Yolo Electeds' Summit

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Next week, for perhaps the first time ever, the elected officials of Yolo County are gathering to discuss the state of things here in California- and they are coming here to Winters!

I may not be able to attend, but it has nothing to do with my feelings on the Summit- I am fully supportive of it.

Winters took the lead on this, and we are proud to be hosting. We were hoping, as they were in Washington, for Bi-Partisanship for this thing, especially because the impacts from the State are being felt acutely by Cities, Counties, and School Districts- which are typically non-denominational.

We found out in tonight's Winters Express that it is not going to happen. Matt Brickey, a member of our local School Board has taken exception to some of the goals of the group, and is taking a pass on it.

First of all, Republicans DO realize that "Bi-Partisan" does not refer to a group of Yugoslav Freedom Fighters for Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual Rights, don't they?

I digress.

Matt says this Summit has three goals- and he can only agree with one.

He agrees with the Group's goal of re-establishing and maintaining local revenue streams.

He does not agree with the Group's goal of changing the voting threshold for tax increases and getting rid of term limits, dismissing both as mere ploys of the Democrats.

Republicans like Term Limits in California because Democrats typically rule the Legislature here, and they hope that routinely forcing out Democrats will increase the chances they can catch enough voters asleep to get their deregulation, smaller government, trickle down bile past them in the next election.

There is no doubt that if California had a Republican-rule history, it would be the GOP trying to strike down term limits.

Republicans like Proposition 13 because it limits the money coming into government. Democrats dislike Proposition 13 because they believe in liberty and democracy. It is a fact that a simple majority of Californians were allowed to impose a 2/3 voting requirement on future generations at the State and local levels.

It is outrageous: A majority, say, of the citizens of Winters prevented from doing something they want to do locally because of the votes 30 years ago of a bunch of rich NIMBYs in Southern California.

No, Matt Brickey may not come to the Summit, but I doubt that it is because he disagrees with some of the goals. After all, there has been no meeting yet, and goals can be changed or modified.

No, me thinks he does not want to go simply because he does not want to be both out-numbered AND out-gunned. It must be tough being a dinosaur, especially after the asteroid has struck.

Besides, there is no sense making the extra effort to talk to people you disagree with- just ask Bill Clinton.

SRT IV