Thu, 24 Jan 2008 13:45:07 -0700 http://www.m-burns.com/ Michael A. Burns - political blog en-us http://www.m-burns.com/images/logo.gif http://www.m-burns.com/ webmaster@m-burns.com http://www.m-burns.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=51 Congress and the President have agreed upon an "economic stimulus" package that centers around "tax rebates". As the article found here states, most tax filers, even those who do not pay taxes, will get a refund check from the Federal Government this summer. I can't help but point out the hypocrisy here. Most agree that the refunds will "stimulate" the economy, hence the name of the package. However, many on the liberal side of the political spectrum refuse to acknowledge that allowing us to keep more of our money to begin with is good for the economy and the government. They prefer to take our money and occasionally, when things aren't looking "that good" (IMO, at this time, media-hyped more than real), they will "refund" it to us and take credit for "simulating the economy". Let me keep more of my money to begin with to keep the economy growing rather than taking my money and occasionally "stimulating" the economy! It will be better for all us in the long run! Thu, 24 Jan 2008 13:45:07 -0700 http://www.m-burns.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=50 Beginning November 12, 2007, One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) is starting the Give 1 Get 1 program where, for $399 US, you can give an XO Laptop to a child in a developing country and receive an XO Laptop for yourself to give to your child, grandchild, niece, nephew, or any other child you may choose. If you are in a position to do this, I strongly suggest you do. And, if possible, donate what you can to give more children in developing nations the chance to learn and improve their lives! One Laptop Per Child -- http://laptop.org Give 1 Get 1 -- http://laptopgiving.org Mon, 12 Nov 2007 21:38:20 -0700 http://www.m-burns.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=49 The following article demonstrates exactly how development, especially "re-development", is supposed to work. If an individual does not want to sell their home, then the developer must "work around" them! Developer builds around woman's home Tue, 02 Oct 2007 18:02:14 -0700 http://www.m-burns.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=48 A couple of decades ago, Yorba Linda was a "rural community". For the last several years, Yorba Linda has been referred to as a "semi-rural community". Now, considering this article (http://www.ocregister.com/news/birds-roosters-drive-1769292-miller-palomino) from the Orange County Register, I don't believe you can even consider Yorba Linda "semi-rural" anymore. Citizens who have moved into the community within just the last few years are taking away the remaining vestiges of rural life. So much for the "Land of Gracious Living" ... Thu, 19 Jul 2007 07:42:14 -0700 http://www.m-burns.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=47 Ducks win the Stanley Cup!!! (Register Section) Thu, 07 Jun 2007 06:38:23 -0700 http://www.m-burns.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=46 Weeda wins the special election. (Star article) Thu, 07 Jun 2007 06:37:53 -0700 http://www.m-burns.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=45 Tuesday, June 5, the citizens of Yorba Linda will have the opportunity to select an individual to fill the vacant seat on the City Council. Sun, 03 Jun 2007 09:43:28 -0700 http://www.m-burns.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=43 Congratulations to Jan Horton and John Anderson for defeating the establishment candidates. You can read about the election results here. Sat, 11 Nov 2006 10:29:15 -0700 http://www.m-burns.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=42 You can check the election results using the following links. California Orange County City of Yorba Linda Tue, 07 Nov 2006 22:28:06 -0700 http://www.m-burns.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=41 I submitted the following letter to the Yorba Linda Star. While it was not published, I believe passage of Proposition 90 is so important. So, I am making it available here. Please click on the "Read full article ..." link below to read the letter. Thu, 02 Nov 2006 22:21:05 -0700 http://www.m-burns.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=40 The following two links are to ballot recommendations from two different sources. As you can see, they match up exactly with my recommendations in the "Election 2006" block on the right side of the page. California Family Council - printable guide FlashReport The next two links cover general election information from a family perspective. California Family Council Campaign for Children and Families Finally, the Orange County Pro-Family Candidate List in which I am recommended by the Orange County Pro-Family Council for Yorba Linda City Council. Tue, 24 Oct 2006 15:31:48 -0700 http://www.m-burns.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=39 The Yorba Linda Star printed my candidate profile. You can read the article here. I have also added a Questions Answered article to my Campaign Section. Please read it to understand my position on issues that have been raised by citizens of Yorba Linda and the media. Thu, 19 Oct 2006 21:32:47 -0700 http://www.m-burns.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=38 CBS and KCAL are providing information related to the election with their Voter Guide. Simply enter your address and Zip Code. Then, click the "Find My Races" button to view your ballot. Each candidate was provided the opportunity to submit background information and answers to several questions. You can look at the responses for the Yorba Linda City Council candidates here. As of this writing, only myself and one other candidate has provided responses. Mon, 09 Oct 2006 09:09:28 -0700 http://www.m-burns.