Inmates Are Running the Asylum
by Dale Tyler

On May 16, 2011, the City Council voted to increase the pay of city employees approximately 2.9%. This increase comes at a time when the city is running a significant deficit by spending more money than there are tax monies coming in. Also, many private sector employees have not had raises in some time due to the economic conditions here in California. One of the chief causes of the problems in California is excessive spending on government.

Why should the council give the city staff a 2.9% raise? Because the very same staff “determined” that they were underpaid by about 2.9% compared to other cities in the area. None of the publicly available exhibits to support agenda item 21 provide any details as to how our city staff made this determination, but we have seen this kind of reasoning before. Here is how they may have gone about it.

• Find other cities that seem to be similar to Mission Viejo, but are actually in the top 50% of payroll costs.
• Compare the high range of each employee classification. This will require some creative adjustment of classes since there is not always equivalence between cities. Always adjust upwards to compare to another city's higher classifications.
• Using these high-cost cities' data and the scaled up classifications, determine how “underpaid” our poor city employees really are.
• Result: Mission Viejo employees need about a 2.9% raise to make as much as the “average” city worker.

Even if these methods did not stack the deck in favor of a raise, the real question is why any raise was needed at all. If we are to use comparisons to establish the correct pay increase, the comparison should be made using total compensation, including pensions, healthcare and all other benefits to similar positions in the private sector. There is no reason why government employees should be paid more than you and I.

It seems to me that it is never prudent to allow the city employees to write the reports that are then used by the City Manager to browbeat the simpletons on the City Council into giving raises to those same employees.

It should be noted that the City Council did take some steps toward having the city staff finally start paying more of their share of their already extravagant pensions. The Council needs to go much further and require that all employees pay their entire pension costs, starting today. Unfortunately, our City Council decided that for future employees that the city will still pay 39% of the pension costs. Our city council understands that the bill for their reckless spending will be paid by future city residents, and the time bomb of government employee pensions will be someone else's problem, because they will be out of office before the bill comes due.

This pension “reform” is nothing but a shell game that will cost the City dearly in years to come. I wish we had a council majority with the courage to stand up to the government employees.

These fake reforms, long championed by Ury with Kelley and Leckness as tag-alongs, should clearly demonstrate to voters that new leadership is needed on the Mission Viejo City Council.

State Secession
by Bob Serrao www.intodaysenglish.com

In the light of a bullish Administration, should states secede from the United States? Why ask such a question?

Well, to say that today’s centralized U.S. government has drifted wildly from its original moorings is an understatement. In doing so it has morphed into a grotesque freak resembling nothing of the “republican form of Government” envisioned by the Framers (Article Four, Section 4). It has miniaturized every citizen and trashed every commendable virtue that has made America great…travesties of immeasurable disgrace.

The U.S. government has loosed the chains with which WE THE PEOPLE had bound it, picked up these very chains and bound US! No longer do we have a government that is “of, by and for the People” (Lincoln), for our “safety, happiness and security,” (Declaration, Paragraph 2). We are now re-entering the bottom of the tyranny cycle from which we had once escaped…and the crush is growing more painful with every new law. We citizens are becoming slaves once again, being disadvantaged by our own ignorance and indifference. We have accepted the bondage and taken liberty to unhealthy extremes. In one sense, we get what we deserve; in another sense, we deserve better.

Obviously, the “consent of the governed” (Declaration) is being crushed to death at the despotic will of an elite oligarchy who know very well what they are doing, being aided by all three treasonous branches of its hanging tree. Cautiously, the Constitution does not call for a two-party system -- Republicans and Democrats. With this crippling paradigm, we are so basically screwed. This alone is moral justification for secession.

To secede; Latin -- to move, to depart or to separate, Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary http://www.1828-dictionary.com/d/search/word,secede ; to withdraw from a political or religious body, organization, union, or especially a political entity. 

So, is secession the remedy? Absolutely and ultimately! Secession is morally justified when it involves oppression of those governed. If the individual States would interpose themselves, nullify in their boundaries all unconstitutional “laws” and secede from the Union, we might put big government back in chains and right our nation.

Secession movements have been successful in many nations, even America. The American Revolutionary War for Independence from England, 1775-83 was, by definition, an act of secession by a grassroots movement of the colonies. The Declaration put the King of England on notice that they no longer considered themselves “royal subjects,” but “free and independent states.” It was monumental and gutsy. U.S. President Thomas Jefferson: "If any state in the Union will declare that it prefers separation...to a continuance in union... I have no hesitation in saying, 'let us separate.’”

And in 1860-61, eleven of the Southern states seceded from the Union, South Carolina being the first. Did we have wars? Oh, yes! So what? Things worked themselves out with the Constitution and Amendments, and we are a better nation for it.

