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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2023
DID YOU KNOW? Bonnie Donovan
Beware of government taking over a private industry
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Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who served as press secretary for former President Donald Trump, has impressed columnist James Buckley, who thinks she could run for president in 2032. Gov. Sanders gave the Republican response to President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address.
2033’s president of the United States Sarah Huckabee Sanders makes a good first impression with her response to the State of the Union
‘G
ood evening,” she began. “I’m Sarah Huckabee Sanders,” sitting somewhat sternly in a highbacked chair as she prepared to give the Republican retort Tuesday to President Joe Biden’s State of the Union speech. She reminded me of Johnny Cash who, even at the height of his fame, modestly introduced himself at the beginning of his concerts with a simple “Hello, I’m Johnny Cash.” Audiences loved him, and he never disappointed. I think you’ll love Ms. Sanders, and I do believe she won’t disappoint either. In case you weren’t aware of it, she, as the newly elected Republican governor of Arkansas, had just launched her 2032
to the dangerous border crisis and presidential bid. And, just like Mr. threat from China, Biden and the Cash, you will get to know Gov. Democrats have failed you. Sanders. “They know it. And She needs no PURELY you know it. It’s time for a introduction to POLITICAL change,” she said. Republicans, who know There probably her dad — former Baptist weren’t many Democrats minister, presidential watching the rebuttal. candidate and two-term They were too busy Republican governor of congratulating their Arkansas Mike Huckabee favorite plagiarist’s — from his regular TV “performance.” appearances on Fox News And, truthfully, up to Channel. They know his James Buckley this point, Gov. Sanders’ daughter from her stint speech was boilerplate. as press secretary to Her delivery was stiff, but President Donald Trump. it smacked of sincerity. She’ll get “Being a mom to three young better, lots better. children,” she observed, “taught Perhaps it was unfamiliarity me not to believe every story I hear. with the teleprompter’s scrawl, or So, forgive me for not believing maybe this recent bit of news that much of anything I heard tonight from President Biden. From out-of- caused her to rein in her usual amiable self: control inflation and violent crime
“… Five months ago,” she revealed, “I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. It was a hard time for our family, particularly for our kids — Scarlett, Huck and George — but we kept our faith and persevered. Thanks to exceptional doctors here in Arkansas, a successful surgery, and the grace of God, I am cancer-free. “Through it all,” she added, “I couldn’t help but think about my mom. She was 20 years old and in her first year of marriage when she was diagnosed with spinal cancer. The doctors told her she might not live. If she did live, they said she’d never walk again, and if she did walk, she’d definitely never have children.” She paused slightly, took a gulp of air, and reported that “The daughter (my mom) was told she’d never have was just sworn in as the
new governor of Arkansas and is speaking to you tonight.” She didn’t ask for pity or even condolences but proffered that “You and I were put on this earth for such a time as this ...” More to the point, she said she’d be the first to admit that “President Biden and I don’t have a lot in common. I’m for freedom. He’s for government control. At 40, I’m the youngest governor in the country. At 80, he’s the oldest president in American history. “I’m the first woman to lead my state. He’s the first man to surrender his presidency to a woke mob that can’t even tell you what a woman is.” Them’s fightin’ words, pardner. She claimed that “Washington taxes you and lights your hardPlease see BUCKLEY on C4
Why more conservatives are running in school board elections “Going to school is not the same as going shopping. Parents should not be burdened with locating a suitable school for their child.” — Diane Ravitch
S
ome of the most involved parents pay little attention to school board elections because they don’t know when they are held. It is common that these elections take place at times that differ from the general elections. This helps both teachers and their unions retain control of the educational curriculum. UC Berkeley political scientist Sarah Anzia recently released a book examining the consequences of off-cycle elections in U.S. politics. She finds that 90% of states hold elections for municipal races apart from major national elections. Data obtained from the National School Boards Association shows that three quarters of the states hold school
incumbents are almost always reboard elections off cycle to limit elected. voter turnout. Many politicians get their start By decreasing voter turnout, as members of school this enables unions to boards. Therefore get increased pay and William members of these local benefits for the teachers. It Haupt III boards are eyeing also allows them to adopt and implement policies, The author is a opportunities in the teaching methods and Center Square county, municipal and state governments. Since curriculum developed contributor most board members are by the federal and state “union- and DemocratDepartments of Education friendly,” this is reflected in their and the local liberal politicians. politics in other offices. “One penalty for refusing to “If you believe teachers unions don’t participate in politics is that you have political motives you’re fooling end up being governed by your yourself.” inferiors.” — Lori Lightfoot — Plato In states that run board elections concurrently with general elections, most races are decided in the primaries. Since the average turnout for primary elections is 27% of registered voters compared to 60% for general elections, this guarantees school board
