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Nov. 2, 2010 Governor |
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| Newsletter, 8
1/2" x 11". |
Fall/Winter 2010/2011
Edition
Page 1
There Are Solutions
Green Party Laura Wells for Governor www.laurawells.org
STATE BANK AND IMPROVED PROP 13
by Laura Wells
In my campaign as a Green Party candidate for Governor of California, I've been focusing on California's budget. A good budget in line with our values is essential so that this wealthy state of ours can again have great schools, healthcare, environment, and job opportunities. We have two signature proposals:
State Bank for California The first proposal will decrease spending by lowering our interest payments. We can create a State Bank for California, partnered with local banks and credit unions, and free ourselves from the grip of Wall Street and the Federal Reserve. Imagine our own bank with a mission to invest in California's infrastructure and schools. We could help our students get a great education, graduate without onerous student loans, and enter a job market with opportunities for them - and their elders.
Prop 13 for Regular People The second proposal is to fix old Prop 13. It's a case, of"Prop 13, I love you, but honey, you've got to change!"
Here are some quick points:
• We have a growing disparity of wealth in this state and country, and one cause is a combination of outright subsidies and tax breaks for megacorporations and billionaires.
• Old Prop 13 has a great part, which is what the voters approved in 1978 especially for seniors on fixed incomes: keep people in their homes rather than lose them due to rising property taxes. Expand on that!
• As to flattening property taxes, most of the benefit went to commercial and corporate properties, to the detriment of homeowners in total. That can be corrected, so let's correct it.
• Prop 13 had another part that has worsened the disparity of wealth. This is the part that some people I talk with understand right away, especially those young enough to have been born after Prop 13 was passed in 1978. Prop 13 gave a 1/3 minority of the legislature veto power over taxing the rich. Others of us, born before 1978, are realizing slowly but surely that when student signs and t-shirts say "Tax the Rich", we know two facts: we do pay tax, and we're not the rich!
CANDID CANDIDATES
One of the big challenges of talking straight about the old Prop 13 is that past candidates have been anything but candid!
Arnold Schwarzenegger said about campaign advisor Warren Buffet, "I told Warren that if he mentions Prop 13 again he has to do 500 sit-ups."
Jerry Brown said, "I've lived with Prop 13 before and I can live with it again," and I ask, "What about the rest of us?"
Meg Whitman vowed "I will save your Prop 13 !" when billionaires like Whitman have benefited big. She should say "I will save my Prop 13 !"
Let's stop buying their excuse, that they hold back because of voters. Most people, either immediately or after a single conversation, understand completely how the destructive parts of this beloved proposition have hurt California, especially our younger generations. Politicians who have the public ear hold back because old Prop 13 has benefited themselves, their associates, their campaign contributors, and their corporate-controlled political parties.
Fall/Winter 2010/2011 Edition Page 2
There Are Solutions
Green Party Laura Wells for Governor www.laurawells.org
There Are Solutions
Green Party Laura Wells for Governor www.laurawells.org
STATE BANK AND IMPROVED PROP 13
by Laura Wells
In my campaign as a Green Party candidate for Governor of California, I've been focusing on California's budget. A good budget in line with our values is essential so that this wealthy state of ours can again have great schools, healthcare, environment, and job opportunities. We have two signature proposals:
State Bank for California The first proposal will decrease spending by lowering our interest payments. We can create a State Bank for California, partnered with local banks and credit unions, and free ourselves from the grip of Wall Street and the Federal Reserve. Imagine our own bank with a mission to invest in California's infrastructure and schools. We could help our students get a great education, graduate without onerous student loans, and enter a job market with opportunities for them - and their elders.
Prop 13 for Regular People The second proposal is to fix old Prop 13. It's a case, of"Prop 13, I love you, but honey, you've got to change!"
Here are some quick points:
• We have a growing disparity of wealth in this state and country, and one cause is a combination of outright subsidies and tax breaks for megacorporations and billionaires.
• Old Prop 13 has a great part, which is what the voters approved in 1978 especially for seniors on fixed incomes: keep people in their homes rather than lose them due to rising property taxes. Expand on that!
