over and comment on one or more of the 100 Things. Is it Piano Bars, Sports Car Racing, Surfing or Mud Baths that turn you on? Would you rather hike, drink or shop? My Bear Flag League pals may remember when I first started the list, as many of you helped suggest items to include for my application to serve on Governor Schwarzenneger's California Tourism Commission.

To build traffic, I'm going to be having a series of contests with great prizes. From November 1st to 7th, blog about the Best Breakfast in California, add me to your sidebar, send me a link to the post at my new email Things You Should Do @ hotmail dot com (leave out the spaces) and the one who sends me the most traffic will receive a gift certificate to Paragary's, one of Sacramento's finest restaurant groups.

Keep coming back for more contests - We'll be looking for the Best Burgers, Pies, Mexican Food and More.

And please, tell your blogging friends about Things You Should Do.

Getting My Votes Out, One at a Time

On Friday, my lesbian, democrat friend at work came to me with questions about her absentee ballot. As I gave her the straight (no pun intended) scoop about each of the initiatives and gave her my recommendation, she said I agree with that.

Aren't I good!!

I've been telling my friends we have a straight flush Yes on 73, Yes on 74, Yes 75, Yes on 76, Yes on 77. Do we have any artist readers who could do a poker visual with that hand?

Happy Birthday To Me
I've been having a grand time. First the weekend to Napa, then last Saturday night a full-on dance party with a dj, bartender, delish food and fab decorations.

And the Gov sent me a letter!

The Birthday Extravaganza Begins

Last weekend started the cellebrations for my big 5-0 Birthday Bashes. Yes, multiple bashes. After all, I'm worth it!

The Mountain Mama, Viking Lass, Saturday Morning Sale-er and the Twisted Gypsey accompanied me to Napa and the Embassy Suites last Friday. We checked into our deluxe but crowded accomodations and began the party. Free wine at the manager's happy hour, a fabulous dinner at Uva Trattoria with wine and palm readings (I'm going to meet a new man says the Mountain Mama). Uva had a great band for dancing and the bandleader told the Viking Lass and I that our dancing inspired him. ;^D

Next we were off to Downtown Joe's where the world famous Twanna Turner (daughter of Ike) was performing. She isn't famous for her singing, which was strictly bar band, but for her Chaka Kahn-like hair. Sorry, but it wasn't like seing Tina perform.

We heard there was a piano bar at the Silverado, so off in a cab we went. The driver told us a Bush joke and I told him - FYI, I'm sure for the first time, you have one hundred percent Republican women in your cab. He laughed and said, Good, I'm Republican too.

But we were wrong. Although Silverado was gorgeous, there was no piano bar. So we went home.

Bag, Borrow or Steal -- Like Netflix for Purses

I have just signed up to promote the coolest business idea. Borrowing Designer Purses! You sign up with your credit card and pick out a completely fab purse from the thousands of purses in their inventory. All the top designer brands - Coach, Lulu Guiness, Isabella Fiore, Chanel, Tod's, Versace, Hermes, Jimmy Choo, Betsey Johnson ... When you feel like getting a new bag, you mail the one you've got back and they mail you a new one!

Just like Netflix, you pay a flat monthly fee, and keep the bag as long as you want. If you decide you want to keep it forever, they will let you buy it from them at a special price. The fee is $19, $49 or $99 per month, your choice. I looked through the list and they had lots and lots of cute bags that were available in the $49 range ... bags that probably would cost you $200 or more at Nordstrom's.

Anyway, all the fashionistas should check it out.

Bag Borrow Or Steal, Inc.

Truckin'

I'm going to try and put this idea out into the blogosphere and see if I can get any response. Does anyone know of anybody in the transportation business (trucking, rail) who might be traveling from Sacramento to San Antonio in a week or two? My office has a branch in San Antonio, Texas. I thought we might collect supplies: clothes, household goods, etc.) and ship them to our San Antonio office for Katrina victims temporarily relocating to San Antonio. We have the capacity to give alot, and if we asked our customers, we could fill a truck to overflowing. The question is, how would we transport the items to San Anton?

Our great former Branch Manager is now Branch Manager in that office, and they could locate some effective local charity who is looking to help people set up households. If someone wanted a good charity in Sacramento, we would point them to the Sacramento Food Bank, founded by Father Dan Madigan, Sacramento's most charitable person. My guess is that there is someone just like him working this very minute on helping his cities guests.

