Happy Cesar Chavez Day! Today, as the revered union leader is honored by state decree, it’s only appropriate to reflect upon how unions have “benefited” our state and then carefully consider the latest union push for increased power.

I think it’s fair to say that organized labor is one of the greatest hindrances to the free market today. The auto industry probably wouldn’t count Barack Obama as one of its CEOs right now if not for the United Auto Workers’ (UAW) crippling contracts. A competitive education system might actually produce well-educated, over-achieving students if not for the California Teachers Association’s (CTA) deep pockets (filled with mandatory dues) stifling any attempt at reform.

Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner’s campaign has issued a response to the bizarre public letter sent to him by tax-hiking State Senator Abel Maldonado.

There are few people as infamous as State Senator Abel Maldonado (? – Santa Maria). FR readers will recall that when Republicans had stopped the Big Budget/Big Taxes deal in the State Senate, it was Maldonado who rather flamboyantly cast the deciding vote to hit California taxpayers with the largest tax increase in the history of this (or any other) state. This from a Republican legislator who voluntarily signed a pledge during his election campaign to oppose any new tax increases.

Maldonado is apparently upset with California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner for criticizing him and the other five legislative Republicans, and the Governor, for their support of taxes that will hit the average family at over $1,100 per year.

These days, you know you are doing something right if Maldonado is criticizing you. I don’t know about you, but when I read this letter below, I just roll my eyes.

I reached out to Steve Poizner who informs me that he is penning a response, which you can be sure we’ll post up here on FR. (Note: This letter, a .pdf of which is attached,… Read More

Courtesy of facesoflawsuitabuse.org, you need to watch the video below.

In the restroom of a family-owned restaurant in Southern California, employees replaced a mirror that had been destroyed by vandals. Since the new mirror was two inches shorter than the old one, it was hanging two inches too high to satisfy disabilities regulations and standards. Once he was notified of the mistake, restaurant owner Ron Piazza immediately lowered the mirror. But it was already too late. Piazza’s restaurant was sued.

"It would have been very easy for them to let us know that the mirror was a couple of inches too high, and we could have taken care of that right away," Piazza explained.… Read More

We are pleased to offer this guest commentary from political consultant Dave Gilliard. Gilliard is President of Gilliard, Blanning, Wysocki and Associates.

Where is Our Candidate for Attorney General? By Dave Gilliard, President of Gilliard Blanning Wysocki and Associates, Inc.

Republicans who have been busy trying to recruit candidates for statewide office in 2010 may be missing the greatest opportunity for a GOP pick-up in a crucially important seat – the office of Attorney General. Three of the… Read More

We are pleased to offer this guest commentary from political consultant Dave Gilliard. Gilliard is President of Gilliard, Blanning, Wysocki and Associates. Where is Our Candidate for Attorney General? By Dave Gilliard, President of Gilliard Blanning Wysocki and Associates, Inc.

Republicans who have been busy trying to recruit candidates for statewide office in 2010 may be missing the greatest opportunity for a GOP pick-up in a crucially important seat – the office of… Read More

My wife and I are doing a bit of financial planning to provide for our boys in case of an emergency. We have a 20 year old moving through college, and a five year old that we would like to put through school as the years roll on.

One of the components of our plan involves life insurance policies. Today, a woman came by to take blood and perform an exam for my policy. She was probably mid 50’s, extremely pleasant and fun to talk to. Since I wanted her to write good things about my health, I was "chatting her up!"

We started talking about her job. She works for a corporation that contracts with insurance companies to perform medical exams to use in underwriting policy risks. I asked her if she was busy, and if the company was good about scheduling her in a way that herappointments would be grouped together instead of spread out. She said they had been, but, the company recently moved all of their operations to Dallas Texas because, andI quote, "California istoo hard to have a business in."

There you have it. Word on the street. Everybody knows how the overregulation and overtaxing is hurting California… Read More

The Governor has apparently realized that increased emissions mandates may have an impact on businesses and the economy. Until next time.

Read the Cap Weekly story.

So, perhaps my local indy gas station will still be open on Wednesday, so I can fill ‘er up and pay the higher taxes.… Read More