• As to flattening property taxes, most of the benefit went to commercial and corporate properties, to the detriment of homeowners in total. That can be corrected, so let's correct it.
• Prop 13 had another part that has worsened the disparity of wealth. This is the part that some people I talk with understand right away, especially those young enough to have been born after Prop 13 was passed in 1978. Prop 13 gave a 1/3 minority of the legislature veto power over taxing the rich. Others of us, born before 1978, are realizing slowly but surely that when student signs and t-shirts say "Tax the Rich", we know two facts: we do pay tax, and we're not the rich!
CANDID CANDIDATES
One of the big challenges of talking straight about the old Prop 13 is that past candidates have been anything but candid!
Arnold Schwarzenegger said about campaign advisor Warren Buffet, "I told Warren that if he mentions Prop 13 again he has to do 500 sit-ups."
Jerry Brown said, "I've lived with Prop 13 before and I can live with it again," and I ask, "What about the rest of us?"
Meg Whitman vowed "I will save your Prop 13 !" when billionaires like Whitman have benefited big. She should say "I will save my Prop 13 !"
Let's stop buying their excuse, that they hold back because of voters. Most people, either immediately or after a single conversation, understand completely how the destructive parts of this beloved proposition have hurt California, especially our younger generations. Politicians who have the public ear hold back because old Prop 13 has benefited themselves, their associates, their campaign contributors, and their corporate-controlled political parties.
www.laurawells.org
info@laurawells.org
Laura Wells for Governor
P.O. Box 10727
Oakland, CA 94610
(510) 225-4005
FPPC #1323707
info@laurawells.org
Laura Wells for Governor
P.O. Box 10727
Oakland, CA 94610
(510) 225-4005
FPPC #1323707
Fall/Winter 2010/2011 Edition Page 2
There Are Solutions
Green Party Laura Wells for Governor www.laurawells.org
FAQs: People's
Movement - Building Momentum
There is a People's
Movement building now to counter the corporate complex
that's been aiming to take control of our state. This
Green Party campaign for Governor is a part of the
People's Movement. Here are some FAQs - Frequently
Asked Questions.
Q. What do you mean by People's Movement?
A. There are many branches of this movement. Not everyone agrees with all parts of the movement, and yet we agree that our democracy needs to be about real persons, who live and breathe, not corporate "persons" that can thrive on destruction and fear as easily as positive values.
Q. Why do you think the People's Movement is building?
A. One significant piece of evidence happened in June 2010 in Detroit, a city hard hit by the corporate complex, even in the automakers' good years. I spent five days with an incredible group of 18,000 people at the second U.S. Social Forum, and the media did not cover this inspiring event. There were lots of young people - and people of all ages - beautifully reflecting the diversity of our country. We focused on what we want, including great education, ecology, economy, healthcare, housing, jobs, and justice.
Q. What role does the Green Party play?
A. Change happens at many levels, from our human consciousness to our grassroots organizing to our governmental policies. The Green Party's contributions to the People's Movement include our ballot line and our values. The Green Party runs candidates that never accept corporate campaign contributions, so that when we are elected we stay with our values. Californians across the political spectrum know the Supreme Court got it wrong when they said corporations should be able to give any amount of money they want to political campaigns. Whether in 2010, 2012, or the next Governor's race in 2014, the Green Party can win. Then we can create a government that is not beholden to corporate sponsors, but that is on the side of the people.
Q. What can I do individually?
A. Pull out of corporations every which way you can, and take good care of yourselfl Those two things go well together in a myriad of ways, from eating real food not corporate food, to using muscle energy not corporate energy. One very powerful way to pull out of the corporate complex is to pull out of corporate-controlled political parties. Register your values - whether your focus is social justice, peace and nonviolence, ecological wisdom, and/or grassroots democracy- register Green. It matters.
