Recycling electronic junk in the SCV

By Jeff — Jeff Wilson

As a guy in the IT industry, I’ve amassed probably a half ton of circuit boards, monitors, keyboards, media devices, disks, data cables, ethernet cables, remote controls, A/V components, televisions, batteries, UPS systems, and other e-stuff over the last ten years.

As with all things high tech, what was hot yesterday becomes obsolete tomorrow and so all that junk ends up in my closet, taking up space and in general making life more difficult.

So what to do?

I always keep my eye out for those City/County e-waste collection drives. I’ve used them before; basically you take your old e-junk, load it up in your car, wait in line as gloved workers take your junk with the promise to recycle it.

But what if you need to clean house and there’s no e-waste drive to take your stuff to? It’s actually illegal to toss that stuff in the regular garbage, and storing it at home until the next e-waste drive is impractical.

Thankfully, Waste Management offers e-waste pickup as part of their “bulky items pickup” program. Here’s how it works:

E-Waste Pickup
Residents can arrange to have their electronic waste collected as part of a bulky pickup. Residents may request up to four free bulky item pickups per year, three items per pickup. Residents should call (661) 259-2398 to schedule a bulky item pickup.

I just scheduled a pickup and it was pretty simple and effortless. They’ll be by within a week to pick up the two PCs I’m throwing out plus a big 80-90lb bag of assorted wires, controls, and electronic parts that I don’t need anymore.

Where does the waste go from there? The website says they recycle the material properly, but much of our consumer electronic detritus ends up in China, where children like the one below sort through things to help their poor parents scratch out a living:

60 Minutes did a story just last year on this very topic and found that some e-waste collection drives do just that: collect e-waste, pack it into big shipping containers, then sell it to someone in China, where it’s dumped into poor areas of the country.

Watch CBS Videos Online

I can only hope the waste in my closet isn’t being sent over there. One would think this stuff has some value right? We read all the time about how people try to steal copper wires from telephone polls; well I’ve got a bag of the stuff right now. Why send it off to China?

Anyway, Waste Management deserves kudos for running this program. They were helpful, friendly and accomodating when I scheduled the pick up, and it’s not costing me a dime to dispose of this waste properly. Please keep that number handy!

Comments (32)

Fred ButlerSeptember 17, 2009 at 10:38 am

What do we do with old paint other chemicals? I am always amazed how in such a “progressive” society as the eco-friendly SoCal there isn’t a way to dispose of stuff like this. Any place here in SCV that you know of? As for China dumping circuit boards. The government/society needs to be changed. When the commies start carrying about important stuff like conservation of our environment and the obvious, people, then that won’t happen any more.

JeffSeptember 17, 2009 at 10:50 am

Fred- paints are what’s called “Household Hazardous Waste.” You can drop such waste off at the pick up events or visit a WM center. I think the closest one is in Palmdale. http://www.keepingscvclean.com/hhw.html

cashSeptember 17, 2009 at 10:54 am

How about we worry about our own problems and forget about China Jeff? Fred, hold the stuff until the city sponsors the next free disposal day. They say it is free, but truth is nothing is free. Another thought is to find a drain that does not have the nice blue and white sign painted near the drain reminding you that the drain flows to the river, and dump your stuff there. BTW, have you ever asked the city about the red curbs that were painted years and years back, and are currently peeling with flakes flowing to that same river, if there is lead in the paint? If you do ask you will get an answer that they are studying the situation. The non answer answer! .

Timothy MyersSeptember 17, 2009 at 11:09 am

Cash: I agree!! When is the City government going to solve that Palestinian issue!

navigatorSeptember 17, 2009 at 11:09 am

“Another thought is to find a drain that does not have the nice blue and white sign painted near the drain reminding you that the drain flows to the river, and dump your stuff there.” cash, please tell me you’re pulling my lanyard! I have used the bulky item pickup for refrigerators, couches, ovens, etc. I’ve got a microwave waiting to go now.

