Listening to the radio the other day while I was working, I heard a purported spokesperson for California Government claim that the “Administration” came to the conclusion that our recent Proposition 13 (proposed property tax increase) Bill failed in our Primary Election last month because California voters figured that since the State had a balanced budget, even a budget surplus, the voters felt no further tax increase was needed to assist the States Schools.

Balanced budget? Surplus? California plays a “Shell Game” with tax revenues. Read on.

Choking back a “gag reflex” I remembered all the enraged voters of both parties who felt totally betrayed by previous Gasoline Tax Increases (California has the highest gasoline taxes in the nation) which had been presented by our State Government as a tax that was promised to be used only to repair our roads and not for any other purpose. “Pinky Swear Promise”.

” Now that Gov. Jerry Brown has signed into law billions of dollars in higher fuel taxes and vehicle fees, the state will have an estimated $52 billion more money to help cover the state’s transportation needs for the next decade.” Sacramento Bee April 28, 2017

According to published reports California consumes about 43,835,616 gallons of gasoline a day and each gallon is taxed by the State of California at a rate of 46.7 cents a gallon. Using a calculator this would give California a daily gasoline tax income of $20,471,232. That’s over twenty million dollars each and every day, over six hundred million dollars a month in gas tax income. source: Sacramento Bee and multiple online federal and state agency reports.

It did not take California long to play the old “Hide the Pea in the Shell Con Game” before they “redirected” (stole) much/most of the tax increase to other “pet projects” like Climate Change research. In the meantime our roads are among the poorest in the nation with potholes shaking our cars to pieces.

To say that California has a Balanced Budget with a substantial Budget Surplus is a lie of the worst sort concocted out of “smoke and mirrors” accounting. Or if you prefer: Creative Accounting 101.

California has a 1.5 Trillion Dollar State and local debt, …..much of it in UNFUNDED (my emphasis) Pension Liability. January 2019 California Policy Center.org

Private employers are required by Federal Law – ERISA (the Employee Retirement Income Security Act) – to have fully funded (money in the bank) employee retirement programs.

The State of California, like the Social Security Administration, uses the Ponzi Scheme method of depending on future revenues – use hoped for future suckers money to pay the previous suckers “ala Bernie Madoff” plan – to cover the previously collected (and spent) “trust account” money through Shell Game tax increases and “reallocation” from other programs.

Regular readers of my columns, and those that note my brief biographical data in the right margin will remember that: I am against racism in any of its forms, oppose violence, abhor hypocrisy and especially despise being lied to.

Government please stop the “Pea Shell Shuffling” and quit lying to us.

Bob Bandy – March 2020

The above graphic is purportedly an illustration of a Victorian era Insane Asylum but I suspect it was secretly taken from sketches of our U S Congress and State Legislatures at work.

Recently I was watching an episode of “Tucker Carlson Tonight” and he did a monologue on a new bill working it’s way through the House of Representatives. The Bill is titled:

New Way Forward Act – HR5383

Following are excepts from Tucker’s monologue – the entire text is too long to reproduce here but is available online (“Tucker Carlson Tonight” -Feb. 6, 2020), as is a copy of the pending House of Representatives Bill.

Quotes & Excerpts from Tucker Carlson’s Monologue

“The legislation is sponsored by 44 House Democrats, including Reps. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York. At roughly 4,400 words, it’s almost exactly as long as the U.S. Constitution.”

“A document produced by Democrats to promote the bill says: “Convictions … should not lead to deportation.””

“Keep in mind, we’re not talking about convictions for double parking. The bill targets felony convictions – serious crimes that send you to prison for years.”

“But if this bill passes the House and Senate and is signed into law by the president, there will no longer be any crimes that automatically require deportation. None.”

“The bill also decriminalizes illegal entry into America, even by those previously deported.”

