Jeff Pelline's Sierra Foothills Report

Editor’s note: Though a slip, it’s worth pondering how Paul Ryan can be the “next president of the United States”? Though Ryan is “only” 42 years old, his position on social issues, such as gay rights, seems more fitting of an older generation.

Paul Ryan does not support LGBT families, and has voted against allowing gay and lesbian couples to adopt. He voted against hate crime protections. He opposed repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” and he does not support marriage equality. Recent polling shows just how out-of-touch Ryan’s positions on LGBT equality are: support for marriage equality stands at 54 percent nationwide, with those between the ages of 18 – 34 supporting marriage equality by 73 percent; according to a June CNN/ORC International Survey.

Nearly 50 percent of Republicans under the age of 35 also support marriage equality, according to an NBC News/WSJ poll.

Here’s the other side in a CBS News report:

Support for same sex marriage is generational and the president said today his children don’t understand why same-sex parents would be treated differently.

“It doesn’t make sense to them and frankly, that’s the kind of thing that prompts a change in perspective,” Mr. Obama said.

Sources tell CBS News that First Lady Michelle Obama was heavily involved in the president’s change of heart. Mr. Obama said she feels the same way he does. They both believe in the Golden Rule – treat others the way you would want to be treated.

Filed under: Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

April 2011 — House Budget Committee Chairman Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., right, walks Tuesday through a tunnel on Capitol Hill with committee member Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Calif., on their way to a GOP caucus meeting.

Filed under: Uncategorized | 20 Comments »

Dear Patriot,

“Join me in welcoming the next president of the United States, Paul Ryan!”

For a flash of a moment, I thought the good guys had achieved the unachievable, dragging the top echelons of the GOP squarely back into the intellectual camp of fiscal responsibility, constitutionally-limited government, ownership-based entitlement reform, fundamental tax reform, sound money, and individual opportunity.

It wasn’t quite that. It was the actual presumptive nominee, Mitt Romney, making a slight gaffe in introducing his choice for a vice presidential running mate. Maybe it was an intentional, subliminal signal to tea partiers and constitutional conservatives? After all, many of us would have preferred Ryan at the top of the ticket.

That said, Romney made a good choice — a great choice in fact. It was a real indication to grassroots America that the Romney camp is willing to finally engage on the big issues that matter most in this election. It’s not quite enough to say that Obama has failed, we know that. Incumbent presidents should not win reelection with persistent unemployment over 8 percent and a staggering $16 trillion in debt. Clearly Obama needs to be fired. But what are you, the Republicans, actually for?

Read the rest of my reaction by clicking here.
Thanks fo your time.

In Liberty,

Matt Kibbe
President and CEO, FreedomWorks

Filed under: Uncategorized | 5 Comments »

A new report released in the County’s Friday memo — the Nevada County Demographic and Statistical Profile — dispels a lot of myths in our County about economic development and government.

In short, our government is “smaller” than most and is a relative low “welfare” county; the BriarPatch is listed among the top 20 employers along with Grass Valley Group; wine grapes eclipse timber as an agricultural crop; and the ski industry (often downplayed in our western County) is a major economic engine.

My wife and I read this report closely and observed how it dovetails with the growth of our small business — Sierra FoodWineArt magazine — which is promoting many of these elements. A profile on the BriarPatch turning 35 years old is here.

The County Economic Resource Council ought to look closely at this report and ask if it is focusing on the right elements for economic development — or too stuck in the past.

“As part of Nevada County’s budget process, a County profile was created this year. Seven counties (Butte, El Dorado, Mendocino, Napa, Placer, Sutter, and Tehama) were selected for comparison purposes. 

“The counties share characteristics, including rural geography, close to an urban center, demographics, and size.  The intent of the report is to provide insight into Nevada County’s unique community, social, geographic, and demographic environment.

“The report includes information on Nevada County’s health and wellness, government, criminal justice and much more.  The full report can be found here.

Some highlights:

•County staff per 1000 residents is 7.9 — the lowest of eight counties except for Placer.

•Nevada County continues to be a relatively low “welfare” county in comparison with most of its central valley and north state counterparts.

•Our county’s total taxable sales are the lowest, except for Tehema County.

•The total housing vacancy rate is 21 percent, the highest of all the comparison counties.

•Wine grapes have eclipsed timber as a top agriculture crop.

•Nevada County’s top employers include the County, Sugar Bowl and Tahoe Forest Hospital, among others.

•BriarPatch Co-op also is among the top 20 employers — along with Grass Valley Group and K-mart.

Filed under: Uncategorized | 5 Comments »

Filed under: Uncategorized | 6 Comments »