Fred ButlerSeptember 17, 2009 at 11:12 am

You mean to tell me I have to drive all the way over to Palmdale? Geesh. There isn’t a WM center somewhere around Bridgeport or Northpark?

JeffSeptember 17, 2009 at 11:14 am

You mean to tell me I have to drive all the way over to Palmdale? Geesh. There isn’t a WM center somewhere around Bridgeport or Northpark? Actually you should take the Metrolink to be really earth-friendly. Then connect to the dump using Antelope Valley Transit Authority. Don’t you guys at Master’s and GTY teach stewardship over God’s creation?

cashSeptember 17, 2009 at 11:15 am

Timmy We have or best man Hillary on that problem! And if she can’t handle it, she can always chat with Bill for advice at bedtime. His answer will go a long way in determining the evenings outcome.

cashSeptember 17, 2009 at 11:24 am

navigator Yes I am joking except for the red paint comment. I just find humor in that the city thinks they need to treat us like kids. Perhaps if the sign was printed in Spanish or a universal image it would be more meaningful. I actually saw a guy trying to catch a fish by dropping a hook in the down spout.

IndySeptember 17, 2009 at 11:27 am

The reality of a unregulated free market system creates the issue noted here. The ‘cost’ of ‘proper’ disposal ‘reduces profits’ . . . thus US companies no doubt send China some of this e-waste (back in the empty containers from the goods imported to the US) since the ‘cost is lower’ per the methods Jeff noted. Should there be more regulations on e-waste?

cashSeptember 17, 2009 at 11:35 am

No.

Timothy MyersSeptember 17, 2009 at 11:53 am

Good answer Cash! You really thought about that long and hard! I guess externalized costs aren’t real in your parallel universe! (By the way, my mixed race grandchildren are hankering for your beat down! I figure when they hit kindergarten they will be ready!)

navigatorSeptember 17, 2009 at 12:01 pm

Sending our e-waste to China is a great idea. It keeps the kids off the streets………….well, maybe not.

Fred ButlerSeptember 17, 2009 at 12:13 pm

Don’t you guys at Master’s and GTY teach stewardship over God’s creation? Yeah, we do. I mean, I take the bus to and from work when I am not riding my bike, but lugging paint cans out to the desert of Palmdale is a little much. I am all over the stewardship and conservation of the earth (which is radically distinguishable from environmentalism), but it would be helpful if doing such was a bit more convenient.

cashSeptember 17, 2009 at 12:18 pm

Timmy, You are correct, I have thought long and hard about regulations and I have decided we have just enough regulation to last a lifetime. Your mixed raced grandchildren won’t have a chance, my youngest mixed race grandchild is 21 and married. Now if they hurry and produce an offspring, we may have a deal. However, the mix will be diluted to a 25/75 ratio, white being predominate. Oh, and my great grandchild well be raised by a Marine.

Timothy MyersSeptember 17, 2009 at 12:57 pm

Cash: I think you misunderstand. They are going to kick your pasty white behind to the curb!

cashSeptember 17, 2009 at 1:37 pm

Timmy I am not pasty white. I have a brown tint! Do I need to report you to child protective services?

Timothy MyersSeptember 17, 2009 at 1:47 pm

Cash: You got a key to John Boenher’s tanning bed?

cashSeptember 17, 2009 at 1:57 pm

No, that stuff will kill you. I have enough native american blood to maintain the hue.

IndySeptember 17, 2009 at 5:48 pm

Cash Says: No (to more regulations) I have to disagree. From a purely ideology viewpoint that is prospered by the Republican Party that all regulations are simply bad simply lets our leaders off the hook to be on the alert for changes in our economy and require new regulators that deal with a changing economic environment. While the conditions displayed in China over the salvaging of materials from e-waste, I’m not sure if any regulations passed here in the US would have any effect. But we could have regulations that prohibited our companies from disposing of e-waste in a manner that hurts ‘our’ environment here in the US. So blanket statements regarding regulations, at least to me, seem inappropriate. And if we didn’t get many of the existing environmental regulations passed back in the late 60s and 70s for clean air and water, much of what we see today in the US would have been much much worse since as I noted, environment cost are taking profits away from businesses . . . thus the business marketing effort to character assassinate environmentalist as ‘ecowackos’ or ‘tree huggers’ that name two that come to mine. I like working but prefer to work without the fear of breathing dirty air and drinking contaminated water.

