Why Just Vote No? Somewhere in a voters’ guide it should say vote no unless you are certain a proposal will benefit you, not a political elite of one kind or another.
About: Thoughts expressed here mainly concern political actions that lead to soft despotism. More
Soft Despotism: It is a childlike populace ruled by a tutelary power, says deTocqueville. More
Tutelary Power: Once clear, like kings and feudal lords. Today, not so. We vote, but at whose behest. More.
The Latest:
SF Bay Area: Pitch Dark at Noon!
San Francisco Bay Area skies were pitch dark at 9am. Still dark at noon. Climate change or poor forest management, depending on who you ask. Great pictures in S.F. Chronicle.
Pandemics in Pictures
Life means choices. Today we tow the line and wear our face coverings, In 1969 Woodstock happened and so did the Hong Kong Flu.
BLM Protests and “The Moynihan Report”
Amid today’s massive Black Lives Matter demonstrations, filled with demands for redress of past and present injustices against Black people, it might be useful to revisit The Moynihan Report. The Report’s suggested remedy will sound outdated to today’s readers, possibly because society chose to take the path Moynihan warned against.
COBOL: Ancient But Still Issuing Your Unemployment Checks
COBOL, developed in 1959, underpins financial and government technology. But there are not enough COBOL-experienced folks left.
Stimulus Plans – Peace For Our Time
In difficult times people tend to want immediate solutions, regardless of how those solutions will affect their own future or the future of their descendants. Stimulus packages fall into that category.
Once Again the Fed Wants to Save Us
During the sub-prime massacre of 2008-2009, then Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke came to the economy’s rescue. Today’s Chairman Jerome Powell is trying to repeat the feat but in a massive scale.
When Challenges Highlight Shortcomings
The Just Vote No Blog recommends an article published today in California Political News & Views: COVID-19Highlights Shortcomings. It’s time for change!
Bill Gates in 2015: “We Are Not Prepared”
Five years ago, Microsoft founder Bill Gates warned “If anything kills over 10 million people in the next few decades, it’s most likely to be a highly infectious virus rather than a war.” That is still true.
The Keystone Kops Response to Crises
There is nothing humorous about people getting sick. That is why we all must forcefully call attention to inefficient social structures that place people at risk.
There are Two Californias: Why Pretend there is Only One?
The needs of farmers in the Central Valley differ from the needs of coastal city residents. Yet, inland residents live under the decisions the populous residents in the coastal cities make for them.
Would Even Bigger Government Fix California?
Our Founding Fathers advocated a lean Federal government. Not so lean right now. But in the case of California, we are talking bloat. Does California really need 250 instead of 120 legislators?
Lies, Hate and Disinformation – Should Facebook Decide What’s What?
Say, a Facebook political ad states that immigrants helped build our nation, while another ad states that illegal immigrants are a burden to taxpayers. What ad should Facebook approve or prohibit?
BART Considers Free Tickets to Remedy Dwindling Ridership
BART ridership is down during off-peak and weekends. Residents indicate they fear crime and homelessness in stations and trains. BART wants to fix this with free and discounted promotional tickets.
State of the Union: Presidents Never Mention the Fault Lines
Nobody wants to talk about structural challenges facing the country, neither does the President.
Moms 4 Housing vs. Private Property
The Moms 4 Housing saga furthers the concept that unrestricted private property is no longer viable given today’s political and economic realities. The contemplated remedy is worse than the disease.
Not Just Water Conservation Bills
California residents need to challenge AB 1668 and SB 606 before these bills become fully implemented during the next two years.
2020 Resolution: Get Out of Media Echo Chambers
Today’s purveyors of news appear to reside in echo chambers that encourage their audiences to become equally compartmentalized. Tucker Carlson’s recent attack on “feminism” is an example of a sound-bite pretending to stand for a wide and complex subject.
Merry Christmas – There, We Said It
Choose Joy over Hopelessness, Light over Darkness on this Christmas Eve.
Ayn Rand Could Come in Handy Today
There is no evidence that the Atlas of Greek mythology ever gave up and shrugged off the Heavenly Sphere he was ordered by Zeus to carry forever, but common sense would say that he probably eventually did. Just look at what corporations today do.
Progressive Policies: How they Thrive
It would seem odd that officials making policy decisions in cities and states that live with costly living expenses, crumbling infrastructure, and high tax rates would not at some point come to the conclusion that something is amiss, something is not working.
Where You Need Antifa’s Permission to Speak
Permission to speak from Antifa and other left-leaning activists is just the beginning.
Reformer District Attorneys: Know What You Are Voting For
Progressive district attorney Chesa Boudin was recently elected in San Francisco. Although principles and common sense are essential – most of us do not want to hear excuses for tragedies like “I was just following orders” – there is a fine line that crosses into judicial flexibility bordering on lawlessness.
PG&E Shuts Off Power for Non-Payment – Who Would Have Thunk It!
If you want to help Mother Earth and did not opt out of San Francisco’s CleanPower, good luck if you live in the more privileged neighborhoods.
$15 Wage – We’re from the Government and Here to Help
Without robust competition why would businesses pay workers good wages. They don’t.
Culture Wars Rage on Social Media
Twitter calls it quits on accepting political ads. Sounds like a pretty good decision for any platform not interested in investing resources in today’s exhausting culture wars.