For well over 100 years, we’ve had “off-cycle” school board elections simply to conciliate teacher unions and the teachers. Until recently, this widespread and questionable practice of local school districts holding elections apart from general elections has
been taking place across the nation. A new report from the Government Accountability Institute shows the teachers unions have been working overtime since 2008 taking millions away from classrooms to finance political campaign activity. Most of these donations have gone to Democratic candidates and to help fund other liberal organizations. And recent elections show this has been effective in electing progressives. According to GAI, spending by the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers on political activities increased more than $74 million since 2008 while spending for teachers increased by $5.3 million. The two teachers unions gave $91.8 million to Democrats. Historically, conservatives have not been as vocal about down ballot races. Although Democrats and the unions still control many school districts, the Democratic-
union stronghold on school district domination has been challenged in recent years. This is especially with the election of President Joe Biden. In the past few years as progressives have been forcing their far left policies on public education, these often-ignored school board elections are gaining much-needed attention from the GOP. Conservative groups have been stepping up to support antiprogressive candidates in local board elections as more concerned parents are showing up to attend their local school board meetings. “People are fed up with status quo education and are looking for ways to improve it.” — Dale Lee Conservative groups have taken notice that these elections mean more than just getting rid of the progressive curriculum. Please see HAUPT on C4
uring the Santa Barbara Fire and Police Oversight Commission’s first meeting on Jan. 26, both Police Chief Kelly Gordon and Fire Chief Chris Mailes gave an update on their departments. The most interesting item discussed during this introductory meeting was not only the “Fire Department’s 101” and the goals for 2023. As the commission will consider the annual budgets and make recommendations to the Santa Barbara City Council and City Administrator Rebecca Bjork, Chief Mailes discussed the push to end the city’s 27 year-long contracts with the American Medical Response and endorse the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, who has also put a bid in for the contract. The recommendation for this $100 million to $140 million contract (some figures are 200-350 million for the 10 years) is to remain with the private company AMR. The Santa Barbara County Fire Department filed a protest and then an appeal. Chief Mailes countered, “Every single fire department in the entire county is behind a county-run ambulance system.” That’s funny because aren’t the majority of our communities served by the county fire department? Chief Mailes said the goal is to have a medic-trained firefighter on every piece of fire equipment, to enhance the medical response by minutes, maybe seconds. We remember that the city and county have already received financing for a countywide regional fire dispatching center, which would dispatch city and county fire units only, from the same center. That annual cost of $800,000 is to the city only. Sounds like yesterday’s news? But we wonder what we are doing to another private industry if we allow more government agencies to absorb more private enterprises. And here is the $100 million question for the taxpayers. Sure, some of that is for equipment, but how much of that is for salaries, which add to government pensions, which increase with the salaries? Those CalPERS government pensions and benefits far outspend the private arena, and the system of checks and balance sheets doesn’t receive the same scrutiny or fall-out as private enterprises. The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors makes the final decision. And we pay for it. Again, we ask the Redesign State Street Downtown Advisory Team, why wasn’t Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade used as an example in its presentation to the city council, because after all, both Santa Monica and Santa Barbara are upscale beach towns. Well, we have a pretty good idea why, after reading an article in the Circling the News out of Santa Monica, referred to us by another perplexed citizen. We see a lot in common with the Santa Monica Third Street Street Promenade. For one, citizens and visitors complain about the lack of safety while walking the promenade. Just like public speakers said at our city council meeting several weeks ago. These promenades are a failure. Sadly, they’re only good as a beacon for transients and others engaged in unlawful and unsavory behavior. Loitering, illegal camping, smash and grabs, graffiti, Please see DONOVAN on C4