Blog for Boomers

Cross Country Picture

This is one of my favorite Cross Country pictures taken in Belmont, California in the Bay Area at the end of October 2009.  The San Francisco Dons women won the West Coast Conference league championship.

Democrats and Republicans-Make Courageous Decisions!

We like to label political decisions as either leaning to the left or leaning to the right.  Most people (not just Americans) reside somewhere in the middle.  That is why many of us get so frustrated with the stupid decisions made by Democratic and Republican leaders.  Here are two simple suggestions to both parties in regards to this weeks news:

1. Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke’s  confirmation should happen immediately! This man prevented the economy from falling into the ocean and there are some Senators questioning his confirmation? Stop running for reelection and do the right thing!!!
2. Health Care Reform Bill should be passed in the House immediately! Everyone will pay dearly for inaction. Stop the fear campaign and pass this bill so we can start reducing the costs of health care. Stop running for reelection and do the right thing!!!

Doing the right thing is often doing the most difficult thing. It is past the time for our elected officials to practice this basic principal. This is true for both the Democratic and Republican parties.

Pictures before Northern California Storms

Northern California weather is going to be wet for at least a week, according to forecasters. Here are a few pictures from Sacramento before the storm. I will take pictures and report any flooding in the area.

California Budget News

The latest news from the Capitol of California related to the state budget is the proposal by the governor to give a ten thousand dollar tax credit to those purchasing a new home. The tax cut in theory would jump start housing construction. This would make perfect sense if the governors other actions were consistent with his tax proposal. Unfortunately, they are not and the credit would only reward those who plan on buying a home without the tax break.

As I was ending a workout at the gym Thursday afternoon I started chatting with another employee. We talked very briefly about the furloughs and how some employees did not mind them and how much a hardship they are for others. He told me on this furlough Friday he was listing his home for sale simply because he can not afford it any longer with the 14% pay cut.  He was in obvious emotional pain while explaining his furlough Friday plans.

This ex-Peace Corps volunteer and current State employee calls on the governor to stop playing politics with public servants lives. Balancing the budget is a high priority, but not on the backs of those serving California citizens. Is this governor really a member of the greatest public servant families in American history, the Shriver’s and Kennedy’s?  His words and actions say “NO” emphatically.

Happy New Year!

We will make 2010 a great year! The U.S. economy is improving. Many economists expect job loses to be replaced with job gains soon. It will take awhile to get everyone who wants to work fully employed again. We will get there!

California took a step in the right direction when Superior Court Judge Frank Roesch determined State furloughs are illegal. Millions of dollars have been taken out of consumers hands as Governor Schwarzenegger played politics with State employees lives. Our economy is based on spending and so is the revenue of the State. Mean spirited politics does not turn a budget or economy around. The millions that will be spent by consumers after appeals are exhausted will help small business in Sacramento survive and then thrive.

2010 will give us the opportunity to elect a new governor. California let us remember history and in November, please, please, please vote for a candidate that has at least mastered economics 101.

Happy New Year!!!