Comments on: California – the Celebrity State http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2006/06/07/california-the-celebrity-state/ Just another Pajamasmedia.com weblog Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:39:48 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Olde Dog http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2006/06/07/california-the-celebrity-state/#comment-78812 Olde Dog Sun, 11 Jun 2006 21:33:23 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2006/06/07/california-the-celebrity-state/#comment-78812 Roger, Just wanted to comment that the $160 million estimated to be spent on the California gubernatorial election certainly would buy a really nice operating suite at a teaching hospital, or a good pediatrics intensive care ward. It might, at today's prices, buy a 100 bed hospital, depending on the support services offered (emergency, surgery, pediatrics, pharmacy, etc.) Roger,

Just wanted to comment that the $160 million estimated to be spent on the California gubernatorial election certainly would buy a really nice operating suite at a teaching hospital, or a good pediatrics intensive care ward. It might, at today’s prices, buy a 100 bed hospital, depending on the support services offered (emergency, surgery, pediatrics, pharmacy, etc.)

]]> By: Tom Grey - Liberty Dad http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2006/06/07/california-the-celebrity-state/#comment-78811 Tom Grey - Liberty Dad Fri, 09 Jun 2006 23:48:54 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2006/06/07/california-the-celebrity-state/#comment-78811 12 years in DC is enough ... for any known or unknown pork spewing hack. Yes on Term Limits. Let the "good incumbents" try for another office, perhaps State or the the other House. Note my new favorite-ish Sen. Tom Coburn was in the House of Representatives for 3 terms, then out of office (didn't seek re-election), then ran and won. Presidents for Life (Mugabe / Mubarik / Assad) are terrible; so are Senators / Congressmen. 12 years in DC is enough … for any known or unknown pork spewing hack.

Yes on Term Limits. Let the “good incumbents” try for another office, perhaps State or the the other House.

Note my new favorite-ish Sen. Tom Coburn was in the House of Representatives for 3 terms, then out of office (didn’t seek re-election), then ran and won.

Presidents for Life (Mugabe / Mubarik / Assad) are terrible; so are Senators / Congressmen.

]]> By: Stacy's Mom http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2006/06/07/california-the-celebrity-state/#comment-78810 Stacy's Mom Thu, 08 Jun 2006 14:14:04 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2006/06/07/california-the-celebrity-state/#comment-78810 <i><b>"...pork spewing hacks..."</b></i> A great turn of the phrase, which I intend to borrow and use liberally in the future. Thanks! “…pork spewing hacks…”

A great turn of the phrase, which I intend to borrow and use liberally in the future. Thanks!

]]> By: Ray Zacek http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2006/06/07/california-the-celebrity-state/#comment-78809 Ray Zacek Wed, 07 Jun 2006 23:50:59 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2006/06/07/california-the-celebrity-state/#comment-78809 Term limits, either thru custom or law, are a good idea but as a commenter above pointed out there is a downside. Term limits may change the composition of the legislature but the lobbyists, reporters and civil service honchos stay the same year after year and will thus have an advantage over inexperienced pols; it's tossing fresh meat to the predators. I have no problem with two terms for anyone in an executive position, President or Gov, but I feel members of the legislature ought to have longer terms, to actually build seniority. Our system of governance is based on checks and balances, and term limits should be another tactic for limiting power; an individual member of a legislature, who may represent a rather small geographic area, is probably not going to accumulate personal power the same way a individual in an executive capacity will, or the way a member of the Senate will. Most members of Congress are unknown outside their home districts. Term limits, either thru custom or law, are a good idea but as a commenter above pointed out there is a downside. Term limits may change the composition of the legislature but the lobbyists, reporters and civil service honchos stay the same year after year and will thus have an advantage over inexperienced pols; it’s tossing fresh meat to the predators. I have no problem with two terms for anyone in an executive position, President or Gov, but I feel members of the legislature ought to have longer terms, to actually build seniority. Our system of governance is based on checks and balances, and term limits should be another tactic for limiting power; an individual member of a legislature, who may represent a rather small geographic area, is probably not going to accumulate personal power the same way a individual in an executive capacity will, or the way a member of the Senate will. Most members of Congress are unknown outside their home districts.

