Jon Edney
From the Right
From the Right: Thank you, and goodbye
April 22, 2013
Today, with this column, I am finishing as a columnist for the Imperial Valley Press. For some, I am sure it will be a cause for celebration; for others maybe not so. I want to sincerely thank those at the Press for offering me this opportunity for the last year and a half. Richard Brown, who originally reached out and challenged me if I could write even one sentence, let alone a column each week. Thanks to Peggy who was my contact and reminder when I occasionally forgot to forward my masterpiece of the week.
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From the Right: Thatcher era over; let battle begin (again)
April 15, 2013
The death of Margaret Thatcher this past week marks the end of an era. It heralds the beginning of another. The Iron Lady may be no more but the core convictions for which she was most known must be brought to life again in Britain and across the world, and not least in this country, which she so much admired.
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From the Right: Out of politics and into writing
April 8, 2013
“Welcome Mr. Rove and Mr. Carville. It’s very nice to meet you. I was surprised that you agreed to help me — and at such a reasonable rate.”
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From the Right: Making the housing market worse
April 1, 2013
You can’t make this stuff up. I have written previously about the government’s continuous meddling with the housing market. There is little doubt that the collapse of the housing market helped spiral us down into the oblivion of a six-year recession. No doubt that millions of homeowners have had the hardest time keeping current on their house payments. No doubt that a reasoned and thorough examination of the problem could lead to a real solution to the issue. No doubt either that the government will do everything in its power to make the problem worse.
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From the Right: Cyprus debt solution is downright scary
March 25, 2013
Cyprus is a very small nation in the eastern Mediterranean. It has a long history of battling for survival against land-grabbing invaders. It has a population only six times greater than what we have in Imperial County. We share something in common: both places enjoy wonderful weather for about eight months of the year. So, why be concerned with this small island country thousands of miles away?
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From the Right: The politics game is getting dirtier
March 18, 2013
Politics is a game, we all know that. But sometimes the game gets worrisomely dirty. The president has been playing politics and he has been playing dirty. And I, for one, am getting worried. In the dirty game people get hurt and in this game it is all of the American people who are being hurt.
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From the Right: Take courage, fellow Americans
March 11, 2013
It is no surprise that our country is deeply divided. We are constantly bombarded with political rhetoric from the right, the left, and everywhere in between. It seems the political class can agree on nothing from complex world issues to the simpler task of passing an annual budget.
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From the Right: Freezing in the Big Apple
March 4, 2013
I write this week’s column from a nearly frozen Big Apple. But of course it’s only cold for someone from the Imperial Valley used to the balmy winters of a desert climate. It is all of around 32 degrees in New York. For my wife and I, that means four sweaters, heavy jackets, ear muffs and gloves. For the typical New Yorker, a light jacket is all that is called for. Well, that is fine. I tell anyone laughing about the layers of clothing I am wearing to come enjoy a visit to El Centro in August. I have had very few takers so far.
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From the Right: Watch out, San Diego
February 25, 2013
This past November’s election did not go very well if you lean to the middle or the right. As with most things, however, if you look long and hard you can usually find a sliver of a silver lining. For us in Imperial County, that sliver was the wonderful news that Congressman Filner opted to run for mayor of San Diego. His successful campaign was a huge win for Imperial County and the nation as a whole. For our good friends in San Diego, they may rue that day for years to come.
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From the Right: Let Americans star making America better
February 18, 2013
If you were one of the 33 million Americans that watched at least part of the State of the Union address, you were unlikely to have been surprised at what you heard. The speech was all that we have come to expect of this president. More flowery words, more spread the wealth, more taxes, more regulation and, well, just more, more and more government. Not much new at all, but there were a few interesting revelations.
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From the Right: Manipulation is administration's strong suit
February 4, 2013
The election and the inauguration are now in the past. The hippy hoopla is also now in the past. What we are left with is the very sad truth that much, if not all, we were told during the last six months of 2012 was apparently manipulated by the Obama administration in order to secure his re-election. Evidence to that effect is coming out of Washington every single day.
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From the Right: Where is the true leadership?
January 28, 2013
During the past few weeks I have offered commentary on the budget crises of our government agencies. I have tried to point out the fiscal reality without the politics. The truth is that under our current funding structure for government services there will never be enough money to balance budgets. Change must come and it must come soon.
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From the Right: Long-term solutions to budget crisis
January 21, 2013
From the Right: Long-term solutions to budget crisis
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From the Right: Problem with financing local government
January 14, 2013
Before getting to the fiscal situation on local government, we must reiterate our starting-point: there is a problem! Not just a made-up problem, not a problem of the “left” or a problem of the “right”; rather there is a flat out incontrovertible structural problem with how we finance local government.
