We need to increase our investment in financial and economic literacy for all our K-12 students and their parents so they have a chance to use their earnings wisely and to choose skills that empower them to create a future for themselves and their families.

If we want to retain our competitive edge in this world, we need to refocus our priorities on education, and turn the system upside-down. Make people want to be teachers. Make kids want to go to school. Reward those that show potential with scholarships, and squash the myth that sports is the only way for underprivileged kids to escape their situation. Make college affordable and available to anyone who wants it. Stop grading kids on their ability to take tests. Dismiss the idea that we have to constantly boost self-esteem by not failing kids or holding them back a grade.

"Kick us out, we will vote you out," the crowd in Sacramento chanted as they walked along a bridge crossing Highway 99, through downtown and onto the Capital steps. The line of students, which included hundreds from the Bay Area, stretched six blocks, and dozens of motorists honked in support as they drove by.

The problem is not that most Americans lack adequate health insurance...The biggest problem with the American health care system is that it costs too much.

However, Sen. Dave Cogdill of Modesto, the GOP's incoming leader, said the state should not take away credits at a time when the economy is struggling.

Other ideas that have yet to gain traction would raise income taxes on high-wage earners or amend Proposition 13 to assess businesses in the same way as residential property. The latter, known as "split-roll" property tax, would require that commercial and industrial properties be reassessed more regularly, bringing the state an estimated $3 billion annually.

Cogdill dismissed all as non-starters.

"We should help the general fund by stimulating the economy and be a more beneficial partner with industry, rather than stifling them," Cogdill said.

Chanting "Save our schools" and "Shame on you," about 200 teachers, students and parents from across South County lined the narrow sidewalks in front of a Mexican restaurant Thursday afternoon, protesting Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposed education cuts as the governor rolled up for a fundraiser.

Sheriff's deputies on foot and motorcycle ordered protesters to stay off the private driveway of El Adobe de Capistrano restaurant in the moments leading up to the governor's 6:15 p.m. arrival. Schwarzenegger entered the downtown San Juan Capistrano eatery through a side entrance and did not address the protesters.

Schwarzenegger's communications director, Matt David, told reporters the governor "wishes he could be outside with these protesters" and that he applauded their efforts.

"This is the last thing he wants to do," said David, explaining that the governor hoped to work with lawmakers to find a different solution to the state's budget crisis. "He understands how important it is to fund education."

The recall was launched against Sen. Jeff Denham for one reason only.

He refused to vote for a budget billions out of balance. But then the non-partisan Legislative Analyst proved him right, forecasting an additional $10 billion in red ink.

Local newspapers label this recall an "Abuse of the ballot box." (The Monterey County Herald 2/17/2008)

-- a "sham." (The Madera Tribune, 3/21/2008)

"Petty politics" (Hollister Freelance 2/19/2008)

And "Unjustified" (Fresno Bee 3/20/2008)

Saying this recall is "Just plain wrong." (Merced Sun-Star 2/11/2008)

I agree. Vote No on the Recall.

Tomorrow night, thanks to your help and contributions, the Yacht Party video will air on cable TV  in Sacramento - specifically CNN, MSNBC, The Daily Show, and the Colbert Report. And our success has been getting attention. Lisa Vorderbrueggen at the Contra Costa Times writes:

The ad has gotten quite a bit of attention. It’s a clever poke at Assembly Republicans who refused to close a tax that allows purchasers of boats, RVs and other recreational toys to keep them out-of-state for 90 days and and avoid paying sales taxes....

But at a time when the state may have to lay off thousands of teachers and cut services to the poor, the symbolism of allowing a yacht buyer to sit in Mexico for three months to avoid paying taxes is hitting a nerve. 

This is a fantastic development - and as noted below, in the email we sent out to our members, it can get much better.

"Now even though I was criticized by Sen. Perata, who said, 'Boy, he should not mind our business. We know exactly what we are doing.' Well, obviously they don't know exactly what they are doing because otherwise we wouldn't have a $14 billion deficit. If everyone knows exactly what they are doing, we wouldn't have the budget mess in 2003 which created the recall election."

"Sometimes you see schools protesting out there or sending me letters," Schwarzenegger said. "I'm with them. I wish I could stand there protesting, too. Because we have to protest the budget system. Not this year's budget. The budget system is the failure. That is what has to be corrected as quickly as possible."

The controversy stems from a recent Assembly vote in which Republicans killed legislation to close a loophole allowing wealthy Californians to avoid paying state sales and use taxes on luxury boats, recreational vehicles and planes by keeping them out of state for three months after buying them.

Today's LA Times shows how the proposed budget cuts are sending school districts scrambling to get layoff notices out by the March 15 deadline. Although these notices may not always lead to an actual firing, they do have a destructive effect on teacher morale. Already several of my family and friends who teach K-12 in Orange County have begun dusting off their resumes in anticipation of losing their jobs.

In my post at Calitics on Sunday I argued that the cuts, if allowed to happen, would have a reckless and destructive impact on California's economy. The LA Times article points out that there is another potential catastrophe that these cuts might cause. If teachers are fired and class sizes increase, it is going to be more difficult than ever to meet the unreasonable mandates of the odious No Child Left Behind law.

Rialto Unified has made some recent academic gains, and its superintendent worries that deep cuts could stall progress. The district scored a 661 on California's latest Academic Performance Index, below the state's target of 800; the API measures schools and districts on student scores in math, English and other subjects.

While the state API is a different metric than NCLB, if a district is having trouble meeting the API target, it is likely to have trouble meeting the much more onerous NCLB targets. As most educators - and anyone who has been a student - knows, the larger the classes, the more difficult it becomes to learn and achieve.

Among the penalties for missing NCLB targets include "replacing staff" or a takeover by "a private education firm." Either outcome involves less schools, less local control, less parental involvement, and an even deeper economic hit to thousands of working Californians.

Arnold's proposed budget cuts could therefore touch off a cascade of events that delivers a crippling blow to our public education system. The always excellent California Budget Project has put together a detailed list of the impact of those cuts, including a district-by-district list of cuts. Most district will lose at minimum $500 per student, with some rural districts going well above $1,000 per student. Those are staggering numbers.

This was supposed to be the year of education. Perhaps it still can be - it can either be the year we saved education, or the year we destroyed it. Sometimes our choices really are that stark.