]]> By: tim maguire http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2006/06/07/california-the-celebrity-state/#comment-78808 tim maguire Wed, 07 Jun 2006 21:29:08 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2006/06/07/california-the-celebrity-state/#comment-78808 It's too bad there aren't more Jerry Brown's in politics. He's a guy who is fun to support and yet can be supported without secretly hoping he doesn't really win--kooky and rational is a sadly rare combination among politicians. It’s too bad there aren’t more Jerry Brown’s in politics. He’s a guy who is fun to support and yet can be supported without secretly hoping he doesn’t really win–kooky and rational is a sadly rare combination among politicians.

]]> By: Kevin Peters http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2006/06/07/california-the-celebrity-state/#comment-78807 Kevin Peters Wed, 07 Jun 2006 18:51:30 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2006/06/07/california-the-celebrity-state/#comment-78807 Jamie: From the right flank, ditto on JB. He can be a gadfly at times but he seems to be able to ditch some of his ideology at times for practicality and often is more concerned with results rather then being loved. I am glad he didn't make it to the White House but State and City offices seem to be a good fit. Jamie:
From the right flank, ditto on JB. He can be a gadfly at times but he seems to be able to ditch some of his ideology at times for practicality and often is more concerned with results rather then being loved. I am glad he didn’t make it to the White House but State and City offices seem to be a good fit.

]]> By: Jamie Irons http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2006/06/07/california-the-celebrity-state/#comment-78806 Jamie Irons Wed, 07 Jun 2006 18:05:00 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2006/06/07/california-the-celebrity-state/#comment-78806 Roger, I think your take on Jerry Brown <i>[He] indeed always had to some extent, politics that are far more quirky and sophisticated than that...</i> is accurate. Years ago, a bit before Brown ran for mayor of Oaklandia, he briefly had a call-in show on local radio, which I enjoyed listening to on my commute. Once a fellow called in who was obviously (to a psychaitrist, anyway) suffering from a chronic psychotic disorder, probably schizophrenia. The poor caller had a great deal of difficulty getting his point (if there was one) across, but Jerry handled him so gently and so kindly, and with unfeigned respect that the caller was, after all, another human being, that I became a lifelong Jerry Brown fan, without necessarily agreeing with many of his political positions. Jamie Irons Roger,

I think your take on Jerry Brown

[He] indeed always had to some extent, politics that are far more quirky and sophisticated than that…

is accurate. Years ago, a bit before Brown ran for mayor of Oaklandia, he briefly had a call-in show on local radio, which I enjoyed listening to on my commute. Once a fellow called in who was obviously (to a psychaitrist, anyway) suffering from a chronic psychotic disorder, probably schizophrenia. The poor caller had a great deal of difficulty getting his point (if there was one) across, but Jerry handled him so gently and so kindly, and with unfeigned respect that the caller was, after all, another human being, that I became a lifelong Jerry Brown fan, without necessarily agreeing with many of his political positions.

Jamie Irons

]]> By: Kevin Peters http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2006/06/07/california-the-celebrity-state/#comment-78805 Kevin Peters Wed, 07 Jun 2006 18:00:30 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2006/06/07/california-the-celebrity-state/#comment-78805 Roger; In the end,the people vote for what they want. There was a vacant seat with no incumbent. There was an Independent, A Libertarian, A Republican, and a Democrat. There was an abnormal amount of attention by the press due to the Cunningham scandal and the current problems of the Republican party. Yet the voters of the CA-50th voted for someone who was similar in his political philosophy to Cunningham(except his felony criminal problem). Why? Because that is what they believe in, more or less. I am an independent conservative who votes on the losing side in most California state wide races these days. When I was a Dem. I was usually on the winning side. And it's not because the system fails me. It's because the majority of my fellow Californians disagree with me. Nothing would please me more then the notion of Sen. Boxer being removed from the U.S. Senate, I think she is a fool. But even if there were term limits that doesn't mean that the person taking her seat would vote in any radically different manner. Sen. Boxer wins because the majority of voters like what comes out of her mouth. This makes me sad. But third parties and term limits are not going to magically make politics better. California, at least in the near term, is going to send deep Blue to slightly purple Senators to D.C. because that reflects the majority of the states voters political worldview. The CA-50 sent a conservative to the house because that reflects the overall zeitgeist of that community. You could fiddle with the districts and maybe produce a few more close races. But in the end people vote for what they want. This race was open. No incumbent and the traditional party hurt by the stink of Duke's thievery.And two third party candidates. 4 choices. I am sure that some of the voters who checked R on their ballot had thoughts of sending the party a message but then they had to face the facts that if they went third party they would probably get the Democratic candidate and they worried more about the consequences of that action then the desire for a good, and well deserved, political spanking. Roger;
In the end,the people vote for what they want. There was a vacant seat with no incumbent. There was an Independent, A Libertarian, A Republican, and a Democrat. There was an abnormal amount of attention by the press due to the Cunningham scandal and the current problems of the Republican party. Yet the voters of the CA-50th voted for someone who was similar in his political philosophy to Cunningham(except his felony criminal problem). Why? Because that is what they believe in, more or less.

