FlashReport Weblog on California Politics
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Obama and Biden — Yes on Prop 8
Last night I took a break to eat dinner and watch the Vice Presidential debate. Things were cruising along until we got to same sex marriage. When they did, I nearly fell out of my chair.
I support Proposition 8. For me, marriage is clearly defined as between one man and one woman. That is my view. In Yolo County, that puts me in the extreme minority. There are people that think less of me for my views on this topic but that is ok.
Well, guess what? Last night I clearly heard Senator Biden say that he and Senator Obama support a definition of marriage that is very similar to mine.
I welcome their endorsement of Prop 8 which simply states exactly what Senator Biden said last night. Maybe we will see them at one of the Yes on 8 walks that will be going on all over California in the coming weeks.
The principles of Prop 8 are supported by the California Republican Party, California Republican Assembly, Senator Joe Biden, and Senator Obama. What a team.… Read More

State’s Balance Sheet Biggest Obstacle To Borrowing
Todays Roundup depicts our illustrious Governor with his hand out for a "bailout" from the federal government. He needs $7 billion to make ends meet.
Why isn’t there a market for California’s bonds? Because the State’s balance sheet is a mess. Period.
It’s not a function of the credit markets – its a function of the mess Arnold has made of the State’s finances.… Read More

IBD Editorial: Plan Will Save Free Market, Not Destroy It
Below you will find an editorial I penned for Investor’s Business Daily today.
Plan Will Save Free Market, Not Destroy It
By REP. JOHN CAMPBELL
This free-market, Milton Friedman devotee, conservative Republican congressman will be voting strongly in favor of the $700 billion bailout for Wall Street. What, you ask? Has the California sun fried my last brain cell?
No. I will vote for this bill because it will likely not cost anything, is not a bailout of anybody and will help every American with a bank account, a job or a retirement plan. It also will save the free market, not weaken it.
Allow me to explain.
The $700 billion figure so often mentioned will not be spent, but actually entirely invested with three different mechanisms to ensure that the taxpayers get all their money back.
First, these "troubled assets" will be purchased at less than the expected net… Read More

Today’s Commentary: FR’s Top Twenty Bills to Veto – The Final Recap…
In 2008 Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger had 1187 pieces of legislation sent to him by the Democrat-controlled state legislature. Much of this legislation was terrible – which makes sense when you consider that all of these bills had to pass muster with the liberals who run the State Senate and State Assembly. Virtually any Republican bill of any substance was killed somewhere in the legislative process, ensuring that only bills that grow the size and scope of state government reach the Governor’s desk.
That said, the Governor vetoed 415 of the bills, and signed 772 of them. Interestingly, the Governor’s veto percentage of nearly 35% is the highest of any Governor. In spending time going through a lot of the bills that the Governor did sign, and considering that previous Governors (of either party) signed a greater percentage than Schwarzenegger, it’s no wonder state government is so big and fat.
For a short period of time, Governor Schwarzenegger actually threatened to veto ALL of the legislation on his desk.… Read More

FR’s Top Twenty Bills to Veto – The Final Recap…
In 2008 Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger had 1187 pieces of legislation sent to him by the Democrat-controlled state legislature. Much of this legislation was terrible – which makes sense when you consider that all of these bills had to pass muster with the liberals who run the State Senate and State Assembly. Virtually any Republican bill of any substance was killed somewhere in the legislative process, ensuring that only bills that grow the size and scope of state government reach the Governor’s desk.
That said, the Governor vetoed 415 of the bills, and signed 772 of them. Interestingly, the Governor’s veto percentage of nearly 35% is the highest of any Governor. In spending time going through a lot of the bills that the Governor did sign, and considering that previous Governors (of either party) signed a greater percentage than Schwarzenegger, it’s no wonder state government is so big and fat.
For a short period of time, Governor Schwarzenegger actually threatened to veto ALL of the legislation on his desk.… Read More

What Happened to “Government by the People”?
Late last night the US Senate passed the massive Wall Street bailout—which went from three pages a week ago to the size of a novel after Congressional input. Both of California’s US Senators, Barbara Boxer and Diane Feinstein, voted for the bailout. The courageous House Republicans, who just a few days ago stood up to enormous pressure to approve the bailout, will now be under even greater pressure from lobbyists and Wall Street to follow suit. But the reason many Republicans (and Democrats), including my congressman, John Doolittle, voted against the $700 billion bailout is because they were receiving unprecedented contact from their constituents. Fearful of losing their elections next month, members actually listened to those they were sent to Washington, DC, to represent.
The House of Representatives’ web site was overwhelmed because of all the hits and emails. The American People—thanks mostly to the new media—are informed and engaged and they want their voice heard on an act so monumental that it will impact our country for decades to come.
With so many constituents calling their… Read More