April 2024
Am I the only one who thinks that Mr. Biden’s continued efforts to forgive student debt is nothing more than an attempt to buy votes from gullible college students and bolster his dismal approval rating? It is so disappointing that this once great country with self-reliant citizens is now a nation of people who are increasingly dependent on government to bail them out. I worked hard to save money to go to college. I earned scholarships and went to a school that I could afford. As a taxpayer, I am not excited about picking up the tab for those who don’t see their student debt as something they should be accountable for. If you take on debt, you pay it off. No matter how long it takes. Be responsible. And grow up.
April 2023
I have been reading that utilities like Southern California Edison are planning to increase rates based on income. Seriously.
First, how does a public utility know my income? That seems very invasive. Second, if they are charging me based on my income and not my usage, isn’t that socialism? From each according to his ability to each according to his need? Sounds like socialism to me.
I work darn hard for my income and I turn off the electricity and wear sweaters to reduce my electric and gas bills. My energy bills keep going up even though I am working hard to conserve energy. Why am I now looking forward to paying more as a responsible consumer as a result? Shouldn’t we be paying for what we use? Am I missing something?
February 2023
If the people in charge of this state want to keep us from fleeing, they might want to stop attacking Prop 13. If those in the legislature continue to chip away at this great protection of our home, that will be the last straw for me to finally give up on California, my home state, and go elsewhere. Rather than trying to take every last drop of money from us via taxation, how about choosing responsible spending instead of going after us who are working hard and just trying to build financial security.
Voters, please be vigilant and educated and watch out for ACA 1 and ACA 3. You do not want to lose the two-thirds majority to prevent taxation,
February 2023
I applaud Doug McIntyre for his insightful article about George Washington. What I find continually frustrating is when we judge people who lived 200 years ago from the viewpoint of our current values and mores.
Washington was a hero and helped lead America to become a great country and the greatest experiment for a nation that is about values and ideals and not ethnicity. Yes, he was flawed. We are all flawed. But he and other great leaders of that time promised to lay down their lives for freedom. Who among us will do that? On this Presidents’ Day I am grateful. We should honor him and not shove a toppled statue into a dusty corner.
I would be proud to display his statue in my front yard. Below my 20′ flagpole with Old Glory proudly waving.
December 2022:
As I am reading today’s Analysis about President Biden, I have a resounding question: Who is really running the country?
We have to be real. Mr. Biden barely knows what day it is, and watching all of his major blunders, such as talking to dead politicians, wandering aimlessly around, shouting at people he doesn’t like, getting so many words mixed up, I see him as a possibly nice guy but battling dementia and not suitable as the leader of the free world. Kamala Harris is also not at all qualified to lead our nation. So, who is behind the curtain running the show? The current press secretary is constantly a deer in the headlines trying to cover for the disaster that is our current administration. I would love to know what is really going on in the DC swamp. And WHEN will Biden get the cognitive test that he needs?
(Side note to this post – my brother has emphatically stated that Mr. Biden is a nice guy. I don’t care. If I’m having heart surgery, I don’t want a nice guy operating on me. I want the best of the best. If I am on an airplane, I don’t want a nice guy flying the plane. I want a qualified pilot.)
December 2022
As I read the heartbreaking stories about Deputy Isaiah Cordero’s slaying (and I shout out to him and all who wear the badge and protect us citizens) I am baffled about the fact that William McKay was allowed to be out and about. He should have been locked up for good and the key shredded. His track record was not that of someone deserving to participate in a decent society. Shame on those who let him out to continue to destroy lives.
October 2022
The midterm election is upon us. Let’s look at where we are right now…rampant inflation, gas prices higher than ever, a war in Ukraine, embarrassing president and VP, and yes, my retirement plan (and yours) is down more than 20%. In eight months. Also, there is a proposition on the ballet to change our constitution to allow abortions up to the day of delivery. California already is poised to welcome women from every other state (at our expense) to abort their babies. We don’t need to change the state constitution. The laws are already quite liberal. Please, as you head to the ballot box, think carefully about your choices. California used to be a great state. Let’s bring it back!
