Saturday, August 19, 2006
Monday, October 06, 2003
Well, I have good news and I have bad news. The good news is tomorrow is the end of this re-call madness. No more ads telling me to vote Yes and No at the same time. No more bad imitations of Schwarzenegger. Less of Arianna Huffington making snide remarks, but offering little in terms of a political plan. And win or lose, hopefully less of Gray Davis seeming just a little too pressed and primped for his own good. No wonder the state's in such a mess, the guy must spend 2-3 hours a day fixing his hair just so.
Ok, so what's the bad news. Well, sadly, I'm withdrawing my candidacy for Governor of the Great State (or realistically, Exceedingly Average State) of California. I made this decision because I was too busy working as a production assistant on a 30 minute film in LA (staring one of the Spice Girls!) to get my application in on time. I thank you for your support, well wishes and tireless hours campaigning on my behalf. I will not throw my support behind any particular candidate, as I'm still reading up on all the participants. Right now, I'm reading about the middle-weight sumo wrestler struggling with the seeming oxymoron of his occupation (I thought sumos by definition were morbidly obese and not "middle weight". Shows what I know). All I can say now is go vote, and then have a drink afterwards and hope for the best. Or perhaps have a drink first, then vote and hope for the best. Which ever works best for you.
David
Ok, so what's the bad news. Well, sadly, I'm withdrawing my candidacy for Governor of the Great State (or realistically, Exceedingly Average State) of California. I made this decision because I was too busy working as a production assistant on a 30 minute film in LA (staring one of the Spice Girls!) to get my application in on time. I thank you for your support, well wishes and tireless hours campaigning on my behalf. I will not throw my support behind any particular candidate, as I'm still reading up on all the participants. Right now, I'm reading about the middle-weight sumo wrestler struggling with the seeming oxymoron of his occupation (I thought sumos by definition were morbidly obese and not "middle weight". Shows what I know). All I can say now is go vote, and then have a drink afterwards and hope for the best. Or perhaps have a drink first, then vote and hope for the best. Which ever works best for you.
David
Friday, August 22, 2003
Big news kids. Today I am pleased to announce that I am officially running as a write-in candidate for the governor of California. This is not a joke. I’ve been thinking about a career change, this seemed like a good opportunity. As many of you know, I have very strong opinions when it comes to politics and how to improve local, state and national government. I’d like to translate this energy into action, and improve the state for everyone.
You probably have a few questions. This should answer a bunch of them. But before we go any further, remember to write in DAVID ECKSTEIN on recall day:
Tell me about your platform.
The following represents the basics of my platform. I’ve been told by legal counsel and my tax advisor that this is all legal (although some might be subject to the court's interpretation, but I’m willing to risk it).
Taxes
• Increase taxes on cigarettes. Cancer sticks continue to destroy lives while driving up healthcare costs for all of us. Liquor taxes could probably use a boost too. No doubt it also has a sizable impact on Californian’s health.
• Increase fines for traffic violations on state roadways.
Prop 13
• Repeal it. The only thing dumber than this is rent control (and many of you have heard me go off on this artificial pricing). I’m with Warren Buffet on this one.
Health Care
• Prescription drug benefits for the elderly.
Environment
• Encourage purchase of hybrid vehicles by giving them unrestricted use of the carpool lanes and free use of toll roads. Give tax credits to people who purchase ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEV) or electric cars.
• Increase penalties for companies that violate state environmental laws.
Unemployment benefits
• Extend state unemployment benefits from 9 months to one year. We need to increase the support for those who need it most.
Business
• Prevent the migration of technology jobs to India and entertainment industry jobs to Canada. Increase import taxes which will penalize (through taxes) California employers who move jobs out of the country. Either they’ll keep the jobs in state or the taxes collected will be used to fund additional job training programs.
Crime
• Keep convicted sex offenders locked up. Keep the death penalty. Keep the three-strikes law (if you decided to test fate after the first two times you committed a felony, you deserve it).
Immigration
• 90 day amnesty to those in the country already to register with the state. Anyone after that gets deported. Better enforcement of national borders.
State Government
• Cut staff. Let’s look at ways to eliminate dead wood in state government offices. Maybe I’m out of line on this, but my guess is there are some people in Sacramento who don’t do much to earn their paychecks.
Education
• Bring UC and CalState fees in-line with other major state university systems. Students are pissing and moaning because they upped the fees a few bucks. It’s a bargain kids. I hate to quote Dr. Phil, but “Get Real.” Compare instate prices to Michigan or UVa. And don’t forget the cost of living in Berkeley is lot higher than it is in Charlottesville.
Civil Rights
• Legalize gay marriage already. We should worry about more important things than whether two guys or two women want to marry each other. Just let them be.
Transportation
• Improve state roadways.
Abortion
• Pro-choice
Why didn’t you file for the first deadline?
Fiscal responsibility starts at home. So, rather than spend $3,500 for the application, I chose alternate means. Just imagine what I could do for the state if I can save $3,500 with out even trying.
Write-in candidates can’t win. Why bother?
In the 2000 San Francisco mayoral election, Supervisor Tom Amiano ran as a write-in and forced a run-off with Willie Brown. So anything is possible.
You have no political experience. What business do you have running the sixth largest economy in the world?
Look who’s on top of the polls right now. He doesn’t have any experience either. In fact, I would suggest that I have a better handle on issues facing regular Californians than he does (healthcare benefits, unemployment, and the environment). Arnold is too insulated from the real world to understand these things.
Are you going to be a puppet of the Bush administration?
No. I only know 5 people who live in Washington, DC and none of them work for the executive branch of the U.S. government.
Have you ever been arrested?
I’ve never been arrested. Never gotten a speeding ticket. I’ve voted in most, if not all, elections since I turned 18. I tend to forget. But I’d like to think that I’m a fairly responsible person.
