California Construction Trucking Association (CCTA)

For the next two months we will all be bombarded with phone calls, mail advertisements and door-to-door precinct walkers, all with one thing in mind, “vote for my candidate or my proposition.” 

Frankly, I have never seen our country so divided with the lines in the sand firmly drawn in place, Liberal vs. Conservative.  Even a political junkie such as me must sometimes try to escape this bombardment and I find my only relief coming from turning the channel from 24-hour news to a good crime documentary.  There is nothing like a murder to get your mind off current events and it is much more pleasant.

I always had a difficult time when studying about the Civil War that “Brother turned against Brother,” thing but now I get it.  Suddenly, I am cautious about whom I share my political views with and those in my close circle usually tend to think as I do.  However, there are some people that I love dearly (whose views are completely opposite of mine) and I can see it will be a challenge to maintain our civility towards each other as these political battles escalate.  I can only offer the following advice, know why you are voting for your chosen candidate, which means we must all delve further than name recognition or popularity as we decide who can best represent us. 

I consider my life a blessing that here in my sixties I am participating in demonstrations that I did not take part of in the 60’s.  Such was the case on August 15th when people came from throughout the state to “Circle the Capital Rally” concerning Cap and Trade.  Numerous excellent speakers were on hand and there was yours truly with magazines and information to hand out to many who claimed to know nothing about this issue which will affect every California resident. 

Billions will be imposed upon businesses still remaining here that are considered “gross polluters.”  I’m sure your first thought when hearing the words “gross polluters” will be refineries; yes, they are the number one target.  As are cement manufacturers, all manufacturing in general and even seasonal canneries.  Yes, as has been touted, we must all do our share to stop global warming.

However, last week an unintended consequence came forward, our very own UC system.  It turns out that even our university research centers are on the “gross polluters” list.  Suddenly we have panic; we must find a way out for them.  Will it perhaps be legislation to exempt them?  I say, “What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.”  Tax one, tax all.  Perhaps our entire state will have to collapse before sanity returns. 

I am sure most of you also are aware of the fire at the Chevron Refinery in Richmond on August 6.  I can tell you that as I watched the live coverage I began to feel my heart rate increase.  I wondered if perhaps I should seek medical attention, but ruled that out after I saw the lines forming at the local hospitals. As of now, over 14,000 residents have sought medical treatment and monetary claims for breathing difficulties, sore throats and eye irritation.  One man was filing on behalf of his dogs for this stressful event, another was going to destroy his entire vegetable garden which he felt might have been contaminated. 

I would never begrudge anyone who was truly damaged by this event and perhaps I am the fool for not getting in line for the “free money.”  Last week I developed a severe eye inflammation with extreme pain.  My official diagnosis is iritis (arthritis of the iris) and I can assure you that I look pretty pathetic, which could get me a nice chunk of change and who is to say that this couldn’t have been brought on by the fire?

This could be that pot of gold I have desperately been searching for.