Democrats in California have a rare opportunity to accomplish a great deal for the State.\u00a0 As you undoubtedly know, State government is now totally controlled by the Democrats.\u00a0 A Democrat is Governor and two-thirds of the members of each house of the Legislature are Democrats.\u00a0 While some argue for caution, I would argue for boldness.<\/p>\n
In 2009, Democrats in the U.S. Congress held a majority in the House of Representatives and a filibuster-proof 60 votes in the Senate.\u00a0 But they did not take full advantage of the opportunity, and after the death of Ted Kennedy, the 60 vote majority quickly disappeared.\u00a0 The California opportunity does not come along very often.\u00a0 The last time Democrats held the Governorship and two-thirds of both houses of the legislature was 130 years ago.\u00a0 There is no reason to think the current situation will last very long.<\/p>\n
During the 1960 campaign for President, when asked why he wanted to be President, John Kennedy famously said, \u201cBecause that\u2019s where the power is.\u201d\u00a0 Democrats have the power and should use it.\u00a0 If the situation were reversed, you can be sure the Republicans would be repealing every tax in sight and dismantling, or at least crippling, every program that helps people in need.\u00a0 It is time to improve education from pre-school through college.\u00a0 Repairing and maintaining our physical and technological infrastructure is necessary to attract and retain businesses and jobs.\u00a0 Some of the social programs that have been lost to budget constraints over the past few years should be re-instated, on at least a moderate level.\u00a0 We should make it easier to pass school parcel taxes and other local tax measures by lowering the passing threshold below two-thirds.\u00a0 And assuring the success of Obamacare in California will only make us healthier and stronger.\u00a0 While the views of the minority should be respected and taken into consideration, lest Democrats be seen as overreaching and overtaxing, the voters have said that government can help people and help the State.\u00a0 Democrats must not be afraid to listen to the voters.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Democrats in California have a rare opportunity to accomplish a great deal for the State.\u00a0 As you undoubtedly know, State government is now totally controlled by the Democrats.\u00a0 A Democrat is Governor and two-thirds of the members of each house (…)<\/p>\n