Darrall Steinberg is an idiot

In 2006, Sacramento’s metropolitan transportation plan admitted that, despite past plans focusing on “luring drivers out of their autos,” the share of transit riders was decreasing; and despite building no new roads and seeing huge increases in congestion, the amount of auto driving had doubled since 1980 (see page 3). So naturally, the plan recommended more of the same. Apparently, that still didn’t work, because now they want to try something new. Since light rail wasn’t fixing any problems, they want to build 18 miles of streetcar lines costing $816 million, or $45 million a mile. The plan calls for a $125-$135 million “starter line” of 2.55 miles that will also share 0.75 miles of rails with light rail, reducing the light-rail line’s capacity to move people, which isn’t an issue because so few people ride the light rail. Anti-planner

California Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg is elected from the Sacramento district, and the man is simply an idiot. Maybe he is not directly responsible for this Light Rail mess, but he is still a very stupid man.

His dad was a lousy poet

Former Rep. Jesse L. Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.) will plead guilty to conspiring with his wife to illegally spend $750,000 in campaign funds on personal expenses, including a $43,000 Rolex watch, fur coats and memorabilia associated with Michael Jackson, Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and Bruce Lee, according to information obtained by POLITICO. The charges against him include conspiracy, making false statements, and mail and wire fraud… Prosecutors will recommend a prison sentence of between 46 months and 57 months for Jackson Jr., as well as a fine of $10,000 to $100,000, and forfeiture of a yet-to-be-determined portion of the misspent $750,000 in campaign funds. Hot Air

When Jesse was on the campaign trail spouting those lousy rhymes, I used to think he was an embarrassment to the black community.

California will have trouble

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- If you're filling up your tank, get ready for sticker shock. The average price of gas in Southern California rose Friday for the 22nd consecutive day. According to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service, the average price has increased 47.2 cents during the 22-day streak, the longest since a 27-day-long period of price increases from Feb. 7 to March 4. The average price for a gallon of regular gas in the Los Angeles and Long Beach area is now $4.22 per gallon, which is up 53 cents since last month. In Orange County, drivers are paying $4.21 a gallon. In the Inland Empire, the average is $4.18. In Ventura County, the average hovered near $4.21. ABC News

The issue in California is a double dip, which hits California hardest if it comes. California, as my readers known, is the land of low government multipliers. We are a disaster of congestion as California and Federal rules, taxes and spending hit the municipalities and drive them bankrupt. We are the Jim Crow, racist large state of America, and the cost of our government lunacy is always the California middle class. We have few middle class left as the Undemocratic Party continues its oligarchy. Hence, if we get a double dip it will be because of California and start in California.

Whoops!

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. had the worst sales start to a month in seven years as payroll-tax increases hit shoppers already battling a slow economy, according to internal e-mails obtained by Bloomberg News. “In case you haven’t seen a sales report these days, February MTD sales are a total disaster,” Jerry Murray, Wal- Mart’s vice president of finance and logistics, said in a Feb. 12 e-mail to other executives, referring to month-to-date sales. “The worst start to a month I have seen in my ~7 years with the company.” Bloomberg

California: Whites need not apply

Considering that Fresno brags about being one of America's great ethnic melting pots, the local committee advising in the selection of Fresno State's next president conspicuously fails to reflect our area's rich diversity. Although we oppose token appointments for the sake of satisfying political correctness, the 13-member local advisory committee simply doesn't represent the width and breadth of the community. There's also a clubbiness to the committee that could result in candidates not gaining a clear understanding of the university's strengths, challenges and needs. A failure to accurately portray the road ahead -- should it occur -- would be a disservice to the person who emerges as John Welty's successor and to our region. Read more here: http://www.fresnobee.com/2013/02/12/3171677/editorial-search-needs-more-diversity.html#storylink=cpy Fresno Bee Editorial

What they mean is simple, we are jackasses who hate white people in California.

Pope Pathetically Pooped

Pope Benedict XVI is to resign at the end of this month after nearly eight years as the head of the Catholic Church, saying he is too old to continue at the age of 85. The unexpected development - the first papal resignation in nearly 600 years - surprised governments, Vatican-watchers and even his closest aides. BBC

What's the problem? Being dead has never stopped the necrophiliac Catholics before. Aren't these the psychotics who dig up dead bodies and worship the corpses?

Republican Communist Party Watch

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said Sunday that he is willing to consider supporting new tax revenue as part of a plan to avert $85 billion in looming budget cuts, as the White House pushed back against Republican lawmakers who say President Obama is solely responsible for the spending reductions. McCain made the comments as he once again warned about the adverse effects of the spending reductions, known as sequestration, that will require federal agencies to slash $85 billion in spending by Sept. 30 — including $43 billion at the Pentagon. WA Post

This is the McCain who weekly declares ware against some hapless Arab nation. Now he complains because his jackass socialist horseshit is unaffordable. Citizen's of Arizona are clueless, I guess.

