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Another beautiful day in paradise….although by the end of the meeting, it was sounding more like paradise lost. We did start out on an upbeat note with President Stan calling the meeting to order, followed by a truly inspirational moment with Paula Cordeiro quoting Martin Luther King. We had a rousing rendition of “God Bless America” led by John Powell and Larry Showley. Bert Wahlen gave us the latest news which was followed by Joe Farrage introducing the Hoover High visiting students and counselor. Jo Dee Jacob welcomed our newest member, Ann Hill. Bink Cook introduced 7 Paul Harris fellows: Jay Arnett, Bill Beamer, Michelle Candland, Bob Fletcher, Mary Colacicco, Charles Duddles and Dick Troncone. Congratulations one and all!
President Stan introduced our Chair of the Day, the recently retired Ben Clay, who discharged his duties by noting the visiting Rotarians and then presenting our speaker Dan Walters, a veteran political columnist for the Sacramento Bee. Dan’s been reporting since the mid ‘70s and he was quite pessimistic about the current state of affairs. The fiscal crisis, he said, is not just a function of the bad economy or our elected officials; rather that California has a “hyper-democracy” which demands legislative unanimity. The last time that occurred in the legislature was when they deregulated electrical power in the state and we all remember what a disaster that was.
Our next governor, to be elected in 2010, will find the same problems as our current governor. “We are functionally ungovernable,” stated Dan, “with too many checks and balances.” It is an arcane and obsolete system so major issues such as transportation, education, water and health care have not been dealt with and may never be dealt with.
There are efforts to restructure government although Dan isn’t convinced any will actually produce significant material change. As a result, as time goes on, surely it will deter business investment and thereby prolong California’s economic malaise. We have a beautiful state, with so much potential, being squandered. What a shame!
Editor of the Day: Jill Spitzer
Photographer: Mike Conner
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