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=37 Historically, I have always voted no on bond measures and this election will be no different. The State takes billions of dollars from us every year. If those funds were managed properly, there would never be a need to borrow money. We need to force the Legislature and the Governor to address these issues with the money they are already taking from us. Likewise, I rarely vote for new taxes, especially targeted taxes. We are faced with three (3) tax measures on the ballot this fall, the targeted cigarette tax, the oil tax and the school tax. All of these taxes are wrong for the citizens of California. Clicking on the "Read full article" link below will take you to the full article where you will find several links regarding the bonds and taxes on the ballot. While I am only providing links to sites that support my position on these issues, I strongly suggest you search out the opposing viewpoints. Again, I like to be informed when I go to the polls and I recommend everyone else do the same. Tue, 26 Sep 2006 07:42:11 -0700 http://www.m-burns.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=36 The following links are to articles on OC Blog that I have commented on. I am providing these links to help the voters in Yorba Linda learn my positions on the issues discussed. Please click on the "Read full article" link below to view the links ... Fri, 22 Sep 2006 06:43:38 -0700 http://www.m-burns.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=35 I will be voting yes on Proposition 90, the Protect Our Homes Initiative. The link below is to a posting on OC Blog that explains why Proposition 90 is right for our State. On Property Sat, 16 Sep 2006 09:39:43 -0700 http://www.m-burns.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=34 Please visit the SmartVoter website, at the link below, to view information regarding all of the candidates for Yorba Linda City Council. It is important for all of us to be informed when we vote and, with the Internet, it is much easier to find that information today. http://www.smartvoter.org/ Instructions: Enter your address and zip code in the "Find My Ballot" section of the webpage and click the "Find ballot & polling place" button to see the ballot for your area. Wed, 13 Sep 2006 14:27:30 -0700 http://www.m-burns.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=33 I read an interesting article written by Gary Kelly titled "Election 2006 & 2008 Choices". The article articulates the reasons one's knowledgable vote is so important. It also makes clear the distinctions between the choices we have on many issues facing us today. I strongly suggest everyone take some time out of your busy schedules and read the article. You can read the article by clicking on the link below. Election 2006 & 2008 Chocies Fri, 08 Sep 2006 07:26:31 -0700 http://www.m-burns.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=32 I have added my campaign platform for 2006 and a response to the YLRRR endorsements of two of my opponents. You can view both of them by going to Sections and selectiing the campaign section. If you have any comments about my platform or statements I made in the response, please feel free to let me know via the contact form. Sun, 03 Sep 2006 16:43:53 -0700 http://www.m-burns.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=31 Governor Schwarzenegger has signed a bill, SB 1441, that prevents discrimination on the basis of "sexual orientation", real or perceived, for any entity that receives State Funds. You can read more about the bill and it affects here. I will not be voting for Governor Schwarzenegger in November. Unfortunately, that means I probably won't be voting for anyone. Right now, my second choice would have to be Art Olivier, a Libertarian. But, I disagree with the position of the Libertarians on many social issues. So, like I said, I probably won't be voting for a Governor. Read on for an update ... Wed, 30 Aug 2006 22:36:49 -0700 http://www.m-burns.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=30 Jim Drummond comments on a report he obtained about the survey conducted by a professional polling organization last August on behalf of the Old-Town development team. The article can be found here. The report indicates that 77 percent of those polled supported the Right To Vote initiative. Despite knowing the overwhelming support for the initiative, the Council did everything in their power to delay it. Read on for more ... Fri, 04 Aug 2006 14:55:46 -0700 http://www.m-burns.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=29 The City Council certified passage of Measure B, the Right To Vote Initiative, at Tuesday's meeting. The Council also passed an implementation ordinance that establishes time frames of when triggered elections would be held. The implementation ordinance also requires the applicant to cover the cost of triggered elections unless the funds for the project comes from the City or the Redevelopment Agency. The opponents of the measure, four of the Council members and developers, flooded residents with slick mailers claiming that the elections would cost millions of dollars over the years. As I and other proponents of the measure consistently stated, the Council could require the developers (applicants) to pay the election costs. Thankfully, the Council ignored their own rhetoric and passed the implementation ordinance requiring the applicant to cover the election costs. You can read the article from the Yorba Linda Star here. Thu, 20 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.m-burns.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=25 Amanda Elizabeth is the newest member of the Burns family. Mother and daughter are doing well. Now, with her birth, I am energized for the elections this fall. For those who support my view and positions on issues relevant to the City of Yorba Linda, I would appreciate your support. Please print out this contribution form and support my campaign. Thank you! Thu, 29 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.m-burns.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=26 Measure B passes. Read the Register article here. Fri, 23 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.m-burns.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=28 The State Assembly passed AB 2948 - Electoral college : interstate compact a few weeks ago. Essentially, States agreeing to this compact would award their electoral votes to the Presidential candidate who wins the national popular vote. You can read three articles from differing perspectives here, here and here. Thu, 15 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0700