In 1957, the Soviet launching of Sputnik shocked the United States into action on the science, technology, and education fronts. As the nation attempts to slowly rebound from a prolonged, severe recession, perhaps China will be America's 21st century Sputnik.

In a state that is no stranger to earthquakes, Californians of all Americans understand the kind of damage and horror these natural disasters can cause. In 1952, an earthquake in Kern County California wrought a path of destruction that cost Californians $60 million (I know- it's practically a rounding error these days the way politicians spend money) and took twelve lives. This was of course, dwarfed by the 1906 earthquake that killed over 3000 people and caused over $500 million worth of damage to property.

According to two University of Delaware economists, the $300 million rebate and energy-saving program will likely waste money and potentially even increase energy usage.  Focusing their analysis on refrigerators, Abrams and Parsons calculated that the $50-$200 appliance rebates will produce a net loss for taxpayers.

Although he has not officially announced his candidacy for Governor, State Attorney General Jerry Brown filled his exploratory committee coffers with over $12 million in 2009.  And he's tapping into Governor Schwarzenegger's VIP billionaire donor base along the way.

According to various reports, Sarah Palin may be getting paid at least $75,000 to speak at the nation's first, official Tea Party Convention in Nashville, Tennessee.  If confirmed, such a development would fuel skeptics who have long criticized the motivation and make-up of the movement.

Corporate America embraces Earth Day for its symbolism, but California’s ski industry takes its role in the protection of our planet far more seriously.  Why?  Because bumps along the Earth’s surface create their product; therefore, stewardship of the planet’s environment makes good business sense.

Before the Roosevelt's “New Deal,” Americans lived in smaller, more tightly knit communities. Neighbors helped each other.  Communities took care of their own.  After the Depression, “The People” decided that increased Government involvement and support was the answer to coping with difficult economic times.  Perhaps this was a naïve and short-sided view, but life in the United States at that time was flavored with the after-taste of desperation.

A recent press release from California Food Policy Advocates--a public policy advocate group-- asserts that over 13 million Californians suffer from “food insecurity.” The remedy, according to the CFPA, is to remove all legislative roadblocks to reaching 100% statewide participation in the federally funded Food Stamp Program.

Parents, business leaders and educators have lost faith in our public schools. For example, 25% of teachers in the Los Angeles area send their children to private schools. There is no more telling statistic than this. Ironically, California’s public schools were once the standard by which other state systems were measured.