SCVTamalemanSeptember 17, 2009 at 5:55 pm

Indy is funny. How’s that “Moderates Only” (it still makes me laugh) site coming? Can’t wait to see it.

IndySeptember 17, 2009 at 6:56 pm

Question for you . . . is there any position that you disagree with with McKeon, Runner, or Smyth? If so, you might be considered a moderate . . . just curious.

cashSeptember 17, 2009 at 7:04 pm

Answer is still no! List all the dumb regulations you can think of and come back! The Delta Smelt might find its way to your list. BTW, There already are regulations for the disposal of e-waste.

IndySeptember 17, 2009 at 7:51 pm

Cash, I think your intent is good . . . but any regulation that is no longer valid should be removed. Likewise, as we move into the future, the need for more reguations based on reality should be our goal. This issue of dumb regulations is a good one and makes us all wonder why our ‘leaders’ are not more proactive in working in this area.

SCVTamalemanSeptember 17, 2009 at 8:41 pm

Thanks but no thanks, I’ve seen too many good people and good threads get sucked in to that rabbit hole. Once somebody dares to answer any question of yours they end up getting pulled in a thousand different directions, none of which lead back to the original topic. Sort of like that “Minesweeper” game. Everybody knows your reputation when it comes to debate, I’ll pass. I just can’t wait for the “Indy Moderates Only” board! Gosh, I bet it’s going to be boss. Make sure you post a link here, OK?

Ewaste ExpertSeptember 18, 2009 at 8:56 am

Every – and I mean EVERY – ewaste recycler claims to do the right thing with your material. What idiot would say otherwise. BUT, BAN still also claims that 80% of the electronic materials recovered in the US for recycling end up in some devleoping country where the recycling continues to have disastrous effects on the environment and those who live and work in it. Sound recycling of electronics – whether for sound reuse, or the liberation of materials for the benefit of recycling – is NOT FREE. If it helps you sleep better at night – you just “properly” provided another job for some poor souls quick demise in a developing country.

JeffSeptember 18, 2009 at 9:00 am

If it helps you sleep better at night – you just “properly” provided another job for some poor souls quick demise in a developing country. You don’t know that for sure, and besides, what other option do I have? Melt the stuff down myself and sell off the precious metals?

IndySeptember 18, 2009 at 11:32 am

The reality is something more simple SCVTamaleman and these comments are not directly aimed at you. From what I can see from participating with partisan ideologues of both parties over the last 15 years or so on internet forums is that generally, they don’t like debate since they feel comfortable with the ideology positions. It’s far easier to recite slogans and folklore versus trying to actually think and thus debate the merits of a given issue. Thus, when you do get into debate, the true partisan quickly roles out what I term as a ‘defensive’ strategy of character assassination (Sean, Rush, Glenn, et al) as a tool to rebuff debate and quickly gets back to ideology recitaling . . . I guess wanting to feel comfortable versus really trying to solve the problems that have plagued us for decades. I had a conversation with somebody on the right recently who was telling that government is bad and cited the mismanaged operations of the DMV as an example. I retorted by nothing that ‘I’VE HEARD THAT CRITICISM ABOUT THE DMV FOR 40 YEARS . . . ‘ . . . and thus asked what his two current Republican legislators were doing to resolve that issue . . . and then he was right back to reciting more ideology versus any real interest in solving the problem he used as an example!!! Thus, your observation was correct (Once somebody dares to answer any question of yours they end up getting pulled in a thousand different directions). Solutions require thought . . . and to a degree, conflict with existing beliefs . . . so yes, the solution will go down directions different from folklore and ideology and thus debate can be uncomfortable . . . but without it as we’ve seen with the DMV example, nothing changes . . . just recital after recital after recital. Those days are over for me . . . I can’t look my nieces and nephews in the eye and tell them that simply reciting problems with no chance for solutions as being the ‘American way’. . . . In any event, since we live in a freedom here in the US, any American is free to believe or recite what they want . . . but I believe we need places for Americans to discuss topics free of partisan bullying and nonsense. . . . or we’re never going to solve anything . . . and interestingly, ‘we all lose’, Republicans and Democrats alike. So yes, I’ll keep you posted on my efforts . . . I’m in the homework and discovery phase . . . but the WordPress platform that Jeff uses here looks like the ticket.