Jerry Brown knew this from the beginning

SACRAMENTO — As the state moves to expand healthcare coverage to millions of Californians under President Obama's healthcare law, it faces a major obstacle: There aren't enough doctors to treat a crush of newly insured patients. Some lawmakers want to fill the gap by redefining who can provide healthcare. They are working on proposals that would allow physician assistants to treat more patients and nurse practitioners to set up independent practices. Pharmacists and optometrists could act as primary care providers, diagnosing and managing some chronic illnesses, such as diabetes and high-blood pressure. "We're going to be mandating that every single person in this state have insurance," said state Sen. Ed Hernandez (D-West Covina), chairman of the Senate Health Committee and leader of the effort to expand professional boundaries. "What good is it if they are going to have a health insurance card but no access to doctors?" Hernandez's proposed changes, which would dramatically shake up the medical establishment in California, have set off a turf war with physicians that could contribute to the success or failure of the federal Affordable Care Act in California. LA Times

This came up two years ago. Jerry knew we had a big problem and went to the Obamacare delusionals in DC and asked for a small co-payment fee. Obama, dumber than horseshit, refused; and Jerry chose to lie about the problem for the sake of the Undemocratic Party. Jerry is a liar, a political liar. Though smart, being a liar in California is a requirement for our undemocracy.

City of Fresno, inches from bankruptcy

Fresno, the state's fifth-largest city, is now in deep fiscal distress. Autry's successor, Ashley Swearingen, wants to privatize the city's trash collection system and counts on an infusion of upfront cash from the private contractor, plus monthly franchise fees, to keep the city afloat. The city manager warns that without that infusion and some service cuts, the city might not make payroll in a few weeks. Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2013/02/11/5180134/dan-walters-fresno-joins-the-ranks.html#storylink=cpy

Dan Walters, he mostly gets it right.

They are coming for Fresno County

Fresno County's pension costs are expected to grow in the coming year -- again -- continuing to tie up more than one of every four dollars at the county's disposal. County leaders have taken steps to address the increasing burden, but their actions are yet to turn around a retirement system in which promises far exceed cash flow. The increase in costs, detailed in a retirement report released last week, has put county administrators on damage control -- trying to absorb the hit in next year's budget while sparing already-underfunded county programs, from unmaintained parks to short-staffed libraries to a scaled-back Sheriff's Office. "It's going to be very difficult for the county over the next few years," Supervisor Debbie Poochigian said. "As pension costs go up, it just takes more of the pie and leaves less for everything else." Read more here: http://www.fresnobee.com/2013/02/09/3167996/pension-costs-still-squeeze-fresno.html#storylink=cpy

And there is the 'complex and delicate' task of fitting Obamacare into this messy pile!

Fresno County's pension costs are expected to grow in the coming year -- again -- continuing to tie up more than one of every four dollars at the county's disposal. County leaders have taken steps to address the increasing burden, but their actions are yet to turn around a retirement system in which promises far exceed cash flow. The increase in costs, detailed in a retirement report released last week, has put county administrators on damage control -- trying to absorb the hit in next year's budget while sparing already-underfunded county programs, from unmaintained parks to short-staffed libraries to a scaled-back Sheriff's Office. "It's going to be very difficult for the county over the next few years," Supervisor Debbie Poochigian said. "As pension costs go up, it just takes more of the pie and leaves less for everything else." Read more here: http://www.fresnobee.com/2013/02/09/3167996/pension-costs-still-squeeze-fresno.html#storylink=cpy

Delusionals in DC simply have no clue.

Texas oil and gas vs California public unions

Jerry Brown responds to Rick Perry: 'Texas, come on over!' Read more here: http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalertlatest/2013/02/jerry-brown-responds-to-rick-perry-texas-come-on-over.html#MTRecentEntries#storylink=cpy

This is Jerry claiming that his public sector is more efficient and productive than the Texas oil and gas industry. OK, does anyone really believe Jerry? No, he has become the consumate liar of all time.

Middle class income to be wiped out by Obamacare

“The bottom line is that less than 2 percent of the population in America will actually have to pay the Individual Mandate penalties to the IRS. If you already pay federal income tax, you’ll likely be ensnared by Obamacare. Really, only those in the middle class are being targeted for penalties under Obamacare. The plan is nearly toothless, except for the middle class penalty.”Katy Grimes on the job

Consider this. California is to be the model of how Obamacare will work. Who is designing the Obamacare thing in California? Steinberg, the Cal Senate leader who just saddled his own district with a $400 million defined benefit cost! Jerry Brown is going to insert Obamacare into the county system a task he calls 'delecate and complex'. Who made is delecate and complex? Jery Brown and his defined benefit system which has caused and continues to cause bankruptcies and downgrades across California. Fresno county has had to wanr that Obamacare is unaffordable, more counties to follow soon.

