Robert Patton
[Robert Patton is a large-scale data systems developer and program manager living in southern California. Robert is also a long time friend, colleague, and entrepreneur. His email earlier today mentioned a serendipitous and interesting conversation he had with Meg Whitman, Republican candidate for governor and former CEO of eBay. Whitman was doing random calls to voters and Robert won. I asked him to scribble an account of the interview which I would post. The following is what he sent me and appears with minor format editing. gjr]
Saturday morning, after just getting through the morning paper and feeding the pets, the phone rang. It was still early so I couldn’t imagine who it might be.
As I picked it up a voice said “Hello Robert? This is Meg calling to talk about the upcoming California election.”
It sounded like her TV voice, but I asked anyway: Is it really you, Meg Whitman? “Yes, it is. I’m in Woodland Hills this morning and wanted to speak to some local voters.”
#1: Being a loyal RR Reader, I like being able to have a 1:1 discussion as much, or more, than the next guy!
#2: She’s rich, and busy, and I’ve been getting annoyed at having $68 million of media pushed at me over the past months. But, being able to actually talk back, what a refreshing thing!
She of course wanted to drive her talking points but didn’t seem to be bothered when I asked her if I could jump to a few direct questions.
#3: I really appreciate 2-way dialogue and she was perfectly willing to have it!
Meg, you came out early but Poizner has been on the attack as much as you have and now the voters are confused about what is truthful, what isn’t and whether your platform points are real principles or just a necessary means to be elected. “I want to assure you that I stand by those principles”
Meg, since we have limited time, what I’d like to know is: Will you really tear down the sanctuary city problem that is ruining California? I’m for people coming to the U.S. legally and being committed to U.S. values and assimilation. That’s what makes the country strong and enduring. I’m against cities creating double standards and undermining fairness and assimilation. Meg said she agreed and is 100% against providing sanctuaries for illegals.
(I wish I had drilled down on exactly what she would do, but I wanted to get other questions in, so I regret that I didn’t. I also regret not having asked where she stands on the children of illegals and what can be done to lessen the anchor-baby effect that burdens California.)
You talk about helping restore a positive business climate in California. In L.A., it can take 2 years of permit delays to open a business. What would you do about that? “Yes, that’s a situation that has gotten out of hand. I will work to reduce it to a sensible level. For example, a company I know that delivers fertilizer has to get a $100 permit separately from each city it delivers to. In that example I would want to make it a single permit process. I ran a successful company called eBay..”
I jumped in to say, yes I know eBay well, I’ve been with some dot-coms too so I know how important innovative businesses are to California’s future. “Oh, that’s great, then you get all that and we don’t have to discuss how important it is to properly manage a big business, or a state’s budget.” Yes, it’s critical. We need people who can manage and lead. (I feel like I've pitched 2 softballs – I’m not pleased with myself)
Meg, let me ask a last question. I know the Howard Jarvis Taxpayer Org has endorsed you. I’m a member of that org too. But I want to hear it from you directly. Will you promise not to undermine Prop 13? “Yes, I will protect prop13. I know many residents who would be taxed out of their homes without it. It’s important that we protect it so people can stay in California and afford to retire here.”
Meg, it’s great to be able to speak with you and hear about your principles directly. “I know there’s been some confusion generated by the campaign ads. I wanted to call some voters in hopes they would help me get the word out to others. I hope you will support me and help get my message out.”
Meg, I appreciate your taking time to speak to individuals. I’m glad to also talk to others since you are willing to make contact and listen.
<end of call>
Of Brownies and Obamacare and …
George Rebane
To get an idea of the impact of the new federal tsunamis headed our way, tsunamis that may finally swamp this dear land of ours, take a look at this 26 page recipe for brownies from the US Air Force cookbook - MILITARY SPECIFICATION, COOKIES, OATMEAL; AND BROWNIES; COCOLATE COVERED. Can you imagine the number of people, the time, the cost, etc involved in putting out this tripe? And this is repeated thousands of times a day throughout all the departments, bureaus, commissions, … . This is simply the way they do things, all things.
I’m not done yet. Now consider what is required to get some fed employees to actually work with instructions like this. Remember, in all large bureaucracies – public and private, especially those with pension plans – the standing order is ‘CYA all the way!’ These instructions will be followed.
And you’d think that with so many eyeballs checking and rechecking the damn thing over the years, that somebody by now would have picked up on the spelling of ‘chocolate’ in the title - or does that highlight another problem? Your government in peace and war.
(H/T to a regular RR reader with connections who is trying to get the total pagecount for this cookbook.)
Posted at 01:06 PM in Culture Comments, Our Country | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)
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