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- Last Post of 2008December 31 2008
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It’s New Year’s Eve, and while I’m not the type to make resolutions, today does provide an opportunity to reflect on the past year and look forward to the next.
Simplification was one of my priorities in 2008. In general, I try to live relatively minimally. However, it does require a concentrated effort to identify those things which are unnecessary or inefficient. I eliminated many sources of both mental and physical clutter, which allows me to focus on things that truly matter.
My engineering background, combined with a general curiosity, causes me to constantly brainstorm new ideas. At times, this can be overwhelming, if not tempered by a degree of focus. Thankfully, I’ve been able to maintain focus and have made steady progress on the projects I’m undertaking.
I intend to carry this momentum forward into the new year. With continued determination, and a little luck, 2009 should present some exciting opportunities.
Thank you to my family and friends, both new and old. I wish you all a Happy New Year!
- Google’s Many Mobile PlatformsNovember 19 2008
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After a couple days of working through Apple’s infamous App Store bureaucracy, the latest version of Google Mobile App is available. The feature everyone is raving about is, of course, the ability to lift the phone to your ear and simply say what you are searching for. I’ve installed it on my iPhone, and it is pretty slick.
One of the more interesting articles I came across in the days preceding the release, was on Technologizer, which asked How Long Does Google Baby the iPhone?
I am, however, fascinated by one thing about it: The fact that it’s debuting on the iPhone. It’s the second interesting Google app to do so in recent weeks. (Google Earth made its mobile premiere on the iPhone back in late October.) The iPhone is a terrific platform for mobile apps, so there’d be nothing noteworthy about this except for one thing: Google has its own terrific platform for mobile apps, Android.
The answer to the question, in my opinion, is simple: as long as iPhone is a first-tier mobile platform (read: forever).
To Google, the only platform that mat
- California Proposition 12October 21 2008
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Veterans’ Bond Act of 2008
This act provides for a bond issue of nine hundred million dollars ($900,000,000) to provide farm and home aid for California veterans. Fiscal Impact: Costs of about $1.8 billion to pay off both the principal ($900 million) and interest ($856 million) on the bonds; costs paid by participating veterans. Average payment for principal and interest of about $59 million per year for 30 years.
I was unaware of the Cal-Vet Home Loan Program before researching this initiative, but it seems truly incredible.
Since 1921, the Cal-Vet program has issued low-interest rate loans to veterans purchasing homes or farms. As the veterans repay the loans, the payments are sufficient to cover the cost of the bonds as well as the cost of running the program. The program is entirely self-supporting, with no direct cost to the taxpayer.
These new bonds would provide funds for at least 3,600 additional veterans to receive loans.
The men and women who have served this country deserve our support. With a program that is operating so effectively, there is no reason to deny this funding.
I’m voting Yes on Prop 12.
Additional information is available at Ballotpedia.
- California Proposition 11October 21 2008
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Redistricting
Changes authority for establishing state office boundaries from elected representatives to commission. Establishes multilevel process to select commissioners from registered voter pool. Commission comprised of Democrats, Republicans, and representatives of neither party. Fiscal Impact: Potential increase in state redistricting costs once every ten years due to two entities performing redistricting. Any increase in costs probably would not be significant.
For me, this is the most complicated issue on the ballot this election cycle. You have to be a dedicated California state policy wonk to truly grasp this one, and I am not.
Currently, the legislature draws districts every 10 years. Supporters of this proposition claim this to be a conflict of interest, because districts tend to get drawn in a way that favors reelection of those in the legislature. That is a fair assessment.
The proposal is to establish a new commission of registered voters who will be responsible for drawing the voting districts, with the exception of U.S. House of Representatives districts, which would continue to be drawn by the legislature.
The process through which people would be appointed to this new commission is mind boggling, and I won’t attempt an explanation. There are valid concerns however,
- California Proposition 10October 20 2008
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Alternative Fuel Vehicles and Renewable Energy. Bonds.
Authorizes $5 billion in bonds paid from state’s General Fund, to help consumers and others purchase certain vehicles, and to fund research in renewable energy and alternative fuel vehicles. Fiscal Impact: State cost of about $10 billion over 30 years to repay bonds. Increased state and local revenues, potentially totaling several tens of millions of dollars through 2019. Potential state administrative costs up to about $10 million annually.
As I’ve mentioned before, I’m a supporter of alternative energy and other environmental efforts. However, I don’t believe the government has any business providing rebates to consumers who are purchasing vehicles.
If the state wants to improve the vehicle efficiency, it should do so through mandates on primary fuel sources or fuel efficiency standards. This would impact all Californians equally, without providing a direct benefit to only the few who are able to purchase a new car.
Additionally, much of the funding for this initiative has come from Clean Energy, a company owned by T. Boone Pickens. The manner in which this proposal is drafted gives preference to natural gas, which Clean Ener