"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and
expecting different results. "
-Benjamin Franklin
The State of California, in an infinite lack of intelligence, returned former Governor Jerry Brown to Sacramento. Brown. who was Governor from 1975-1983, had been known for turning a $6 Billion surplus into a $1 Billion deficit and being a "slave" to unions and special interests, campaigned on giving control back to local governments. However, as Mayor of the City of Oakland, Brown, once again, raised taxes and paid 47.5% Of Its Employees More Than $100,000. Perhaps more startling is the astronomical increase -- 740 percent -- between 2003-04 and 2005-06 in the number of city employees earning more than $200,000. This despite campaigning on fiscal responsibility.
Not only did Brown raise taxes and pay his associates large sums of money, his administration in Oakland was scandal ridden with charges of sexual harassment and pay outs of large sums of money to settle those claims. He also retained the people accused of the misconduct in their 6 figure incomes. Also, Oakland has paid city employees millions of dollars in bonuses, leaves, cash-for-vacation deals and auto allowances in recent years, far exceeding compensation set in labor contracts and with little or no oversight, according to a city auditor's report.
According To City Auditor Courtney Ruby's Findings:
· The city granted $3 million in management leaves in 2005 and 2006, hundreds of thousands of dollars more than allowed under work contracts or other city rules.
· At least 10 executive managers were granted leaves totaling more than $97,000 during that period.
· From 2004 to 2006, the city awarded $388,000 in cash to 324 employees for special recognition or job bonuses and had few guidelines for how payments were awarded.
· The city pays nearly $700,000 a year for automobile allowances for 238 employees.” (Christopher Heredia, “Millions Extra Paid To Oakland Employees,” San Francisco Chronicle, 11/29/07)
Between 2003 and 2005, Brown [Former Oakland city Controller Larae Brown] found more than 950 city employees who were paid 22,000 hours for time they never worked. When city officials tried to correct the problem, Edgerly rejected it and said the money awarded would be recategorized as a ‘beneficial past practice,’ the suit claims.
However, with all of these scandals, debt, taxes, the people of California decided they would rather return him to the Governors mansion then elect a very successful businesswoman in Meg Whitman. As a side note. I heard a neighbor say after finding out the election results, "I'm glad those bitches lost". Referring to Ms. Whitman and Senatorial candidate Carly Fiorina.
As you can blatantly see, the notion about Californians as being "free spirits" and open-minded is a total fallacy. I have experienced some of the most hateful people in this state. However, the ones I met have had one thing in common. They ALL are "dyed in the wool" Democrats who ALWAYS vote for the most socialist of candidates. They sit around with their hands out, are arrogant and condescending, and think anybody who has built and ran business as "evil" and need to be exterminated.
The Definition of Insanity----see Californians
"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and
expecting different results. "
-Benjamin Franklin
The State of California, in an infinite lack of intelligence, returned former Governor Jerry Brown to Sacramento. Brown. who was Governor from 1975-1983, had been known for turning a $6 Billion surplus into a $1 Billion deficit and being a "slave" to unions and special interests, campaigned on giving control back to local governments. However, as Mayor of the City of Oakland, Brown, once again, raised taxes and paid 47.5% Of Its Employees More Than $100,000. Perhaps more startling is the astronomical increase -- 740 percent -- between 2003-04 and 2005-06 in the number of city employees earning more than $200,000. This despite campaigning on fiscal responsibility.
Not only did Brown raise taxes and pay his associates large sums of money, his administration in Oakland was scandal ridden with charges of sexual harassment and pay outs of large sums of money to settle those claims. He also retained the people accused of the misconduct in their 6 figure incomes. Also, Oakland has paid city employees millions of dollars in bonuses, leaves, cash-for-vacation deals and auto allowances in recent years, far exceeding compensation set in labor contracts and with little or no oversight, according to a city auditor's report.
According To City Auditor Courtney Ruby's Findings:
· The city granted $3 million in management leaves in 2005 and 2006, hundreds of thousands of dollars more than allowed under work contracts or other city rules.
· At least 10 executive managers were granted leaves totaling more than $97,000 during that period.
· From 2004 to 2006, the city awarded $388,000 in cash to 324 employees for special recognition or job bonuses and had few guidelines for how payments were awarded.
· The city pays nearly $700,000 a year for automobile allowances for 238 employees.” (Christopher Heredia, “Millions Extra Paid To Oakland Employees,” San Francisco Chronicle, 11/29/07)
Between 2003 and 2005, Brown [Former Oakland city Controller Larae Brown] found more than 950 city employees who were paid 22,000 hours for time they never worked. When city officials tried to correct the problem, Edgerly rejected it and said the money awarded would be recategorized as a ‘beneficial past practice,’ the suit claims.
However, with all of these scandals, debt, taxes, the people of California decided they would rather return him to the Governors mansion then elect a very successful businesswoman in Meg Whitman. As a side note. I heard a neighbor say after finding out the election results, "I'm glad those bitches lost". Referring to Ms. Whitman and Senatorial candidate Carly Fiorina.
As you can blatantly see, the notion about Californians as being "free spirits" and open-minded is a total fallacy. I have experienced some of the most hateful people in this state. However, the ones I met have had one thing in common. They ALL are "dyed in the wool" Democrats who ALWAYS vote for the most socialist of candidates. They sit around with their hands out, are arrogant and condescending, and think anybody who has built and ran business as "evil" and need to be exterminated.
Posted at 10:14 AM in Politics and Social Commentary | Permalink