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From the Right: Can't ignore the 'fiscal cliff'
January 7, 2013
I had planned to write on local government this week to continue looking at the problem of unsustainable budgets. Alas, the farce played out last week in “saving” us from the federal “fiscal cliff” is too important to ignore. Our esteemed political class in Washington has supposedly prevented us from sliding into the abyss of economic collapse. A deal was reached. Hooray! There will be higher taxes on the nasty rich and more spending on those who are not. We can now all go along our merry way and ring in the New Year knowing that everything will be just swell.
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From the Right: Starting New Year with reflection on governmental budget woes
December 31, 2012
One hundred forty-one billion dollars! That’s how much the California state budget is this fiscal year. Ever growing, ever expanding and no end in sight. I want to begin this New Year with some reflection on governmental budget woes with the state. With the recent passage of Proposition 30, the state has at least a temporarily and hypothetically balanced budget.
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From the Right: Celebrating a year of columns
December 25, 2012
A Merry Christmas morning to all. I hope you readers have a blessed and wonderful day.
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From the Right: Giving up one post makes much sense
December 17, 2012
Most people who run for office do so for the right reasons. They believe they have something to offer that can make things better. How someone performs once in office can be a different thing altogether of course. The most we can hope for as a community and a nation is that they stick to their principles, work hard, be willing to work with others, and most importantly, bring common sense to their job.
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From the Right: Giving what you've earned to the government
December 10, 2012
There is much talk about the country going off the “fiscal cliff” at the end of the year. We have all heard about tax increases, tax rate changes, entitlement reform and how these will or will not affect federal budgets and deficits. But as an example, what might it do to an individual family?
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From the Right: State budget surplus by 2014?
December 3, 2012
“Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the new super, super majority of supreme enlightenment. As governor and leader of the enlightened, I called this meeting to discuss a significant new development that requires our immediate attention. Enough of the patting each other on the back, we must quickly develop our plan. Before I continue, can one of those unenlightened Republicans run over to Starbucks and get me an ice mocha latte — let’s give them something to earn their big salaries.”
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From the Right: Who will fund shortage in medical field?
November 26, 2012
We are facing the real prospect of a crisis in the healthcare field. Everyone in this country will be affected in the big cities and the small. The crisis will be far more dramatic in the rural areas than elsewhere.
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From the Right: Success is no longer valued
November 19, 2012
A client came into my office late last week to discuss a project he has here in the Valley. I have worked with this client for a few years. I don’t recall us ever having a conversation with any political overtones. After discussing his project for some time, my client says to me, “This will be the last one. I am done. I have had it with trying to make these projects pan out with all the regulations, permits and bureaucracy. Add the new taxes and it just is not worth it anymore.”
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From the Right: Right was run right out of town
November 12, 2012
You don’t have to hit me over the head with a 2 by 4. OK, you’re right, you usually do. Consider myself bludgeoned. The election last week was nothing short of a good old-fashioned whipping. Both across the nation and in this once-great state of California, those with a D next to their name squashed their opponents like bugs. No spin can be spun. No excuses can be given. It is time for reality to set in and for those on the right to face the unavoidable truth. It is no longer right to be Right.
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From the Right: Help Obama keep his word
November 5, 2012
Election Day is here. After more than a year of campaigning and billions of dollars mostly wasted on the campaigns, it is decision day for our nation.
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From the Right: Don't say he didn't warn you
October 29, 2012
I write this column as a public service announcement. Brace yourselves America! If the trends continue, Nov. 7 will be a very critical day in this nation’s history; especially in the big cities of New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and most of all in Detroit. Yes, I am aware that Election Day is not the seventh but it is the results that we are trending toward that may cause the huge melee. It’s looking like Mitt Romney will be elected president. The casus belli will be the fact that Romney may be elected by winning the Electoral College votes without also winning the popular vote. Maybe good news for the country as a whole, but those big cities may burn as the two “Left Coasts” and their cross-country allies scream accusations of another stolen election.
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From the Right: Be careful what you vote for
October 22, 2012
I have been asked numerous times about endorsing candidates in the upcoming election, both by those who respect my opinion and those who do not. For those that do, they believe my endorsement may actually help someone get elected. For those that don’t, they believe my endorsement would have the opposite effect. While I have decided against making specific endorsements, I will provide my two cents on the type of candidate we should all be not looking to elect this November.
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From the Right: Political stalemate may be ending
October 15, 2012
Our country is deeply divided, split right down the middle on most every issue.
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From the Right: Number of unemployed not correct
October 8, 2012
“Hey Rob, this is David, send in the Cook County enforcers to the Department of Labor first thing in the morning.”