Q. What can we do together?
A. As to organizing, there are as many answers as there are people. The best overall advice I know is this: to know what to do politically, follow your heart. We're all different and yet interconnected, el pueblo unido. We all have gifts that energize us and make us feel alive. Connect with others (get beyond our short-comings!) and give those gifts. A better world is possible, and we're building a strong People's Movement to create that better world.
- Laura Wells
[recycle bug] [union bug]
Q. What do you mean by People's Movement?
A. There are many branches of this movement. Not everyone agrees with all parts of the movement, and yet we agree that our democracy needs to be about real persons, who live and breathe, not corporate "persons" that can thrive on destruction and fear as easily as positive values.
Q. Why do you think the People's Movement is building?
A. One significant piece of evidence happened in June 2010 in Detroit, a city hard hit by the corporate complex, even in the automakers' good years. I spent five days with an incredible group of 18,000 people at the second U.S. Social Forum, and the media did not cover this inspiring event. There were lots of young people - and people of all ages - beautifully reflecting the diversity of our country. We focused on what we want, including great education, ecology, economy, healthcare, housing, jobs, and justice.
Q. What role does the Green Party play?
A. Change happens at many levels, from our human consciousness to our grassroots organizing to our governmental policies. The Green Party's contributions to the People's Movement include our ballot line and our values. The Green Party runs candidates that never accept corporate campaign contributions, so that when we are elected we stay with our values. Californians across the political spectrum know the Supreme Court got it wrong when they said corporations should be able to give any amount of money they want to political campaigns. Whether in 2010, 2012, or the next Governor's race in 2014, the Green Party can win. Then we can create a government that is not beholden to corporate sponsors, but that is on the side of the people.
Q. What can I do individually?
A. Pull out of corporations every which way you can, and take good care of yourselfl Those two things go well together in a myriad of ways, from eating real food not corporate food, to using muscle energy not corporate energy. One very powerful way to pull out of the corporate complex is to pull out of corporate-controlled political parties. Register your values - whether your focus is social justice, peace and nonviolence, ecological wisdom, and/or grassroots democracy- register Green. It matters.
Q. What can we do together?
A. As to organizing, there are as many answers as there are people. The best overall advice I know is this: to know what to do politically, follow your heart. We're all different and yet interconnected, el pueblo unido. We all have gifts that energize us and make us feel alive. Connect with others (get beyond our short-comings!) and give those gifts. A better world is possible, and we're building a strong People's Movement to create that better world.
- Laura Wells
[recycle bug] [union bug]
www.laurawells.org
info@laurawells.org
Laura Wells for Governor
P.O. Box 10727
Oakland, CA 94610
(510) 225-4005
FPPC #1323707
info@laurawells.org
Laura Wells for Governor
P.O. Box 10727
Oakland, CA 94610
(510) 225-4005
FPPC #1323707
 |
 |
|
| Newsletter, 8
1/2" x 11". |
Spring 2010
Edition
Page 1
There Are Solutions
Laura Wells, Candidate for the Green Party nomination for Governor of California
www.laurawells.org
There Are Solutions
Laura Wells, Candidate for the Green Party nomination for Governor of California
www.laurawells.org
Prop 13: Unlucky for California in 13
ways
"There is a wonderful part of Prop 13 that we need to keep," said Laura Wells, candidate for the Green Party nomination for governor of California. "California voters voted for Proposition 13 in 1978 to allow residents, especially seniors on fixed incomes, to stay in their homes rather than lose them due to rising property taxes."
On Valentine's Day, however, Wells sent a valentine to Prop 13 that read, "Prop 13, I love you, but honey, you've got to change."
Wells ran for the office of State Controller twice, to "follow the money," and now wants to "fix the money." Her vote total of over 400,000 votes in 2002 was the largest ever received by a Green Party candidate in a partisan statewide race.
As a Green Governor candidate, Wells has a list of thirteen ways Prop 13 was unlucky for California. As her bottom line, Wells says, "If you are young, or love anyone who's young, Prop 13 does not love you!"
1. Corporations benefit. Two-thirds (2/3) of the total benefit of flattening property tax went to commercial and corporate properties.