October 2022
I was chuckling as I read the various articles about the new Metro lines in the L.A. area. I promised never to ride Metro again. I felt unsafe and vulnerable the last several times I ventured onto Metro. I am lucky that I was choosing to ride it for an adventure as the last leg of an Amtrak trip from Lompoc and I have my own transportation and don’t depend on it to get around. I have enjoyed public transportation and trains during my many travels to other cities and countries, but I don’t feel safe on Metro. The last time I was on the Green Line I had the “pleasure” of listening to disgusting music blasted out at high volume, denigrating women. I hated feeling threatened. I hope Metro provides safety for people who depend on it for transportation. I won’t be riding the local rails any time soon, until there is a security presence.
October 2022
We are at a crossroads here locally, in California, and nationally as we get close to the mid-term elections.
It was disheartening that the Governor’s debate was barely noticed and held on a Sunday afternoon (probably competing with some sports game).
I found it on youtube. I watched it and it was worth watching. Voters, please know whom you are voting for. Do you want to settle for a socialistic state with money flung at you with no results? Or do you want to embrace the fact that California can be the great state that it once was, and take charge and focus on lower taxes, business success, getting help for the homeless and respecting law enforcement? Please, as you go vote, think carefully and thoughtfully. (And yes, I miss election DAY.)
August 2022
I am not sure Karen Bass should be promoting her endorsement by Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, who are truly two of the most useless politicians I have ever watched do everything possible to ruin our country. I respect the offices of the President and VP and am sorry they are the current office holders. If I were an L.A. City resident, I would consider that a strike against Ms. Bass
July 2022
Mr. Irwin is another tax hungry person who wants to dismantle Prop 13 and hit us hard-working taxpayers who are rolling our collective eyes at gas taxes, worst inflation in decades and the poor state and national leadership causing us to wonder how to muddle through chaos from elitist politicians. I am watching my 401(k) plummet yet again after 40 years of contributing to it.
I bought my little 900 square ft. home in 1997. Thank goodness for Prop 13! I can afford to pay property taxes. If Prop 13 is dismantled, I will have to pay $24,000 in annual property taxes. I can’t do that. One more reason for me to escape the stupidity of CA leaders and find a more friendly state.
July 2022
I was taught that pride was one of the seven deadly sins (Pride, Envy, Gluttony, Lust, Anger, Sloth, Greed).
And then I keep seeing news about so many “Pride” groups.
One of my favorite talk show hosts said, “Why are we proud about things that we are not in control of?” Be proud of earning Olympic medals. Be proud of heading up a fundraiser. Be proud of getting over that last hurdle and winning the 400-meter race. Be proud of being an amazing wife and mother. Be proud of losing 50 pounds and feeling great. Be proud of rescuing a dog or writing an article. Be proud that you go to work every day and provide sustenance for your family. Be proud that you raised great kids. Be proud that you tossed your hat over the wall and decided to start your own business. Be proud that you were there for your aging parents. Be proud that you are making a difference with your unique talents. Stopped smoking, drinking, gambling? Be proud!
But shouting out about Pride because of race or gender or whatever? It was nothing you did. It was simply your circumstance. Should you be proud? Love yourself and embrace your unique awesomeness and we are right there with you…but PRIDE? Do we need more pride celebrations? Can we just embrace everyone for who they are? I would personally love it if we didn’t need to keep recognizing certain groups and just get that we are all amazing no matter who we are.
