By Vince Wallgren, Jr.

As the 2009 autumn sun saps the moisture from most inland San Diego County vegetation; and with yet another Santa Ana condition just a high pressure weather system away, it begs the question: Following the ’03 and ’07 wildfires, what steps has government taken to ensure a similar future event does not result in the same devastation of property and loss of life?

By Tracy Emblem

By Assemblyman Joel Anderson

September 6, 2009 (San Diego's East County)-- Richard Allen Clements kept his foot firmly on the gas pedal as he watched two 9-year-old girls glance back at him and start running. Moments later, the short lives of Christie Turner and Adina Gonzalez ended.

By Brina-Rae Schuchman

Chair, TrueVoteSanDiego

The structure of our government in Washington is not making it easy to get changes we seek and need.

The Health Insurance Industry ran amok during the Bush Years because Bush et al showed contempt for government, citizens, regulation, fair play, justice, peace, responsibility, service, commitment, etc.

By Richard Rider, Chairman, San Diego Tax Fighters

August 21, 2009 (San Diego) -- Here’s a depressing comparison of California taxes and economic climate with the rest of the states. The news is breaking bad, and getting worse (I keep updating this article):

California has the 2nd highest state income tax in the nation: . 9.55% at $48,000. 10.55% at $1,000,000

By Leon Thompson

By Tracy Emblem

By Assemblyman Joel Anderson

In the year AD 64, Roman emperor Nero fiddled at the top of a tower as a devastating fire swept through the city of Rome. According to many accounts, Nero himself started the fire and then blamed it on Christians.

Today, an economic fire is ravaging California.

Unemployment has climbed to 11.5%, income tax revenue is down 33.8% from last year and the budget deficit is now $24 billion.

"It would make little sense for the federal government to assume responsibility for the 300 million Americans who are able to fend for themselves."

By Jim Stieringer

By Assemblymembers Joel Anderson and Julia Brownley

June 9, 2009 (Sacramento)--Our local libraries often hold book sales to generate funds for new books, or other needed materials or supplies. It makes sense: Sell old or out of date resources and use those funds to purchase new items. A no-brainer.

Many school districts in California have stacks of unneeded, old and obsolete instructional materials in warehouses which if resold could generate new funds for our schools.

An Editorial By Miriam Raftery
Editor, East County Magazine

June 3, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)—If California ever needed an action hero at the helm, it’s now. Instead, Arnold has taken the “girlie man” way out –balancing the budget on the backs of the poor by proposing to eliminate healthcare for children and welfare-to-work programs. He also wants to close 80% of state parks, release prisoners, and slash school spending.

By Bill Weaver, Alpine High School Citizens Committee (AHSCC) Chairperson June 1, 2009 (Alpine)--There is so much happening so quickly it seems that the carriage is very much leading the horses towards the finish of this very important race to get our new 12th local Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) high school built, and built right!

By Bob Cederdahl

May 28, 2009 (La Mesa)--I believe it is in the community's best interest to vote NO on the Benefit Assessment District proposed by the San Miguel Fire District. It is unreasonable. Here’s why:

Water, water everywhere: How San Diego Can Become Water Self-Sufficient—And Even Be a Water Exporter

A Commentary By Jim Bell

May 10, 2009 (San Diego)--Many experts are projecting doom and gloom, scenarios of decreasing water supplies and increasing cost, yet the San Diego/Tijuana Region can easily become renewable water self-sufficient and even become a net water exporter. Yes, that’s right. We can have plenty of water for drinking, showering, growing food and even swimming—with liquid assets to spare.