Recently speaking with my father, the topic of California's unemployment came up. Trying to estimate the number of unemployed (this was before the official statistics came out), he used this formula: say there are about 30 million residents of California. Approximate that about 20 million are of the working age (18-65), and of those, say that about 15 million choose to work. If the unemployment rate is at 10%, this should equate to somewhere around 1.5 million unemployed.

California has had a rollercoaster of a water cycle this year.

Nine months ago, the state officially entered a drought period. On February 27, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger officially declared a state of emergency, and instructed the government to assist citizens in the water situation at hand.

The open primary policyproposed by Sen. Abel Maldonado in the midnight hour of budget talks isnot beneficial to California's independent voters. It does not increasecandidate choice, it does not increase democracy, it will not preventthe budget crises nor will it prevent the Maldanados of the future.

In 1996, Californians passed Proposition 215 , which made it possible to possess, cultivate and use marijuana with a doctor's note.

Seven years down the road and auto makers are in favor of the tougher California emissions standards the industry's fought every step of the way?

Mouthpieces who were moaning less than a month ago that the law California's tried to implement since 2002 "would basically kill the industry", are talking to the Environmental Protection Administration about cutting a deal?

Anyone else see a trap?

The prospect of an open primary in California should send shivers down the spines of millions: a forward-thinking state taking a truly forward-looking step. Sadly, in recent years California has been allowed to fall into a slump, while unrestrained spending and little-to-no oversight, has forced many businesses and individuals to pay the price... literally. With some of the highest taxation rates in the entire country, and a state government going broke, it's hard to swallow the age-old pill that higher taxation equates to strong economies.

A Field Poll released Tuesday showed widespread discontent with the budget deal, the Legislature and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, but revealed broad support for legislation that would allow open primaries.

Voters are willing to get behind the nonpartisan-primary proposal by a 2-to-1 margin. The election change has support from both parties -- that's ironically appropriate -- as well as among nonpartisans.

Prohibition was a huge success. No, it didn't achieve any ofits goals, or make the country a more moral place. It was a huge success for AlCapone, and other gangsters.

For theaverage American, it was a waste of time and money. Prohibition did not make it impossible todrink, just much more expensive. A higherprice of alcohol was caused by a built in "risk premium" on the supply side. Higher prices were exploited by Capone andothers to make money hand over fist in a time of hardship.

Voters are initially supporting the non-partisan primary proposal by a greater than two to one margin (58% to 27%), with majorities of Democrats (56%), Republicans (55%) and especially non-partisans (65%) in favor.

The landscape of California politics may be about to change dramatically.

An open primary system for state elections-- a primary that allows voters to cross party lines--will appear on the ballot in June 2010. State open primary elections would be similar to municipal elections, although the primary vote getter would not win outright---the top two vote-getters would proceed to a November run-off.