Manteca Live!

Bay Area Public Employee Salaries 2010

2012-01-28T16:14:00.001-08:00

At Thursday’s Manteca Patriots (Tea Party) there was a fine fellow running for office who pledge that he would only accept a salary of $42,500 per year. Because, he put it, you shouldn’t be “getting rich off the taxpayer who’s making less than you.”

Fantastic concept. I noted at the meeting that “everybody in the city makes more than that, they all make like 100,000/yr.”

Well this comment drew some reaction. I don’t know if it’s how I said it or if I was over broad in my generalization but it got some hostile rebuttal (I was interrupted) from someone who thought that was a bunch of crap, basically. That these city workers were … and I’m not quite sure what his argument was. But that “they aren’t all making over $100,000 /yr!

Fair enough.

As I tried to explain at the meeting I was speaking in general terms and not every single worker makes that much. Some make more, some make less. But that as an average it’s right around (in the neighborhood) of 100K or so.

Now, here’s the basis for that comment. First, City Manager Pinkerton said this very thing at a meeting of the “tax committee” I forget the name of it but was the citizen’s group that met to try to explore any new taxes. (Which were soundly turned down). He said as a general rule, he counts about $100K per employee. Including the guys who mow the grass who get like $80K and so on.

In addition, in the “COPS” grant application, Chief Bricker had listed the starting compensation for a brand new policeman as $114,000 per year. To start. Councilman Moorhead even asked for clarification. (“Is that what it really cost to hire one policeman?”) The answer from the chief was yes, that’s what it costs. About the same with the fire department. And the pay goes up from there. $114,000 per year is the absolute minimum.

I also asserted that the gentleman may simply not know how much they make. And I related how when the Sun Post ran a list of all city worker pay, they got many complaints and downright accusations of “I don’t make that much.” I asserted “they don’t even know what they make, they argue but the figures in the Sun Post were accurate.” This was also disputed.

Now, read for yourself. Here is all 560 city workers’ pay. Look for yourself. I’ll wait.

Now, if you notice, the “median” just directly from that list is $77,300 per year. Now if you want to go further, notice the last 140 workers are part time, one time, special workers who get a few thousand dollars. Lets just look at full time workers. Fair? Maybe, maybe not but lets just say the small payments less than $10,000 don’t count. Now the median pay is $90,380 per year.

OK, so mea culpa, they aren’t making 100K a year, it’s only $90K. I’m sorry to have even suggested they are making a good living. Wait, the argument was if they were making more than the average Californian, $42,500.

Lastly, remember I said “they don’t even know how much they make?” Well, look at the San Jose Mercury News page. Look at the first comment from a government worker there. Accusing the paper of getting it all wrong, and insisting “I don’t make that much money.” Which is exactly what I said at the meeting, that the workers themselves don’t even know how much they are getting.

And there’s nothing like that in the private (non government) world, but that’s a subject for another day.

You may use the space below in the comments to apologize for doubting my figures.

Bay Area Public Employee Salaries 2010 - San Jose Mercury News

Happy Santa - Santa Claus - Southbury, Connecticut

2011-12-26T00:27:00.001-08:00

From the odd file: This guy, along with his wife and three grandchildren were killed in a horrific fire – Christmas morning.

Happy Santa - Santa Claus - Southbury, Connecticut

Pictured: All five who died in fire on Christmas. From Happy Santa.

The war on Christmas

2011-11-20T20:06:00.001-08:00

Here's 3 minutes of your life

2011-11-03T05:42:00.001-07:00

Moon rocks.

2011-10-21T15:46:00.000-07:00

Looking for the video of my visit to the moon rock exhibit? Me too. Something has malfunctioned in the video camera. I'm working on it but it may take some time and I'm not sure if it exists or not. - sorry about that.

To the teachers who were kind enough to answer questions and the parent and child who showed me her moon drawing thank you for doing that sorry about the problems with the video. (I know I should remember your name but that was on the tape!)

Forecast of doom?