cashSeptember 20, 2009 at 1:48 pm

Agreed, remove the regulations that no longer apply, and only add regulations that are well thought out and not driven by fear, falsh claims or personal greed. I for one do my best to ignore and not comply with the dumb regulations driven by special interest. Every now and then, after midnight, I drive in the bike.

SCVTamalemanSeptember 20, 2009 at 10:12 pm

Indy wrote: “I retorted by nothing that ‘I’VE HEARD THAT CRITICISM ABOUT THE DMV FOR 40 YEARS . . . ‘ . . . and thus asked what his two current Republican legislators were doing to resolve that issue” You bleat on and on about how partisan others are, but when it comes to solving systemic problems in government all you care about is what the repubicans have done to solve the problem. You completely ignore the fact that both houses of the legislature have had a democrat majority for those same 40 Years (except for 95-96 in the Assembly). Ignorance must truly be bliss. It’s hysterical that you fancy yourself a moderate when your default position is always, without exception to blame republicans.

IndySeptember 21, 2009 at 1:23 pm

The problem you have is that nothing is stopping the Republicans from following through on doing what is necessary . . . especially considering Republicans ‘run’ on the ‘waste and fraud’ issue in government. Where are the special hearings on government management? Where are the news conferences? Why not address the topic on their websites and what they are doing? Why wait for Democrats if you know something needs to be done? Why just recite for 40 years as if the reciting was a substitute for a solution? Likewise, the folks that represent me in the state legislature are ‘Republicans’. Should I just give them a pass for being of that party? As far as a being a moderate, let’s be honest here . . . if you’re in the middle you just as guilty of being a ‘non-conservative’ as if you’re on the ‘far left’. We need our legislators to be more than just ‘ideology idols’ that represent a ‘point of view’ and little more. And ‘blaming the other party’ as you note, solves nothing . . . but our two guys for better or worse, are in the state capitol as I write this . . . if they can’t make change, then who does represent us?

SCVTamalemanSeptember 23, 2009 at 7:22 am

There is a committee on government waste, it took me about 2.4 seconds to find it: California State Assembly Committee on Accountability and Administrative Review Committee Jurisdiction Primary jurisdictions are identifying savings and efficiencies in the management of state government, reviewing and studying the implementation, operation, and effectiveness of state programs and agencies. It’s chaired by a dem though so don’t expect them to do anything, ever. “And ‘blaming the other party’ as you note, solves nothing ” Yet that’s all you ever do, how odd.

