Obama, The Populist

Obama, seeing the writing on the wall for November is adding some populist parts to the HCB.

"President Barack Obama will propose giving U.S. officials the power to limit rate hikes by health insurance companies - part of a new health care overhaul plan he will unveil Monday in a last-ditch bid to salvage his signature issue. "

It is a good idea but a bit too coincidental with the recent health care rate hikes out in California. This type of stuff never hurts, as long as it doesn't seem obvious.

Drug Companies' Strangle Hold Of California

Looks like Pharmaceutical companies have a tight grip on California's Governor.

"After months of public input and consultation with experts, the state's pharmacy board appeared to be poised to adopt strict new requirements for prescription drug labels last month.

But that changed when Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger placed a drugstore industry executive on the board a day before the vote.

CVS/Pharmacy official Deborah Veale provided the vote that killed a plan to require large type on drug labels and instructions and to make oral translation of them available for all non-English speakers. "

Nothing is more frustrating that seeing good legislation that protects consumers and helps people lose to big corporations. Schwarzenegger comes out for the stimulus winning props from dems and then goes and sides with big pharma. This man is all over the place.

Swarzenneger's Rude Response

Got this from Political wire. Arnold sent a rejection veto letter to the members of the California State Assembly about a bill. Check out the left margin.

GOP State Rep Really Lets It All Out

Conservative GOP state rep Michael Duval from orange county California, not knowing of his hot mic, disclosed, in disgusting detail, his extramarital affairs 2 women yesterday.

A quote from TPM:

"She wears little eye-patch underwear. So, the other day she came here with her underwear, Thursday. And
 so, we had made love Wednesday--a lot! And so she'll, she's all, 'I am going 
up and down the stairs, and you're dripping out of me!' So messy!"

And then there's this:

"So, I am getting into spanking her. Yeah, I like it. I like spanking her. She goes, 'I know you like spanking me.' I said, 'Yeah! Because you're such a bad girl!'"

It would be funny but this is so disgusting. A fat old man talking like that. It is quite vile. Is this the next generation of GOP congressman.

God, I hope not.

California Might Be Ungovernable

In the Times today, they noted the dire situation in California. Saying that more and more people are calling for a constitutional convention (some of whom, just six months ago, were against.)

"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger returned home from a White House visit on Wednesday to find the state dangerously broke, his constituents defiant after a special election on Tuesday and calls for a constitutional convention — six months ago little more than a wonkish whisper — a cacophony."

Why is it getting so bad? A litney of reasons. First, 2/3 majority must pass a budget. Second, the ballot measures are hamstringing our legislature and leaves our government susceptible to outside-of-the-state interests who want to mess with us. Third, the districting process making very partisan areas.

All this leads to a feeling that Cali ain't cutting the mustard when it comes to prosperity. 

I feel that our constitution really does need to be rewritten. Too many times our budget has been highjacked by partisans as well as the burdening ballot initiatives. Especially prop 8. Outside religious zealots came into our state to dictate to us their values. 

California Budget Passes

Finally