Monday, June 22, 2009
Facebook - what are you good for?
What does it say about a person if their Facebook page only includes entries from themselves and they hide everything that comes from their friends? I mean, don't they know what they are doing/thinking? Isn't the idea to find out what your friends are doing? I admit there are some folks that I hide... you know, the ones who send you the links to all the stuff you already read, but mostly everything post to my home page. In fact, if I wanted to clean it up a bit, I'd like to get rid of the stuff I post (see previous, I know what I am doing/thinking comment). Or do these people individually visit each page periodically to see what their friends are up to? Or do they just only care what they have to say or what they are doing. Either way I think it speaks to something in their personality... kind of like if your the kind of person who knows all your neighbors or doesn't... Nothing wrong either way, but its just a lot more fun to go around saying hi to everyone..
Friday, June 19, 2009
It's here...
After a month of complaining about the cloudy skies and the cold weather, summer finally hit today. And I'm already tired of it! How fickle is that? I don't like having to use the air conditioner... Bob is always hot... I am always cold, it's never right. And of course the electric bill will go up and the gas bill will go down. Used to be that natural gas was cheaper, but they kind of cancel themselves out these days. The good thing is that I will be home to keep Bob from running it when he doesn't need to. Anyway, looking forward to fall!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
There's nothing wrong with conflict
Our town has a very nice equestrian center... It has a big rodeo sized arena, a couple of round pens, a warm-up arena, and a dog park. The really great thing about this facility is that it was totally developed by a private club, the Trailseekers of MV, with donations of both material and labor. As a founding member of that club, much of the labor has been provided by me. I worked many, many concerts at the Blockbuster Pavilion selling beer to those who had already had too much beer to raise money. I have planted trees, cleared rocks, raked dirt, and whatever else needed to be done so that the equestrians in this community will have a place to do their thing. Now one of our own club members (a real b#$%h) has taken action to exclude one of the organizations that use the part, the Roy Rogers Mounted Shooting team. They have been paying to use the arena for their monthly practice. The reason? The noise scares her dogs!
My first reaction to this is so? I live next to a fire station. The fire sirens hurt my dogs ears and the howl. So? I try to teach them to at least howl like real wolves, not yap like they are a bunch of Pekingese. The 4th of July celebration fire works scare the crap out of both my horses and my dogs. So? I put the dogs in the house and give the horses extra hay so they are eating and ignore the loud sounds. But this hag, who is fortunate enough to live a few streets away from the equestrian center instead of in the middle of the city like me, screams so loud that the city sends out people to poll her neighbors... Must be at least 10 of them. And now access is limited to what is essentially the groups of which Ms. Stick-up-her-butt approves. Parks & Rec, already facing budget deficits, must fore go the fees from this organization. In addition those of us who enjoyed watching the show and hoped, one day, to participate in that activity are unable to do so.
What is really irritating is the Trailseekers were approached by the city for their opinion and they declined to take a stand because the issue was brought up by a "private citizen". No matter that that citizen holds a seat on the Trailseekers Board or that there are very few people in the club that can stand to be around this lady for more than a few hours. Their failure to take a stand has resulted in a loss to other members of the club. My pet name for this club is the Sissy Girls Horse Club, mostly because they don't like to climb big hills, go very fast, or otherwise venture outside of the arena. But it's also because of things like this... They, like a lot of people, practice continual conflict avoidance. They will do anything to keep the peace and in this case keeping the peace has resulted in a loss to us all!
My first reaction to this is so? I live next to a fire station. The fire sirens hurt my dogs ears and the howl. So? I try to teach them to at least howl like real wolves, not yap like they are a bunch of Pekingese. The 4th of July celebration fire works scare the crap out of both my horses and my dogs. So? I put the dogs in the house and give the horses extra hay so they are eating and ignore the loud sounds. But this hag, who is fortunate enough to live a few streets away from the equestrian center instead of in the middle of the city like me, screams so loud that the city sends out people to poll her neighbors... Must be at least 10 of them. And now access is limited to what is essentially the groups of which Ms. Stick-up-her-butt approves. Parks & Rec, already facing budget deficits, must fore go the fees from this organization. In addition those of us who enjoyed watching the show and hoped, one day, to participate in that activity are unable to do so.