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From the Right: Courage may save us from ruin
October 1, 2012
When Congressman Duncan Hunter Jr. speaks on matters of defense, people listen. No matter your political persuasion, the congressman has a ton of insight. We here in the Valley are more likely to remember his father, who represented us in Congress for many years. Duncan 1 was a stalwart proponent of defense and served as chairman of the House Armed Services Committee for many years. Duncan 2, a congressman for only a short time, combines a lifetime of learning from his father with actual frontline experience. He was one of the few children of a sitting congressman to serve not only in the Iraq war but also in Afghanistan.
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How dare Romney tell the truth
September 24, 2012
The audacity of Mitt Romney! Something needs to be done and right away. I am as shocked as everyone — perhaps even more so than the main stream media. I am just shocked for a different reason. Apparently, secret agents working only in the best interests of all Americans have discovered videos of Mitt speaking about voter preferences. The liberals and the main street media are going ballistic. Can you believe Mitt suggesting that at least 47 percent of the American people are living off their fellow taxpayers? Unbelievably, he also suggests that those same people are unlikely to ever vote for him or any other Republican candidate for president. I too may be jumping out of my skin. I can hardly believe that someone running for elected office is actually telling the truth.
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From the Right: Government intervention not good for quality
September 17, 2012
My wife and I just purchased a new Toyota Prius. What a great car! It has nice features, tons of room for a small car, and will get more than 50 miles to the gallon. We got all this for less than $30,000. It’s a vehicle built to last and priced to sell. An incredible piece of human ingenuity.
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'Forward?' Or message of going back
September 11, 2012
There was a great party atmosphere last week at the Democratic convention. The Kool-Aid was flowing in fountains.
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From the Right: States' woes reflect Dickensian times
September 4, 2012
Most everyone with a high school diploma is familiar with the great Dickens novel, “A Tale of Two Cities.” This week I am writing a tale of two states. There will, of course, be a couple of differences between the two. One, I am sure mine will not go down as a literacy classic. Two, my tale will not be a great work of fiction but an all too sad reality story. I cannot promise to give you a classic of American literature, but it will hopefully be one the people of this once great state of California will want to study.
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From the Right: Government keeping the poor, poor
August 27, 2012
Is there anyone out there who does not see the need to have a safety net for those Americans most in need? I would think not. A person who has a significant mental or physical disability, not able to feed, shelter, clothe themselves or their children: surely we have a moral obligation to offer assistance.
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From the Right: More money still won't be enough
August 20, 2012
There is a way to solve the significant problems facing this country. That is through evaluation of options and most importantly, compromise. That means a full evaluation of the options, proposals from all sides of the political spectrum, and ultimately adopting a plan of attack that actually leads to solving the issues. The key to compromise is having all sides present a detailed and factual plan, not spill rhetoric, secrete innuendo, and tell outright lies. Let’s examine the biggest issue of all and try to find reasonable compromise.
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From the Right: What's in the water?
August 13, 2012
Is there something in the water? That question was asked recently in this very paper.
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From the Right: Chattering class true to form after shootings
August 6, 2012
The recent shooting incident in Aurora was an act of true horror and raises many serious questions. It will take time to get our minds around the whys and hows of such a tragic event. It won’t be made any easier as the politicians and pundits take the opportunity to make points in the never-ending “great gun” debate. Never let a tragedy go to waste …
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From the Right: Romney has some convincing to do
July 30, 2012
You have been warned, Mr. Romney. There is still time, but heed this warning before it’s too late. You are at risk of deserving the everlasting blame for the ruin of America. You have been right in your campaign in saying that this is a make or break election year, that the future of this country depends on who the voters cast their ballots for as president in 2012. I do not need to rehearse here my arguments against the re-election of President Obama. But Mr. Romney, you have yet to convince me or many others that you should be elected instead. There are worrying signs that you are not convincing many voters of anything other than you want to be president.
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From the Right: American dream isn't president's dream
July 23, 2012
I started working at the age of 12. By the time I was 15, I was going to high school for three hours and working eight hours a day. When I was 18, I moved to the Valley and started working 80 hours a week. By the time I was 26, I had been married eight years, had three children, a mortgage and two car payments.
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From the Right: Expect El Centro to do what is right
July 16, 2012
El Centro will be holding a public hearing on increasing water and sewer rates. Can you believe it? In this horrible economy, with unemployment this high, they want to increase costs? How dare they think of raising rates! They better think about their re-election campaigns because we can ill afford it and we do not want to pay it. It would be better if, like their colleagues in many others cities across the state, they kick the can down the road and let future city councils and citizens deal with it.
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From the Right: No vote for new tax increase
July 9, 2012
Everyone knows that at the beginning of July we joyfully celebrate our independence day. Fewer understand that it is the start of a new year, the budget year for state government.