“But believe it or not, we saved the nuttiest part for last. What could be more destructive than changing U.S. law, specifically to allow rapists, child molesters, and drug dealers to stay in America? How about this: Using taxpayer money to bring deported criminals back into America.“

“The Department of Homeland Security must spend taxpayer dollars transporting convicted criminal illegal aliens into the United States. Who will be eligible for these free flights? Tens of thousands of people kicked out of this country for all kinds of crimes. Sexual abuse. Robbery. Assault. Drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, human trafficking.”

End of quotes/excerpts from Tucker Carlson

My first reaction to the above was that this had to be some kind of a spoof piece or satire. The U.S. Congress, or for that matter any State Legislature would have to be insane to put forth such legislation and if it did, the legislation would have no chance of passing or ever becoming law?

OR WOULD IT?

Not that many years ago, most of us would never have believed that California, New York and several other states would have been insane enough to become Sanctuaries for criminals from all over the world to migrate here with no questions asked, no paperwork or background checks and no threat of deportation or co-operation with other state or federal agencies whose job it is to protect us. But they did and are doing it. They are also making them eligible for public assistance, including “free” medical care, even drivers licenses.

New York has passed, and similar legislation is pending in California, a law for “No Bail” release of those involved in serious crimes like Bank Robbery or Criminal Assault. There is a documented case of a Bank Robber being released, without bail pending trial, and within 24 hours he committed another bank robbery. Who would have guessed it?

In another case in the news, two members of the murderous MS 13 Gang who had seriously assaulted someone were released without bail. Another new New York law requires Prosecutors to provide Criminal Defense Attorneys with the names and addresses of Witnesses. You guessed it. The witness to the crime was beaten to death by the “no bail” MS 13 gang members.

California, and some other states have decriminalized “petty” theft. Steal less than $950 in goods and the most you will get is a misdemeanor citation. There are documented cases of thieves using calculators while “shoplifting” to make sure they stay within the $950 “budget”. There are numerous reports that in cities like San Francisco the cops are not even writing citations for stealing because “those committing the crimes don’t show up in court” and are not being pursued by overworked law enforcement.

California is also a state where prospective employers can be fined, sued or even jailed if they ask employment applicants if they are here legally or if they have a criminal history. They can also be sued in many cases by customers or clients if they do not disclose if one of their employee’s has a criminal history.

Having written the above it is easy to question the sanity of our government on both a Federal and State level. They seem bent on rewarding behavior that is criminal in the eyes of most reasoning citizens.

Bob Bandy – February 2020

End of the Pelosi Era?

Forget whether you are a Democrat or a Republican (I am neither). This is not about political parties.

This is about common sense.

Love her or hate her, Nancy Pelosi has a well deserved reputation for being both tough and politically smart.

So why would someone with her history of being politically savvy and smart hitch her wagon and waning Speaker of the House career to these two losers – Congressman Jerry Nadler and Congressman Adam Schiff? In my mind I think of them as “Fric n Frac”, two sides of the same dishonest political coin. In their public statements and actions neither have demonstrated to me any qualities that I admire, like personal integrity or honorable intent. I would not trust either one of them with the proceeds of a front yard lemonade stand.

Jerry Nadler is considered little more than a buffoon and party line drone with a reputation for being both a hypocrite and less than honest with facts.

Adam Schiff has a history of being a serial liar, and not a very good one at that. He just makes stuff up – stuff that is easily shown to be lies. Like a third grade cookie thief that can’t keep his hands out of the forbidden cookie jar and hasn’t developed the skill to get away with it.

Nancy Pelosi had to know that these two could not be counted on to put together a coherent legal case that would stand up to scrutiny by even a first year law student.

She had to know it, yet she put these two in charge of an Impeachment case with nothing but hearsay and rumor evidence from non-fact “witnesses” with an agenda. “Testimony” that could not stand up to cross examination in any court of law. That is why Adam Schiff only sought their “testimony” in a basement “kangaroo” courtroom without allowing any Defense Legal Counsel questioning.

So why would someone of her experience and political acumen let this happen?

The only answer that I have heard that makes any sense is that she was being driven by the Progressive wing of her party that has grown increasingly powerful in the last two years. And…. that Progressive wing demanded Impeachment no matter what…. period.

