I've had the opportunity to be many things during my life including a Marine, an educator, a mayor, and an Assembly member, but this is my first time being a blogger. I'd like to thank Jessica for all she's done to help me get set up on Red County San Bernardino as well as thank everyone who had such kind comments welcoming me to this site; you've all made this leap into the 21st century much easier than I'd expected.

I am really looking forward to sharing some of what I've discovered about Sacramento with all of the readers at Red County San Bernardino. In the less than two years I've been in the Assembly, I've been able to take part in the sausage grinder of government that I used to teach my political science students about. I almost feel guilty when I see how little the reality of Sacramento resembles the flow charts and efficient processes that I described in the classroom. Sacramento is so badly broken that even its most basic tasks like passing a balanced budget become nigh-insurmountable crises that put California on the brink of financial ruin.

Changing how things are done in Sacramento is a daunting task, but I'd have never lasted 26 years in the Marine Corps if I wasn't willing to roll up my sleeves and face challenges head-on. I will use this pulpit that Red County San Bernardino has provided me to identify some of the key problems I've observed in state government and to propose common-sense reforms. With your continued support, I remain faithful that we can transform Sacramento into a place that solves problems rather than creates them.

Thank you again for allowing me to join the Red County San Bernardino Blogpen.