Fred ButlerSeptember 17, 2009 at 10:38 am
What do we do with old paint other chemicals? I am always amazed how in such a “progressive” society as the eco-friendly SoCal there isn’t a way to dispose of stuff like this. Any place here in SCV that you know of? As for China dumping circuit boards. The government/society needs to be changed. When the commies start carrying about important stuff like conservation of our environment and the obvious, people, then that won’t happen any more.
JeffSeptember 17, 2009 at 10:50 am
Fred- paints are what’s called “Household Hazardous Waste.” You can drop such waste off at the pick up events or visit a WM center. I think the closest one is in Palmdale. http://www.keepingscvclean.com/hhw.html
cashSeptember 17, 2009 at 10:54 am
How about we worry about our own problems and forget about China Jeff? Fred, hold the stuff until the city sponsors the next free disposal day. They say it is free, but truth is nothing is free. Another thought is to find a drain that does not have the nice blue and white sign painted near the drain reminding you that the drain flows to the river, and dump your stuff there. BTW, have you ever asked the city about the red curbs that were painted years and years back, and are currently peeling with flakes flowing to that same river, if there is lead in the paint? If you do ask you will get an answer that they are studying the situation. The non answer answer! .
Timothy MyersSeptember 17, 2009 at 11:09 am
Cash: I agree!! When is the City government going to solve that Palestinian issue!
navigatorSeptember 17, 2009 at 11:09 am
“Another thought is to find a drain that does not have the nice blue and white sign painted near the drain reminding you that the drain flows to the river, and dump your stuff there.” cash, please tell me you’re pulling my lanyard! I have used the bulky item pickup for refrigerators, couches, ovens, etc. I’ve got a microwave waiting to go now.
Fred ButlerSeptember 17, 2009 at 11:12 am
You mean to tell me I have to drive all the way over to Palmdale? Geesh. There isn’t a WM center somewhere around Bridgeport or Northpark?
JeffSeptember 17, 2009 at 11:14 am
You mean to tell me I have to drive all the way over to Palmdale? Geesh. There isn’t a WM center somewhere around Bridgeport or Northpark? Actually you should take the Metrolink to be really earth-friendly. Then connect to the dump using Antelope Valley Transit Authority. Don’t you guys at Master’s and GTY teach stewardship over God’s creation?
cashSeptember 17, 2009 at 11:15 am
Timmy We have or best man Hillary on that problem! And if she can’t handle it, she can always chat with Bill for advice at bedtime. His answer will go a long way in determining the evenings outcome.
cashSeptember 17, 2009 at 11:24 am
navigator Yes I am joking except for the red paint comment. I just find humor in that the city thinks they need to treat us like kids. Perhaps if the sign was printed in Spanish or a universal image it would be more meaningful. I actually saw a guy trying to catch a fish by dropping a hook in the down spout.
IndySeptember 17, 2009 at 11:27 am
The reality of a unregulated free market system creates the issue noted here. The ‘cost’ of ‘proper’ disposal ‘reduces profits’ . . . thus US companies no doubt send China some of this e-waste (back in the empty containers from the goods imported to the US) since the ‘cost is lower’ per the methods Jeff noted. Should there be more regulations on e-waste?
cashSeptember 17, 2009 at 11:35 am
No.
Timothy MyersSeptember 17, 2009 at 11:53 am
Good answer Cash! You really thought about that long and hard! I guess externalized costs aren’t real in your parallel universe! (By the way, my mixed race grandchildren are hankering for your beat down! I figure when they hit kindergarten they will be ready!)
navigatorSeptember 17, 2009 at 12:01 pm
Sending our e-waste to China is a great idea. It keeps the kids off the streets………….well, maybe not.
Fred ButlerSeptember 17, 2009 at 12:13 pm
Don’t you guys at Master’s and GTY teach stewardship over God’s creation? Yeah, we do. I mean, I take the bus to and from work when I am not riding my bike, but lugging paint cans out to the desert of Palmdale is a little much. I am all over the stewardship and conservation of the earth (which is radically distinguishable from environmentalism), but it would be helpful if doing such was a bit more convenient.
cashSeptember 17, 2009 at 12:18 pm
Timmy, You are correct, I have thought long and hard about regulations and I have decided we have just enough regulation to last a lifetime. Your mixed raced grandchildren won’t have a chance, my youngest mixed race grandchild is 21 and married. Now if they hurry and produce an offspring, we may have a deal. However, the mix will be diluted to a 25/75 ratio, white being predominate. Oh, and my great grandchild well be raised by a Marine.