2. New homeowners get hurt. They pay more than long term neighbors.
3. Disparity grows. Prop 13 requires a 2/3 vote to raise taxes, but maintains a simple majority to lower taxes. So the legislature lowered tax rates in boom years, benefiting primarily the richest of the rich individuals and corporations - and now we're stuck since 67% is needed to get fair taxes back.
4. Minority rule. Just 34 of 100 legislators can stall any budget until their districts get greater benefits - and lower taxes.
5. Safeguard for the super-rich. Not the rest of us.
6. Income tax swings. State budgets depend more on income tax, which is less stable.
7. Sales tax grows. Now almost 10%, it hits middle class, lower income, and even the affluent harder than the super-rich.
8. Housing market tightens. Long-timers stay put, and localities, in their rush to increase sales tax and decrease expenses, focus on retail malls and big box stores, not homes.
9. Goodbye services. City budgets are squeezed, and all residents feel the effects, on fire and police departments, libraries, parks, schools.
10. Parking fees and potholes. Both increase - as cities scramble for sources of revenue.
11. Opportunity shrinks. California's schools went from being best in the nation to 47th out of 50 in terms of per-pupil spending - and in educational opportunities offered.
12. Tuition hikes. Tuition fees have gone beyond the reach of many would-be college students - 32% hike this year alone.
13. Kids and grandkids pay. The "no new taxes" mantra led to bonds funding everything from water quality and transportation to hospitals and schools - inadvertently promoting the philosophy, "We want it, but we don't want to pay for for it, so let's put it on credit, and have our children and grandchildren pay!"
Wells believes a super majority of Californians want to leave things in better shape, not worse, for the next generation. According to Wells, "There are solutions; there are things we can do."
Prop 13 is terrible!
Prop 13 is wonderful!
Who's right? Both!
WHAT CAN WE DO?
CHANGE 2/3 MAJORITY FOR TAX
See www.ca4democracy.com to find out how to support this 14-word initiative: "All legislative actions on revenue and budget must be determined by a majority vote." Do not be confused by petitions that retain the 2/3 majority for tax - that only safeguards the richest of the rich, not the rest of us. Sign the petition to get it on the ballot, talk about it, and vote for it!
FIX THE MONEY
See www.laurawells.org to understand how we can follow the money, and fix the money.
[recycle bug][union bug]
Spring 2010 Edition Page 2
There Are Solutions
Laura Wells, Candidate for the Green Party nomination for Governor of California
www.laurawells.org
FAQs:
STATE BANK FOR CALIFORNIA
Q. Why a state bank?
A. It's time for new solutions that are both tried-and-true and innovative. Our state is wealthy in both natural and human resources. There is no reason we should be begging Wall Street bankers for credit and investments. California has hit the wall relying on Wall Street!
Q. What is a state bank? I never heard of it.
A. North Dakota has had a state bank for 90 years, and is now the only state with a budget surplus not a deficit. With that example, a wave of change is beginning in which public officials and candidates are proposing state banks around the country.
Q. How can North Dakota compare to California?
A. They are both states, and if North Dakota (with its 650,000 people) can do it, California (with almost 40 million) can do it too. California is the 8th largest economy in the world. Most countries, with economies of all sizes, have central banks, and control their own money supply and credit. Why not California?
Q. Wouldn't a State Bank for California compete with and hurt local banks and credit unions?
A. Not at all. The State Bank would partner with local banks and credit unions, and in fact improve their ability to lend. Big banks took bailout money, and, with money left over after they paid themselves big bonuses, started buying up small banks! Local banks and businesses are the ones that build strong communities and job opportunities. A State Bank would help them.
Q. Why don't we just get back the rules and regulations that were taken away and rely on the big banks?
A. Although yes, we should have good solid rules that financial institutions must abide by, the Washington politicians are more sold out now than ever before, The richest of the rich individuals and corporations make "campaign contributions", actually low risk, high reward investments in politicians of both Titanic parties. Those boats are not taking us where we want to go.
