Thank You for the Warm Welcome to the RC SB Blogpen
Posted by: Asm. Paul Cook | 07/22/2008 11:23 PM
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.
You are welcome! We are glad to have you on board. I am confident I speak for many of us when I say we look forward to hearing first hand from you about the happenings up at the Capitol!
Thank you Paul! And keep up the good work in Sacramento. We need some one like you there. You know I have always supported you even though you don't represent my area, because you are a fighter and a man of integrity.
Well, this shall be interesting, considering I'm one of your past political science students! You seem to be okay at the internet thing, I remember during one class you were fumbling with a VCR; you've come a long way! Anyway, you're doing a (mostly) great job up on the hill--keep up the great work.
Having been a former high school technology teacher, I can tell you that if we really want to gain support of the younger generation, we need to use a variety of medias to promote important issues that they access. Medias such as MySpace, UTube, etc. that the younger generation uses will be beneficial in communication on their issues and what is being done to address issues of concern. This is a good start, and you are ahead of many of your colleagues in the legislature. Keep up the good work.