2011-08-08T00:38:00.001-07:00

Here in 16 seconds I list all the bad things that might happen in the next four years.

Streaming Archive

Pointed commentary cuts video feed.

2011-07-20T15:08:00.001-07:00

Last night’s council meeting. For some odd reason the police were limiting the number of people in the meeting.

So I had to ask to bring some business before the council to get in. Which I did. Well, apparently my probing questions broke the TV camera!

It turns out there was some controversy. There was a group of disgruntled citizens there to protest the gunning down of one of their community members. For some reason.

Grand dream loses sheen in glare of daylight

2011-07-14T03:45:00.000-07:00

Grand dream loses sheen in glare of daylight

Prison doctor gets paid for doing little or nothing

2011-07-14T03:44:00.000-07:00

Prison doctor gets paid for doing little or nothing

2011-06-08T05:05:00.000-07:00

Here's the video from last night. I barely escaped!

Getting ready for the plume

2011-03-17T11:47:00.000-07:00

Don't tell Michele

2011-03-02T19:20:00.000-08:00

Election Day II

2010-11-01T20:40:00.001-07:00

I forgot to mention, I’ve forgiven David Harmer. The reasons: Every candidate has some goons and/or idiots hanging around him. I don’t blame Rand Paul for the fight that took place outside where he was debating. No matter how unfortunate the events were you just can’t blame him!

Also, I don’t think they picked me out. It’s not like they said “there’s that ‘joe’ – Get him!” They volunteers were just incompetent morons.

And lastly the Congress of the United States isn’t about my feelings; it’s about electing someone who will make wise decisions and keep us free.

Election Day!

2010-11-01T19:41:00.001-07:00

I wasn’t going to come out with any “recommendations” this year. I didn’t feel like gumming up the political process too much. But I can’t resist at least saying where I’m leaning on election day:

For Mayor of Manteca, Carlon Perry is the obvious choice. We are also electing two councilmen: I’d go with Richard Behling, he seems like a smart guy who understands some deep concepts about the role of government. And for the other council position – I have no idea, name your poison.

For Governor of California, Meg Whitman and for senator Carly Fiorina. At least they created at least one job in their lives, which is more than Brown or Boxer have done.

There’s a bunch more candidates. But no stand outs so you might as well let your parakeet peck at the sample ballot and pick one. Or – NONE. Yes, you can pick “none.” You just don’t vote for those. It will count as an “undervote” but the rest of the ballot will count. There’s no requirement to vote for every single office or every single ballot measure if you don’t know which to pick. Check with election officials if you don’t believe me.

So far as propositions: Prop 19 is a step in the right direction – just in terms of “harm reduction” regardless if you believe using marijuana is good or bad. No one will make you “smoke pot” and if there are those that say it helps them, what do I care? Get the government out of this equation.

I’m still analyzing some of the others. Here, rather than spoon feed you the proposition numbers and a “yes/no” I’ll just spout a few principles to keep in mind.

There’s a proposition on suspending AB32, the “Global Warming®” law. That’s a no brainer – of course yes, suspend it. In this economy? And the whole fear of global Al Goreism is way overblown. Way.

Currently, the legislature has to agree on a budget with a 2/3 vote. We want that. I don’t care how late the budget is. If you lower that to simple majority, that will just make it “easier” to spend your money on a budget that’s not so agreeable. Also, if you cut the legislators’ pay if the budget is late – you’ll get a budget on time even if it’s the worst budget on earth.

Lets see what else there is… this ballot looks like the SAT…..

The power of one, part II

2010-09-18T22:15:00.001-07:00

Now we see the real power of one, finally. Here in this video clip.

This occurred after the harassment at my seat in the back for roughly 5 minutes, the “guy” chasing me around causing a disturbance and after I asked for simple clarification “Am I allowed to film here, yes or no?” Which no one would answer. (Except “the guy” who had no authority to be harassing me and telling me not to film.)

