What to do

Change is possible. Positive change.

There was a saying in the sixties, "We can change the world." It was not created by Graham Nash, but he set it to music. Turns out, we may have been overly optimistic. But we can change California. Hopefully, for the better.

Cut Taxes

Whenever the budget deficit comes up, the immediate response from Sacramento is that they must raise taxes. They spend nearly as much time looking for new revenue sources (stealth taxes) as they do raising campaign funds.

High taxes are one reason California is in financial trouble. A tax that is unfair and astronomical is the Sales Tax, which is nearing 10%, roughly the same percentage as the official unemployment figures. State politicians, including those in our state, are trying to figure out how to get taxes from Internet purchases. The US Supreme Court has ruled that they can't, but the states claim they are losing money.

They are correct. Whenever sales taxes go up, sales go down. At a time when money is tight, anyone with access to a computer is doing comparison shopping online. If there is a lower price with free shipping and no sales tax, a consumer would be foolish to buy the item locally. A product that costs $100 is nearly $110 in-state. Lowering the tax would make Internet purchases less of a bargain.

Another approach is trying to make new items taxable. Educational materials like books, magazines and newspapers should not be taxed. If education is our goal, we should not discourage reading. Supposedly "sin" taxes on alcohol and tobacco discourage their use. So why does California tax reading materials?

Sales taxes are the tip of the iceberg. The numerous California taxes discourage new businesses and chase out existing employers, along with their jobs. States with lower taxes are doing much better during the recession because businesses and their employees are not soaked for being successful.

Politicians would have you believe they can create jobs with feel-good programs and minor tweaks to the tax laws. If you buy that line, don't vote for me.

Reduce Spending

Whenever cuts are necessary, politicians immediately threaten police, firefighters and teachers. They never mention prison guards, who have a better union. Sometimes they warn they will have to release some prisoners. It's not as if the prisons are not overcrowded already.

Individuals and businesses know spending can always be reduced. Only politicians claim there is nothing to cut. I would ask Californians for suggestions. Anyone can come up with a few unnecessary state expenditures. By the way, it is wonderful helping the needy — if you're using your own money. For most of those living on government handouts, a job would be a much greater help. If you think jobs are not important, don't vote for me.

Reduce Regulations

Our laws and regulations are so complex that no one knows what is legal, including those who "write" the laws. It is difficult understanding them and, when you figure them out, they are awful. They are another reason businesses move to other states or avoid California initially.

Most of these regulations are unfortunate. For example, environmental laws are based on theories that are far from proven. Even if extreme measures do cut pollution and affect the climate, California's great efforts would have a fraction of a percentage of impact on the world's atmosphere. The costs to California's citizens are immediate and damaging. Maybe we could persuade China to be greener.

Just because you are a Lawmaker doesn't mean every real or imagined problem needs its own law. As with regulations, no one can possibly know all the laws. There are so many rules, breaking them is inevitable, which leads to an attitude that it's okay to break some. Most drivers know cell phones are not permitted while driving. That doesn't seem to stop them.

Those who smoke marijuana are breaking the law every time they light up, convincing people that the laws are frivolous. It is not the government's business, although government officials profit from any illegal substance. They get to build and operate prisons. Law enforcement can concentrate on drug users and avoid real criminals, and so on. Their efforts would be better devoted to fighting real crime and criminals.

Whenever a new law is introduced, it should contain a sunset clause. If it is not working after two years, it should expire. The current system never acknowledges laws that do harm, nothing good, or nothing at all. They remain on the books in perpetuity.

Perhaps lawmakers should be required to take a test on each law they vote on, to determine if they have read it. I propose that for every new law that is passed, two be repealed. California has too many laws, too little freedom. If you think a law can solve every problem, don't vote for me.

Improve Education

Californians seem to agree that education is important. But attending a school that is warehousing young persons without teaching them anything is unacceptable. I've written a paper, which I urge you to read if, like me, you believe the school system is failing our youth and our state in general. If you prefer the status-quo, don't vote for me.

Government Reform

There are structural problems with California's government. If you believe these can be solved by those already in office, you haven't been paying attention. I will work with citizens (in groups and individually) to make elections more democratic. For now, we are stuck with the "Incumbent Party" [see box on left], whose only principles are self-perpetuation and increasing their own power. You can make a difference by just saying "No" and voting Libertarian, the party with real principles.

We Can Win

When you run as an independent (not Democrat, not Republican), everyone says "You can't win." Why? Because they control the process. The press repeats the non-electable mantra, if they report on you at all.

Surely you cannot expect to win, which reminds me of a remark in 'The Kentucky Fried Movie,' "If you're a Gemini, expect the unexpected." So happens I am a Gemini.

Moreover, 2010 has been full of political shocks. Americans angered by the arrogance displayed in Congress and the lack of support from state politicians are registering their feelings at the ballot box. The British-based Economist newspaper refers to our electorate as being in a "bizarre, unpredictable mood." If they mean that voters are not accepting the same old politicians playing the same old games, they may be correct. Although being informed and voting wisely is not my definition of "bizarre."

When Arnold Schwarzenegger was running for governor (the first time), he promised everyone would get "fabulous jobs." His words. I'm still waiting for my fabulous job; how about you? I am not promising anyone jobs because the government cannot create jobs. It can help eliminate them, so anything I vote for will not discourage businesses, who will provide jobs, as they did when Sacramento was less intrusive.

I am not just a credible candidate,
I am an incredible candidate.

When I win, I will look out for you because I am a regular person struggling to make ends meet. I don't have to read about flat salaries and higher costs to know what they are like. I will not be representing a political party or any special-interest groups. I will make a difference.

Together, we can win

  — Gary Tutin, September 19, 2010