This is not a Republican vs Democrat issue. More like a Circular Firing Squad within her own party.

This flawed and faulty Impeachment attempt will do lasting damage to her long career in the House of Representatives and likely see her damaged reputation leave her mostly impotent politically.

Instead of getting rid of a President she despises, she seems more a victim of her own poor decisions and choices. Many of her “Impeachment Trial Post Mortem” statements seem weak, even pathetic.

Whether you are a Democrat or Republican, it is sad to see someone do self inflicted damage to their own career. A reputation and career earned over many years.

Bob Bandy – February 2020

.

Schiff warns of Russian attack on US Mainland, as Day 2 of of Trump’s Senate impeachment trial concludes.

Above Quote Source: Fox News 1-22-20

Congressional Representative Adam Schiff is from California and is one of the House Managers in the Impeachment Trial of President Donald Trump.

Having followed him in the media for the last year or more I have found he has two most notable qualities. One is that he does not tell the truth and the second is that he lies – a lot.

With the Lemmings at CNN, MSNBC, ABC, CBS and NBC cheering him on, I watched as much as I could stomach of Adam Schiff’s performance on day two of the impeachment trial in the Senate.

Something began gnawing at my mind. He reminded me of someone, but who?

Finally, the light bulb flickered and then glowed brightly in my memory.

just for fun, rather than tell you who, I would like to present you with some clues and see if you can figure it out.

First Clue: Classic movie – 1954 – Columbia Pictures.

Second Clue: His last name started with a ‘Q’ and ended with a ‘G’.

Think raging paranoia and imagined crimes.

Hint: A missing quart of strawberries and a mysterious duplicate key.

Remember steel ball bearings being rolled about in a hand.

Picture a great actor in a superb performance.

Got it yet?

If you are anywhere near my age or have an interest in Classic Movies, this was too easy and you got it by about the second clue or by a peek at the lower picture. If you are a member of the later generations then you might need to check with an older friend, relative or maybe even a grandparent.

If you are still “stumped”, shoot me an email: Bob Bandy <sptw@sbcglobal.net>

Just for fun, a follow up trivia question: What was this characters full title and name in the movie? Hint: the correct answer words begin with the letters ‘C’ ‘P’ ‘F’ ‘Q’.

A fun quiz to share with your friends.

Bob Bandy – January 2020

Our current President is under Impeachment for putting conditions on payment of foreign aid to the Ukraine. This is the same Ukraine that has a long history of corruption. Guess he did not get the memo.

Like many members of Congress and the general public, I am shocked and dismayed. I had grown so comfortable in my expectation that United States Foreign Aid was just a rat hole for Taxpayer Dollars that was bottomless and non-accountable. And, pretty much the same under both Democratic and Republican Administrations.

I have accepted as fact that Foreign Aid and similar payments were distributed in a more traditional way, like the last Administration did: Put 1.3 Billion or more Dollars on pallets in cash, – cash is especially welcome when delivered with non-sequential serial numbered, unmarked bills – shrink wrapped to the pallet(s), decorated with a ribbon and delivered to the destination country – (like Iran’s – Tehran Airport) – in the middle of the night along with a gift card, no conditions and no expectation of reciprocal good will.

Well, we can always expect that the recipient Country will vote against us at the United Nations. That is historically the customary “Thank You” the U.S. has come to expect from the beneficiary’s of our generosity.

Another way that I have come to expect large amounts of Aid to be distributed happened in 1993 When Haiti was devastated by an Earthquake and some 13 Billion Dollars was pledged to help rebuild the country. Several Billion of those dollars was funneled – dare I say “Flushed” – through the Clinton Foundation for rebuilding housing and infrastructure. Little housing was built and the infrastructure remained in shambles but the money vanished. (search: Grifters: The Clinton Crime Family).