Obama continues assault on middle class

“They should at least pass a small package of spending cuts and tax reforms that would delay the economically damaging effects of the sequester,” Obama said during an afternoon announcement in the White House briefing room. “There’s no reason that the jobs of thousands of Americans ... should be put in jeopardy.” WA Post

Problem? For the umpteenth time, research is showing multipliers less than one:

A key question that has arisen during recent debates is whether government spending multipliers are larger during times when resources are idle. This paper seeks to shed light on this question by analyzing new quarterly historical data covering multiple large wars and depressions in the U.S. and Canada. Using an extension of Ramey’s (2011) military news series and Jordà’s (2005) method for estimating impulse responses, we find no evidence that multipliers are greater during periods of high unemployment in the U.S. In every case, the estimated multipliers are below unity. We do find some evidence of higher multipliers during periods of slack in Canada, with some multipliers above unity. NBER (ht to Thoma)

Government spending multipliers less than one means government wipes out the economy when it continues to grow spending. What happens when government wiipes out the economy?

Obama Fails to Stem Middle-Class Slide He Blamed on BushBloomberg

Where we find out Clinton (Bill) by raising taxes and cutting government spending raised the middle class income, Obama has caused the middle class to suffer a long term decline. So, I ask, why does Obama hate the middle class? Multipliers are lowest in California where Jerry Brown is also a hater of the middle class. Why are Jerry Brown and the Sacramento Jim Crows so intent on wiping out the California middle class?

CalWatch on Jerry's budget

Josephine Djuhana has a good revier of Jerry Brown and the budget fraud. Key part:

The problem is the governor makes a laundry list of optimistic assumptions: * The state will continue to receive hundreds of millions in federal funding. * The state and national economy will improve. * The stock market will continue to rise. * Personal incomes and home values will continue to increase. * Corporations will see higher returns (despite cap-and-trade). * Individuals and businesses will stay in California despite the high tax rates. These are only a handful of suppositions the governor makes, even though all the changes that we’ve seen in California’s demographics reflect a different scenario.

Shorter version: Jerry Brown and the Jim Crows in Sacramento are liars.

Escape from Illinois

While we are still waiting for government agencies to release post-2011 income tax hike state-to-state migration data, United Van Lines, or UVL – America’s largest moving company – released its 35th and 36th annual migration studies covering the 2011 and 2012 years. According to the company, this study is based on the more than 146,000 interstate household moves handled by UVL among the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C. Illinois out migration ranking was #1 in the year of the massive 2011 income tax hike, and #2 in 2012. New Jersey was the only state with a worse outbound traffic rate in 2012, and they were suffering from the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Perhaps hurricanes are the only thing that drives out more residents than Illinois’ high-tax environment. Illinois Review

Read the article, then link to the UVL statistics, you will find folks running from the NorthEast to the Sunbelt.

Trash Illinois day

Planned job cut announcements by Illinois employers rose from December, according to a report released Thursday by Chicago-based outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. Employers announced 1,488 planned cuts last month, a six-fold increase from the month before. The biggest cuts in January were at United Continental Holdings, which announced 600 planned cuts; and Ryan International Airlines, which announced 209. Illinois Review

I am tired of looking for California data when Illinois has all the destruction I need!

Who fouled up Illinois?

Let us not forget that this is Obama’s state, and Chicago is Obama’s city. He has worked in all facets of determining and making policy in Chicago for the great State of Illinois’. His entire political career was with the Democrats in Chicago. Chicago is well over 60% Democrat, so they determined policy at will over his early political career. Make no mistake, these policies that have led to the destruction of Chicago (and Detroit) have destroyed these once shining examples of American ingenuity. Says Nathan

Not evolved enough for self rule

(Reuters) - Civil rights leader Jesse Jackson and relatives of victims of fatal shootings in Chicago urged President Barack Obama on Saturday to come back to his hometown and address the gun violence plaguing the city. Before a march on the city's South Side, Jackson, a former Democratic presidential candidate, said America's third most populous city needed more help than Mayor Rahm Emanuel and police superintendent Garry McCarthy could offer. Reuters

Oakland has the same problem. The issue is simply lack of brains, our politicians deliberately wiping out the smart people in favor of the stupid.

Mixed economic data still

As you know, I am looking for separation; the idea that California is going to lose relative to other states having more democracy, less taxes and more common sense. That kind of data is hard to come by, things like U Haul indexes help, relative energy prices, changes in unemployment rates. All of these by necessity are almost lagging indicators. I are stretching the hunt, looking for early indications of a lagging indicator! Nothing definite to report.