California dreamin' turns into a nightmare

There's no welcome mat to California for Americans who value freedom, self-reliance and independence. State government tries to control your life on every level.

The most recent grab is the proposal that the California Energy Commission require a "Programmable Communication Thermostat" in every home with new heating and cooling systems, and no new homes may be built without them. The device would allow the state to override electric and gas usage and even allow it access to home appliances.

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To cover for government failure to provide sufficient energy for residents, the state wants to cut off supply as it sees fit.

It started with the idea to have central control of electric and gas meters, allowing utilities to "read" usage via computer. It moved from that to controlling supply and usage.

Here's another: State disposal laws were changed to forbid tossing used fluorescent tubes in the garbage, supposedly bad for the landfill because of mercury in the tubes.

Now, a new law phases out incandescent bulbs and requires use of the miniature, mercury-filled fluorescent bulbs.

But, there's no disposal system. There were no contamination warnings. They don't work in certain fixtures or timers, and there are skin health concerns. Enforcement is a joke, and Californians play the fool.

The disposal problem was duplicated when California forbid putting used batteries in the trash. There was no adequate collection or recycling system.

The state ordered stricter vehicle emission standards than the feds, which could require cars be built specifically for sale in California. You might not be able to move into the state with your old car.

Seasonal gasolines are already required, which ensures drivers pay close to or the highest price per gallon in the country.

The new emission standards aim to lower carbon-dioxide emissions, but they raise the cost of producing cement, increasing construction costs for houses, factories, schools, hospitals, roads, bridges and more.

Large machinery and vehicles used in shipping, cargo and agriculture must be retrofitted or junked because of the new standards. Businesses close or consumer prices rise. Bakeries, dry cleaners, restaurants and other businesses must retool venting systems and face the same economic squeeze.

There are laws against smoking in restaurants, public venues, outside of building entrances, in parks, on beaches, in condos, rentals, in your house, patio or yard, in your vehicle or around children.

Restaurants are told the kind of fats they can use in cooking. Schools are restricted on the foods and snacks available for students.

Wood-burning fireplaces are phasing out, and it's often illegal to use existing units.

There are increased requirements for home construction, affecting location and size, how "green" they must be, requirements for solar units, heating and air conditioning units, mandates to build-in smoke alarms in private homes, specifications for roofing, windows, building materials and more.

Schools? Everything from clinics providing counseling for students up to, and including, birth control and abortion referrals without parental notification to a complete revision of books, class content and extracurricular activities to accommodate gay rights. Now there's no such thing as "girls and boys, moms and dads." Students can decide what sex they want to be – and act and dress accordingly at whim, and it's all OK. California law says so.

Of course, adults and children are "protected" by mandated helmets for bikes, skateboards and cycles, seat belt, and weight, height and age limits on children's car seats.

The cost of illegal aliens on Californians? It was just announced that illegals and their families in Los Angeles County alone, collected more than $37 million in welfare and food stamps in November '07; up $3 million in September.

County Supervisor Mike Antonovich calls it "an alarming increase" with "devastating impact" on taxpayers.

He says illegal aliens cost Los Angeles County more than $1 billion a year:
That's $444 million for welfare, $400 million for health care and $220 million for public safety. That's not counting millions in education costs.

That's just one county and includes so-called "sanctuary cities." Protection for illegals is rampant statewide; the real cost is vague because it's politically incorrect to inquire.

But Californians feel the financial and social assaults, and it's reflected in their choices. Last year, 260,000 more Californians left the state than moved in.

Many of those moves were business relocations because of onerous taxes and bureaucracy. The state's economic outlook isn't positive.

The proof? A $14.5 billion state budget deficit. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger proposes cuts, closing state parks, reducing beach staffing, mandating prisoner early releases, reducing prison staff, lowering education budgets, reducing health and human services and more.

He doesn't want new taxes; the Democrat-controlled legislature does.

They ignore the obvious reason for the deficit – reckless spending and out-of-control borrowing.

Despite all that, they want to institute health care for every Californian. How to pay for it? Don't ask.

Average Californians often don't notice the pervasive "nanny-government mentality."

While no one was looking, liberal politicians set into motion myriad laws, rules, regulations, guidelines, suggestions – whatever – that not-so-slowly are turning Californians into what they hope will be mindless, taxpaying robots.

This ongoing erosion of rights is incredibly dangerous because it restricts individual freedom. It's symptomatic of a political mindset that government knows best. It's "Big Brother" running rampant!

Regardless of where you live, you're not safe because, historically, major changes in law and lifestyles that begin in California spread nationally.

California's Democrat-controlled legislature rules with an iron fist, despite a Republican governor. Arnold Schwarzenegger was elected to make change – there's that politically loaded and essentially meaningless word – but all that has "changed" is the definition of "Republican" governor. With staff and advisers who are Democrats and hard-core environmentalists, what's happening is no surprise.

The not-so-subtle message is be careful whom you elect. Slick campaign rhetoric covers a multitude of legislative sins, and there's too much at stake to be reckless with your vote.

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