Month: August 2010

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The Terrible Public Pension Threat

August 28, 2010 1

It’s time for a class war over public union pensions… Despite defined benefit (DB) pensions, like the ones public employees get, being more economically efficient and offering better returns, private employers have mostly switched to 401(k) plans, or defined contribution (DC) plans, because they’re cheaper. Between 1979 and 2001, the portion of the workforce covered by defined benefit pensions dropped by half. By 2008, only 20 percent of private workers had such a pension.

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Obama Weekly Address: The End of Combat Operations in Iraq

August 28, 2010 0

In this week’s address, President Obama pledged to uphold the sacred trust the nation has with its troops and veterans as the combat mission in Iraq comes to an end. The administration is building a 21st century VA, making it easier for veterans with PTSD to receive the benefits they need, funding and implementing a Post-9/11 GI Bill, and devoting new resources to job training and placement to help those veterans looking for work in a tough economy.

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Van Tran’s Inconvenient Truth

August 27, 2010 3

Van Tran sent out a funny attack email against Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez today. Highlighting an article by the Orange County Register’s Martin Wisckol about congressional […]

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CA Dem Party To File Complaint Against Whitman Front Group “SBAC”

August 27, 2010 0

The California Democratic Party today announced it will file an official complaint with the Internal Revenue Service against a group supporting Republican Meg Whitman’s run for governor by waging dishonest attack ads against Jerry Brown. The complaint will allege that the “Small Business Action Committee” is spending hundreds of thousands more on political activities than is permitted under its 501(c)(4) status, and that as a possible consequence, SBAC may have to disclose the identity of its donors who are currently anonymous.

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Bell-like Scandal Takes Toll on Mayor Pulido’s Elegant Santa Ana Reign

August 27, 2010 3

Santa Ana’s Mayor, Miguel Pulido, has been around a while. He was elected to the Santa Ana City Council in 1986 and as Mayor in 1994. One thing Pulido has learned very well is how to get whatever he can for himself out of the job. During his time as a member of the Council and Mayor, Pulido has managed to get himself appointed to numerous committees and commissions throughout the county. All of these committees compensate their members with a variety of per-diems, insurance, cars, car allowances.

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Mayor Pulido Double Dipping on Health Insurance

August 26, 2010 7

UPDATE: The Voice of OC is reporting that It’s Not Just Health Benefits — Pulido Double – Dipping on Cars Too. Pulido receives a car $6,000 car allowance from Santa Ana and a free car from AQMD.

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Melissa Fox and Esiquio Uballe Win DFA California All Star Awards

August 26, 2010 1

DFA endorsements have always been driven by our members on the ground across the country — that’s what makes Democracy for America the country’s only people-powered PAC. But the California All-Star endorsement is different because it’s chosen entirely by DFA members in California. DFA’s California All-Stars are Esiquio Uballe and Melissa Fox.