And, after all, we do have some historical context for aid to the Ukraine. The previous Administration gave them a Billion Dollars in Aid. We know it got there. Our former Vice Presidents son kept his job on the Governing Board of Ukraine’s largest Oil and Natural Gas Company. The money goes into the system. It gets “laundered”, it does the “Hokey Pokey”, the “right” people get paid and paid off. It’s just the way that Foreign Aid is supposed to work. Nothing wrong and nothing to see here!

One gets used to the idea that these unconditional Foreign Aid dollars will just end up in the pockets of Despots, Dictators, corrupt Contractors, Foreign Bureaucrats and other thieves. No questions asked and no accountability required.

An International “Comfort Zone” for our Taxpayer Dollars.

Guess I am an old fashioned guy, married to the tradition that accountability is not something Government is good at or wants to put into practice.

OR

Maybe, just maybe – should we put some kind of restrictions on our largess? Or – is that just crazy talk?

Bob Bandy – January 2020

Britains Labour Party suffered a huge defeat in their recent elections.

Paul Embery is a Firefighter, trade union activist, pro-Brexit campaigner and ‘Blue Labour’ thinker. Following the defeat of Labour at the polls he wrote an article titled “Is this the end for Labour?” which is printed on the UnHerd website. For the complete article go to: https://unherd.com/2019/12/is-this-the-end-for-labour/

The article is several pages and much of it is directed at a British audience but it contains a great deal of common sense that should apply to our own Political Parties here in America and I am sharing excerpts from his text below. As you read these excerpts, wherever you see the word “Britain” substitute “United States” in your reading and where you see “Labour” substitute “Democrats or Republicans” (your choice). Similarly, you should substitute “Washington D.C.” for “London”. His words are intelligent, articulate and right on target!

Excerpts from: “Paul Embery – Is This The End For Labour”

“So there we have it. It turns out that the British working-class was not, in the end, willing to throw its weight behind a London-centric, youth-obsessed, middle-class party that preached the gospels of liberal cosmopolitanism and class war. Who’d have thought it?”

“Labour’s meltdown in these places will come as no surprise to anyone who was paying attention and wasn’t blinded by ideology or fanaticism. Some of us had long warned that working-class voters across post-industrial and small-town Britain were becoming increasingly alienated from the party.”

“But the woke liberals and Toytown revolutionaries who now dominate the party didn’t listen to us.”

“They believed that constantly hammering on about economic inequality would be enough to get Labour over the line. In doing so, they made a major miscalculation: they failed to grasp that working-class voters desire something more than just economic security; they want cultural security too.”

“They want politicians to respect their way of life, and their sense of place and belonging; to elevate real-world concepts such as work, family and community over nebulous constructs like ‘diversity’, ‘equality’ and ‘inclusivity’. By immersing itself in the destructive creed of identity politics and championing policies such as open borders, Labour placed itself on a completely different wavelength to millions across provincial Britain without whose support it simply could not win power. In the end, Labour was losing a cultural war that it didn’t even realise it was fighting.”

“Labour must stop treating the traditional working-class as though they were some kind of embarrassing elderly relative. It must learn to respect those who, for example, voted for Brexit, oppose large-scale immigration, want to see a tough and effective justice system, feel proud to be British, support the reassertion of the role of the family at the centre of society, prefer a welfare system to be based around reciprocity – something for something – rather than universal entitlement, believe in the nation state, and do not obsess about multiculturalism or trans rights.”

“Such people were once welcomed by the Labour party and felt entirely comfortable voting for it; but now so many of the party’s activists look upon these voters as if they were a different species altogether.”

“Cliché though it is, Labour stands today at a crossroads.”

“We are witnessing the beginnings of a fundamental realignment in British politics. The old tribalisms are crashing down around us. How Labour responds to this will determine whether it remains a serious political force or is instead destined to become a party of permanent protest.”

End of Excerpts:

If you agree, as I do, with Paul Embery’s words and conclusions as they would apply to the United States at this time, please share (forward, pass on, Tweet, Facebook, or PDF copy) this post with your own elected Representatives as well as your neighbors and friends. I find his logic to be flawless when I compare it with many things happening in our own political climate.

Bob Bandy – December 2019