Tag archives: election

Election seasons are the winter fall of our discontent when politics rears its ugly head and hypocrisy runs amok. We are in the middle of that discontent as we approach the mid-term elections. Billions are spent in the scramble for power. Politicians offer vague platitudes as solutions while they accuse their opponents of things they […]

In January of 2018 Montecito had a front row seat to the tragically high price we can pay for living in a small slice of paradise sandwiched between the beautiful Santa Ynez Mountains and the sparkling Pacific Ocean. We also came to understand why what’s going on in the insurance industry matters. State Sen. Ben […]

Over six years ago (March 26, 2020), I published an article “Voting Paradoxes?” that showed how a candidate disliked by most voters can win an election. After I wrote that, it happened in Santa Barbara. Randy Rowse became mayor while winning just 38.6% of the vote. Because two opponents split the opposition vote. Nearly two-thirds […]

In December 2024, the USPS changed the rules about how mail-in ballots will get collected, postmarked, and eventually counted. This had a profound effect on the number of ballots that can be rejected. Statewide, the number of mail-in ballots disqualified due to these changes increased by 400% between 2024 and the 2025 special election (Prop […]

It’s hard to believe it’s been six years since then Santa Barbara School Board Member Laura Capps threw her hat in the ring to challenge then 1st District County Supervisor Das Williams for his seat on the Santa Barbara Board of Supervisors. Laura didn’t win, but she came a lot closer to defeating her veteran […]

Reflecting on this election involves both Big Questions and smaller thoughts. Some of my friends offer conspiracies of how the election was rigged. For weeks we knew that this election was too close to call. Statistician Nate Silver predicted the election had a 40% chance of being a blowout for either side. In short: I […]

I love my country, America. There has been nothing like it in the history of the world. I’ve been listening to a lot of podcasts about our revolution and the founders of our republic. It’s easy to be sarcastic or critical of their faults but these men, intellectuals, farmers, lawyers, and businessmen, founded the United […]

It’s hard to break my heart these days. I’ve become so inured to hateful remarks. To bad manners. I know I’m not the only one who feels exhausted by the toxically divisive politics of this moment. The hubris we all bring to every conversation that treads whatsoever into politics. It all feels so depressingly… normal. […]

I’ve lived in Pacific Palisades for 22 years, and lived through Caruso’s redevelopment of our downtown area into a modern shopping mall. He was clever in his approach – buying up and closing down local businesses for years so that when the time came to present his plans, much of our community supported it, because […]

I am asked all the time whom I will vote for, Harris or Trump. My unequivocable answer is that I am not going to vote for president. “What!?” – you may say. “You have a duty as an American citizen whose forebearers fought and died for your right to vote!” Well, I reply, I didn’t […]

Deficit spending has significant harmful long-term economic effects but neither Kamala Harris nor Donald Trump are talking about it. The growing deficit will lead to more borrowing by the government, higher interest rates, a “crowding out” effect on private debt markets, force cutbacks on entitlement programs, jeopardize the standing of the U.S. dollar, and slow […]

Misplace your sample ballot? We have you covered. Here are the candidate statements for the upcoming election: President and Vice President  Republican: Donald J. Trump / JD Vance Peace and Freedom: Claudia de la Cruz / Karina Garcia Democratic: Kamala D. Harris / Tim Walz American Independent: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. / Nicole Shanahan Libertarian: […]

I, who get my tirades published every other week, have five articles to write before the November 2 election, starting now.  These articles will give context to the issues that you will hear from our presidential candidates. Readers who have suffered through my policy critiques understand that I try to explain what works and what […]

Jimmy Stewart played a version of this character in the well-known classic, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. The difference is, our newly elected soon to be 1st District County Supervisor is for real. Or is he? Time will certainly tell. But for now, Roy Lee is on his way to the county to do what […]

In 2019, Das Williams said he wouldn’t accept future contributions from the cannabis industry, but he hasn’t kept this promise. The largest contribution Williams has received from the cannabis industry is from CP1 Supply Systems, located near Carpinteria and described by the Better Business Bureau as a company that deals in “Marijuana Sales and Services.” […]

Jerry Roberts hosts the weekly Newsmakers with JR show. Newsmakers’ editorial operation is based in Santa Barbara County’s First District, so our interest in the campaign for its seat on the Board of Supervisors’ is both professional and personal. A longtime independent, No Party Preference registered voter, this columnist has reported, written and commented on […]

Money in politics has been something we have seen for too long, and the results have been devastating. The 1st District Supervisor race pits incumbent Das Williams against challenger Roy Lee. Williams, with substantial campaign funds, has continued to accept financial contributions from the cannabis industry, despite the ethical concerns highlighted by the 2020 Santa […]

One aspect of my doddering old age is my witnessing of numerous periods of political upheaval and national distress. Recently I’ve been troubled when I hear several friends of my vintage rationalize our current sad state of affairs as “no worse than the string of 1960 assassinations, the terrible conflict and losses of the Vietnam […]