U.S. President James Buchanan, Fourth Annual Message to Congress on the State of the Union December 3, 1860: "The fact is that our Union rests upon public opinion, and can never be cemented by the blood of its citizens shed in civil war. If it cannot live in the affections of the people, it must one day perish.”

Secede? Yes, “…whenever any form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.” “…it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.” Declaration of Independence, 1776.

But, do the states have the will and fortitude to do this today? Here is the weak link in the secession chain. Every State is held hostage in the chains of bribery because it receives mucho dinero from the government. The Feds just might decapitate a State’s funds, leaving the co-dependent State to bleed to death. How scary! Ask Ben Nelson and Mary Landau about political bribery and handouts. Ask Stupak about Administrative thuggery.

So, if our government refuses to function on principles and powers of laws of government which the people ordain, empower and subscribe, they can and should interpose themselves, nullify all unconstitutional “legislation” and secede. It is the only practical and moral solution to protect human freedom and manageable governance.

When the irresistible force of human freedom crashes into the immoveable object of big government, sooner or later human freedom will always win.

Thomas Jefferson: “When governments fear the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny.”

CONSTITUTION or SUCESSION? Liberty or death? You decide for yourself, for America!

Non-government Events

Following is a sampling of events and activities that are not funded by taxpayers or promoted by the Nanny State. Please support private enterprise.

Jazz Monsters Concert with Roni Ben-Hur, Nilson Matta Septet and the Exotic New York-Budapest Brazilian Ensemble, May 25, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Soka University’s Campus Green Stage, 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo, (949) 480-4000, http://www.info@soka.edu

Bowers Kidseum, Drop-in Family Art Inventions, Fri..-Sun., May 27-29, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Summer Camp Adventures begin June 20, 1802 N. Main Street, Santa Ana, (714) 480-1520, http://www.bowers.org/kidseum.php/earlychildhood

“Compatible Flowering Desert Plants in the Native Garden,” Sat., May 28, 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m., Tree of Life Nursery, 33201 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, (949) 728-0685, http://www.californianativeplants.com

“Create a Succulent Wreath” class, Sat., May 28, 10:00 a.m., Cottage Home and Garden, 31720 Los Rios Street, San Juan Capistrano, (949) 493-3920, http://www.cottage-home-and-garden.com/events.htm

“Sweet Charity,” through May 29, Camino Real Playhouse, 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, (949) 489-8082, http://caminorealplayhouse.org

Aliso Viejo Ice Palace, 9 Journey, Aliso Viejo, (949) 643-9648, public skating times include Mon. through Fri. 2:15 p.m. to 4:45 p.m., Sat. and Sun. 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Wed., 6:15 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Fri. 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., http://www.avicepalace.com

Michaels, 25310 Marguerite Parkway, (949) 770-5001, schedule of art and crafts classes can be found at http://www.michaels.com/Store-Events/store-events,default,pg.html

Learn about “Silver Metal Clay Jewelry,” Sat., June 4, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p., Studio Primrose and Surfaces of Distinction, 27601 Forbes Road, Suite 34, Laguna Niguel, (949) 584-1917, http://studioprimrose.com

Young Rembrandts Art Class, Mondays through June 6, noon to 1:00 p.m., Pretend City Children’s Museum, 29 Hubble, Irvine, (949) 428-3900, http://pretendcity.org

Art Exhibit, “Scrimshaw: the Art and Craft of the American Whaler,” through September 30, Bowers Museum, 2002 N. Main Street, Santa Ana, (714) 567-3600, http://www.bowers.org/index.php/art/exhibitions_listing/current.

Saddleback Lanes bowling alley has been in business since 1974; great gathering place with special discounts for groups. Events throughout the week, 25402 Marguerite Pkwy, Mission Viejo, (949) 586-5300, http://www.saddlebacklanes.net

Farmers Market, San Juan Capistrano, Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Historic Town Center Park, (949) 493-4700.

Farmers Market, Laguna Hills, Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Laguna Hills Mall, (714) 573-0374.

Movies, Edwards Kaleidoscope Stadium 10 in Mission Viejo, 27741 Crown Valley Pkwy, (949) 582-4020, get show times, watch movie trailers, see what's coming soon at
http://www.moviefone.com/theater/edwards-kaleidoscope-stadium-10/32/showtimes

Political and Government Events Calendar

Orange County Board of Supervisors will meet Tues., May 24, 9:30 a.m., in the Board Hearing Room, First Floor, 333 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana, (714) 834-3100. After May 24, the next meeting is June 7, and budget hearings will take place on June 14-15. http://www.ocgov.com/ocgov/Government/Board%20of%20Supervisors

Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees, regular meeting, Wed., May 25, 7:00 p.m., 33122 Valle Road, San Juan Capistrano, agenda and supporting documentation will be published on the website 72 hours prior to a meeting, (949) 234-9200, http://capousd.ca.schoolloop.com

Aliso Viejo Republican Women Federated, May 26, 6:30 p.m., “Honoring Our Military,” with guest speaker WWII Veteran Lou Mauro, Aliso Viejo Conference Center, 31 Santa Barbara Drive, Aliso Viejo. RSVP: Cathy Miller, (949) 859-2818, or Janine Heft, (949) 735-0718.