Notice after all this, now a 2nd Harmer staffer is stepping in front of me. The original guy hasn’t given up, and now also Sara Blicharz is moving in front of me to obstruct and interfere with me. That’s at least three “after me” not including another nondescript fellow moving around the place with some urgency.

Now, in this video we pick up as the 2nd Harmer staff, the first harassing guy and Sara Blicharz attack. At this point, one courageous citizen has the guts to stand up and ask the obvious:

Why are you bothering this guy? Everyone else is filming; there’s a fellow filming right there (points to the center) who’s been sitting there filming the whole time….

He didn’t get much of an answer; but the question was enough.

And guess what, the harassment stopped. This ended the incident for practical purposes. Suddenly no one cared what I did or where I sat, no one bothered me. This is after telling the harasser didn’t work; telling the Harmer team didn’t work. Talking to Blicharz didn’t work. The power of one man’s objection was the only thing that meant anything.

Note the calm at the end of the video. hmm.

By the way, I’m sorry for so many “guys” in this story and so few names. I count “guy1 thru guy4” And I think I do know the guy who stood up for me he was familiar, but I just can’t be sure the video is unclear. But I’ll be sure to thank him when I see him next.

Oh, and just to answer one more question I’ve been asked why didn’t you simply ask if it was ok or not. Well, I did. Here. Note how Blicharz carefully considers my question, fully investigates my complaint, and politely explains…. (cough)

This clip is just a minute prior to the above clip. I’ll… just let it speak for itself. Viewer discretion is advised, due to it’s content, this video is not suitable for viewing. By anyone:

Previously, part I here.

The power of one, part I

2010-09-17T23:02:00.001-07:00

This is simply an accounting of the events of Sep 14, 2010, at the Meeting of the South San Joaquin Republicans.

The Manteca Bulletin, at first, reported that for some inexplicable reason, some madman just got up and disrupted the meeting. It was only after I demanded the correct story be told that the Bulletin re-wrote their accounting of events. Maybe I’m just sensitive, but there’s something about being called a “meeting disrupter” that bothered me. I went to the meeting just to hear and support my candidates in peace; I brought a camcorder because it might be interesting, I guess, I really didn’t have any reason. But there were dozens of both still and video cameras going in that room.

I know this is a boring accounting but here it is. By the way no one now disputes this what really occurred so I don’t know why I bother, but just for the record:

About an hour into the meeting, I’ve been sitting there filming whatever I thought might be interesting. I’ve been filming for 31 minutes, 22 seconds when some guy sits down next to me and tells me he’s going to ask me to leave if I don’t stop filming. I pointed out the obvious (I’m invited, the leader of the meeting knows I’m filming and never complained, everyone else is filming, etc.. So I’m confused and just “thanked him” for letting me know.) But continued filming on and off, just as I did for all the other candidates there.

Note I’m clearly in the back of the room, in a chair, minding my own business. The “harassment” from this “guy” has been going on for 4 minutes, 20 seconds.

So I get up and move from the back, and this guy gets up to follow me. This is at :36 minutes, 00 sec.

He followed close. Only 4 seconds to catch me.

trying to block my view, and you can see, again, I’m still at the back of the room.

I’m moving toward the front now, a look back – see who’s following me? And who else? At the front, but even here, note I’m on the left front, not directly in front of the speaker.

But I’m “pushed” closer to the center.

Now someone is on the move, see the figure in the rear right? (under the “2” in 0:37:02)

We have our little dispute. Some words are said. You don’t have to lecture me, I know there are always better ways to handle things; but cut me a break, I’m being harassed here!

So now I’ve moved to the back again. Now a 2nd guy starts jumping in my way, blocking my view.

Now the same guy hasn’t given up!

He’s still harassing me. And wait a sec, who’s that other body on the right that’s stepped in front of me?

Next: Part II: The Power of One.

