Welcome to the October Law and Business issue of NorthBay biz magazine. This month’s magazine is filled with an interesting mix of stories. In our cover feature, “Don’t Go in the Cellar,” we deliver the story behind the headlines on the strange double life of Mark Anderson. Other stories delve into just what it takes to start a new winery from scratch; how the Charles Schwab Cup Championship at Sonoma Golf Club brings not only excitement to the North Bay, but philanthropy too; and the story, “The Little Train That Just Might,” explores why, this time around, the SMART train initiative has its best chance to be approved by voters. Plus, don’t miss all our columnists, special features and more stories in the North Bay’s only locally owned business publication—NorthBay biz.
If you’re a regular reader of Publisher’s Forum, you know the past two columns have been dedicated to criticizing the legislature’s inability to solve this year’s rendition of what’s become a sad and tragic tradition—the budget crisis. The past columns detailed with compelling facts and figures how our bungling politicians in Sacramento have mismanaged our money to arrive at the current deficit of more than $15 billion. They’ve managed this feat even though tax revenues have grown by 40 percent since Governor Schwarzenegger replaced the deposed Grey Davis four years ago. I know it seems an impossible task to be able to spend all those additional billions of taxpayer’s money and still be $15 billion short, but never underestimate the lack of fiduciary skill and responsibility wielded by our legislators.
I am heartened, however, by a new poll just released by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC). If true, it could signal that voters are finally getting fed up with the legislature’s spendthrift ways. There’s no disputing that the majority of Californians would identify themselves broadly or overall as liberal, but according to the answers to many of the questions in this new poll, many are still fiscally conservative. For example, almost all voters think the state wastes money. When asked, 63 percent said the state wastes a lot of money and 31 percent said the state wastes some money—that’s 94 percent who see the state as wasteful. Couple that with PPIC poll results that revealed 71 percent believe, “State government is pretty much run by a few special interests looking out for themselves.” And only 20 percent think the legislature is doing a good job. These numbers, and the sentiments they represent, need to be powerfully expressed to Sacramento. Until the politicians recognize the extent of this discontent, they’ll continue to serve themselves and the special interests first and the taxpayers last.
Now, I’d like to share some thoughts about the Republican Vice Presidential candidate, Sarah Palin. After listening to her speech last night, I was impressed with her poise and ability to be critical of her political opponents without seemingly ever losing her smile or small town charm. While the speech was critical and hard-hitting at times, she never seemed to appear disagreeable. In fact, she came across as sort of refreshingly insouciant. I think I’m beginning to understand now why the Democrats have been so fiercely critical of her personally and of the fact that she got the Vice Presidential nomination in the first place.
I think they’re scared. In this closer than expected election, they’re afraid she could prove to be the difference between victory and defeat. They missed their chance to nominate a thoroughly experienced woman who garnered an astonishing 18 million votes in the primaries and yet was still denied the number two slot on the Democratic ticket. Instead, the Dems went with an “inside the Beltway” guy who certainly doesn’t represent change of any kind and probably won’t attract any swing voters. It’s understood that the Dems believe it’s preordained destiny that this is the year they reassume control of the White House and they’d win it easily. It was those beliefs that lead them to shun Hillary, believing they didn’t need her to win. Now, Governor Sarah Palin’s nomination might have changed the election dynamics. The stakes are so high, is it possible that an unexpected and extraordinary scenario might be crafted to unfold over the next 30 days that will result in Joe Biden being replaced at the last moment by Hillary?
There’s something else troubling the Democrats, too. If Governor Palin becomes Vice President, isn’t it possible that a new definition might arise that’s in opposition to the current feminist definition of what makes a woman successful? Since the woman’s movement began in the ‘70s, the feminist persona has been carefully crafted to embody specific inviolate principles. And that image doesn’t square at all with a conservative, pro-life woman who ran a commercial fishing company, has five children, coached a hockey team, belonged to the PTA and loves to hunt. Four years as the first female Vice President of America would certainly be a very high profile position—in fact, I can think of none higher other than the Presidency itself—and would give girls and young women a completely different role model to admire and imitate. This election just got a lot more interesting.
I’ll leave you with this thought: Maybe the best man for the job is a woman after all! That’s it for now. Enjoy this month’s magazine.
