The original idea of federalism was the promise of limited government. A federal government would offer the separate states collective power to raise and keep a military for protection. Collectively we would have leverage for trade. As a collective we would be recognized as a country to negotiate deals with the rest of the world. […]
Opinion
Posted inOpinion
Massive mixed-use project downtown needs approval of the people
Imagine an apartment complex, almost the size of the senior center near the second corner of the four corners of a downtown “that draws people there to shop, recreate, and in the end also produce tax revenue.” NOT! Then let’s imagine room for 100 to 200 parking spaces to accommodate the said occupants of the […]
Posted inOpinion
Strap city
Santa Maria City Council is at it again! Giving the have-nots nothing and ensuring that they know nothing. It’s the Patino-Waterfield special! The ol’ one-two sucker punch. City Councilmember Carlos Escobedo, who often sides with Mayor Alice Patino and Councilmember Etta Waterfield, was visibly miffed at the end of a June 21 budget discussion in […]
Posted inOpinion
Fly away
We need housing! Should we cut down 4,000-plus oak trees to make that happen? That’s a tough question. There has to be a way to both build and not totally destroy, right? Maybe. The largest residential development proposed in SLO County in a quarter of a century could make its way into Nipomo in the […]
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Is the Lompoc crime rate increase connected to nonprescription drug use or something else?
In 2016, the Lompoc City Council approved the unlimited manufacturing; sale; and, with few restrictions, the use of cannabis in the city. At the time, the police chief testified that he anticipated an increase in crime if this new policy was enacted; a City Council majority ignored his warnings. But by ignoring the warning of […]
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Pray for separation
You know what it takes for federal policy to change? Prayer. At least if you’re a God-fearing American citizen! Right to Life of the Central Coast’s prayers were answered by the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling upholding a Mississippi abortion law and overturning Roe v. Wade. “In a country founded on the truth that we […]
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The left and right only have righteous anger about government intrusion when it aligns with their cause
While the ideological divide between right and left seems as deep as the ocean and just as hard to bridge, in terms of personal health care, we all seem to want the same thing. We want respect for our decisions; we want government to stay out of our affairs; and we want to be treated […]
Posted inOpinion
Vote.
I can’t exactly get mad at Santa Barbara County voters for not feeling motivated to make their voices heard on June 7. Most of the candidates were running unopposed, and unless you felt strongly that the 16-year reign of Sheriff Bill Brown needed to end or that Superintendent of Schools Susan Salcido needed to be […]
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Recreational nonprescription drug use is not a victimless activity
Many people, specifically social libertarians and those who advocate for the legalization of recreational drugs claim that personal drug use is a “victimless crime.” Well, a recent crime in Lompoc and others around the nation, including recent mass shootings where recreational drug use was a contributing factor, rebut that theory. Others have criticized police officers […]
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Is our voting system reliable?
I have always voted in person at my local voting precinct in Lompoc, except during the pandemic when I mistakenly thought it would have long lines. It did not. Both times, we had mail-in ballots sent to all registered voters in the county. In addition, two booklets were sent to all, including a sample ballot […]
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No mama drama
Benign, boring budget hearings usually snooze themselves into oblivion, but every now and then a little heat enters the building—as it did during the June 14 Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors hearing. What was the fight over? Extra dollars. Unallocated money. Up for grabs and ready for takers! County staff recommended that the board […]
Posted inOpinion
Ignorance isn’t bliss
John Donegan is fortunate that, as far as I know, there are no state laws that make it a crime to be ignorant. Else, he’d be in danger of being incarcerated. His diatribe (“A medical miracle,” New Times, June 9) about Merck’s decision to update its legendary “manual” to reflect 21st century thinking by replacing […]