May 2022
As a pro-life woman who suffered through several miscarriages and was never blessed with children, I believed each little fetus was a baby and entitled to protection under the law. With that said, I had always thought it was not my business to judge other women for choosing to abort their babies. (I believe in most cases “choice” is when a woman hops into bed with someone with whom she is not ready to raise a child, but that is another conversation.) I just don’t want to fund their abortions with my tax dollars. Now our governor is welcoming women from other states to get abortions at my expense as a taxpayer who thinks abortion is fundamentally and morally wrong. Where is MY choice in this matter?
January 2022
Democrats call Republicans racist, yet Joe Biden continues to fill roles with certain criteria. He said he would pick a Black woman as VP (and how is that working out?) And now if Justice Breyer is resigning, he is going to fill that role with a Black woman. How about picking people who are qualified for the job and stop focusing on race, creed or gender? If a Black woman is the best candidate, then great! Choose her! But slapping a label on whom you are going to choose diminishes the credibility of the candidate. It’s like affirmative action – you got the job because you filled a box – not because of your qualifications.
April 2021
I gave up watching the Academy Awards years ago when the actors thought that we viewers cared about their political and/or social viewpoints. Just because you can read a script, enroll us in a story and look elegant on the red carpet doesn’t mean we want to see you climb on a soapbox and lecture us about topics that you often know nothing about. On the plus side, the Oscars typically are held the last week in February which meant that while others were glued to the TV, my husband and I scored a very good table to celebrate our anniversary.
September 2020
I am truly baffled that people leave trash on beaches or other public places. Why is it so hard to clean up after yourselves? If you bring it to the beach or a park or a lake or mountain trail, take it home with you or leave it in a trash bin, or recycle it as appropriate. It’s not that difficult to do.
August 2020
AB5 is an idiotic bill and one more example of how the Democrats in power in California are kowtowing to the unions and not supporting free enterprise and people’s right to make a living. As this newspaper has stated, AB5 has shut down Uber, Lyft, newspaper carriers, musicians, and others who simply want to be entrepreneurs. I tried to email Lorena Gonzalez, who sponsored this bill, but because I’m not in her district, I’m not allowed to contact her, even though her foolish bill has affected all of us state-wise. When a bill has so many exemptions, it’s a bad bill and should be revoked. Prove me wrong, those of you “leaders” of this former great state. Can we please go back to what America was built on…free enterprise and limited government?
July 2020
When my brother and I were children, our mother taught us the adage of “take only photos, leave only footprints.” We spent our summer vacations in beautiful areas with lakes and hiking trails, and when we hiked, we picked up trash left behind by less responsible visitors. We learned to pick up cigarette butts and gum wrappers and dispose of them properly. Reading your article about the trashed beaches was discouraging. We as a nation have lost civility, from insults on social media, to burning down our neighbors’ businesses during riots, to dropping a used face mask in the parking lot next to our car. Can we all try to clean up after ourselves, whether it’s trash or trash talk?
July 2020
How discouraging. I had tried to talk my husband into moving to Seattle many years ago. It was the Emerald City and beautiful. But we elected to stay in Los Angeles. Now, I’m watching idiot leftists tear down this great city (getting rid of the police??), as well as Portland and Chicago, Kansas City and New York and my home area of Los Angeles. For those of you who are rioting and destroying landmarks and businesses…do you get that what you are doing is asinine? Get over your stupid rants, learn history, grow up and have a cogent dialog with people who would be happy to listen. We are out here and ready to listen…if you are able to come out of your parents’ basements. I am listening.
March 2020
It was heartening to see that California voters are waking up to the fact that our state officials can’t manage our tax dollars effectively and are rejecting the continual onslaught of state and local tax measures. As long as our “progressive” (read foolish) leaders fund the bullet train, unsustainable pensions and other wasteful projects, we can’t continue to give our hard-earned income to them.
Similarly, the Lottery has become a joke as far as directing funds appropriately to the school system and I heartily support State Sen. Ling Ling Chang’s commitment to rectify the misuse of lottery revenue and direct it back to where it belongs – the schools. Senator Chang is a voice of reason in an increasingly dysfunctional legislature and I hope SB 891 passes. As long as money supposedly allocated to the schools is wasted elsewhere, we taxpayers should reject any future propositions to raise taxes for schools. I suspect those future tax funds will also be redirected elsewhere.