I am an independent conservative who votes on the losing side in most California state wide races these days. When I was a Dem. I was usually on the winning side. And it’s not because the system fails me. It’s because the majority of my fellow Californians disagree with me. Nothing would please me more then the notion of Sen. Boxer being removed from the U.S. Senate, I think she is a fool. But even if there were term limits that doesn’t mean that the person taking her seat would vote in any radically different manner. Sen. Boxer wins because the majority of voters like what comes out of her mouth. This makes me sad. But third parties and term limits are not going to magically make politics better. California, at least in the near term, is going to send deep Blue to slightly purple Senators to D.C. because that reflects the majority of the states voters political worldview. The CA-50 sent a conservative to the house because that reflects the overall zeitgeist of that community.
You could fiddle with the districts and maybe produce a few more close races. But in the end people vote for what they want. This race was open. No incumbent and the traditional party hurt by the stink of Duke’s thievery.And two third party candidates. 4 choices. I am sure that some of the voters who checked R on their ballot had thoughts of sending the party a message but then they had to face the facts that if they went third party they would probably get the Democratic candidate and they worried more about the consequences of that action then the desire for a good, and well deserved, political spanking.

]]> By: promoguy http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2006/06/07/california-the-celebrity-state/#comment-78804 promoguy Wed, 07 Jun 2006 16:37:04 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2006/06/07/california-the-celebrity-state/#comment-78804 Dear Steve, Sorry you didn't get the nomination. I think we could have lots of fun in the next few months challenging each other. Since that didn't happen, I want to thank you on two accounts. 1. You really, really saved me a lot of money having to look up all of that information on Phil. For that, you're invited to dinner with Maria and myself at Spago's. 2. And last but not least, you're support and the votes that you can bring to the table will be greatly appreciated. I mean you can't vote for someone who has all those bad thingies so I'm sure your endorsement will be arriving shortly. All the best. Oh, and let's talk, okay!! Your friend and governor Arnold (Arnie) Dear Steve,

Sorry you didn’t get the nomination. I think we could have lots of fun in the next few months challenging each other.

Since that didn’t happen, I want to thank you on two accounts.

1. You really, really saved me a lot of money having to look up all of that information on Phil. For that, you’re invited to dinner with Maria and myself at Spago’s.

2. And last but not least, you’re support and the votes that you can bring to the table will be greatly appreciated. I mean you can’t vote for someone who has all those bad thingies so I’m sure your endorsement will be arriving shortly.

All the best. Oh, and let’s talk, okay!!

Your friend and governor

Arnold (Arnie)

]]> By: Charlie (Colorado) http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2006/06/07/california-the-celebrity-state/#comment-78803 Charlie (Colorado) Wed, 07 Jun 2006 16:29:44 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2006/06/07/california-the-celebrity-state/#comment-78803 Still, a politician who's first claim to fame was being called "Meathead" regularly on national TV can be taken seriously in CA politics. Is this a great country or what? (Re: the Bilbray thing, I think the biggest point is that the Dems thought they were going to <i>beat</i> Bilbray and thereby demonstrate how they were marching to victory in November. The fact that they didn't is some kind of win, anyway.) Still, a politician who’s first claim to fame was being called “Meathead” regularly on national TV can be taken seriously in CA politics. Is this a great country or what?

(Re: the Bilbray thing, I think the biggest point is that the Dems thought they were going to beat Bilbray and thereby demonstrate how they were marching to victory in November. The fact that they didn’t is some kind of win, anyway.)

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