2010-08-06T19:51:00.001-07:00

Obama authorizes assassination of U.S. citizen

2010-07-19T20:05:00.000-07:00

Confirmed: Obama authorizes assassination of U.S. citizen

New edgy presidential address

2010-07-03T09:26:00.000-07:00

This is how it's starting to look to me:

Weekly Address: Jobs Creation from White House Weekly Address on Vimeo.

Happy Independence Day!

What scoundrel took my flag?

2010-06-24T13:45:00.001-07:00

It went missing Wednesday morning. Probably some communist. And they took the pole too!

Election Results – We hate PG&E, except we hate government supplied electricity more.

2010-06-09T15:57:00.001-07:00

The referendum to require a vote of the people before government can take over electric power generation failed to get enough votes to pass. It seems like an odd result to me. People voted to deny themselves the right to vote on something.

Probably PG&E could have run a better campaign. It was about more than just politicians spending money. In addition it was about the collective right to steal or “take” property from the PG&E owners (millions of shareholders throughout the state).

What may have won the day was this feeling that “corporations are greedy evil bastards!” and “they are always ripping us off!” Fair enough.

It reminds me of the campaign against the railroad companies in the late 19th century. Then the complaint then was about how “unfair” it was that some railroad routes were shorter and cost more than some longer routes. It was an obvious rip off! (Or so they thought, the actual reason was economics). So, after the public demanded action, the government took over the pricing and raised the prices of all the cheaper routes. Now things were “fair” and everyone was “happy!”

So the question is, if PG&E are greedy bastards, then what is SSJID or other government entities? They are men, not angels, just as politically greedy as any corporate board. So, in effect the voters decided that greedy men serve you better if they have guns and can extract money from you by force. (Through taxation.)

Look at the results of the election, by county below left. And the map of PG&E “territory.” (There are some small govt utilities in that “service area though)

In the dark counties, the voters rejected prop 16, i.e. they hate greedy PG&E. Notice anything odd? These are generally the counties served by PG&E! At first glance, sure, it makes sense, PG&E must be terrible, they would know, right?

But on the other hand, look who approved prop 16. They hate the government power worse.

Is it just a case of “the grass is greener?” That’s for you to decide. But if public power was all it’s cracked up to be I would have expected people served by government power to not hate it so much. It seems like they wish they could be served by PG&E!

Note particularly, the high level of hatred of government power in Orange and Riverside counties. (Just about 60%). Also, why did San Joaquin approve the measure and demand a vote on the matter? Could it be that we’re tired of the propaganda from SSJID? (15% less than what?) What about Stanislaus county, also rejecting public power. That is the place where SSJID is telling us “they are so happy they got rid of PG&E!” Well it doesn’t seem so from the election results. The warning is clear; people with government power are telling us “don’t do it, it’s worse than PG&E if you can believe that!”

Election Results - June 8, 2010, Statewide Direct Primary - California Secretary of State

Technorati Tags: Proposition 16,PG&E,SSJID

A mile under the sea

2010-05-28T22:18:00.001-07:00

After 35 years?

2010-05-24T21:31:00.000-07:00

Check out the lawyer in this video. He sounds more cynical than me!

Editorial - Rand Paul and the Limits of Libertarianism - NYTimes.com

2010-05-22T00:17:00.001-07:00

Or, as the New York Times tells us, “the importance of enlightened government.”

Rand Paul’s comments are a great chance to expose the propaganda of “the conventional wisdom.” The CW is this unstated cannon of general principles that just about everyone in the press lives, frames their world, and is so indoctrinated by, they can’t even see their own bias. Like the fish that’s covered in water its whole life, “the fish doesn’t know it’s wet.”

And this editorial hits them all. Or at least the big ones. Lets look at them; one at a time!

Where are these philosopher kings of an enlightened government? How do we find these people? Even if they existed, how would they be elected? If mankind is greedy and evil, then why would you want to put other greedy and evil men over your life to rule it?

How was it possible for “neighborhood associations” to discriminate based on race? Who upheld those contracts as valid? The courts, a part of the government. Based on laws.