Timothy MyersSeptember 17, 2009 at 12:57 pm
Cash: I think you misunderstand. They are going to kick your pasty white behind to the curb!
cashSeptember 17, 2009 at 1:37 pm
Timmy I am not pasty white. I have a brown tint! Do I need to report you to child protective services?
Timothy MyersSeptember 17, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Cash: You got a key to John Boenher’s tanning bed?
cashSeptember 17, 2009 at 1:57 pm
No, that stuff will kill you. I have enough native american blood to maintain the hue.
IndySeptember 17, 2009 at 5:48 pm
Cash Says: No (to more regulations) I have to disagree. From a purely ideology viewpoint that is prospered by the Republican Party that all regulations are simply bad simply lets our leaders off the hook to be on the alert for changes in our economy and require new regulators that deal with a changing economic environment. While the conditions displayed in China over the salvaging of materials from e-waste, I’m not sure if any regulations passed here in the US would have any effect. But we could have regulations that prohibited our companies from disposing of e-waste in a manner that hurts ‘our’ environment here in the US. So blanket statements regarding regulations, at least to me, seem inappropriate. And if we didn’t get many of the existing environmental regulations passed back in the late 60s and 70s for clean air and water, much of what we see today in the US would have been much much worse since as I noted, environment cost are taking profits away from businesses . . . thus the business marketing effort to character assassinate environmentalist as ‘ecowackos’ or ‘tree huggers’ that name two that come to mine. I like working but prefer to work without the fear of breathing dirty air and drinking contaminated water.
SCVTamalemanSeptember 17, 2009 at 5:55 pm
Indy is funny. How’s that “Moderates Only” (it still makes me laugh) site coming? Can’t wait to see it.
IndySeptember 17, 2009 at 6:56 pm
Question for you . . . is there any position that you disagree with with McKeon, Runner, or Smyth? If so, you might be considered a moderate . . . just curious.
cashSeptember 17, 2009 at 7:04 pm
Answer is still no! List all the dumb regulations you can think of and come back! The Delta Smelt might find its way to your list. BTW, There already are regulations for the disposal of e-waste.
IndySeptember 17, 2009 at 7:51 pm
Cash, I think your intent is good . . . but any regulation that is no longer valid should be removed. Likewise, as we move into the future, the need for more reguations based on reality should be our goal. This issue of dumb regulations is a good one and makes us all wonder why our ‘leaders’ are not more proactive in working in this area.
SCVTamalemanSeptember 17, 2009 at 8:41 pm
Thanks but no thanks, I’ve seen too many good people and good threads get sucked in to that rabbit hole. Once somebody dares to answer any question of yours they end up getting pulled in a thousand different directions, none of which lead back to the original topic. Sort of like that “Minesweeper” game. Everybody knows your reputation when it comes to debate, I’ll pass. I just can’t wait for the “Indy Moderates Only” board! Gosh, I bet it’s going to be boss. Make sure you post a link here, OK?
Ewaste ExpertSeptember 18, 2009 at 8:56 am
Every – and I mean EVERY – ewaste recycler claims to do the right thing with your material. What idiot would say otherwise. BUT, BAN still also claims that 80% of the electronic materials recovered in the US for recycling end up in some devleoping country where the recycling continues to have disastrous effects on the environment and those who live and work in it. Sound recycling of electronics – whether for sound reuse, or the liberation of materials for the benefit of recycling – is NOT FREE. If it helps you sleep better at night – you just “properly” provided another job for some poor souls quick demise in a developing country.
JeffSeptember 18, 2009 at 9:00 am
If it helps you sleep better at night – you just “properly” provided another job for some poor souls quick demise in a developing country. You don’t know that for sure, and besides, what other option do I have? Melt the stuff down myself and sell off the precious metals?
IndySeptember 18, 2009 at 11:32 am