What is really irritating is the Trailseekers were approached by the city for their opinion and they declined to take a stand because the issue was brought up by a "private citizen". No matter that that citizen holds a seat on the Trailseekers Board or that there are very few people in the club that can stand to be around this lady for more than a few hours. Their failure to take a stand has resulted in a loss to other members of the club. My pet name for this club is the Sissy Girls Horse Club, mostly because they don't like to climb big hills, go very fast, or otherwise venture outside of the arena. But it's also because of things like this... They, like a lot of people, practice continual conflict avoidance. They will do anything to keep the peace and in this case keeping the peace has resulted in a loss to us all!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
CA Govt. spending, explained...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogfNEw2XSbY
The above link will take you to a great video that is not just about how government spends money. It is about much more. It's how the stupid proposition system in Californai allows people to vote in programs that cost money without having the funding to pay for them. Then the government is stuck paying for it by reducing funding in other areas ..Its about how the cost of government is going up because the number of people is going up, including the number of people needing services (could you believe that autism number?!) I was there when Arnie did his study and they didn't find waste other than Boards and Commissions that were probably implemented to give someones uncle a job! So the cost is going up, but when you factor in all the variables, it isn't going up that much. I think we should get rid of propositions unless they include a funding source that doesn't take from something else. It just give a little perspective as to the reasons for the increases. Some warrented, some not.
The above link will take you to a great video that is not just about how government spends money. It is about much more. It's how the stupid proposition system in Californai allows people to vote in programs that cost money without having the funding to pay for them. Then the government is stuck paying for it by reducing funding in other areas ..Its about how the cost of government is going up because the number of people is going up, including the number of people needing services (could you believe that autism number?!) I was there when Arnie did his study and they didn't find waste other than Boards and Commissions that were probably implemented to give someones uncle a job! So the cost is going up, but when you factor in all the variables, it isn't going up that much. I think we should get rid of propositions unless they include a funding source that doesn't take from something else. It just give a little perspective as to the reasons for the increases. Some warrented, some not.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
What Now?
Six of the seven propositions failed. I don't think they were what we needed to fix the budget problems and I truly don't know how I wanted it all to turn out, but now what? I'm worried. Maybe Jerry Brown and his 'lower expectations' mantra of the 1970's is what we need. But the thing that worries me the most is that the future of our state is decided by such a small minority of the people! Less than 20% of registered voters actually voted. But maybe that shows that it was the will of the people that nothing is done?? I can accept pretty much anything if the majority voted for it. But the majority of us don't care. No wonder our state is in such a fix.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Sick of over developed senses of entitlement
Today there was an article in the local paper, along side stories about laying off teachers and government workers, wherein a guy was filing a claim against Riverside County because his car, a late model BMW, sustained rim and tire damage when he hit a pothole. He was seeking reimbursement of over $1000 from the county. I will be dollars to donuts that that guy was right in the front row of those anti-tax tea parties a couple of weeks ago... No new taxes, but damnit... fix those pot holes. I fired off a letter to the editor, but, because they are getting to know my name, it will probably never be printed, so here it is...
Dear Editor
Brandon Burkhart wants the county to pay for his $1005.37 tire and rim because they were damaged by a pothole. What do you bet that Brandon is also against any new taxes imposed by the state? Folks, you get what you pay for. If you don't want to pay for your government, expect to pay more for other things like damage to your car caused by potholes. The government doesn’t have the money to fix them nor do they have the money to fix your car. Expect to have to send your children to private school because they won't get an education in a classroom of 35-40 kids. Expect to have fewer police and fire fighters. Expect to have to pay to use formerly free public areas like parks and swimming pools. Expect the inconvenience by having to deal with these problems as they come up, one by one.. Expect to pay more for all of these things than you would have had to pay for increased taxes, especially if taxes on the top 1% of earners were taxed as they should be. The voters of California have chosen this way of life. As Brandon says, “there’s got to be consequences”. The consequences of not wanting to properly fund the government are not good and will be borne by us all.