Who fixed the “lunch counters” that refused to seat blacks? Was it the government or public shunning? The NYT editorial laughs at you if you thought “public shunning.” Did you notice that? But guess what; read history, it was public shunning, and not any court orders that ended the now famous Woolworths lunch counter discrimination. (This was in the ‘50’s and the “civil rights act of 1964” was almost a decade later.) But the government takes credit for “giving you civil rights!”

How has “liberty” been shown to be ineffective at promoting a “civil” society? (Set aside for a minute if being “civil” is more important than being “free.”) What do they mean the “freedom of a few to discriminate meant generations of less freedom for large groups…?” Not in a free market! Only in a powerful, top-down government can “a few” control “many.” In a free market, there’s very little a few persons can do.

The next example -- we should be so thankful the government ended slavery and something they call “Jim Crow.” (Usually they are called “Jim Crow Laws” but that would have been too obvious.) Let me get this straight. We should be thankful that the government that enabled slavery saw fit to stop enslaving us? And if the government that enforced separatist, “Jim Crow” laws has seen fit to stop doing that, we should be grateful?

Slavery could never have existed but for government support. Neither could “Jim Crow” laws. Or separate (but equal) schools, or even water fountains, which were chiefly in government buildings. I’ve read reports of frontier towns in Kansas territory that educated all their children “white” and “negro” in a one room school house. But the state officials commanded them to build two separate schools! The townsfolk didn’t see any need and thought the school was perfectly fine. (History Channel) But that was the point, the state couldn’t allow whites to “accept” negro children in their school! What would that lead to? Equality and everyone just “getting along?”

Who is the editor to say “neither (slavery nor Jim Crow) would be eliminated by a free market?” These were both created by the government, of course the free market would have ended both sooner than they were but for government action. (See Milton Friedman).

Next are the two big doozies. The two big lies we’ve been taught by the government schools since we were children. And in the press all the time, and most of us believe:

1. The government rescued the economy from the Great Depression! Oh god does anyone still believe this? I know we’ve heard this our whole lives, but there’s a large body of scholarship that says exactly the opposite. The “Great Depression” was a blip or hiccup in the economy until both Hoover and FDR “tried to fix” it. Everything they did made things worse. Hoover made it worse, he was voted out of office and FDR came in and did more of what Hoover was doing, making things even worse than they were. The result was more than a decade of poverty.

2. The government promoted safety and equality in the workplace. John Stossel goes over this better than I can. The result of free enterprise was that the workplace was getting safer and safer. When the government finally stepped in and formed “OSHA” the safety record continued about the same as it was before (getting better all the time). But the government stepped in front of the parade and took credit for the “improved workplace safety.” As is common. (See Stossel.)

So far as promoting equality? See the congressional hearing in the 1930’s regarding the new laws to protect and enable the labor union movement. The main reason the unions were asking for special protection from the government was to protect the white workers from competition from “negro labor.” And we should be “thankful” that the government grants us equality?

Editorial - Rand Paul and the Limits of Libertarianism - NYTimes.com

Harmer claims Emken "lobbied for Obama Care???"

2010-05-21T17:22:00.000-07:00

The phone rang around 2:30 pm yesterday. It was some guy calling himself "Harmer" and told me that Elizabeth Emken "lobbied for Obama Care" or Obama's health care plan.

Actually, I'd just talked to Emken a few times and each time the center of her campaign was the repeal of Obama-care. In fact in the video a few weeks ago, there is a place where she is against the "Obama health care bill" but it got cut out because of noise and distractions. (Someone was handing her clipboards to sign and we got distracted.)

If anyone has any doubt I can find that part of the video for you, but it's really not needed. The issue has been discussed a lot. And what is in the video is a discussion of how she can be "against the Obama health care bill" when she had, in the past, asked for more research and treatment of autism. Based on the answer it's obvious she's against the "health care" bill.

That's the problem with these robo-call whisper rumor calls. When you make a public statement the other side can respond to it. But there's something insidious about these secret calls. And who is this "Harmer" fellow?