Republican Club of Laguna Woods, May 27, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., guest speaker will be Assemblyman Don Wagner of the 70th Assembly District, Laguna Woods, Clubhouse 5, 24262 Punta Alta, Laguna Woods, (949) 588-8514.

Tustin Area Republican Women Federated General Meeting and Luncheon, May 27, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tustin Ranch Golf Club. Guest Speaker will be Bruce Herschensohn, “Crisis in Egypt: The Impact on U.S. Foreign Policy and Our Efforts in the Middle East,” 12442 Tustin Ranch Road, Tustin, (714) 544-2063.

Commemorate Memorial Day at the Richard Nixon Library, Mon., May 30, free admission all day. Activities include a Formal Wreath Laying Ceremony at 1:00 p.m. and a performance by the 90-member Placentia Symphonic Band at 2:00 p.m., 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, (714) 364-1181.

Rush Limbaugh Club OC, June 11, 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., breakfast meeting at Casta del Sol Golf Club, featuring guest speaker Evan Sayet, 27601 Casta del Sol Road, Mission Viejo, (949) 487-5288, limbaughcluboc@aol.com, http://limbaughcluboc@aol.com

Flag Day Dinner, Mon., June 13, 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Irvine Hyatt, 17900 Jamboree Road, Irvine, guest speakers will be New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez and commentator Bill Whittle. For more information, go to http://www.ocgop.org/flagday, or call Scott Loenhorst at the OCGOP headquarters, (714) 453-0900.

Saddleback Republican Assembly will host guest speaker Brad Dacus of Pacific Justice Institute at its regular meeting on Thurs., June 16, (949) 830-8088, Norm Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo.

The Buzz

From Aliso Viejo Republican Women Federated: “John us for our May meeting as we honor our Military heroes. We are blessed to have one of these heroes as an Associate Member of our club. Come hear WWII and Korean War Veteran Lou Mauro share his experiences on Thurs., May 26, 6:30 p.m., at Aliso Viejo Conference Center, 31 Santa Barbara Drive, Aliso Viejo.” Call Cathy Miller (949) 859-2818 or Janine Heft (949) 735-0718 for information or to RSVP.

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A Mission Viejo Dispatch article summarized an $83-million unfunded retirement liability for the Orange County Fire Authority resulting from a great big payroll reporting error http://missionviejodispatch.com/budget/fire-authority-error-causes-83-million-shortfall . It’s a good idea to continue emphasizing the level of incompetence that’s prevalent at every level of government, along with the lack of oversight. In Mission Viejo, two council members – Trish Kelley and Dave Leckness – demonstrate at each meeting they have no grasp of city finance or City Hall operations. When the city was considering partnering with the Capo school district on a joint-use gymnasium, Kelley delivered her analysis of how the gym would “pay for itself” with user fees. Her ideas and calculations were so wrong that people in the audience were laughing out loud. She ended by saying, “I did the math.”

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Kelley has been the city’s OCFA representative for years, often bragging that the firemen really appreciate her service as chair of their budget and finance committee. A fireman revealed to a Mission Viejo resident some of Kelley’s gaffes, which OCFA apparently finds amusing. As an example, on the subject of tires for fire trucks, Kelley advised OCFA that she had gotten “a really good deal on tires at Costco.”

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This blog has many times questioned how city staffers got the authority to develop their own logo, a clip-art iron tree. Their decision to create a logo was done without input from residents, who have no need for a “brand” on city property other than the official city seal. City Hall’s branding is reminiscent of the Old West when varmints rustled cattle and applied their own brand on what belonged to others. City hall’s iron tree should be called the Money Tree, particularly after the council majority on May 16 gave city employees a raise when significant numbers of residents are out of work and losing their homes.

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From a March 3, 2011, Sacramento Bee article by Phillip Reese, “During 2009, California police officers earned, on average, $92,817, including overtime, incentive pay and payouts upon retirement, according to a Bee analysis of data from the state controller's office. Firefighters and engineers earned, on average, $114,565. Average pay for police captains across the state was $161,606; for fire captains, it was $143,558.” In Orange County, average pay was $118,968 for Officer/Firefighter, $146,717 for Captain. http://www.sacbee.com/2011/03/03/3446569/see-average-police-firefighter.html?appSession=323218279503870

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The occupants of Mission Viejo City Hall have failed to address the false claims that the city’s affordable housing units will be occupied by police officers, firefighters and teachers. These professionals make too much money to qualify for affordable housing, yet every affordable housing project is heralded with the same lies about who will live there.