FEATURE: With Sacramento hunkered down for Jerry Brown’s final bill signing, the political mind drifts to Washington where it is always the Season of the Witch. The politics of the time casts its pall across all three branches, with partisan control over the levers of government hanging in the balance.
Dear Big Daddy,
Why don’t more legislators become governors? They are all ambitious politicians, aren’t they?
–Curious in Cucamonga
Dear Big Daddy,
You’re a Democrat and you’re old, so what’s your take on The Return of Jerry Brown?
–Intrigued in Indio
Dear Intrigued,
I thought that after hanging around the Capitol for so many years, there was nothing left that could amaze me. But he’s managed to do it.
He was down and
Hey, Big Daddy,
Why do some pieces of legislation seem like they don’t really do anything?
— Puzzled in Petrolia
Don’t kid yourself. There’s a reason why every bill is introduced. Like that old sourpuss Ecclesiastes says, everything under heaven has a purpose. Something like that.
The purpose of every bill isn’t to be signed
Dear Big Daddy:
I can’t help laughing, mostly to myself, whenever I hear people around the Capitol talk about their “members.” Is there something wrong with me?
–– Turgid in Temecula
Dear Turgid,
Yes.
I’m guessing you have more problems than a snake-oil salesman pitching a room full of Christian Scientists. If I understand you,
Looking at government reform
Looking toward the end of session hysteria
So where have you been?
Big Daddy,So what did you think of the surprise budget release last week? Was this a mistake or some sort of clever ploy?–Bemused in Belmont
Dear Bemused,It was a major mistake and somebody’s head will roll. Somebody’s head always rolls.
A budget replete with misery and major changes – as this one is – needs
Dear Big Daddy,I’ve worked in the Capitol for four years and I’ve been dating a reporter, off and on, for the last eight months. We’ve kept it quiet because he thought we would have problems if the word got out, although I don’t see why. What do you think?–Just Wondering
Dear Just,
Keep it quiet.