UCLA students demonstrating economic ignorance

By Eric Ingemunson | 11/20/09

At one of the premier schools on the West Coast, thousands of students protested a $2,500 student fee increase for the second straight day. Their rhetoric is increasingly exaggerated and nonsensical, and they’ve now hypocritically shown that while it’s not fair for their fees to be increased, it’s fair for taxes to be raised to support them. Examples of the hyperbole heard on the UCLA campus, where hundreds of students lie... read more »

Tea Party groups urge action

By Eric Ingemunson | 11/20/09

With Senator Harry Reid filing cloture on the motion to proceed to HR 3590—a “shell” for passing the Democrats’ massive healthcare bill—tea party groups are urging that you melt the phones and fax machines of your legislators. After debating the two-thousand-page bill all day Friday and Saturday, the cloture vote, which requires 60 votes, will be Saturday at 8:00 p.m. If it passes, the bill will be recognized so... read more »

Students get real-world introduction to economics

By Eric Ingemunson | 11/19/09

Fourteen protesters were arrested by UCLA police yesterday when they refused to leave a chaotic UC Regents meeting in which a committee increased student fees by 32 percent. I can’t think of a better way to introduce students into the real world. They can see first hand that when a state spends itself into oblivion, it’s the people that suffer! Of course, this message is likely lost on them as they undoubtedly will blame Republicans... read more »

What's in a name?

By Eric Ingemunson | 11/19/09

The Star decided to identify Ventura County's top-earning public employees last week in a story highlighting the growth in those making over $200,000 annually. Most of the county employees named are top public officials, but two were rank-and-file public safety workers whose overtime pay vaulted them to the top of the pay scale. Certainly, the story needs to be told--the public has a right to know if its tax dollars are being spent... read more »

HJTA gives local officials high grades

By Eric Ingemunson | 11/18/09

The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association just released its annual report card, scoring officials on their votes on 35 bills (double weighting bills against Prop 13 or 218). Ventura County officials remain high scorers on the list. State Senator Tony Strickland received a nearly perfect 97.6 percent score, while his wife Assemblywoman Audra Strickland scored a 97 percent. Assemblyman Cameron Smyth received a 90 percent, and Senator George Runner... read more »

Long’s shot: county supervisor aims to kill Strickland's hopes for treasurer seat

By Eric Ingemunson | 11/18/09

It’s official—Assemblywoman Audra Strickland is running for Ventura County’s treasurer –tax collector seat, as previously reported. Shortly after learning of her plans, County Supervisor Kathy Long, in what appears to be a nakedly political move to disqualify Strickland’s candidacy, announced that an ordinance should be adopted that would prohibit anyone that is not a formally trained financial expert from occupying... read more »

Probation officer sues county for discrimination

By Eric Ingemunson | 11/17/09

A probation officer filed a discrimination suit against Ventura County Monday, according to the Ventura County Star. The plaintiff accuses the Probation Agency where she worked of a “hostile work environment and atmosphere of harassment and discrimination.” No details of the case have emerged yet, so I have no comment about this case. I have no reason to believe that the plaintiff was not the victim of racism. But, assuming this is... read more »

Catch screening of Not Evil Just Wrong this week

By Eric Ingemunson | 11/17/09

A local tea party group will sponsor a screening of a popular anti-global-warming movie this weekend. Not Evil Just Wrong went viral earlier this year when hundreds of thousands of Americans reacted to the environmental hysteria by supporting this film. The screening will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 21st, at Calvary Chapel in Newbury Park. Organizers might sponsor a tea party in the park before showing the film. read more »

DeVore Trying Too Hard to Attack Fiorina’s Record

By Eric Ingemunson | 11/16/09

Nobody denies that Chuck DeVore is a hard-working candidate. His bid to replace Barbara Boxer as senator is centered on tirelessly driving up and down the state building grassroots support. But he’s also working hard—maybe too hard—at painting his primary opponent, former Hewlett Packard chief Carly Fiorina, as a liberal “Scozzafava” Republican. Being loose with her record simply to score cheap political points... read more »

Alternative education advocate to give lecture Monday

By Eric Ingemunson | 11/16/09

The following is from Diane Hawkins, a local advocate for alternative education. There is an excellent, not-to-be-missed event happening Monday night (TONIGHT), November 16, in Thousand Oaks. Dr. Shanon Brooks, President of Face to Face with Greatness Seminars(TM) will be giving a free lecture on the subject of educating and cultivating leaders. This topic has seen a tremendous following among parents and educators, and is now attracting even... read more »