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From the Right: Ruling good and bad for Obama
July 2, 2012
President Obama and his administration received a huge, huge victory last Thursday. The Supreme Court ruled overall his healthcare plan constitutional. They even got one of the more conservative justices, Chief Justice Roberts, to go along as the deciding and opinionating vote. I am sure there were high-fives resounding in the White House. Some will say it was a tremendous validation of Obama’s first term in office, the triumph of his signature piece of legislation. Candidate Obama and his campaign team, on the other hand, may not be so thrilled. In fact this huge, huge victory for the Obama administration may be the unraveling of his re-election. OK, so what could be so good for President Obama and yet so bad for candidate Obama?
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From the Right: 'Fast and Furious' may put Obama to test
June 25, 2012
Here we are more than four months from the presidential election. Candidates Obama and Romney are raising billions of dollars to tell us all how great they are and how they will fix all of our problems. One would believe the direction of the economy, the Supreme Court decision on health care, or the turmoil in Egypt, Syria and other rogue nations might most determine the winner come this November. The truth is that the election might just have been decided last Wednesday morning. President Obama issued an order claiming “executive privilege” concerning the guns and ammo scandal in Arizona, better known as “Fast and Furious.”
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From the Right: Unions should fight for what is fair
June 18, 2012
I am often criticized for being anti-union. That is not exactly true. I grew up in fact in a family where both parents were union members for most of their careers. I have always applauded the ascent of employee rights and the improvement in worker conditions which were brought about mostly because of the unions. For such things, just about every worker in the country can be thankful. Unfortunately, most union organizations have drifted far from these noble beginnings and nobler accomplishments. The logic of steady advancement in the conditions for workers was, well, for a long time, just logical. Not anymore.
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From the Right: Get out of the way and let Americans create jobs
June 11, 2012
At first glance, the national jobs report released last week was frightening. Less than 70,000 jobs were created nationwide in the month of May. If you want to be truly terrified, go further and look at the details not reported across the headlines. It shows a lot about how challenging the job market has become. It also shows why governmental action has been ineffective, matters little to job creation, and is the opposite strategy of what is needed to repair the job market for millions of Americans.
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From the Right: Vote, and vote wisely
June 4, 2012
The headline for tomorrow’s edition of the Imperial Valley Press: “82 percent of Imperial Valley voters go to the polls in an election year record; 79 percent vote across the state of California.” The story goes on to report that while no party or special interest group could lay claim to victory, the obvious loser was the status quo. Such huge turnout turned out incumbents on the right and on the left — and across the whole political spectrum. A new day begins in state and local government.
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From the Right: It's about the kids, not unions
May 21, 2012
The layoffs of 80 teachers at the Calexico Unified School District is a tragedy, made more tragic because it could have been avoided.
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From the Right: 'If only government could go out of government!'
May 14, 2012
The greatest failure of the Obama presidency is his belief that government can solve all the problems facing our country. A most telling statistic came my way this week. Since 1900, no president has had fewer members of their cabinet with private or business sector experience. It is not even close among our other presidents.. Prior to Obama, John F. Kennedyhad the lowest percentage, which was 30 percent. Bill Clinton had 39 percent, Jimmy Carter 32 percent, and even the founder of modern-day liberalism, FDR, had the sense to have as much 50 percent. Obama’s administration has an unbelievably low 8 percent. That means less than one in 10 of the Obama team has much practical experience in solving problems, finding efficiencies, or keeping to a budget. No wonder he can do nothing about job creation: his team has never created jobs in their lives.
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From the Right: So now it's 'forward'?
May 7, 2012
So long “hope and change”; hello “forward.” Huh? That’s exactly my reaction. President Obama and his team of strategists have released their 2012 campaign slogan. We long ago answered Gov. Palin’s question, “how’s that hopey-changy thing working out for you?” with a resounding groan. It’s been all change for sure, but mostly for the worse; and as for hope, well about two-thirds of the population believes the country’s heading in the wrong direction. Little surprise that the Obama team has itself given up on hope and change.
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From the Right: Time to look for Social Security solution
April 30, 2012
One of the great truisms of national politics is don’t mess with the Social Security system. For a long time now the political establishment has lied to itself and to us, refusing even to acknowledge that it has been broken from the very start. This past week we learned that the situation is worse than previously thought. The system as a whole will be insolvent by 2033. So much for your security! In little more than 20 years there will be nothing left. Of course that is only a partial truth because we have not actually been funding the program for decades. The moneys paid by all Americans into the program each year have been siphoned off into the general fund and replaced with an “I owe you.” You know, we will pay it back later. And later means much later which really means never. The deficit is into the trillions. Can it be saved? Sure, when we’re ready to make a reality check.