November 2019
The three UCLA Bruin basketball players state that shoplifting didn’t “define who they are.” Seriously? If you are representing your country and your university in a foreign country and decide to steal products from a retail store as a college student (and adult)…it defines who you are. There is a problem with their moral compass. Shame on all of them.
When I was five years old, I was sitting on the floor of the local supermarket looking at a Mad magazine while my mother was shopping (yes, it was an earlier time when it was safe to do that). She paid for the groceries, called for me to leave, and, since I wasn’t done with the magazine, I took it with me. I didn’t know that was wrong. After we got home, she saw the magazine, immediately drove me back to the store, marched me to the store manager and made me apologize and I did chores to pay off the cost of the magazine that she paid for. Good lesson learned and to this day, 50+ years later, I never forgot it.
Too bad these entitled athletes put a blemish on the university and didn’t know right from wrong. It shouldn’t be that hard to understand. Good for UCLA for taking a stand. I hope they have learned their lesson and are suspended for a very long time so they can understand the consequences of committing a crime and negatively affecting their team.
February 2019
There is a very simple way to keep the Academy Awards Ceremony well within the 3-hour time frame: eliminate the acceptance speeches. The award recipients can come to the microphone, smile, say “thank you,” hold up the trophy, twirl around to show off their pretty designer gowns if relevant, and walk off the stage. I stopped watching the Oscars years ago because I am not interested in listening to a parade of self-absorbed celebrities spouting off their political opinions which are not relevant to the ceremony’s intention. They should climb off their collective soapbox and simply celebrate their (well-deserved) thespian talents. In the meantime, on Sunday evening I will be reading a book.
October 2017
Last month I wrote to the Breeze expressing my curiosity about whether the mayor and council members actually ride public transportation rather than just foisting it on the rest of us, and that on the few times I rode Metro I did not feel safe.
Earlier this week I took Amtrak from Oceanside to Union Station and then ventured onto the Red/Blue/Green lines to get home to Redondo. And I will never ride the Blue line again. I was surrounded by gang bangers blasting rap music (ear buds, anyone?) with disgusting and vulgar lyrics. It was not a pleasant experience.
When transferring from the Blue to Green line, I needed assistance and repeatedly used the intercom phone to try to reach a Metro staff member for help. Nothing. Security is laughable. Oh, and my cell phone was stolen.
I have traveled extensively worldwide and found public transportation in other major cities to be easy and safe. Not in L.A. I am sticking with my car and glad I don’t have to drive through the mess that Councilman Bonin created in the Playa Vista area. I am heartened that that mess is being fixed. Perhaps filling potholes would have been a better use of taxpayer dollars.
September 2017
Today I read that the focus of LAUSD is to lower the age of Sex Ed to age 9 and students get to learn all about alternative lifestyles. But in a recent article published by the Daily Breeze, we learned that fewer than 25% of LAUSD graduates complete college. What is wrong with this picture? Please, LAUSD, focus on the basics and teach your students to strive for A’s and B’s and not settle for D’s as acceptable passing grades. “Reading, writing and ‘rithmatic” is not a bad goal for children to master and develop the skill sets to succeed, and probably a bit more important than gender identity or how to put on a condom.
December 2016
In reading recent articles in the Daily Breeze about Christmas and Hanukkah I was disheartened to see the constant phase “Secular Christmas.” In my opinion, Christmas is about the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ and is not a secular holiday. “Secular Christmas” is an oxymoron. If you want to focus on buying the perfect gifts, putting up the perfect lights and decorating the perfect tree and doing all the commercial activities, great, but Christmas is not secular and not about stuff – it’s about the joy of God in our hearts and Christ in our lives.
Musings About Life 