The reality is something more simple SCVTamaleman and these comments are not directly aimed at you. From what I can see from participating with partisan ideologues of both parties over the last 15 years or so on internet forums is that generally, they don’t like debate since they feel comfortable with the ideology positions. It’s far easier to recite slogans and folklore versus trying to actually think and thus debate the merits of a given issue. Thus, when you do get into debate, the true partisan quickly roles out what I term as a ‘defensive’ strategy of character assassination (Sean, Rush, Glenn, et al) as a tool to rebuff debate and quickly gets back to ideology recitaling . . . I guess wanting to feel comfortable versus really trying to solve the problems that have plagued us for decades. I had a conversation with somebody on the right recently who was telling that government is bad and cited the mismanaged operations of the DMV as an example. I retorted by nothing that ‘I’VE HEARD THAT CRITICISM ABOUT THE DMV FOR 40 YEARS . . . ‘ . . . and thus asked what his two current Republican legislators were doing to resolve that issue . . . and then he was right back to reciting more ideology versus any real interest in solving the problem he used as an example!!! Thus, your observation was correct (Once somebody dares to answer any question of yours they end up getting pulled in a thousand different directions). Solutions require thought . . . and to a degree, conflict with existing beliefs . . . so yes, the solution will go down directions different from folklore and ideology and thus debate can be uncomfortable . . . but without it as we’ve seen with the DMV example, nothing changes . . . just recital after recital after recital. Those days are over for me . . . I can’t look my nieces and nephews in the eye and tell them that simply reciting problems with no chance for solutions as being the ‘American way’. . . . In any event, since we live in a freedom here in the US, any American is free to believe or recite what they want . . . but I believe we need places for Americans to discuss topics free of partisan bullying and nonsense. . . . or we’re never going to solve anything . . . and interestingly, ‘we all lose’, Republicans and Democrats alike. So yes, I’ll keep you posted on my efforts . . . I’m in the homework and discovery phase . . . but the WordPress platform that Jeff uses here looks like the ticket.
cashSeptember 20, 2009 at 1:48 pm
Agreed, remove the regulations that no longer apply, and only add regulations that are well thought out and not driven by fear, falsh claims or personal greed. I for one do my best to ignore and not comply with the dumb regulations driven by special interest. Every now and then, after midnight, I drive in the bike.
SCVTamalemanSeptember 20, 2009 at 10:12 pm
Indy wrote: “I retorted by nothing that ‘I’VE HEARD THAT CRITICISM ABOUT THE DMV FOR 40 YEARS . . . ‘ . . . and thus asked what his two current Republican legislators were doing to resolve that issue” You bleat on and on about how partisan others are, but when it comes to solving systemic problems in government all you care about is what the repubicans have done to solve the problem. You completely ignore the fact that both houses of the legislature have had a democrat majority for those same 40 Years (except for 95-96 in the Assembly). Ignorance must truly be bliss. It’s hysterical that you fancy yourself a moderate when your default position is always, without exception to blame republicans.
IndySeptember 21, 2009 at 1:23 pm
The problem you have is that nothing is stopping the Republicans from following through on doing what is necessary . . . especially considering Republicans ‘run’ on the ‘waste and fraud’ issue in government. Where are the special hearings on government management? Where are the news conferences? Why not address the topic on their websites and what they are doing? Why wait for Democrats if you know something needs to be done? Why just recite for 40 years as if the reciting was a substitute for a solution? Likewise, the folks that represent me in the state legislature are ‘Republicans’. Should I just give them a pass for being of that party? As far as a being a moderate, let’s be honest here . . . if you’re in the middle you just as guilty of being a ‘non-conservative’ as if you’re on the ‘far left’. We need our legislators to be more than just ‘ideology idols’ that represent a ‘point of view’ and little more. And ‘blaming the other party’ as you note, solves nothing . . . but our two guys for better or worse, are in the state capitol as I write this . . . if they can’t make change, then who does represent us?
SCVTamalemanSeptember 23, 2009 at 7:22 am
There is a committee on government waste, it took me about 2.4 seconds to find it: California State Assembly Committee on Accountability and Administrative Review Committee Jurisdiction Primary jurisdictions are identifying savings and efficiencies in the management of state government, reviewing and studying the implementation, operation, and effectiveness of state programs and agencies. It’s chaired by a dem though so don’t expect them to do anything, ever. “And ‘blaming the other party’ as you note, solves nothing ” Yet that’s all you ever do, how odd.