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:
In Defense of the Governor’s Partying While We Dine Alone
Politicians often belong to elite circles that thrive in the acquisition of power. Their default modus operandi is “For your own safety and the safety of your neighbors, follow my rules.” There is no covenant that the rule maker follow those same rules.
After AlphaGo There Is No Stopping AI
Whether you embrace or fear artificial intelligence, AI is here to stay. In the short run you will benefit from augmented diagnostic techniques or harmed by loss of a job. In the long run your place in the universe – to your advantage or not — might be determined by a machine.
Question Authority No Longer
It is the prerogative of each individual to choose questioning and vulnerability or obedience and protection.
Taxes Disguised as Fees Raiding Your Pockets
The California Supreme Court accepted for review on October 14, 2020, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association vs. Bay Area Toll Authority. Those who recall the 2018 epic battle pro and con Regional Measure 3 (RM3) might not be surprised.
Childhood: You blink and you miss it
Childhood goes by so fast. Kids today are missing a lot, including not only in-person learning, but also playgrounds and family fun.
Recommended: The Barrington Declaration
The Just Vote No Blog recommends The Great Barrington Declaration. A loose summary of the Declaration might be that lockdowns are kicking the can of illness and mortality down the road.
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.