Q. How about student loans?
A. Imagine a student loan program with a mission to help students get an education and graduate without huge and growing debts with rising interest rates in a slow job market. The State Bank of California would help in three ways, by investing in the schools, in the students, and in the local economy.
Q. What are we waiting for?
A. Candidates to propose it (which we now have - un-bought by Wall Street!); citizens to demand it; elected officials to enact it. It's a time for new ideas!
CONTACT US
Laura Wells for Governor 2010
P.O. Box 10727
Oakland, CA 94610
(510) 225-4005
info@laurawells.org
Paid for by Laura Wells for Governor 2010, FPPC #1323707
WHAT CAN WE DO?
FIX THE MONEY
See www.laurawells.org to understand how we can follow the money, and fix the money.
REGISTER TO VOTE
Consider registering Green Party in order to declare your values of grassroots democracy, non-violence, social justice, and a healthy environment.
GO LOCAL
Rather than allowing our California economy to hit the wall with Wall Street and WalMart, change your habits so that you bank, shop, dine, entertain, and maintain your life at local businesses - they are the businesses that support strong communities and create jobs.
Visit
www.LauraWells.org
"There is a wonderful part of Prop 13 that we need to keep," said Laura Wells, candidate for the Green Party nomination for governor of California. "California voters voted for Proposition 13 in 1978 to allow residents, especially seniors on fixed incomes, to stay in their homes rather than lose them due to rising property taxes."
On Valentine's Day, however, Wells sent a valentine to Prop 13 that read, "Prop 13, I love you, but honey, you've got to change."
Wells ran for the office of State Controller twice, to "follow the money," and now wants to "fix the money." Her vote total of over 400,000 votes in 2002 was the largest ever received by a Green Party candidate in a partisan statewide race.
As a Green Governor candidate, Wells has a list of thirteen ways Prop 13 was unlucky for California. As her bottom line, Wells says, "If you are young, or love anyone who's young, Prop 13 does not love you!"
1. Corporations benefit. Two-thirds (2/3) of the total benefit of flattening property tax went to commercial and corporate properties.
2. New homeowners get hurt. They pay more than long term neighbors.
3. Disparity grows. Prop 13 requires a 2/3 vote to raise taxes, but maintains a simple majority to lower taxes. So the legislature lowered tax rates in boom years, benefiting primarily the richest of the rich individuals and corporations - and now we're stuck since 67% is needed to get fair taxes back.
4. Minority rule. Just 34 of 100 legislators can stall any budget until their districts get greater benefits - and lower taxes.
5. Safeguard for the super-rich. Not the rest of us.
6. Income tax swings. State budgets depend more on income tax, which is less stable.
7. Sales tax grows. Now almost 10%, it hits middle class, lower income, and even the affluent harder than the super-rich.
8. Housing market tightens. Long-timers stay put, and localities, in their rush to increase sales tax and decrease expenses, focus on retail malls and big box stores, not homes.
9. Goodbye services. City budgets are squeezed, and all residents feel the effects, on fire and police departments, libraries, parks, schools.
10. Parking fees and potholes. Both increase - as cities scramble for sources of revenue.
11. Opportunity shrinks. California's schools went from being best in the nation to 47th out of 50 in terms of per-pupil spending - and in educational opportunities offered.
12. Tuition hikes. Tuition fees have gone beyond the reach of many would-be college students - 32% hike this year alone.
13. Kids and grandkids pay. The "no new taxes" mantra led to bonds funding everything from water quality and transportation to hospitals and schools - inadvertently promoting the philosophy, "We want it, but we don't want to pay for for it, so let's put it on credit, and have our children and grandchildren pay!"
Wells believes a super majority of Californians want to leave things in better shape, not worse, for the next generation. According to Wells, "There are solutions; there are things we can do."
Prop 13 is terrible!
Prop 13 is wonderful!
Who's right? Both!
WHAT CAN WE DO?
CHANGE 2/3 MAJORITY FOR TAX
See www.ca4democracy.com to find out how to support this 14-word initiative: "All legislative actions on revenue and budget must be determined by a majority vote." Do not be confused by petitions that retain the 2/3 majority for tax - that only safeguards the richest of the rich, not the rest of us. Sign the petition to get it on the ballot, talk about it, and vote for it!