Whew! I feel better.... (-:
Dear Editor
Brandon Burkhart wants the county to pay for his $1005.37 tire and rim because they were damaged by a pothole. What do you bet that Brandon is also against any new taxes imposed by the state? Folks, you get what you pay for. If you don't want to pay for your government, expect to pay more for other things like damage to your car caused by potholes. The government doesn’t have the money to fix them nor do they have the money to fix your car. Expect to have to send your children to private school because they won't get an education in a classroom of 35-40 kids. Expect to have fewer police and fire fighters. Expect to have to pay to use formerly free public areas like parks and swimming pools. Expect the inconvenience by having to deal with these problems as they come up, one by one.. Expect to pay more for all of these things than you would have had to pay for increased taxes, especially if taxes on the top 1% of earners were taxed as they should be. The voters of California have chosen this way of life. As Brandon says, “there’s got to be consequences”. The consequences of not wanting to properly fund the government are not good and will be borne by us all.
Whew! I feel better.... (-:
Friday, May 15, 2009
Save the State
The latest from the Govenator indicates that if the propositions don't pass next Tuesday, we face drastic budget cuts, layoff, and the selling of state property, including the land surrounding the Chino prison.... Yeah, I just want a house located next to a prison! So are his threats empty, or not? He threatens to cut school funding, reduce the academic year, reduce staffing at prisons, release prisoners early, and cut Medi-cal which provides medical care to the needy. Not one word about increasing taxes on the rich! Trouble is, even if that was on the table it probably wouldn't pass because of the crazy 2/3 requirement for passing a tax increase and the anti-tax attitude that prevails amongst the voters of California. According to the Press-Enterprise, three quarters of likely voters hope the measures' defeat will " send a message to the governor and the state Legislature that voters are tired of more government spending and higher taxes.
Well, I, for one, think we should give the voters just what they ask for. As a long time government employee I have seen it time and time again... Funding is cut, but no one is allowed to mention that to customers complaining that their application is slow to be approved. Hours of operation must remain the same. And, because the work is continually increasing, more must be done with fewer people and less money. Remaining employees are worked to the point of exhaustion, worker's comp and sick leave usage increases. A vicious cycle ensues. Nothing is wrong with reducing costs, but trying to maintain the same level of service is ridiculous! Time to give the people the government they want to pay for!
To begin with, if there is not enough money to pay full time staff, go part time, but don't have full time operating hours! Have every government office, including welfare and social programs, senior programs, housing and economic development programs, the District Attorney, the courts, every single one, go to a four day work week. Make a Monday through Thursday or Tuesday through Friday work week the normal working hours of every government office in the state. Yes, it will be inconvenient for some. Yes, I know some are bound by law to complete things in a certain number of days.... Change the laws! Drastic time require drastic action! Some developer may not be able to get a building permit on exactly the day they want it or everyone may not be able to go to the DMV on that day they are closed, but what seems to be lost on California's public is that you get what you pay for. Pay part of the cost of government and you get a part time government. Doing this will automatically reduce salary costs as no one, including managers and elected officials will work, or get paid for, more that 32 hours a week. If their contract prohibits that, change the contract.
Second, allow all those drastic cuts to happen. Let the people live with the path they have chosen. Wait for them to recognize that more children are sick because the don't have medi cal to go to the doctor so as a result, their children are sicker. Let prisoners be released and let the public live with the results, whatever they may be. Stop fixing potholes and people will be spending much more than they do on taxes to fix their cars due to damage caused by rough roads. Cut welfare so we have even more people begging on street corners.. maybe they will even come to your house! Or we could have more tent cities, slums, and homeless. Reduce the numbers of police and fire and when the reduction causes houses to burn, or crime to remain unsolved tell the truth... the lack of funding will not allow the level of service they have come to expect. And for those of you who think the same services can be provided by private companies at a cheaper rate, that is a fairy tale.... a really scary fairy tale. Ask anyone in child support.
