When the dust settled on Gov. Jerry Brown’s first legislative session in nearly three decades, no group had won more than organized labor, which heralded its largest string of victories in nearly a decade.
At the urging of the food workers’ union, Brown agreed to crack down on the use of automated checkout machines in grocery stores. At firefighters’ request, he approved new restrictions on local governments seeking to void union contracts. He guaranteed wages for workers in public libraries that are privatized — a bill sponsored by another labor group.
Those unions and others helped bankroll Brown’s campaign last year.
Just a coincidence, I’m sure.
What does “crack down on the use of automated checkout machines” mean? Outlaw them? All the groceries have them now. This is luddism, pure and simple.
[Update a few minutes later]
Plus, he’s not only taken away open carry, but established a state registry for long guns. Guess I know what state I’m not going to be buying any guns in. I wonder if this will survive a court challenge?
The Albertson’s grocery store near my home has removed their self-checkout registers. Not enough people were using them. They’re good when you have a few items but not so good when you have produce that’s sold by the pound. Self-checkout is good in some places for some things but they’re not a be-all and end-all. Last week, I went to a hardware store and no checkout lines were manned. The item I purchases was somewhat large and awkward. Try putting a 2×4 or other large item into the bag before the register will let you finish the transaction.
I thought maybe, JUST maybe people were changing their minds about the tax and over spend Democrats. But I was obviously wrong.
Across the country in NC, in Wake County yesterday, the county of the state capital, Raleigh, the School Board race put 4 Dems in office who had run on platforms to undo, the previous school board. That school board got elected to do away with busing for socio-economic diversity, this one gets elected to ‘put it back the way it was’.
Which is odd as they spent the last year tied up in court unable to implement the neighborhood schools plan. I expect two of the cities currently included in the County Schools Plan, to leave and re-start their own city schools systems like they once had. Which will make things even worse for those remaining. But, ya’ gets whacha ya’ votes for!
They also voted FOR housing bonds (for more / cheaper housing for the poor) and transportation bonds (the old Mayor was all about light rail, as is his chosen replacement, who stands a good chance of winning)
These things are too bad for the residents of Wake County IMHO, and I’m glad I moved to a more conservative, middle-class, Americacentric thinking town, and county.
So Brown has the political leeway to save California, but he’s not going to do it? Well, I hope the resulting crater is spectacular so we get something out of California’s destruction.
I’m hoping for enough warning to get out of the way when the explosion hits.
California’s inevitable collapse is more likely to be an implosion than an explosion. I just hope the force of that implosion doesn’t suck in the rest of the country’s economy when it happens. With the largest congressional delegation of any state, there will be strong pressure to bail out California to prevent them from feeling the effects of their stupidity. We must say no to any bailout of California or any other state. Stupidity should be painful and California is due for a world of hurt.
A supernova starts with an implosion compressing fusion fuel.
In the case of Ca, I fear an economic implosion triggering an explosion of theftist mob riots / civil war.
You’ll get their middle class, they’ll get your idle rich and idle poor. The stupid middle class (like me) who stay too long will get shafted.
I see california is doubling down on crazy. High tech people are all welcome to move to New Hampshire… we have the 4th best business climate in the country, one of the lowest state tax burdens, one of the loosest gun laws, and there is a right to work bill that is scheduled to be voted to override the governors veto…
I, of course, had known about the degree to which California had been deep in the hold of a single political ideology / party for quite some time. And, of course, I had been aware of the significant problems that had been causing recently. However, it wasn’t until I saw the problems Jamie Oliver has had with dealing with the corrupt institutions in LA public schools on his show “Food Revolution” and until I saw this: http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/issue/2011-08-17/article/38248 and this: http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2011/10/11/university_of_california_lecturers_union_says_it_can_block_online_programs that it finally clicked for me.
Politics in LA are not substantially different from politics in Illinois, Detroit, Baltimore, etc. Just another in the long line of corrupt governments shepherding the decline of a once great state.
the School Board race put 4 Dems in office
It’s not the people. Follow the public employee union money. I live in what was once a super conservative small town in the OC. The big unions and open borders have busted the place like a multinational taking over a mini mall.
= slow motion union coup d’etat.
That is the plan for the entire state/nation. If the people will not change, then change the people. Quite simple, really.
I’m glad Gov. Brown is finally going to crack down on my ability to get in and out of the F&E in 10 minutes. Frankly, that kind of convenience was giving me whiplash, and I was at a total loss for what to do with the extra time in the day. No one should spend less than 30 minutes in the checkout line, prefereably behind three ladies (still paying with checks, a hundred coupons and/or food stamps) carting screaming infants.
I’ve actually seen a couple of Wal-Marts here in Dallas remove the automated checkouts. As much as I hate them, sometimes they’re better than dealing with people.
My ex works for the state of CA. Last year I talked to her about the possibility that she would be let go for not having seniority. I was shocked to hear she was hoping it would happen so she could get her 99 weeks of unemployment. Working really messes up her vacation schedule and costs her money.
She grew up under communism which creates a very bizarre mindset. Any analysis of these sort of situations has to take that into account. Americans see losing a job to be shameful rather than a move forward.