Anything else?
I plan on doing my part to keep state expenses down. Like Jerry Brown did years ago, I will not live in the governor’s mansion. I will live in a modestly priced apartment in Sacramento, and only ask for reimbursement of rent, food, and utilities.
Are you related to David Eckstein from the Anaheim Angels?
No. I was me first. But I do hope he votes for me.
You probably have a few questions. This should answer a bunch of them. But before we go any further, remember to write in DAVID ECKSTEIN on recall day:
Tell me about your platform.
The following represents the basics of my platform. I’ve been told by legal counsel and my tax advisor that this is all legal (although some might be subject to the court's interpretation, but I’m willing to risk it).
Taxes
• Increase taxes on cigarettes. Cancer sticks continue to destroy lives while driving up healthcare costs for all of us. Liquor taxes could probably use a boost too. No doubt it also has a sizable impact on Californian’s health.
• Increase fines for traffic violations on state roadways.
Prop 13
• Repeal it. The only thing dumber than this is rent control (and many of you have heard me go off on this artificial pricing). I’m with Warren Buffet on this one.
Health Care
• Prescription drug benefits for the elderly.
Environment
• Encourage purchase of hybrid vehicles by giving them unrestricted use of the carpool lanes and free use of toll roads. Give tax credits to people who purchase ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEV) or electric cars.
• Increase penalties for companies that violate state environmental laws.
Unemployment benefits
• Extend state unemployment benefits from 9 months to one year. We need to increase the support for those who need it most.
Business
• Prevent the migration of technology jobs to India and entertainment industry jobs to Canada. Increase import taxes which will penalize (through taxes) California employers who move jobs out of the country. Either they’ll keep the jobs in state or the taxes collected will be used to fund additional job training programs.
Crime
• Keep convicted sex offenders locked up. Keep the death penalty. Keep the three-strikes law (if you decided to test fate after the first two times you committed a felony, you deserve it).
Immigration
• 90 day amnesty to those in the country already to register with the state. Anyone after that gets deported. Better enforcement of national borders.
State Government
• Cut staff. Let’s look at ways to eliminate dead wood in state government offices. Maybe I’m out of line on this, but my guess is there are some people in Sacramento who don’t do much to earn their paychecks.
Education
• Bring UC and CalState fees in-line with other major state university systems. Students are pissing and moaning because they upped the fees a few bucks. It’s a bargain kids. I hate to quote Dr. Phil, but “Get Real.” Compare instate prices to Michigan or UVa. And don’t forget the cost of living in Berkeley is lot higher than it is in Charlottesville.
Civil Rights
• Legalize gay marriage already. We should worry about more important things than whether two guys or two women want to marry each other. Just let them be.
Transportation
• Improve state roadways.
Abortion
• Pro-choice
Why didn’t you file for the first deadline?
Fiscal responsibility starts at home. So, rather than spend $3,500 for the application, I chose alternate means. Just imagine what I could do for the state if I can save $3,500 with out even trying.
Write-in candidates can’t win. Why bother?
In the 2000 San Francisco mayoral election, Supervisor Tom Amiano ran as a write-in and forced a run-off with Willie Brown. So anything is possible.
You have no political experience. What business do you have running the sixth largest economy in the world?
Look who’s on top of the polls right now. He doesn’t have any experience either. In fact, I would suggest that I have a better handle on issues facing regular Californians than he does (healthcare benefits, unemployment, and the environment). Arnold is too insulated from the real world to understand these things.
Are you going to be a puppet of the Bush administration?
No. I only know 5 people who live in Washington, DC and none of them work for the executive branch of the U.S. government.
Have you ever been arrested?
I’ve never been arrested. Never gotten a speeding ticket. I’ve voted in most, if not all, elections since I turned 18. I tend to forget. But I’d like to think that I’m a fairly responsible person.
Anything else?
I plan on doing my part to keep state expenses down. Like Jerry Brown did years ago, I will not live in the governor’s mansion. I will live in a modestly priced apartment in Sacramento, and only ask for reimbursement of rent, food, and utilities.
Are you related to David Eckstein from the Anaheim Angels?
No. I was me first. But I do hope he votes for me.
Monday, August 18, 2003
My favorite story of the day -- Two teenagers dressed as clowns climbed aboard a microbus near the Mexican capital's airport, did a song-and-dance routine and then robbed everyone on board, authorities said Monday.
Tuesday, August 05, 2003
Just got back from CostCo. A sushi lunch isn't all bad. It's mom's birthday today. She's now 60. I have a job interview tomorrow. Maybe these guys will buck the trend and hire me. Let's hope. Got an IM from Horton today. He's moved back to the 'ville. Was engaged and then broke it off. Strange days indeed.
Wednesday, July 30, 2003
Another day another very little bit of activity. So far today I sent an letter to the SF Chronicle about double standards with the SF board of supervisors (sometimes they listen to the will of the people, other times, they simply ignor it). Not much else is going on. I just started reading Bonfire of the Vanities. If nothing else comes of unemployment, at least I will have gotten some reading done. I think I've read at least 10, maybe more, books in the last 18 months. That doesn't sound like much, but my pace was even slower before. Today I have to work things out with Kaiser or my insurance goes bye bye. That would be very bad. Maybe they'll be responsive. I doubt it.
Monday, July 28, 2003
There must be some sort of healing potion in a Jack in the Box Ultimate Bacon Cheeseburger. I went sort of glum, and I came out feeling a lot better. It's also possible that my mood was altered by hunger. That's been known to happen to me from time to time.
I just had a phone interview with Microsoft. I really don't want to have to move for a job. Maybe they'll decide that I'm not qualified and that will be the end of it.