It always amazes me that the same people who complain that they haven't had a raise think that the government should be able to operate on the same budget. Costs go up, but the public doesn't want to pay for that increased cost. That's all good, but expect some reduction in service, expect the senior center won't be open all the time, that lunches for seniors and children will be eliminated, that crime will increase, poverty will increase, and that nothing will ever be the same. And for those of you who have the money to live in gated communties with private security, can send your kids to private school, and don't think you will ever need help from the government in any way, I think that letting us all live with the government we want to pay for will show us exactly how important government really is.
I don't want this to happen, but until we hit rock bottom we will never implement real change that will fund our government at the level necessary. We will continue to defend the right of the rich to remain rich, while voting to eliminate the services that the majority of those who are not rich need on a daily basis.
Well, I, for one, think we should give the voters just what they ask for. As a long time government employee I have seen it time and time again... Funding is cut, but no one is allowed to mention that to customers complaining that their application is slow to be approved. Hours of operation must remain the same. And, because the work is continually increasing, more must be done with fewer people and less money. Remaining employees are worked to the point of exhaustion, worker's comp and sick leave usage increases. A vicious cycle ensues. Nothing is wrong with reducing costs, but trying to maintain the same level of service is ridiculous! Time to give the people the government they want to pay for!
To begin with, if there is not enough money to pay full time staff, go part time, but don't have full time operating hours! Have every government office, including welfare and social programs, senior programs, housing and economic development programs, the District Attorney, the courts, every single one, go to a four day work week. Make a Monday through Thursday or Tuesday through Friday work week the normal working hours of every government office in the state. Yes, it will be inconvenient for some. Yes, I know some are bound by law to complete things in a certain number of days.... Change the laws! Drastic time require drastic action! Some developer may not be able to get a building permit on exactly the day they want it or everyone may not be able to go to the DMV on that day they are closed, but what seems to be lost on California's public is that you get what you pay for. Pay part of the cost of government and you get a part time government. Doing this will automatically reduce salary costs as no one, including managers and elected officials will work, or get paid for, more that 32 hours a week. If their contract prohibits that, change the contract.
Second, allow all those drastic cuts to happen. Let the people live with the path they have chosen. Wait for them to recognize that more children are sick because the don't have medi cal to go to the doctor so as a result, their children are sicker. Let prisoners be released and let the public live with the results, whatever they may be. Stop fixing potholes and people will be spending much more than they do on taxes to fix their cars due to damage caused by rough roads. Cut welfare so we have even more people begging on street corners.. maybe they will even come to your house! Or we could have more tent cities, slums, and homeless. Reduce the numbers of police and fire and when the reduction causes houses to burn, or crime to remain unsolved tell the truth... the lack of funding will not allow the level of service they have come to expect. And for those of you who think the same services can be provided by private companies at a cheaper rate, that is a fairy tale.... a really scary fairy tale. Ask anyone in child support.
It always amazes me that the same people who complain that they haven't had a raise think that the government should be able to operate on the same budget. Costs go up, but the public doesn't want to pay for that increased cost. That's all good, but expect some reduction in service, expect the senior center won't be open all the time, that lunches for seniors and children will be eliminated, that crime will increase, poverty will increase, and that nothing will ever be the same. And for those of you who have the money to live in gated communties with private security, can send your kids to private school, and don't think you will ever need help from the government in any way, I think that letting us all live with the government we want to pay for will show us exactly how important government really is.
I don't want this to happen, but until we hit rock bottom we will never implement real change that will fund our government at the level necessary. We will continue to defend the right of the rich to remain rich, while voting to eliminate the services that the majority of those who are not rich need on a daily basis.
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