FIX THE MONEY
See www.laurawells.org to understand how we can follow the money, and fix the money.
[recycle bug][union bug]
Spring 2010 Edition Page 2
There Are Solutions
Laura Wells, Candidate for the Green Party nomination for Governor of California
www.laurawells.org
Q. Why a state bank?
A. It's time for new solutions that are both tried-and-true and innovative. Our state is wealthy in both natural and human resources. There is no reason we should be begging Wall Street bankers for credit and investments. California has hit the wall relying on Wall Street!
Q. What is a state bank? I never heard of it.
A. North Dakota has had a state bank for 90 years, and is now the only state with a budget surplus not a deficit. With that example, a wave of change is beginning in which public officials and candidates are proposing state banks around the country.
Q. How can North Dakota compare to California?
A. They are both states, and if North Dakota (with its 650,000 people) can do it, California (with almost 40 million) can do it too. California is the 8th largest economy in the world. Most countries, with economies of all sizes, have central banks, and control their own money supply and credit. Why not California?
Q. Wouldn't a State Bank for California compete with and hurt local banks and credit unions?
A. Not at all. The State Bank would partner with local banks and credit unions, and in fact improve their ability to lend. Big banks took bailout money, and, with money left over after they paid themselves big bonuses, started buying up small banks! Local banks and businesses are the ones that build strong communities and job opportunities. A State Bank would help them.
Q. Why don't we just get back the rules and regulations that were taken away and rely on the big banks?
A. Although yes, we should have good solid rules that financial institutions must abide by, the Washington politicians are more sold out now than ever before, The richest of the rich individuals and corporations make "campaign contributions", actually low risk, high reward investments in politicians of both Titanic parties. Those boats are not taking us where we want to go.
Q. How about student loans?
A. Imagine a student loan program with a mission to help students get an education and graduate without huge and growing debts with rising interest rates in a slow job market. The State Bank of California would help in three ways, by investing in the schools, in the students, and in the local economy.
Q. What are we waiting for?
A. Candidates to propose it (which we now have - un-bought by Wall Street!); citizens to demand it; elected officials to enact it. It's a time for new ideas!
CONTACT US
Laura Wells for Governor 2010
P.O. Box 10727
Oakland, CA 94610
(510) 225-4005
info@laurawells.org
Paid for by Laura Wells for Governor 2010, FPPC #1323707
WHAT CAN WE DO?
FIX THE MONEY
See www.laurawells.org to understand how we can follow the money, and fix the money.
REGISTER TO VOTE
Consider registering Green Party in order to declare your values of grassroots democracy, non-violence, social justice, and a healthy environment.
GO LOCAL
Rather than allowing our California economy to hit the wall with Wall Street and WalMart, change your habits so that you bank, shop, dine, entertain, and maintain your life at local businesses - they are the businesses that support strong communities and create jobs.
Visit
www.LauraWells.org
 |
 |
|
|
Fundraising
Envelope. |
Another world is
possible.
There are solutions! For great schools, health, environment, justice, and jobs. We will create a State Bank and invest in California, not Wall Street. We will expand the good parts of old Prop 13 to keep people in their homes, and fix rotten parts Iike the 1/3 minority that has veto power over taxing the mega-corporations and billionaires.
California will once again be a leader among states.
Laura Wells—Green Party Candidate for California Governor
www.LauraWells.org
Thank you for your support!
There are solutions! For great schools, health, environment, justice, and jobs. We will create a State Bank and invest in California, not Wall Street. We will expand the good parts of old Prop 13 to keep people in their homes, and fix rotten parts Iike the 1/3 minority that has veto power over taxing the mega-corporations and billionaires.
California will once again be a leader among states.
Laura Wells—Green Party Candidate for California Governor
www.LauraWells.org
Thank you for your support!
Copyright © 2023 Eric M. Appleman/Democracy in
Action. All rights reserved.