Apologies to the Grateful Dead for borrowing their words, but they seem to sum up what I've been thinking lately. Let's see if I can capture what led to these thoughts.
The election process: It was finally said in print. No one likes the nasty mud-slings words of politics, but they will continue to use them because they work. Is my message so correct that I can use any means to make it happen?
The elections themselves: Never before have I felt that so many people will not be represented by their elected representatives. Not just nationally, but statewide and locally. I have a very real feeling of being a minority.
California: I am one of the 30% of Republicans. Forget about the party or label. Just the knowledge that the only place my vote counts is in the county and city I live smacks of not living in a republic.
California II: Proposition 30 was nothing more than blackmail by the people in power to get their way. I work in the field of education and the pressure to for vote this was tremendous. Dire consequences spelled out by CTA, the governor's office, the California Department of Education, the local principal and superintendent. Now let's see what happens with this new money.
California III: A new book, Crazifornia by Laer Pearce (Thank you Alan Caruba for the blogpost about the book). As if the previous items didn't give a sense of foreboding, finding this book and blog sealed the deal about California. I haven't read the book, and don't think I will at this time. Seems like it would be "piling on" to what I already feel.
California IV: We now have a super majority in the state Senate and Assembly.What new taxes await us?
Firing of a coach: I recently found out that a coach I know and respect was fired. This coach has been subjected to onerous conditions for them to continue to coach over the last few years because of numerous parent complaints. The gist of the complaints is playing time and position the athlete plays. The complaints have taken many nasty paths, though. What has the coach produced in their 20+ years of coaching? The most successful record of any sport on campus, and athletes that have moved onto the collegiate level to play. There has been no abuse, just good solid fundamentals being taught and reinforced bringing about team success. I guess they weren't supposed to win so much.
Firing of a coach II: I think I'm next on this list.
The reaction to this is flight at this time. I know that is not necessarily the proper response, but I am still trying to find the correct response. Should my family become another of the 225,000 Californians leaving each year? And where to go? We have heard from friends that have moved. Their word is, "It's so much better to move." But is it correct?
Half of my family moved to California in the second great migration of the 1880's. The other half in the Dust Bowl/Great Depression of the 1930's. Maybe I will follow their lead and find the next place to plant this family. It also leads me to think of another song.
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2 comments:
If my family lived somewhere else, I would have left years ago.
Fortunately we still live in an area with like minded people but that is changing. All my kids moved back to our area because I live here. Work transfered me here 16 years ago and I really like the place but I don't know if I can stay. Wish I was 20 years younger, it would make the decision to get out much easier.
The one and only reason I'm leaving a job that I enjoy so much is for the money: the new job will be a good job, so I'm not trading pleasure for pain. Most of the money will be put away so if I choose to leave I will have the ability to start again somewhere else.
These are sad and uncertain times! Sorry to hear about the coach. Old fashioned values are just that: old fashioned. They are tried and true and they worked!
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