So, does anybody know a trucker who might be contemplating a trip?

Truckin'
Grateful Dead

Truckin’ got my chips cashed in. keep truckin’, like the do-dah man
Together, more or less in line, just keep truckin’ on.

Arrows of neon and flashing marquees out on main street.
Chicago, new york, detroit and it’s all on the same street.
Your typical city involved in a typical daydream
Hang it up and see what tomorrow brings.

Dallas, got a soft machine; houston, too close to new orleans;
New york’s got the ways and means; but just won’t let you be, oh no.

Most of the cast that you meet on the streets speak of true love,
Most of the time they’re sittin’ and cryin’ at home.
One of these days they know they better get goin’
Out of the door and down on the streets all alone.

Truckin’, like the do-dah man. once told me you’ve got to play your hand
Sometimes your cards ain’t worth a dime, if you don’t lay’em down,

Sometimes the light’s all shinin’ on me;
Other times I can barely see.
Lately it occurs to me what a long, strange trip it’s been.

What in the world ever became of sweet jane?
She lost her sparkle, you know she isn’t the same
Livin’ on reds, vitamin c, and cocaine,
All a friend can say is ain’t it a shame?

Truckin’, up to buffalo. been thinkin’, you got to mellow slow
Takes time, you pick a place to go, and just keep truckin’ on.

Sittin’ and starin’ out of the hotel window.
Got a tip they’re gonna kick the door in again
I’d like to get some sleep before I travel,
But if you got a warrant, I guess you’re gonna come in.

Busted, down on bourbon street, set up, like a bowlin’ pin.
Knocked down, it get’s to wearin’ thin. they just won’t let you be, oh no.

You’re sick of hangin’ around and you’d like to travel;
Get tired of travelin’ and you want to settle down.
I guess they can’t revoke your soul for tryin’,
Get out of the door and light out and look all around.

Sometimes the light’s all shinin’ on me;
Other times I can barely see.
Lately it occurs to me what a long, strange trip it’s been.

Truckin’, I’m a goin’ home. whoa whoa baby, back where I belong,
Back home, sit down and patch my bones, and get back truckin’ on.
Hey now get back truckin’ home.

Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans?

Please give generously to the Salvation Army. You can click on this link and donate without leaving your desk

The Salvation Army is currently providing services to storm victims and first responders in the Gulf Coast states.

A $100 donation to The Salvation Army will feed a family of four for two days, provide two cases of drinking water and one household clean-up kit, containing brooms, mops, buckets, and cleaning supplies.

Michael Barone provides them with a recommendation.

What can we do? The least we can do is to contribute to relief efforts. Instapundit has a list of organizations to which you can donate. My choice is the Salvation Army. In July 1967, I was working as an intern in the office of the mayor of Detroit when the city suffered one of the worst urban riots in American history. At one point I was asked to find 2,000 mattresses for the men who had been jailed. I called various organizations and could come up with nary a mattress. Then I called the Salvation Army. Before the day was over, the Salvation Army delivered. I do not share the Salvation Army's religious beliefs. But I know from experience that they can get things done. I've sent them $500. Please send as much as you can send to the Salvation Army or to one of the other worthy organizations on Instapundit. Or consider contributing to one of the churches identified by Hugh Hewitt. Some 78 blogs have signed up to make tomorrow (September 1) Hurricane Katrina: Blog for Relief Day. But I don't think anyone would mind if you contributed a day early.

Blogs from all around the world are raising money for flood victims this weekend. The Instapundit has a list of charities and what they are doing to help our fellow citizens. If you are moved to contribute by this or any other blog, please let us know that our begging has had a positive impact. Click Here. Thank You.

Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans?

Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans
And miss her each night and day
I know I'm not wrong because the feeling's
Getting stronger the longer I stay away

Miss the moss-covered vines, tall sugar pines
Where mockingbirds used to sing
I'd love to see that old lazy Mississippi
Running in the spring

Moonlight on the bayous
Creole tunes fill the air
I dream about magnolias in June
And I'm wishin I was there

Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans
When that's where you left your heart
And there's one thing more, I miss the one I care for
More than I miss New Orleans

Listen on ITUNES - Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?
Salvation Army
New Orleans
Katrina
Flood Air
Instapundit
Michael Barone